I wasn’t alive in the 80s, which is probably why I love it so much now. When you don’t live through a decade the only things that are still there when you arrive are the good things – like The Smiths, Indiana Jones, and awesome videogames.
Music Magpie, who have an awesome video games section and help people get rid of their game consoles and games, are giving away an entire bundle that contains most of the best things from the 80s gaming scene, including a NES and Mega Drive…plus plushies of all the best Nintendo and Sega characters (at least the ones that were around in the 80s, so Samus and Link are missing).
All you have to do is follow them on Twitter and retweet their tweet about the competition. It’s below, so it couldn’t be easier…just be sure to include the hashtag #WIN80sBundle!

RT and FOLLOW us to WIN this http://t.co/jOCAsV6tPc super 80s Prize-Bundle #WIN80sBundle http://t.co/F49FAN2q02

— musicMagpie (@musicMagpie) May 22, 2013

Here’s a full list of the prizes available:
An Arcade Classic Wireless Mega Drive
A Nintendo Entertainment System Console (NES)
An Atari Flashback 3 Console
A Sonic 12″ Soft Toy
A Super Mario 5cm 6 Figure Pack
An Arcade Games Ringtones Collection
A cuddly Super Mario 24cm Plush Mario
A Super Mario 24cm Plush Yoshi
A Super Mario 24 cm Plush Luigi
A Classic 80′s Home Video Games: Identification and Value Guide.

Take a look at the Music Magpie blog for more information on the competition.

There are very few things that really get me excited to learn about. I’m not that much of a sports fan, nor am I much of a TV show fan, I am however a big fan of what Apple offer. Today was WWDC 2013, and what with all the rumour roundups, the suggestive designs of iOS 7, the potential introductions of new Macs being flaunted everywhere, it truly was every bodies guess as to what would be displayed.

 

Responsive web design holds a lot of promise to become the future of web design. Wishing to tackle this market, Froont, a Baltic-US start-up, has recently released a public beta of its in-browser responsive web design tool aimed at creating device agnostic websites.

For the first time, PC sales are predicted to be lower than the previous year, as smartphones/tablets are becoming increasingly popular for both business as well as personal use. As a result, websites can now be viewed on hundreds of different screen sizes. However, this represents quite a nightmare for web designers.

I’m sure you have all experienced having to pinch and twist in order to access a website on a mobile device. Up until now, creating an app for your website seemed to be the best solution. However, with so many different devices and screens emerging every year, it is almost impossible to ensure that your website is easily accessible on each and every one of them.

Responsive web design is the answer to the designers’ nightmare. It is a front-end development approach aimed at crafting websites that can adapt in size and layout depending on the device that is being used; with a minimum amount of resizing or scrolling needed. It essentially eliminates the requirement for multiple websites for every different platform or device and makes it possible to reach a wide range of people without degrading their experience or making compromises.

Froont has recently launched a public beta version of its tool, which aims to make responsive web design accessible to web designers with a range of experience. It uses easy-to-use intuitive drag-and-drop tools that create responsive CSS/HTML. The designs are also hosted in the cloud, so that they can be viewed instantly in a web browser, on any device. As the aim of Froont is to create a responsive design, it also comes with some clever tools, such as a sliding ruler at the top of the page to easily adjust the targeted screen size. It consequently updates how your design changes in respond to the screen size.

With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, and the associated evident increase in available web design jobs in the UK, Froont have seemingly developed an efficient and useful tool. Modern-day web designers should take note, whilst also ensuring that they don’t fall victim to usability issues when comparing PCs to smaller devices. For example, what might be easy to select with a mouse may be harder to touch with a finger, and the use of graphics for websites on mobile devices should be moderated in order to increase the download speed.

Throughout the history of man made technology, the pros and cons of various software and hardware have always sparked discussion and conflict. From debates over vinyl records versus cassette tapes and compact discs, VHS versus Betamax, through to iPhone versus Android, patrons of technology have tried to determine the most effective tools amongst a constantly evolving spectrum of new technological innovations. Today, with the all-encompassing reach of computer technology, the debate continues. Below you will find just a few of the current oppositions.

