FREE ACCESS forums are back online

The forums are back — simply select the “Free reader forums link” on the right. We’ve decided to start the forum from a fresh, so unfortunately you’ll have to reregister, though we have tightened up the registration so hopefully we’ll minimise the instances of fake members with questionable web sites. We have also upgraded to a new version of the bulletin board software to minimise the chances of another attack.

Reader forums offline

Our reader forums have been defaced by a worm, and so are currently offline. Hopefully we’ll get them back online soon.

Season’s greetings

Season’s greetings to all FREE ACCESS readers, distributors and advertisers.

Thank you so much for your support in 2005! We look forward to producing FREE ACCESS for you in 2006.

FA42 PDF is out now!

The PDF edition of FREE ACCESS #42 (Summer 2005/2006) is available for download by clicking on the cover above (or by clicking on the cover in the right panel on the main page).

Infinite Sudoku is the perfect Christmas gift for any fan of the addictive puzzle craze. Features include pencil marks, ‘undo’ and ‘retrace’ options, an endless supply of puzzles, four different grid sizes and graded puzzles from Easy to Devilish. Infinite Sudoku PC CD ROM retails for $19.95. For further information visit www.red-ant.com.au

An explosion in the need for bigger portable storage has seen a battle emerge between flash memory and the ever shrinking hard disk drive. Alex Zaharov-Reutt explains and compares both types of data storage, shows us the types of devices they’re used in today and where these duelling data devices are headed in the future.

As always, it’s been an interesting week in tech. Here are a few highlights…

The FREE ACCESS web site is being upgraded during the weekend of 3 Dec to 4 Dec. Full functionality should be restored by Dec 5.

FREE ACCESS #42 (Summer 0506) was released in early December! Key stories included: Forty two great gift ideas, Amazing new digital cameras and Keeping your PC safe. Pick up a copy from your participating retailer. The PDF edition will be uploaded in the next few weeks.