Oliver Banham looks behind the limelight and finds the Dell CEO, Michael Dell

Many of you will have an idea of Dell as a company, but I could put a lot of money on you not knowing the people behind it all. Well, hopefully this post will shine a light on just who the main guy at Dell is. Ladies and gentleman, I present to you a little post on Dell’s founder and CEO, Michael Dell.

Born in February 1965 in Houston, Texas, it was clear from early on that Dell had instinctive business and technical abilities. At the age of fifteen he was able to break down and rebuild an Apple computer alone. It was at the young age of nineteen that the first glimmers of the mighty Dell Corporation surfaced. He established a company then named PC’s Limited, which was later to be renamed Dell Computer Corporation.

After continuously building the company until it reached impressive heights, his credentials began to be recognised internationally. By the 1990s, Dell was renowned as one of the leading computer manufacturers; it became the most profitable PC manufacturer in 2004, no mean feat at all. It seems Michael Dell has done extremely well for himself, especially as his net worth is now in the range of $17.3 billion. His achievements haven’t gone unnoticed, however: he has been awarded numerous awards, such as ‘Man of the Year’ from PC Magazine, and ‘Top CEO in American Business’ from Worth Magazine.

Interestingly, Michael Dell is also the author of Direct From Dell: Strategies That Revolutionized an Industry, which tells the story of his impressive rise to business stardom. His age remains a striking characteristic too, and in 1992 he became the youngest ever CEO to earn a ranking on the Fortune 500. And if that wasn’t enough he’s even made the cast of the 2008 film The Sno Cone Stand Inc., it’s hard to resist the pun that he puts the ‘busi’ in ‘business’, quite.

Oliver Banham argues the case on behalf of Dell latptops

As the final cracker gets pulled and the last of the mulled wine is drunk, the New Year comes around quicker than ever, and ideas of what to buy in 2009 begin to creep around the corner. Should you be wanting a Dell laptop, we’ve got you covered. With one of the largest ranges in the world, it’s hard to go wrong with their stellar set of laptops. Here are five reasons why you should buy a Dell laptop for 2009.

1. Aesthetics

It’s used to be rare for a laptop to look particularly attractive, but Dell has helped to quash, this myth impressively. Each and every one of their laptops boasts incredibly slick lines and design architecture. You have the infinitely charming cuteness of the Dell Mini 9, and the sophisticated tones of the Studio 15 laptop – each one’s a killer looker.

2 – Reliability

With impressive integrated security options in all models, you can be sure to have peace of mind with regards to viruses and the like. Similarly, their build quality is second to none – each model stands the test of time, and just in case the rare occurrence of a technical fault, the award winning Dell support team will there to help.

3 - Customisation

Unlike their competitors, Dell offer incredibly flexible customization with each of their laptop models, so every can properly be considered unique. From the visual style of the laptop’s exterior, to the amount of memory or graphic card included, each laptop can be optimized entirely to the user’s requests. It’s an impressive system that benefits the consumer hugely.

4 – Image

With a Dell laptop, you’re destined for great things: their prestigious reputation precedes them. They are used widely across many renowned businesses, families, and students alike, the Dell image is one that reflects positively on the owner.

5 – Brand Dominance

With a Dell laptop, you’re not getting something that’s merely functional –you’re getting a laptop that’s always one step ahead of the competition. If you’re after one to play games on, then you’ll find only the best available, and excelling at playing such epics as Crysis. Similarly, if you’d like a sleek laptop to work from home, which also specialises in security and stability, then your options from Dell will be better than its competitors, and then some.

With technological innovations arriving by the wheelbarrow load, you’re quite justified in feeling a little confused by the latest digital developments. But, as Oliver Banham explains, Blu-Ray is certainly something of which we should take note.

Technology evolves at an insanely rapid pace. It’s inevitable, really – the greater technology we’re afforded, the easier it is to research, develop and create new ideas.

There will always be a new tech to work towards, whether it’s making the current technology smaller or bigger, or faster and smarter, there will never be a time when people are satisfied with what they’ve got, at least when something supposedly better lies around the corner. It’s all about progression; dial-up to broadband, video tapes to DVD and the like. Enter, then, Blu-ray Disc; the next logical step up from DVDs.

