I've recently received Roxio's Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 from Amazon and am not impressed. So far I've only looked at the CD writing, DVD player and label printing sections. The label printer is still useless when it comes to listing CD contents. The DVD player won't play copy protected DVDs. And the CD writer is worse than 5, especially when it comes to adding a session.

Conclusion: waste of money.

Hidden costs of PC ownership (prices as of July 2004, including VAT):

Windows XP Professional - £240
OS X 10.3 - £89

Windows 2003 Server 10 user - £974
OS X 10.3 server 10 user - £393

I guess you do get all those lovely viruses to play with, though...

You can listen to Mark's recent interview with Radio 2's Janice Long here.

GPS has been crying out for decent recreational uses since its invention - now its here (or should that be 'everywhere'?).

"A GPS device and a hunger for adventure are all you need for high tech treasure hunting. Here you can find the latest caches ind in this fun and exciting sport."

Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

Mark Jospeh will be playing a live set on Richard Allinson's program on Radio 2 next Saturday afternoon (15:30 to 18:30 BST). Do tune in.

Just as I recommend Canon's Powershot A80 digital compact camera, it looks like Canon have discontinued it (my guess is that an A85 will be along soon). However, if you still want one, Argos are doing a fantastic deal on it:

Canon A80

Local rock star Mark Joseph played an acoustic set at nearby primary school Heathwood's annual fete today.
 
Click for full gallery

More on Moore's Bush-bashing documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, quoting Betty DeRamus of Detroit, "for people inclined to distrust or dislike Bush, attending Moore's film is sort of like going to church.

You already know the basic text - the gospel according to baseball-cap-wearing St Michael - but you want to see how the minister will package and deliver it.

BBC NEWS Programmes State of the Union: The movie is the message

Neighbour Mark Joseph has reissued his album 'Scream' in remixed form with the help of his new record label 14th Floor Records. A 'particularly appetising cache of Oasis-indebted rock tunes' quotes Amazon.

Congrats to Michael Moore on the success of his documentary film 'Fahrenheit 9/11'. Revenue has now passed the $60 million mark in the USA and is now on show here in the UK.

Sadly our department's 6-a-side cricket team lost their game to qualify for the semifinals. With no still camera available at the short notice we were given, I shot video instead - here's the results (requires QuickTime):

KMi Roses vs Fallen Stars, 6 July 2004

Currently listening to David Bowie's 'Never Let Me Down' having finally got my hifi sorted out with some replacement Marantz kit from StudioSpares. That really is a top album.

Just been playing with the Canon PowerShot A80 that I recommended to a friend. Lovely little camera, nice and solid, easy to handle and not too fiddly like the majority of the smaller cameras. Shooting modes range from 'complete beginner' to full manual, so the control is there if you need it. Storage is on Compact Flash (the most common, therefore easiest to obtain and cheapest) and the batteries are 4 x AA, meaning that if they conk out in the middle of nowhere you stand a much better chance of finding replacements.

Conclusion: thoroughly recommended.