Features

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It¹s all about the games this Christmas with Suzanne Shaw

Suzanne Shaw with Son Corey

We caught up with Suzanne Shaw to find out what she is looking forward to this Christmas and what she hopes to find under the tree.

 

"Disney¹s A Christmas Carol video game is definitely one for the Christmas list as my son Corey loves the story. He loves the different ghosts and Tiny Tim so I¹m sure he¹ll be excited when he opens the game on Christmas Day and helps Scrooge through his adventure!" said Suzanne.

"I am also a massiveToy Story fan and so is my son Corey so I think Toy Story Mania! is the perfect Christmas game for all the family. The game includes all our favourite characters like

the cute little aliens and play loads of fun carnival-type games together."

 

 

Disney¹s A Christmas Carol game brings the classic tale to a whole new generation and players must manipulate Scrooge¹s environments as they guide him though this supernatural adventure. Blow and shout into the DS microphone and use the stylus to pull, drag, shake, rattle and tap Scrooge¹s world to influence gameplay and help them progress through the dark and mysterious worlds of Christmas past, present and future.

 

 

Toy Story favourites Buzz and Woody star in their own game for the first time which features all the humour of the original Toy Story movie and includes all the iconic Toy Story characters which you can engage in a variety of addictive mini games in single player or up to four-player cooperative or competitive multiplayer mode.

 

But it is not just Suzanne¹s house that will be full of fun.

"I am a huge Tinker Bell fan and I think the new Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure game for the Nintendo DS is such a beautiful game. It¹s perfect for little girls so I will be buying that for my little niece this Christmas," said Suzanne.

 

 

Featuring over 30 mini-games and puzzles to complete, explore this magical world and customise the fairy's wardrobe or even furniture.

 

Finally ­ it is unlikely to be a quiet Christmas at Suzanne¹s house ­ as son Corey and her will be hitting the mics with Disney Sing It: Pop Hits.

"I really enjoy singing and dancing with my son Corey so this Christmas we are loving Disney Sing It: Pop Hits on the Nintendo Wii as it gives us the chance to get on the mic, dance around and have a giggle together at home to songs from our favourite Disney Channel stars," said Suzanne.

 

 

The game features different modes so players can sing in solo or duet mode or compete head-to-head with your family and friends to hits from your chart-topping favourites.

 

 

To celebrate the launch of these great games for all the family ­ we are you giving the chance to win all four games, plus a Nintendo Wii and a Nintendo
DSi. To enter the competition answer the following question:

 

If you could invent a game for the Wii console, what would it be? Please tell us the name of the game and what it is about.
Email your answer to comps@frombumptogrump.co.uk with 'Wii' in the subject line

 

 

 

AVANQUEST SOFTWARE PUBLISHING RELEASES SAFEEYES

 

Avanquest Software Publishing, a leading developer and publisher of business and consumer software, has announced the UK release of SafeEyes.

SafeEyes Parental Control Suite – everything you need to keep your family safe online.

With ‘Safer Internet Day’ fast approaching (10th February 2009), and recent news events highlighting the importance of online safety for all the family, never has there been a more pressing time to take steps towards online safety.

SafeEyes is the recognised leader in providing the top rated internet safety solution that keeps families and business safe online.

Key features include:

Windows & Mac Support
The only parental control solution that’s Windows & Mac compatible, with a 3-user licence.

Web Blocking
35 website filtering categories to help you decide what is appropriate. Limit ability to access certain sites by blocking key words and phrases. Control where kids can go on the Internet by limiting access to specific websites.

Instant Messaging
Record and save IM conversations so they can be reviewed with kids at a later time. Review reports with children to teach online software and to avoid online predators.

Time Limits
Determine how much time on the web is appropriate and allocate a time and duration for logging onto the web.

Email Blocking
SafeEyes’ email filter acts like training wheels for kids as they explore the world of electronic communication. SafeEyes keeps kids safe from potential dangers by giving parents control over children’s incoming and outgoing email.

Social Networking
SafeEyes records activities on the most popular social networking sites and alerts parents if personally identifying information is posted. This is a critical safeguard in avoiding contact with child predators.

Program Blocking
Control which applications can be used or communicate from your computer to the Internet. With peer-to-peer file sharing, SafeEyes provides tighter control of these applications to help you avoid illegal swapping and protect your privacy.

Usage Reporting
Get detailed reporting of the activities of users. You can access records from your computer or from a web browser at any time.

Instant Alerts
Get notifications by email when any inappropriate site access is attempted. With SafeEyes you are always in control of your computer and Internet usage.
To buy, click here

 

 

The Complete Driving Simulation for your PC

RRP £19.99

Now available from Focus Multimedia, here's all the knowledge you need...at your fingertips!

1. LEARN
Impress your instructor with your new knowledge!

This software has been developed in conjunction with a highly qualified driving instructor with 30 years’ experience. Used together with real-life driving lessons, you will soon gain the confidence and knowledge you need to advance through your lessons to Driving Test standard.

No matter how many driving lessons you have taken, this invaluable training aid will help you to acquire and maintain the safe driving skills you need to ultimately pass your Practical Driving Test. Can you afford to be without it?
Easy to use – Follow 10 step-by-step learning modules, from the basics right through to more complex routines.
Learn at your own pace – Use the relevant modules before and after your real-life driving lessons, to help reinforce your driving routines and manoeuvres.
Comprehensive – Get professional advice on observation issues, safe driving practices and techniques, using a mixture of video tutorials and printable fact sheets.
Watch as a professional instructor guides you through over 130 video tutorials.
Over 20 printable fact sheets.

