GAMING: The most addictive game ever...?

In must be some throwback to childhood but I always like to have a game of sorts for myself and others to enjoy when they visit me over Christmas. A couple of years ago 'Bop it Extreme2' was the undisputed party-king of Christmas. Pick it up and you could say goodbye to an hour... Well now there is a new Sheriff in town and his name is Guitar Hero III.

It arrived a few days ago but due to work commitments I didn't have chance to even open the packaging. At about 10:30 last night I got chance to check it out...

I just couldn't put the thing down. It's one of those great games where you constantly find yourself saying 'just one more go', and that sentiment takes you effortlessly into the early hours of the morning, rattling out 'Sunshine of your love' and the like, suspending disbelief that you actually are a legendary axeman. My poor neighbours...

WRITING: Final Cut Express 4 review hitting shops soon

I've been looking at the latest Final Cut Express program for both MacUser and Digital Video for the past couple of weeks. I'm a little disappointed with it as it offers few 'must have' features whilst also removing some of the functionality of prior versions - say goodbye to Soundtrack for example. You can read the full review in the coming weeks as the press hits the shelves...
Full details on Final Cut Express 4 can be found here

RANT: Get off the phone when you are being served!

I don't know if this is a predominantly female thing or this has merely been my experience of the phenomenon. Every time I'm doing the weekly shop I'm stunned by the amount of women who do their entire shopping trip with a mobile phone seemingly glued to their ear. I suppose if people having long and loud conversations in public places doesn't make them feel like the utter gits they look: more power to them. Either that or the conversation must be so important they can't have it in the privacy of their own home and save us from the inane drivel.

However, there is a line that shouldn't be crossed; a line of common human decency. Good old-fashioned manners if you will. It is thus: when you take your goods to a till, to be served by a fellow human being, the very least you can do is stop blowing all that hot bloody air out, turn off your mobile phone and show the person serving you the basic human respect that you at least acknowledge their presence - YOU ARROGANT F***ING T***S! Don't stand there waffling on as they scan your goods, pack your bags and take your payment. How difficult is it to simply call the person on the other end back in literally 1 minute once you have finished at the till?