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Canon USA Inc. has today announced its new EOS 7D single-lens reflex digital camera, as well as three new lenses, a new battery grip, and a new wireless file transmitter - and we've just posted our hands-on Canon 7D preview. Positioned alongside the existing EOS 5D Mark II and above the EOS 50D, the Canon EOS 7D marks the launch of a new model line for the company's EOS series. In front of an APS-C sized CMOS image sensor with an effective resolution of 18 megapixels, the Canon 7D's lens mount accepts Canon EF or EF-S lenses. Thanks to eight channel readout and dual DIGIC 4 processors, burst shooting is possible at up...
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Introducing the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lenses LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 1, 2009 Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, continues its advancement of EOS lens technology with the introduction of three new EF and EF-S lenses EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, lenses.The new EF 100mm f/2.8L...
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Introducing the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lenses LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 1, 2009 Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, continues its advancement of EOS lens technology with the introduction of three new EF and EF-S lenses EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, lenses.The new EF 100mm f/2.8L...
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Pre-IFA 2009:Hot on the heels of Canon's announcement of its Hybrid IS technology comes the first lens to sport this feature and, to no great surprise, it's a 100mm F2.8 macro. The Hybrid IS system is claimed to provide up to 2 stops stabilization at 1.0x magnification, and up to 4 stops at longer shooting distances. This, Canon's third-generation EF 100mm F2.8 macro lens, is also the first to gain the flagship 'L' designation and comes with such goodies as ultra-low dispersion glass elements, a nine blade circular aperture and weathersealing. The Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM macro will supplement, rather than supplant the existing 100mm F2.8 USM macro.

Pre-IFA 2009:Along with the EOS 7D, Canon has announced two EF-S, APS-C lenses. The EF-S 15-85mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM is as a high quality standard zoom designed to complement the EOS 7D. It offers a flexible 24-136mm (35mm equivalent) range and offers image stabilizer with a claimed effectiveness of 4 stops. It also includes ring-type USM and a close focus distance of 0.35m through the entire zoom range. Also bolstering Canon's EF-S range is the 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM, which covers a 29-216mm (35mm equivalent) range and with a claimed 4-stop image stabilizer and a minimum focus distance of 0.45m.

Just Posted: Our hands-on preview of the Canon EOS 7D. We've had a bit of time to get to grips with Canon's latest high-end APS-C body. This 18MP camera uses dual Digic 4 processors to offer an impressive 8 frames per second and features a new 19-point AF system with the ease of point selection more usually associated with the 1D series. We delved around under the hood, leafed through the menus and even shot some sample images and a video. Update: the sample gallery and video are now online.

Pre-IFA 2009: As anticipated Canon has today announced the EOS 7D digital SLR. It boasts a new 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 processors, ISO range expandable to 12800, continuous shooting at 8 fps and full HD video recording. It also incorporates a new viewfinder with 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage and a 3 inch LCD with 920k dot resolution.

Apple has sent out invitations to its annual iPod event, for next Wednesday September 9.

The invite - themed 'It's only rock and roll, but we like it' - will probably see a new raft of iPods and possibly a music label deal or two, but is unlikely to feature the much-hyped iTablet.

The hot money is behind a refreshed suite of iPods that feature 3.2MP cameras - presumably to film yourself shimmying to your favourite tunes.

Cocktail hour?

As usual, Apple itself is saying little about its future plans, but there's a chance the event might be a chance for Jobs (or Tim Cook) to explain a little more about the Project Cocktail music format discussions that have leaked from the less tight-lipped music labels.

Sales of iPods continue to decline. In its latest (third quarter) results, Apple announced that it had sold 7 per cent fewer media players than the same time last year, although the overall quantity - 10.2 million units - was still more than all other Apple products put together.

On a side note, The Huffington Post is reporting today that the US Securities and Exchange Commission suspects insider trading in Apple shares on four separate occasions. An investigation is under way to discover the identity of people who made suspiciously astute trades just before announcements of iPod sales, new product lines and details of Steve Jobs's health.