So what’s it all about then?

Established in the middle of 2006, Blu-ray disc is, simply put, the evolution of DVD, the next step. Blu-ray was introduced to accompany the High Definition (HD) insurgence. Compared to DVDs, which can hold up to 4.7GB of data on a standard single-sided disc, Blu-ray discs have an impressive 25GB capacity. Not only does this mean much more content can be put on a single disc, but also that picture-perfect quality can now be utilised.

Films are now being released on Blu-ray as much as DVD – the revolution is happening. Slowly but surely shop shelf space will be shifting around, you’ll soon be seeing blue sleeved boxes everywhere you look, and space for DVDs swiftly decreasing.

Of course, all the novelties that a new technology like Blu-ray brings in means the cost isn’t going to be cheap. Unfortunately your average film will cost around the £20 mark, and this is usually without extras. Still, it’s high definition; it’s definitely worth it, right?

Regardless of what you think of Blu-ray, it’s coming and it’ll stick around. It has beaten off competitor HD-DVD and will eventually make DVD obsolete. Be sure to think about whether it’s worth you buying a Blu-ray player and HD TV, the Blu-ray revolution is coming.

Dear Reader,

I ask of you a quick favour. Take a look at your PC or laptop and think about its colour. I presume most of you will have a black/grey/beige/white/generic computer colour finish.

Am I right?

Now ask yourself, does it matter? Is it all about the screen and nothing else or should we all be thinking a little more about colour? What’s it going to matter that your friend’s got a shiny new (Project) Red Dell laptop and yours still fashions that functional but ever so perfunctory grey finish.

Colour is utterly wonderful, it’s hard to deny. Whether it’s being used in a vibrant cartoon or a muted videogame, its importance is undeniable. More and more technology is coming round to the way of thinking that colour matters, and that all computers don’t have to be simply beige.

Make your laptop or PC stand out a little more, and maybe it’ll make you feel just that little bit better about your purchase, your technological pride and joy. Of course many will sneer at the idea of colour and technology mixing, and will adopt that ‘if it isn’t broke don’t fix it’ mentality. That’s fine, just make sure yourself to think whether colour is important to you, and if it is, why not indulge in some fantastically coloured PC models.

Love Colour
x

Oliver Banham offers a word of advice on three seasonal bargains. Just don’t expect to be able to fit a printer in a stocking

As Christmas slowly, but surely approaches, more and more questions of what to get people are; and before long you find yourself running out of ideas altogether. It’s a stressful time for most, especially with such a variety of choice from all consumer avenues. If you’re after some gadgetry for either yourself or a significant other, then you’ll be pleased to see the technological luxuries hiding behind Dell’s electronic counter, we’ll set you right.

8GB Creative ZEN Mozaic Digital Player

8GB Memory, Radio, Video Playback, MP3. There really isn’t that much else to the equation. You expect more, you get more, simple. Sporting a intuitively and attractively designed interface and keypad, not only does it have the brains but it’s also got the beauty. If you’re after something for your teenage son or your music loving friend, then look no further than here.

Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS

Compact digital cameras seen to be all the craze at the moment. With the rapid internet surge of popularity such social networking sites as Facebook has seen recently, a lot of people are buying into the Digital communication phenomenon, sharing pictures with friends, emailing funny moments, and just simple enjoying the ability to take pictures in such a compact manner. With the Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS, you’ll be getting exceptional quality pictures in the form of a mighty ten megapixel resolution, and up to four times optical zoom. And at wonderful prices, it’s quality you can’t afford to miss this Christmas, for more details click here.

Dell V105 All-In-One Inkjet Colour Printer

Possibly the biggest steal of the three, the Dell V105 All-In-One Inkjet Colour Printer is efficient and highly affordable. Covering both printing and scanning, it’s a gadget you’ll likely be using a lot. At £40 right off the bat, there isn’t much to think about if you know someone that would love one of these this Christmas. Or maybe you’d like a piece of the action yourself, if printing high-quality photos sounds like something to occupy yourself with this Christmas – well, the drunken party pose pictures aren’t going to print themselves. Check it all out here.