Apple vs PC

Perhaps the biggest debate in terms of preferred computer technology is over the superiority of either Apple Mac or Windows PC computers. In terms of hardware and processing power, Apple may just have the edge. This view is certainly reflected in the large number of professionals within the creative industries, whose demand for high performance can only be met by the use of Apple computers. On the other hand though, and for those not requiring the same level of performance, Apple computers do not allow for much customisation. You can only really order a selection of predetermined computer setups direct from Apple. Windows however, is an operating system that has always allowed its users to customise their computer from scratch, utilising a wide variety software that would not run on Mac’s quite restrictive operating system.

Internal vs External Hard Drives

In recent times, External Hard Drives have become a very popular choice amongst students, professionals and those simply looking for a bit of extra storage space for films or music. And in terms of portability, they are fantastic, enabling users to back up and transport important data with great ease. They are also becoming increasingly affordable, meaning that mass storage space is available for very little expenditure. On the other hand, there are downsides to the design of External Hard Drives that make Internal Hard Drives a safer option. Unlike Internal Hard Drives, External Drives are constantly being moved from place to place, stored in a casing which is by no means as robust as that of your Internal Drive. Similarly, they often do not have an inbuilt fan, which can lead them to overheat, sometimes resulting in the loss of important data.

Single vs Multimode Fibre Optic Cable

Fibre optic cables on the whole allow for much quicker and effective transfers of information than more conventional computer cables. However within this development, there is still debate as to whether a Single Mode or Multimode cable is the better choice. The main benefit of the Single Mode cable is that it will support far greater transmission distances than the Multimode cable. However, the Multimode cable, although shorter in range, can of course support multiple modes or paths, meaning that it is in fact faster and more efficient than the traditional Single Mode cable.

About the author:

Mark Douglas is an author and information technology enthusiast who has written on topics as diverse as social networking, the evolution of computer software and the impact of the Single and Multimode Fibre Optic Cable from MCL Data.

Matt Cutts has warned everyone about the next Penguin update. A major update, as opposed to slight tweaks and changes, has hit the internet, sending webmasters into a panic. Cutts has also said that Google has begun to specifically target large link networks. Speculation has circled and rumours abound, everyone is trying to predict what will happen now that the new Penguin update has finally been rolled out.

Panda Updates

There will be no more Panda updates or refreshes- it has been incorporated into the main real time algorithm. Penguin is different!

Penguin: The Speculation

No one (apart from perhaps Matt Cutts) knows what it is exactly that the update will has done, but SEO consultants are able to make an educated guess on the evidence they have from previous updates. The last official update was in October, so though it runs sporadically, it feels like we were well overdue for an update. Penguin is a link quality filter, so beware if you’re using manipulative techniques to improve your visibility.

Link Networks and Trust

Link networks and trusted sites are two sides of the same coin. This is because Google has figured out the basic premise that spammy sites link to other spammy sites, and trusted high authority sites link to other authoritative sites.

This creates networks of good and bad links, so Google have begun to remove major spammy link networks. They devalue them and remove them from the PageRank environment. This could therefore knockout link profiles significantly if you’re more closely associated with low quality, low trust links and sites.

So how do you find out where you stand in the eyes of Google? Majestic SEO has developed an easy way for you to check, Trust Flow and Citation Flow. The Citation Flow measures how influential a URL is based on the number of sites that link to it. A stronger link will have a heavier influence.  The Trust Flow measures the level of trust by their database of manually reviewed sites. These metrics are built into Majestic SEO’s tools.

Anchor Text

For some, anchor text is a sure thing. They believe that commercial anchors on low value websites will be under close scrutiny, and the percentage of acceptable spammy links is reducing. Google is expected to tighten these parameters even further.

Social Skills

Some SEOs believe that social authority plays a part in the new update. However, while this will work in some industries, it may not work in all. Qualifying something by the number of social interaction it might get won’t work across the board, but it may still play a small part in certain circles.

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

The key to avoiding a penalty from the penguin update, and acting quickly if you need to, is achieving a comprehensive understanding of your link profile. You should also focus on keeping it up to date, regularly checking for association with bad link networks and actively seeking sites that have a trusted authority and good social sharing.

Amanda Revie writes for Ingenuity Digital, a specialist international search engine optimisation company based in London.