The iPod event is happening in San Francisco, at 6pm UK time next Wednesday, so expect a long line at Apple Stores come Friday morning...

Leica has said that it will a launch the 'next generation' of Leica cameras during a live webcast on September 9.

A trailer on its website http://us.leica-camera.com shows a 'best of' reel of its optics and current range but does not reveal any new products.

There is speculation that Leica might launch a successor to its digital rangefinder M8 and M8.2 cameras.

New technology partner?

Leica promises "ground-breaking new products designed and manufactured for all photographers, novice and professional alike," which possibly calls into question the German company's long-standing technology sharing agreement with Panasonic.

This involves Leica rebadging many of Panasonic's consumer-level cameras at higher prices, claiming improved quality control, such as Leica's D-Lux 4 (£600) version of the Panasonic LX3 (£350).

Leica's website says, "Time and time again, Leica has made history with its superior quality cameras and lenses. And, each time, the innovations and developments made throughout the company's long history have always been - and will always be - committed to one single aim: uncompromising quality dedicated solely to the creation of an unmistakably perfect image."

All will be revealed at 2pm September 9. You can register for the webcast now at http://www.webcasts.com/mdlk001/090909b/.

Pre-IFA 2009: Leica has today revealed that we will know about 'the next generation of Leica Cameras' in just over a weeks time. According to an official video (presented by Rudi Spiller, CEO) there will be a live webcast at 9.00 AM EST on 09/09/09, there could be some numerical hint there. We will of course be reporting this live and bringing you full details on the day. Click through to watch the video.

Olympus has added a new digital SLR at the bottom of its range, the E-600.

The camera is very similar to the existing E-620, with a 12,3MP Live MOS sensor, 2.7-inch LCD and ability to use Four Thirds lenses.

The E-600 will have full manual controls, 4fps JPEG shooting, dust removal and will ship in a kit with Olympus' ED 3x (14-42mm) kit zoom lens.

Few filters

According to Imaging Resource, the only major differences are the lack of backlit buttons for night-time use, a reduction in the number of 'art filter' processing modes, and the removal of a multiple exposure function and aspect masking.

The lightweight (475g) camera is, naturally, targeting novice SLR snappers, with 18 user-selectable scene modes and Scene Program AE, which automatically chooses basic scene modes. Sensitivity runs up to ISO 3200 (get ready for some noise!), and the camera takes either CF or xD memory cards.

The Olympus E-600 will be available in the US (and possibly Europe - confirmation to follow) in November, priced at around $600 (£375) for the complete kit.

The Pentax 60-250mm f/4 ED IF SDM SMC DA* was released following PMA 2008, offering an alternative to the conventional 70-200mm f/2.8-style lens. By providing an extended wide-angle and telephoto range at the cost of the extra light-gathering aperture stop, the Pentax 60-250mm f/4 has become very popular with outdoor shooters. Click here for our full review of the Pentax 60-250mm ED IF SDM SMC DA*.
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In the future, there will be no more locking your keys in the car, forgetting your mum's birthday or missing that daily dose of medicine.

A team of researchers from the University of Granada has created an artificial intelligence (AI) system that makes it impossible to forget everyday tasks.

The system uses sensors distributed in the environment to detect your actions and mobile devices to remind you, for example, to let the cat out before you go to bed.

Tracking yourself

The system recognizes the everyday actions of the users - in the first instance, elderly people or those with special needs - by means of RFID labels. These tags are discreetly placed on objects that people touch most often, in such a way that, when they do so, a signal is sent to a computer or mobile device situated in the house (or at a remote centre).

The system learns your daily activities using data mining and formal grammar AI techniques, in order to compile a list of actions such as remembering to take the keys or the mobile phone before leaving home. "It is not necessary to use cameras or microphones, and the devices which are used do not entail any technological complications for users, nor do they modify their daily routines", said María Ros Izquierdo of the university's Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Izquierdo designed a 'tagged world': an intelligent space which simulates the rooms of a house, with sensors embedded in the environment that help to recognise the behaviour of its occupants. The researchers monitored each user so as to obtain an individualized database. They later verified with a test the reliability of the system and the degree of intrusion felt by the participants.

