3dGameMan …to the point news and reviews !

This hot-swappable, portable drive is FAST! I’ve used an older Mac-only Imation Super Disk and it was good (but not flawless–sometimes disks would jam). Giving the new SuperDisk Drive the total workout, I would describe it as a great, hassle-free storage device.

Since I typically use an iMac, which has no floppy drive, storage is an important issue. As a writer, I prefer backing up my work products on Imation Superdisk Diskettes. The SuperDisk Diskettes store 120 MB. Roughly, this boils down to storage capabilities that exceed 83 times of what a normal disk could hold. Awesome!

Ease of use is excellent. Click, drag, and drop files with finesse! Much faster than the first model I reviewed (Imation claims this drive reads up to 22 times faster than a floppy drive when used with a Mac and up to 19 times faster than a floppy drive when used with a PC), you won’t need to ever say the word Zip again! (continue reading…)

You’re in another time bind. Your client wants your expert opinion on a poorly designed web site. It’s not enough to tell your client that the pages simply suck. You’re expected to offer design expertise, help choose proper Web development tools and solve information management problems within the site. Where do you turn to?

Web by Design: The Complete Guide by design veteran Molly E. Holzchlag. This book is a whopper of a comprehensive reference–900 pages full of practical advice on what every web designer “must” know.

The 25 chapters include web designer basics; designing “musts”; web page layout methods, applications and technology; how to achieve ultimate high-end color and graphics without being overwhelmed; web typography and design; and multimedia and web programming interactivity.Each of the 25 chapters is divided into seven parts. All pay close attention to specific design elements–whether conceptual elements or practical applications. You’ll find quizzes, tasks, summaries in the review chapters which serve as quick-references when you’re in one of those time binds. (continue reading…)

Game: Empire Earth

Game Type: 3D Strategy

Developer: Stainless Steel Studios

Requires: Win9x/Me/00 (with DirectX), Direct3D

Description: Empire Earth combines stunning technology with intense strategic gameplay in a setting that spans human history - it’s arguably the most promising game on the horizon in the real-time strategy genre. Empire Earth is an RTS that begins with the discovery of fire (circa 500,000 BC) and concludes in the Nano Age several hundred years in the future. In addition to the extensive single player experience, Empire Earth will also feature a sophisticated yet user-friendly multiplayer component as well as a robust campaign/scenario editor.

Kid Pix Deluxe 3 is unbeatable when it comes to creativity software for kids and grown-ups (who are kids at heart)! This imaginative CD-ROM wins The Review Zone’s Best of 2001 in kids’ software, hands down! Without picking up a crayon or a brush, kids can dabble in crazy effects, hilarious sounds, innovative art tools, and fun-filled animation to create the best multimedia art in town!

Kids can spend hours playing with Kid Pix Deluxe 3, and they’ll be wowed at the endless creative possibilities. Your child doesn’t have to have mega artistic talent to enjoy this wacky and innovative CD-ROM. All you need is a little imagination, a computer with ample memory and a CD-ROM drive… don’t forget the all-important Kid Pix Deluxe 3 CD-ROM! (continue reading…)

Code Head: Calculated Risk is an awesome mathematical quiz fest! Like Code Head: X-treme Culture, this software title is fast paced and frantic but provides kids the ultimate test of knowledge! This time, in subjects such as math, technology and science.

This game-show style software lets kids play a one-player game or go against the computer, their pals or an online community of kids. Competitive? Yes! Fun? You bet! Educational? Without a doubt! (continue reading…)

Research–quick and easy! Sounds good? The 1998 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia - 2 CD Deluxe Edition is a heavyweight learning tool for families on the move! If you want to help your middle-school or high school student cut to the chase and make progress on a school report, you’ll appreciate this solid reference software for its concise, easy-to-use information. In fact, this is the first encyclopedia I’ll go to whenever researching something on my own. (continue reading…)