Posts by Tony Smith, Editor, Reg Hardware

Re: A great story about a long-forgotten computer, but...

Well spotted. It's 16 lines, of course.

Re: Keyboard layout

This is one of a number of non-Qwerty keyboards considered for the Liberator but rejected. At the time, since the planned users would not have been keyboard users, there was no need to use a typist-friendly keyboard layout.

More on this in part two.

Re: Backlight???

Absolutely. The Glowlight Nook uses the same approach. But since most folk will still call this a backlight, I think we can afford not to be too pedantic about it.

Re: Odd

The Paperwhite isn't available in the UK, and wasn't even announced for UK availability when this review was produced.

Now it has been: http://www.reghardware.com/2012/10/12/amazon_prices_up_paperwhite_for_the_uk/

All e-readers can handle a variety of non-DRM files - Reg readers know this. I think they're more interested in broader DRM'd content compatibility. Ditto most ordinary punters who buy books online, the vast majority of which are DRM'd, alas.

http://www.reghardware.com/2012/01/02/commodore_64_30_birthday/

We've already done it.

BTW, it also took a long time to arrive over here, despite coming so long after the US launch, in December 1981. I know, I was gagging for one, but the advance order failed to materialise, so I got a Dragon instead. Not as advanced a machine, but I can't say it ever held me back.

Re: Tests?

This is a review of domestic consumer kit, not a government science lab evaluation, so we approach it accordingly.

Second guessing what punters *may* connect in close proximity to a powerline adaptor - UPS, hairdryers, USB power adaptors, toasters, lawnmowers, whatever - testing these situations and publishing the numbers is likely to yield a very long list of numbers 90% of readers are not interested in, and about which some bright spark will grumble that we didn't test with the brand of curling tongs he uses.

Fair point, other reader, about stand-by power consumption. I didn't measure it; I will make sure we do so in future. Devolo quotes "under 0.5W".

Re: Some factual errors

Reg Hardware style (generally) is to present acronyms as they are pronounced. Thus 'Risc' because it is pronounced 'risk' not 'r-i-s-c'. Likewise 'Rom' but 'CPU'.

'ARM' is not 'Arm' because it is a trademark.

And yes, I'm sure you can find inconsistencies if you're nerdy enough to look for them.

Re: Price

According to iTunes, the price is free. That's the case today (17 April), when the review was queued up for publication (11 April) and when the review was written (10 April).

Sorry, but we can't check the price of every single app we review every morning on the off-chance the supplier has decided to charge for something.

As always, then, caveat emptor.

Re: Interference

It's not meant to be a scientific test. It's meant to look at a circumstance most of our readers are likely to be in: operating a powerline LAN at a home in which there are also radios tuned to mainstream UK stations.

I have seen demonstrations showing powerline interference to DAB and FM, but I have never seen it demo'd across a range of products. So, was it a faulty adaptor, a duff product line or symptomatic of PL adaptors in general. I've seen no evidence to confirm the latter.

I've also yet to see any evidence that the interference, where present, reaches distances that really will impact other radio users to any greater distance than the same room, or produces any greater impact that all the other general interference on those bands.

I am not a radio engineer, though, so I keep an open mind. If it's clearly demonstrated that there's a real problem here, not a few folk getting annoyed because they think there's a problem, Reg Hardware's attitude to these gadgets will change.

Regarding DSL interference, I'll be honest: I can't comment - I don't use ADSL.

Re: Best ever?

Don't forget, folks, if you want to talk about GoT - or any other fantasy show on telly or on film - you can create your own threads in El Reg's brand new Reader Forums:

http://forums.theregister.co.uk/

See you there.

Re: Question not answered in the review...

I'd pay the £79 for the better screen, yes.

Re: Re: BBC and C64 both had strengths, but in clearly different areas

IIRC, the BBC Model B was £399 at (near enough as makes no odds) launch, while the C64 was £299.

Re: Can someone please explain

Because, Barry, there's content that will be available from Netflix that will not be available on iPlayer, which is generally limited to what was broadcast in the previous seven days.

But Netflix is not the only source of this material. You can buy it on DVD or Blu-ray too.

Some of it is on - dare I mention the word for fear of what it'll do to you - iTunes as well.

Re: Wrong, wrong and wrong.

The games are listed in alphabetical order.

Re:

Yes, but only in that Shalka thing.

Still...

'Exterminate! Exterminate!'

'What fucker said that?'

***

'You shall die, Doctor!'

'I have a (twin) heart condition... if you attack me, it's murder'

***

'It's bigger on the inside....'

'Free to those who can afford it. Very expensive to those that can't'.

Re: Still don't really see the point

If it's any help, I use an e-book reader for books, and a tablet for stuff that matters in colour, ie. comics, web, video, magazines.

Yes, I have one of each. But I do use both. Haven't needed a new laptop in years.

Re:

Run, Sackcloth-and-ashes Boy, run.

Re: Anti-hero

Indeed. I thoroughly enjoy the Dredd strips, but you can't deny that he's a fascist bastard.

Re:

Careful dude, you're turning into an anti-Barry Shitpeas.

Maybe we should bring the two of you together and... BOOM

Re: OooooooEeeeeeOoooooo

Amen. Even if the game is crap, there's nothing like the theme tune to send a chill down the spine.

Re: a few points

6) This feature is not a review.

Re: what about the cost of e-books?

They incur 20% VAT, which paper books don't.

Re: Full fail compliant

Ahem. That's because it does go on sale until Friday, as it says in the story.

Re: ...battery life?

It'll do 12 hours when run out flat, but you can expect to go a couple of days between charges for more real-world usage.

Re:

We're waiting to hear from Napster UK. No response as yet.

Re: Not Android 4.0.1

Absolutely correct. The update doesn't change the version number.

Mea culpa (not having a Nexus here to check)