"The system does not modify the life of the users, but does positively modify that of the people who look after them", said Ros, who noted that elderly people often reject the aid of others and demand more independence.

Gone are the days when electronic equipment was firmly rooted in the home or office. Our ever more mobile lifestyles demand ever more mobile gear, and the industry has not been slow in fulfilling that need.

But whereas mobile phones and personal audio devices generally have what it takes to survive this itinerant way of life, the same isn't always true of computers. At least, that's the case with ordinary portable PCs.

To take on the worst of what the world can throw, you need ruggedisation. Rugged computers were once heavy, expensive and underpowered. Things have changed, though, and there are now many models to choose from.

Perhaps you're a civil engineer after a laptop that can be trodden in the mud and slung in the back of a 4x4. On the other hand, maybe you're a business or home user who just wants peace of mind on the road. Either way, there's something for you.

What is 'rugged'? Like many terms, what's meant by 'rugged' can be fairly malleable. Most manufacturers tend to refer to various sub-categories to try and pin down exactly what the machines are capable of. These categories are pretty vague, however – Panasonic's include 'business rugged', 'semi-rugged' and 'fully rugged – so it's clear that we need more information to see what a rugged laptop can withstand.

• Read TechRadar's Panasonic Toughbook CF-F8 review

For specialist applications, such as use in a fighter aircraft, in arctic conditions or in a tropical rain forest, you should think about the system's immunity to vibrations, extremes of temperature and humidity. In the main, though, users of rugged PCs want them to survive two common mishaps – being dropped and being soaked.

Immunity from the shock of a drop is easy to understand: most manufacturers quote a simple drop test figure, which is the height from which it can survive a tumble. You might want to enquire whether that drop is on to concrete or carpet, but it's still a useful benchmark.

The degree of waterproofing is complicated by the fact that it's normally specified by an 'IP' rating, a figure which is unfamiliar to most PC users. Thankfully, it's not complicated. The rating takes the form of two digits (IP54, for example). You can ignore the first. The second digit ranges from 0 (no protection) to 7, which means it will survive being immersed to a depth of a metre.

Between these extremes, 4 is common for reasonably rugged computers. It means that the PC is protected against sprays of water from any direction, or four inches of rainfall per hour – something rarely seen in the UK.

The whole reason for investing in a rugged PC is that you'll be using it away from the safety of the home or office. This means that there are a few other aspects you should also consider. First, make sure that the battery life is adequate: happily, rugged models usually outperform their non-rugged counterparts in this respect.

Second, for outdoor use, consider a special sunlight-readable screen – ordinary screens can be virtually illegible under high levels of illumination.

Finally, think about the size and weight – is this something you'd be happy carrying around all day? An unusually long battery life, sunlight readable screens and manageable dimensions all tend to be selling points of rugged computers.

The fact that you'll pay a price premium for ruggedisation isn't at all surprising, and you'll need to get the balance right between price and protection. What you may not be aware of is that there's another balancing act you'll need to perform: one between the level of protection and the performance.

Rugged PCs invariably have a slower processor, less memory, a smaller hard disk and a smaller screen than mainstream equivalents. Sometimes they don't have CD/DVD drives either. The more rugged the PC, the lower the specification will tend to be. There are several reasons for this.

Small screens are much less prone to damage from flexing than larger ones. Rugged PCs also sell in fairly small numbers. Since it takes longer to recoup the development cost, there's no scope for introducing a new model every six months. The lower specification can also be to your benefit, though.

• Read TechRadar's Panasonic CF-U1 review

That might sound like a surprising assertion, but lowering clockspeed results in lower power consumption and longer battery life. Again, this is a compromise that many users of rugged computers are willing to accept, especially since the applications used on the move often aren't the most processor-intensive.

