Bit-Tech published a feature on Independent games development

The best thing about indie games nowadays though is the way they are spreading to other systems and are being encouraged by some of the major developers, like Microsoft.

Microsoft in particular is going crazy for indie developers and cheaply giving away support and assets to indie game makers who want to sign up to the XNA Creators Club. Doing so allows designers to create their own games, with the hope of distributing them on Xbox Live and becoming the next Geometry Wars.

But Microsoft isn't alone in the way it is encouraging indie developers.

Nintendo too is eager to entice bedroom-based game designers to the Wii and is encouraging developers to make 'WiiWare' games which will build on the unique and lower-end appeal of the Wii as a console.

The World of Indie Games

Legit Reviews posted a review on the In Win Mountain Jade HTPC Case

The In-Win Mt Jade/BK623 Tiny tower case is a mATX slim form factor chassis that is just half the size of many desktop mATX PCs. This case is designed to work with micro ATX-sized motherboard and full height audio and video cards. The chassis uses Partition Plate cooling technology, which separates the CPU fan from the heatsink to reduce back draft. With this design no case fan is needed which means better acoustic performance. Read on to see if this case is what you need!

In Win Mountain Jade HTPC Case Review



Bjorn3D take a look at the SimpleTech SimpleDrive

Many times a simple USB flash drive just isn't the right tool for the job. Other times, writable optical media isn't the best choice either. Sometimes you need something a little more robust; a little more refined. Sometimes you need an external hard drive. SimpleTech, recently aquired by Fabrik Inc., has just released the SimpleDrive Portable Hard Drive, a sleek, stylish and effective means of providing plenty of storage in a highly portable configuration. Here is what SimpleTech has to say about their SimpleDrive Portable Hard Drive:

'Designed by Pininfarina, the very same design firm that gives Ferrari sports cars their stylish lines, SimpleDrive Portable hard drive is the easiest way to add fast, reliable storage to any desktop, laptop or notebook computer. With USB 2.0 setup is a snap and data transfer speeds up to 480Mb/second.'

The SimpleDrive is available in multiple storage sizes ranging from 60Gb to 250GB. All models utilize an 8MB cache 5400 RPM hard drive, and USB 2.0 connectivity. With the 250GB model in my possession, I am ready to put this drive to the test. Continue on to see how the SimpleDrive and it's included software perform.

SimpleTech SimpleDrive Review

Tech ARP posted an editorial on AMD's Barcelona CPU

AMD has been deafeningly silent about the Quad-Core Opteron (Barcelona), ever since we covered details of the processor in our technology report. It's already mid-August and there has still been no news of the long-anticipated launch.

However, we recently learned that AMD will be holding a hush-hush press briefing next week. Will this finally be the launch date? Or will it be delayed till September?

AMD Barcelona : To Launch Or Not To Launch?

The Guru of 3D published their PC Buyer's Guide for Summer 2007

Guru of 3D brings you the Summer edition of their PC buyers guide. In this article they'll keep you up-to date on what they think is recommended to buy if you are building a new gaming rig. That right, we say gaming as this is a site that is targeted at gamers. So don't expect 350 USD "Excel" machines. Keep in mind that what we write here are recommendations, they can be controversial and subjective for you to read. Be sure to read other buyer guides from other media as well to get a complete overview on what's best suited for your specific situation.

You can select from three categories in this buyers guide.

PC Buyer’s Guide – Low End
This is the computer for a gamer on a budget. This is for the person who has an older system (or a poor college student with no computer) that needs to be retired but doesn't want to spend tons on a new computer. This computer will easily handle any of today's games like Half-Life 2 and Prey, even when you turn on all the eye candy.

PC Buyer’s Guide – Mid End
This is the computer for the typical gamer. You want to see the eye candy in your games and want to be running at higher resolutions, so you are willing to spend a bit extra to get that performance while being able to play all modern games. PC Buyer’s Guide – High End This is the computer for the hardcore gamer. This is for the person with too much money, who must have the latest and greatest technology. You expect your system to not even to blink when you run BF 2 and 1920x1200 with 8xAA and 16xAF. You're also they type who like to upgrade your computer every 6 months (kinda like us). Yes, the Crysis machine.

