"We're always evaluating the different kinds of materials and technologies that can help make the gaming experience more comfortable," said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech's director of product marketing for gaming. "But for intense action-games, there is nothing that can substitute for moving air -- it's the best way to keep hands cool and dry. This new controller offers Logitech's unique ChillStream hand-cooling technology without compromising on the size and design of the controller. And the fan is extremely quiet -- you'll know it's on only because you can feel the air cooling your hands."

Logitech's exclusive ChillStream Technology includes a built-in 40 mm fan that circulates up to 3.41 cubic feet of air every minute, while generating very little noise. Because of the fan's compact size, Logitech can deliver the ChillStream feature in a standard-size controller. Three narrow vents on each side of the controller push air directly onto the four fingers, the base of the thumb and the palm of the hand -- the three areas of the hand that need cooling most. The air stream has three settings -- high, low, and off. The air vents are recessed from the surface of the controller and rubber linings surrounding the vents are flush with the surface -- making the vents barely noticeable to the touch during gaming.

With a single monitor, I could jump between applications with a mouse click or a keyboard command (Alt-Tab, in Windows), but not nearly as fast - and small delays add up when you repeat them dozens or even hundreds of times a day. With my dual displays, I simply sweep my mouse from one screen to the other.

Speed is one reason computer game players use multiple monitors. "If you're trying to take over the world, it's rather helpful," says Bill Blomgren, a computer consultant in Charlotte, N.C.

Video game enthusiasts use as many monitors as they can find the money and the desk space for. "Some of my hard-core gamer buddies rock three, even four, monitors for really immersive 3-D shooters," says John Walsh, a writer and reporter for the cable channel G4TV in Los Angeles.

Many games, especially those that offer a choice of camera views (including Quake and Doom), are explicitly designed for multiple screens, but the option seems most popular for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Users of that program may use separate screens for the instrument panel, maps, panoramic views ahead, views to the side, and exterior views of their virtual aircraft. (A sampling is at www.wideview.it.)

To enter the free Visteon contest, vacationers ages -- 18 and older -- must document their 2006 summer driving vacations through creative photography and written journal entries. Eligible entrants will receive a Nintendo "Mario" action figure and journal materials for use during their trips. Photography submitted as the participants' final entries must include the "Mario" action figure in front of vacation landmarks.

Visteon will award a premium Dockable Entertainment featuring Game Boy(R) Advance DVD/video game system (total estimated retail value ["e.r.v."] $1,299 plus installation; installation value varies by region) as a Grand-Prize to each of the top three (3) vacation entries based on sites visited, driving distance, creative use of the "Mario" action figure in photos, and quality of written journal entries. BR>
In addition to the Grand-Prize award program, Visteon will award Children's Prize Packages consisting of a 10-pack of assorted Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) Advance video game titles (prize package e.r.v. $200) to ten (10) children ages six through 17 based on journals documenting their 2006 vacation road trip experiences (with parental consent and participation).

3- Mimic your characters moves and get really into your game! After a few hours: you have completely forgotten the BODYPAD sensors... you just have "kata" and techniques that you fight your adversaries with... You can launch any blow by mimicking the gestures on screen!

Of course you are not obliged to make a somersault or to be an expert into martial arts: starting up a move is usually enough to trigger it in the game.

Maybe Atari was doomed even before the Jaguar was ever conceived, but their idea of a controller definitely didn't help. Not only did the company bring back the unnecessary phone keypad-with-overlays theme of the early 80s, Atari also created a three action button device in a world of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, a genre that the company was trying to woo over to its 64-bit system. On top of this, the company utilized a VGA plug for its controller ports, and the controller plugs simply fell out if a mouse farted somewhere in the house.

This bag is loosely based on Deb Stoller's intarsia bag in the first book (second book?). But I didn't add enough to the sides, so had to knit a side/bottom piece to make it a little wider. And I did the straps on dp's instead of straights. And I added webbing to the underside of the straps to make the straps unstretchable. And I added a lining. So, really, I guess the only thing I got from Deb's pattern is the gauge and general dimensions. That's something.

Creative has announced the Fatal1ty 2020 Mouse, the gaming mouse co-developed for competitive PC gaming with professional gamer Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel. The Creative Fatal1ty 2020 Mouse will be available in early 2006 for an estimated street price of $69.99.

Creative will also release the Fatal1ty 1010 Mouse for casual gamers, featuring a 1600 cpi HD-Optix Engine in early 2006 for an estimated street price of $49.99.