The big players

There are dozens of manufacturers of mainstream laptops and PDAs, but in the world of rugged computers, your choice is much more restricted, especially if you're in the market for a laptop as opposed to a PDA.

Panasonic is the best known supplier of rugged computers. The company offers six rugged laptops, one ultramobile PC (UMPC) and a so-called 'mobile clinical assistant' (MCA), aimed at the medical market. These systems vary from 'business rugged' to 'extremely rugged'.

Getac is Mitac's specialist rugged computer division, and it offers four rugged laptops, two 'durable' (rather less rugged) laptops, one rugged tablet PC and a rugged PDA. Itronix, the rugged computer subsidiary of General Dynamics, has two fully rugged laptops, one fully rugged tablet PC and a fully rugged UMPC. There's also a laptop referred to as 'vehicle rugged', which puts it down a notch in terms of durability.

• Read TechRadar's Getac PS535F review

These are the big three in the realm of rugged laptops, but you should also consider specialist companies such as Terralogic and Blazepoint. Occasionally mainstream suppliers will also introduce rugged PCs – Dell currently offers the semirugged Latitude ATG E6400 and the fully rugged Latitude E64 XFR.

If it's a rugged PDA you're after, you have a bit more choice. Companies offering such products include Psion, DAP Microflex, Motorola and TDS.

So whatever you're after, take the time to check out the market first. There are many different types of rugged PCs – and hopefully one that suits your needs exactly.

Sony has told TechRadar it is considering full colour Readers for the next generation of eBooks.

The electronics giant has just released the Sony Reader Touch and the Sony Reader Pocket for the UK market, along with a 3G version for the US, but it's not always, ahem, going to be so black and white.

Speaking at the launch of the Touch and the Pocket, Sony's UK Product Manager for the Reader, Wes Dearing, admitted that bringing a bit of colour to the Reader brand was far from outlandish.

"We are assessing [colour]," he said. "We have to work out if the public are happy with grey scale papers or want colour.

Giving the option

"If the consumers demand it; if they are saying 'we want colour Readers' then of course we will listen and provide that option," he added.

Colour is more problematical in eBooks than a normal screen, with the E Ink used basically made up from positively charged white particles and negatively charged black ones in a clear fluid.

When a charge is applied across the screen, the particles can be aligned to form letters and patterns and once in place no further charge is needed until the page is turned.

Colour E Ink does exist, but it is far from ready for the consumer market. To work a colour filter is placed over the top of the black and white display made up of red, green, blue and white sub-pixels.

This leads to a much reduced brightness of display, and the need for a much higher resolution – which is more expensive to produce.

Sony has told TechRadar it is considering full colour Readers for the next generation of eBooks.

The electronics giant has just released the Sony Reader Touch and the Sony Reader Pocket for the UK market, along with a 3G version for the US, but it's not always, ahem, going to be so black and white.

Speaking at the launch of the Touch and the Pocket, Sony's UK Product Manager for the Reader, Wes Dearing, admitted that bringing a bit of colour to the Reader brand was far from outlandish.

"We are assessing [colour]," he said. "We have to work out if the public are happy with grey scale papers or want colour.

Giving the option

"If the consumers demand it; if they are saying 'we want colour Readers' then of course we will listen and provide that option," he added.

Colour is more problematical in eBooks than a normal screen, with the E Ink used basically made up from positively charged white particles and negatively charged black ones in a clear fluid.

When a charge is applied across the screen, the particles can be aligned to form letters and patterns and once in place no further charge is needed until the page is turned.

Colour E Ink does exist, but it is far from ready for the consumer market. To work a colour filter is placed over the top of the black and white display made up of red, green, blue and white sub-pixels.

This leads to a much reduced brightness of display, and the need for a much higher resolution – which is more expensive to produce.

Many iPhone and iPod touch owners claim they now prefer Apple handheld devices to laptops for simple web-orientated tasks, such as browsing the odd website, reading news and sports results, and mucking about on Facebook.

