Nov 2000 Volume 81 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

Why Windows Me is for You

If reliability and performance rate highly among your reasons to consider upgrading a PC’s operating system, then Windows Me is for you.

In the design of its latest operating system, Microsoft seems to have focused on these very issues and included in the operating system many of the features previously available only as add-on programs.

To ensure your Millennium PC experience is more of a pleasure than a nightmare:

Windows Me will not allow the inadvertent deletion or alteration of critical system files by rogue applications, a careless computer user, or a malicious virus.

Help and Support for your operating system, computer, and applications is integrated into one location, and features better, easier-to-read trouble-shooter menus.

If you do experience a problem that just can’t be corrected, System Restore provides the ability to roll your system back to a previous reliable state. This feature deserves particular recognition - it will save both time and money and see most errant PCs up and running in no time at all. One cannot stress the importance of this feature too strongly.

These features, together with many other built-in functions, will without doubt prove Windows Me to be a worthwhile purchase.

What’s New in PC Games

It would seem that just recently (maybe from July 1) the price of PC games suddenly rose - many are now in the vicinity of $100. While some are clearly worth the expense, there are still many in the more affordable sub $50 range.

Homeworld - Cataclysm is a new release in the upper price range, but most will be quite content to hand over the money. Considered by many as the game of the year for 1999, the prequel proved itself both innovative and intriguing. With exceptional 3D graphics, evocative audio and a game theme that was truly inspirational, deserved every accolade.

Now, Homeworld Cataclysm steps even closer to perfection. With equally impressive visuals and audio, another great storyline, and much greater player control, Cataclysm is destined for success.

Those seriously addicted to will rejoice in the addition of time compensation to accelerate gameplay eight times, so no more waiting to collect resources.

To play Homeworld Cataclysm you will need a multimedia PC with Windows 95/98/Me or NT, at least a Pentium II 266, 32MB RAM and about 250MB of HD space. The original game is not required. To experience the full wonder, a 3D-accelerated video card is recommended.

The newly-released PGA Championship Golf 2000 is also in the upper price range and still provides value for money. It’s compelling, demanding, full-featured and will surely find a sweet spot on sports fans’ PCs.

Designed by golfers, for golfers, is perhaps the closest the PC game has ever come to the real thing. The courses are perfectly presented and the golfers are the most authentic yet seen - they even fall over if your swing is too enthusiastic.

With a variety of tournaments available, play can occur on 13 included courses or on one of 150 other courses available for download. For added interest, players can also select from a number of side games or challenge other players over the Internet. Those still not satisfied have the option of designing their own courses with the built-in architect and course manager.

PGA Championship Golf 2000 shines in the area of 3D graphics, ball control, and swing dynamics and will easily meet the needs of all budding golfers.

The preferred system requirements are a multimedia Windows 95 or later PC with a Pentium II 233, 64 MB RAM and a video card capable of displaying 16-bit colour at a resolution of 1024x768 (800x600 is acceptable).

Return of The Incredible Machine and Maximum Pool are both great examples of titles to be found in the lower price range. The Incredible Machine - Contraptions uses machine-based puzzles to stretch the mind and patience of any budding apprentice. Challengers are given the option of solving more than 200 single-player brain busters or 50 head-to-head puzzles, or simply designing some of their own. It’s addictive, all-consuming and the ultimate entertainment for both child and adult. To run one will need any Pentium 90 or better multimedia PC or Macintosh PowerPC 120.

Surprisingly, Maximum Pool is also incredibly addictive, as well as well-priced at about $40. While not a patch on the real thing, Maximum Pool still provides the fun and competition one expects of the classic game.

With a variety of well-presented 3D views and an easy-to-use-and-manipulate pool cue, Maximum Pool is suited to the whole family. There are seven pool classics in which to compete, as well as five more “cool pool games” to play should one lose interest in the traditional games.

Maximum Pool offers a choice of play as a single player, against a video-captured computer player, or a world challenger at WON.net (for those with Internet access). No special PC or Macintosh features are required.

PASAweb   Index & Search   Top of Page   Comments   Email to Editor

The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 2000  The Police Association of South Australia sustance