"With the Fatal1ty 2020 Mouse, I hope to help gamers fulfill their dreams of competing at the professional level. But if they think they can beat me, they should know that I'll be using this mouse too," said Johnathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendel. "I had a vision of a mouse designed specifically for gaming, with every feature I would need to compete at the highest level. The Fatal1ty 2020 Mouse, which I designed with Creative, realizes my vision and provides me the edge I need as a champion."

The 2400cpi HD-Optix laser engine offers up to 6X the resolution of standard optical mice, and the 5.8 megapixel sensor report rate allows it to work flawlessly on virtually any surface and to track up to 15G's of acceleration, to guarantee that even the shortest or widest hand and arm movements are tracked with the utmost precision;

The custom G-Weight modular weight system allows users to replace weight modules in a central chamber that is easily accessible from the top of the chassis, providing a superior center of balance for the mouse. Five weight modules are included with the mouse, ranging from Light Caliber for extra agility and endurance, to Heavy Caliber for extra precision and sniping;

Rapid-Res One-Click Hardware CPI resolution change button allows the user to instantly change between 400, 800 and 1600 CPI with the touch of a button, and includes a color LED readout for instant visual representation of the current resolution;

Exclusive SpeedWire zero-oxygen copper wiring and tangle-proof coating and a gold-plated USB plug enable the fastest signal transfer to the PC;

Zero-resistance Teflon feet provide smooth performance on any surface;

An ultra-comfortable mouse chassis, rubberized grip points, a premium red and black finish, and an illuminated "Fatal1ty" symbol ensures that the Creative Fatal1ty 2020 Mouse looks as deadly as the performance it delivers.

Phillips, hot on the heels of their "innovative" Ambilight technology, announced that they're shifting their focus slightly and are going to aim at gamers for another application of their visual witchcraft. They’re dubbing this incarnation amBX - pronounced am-bee-ex.

amBX will not only feature the technology behind Ambilight, but will incorporate "active furniture," fans, heaters and audio/video to completely envelop the gamer in a "sensual masterpiece" (well, I made up that last quote).

Aimed initially at the PC gamer, Phillips believes that this has what it takes to take gaming to the next level. It will use scripted events that will be programmed into games, and these will interact with the peripherals you have "strategically placed" around your gaming environment. Phillips will be working with peripheral manufacturers and game developers to get this technology all in sync.

"Imagine the room of the future, where all electronic devices are amBX-enabled," the company proclaimed in a press release about the new technology. "The treacherous road to Saigon will turn your room jungle green, swimming with dolphins will splash it deep blue, 'Halo' [a hit Xbox video game] jumps will turn your fans on full, lightning storms will strobe your white lighting, and attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion will blast on your heaters."

Nintendo breaks with more than 20 years of video game history by abandoning the traditional controller held with two hands and introducing an all-new freehand-style unit held with one hand.

The intuitive, pioneering interface allows players to run, jump, spin, slide, shoot, steer, accelerate, bank, dive, kick, throw and score in a way never experienced in the history of gaming.

"The feeling is so natural and real, as soon as players use the controller, their minds will spin with the possibilities of how this will change gaming as we know it today," explains Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president. "This is an extremely exciting innovation -- one that will thrill current players and entice new ones."

When picked up and pointed at the screen, the controller gives a lightning-quick element of interaction, sensing motion, depth, positioning and targeting dictated by movement of the controller itself.

The controller also allows for a variety of expansions, including a "nunchuk" style analog unit offering the enhanced game-play control hard-core gamers demand.

Setup was way too easy (if there is such a thing). Install software, plug in USB cord, stick on keys, play game. Initially, I thought I had to individually record every key using the software, which was tedious. Oh, how my heart leapt when I found the record button right on the pad! Launch your favorite game or application (I played Counter Strike: Source) and hit record. Press a key on the Ergodex pad and it will log all keystrokes into that one key until you press record again. From one key to an entire MS Word macro, the DX1 will get it all.

The coolest thing about the keys is they keep their macro no matter where you move them, and they never lose their adhesiveness! I must’ve stuck and unstuck the same key five times, but it never showed signs of coming off. This feature becomes essential as you adjust the keys to fit your hand. Overall, your intuition will serve you well using the Ergodex.

I just moved and was looking for things to put on my empty white walls and found blik wall graphics, stick-on decals that are much much easier than that whole stenciling business. The decals are fully removable so you don't leave any residue on the walls and you can easily switch from space invaders to flying birds.