One online service that's had more apps created for it than perhaps entirely necessary is Twitter.

As always, there's plenty of garbage out there, and so here's a list of apps iPhone- and iPod touch-owning Twitter aficionados need to check out immediately.

1. Tweetie (atebits, £1.79)

Tweetie is a rare app that moved from iPhone to Mac, and it's easy to see why: this rock-solid and user-friendly mobile Twitter client has a great interface and deftly handles multiple accounts.

It's not as customisable and feature-packed as some, but the care, polish and performance evident in the app more than make up for that.

2. Twitterrific (The Iconfactory, free/£2.39)

Twitterrific is the client jostling most with Tweetie for the position of iPhone Twitter king. The app is terrific if you're after a seriously feature-packed and customisable client, and it's also beautifully designed, as you'd expect from The Iconfactory.

Its complexity means Twitterrific isn't as immediate as Tweetie, but it's just as good—and the ad-supported version is free.

3. Birdhouse (Sandwich Dynamics, £2.39)

Words like 'crazy' and 'too much gin' were banded about when Birdhouse was first announced - after all, why would anyone want a drafts app for 140-character tweets? But a few minutes should make a convert of any serious Twitter aficionado, due to Birdhouse's ability to draft in Airplane mode, rate and sort drafts, publish and 'unpublish' tweets, and back-up everything to email.

Other Twitter clients are busy ripping off Birdhouse's functionality, but you'll have to pry this wonderful app out of our cold, dead hands.

4. Twitfire (Eric Allam, Free)

You might think a post-only Twitter client a pointless waste of time, but Twitfire can instead save you time, because it enables you to post without getting distracted by replies, direct messages and Stephen Fry.

Twitfire's also surprisingly feature-packed, enabling you to attach images to tweets, browse the web to find links (which are subsequently auto-shortened via is.gd) and reply to your adoring followers.

5. Twuner (Krystronix, £1.79)

This mildly crazy app turns your Twitter feed into a radio station of sorts, enabling you to take in tweets in passive fashion.

You can optionally play iPod music in the background, which fades out when tweets arrive; said tweets are then read aloud in posh-robot fashion, before your music returns. Various voices and speech rates, inline transcripts, and support for multiple accounts ensure Twuner can be tuned to suit.

6. Ego (Garrett Murray, £1.19)

Although not strictly a Twitter app, Garrett Murray's Ego stats tracker includes support for the service. If you don't want to mix with your peons, but are nonetheless intrigued by their current number, Ego provides the best-looking means around of tracking such values; and if you're also a Google Analytics, Mint, Feedburner or Squarespace user, Ego's a must-buy.

7. Boxcar (Jonathan George, £1.79)

If you're forever missing (or avoiding) Twitter direct messages and mentions, Boxcar places such things front and centre by using OS 3.0's push notifications.

Usefully, this app is big on simplicity and low on ego, since once you have your message, it hands you over to your favourite Twitter client.

Boxcar's perhaps on borrowed time, until your favourite client bundles similar push notification, but for now it's a one-trick pony with a particularly shiny coat and good teeth.

8. Birdfeed (System of Touch, £2.99)

Although not a particularly distinctive Twitter client in many ways, Birdfeed is nice enough, offering a clean, simple means of accessing multiple accounts. However, it offers two features that make it worth consideration: timestamp indicators help you find where you last stopped reading a stream, and local caching enables you to catch up on past tweets when on an airplane, in a submarine, or in the bit of your correspondent's garden where the network inexplicably cuts out.

Summer Fades by Cheryl Lamond

Don't see what all the Windows 7 fuss is about and thinking of jumping ship to Linux?

The experience of switching to Linux needn't be a traumatic one.

Here are 25 things you need to know that will make your transition to an open source OS easy.

The basics

1. What's a distribution?
Linux isn't sold as a single package like Windows or MacOS. There are lots of variations on the basic operating system put together by different people for different reasons.