Oliver Banham tells us what new media is all about

Some of you may or may not have heard of the term ‘New Media’. With the increase in popularity the internet has garnered, the amount of connectivity available and general digitisation of our technology, the term ‘media’ just didn’t seem the correct use of word. Simply put, New Media relates to the emergence of digital, connected, hi-tech, and networked information and communication technologies. Here, communication excels within the technologies that we label New Media.

Examples of New Media technologies include social networking websites (e.g. Facebook and MySpace), online flash games, viral marketing (adverts that utilise YouTube and the like to appeal to particular audiences), blogging and many others.

New Media lends itself well to advertising, as now companies are able to break new boundaries and think up ideas that were never before possible with print or video. Adverts can now have much more depth: they can hold stories to be found on the internet, or interactive experiences that get the audience thinking. It is the best advertisements that really get the user involved in a unique experience.

Virtual communities are a hugely related to New Media, too. Second Life, Habbo Hotel, Xbox Live, Facebook – all connect people in fascinating ways, and weave experiences like no other. Again, everything returns to that idea of communication. The internet is a fantastic tool for New Media visionaries and developers.

Interactivity is perhaps the main focal point of New Media technologies. Used in stories, games and educatory ideas, interactivity gives the user something to do and makes for greater appeal and interest on the audience’s behalf. Websites that encourage interactive play are generally very successful, especially flash sites - in website design the concept of having an interactive site is important to think about.

As we near the end of 2008, the amount of fresh New Media ideas that wait around the corner of 2009 can only be anticipated with baited breath.

Oliver Banham has a look at one of the most useful of technical evolutions – the biometric fingerprint reader

Computers often feature an array of gadgetry, which in the whole scheme of things, just aren’t that important. Why do I need this? Why do I need that? The questions rage, and you’ll often be talked into getting something that you never wanted in the first place. Many of these features are mere novelties, but some do buck the trend, and are worth investing in.

One of these features, perhaps overlooked by many, is the biometric fingerprint reader. When installed and connected to your computer, it boosts your security immensely: eliminating the chance of data theft, intrusions and disclosure, it makes everything just that little bit more safer.

Its use stretches much further than the walls of the home, with many organisations, including governmental and law enforcement agencies utilising the technology. The reader can be incorporated with any Windows based software that uses an alphanumeric id number, or username and password.

At Dell, biometric finger readers can be combined with many computer packages. It’s worth making the investment if you want that extra little bit of peace of mind. Some come with the reader straight out the box, such as the Dell XPS M1530 laptop, making logging in a quick and easy process. There were the days when such features were confined to Q’s workshop in a 007 flick, but today they’re fully available, and they’re guaranteed not to let you down.

Oliver Banham’s verdict on another strong year for the computer game industry

2007 was an utterly fantastic year for gaming, with some of the greatest games for generations surfacing. Highlights included the mighty BioShock (now released on PS3, a year later), Super Mario Galaxy, Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 and The Orange Box – a generous compilation of five stellar games, including the incredibly innovative Portal, and the amazing Half Life 2. It seemed that 2008 didn’t stand a chance in replicating its brilliance; luckily for us gamers, it’s arguably just as significant a year in gaming. Here are the top five releases of 2008. Games you must own.

1 – Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360, PS3, PC – release tba)

As the first next-gen GTA iteration, GTA IV carried a lot of weight on its shoulders. Its precursor, GTA: San Andreas, was generally well received, and presented the gamer with a truly massive game world. As always, developers Rockstar have delivered with the fourth game, offering gamers highly impressive visuals, a realistically crafted game world and the most memorable characters to date in a GTA game. You could argue it’s an overrated game with its critical reception, but you can’t quibble over its overall brilliance. A PC release date is yet to be announced, so rest your Dell PC till then and enjoy it on a console.

2 – Little Big Planet (PS3)

This year, Sony needed to pull out something big, and with the introduction of Little Big Planet, they’ve just about managed it. Now the full game is out, its achievements are really beginning to be appreciated. Offering gamers an extremely extensive creation tool, as well as a sterling platforming game and massive online community, Little Big Planet represents everything great about gaming.

3 – Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

The first Gears of War was received with unanimous praise from critics and gamers alike, and deservedly so: it demonstrated an unprecedented level of polish in all departments. The sequel builds on the original’s breathtaking graphics and involving online play, and is sure to convert those who maybe didn’t warm to the original as much as they would’ve liked.