In the past decade, computers have become an essential part of our lives. It is through them that we now write documents, send messages, and perform a whole host of other activities that were previously time consuming. However, as helpful as they may be, purchasing one does come with its own problems. Therefore, when looking to acquire a computer, you should consider whether renting may in fact be a far better solution, based on your own needs.

Always have the latest and greatest

Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace these days that it can be incredibly expensive for those wishing to keep up to date with the latest laptop models. Apple in particular like to update their hardware on a very regular basis, meaning that the top-of-the range Macbook Pro of 2013 may in fact be relatively obsolete and unpractical by 2015. For this very reason, renting instead of buying your laptop can be very effective. Not only will you always be able to to run the latest software at the quickest speeds, but you will also keep up-to-date with the most stylish hardware available.

A great solution for those with bad credit

The unfortunate reality is that computers have become a necessity in almost every profession. Therefore, people who are unable to get credit are faced with a difficult situation when it comes to acquiring a laptop. Obviously, decent computers do not come cheap, so buying one outright isn’t an option. Likewise, there is very little sense in buying a cheap computer as it simply will not last very long. However, by renting a laptop computer, you can in fact have the quality you desire at an affordable price. This will work best for those who do not require a laptop constantly, but who need it for short periods of time. For people in this situation, renting a laptop is a far better option than buying one.

Change as and when you need it

Those looking to purchase a new computer are often faced with the difficulty of deciding whether they would be better off with a laptop or a desktop. Laptops have the benefit of portability, but desktops more often than not, have more powerful operating systems and a much bigger display. Of course, some people are lucky enough to be able to afford both and therefore do not have the make the choice. For the vast majority though, this simply isn’t an option. However by renting instead of buying, you can constantly change your computer to suit your own needs. For those in the creative industries for example, a laptop will not necessarily be sufficient for your requirements one day, but may be ideal for a time when you are forced to work on the move. For those in this situation, renting will enable you to change your computer as often as you need to.

About the author:

Keith Kinkade is a small business and information technology advisor. He currently writes for a number of independent companies, including Rentit.biz. Rentit.biz are providers of laptop rental.

A car stereo used to be one of the hottest properties that thieves would love to get their hands on, but it’s not something you hear about quite so much – and that’s probably because the radio system isn’t usually the most technologically advanced thing that people leave in their cars. Thieves still steal radios, but for the most part they come with cars “as standard”, and are pretty much always the most basic models, so they’re not always worth that much.

There are car stereos available for purchase that you’d be much happier to say that you own though, and that’s not just because of the make and model. The sound quality in many systems has come on in leaps and bounds, which means that you can get an immersive surround sound experience while you drive to work…if you’re willing to pay for it.

Surprisingly some of the higher quality makes are relatively well priced too – Blaupunkt car stereos kick out some serious decibels and are cheap enough that you don’t have to steal them.

Our favourite thing about some of the car radios on the market right now – and Blaupunkt from places such as In Car Connection ones are no exception – is that they’re easy to use with your other gadgets. You can sync up your sound system to your smartphone or iPod, and get access to the tunes you have on there – absolutely ideal if you prefer to download your new music instead of buying CDs or vinyl.

You’ve been able to play music from other devices via slightly suspect cables for a number of years, but the drop in sound quality was…noticeable, shall we say? Nowadays systems like the Blaupunkts allow you to play mp3s or whatever and not suffer any dip in sound at all. Easy to use interfaces mean that it’s fairly straightforward to change the song while driving (not that we’d recommend doing that…) without reaching down to fiddle with your phone. Well worth an investment if you like music and spend a lot of time driving.

Here at www.cashwindow.co.uk, we like to review the best gadgets because we know how much you love them – so here’s the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 might be slimmer than its predecessors but it still has room for a faster chip and a larger display, and its ultra-fast wireless doesn’t run the battery down any quicker. Add in the new-design comfortable-fit headphones and who wouldn’t want one?

Apple’s latest baby weighs just 112 grams and is only 7.6 millimetres thick meaning it’s 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S and 18% thinner. The larger four inch screen lets you see more of your Home page apps, inboxes and events without sacrificing making it any harder to handle. Plus it’s a Retina display with a seriously high pixel density that boosts colours and increases colour saturation by 44%, meaning games, words, images and apps will look lifelike in your hand.