Some might be hardware specific - designed to run on netbooks, for example - while some might be tailored towards particular uses, like general desktops, webservers or multimedia workstations.

Think of them as like the different versions of Vista, but with many more apps in each package. Each of these different bundles is called a 'distribution'.

• The pain-free guide to switching Linux distros

2. How are they different?
The most obvious differences between distributions are the number and type of applications that come pre-installed. Under the hood, they may use a different technique for managing sound playback, too.

Not all distributions will use the same versions of core system files either, rather the ones they've tested and are most likely to work with the other programs in the package.

3. Which distribution should I choose?
Ubuntu is by far the most popular distribution for beginners, but most of the big names - OpenSuse, Fedora and so on - are just as approachable and have their strengths. Mandriva works well when syncing with Windows Mobile, for example.

• 50 handy Ubuntu time-saving tips

4. Understand desktop environments
The familiar windowed desktop of any operating system is simply a layer on top of the core code that makes it easier for you to interact with your computer. Because Linux is highly modular, this desktop environment is easily separated from the core operating system, and you can choose one from several options.

Most popular distributions will give you a choice of desktop environment, while smaller ones, like Mint, may only come in one flavour.

5. Which is best for Windows' switchers?
Gnome and KDE are the closest to Vista or OS X, and most people will find Gnome easier to pick up. Others, life XFCE or LXDE are designed to run quickly on low end systems.

oDon't worry too much, though. The great thing about Linux is you want to try a different desktop manager without reinstalling your OS, you can. In fact, you can have several different ones on the same machine to choose from at login.

• Best Linux distros for power users, gamers, newbies and more

IN CONTROL: Whichever desktop environment you use, you have an incredible amount of control over the way it looks and behaves

Installation

6. Live CDs
Once you've decided which distribution you'd like to try, download the installation file (usually a .iso file) and burn it to CD or DVD. With many distributions, booting from that disc will give you the option to try a 'live version'. This lets you boot into a Linux desktop without altering your current hard drive.

7. Look elsewhere
Don't forget, though, that the Live version will have its limitations. Before you discard a distribution for looking dull, run a few searches to see if it can be spruced up. Remember, most distributions are designed for maximum hardware compatibility. Your PC can almost certain handle better desktop effects, for example.

8. Putting Linux on your PC
If you've never installed an operating system before, it can be quite daunting. Don't fear, though, it's a straightforward operating and the big distributions have excellent documentation for first timers, like this how-to at Ubuntu.

9. Keep the Windows open
The easiest way to install a distribution would be to wipe your PC clean and start over. You may want to keep your existing Windows installation, though, to run applications like games that don't work so well in Linux.

Most installation processes will guide you through setting up a dual boot system, with two or more operating systems on. You will need a separate hard drive or partition for each, though.

PACKAGE MANAGER: Synaptic is a popular package manager for Debian-based distributions, like Ubuntu

Finding your way around

10. Getting to grips with the file system
Navigating the C: drive in Windows is second nature to most people. Opening a file browser in Linux can be a shock. Instead of a few neatly named folders like Program Files, there are several obscure ones with names like "etc" and "opt" whose contents appear to be the same.

Linux programs spread bits of themselves around in each of these folders, and while it's logical to the trained eye, it takes experience to understand. Take the easy option - don't worry about it any more than you would the contents of C:\Windows.

11. Stay in your Home
All your important files, like documents, music and video, are kept in a separate partition called the Home partition. Each username you create has their own password protected area within Home, so you can set one up for everyone in your household.

12. Understanding Root
Just like Windows, there are two types of user accounts - administrator and normal. The administrator in Linux is called 'Root', and system files are locked for ordinary users to edit. If you ever try to edit a document and find it can't be saved, or a folder can't be copied, it's probably locked for Root access too.

13. Become a superuser
Anyone can temporarily be elevated to the position of Superuser, allowing them to perform operations restricted to root. This is done by opening a terminal and starting a command with the prefix "sudo" or "su", depending on your distribution. You'll then be prompted for the adminstrator password, which will allow the command to be completed.