2. PRACTICE
Learn how to safely react to other road users
Practice negotiating roundabouts
Learn the skills needed to deal with and react to different hazardous conditions
Interactive computer based training
Revise and refresh your driving skills with a virtual driving instructor. Sit behind the wheel of a realistic 3D car and experience unpredictable traffic and pedestrian movements, just like real life.

Each 3D lesson explores a different aspect of becoming a responsible road user. Your virtual driving instructor will give you a full debrief, as you practice under instruction, all the vital driving routines and manoeuvres that you may be asked to perform in your actual Driving Test.

Your 3D interactive driving lessons include:
Basic routines – POM, MSM and MSPSL.
Steering.
Moving off and stopping safely.
Use of mirrors.
Giving signals.
Road markings and signs.
Safe use of speed.
Crossing traffic safely.
Stopping distances.
Following distances.
Overtaking safely.
Anticipating and planning.
Negotiating junctions.
One way streets.
Roundabouts.
Turn in the road.
Reversing into a road on the left.
Reverse parallel parking.
Bay parking.
Completing safe emergency stops.
Pedestrian crossings.
Encountering hazards.
Driving on rural roads.
Approaching bends and blind brows.
Driving in rain, fog, snow and ice.
Night driving.
Joining and exiting dual carriageways.

Did You Know?
The OFFICIAL DSA recommendation is that you take 22 hours of private practice as well as the standard 45 hours of professional tuition before you sit your test.

Why Wait?
Even if you’re waiting for your provisional licence or are not yet 17, you can start learning to drive using Driving Test Success Practical Simulator.

3. PASS
Are you ready to pass your Driving Test?

View your Driver’s Record to see if you have acquired the necessary experience to attempt a mock Driving Test. But be warned, it’s as tough as the real thing! With this software you can:
Identify any weaknesses before your actual Driving Test.
Find out how to follow instructions to Driving Test standard.
Understand which faults are serious enough to fail you.
Discover what the examiner is looking for by viewing the mock test video.

Essential revision for ALL learner drivers!

Practical Simulator won’t replace essential on-the-road learning with your instructor, but it will provide you with a fully interactive training programme that guarantees the best mental preparation for your Test.

So how does it work? Practical Simulator is a computer-based training package containing 10 step-by-step modules that guide you through all the routines and manoeuvres you may be asked to perform during your Test. You can practice interactive 3D driving lessons as many times as you like, allowing you to focus on specific areas of weakness. When you’re ready, there’s even a virtual driving test to assess your readiness for the real thing.

Increase your chances of passing the Practical Test

Practical Simulator considerably enhances your own driving awareness and concentration. It will directly benefit real-life driving skills, including:
Avoiding taking unnecessary risks while driving.
Prioritising what’s happening on the road ahead.
Assessing time, speed and distance.
Anticipating potential road hazards.
Improving hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
Recognising and responding to traffic regulations.

Contents

1. Information Centre
Essential information on everything you need to know about the Practical Driving Test.

2. Know your Car
Watch a professional driving instructor explain the cockpit drill and main car controls so you can fully understand how each of these work.

3. Starting to Drive
Learn the basic driving routines including POM, MSM, MSPSL, moving off and stopping, and the use of mirrors and signals.

4. Junctions
Learn how to deal with road junctions, including the different procedures needed when approaching and emerging from various junctions.

5. Roundabouts
Learn the skills required when negotiating various roundabouts including mini, double and gyratory systems.

6. Manoeuvres
Learn the manoeuvres that you will be asked to perform in your Practical Driving Test, including the turn in the road, reversing into a road on the left, reverse parallel parking, bay parking and the controlled emergency stop.

7. Hazards
Learn how to safely deal with a range of hazard including pedestrian crossings, road signs and markings, traffic management and other road users.

8. Rural Roads
Learn the essential techniques for driving on A and B roads, overtaking, bends, blind brows and various hazards that can be encountered on rural roads.

9. Adverse Conditions
Learn how to deal and react to adverse conditions that affect visibility and road surfaces when driving at night, and in poor weather conditions including rain, fog, snow and ice.

10. Higher Speed Limit Roads Learn the essential driving skills needed when approaching and leaving dual carriageways and motorways. Find out how to safely overtake and deal with unexpected hazards on high speed roads.

11. Virtual Driving Test
Take a virtual driving test to see if you’re ready for your exam. Revise all the OFFICIAL DSA Show Me, Tell Me questions plus 16 additional video tutorials. Plus you can watch a full length mock driving test so you know what to expect on the big day!

 

 

 

 

Educational benefits of computer games

Whilst the press can often be quick to pick up on supposed disadvantages of computer games, there are many advantages that make them a valuable tool in educating today's children.

Today's society is now very dependent on computers, both in schools, future employment scenarios and day to day living.

As such, it is important that children are comfortable using computers as they will play a part in their future.

There are lots of educational computer games on the market which create a fun situation for the child whilst teaching them not only skills such as mathematics and grammar but also help them develop their concentration, attention and motor skills. Even games that are not primarily focussed on education will have benefits for your child.

Computer games for children are, in general, reasonably priced making them an affordable option for parents.

Make sure your child takes regular breaks as with all computer based activities and that there is adequate lighting in the room.