4 – Fallout 3 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Continuing with this theme of sequels, Fallout 3 had a lot to live up to with both Fallout 1 and 2 a firm favourite between many devoted PC Gamers. Generally regarded as working best on the PC, Fallout 3 is everything fans were hoping for and more, with a stunningly deep world and so many endless possibilities. Much like the developer’s other series, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout 3 is the very definition of epic. For those running a Dell XPS or similar Alienware PC, you can’t go far wrong here.

5 – Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)

Supposedly the last MGS title in the series, Metal Gear Solid 4 is very much a fan’s game. It may not reign in gamers who have never taken an interest in the series, but it sure does entertain the devoted MGS clan in ways never seen before. With some genius gameplay additions, high-quality cut-scenes and a story that answers many questions of the MGS universe, Metal Gear Solid 4 is a must for pretty much every PS3 owner.

Oliver Banham notices the arrival of the ‘Nouse’, which aims to change forever more the way that we interact with our computer

Hold the phone everyone, you know that mouse connected to your computer that you’ve been using for what seems the dawn of time? Well it’s becoming redundant. You heard right, you’ll no longer be needing its lasers, its rollerball, its buttons, because soon enough you’ll be doing everything from the comfort of your very own…. Nose?

That’s right, and it’s called a nouse, how wonderfully apt.

Thought up by Canadian inventor Dmitry Gorodnichy, its main intentions is to aid those with disabilities, making it easier for them to use computers. Whether it’s worth switching to for the more computer-savvy, is another question. It’s by no means an interesting development for technology.

So how would it all work? The answer is simple – via nose and eye movements. The cursor will be controlled by your nose via webcam technology tracking your movements. Right click and left clicks will be executed by blinking twice with the appropriate eye. This idea of clicking with your ideas on paper sounds terrific, but in practice it maybe comes off a little taxing and unnecessary.

Maybe it’s because we’re all so used to mouse technology that the idea of a ‘nouse’ sounds preposterous. If done correctly and worked into society, it could work wonders, and make everything a little sneezier (apologies, couldn’t help it).

Who are you laughing at?

Ever been confused by all the acronyms that seem to have replaced legible language on the Internet? Luckily for us Oliver Banham, casts some light on this confusing subject

The internet has grown leaps and bounds since its inception by English scientist Tim Bergers-Lee in 1989, and as such has produced a whole new language of fantastic words and phrases, all devoted to its magical culture. The following is a brief list of the kind of lingo born from the internet’s reign this decade, with summarised descriptions for those uneducated on this frankly compelling language.

N00B – A word especially overused when playing online games with a headset, ‘N00B’ essentially means someone new to something, or incompetent at it. It’s similar to being a ‘newbie’, or ‘newb’, but much more malicious a word and insulting to the receiver.

Meh – Possibly the most well known word produced by the internet, ‘Meh’ simply means ‘whatever’; when the speaker does not care at all about the subject at hand.

OMG –A popular abbreviations originating from MSN talk and chat rooms, it translates to ‘Oh my God’, as the well known exclamation goes

1337/Leet – One for the techies, 1337 is hacker speak for ‘Elite’, as in ‘at the top of their game’. Some use ‘Leet’ as an alternative to the number, for the same effect. Mainly used on forums and in videogames.

LOL – Yet another abbreviation and another product of heavy chat room and msn use, ‘LOL’ stands for ‘laugh out loud’. While the user probably didn’t literally laugh out loud, it usually means they chuckled or even recognised the funny side of things. You know you should be worried when you start saying it irl (in real life).

ROFLCOPTER – As a humorous variation on ‘ROFL; rolling on the floor laughing’, Roflcopter takes the abbreviation and mixes it with a random word. Other culprits of this English language butchery include; Lollerskates, Roffle and the stunning Roflcoptersauraus Rex.

To Pwn – A well known verb amongst forum and videogame communities, ‘to pwn’ someone would in essence be showing them up, or making them look stupid. Pronounced ‘po-n’, the word is a hilarious spin-off of ‘to own’. Internet history tells us someone was meant to say ‘I owned you’, but instead his finger slipped and the brilliant ‘pwn’ verb was created.