PC Buyer's Guide Summer 2007

BIOS Magazine published a review on the new Apple iMac

Apple's all-new all-in-one iMac is gorgeous. Period! Seriously, you don't even need to turn the machine on to appreciate the engineering might that has gone into producing a widescreen display (either 20- or 24-inch) encased in an elegant aluminium (and glass) enclosure. And the anodised aluminium keyboard. Yikes! Perhaps not the most ergonomic for long periods of typing, but its slim profile (just 0.33 inches thin at its front edge) and low-profile keys are an absolute pleasure to behold. As you can see, we were pretty impressed even before we turned it on...

Apple iMac (4th Gen) Review

techPowerUp posted a review on the Akasa Integral P2NES 2.5" IDE/SATA case

The Akasa Integral PNES is one of the first 2.5 inch external enclosures which can either utilize an IDE or SATA drive. This also results in a USB 2.0 or eSATA connectivity, which makes the P2NES perfect for anybody with na eSATA equipped PC at home or work and a USB 2.0 equipped notebook

Akasa Integral P2NES 2.5" IDE/SATA Review

Hardwarezone posted a review on the Cooler Master CM 690 case

Enthusiasts with a fetish for fans will be eager to lay their hands on the Cooler Master CM 690, which can support up to seven 120mm system fans. This mid-tower chassis also comes with an unique meshed design and all the tool-free mechanisms you have come to expect from the vendor.

Cooler Master CM 690 Review

3D Game Man posted a review on the Moneual MonCaso 932 HTPC Case

The Moneual MonCaso 932 HTPC Case is dream case for a Home Theater PC build. It's looks fantastic, all aluminum construction, 7" touch screen LCD, memory card reader, one 5.25" drive bay, four hard drive bays, fits standard ATX motherboards and ATX power supplies. It also has excellent air circulation with the included four 80mm fans. It's even comes with a Windows Vista Media Center compatible remote control. All-in-all this case rocks! Watch the video to find out more and check out the bloopers at the end.

Moneual MonCaso 932 HTPC Case Review

DragonSteelMods posted a review on the EasyCap USB 2.0 Audio-Video Capture Adaptor from USBFever

Quality video capturing and processing used to be the things relegated to more powerful computers than that of our average desktops, or laptops, but as we all know technology advances exponentially, or so it seems. Today for review I've got a device that resembles a large USB flash drive, but in reality it's a full audio and video capturing system that you can put in your pocket and take with you to use anywhere, anytime you need to. It's called the EasyCap and our friends at USBfever have sent it over for review, so continue on to learn a bit more...

EasyCap USB 2.0 Audio-Video Capture Adaptor from USBFever

OCIA.net takes a look at the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 in their latest review

Whether you are interested in lifecasting, video conferencing or simply chatting online with friends or family on the other side of the planet, it all starts with a webcam. I tried using a webcam several years back and quickly gave up because the quality was horrible. It was like watching a photo slideshow in slow motion. Things have certainly come a long way since then and I am excited to try a "newer" webcam to see just how much improvement has been made over the years.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Review

XtremeComputing posted a review on the Noctua NF-S12 and the NF–R8 Silent fans

Today I shall be taking a look at a product from Noctua that promises to be the answer to those seeking that silent dream. The Noctua NF- S12 and the NF – R8. We only got one NF – S12 (120mm) as we know most 120mm fans can be run silently, but on the R8 we decided to get 3 of these in to replace a complete set of fans in one rather loud UV acrylic case. Trust me even with the quiet golf ball fan there is still a slight hum of fan noise, so let us see if the Noctua’s can give me even more piece and quiet shall we.

Noctua NF-S12 and the NF–R8 Silent fans Review

Bit-Tech published a review of Wolf King's Warrior gaming keypad

Whether the Wolf King Warrior performs as well in non-FPS games is a bit harder to tell, as there aren't really that many genres that would require a pad such as this. Ones that could benefit from a real key remapping already have more dedicated inputs. Flight simulators? Joysticks. Platformers? Game pads. Isometric RPGs and strategy games meanwhile tend to favour the mouse for the majority of inputs, with keyboards being used for simple shortcuts predominantly.

Wolf King Warrior gaming keypad Review