14. Don't be afraid of the terminal
It's one of those words that scares off the non-geek, but a terminal is simply a program that lets you enter commands as text, rather than mouse clicks.

Because of the Linux file structure, it's simply quicker for many expert users to use the terminal rather than the file browser to do stuff. One day you might feel the same way, honest.

15. Open file manager as Root
If you prefer the familiarity of a graphical user interface, though, you can use the terminal to open your file manager with administrator access, to move locked folders or edit locked text files.

If you're using Gnome, just enter 'sudo nautilus' in the terminal and an empowered file manager will appear. Remember there's no restrictions to stop you irrevocably damaging your system, though.

16. Installing new programs
Unlike Windows or OS X, most Linux distributions come with a graphics editor, office suite, messenger software and so on pre-installed, and getting new programs is simple.

In your main menu you'll find a
"package manager", usually Synaptic or Yum, which lists all the files currently installed on your PC, along with ones you can download for free.

17. Learn about repositories
The package manager gets these software lists from repositories, which are FTP servers full of free software maintained by Linux advocates or organisations. You can add new ones in the Software Sources section of the start menu.

18. Don't always update
The package manager will cross reference software you have installed with the version in your listed repositories to see if you're running the latest build. You don't have to update programs when the update manager warns you, though. Remember, with Linux, you're in control.

EASY OFFICE: OpenOffice is a complete office suite which is also available for Windows. It looks a bit old fashioned, but will read and save Microsoft Office 2007 files

Troubleshooting

19. Fix display problems
If you're getting strange screen artefacts, like text and cursors vanishing in OpenOffice or your mail client, and are using an Nvidia or AMD graphics card, it's worth going to the manufacturers' website to see if newer Linux drivers are available.

20. Manually installing drivers
Unlike Windows, you may never need to install a device driver on your Linux system. Most hardware is supported straight from the kernel. Manually installing drivers in Linux can be tough, though, even when the process is well documented. It's a good idea to print off the readme file before you get started.

21. Drivers or programs don't work?
Upgrading core kernel files with "header" in their name will likely break any manually installed graphics drivers and some programs too. The fix is simple - just reinstall them.

22. Recovery mode
Most distributions have a recovery mode of some sort available at the first menu screen to help you sort out problems with an operating system that refuses to boot. Ubuntu scores highly in this regard, because it has an option to easily reset the graphics system, often a cause of problems.

23. Look before you ask
The helpfulness of the Ubuntu forums - and indeed most Linux forums - when it comes to helping newbies out is legendary. Don't just log in and start asking, though, run a few searches for the problems you're encountering first.

In the unlikely event a walkthrough doesn't already exist with a solution, you'll get a better idea of how to phrase your question so everyone understands you first time.

24. Keep notes
The web is full of really useful Linux walkthroughs that can give you PC superpowers just by cutting and pasting a few lines into a terminal. Sometimes, these walkthroughs won't work. It's a good idea to keep track of changes you've made in case you need to go back and fix stuff later.

25. Get Wine
There are some Windows programs you may find you simply can't do without. Spotify, Evernote, World of Warcraft, Left4Dead perhaps? Wine adds libraries to get most Windows apps running in Linux.

And finally...
Get creative with the look and feel of your desktop. You can tweak anything you want about the look, from the position of panels and menus to adding an OS X-like dock. There are loads of themes to get you started at opendesktop.org, just click on the artwork tab at the top.

PLENTY OF APPS: There are few types of app which Linux doesn't have a program capable of matching a Windows peer. Accounting programs are about the only thing that's thin on the ground

Olympus Imaging America Inc. has today announced its new E-600 digital SLR. The Olympus E-600 is a lower-cost version of the existing E-620 model which launched in February 2009, with just a couple of changes made to reduce the cost and help provide differentiation. The only hardware difference we're aware of is that the Olympus E600 drops the useful backlit buttons, which make it easier to see the controls at night or in low light conditions. Firmware changes in the E600...
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