Apple have revolutionised the audio side as well, starting with the new earphones which they came up with after testing hundreds of prototypes on hundreds of people. These tests resulted in earbuds that rest comfortably inside the ear and deliver great quality sound. Then comes beamforming technology, which is the placement of three microphones (one at the front, bottom and back) which added to noise-cancelling technology, meaning that even in a loud room you can hear the voice at the other end of the phone.

And let’s not forget the iSight camera that lets you shoot a240 degrees panoramic picture with one smooth motion, has a 40% faster photo-capture, a 1080p HD video and the ability to take photos whilst your videoing.

It also comes with some great apps such as Maps and Siri, an intelligent assistant you can ask question to. What’s impressive is it will understand what you say, know what you mean and give you the answer. For more information about the iPhone 5 go to http://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/built-in-apps/
If you already know you want one, but need to borrow some money to help you get it, then here at Cashwindow we’ll gladly help you with that, too.

If your business is running successfully and you are thinking about the next step along the way, hold up for a moment. One of the most important parts of any business is streamlining your finances and successfully managing them.

Of course, you may be doing this already, but there are a number of ways and types of software you can use to make that process even easier. From Cloud-based systems to simple spreadsheets. Here are rundown of a few.

Simple computer spreadsheets

This may be the simplest type of accounting that you can do, but many people manage to get away with it. Office-based computer programs do often have spreadsheet software that comes as standard with them.

Cheap and extremely easy to use, they are a good building block for your business finances before moving onto other things. The only problem is that you often will have to make a lot of your final calculations manually and this could lead to a bit of miscalculation if not careful.

Online bank dashboard widgets

There are great deals of finance management widgets that are available through your bank. This will help you to gain a better understanding over your overall business finances, and again, will not cost anything. The problem with these is that they are only really effective for gross incomings and outgoings or for any transactions that have been made by card.

For a start-up or small business it is unlikely that you will have a card machine. They also do not often contain any methods for manual inputting of data, so are limited in the sense that if it does not flow directly through your bank, the transaction will in theory never have happened.

Dedicated accounting software

Accounting software such as Sage One is a great way to find a middle ground between professional accounting at a low cost. Many of these programs are able to make automated calculations based on the data you input so a lot of human error and miscalculations can be minimised.

Used a lot they will speed up the time taken to do your accounts and could make the business of tracking, inputting and monitoring your finances a lot easier in both the long and short term.

Cloud-based systems

There are also a lot of cloud-based systems which offer software for business. Cloud systems store all your information online so there will never be any risk of losing or deleting files which may contain important information, such as customer card details or financial records. They also have the capacity to be remotely accessed from any location in the world, any time you may need to.

Software considerations

When downloading or purchasing software for use in your business, it is important that you stick with well-known brands offering legitimate products. A recent report found that as much as one third of British SMEs are using illegal, unlicensed software and this could lead to significant problems

With not many new Apple products being released for quite a while its about time that there are some new toys for us to play with, so with June’s WWDC press conference fast approaching there are lots of products that are rumoured to be making an appearance at the developers conference if not to be released then to be announced. We’re going to give you a quick run down of some of the most likely rumoured products to come out of the conference.

Apple iWatch

This some is quite a long shot, with no official mention as of yet the Apple iWatch is an eagerly anticipated product that will be a completely new market for Apple to go into. A watch that could control your Apple devices and gives you a heads up display of all the information you need would be a must by for all the Apple fan boys out there.

iOS 7

In WWDC 2012 Apple showed the first glimpse of the iOS 6 software there might be a chance that Apple show a preview of iOS 7 it is rumoured to be a big change to the iPhone software. Jony Ive has been brought in to rework the entire iOS 7 interface Apple mobile interface hasn’t really changed much since the release of the first iPhone so it is definitely ready for a redesign.

Plastic iPhone

This one has been rumoured for a while now, a budget iPhone is definitely a profitable area for Apple to get into the cheaper end of the smartphone market could be a huge area of expansion for them especially since the popularity of the iPhone brand.

Other possible things that could be mentioned at the developers conference include an updated version of Apple’s OSX operating system as well as the long awaited Apple Tv that has rumoured to be in the works now for a long time.

This guest post is provided the team at Rightphones.co.uk