I’ve reviewed the Pogoplug hardware in the past, but now it’s time to review the actual desktop software. Why? Because with the recent version 3 release it can be used independently, offering a number of new features.

The new Pogoplug software then allows you to share files across your computers – not just those attached to a physical Pogoplug device. So, for instance, install Pogoplug on a desktop PC and a laptop and you can access files from each device from the other. It does this by creating virtual copies of the folders (with an extension of the computer name) within a mapped drive letter (you can also ask the software to create separate drive letters for each shared computer).

The software is not uploaded to “the cloud” but, instead, the device which the software resides on must be switched on. Clicking on a file will then cause it to be download from the other device. You can also access the files via their web interface.

You can also map printers to the software, allowing you to remotely access a printer connected to another computer.

Lastly, it offers a features named Active Copy. This lets you create pairs of folders where files will be automatically backed up from one to another. Originally designed to allow you to automatically backup to your Pogoplug device, this will now also allow backing up between PCs.

A premium version of the software is also available and retails at $29 – this allows you to stream media to mobile phones, consoles and internet TVs.

Issues? I cannot get it to work on my work PC. It’s either the proxy or the firewall software, but it doesn’t give much hint as to what the problem is – simply to contact Pogoplug about it.

When the software is updating its file information the icon in the system tray animates. Installing it on my main PC, with a lot of music and photo files, meant that it was going all night, hammering the hard drive but no indication of how far through it was. Do I leave it running indefinitely? Does it have a problem? I’m not sure.

Summary of Pogoplug Software

An excellent way of connecting between devices – obviously it does requires them all to be switched on. However, to get around this you’d need to uploaded all your files to a cloud service – and that wouldn’t be free. It also has a number of really useful options (printer, automatic backups, etc).

My main criticism – a lack of information about what’s happening. Whether it’s doing something or not because there’s a problem, it could do with more feedback to the user. But let’s not forget that the basic version is free. I don’t know if I’d purchase the premium version, but that’s down to whether you’d require the streaming features it offers.

Reviewed by David Artiss on 14th June 2011.

Last week I made mention of this game which had just turned up in the PlayStation Store. Now I’ve had a chance to play it.

Before I start, he’s a quick recap of the storyline behind it…

There has been a fatal accident in the Large Hadron Collider that plunged the nearby city into chaos, filling it with anomalies and turning the residents into zombies. The restricted zone became a Mecca for marauders and criminals who hunted for artifacts and thrills of dead city street racing. Outrageous speed, rivers of blood, brutal cars, equipped with instruments of destruction: spikes, saws and blades, and don’t forget the boosters. Hundreds of hungry zombies roam the streets, jumping on cars and trying to get to the drivers. To survive there and return to tell the tale is a real challenge.

So, basically, drive around, destroying others car and zombies. If you’ve ever played Carmageddon in the past you’ll know the score. It’s a real “blood fest” and has an 18+ certificate to go with it – zombies can be killed in all sorts of ways, including run over, sliced by knives that come out of your car or simply ground up in rollers mounted in front of the bonnet. Blood is splattered everywhere, including over the screen. Zombies can also jump onto your car and attempt to trash it – a hard handbrake turn or smashing it into a wall normally sorts it though

There are loads of different types of missions and, as with all the best games, it’s “sandbox” style, allowing you to just freely roam around the levels doing whatever you wish – you can take part in a mission or just have fun. You can pick up various extras, including repairs and cash, the latter of which you can spend on improving your car – and there are some really interesting options! You have a boost for extra speed, handbrake turning, the lot.

The sound and graphics are superb. The controls are (I don’t know whether intentionally) pretty much a match for Burnout, so you’ll know just what to press. The cars are a bit more “skitish” than in Burnout though, almost as if you’re permanently driving on ice. However, this can be great fun sliding sideways towards a group of approaching zombies. What I haven’t yet tried is my Logitech GT wheel – I’ll report back once I have!

There isn’t an online play facility (not surprisingly considering that they’ve had to have their own server for this) but you can play it in split-screen 2 player mode (not enough games offer offline 2 player modes these days!).

Summary of Armageddon Racers (PS3)

Cracking graphics and gameplay and gore by the bucket – what’s not to love? The best bit about the game, though, is the price – £7.99. Download it from the PlayStation store NOW!

Reviewed by David Artiss on 9th June 2011.

Useful Links

PSN Page

Official Armageddon Riders website

Video

So went my favourite Tweet today.

Playstation Network has gone down… again. No warnings and, worryingly, Sony are saying it’s due to “unscheduled maintenance” – the same thing they said after being recently hacked.

It went down early afternoon GMT and there are now reports of it being restored – a number of hours ago in the US. Many are hopefully suggesting this might indicate the Playstation store is to return, but I doubt.

However, the big problem – again – has been Sony. No reporting of the issue (their blog and Twitter feed is quiet) and, indeed, the UK PlayStation Network website has, throughout the entire afternoon, shown the network to be “online” – that is, until you try and log in.

Although Sony themselves are saying nothing via Twitter, plenty of people have something to say to Sony in return – sadly, most of which won’t be suitable for this site. Needless to say, people are not happy, with many talking about switching to Xbox. After everything that’s recently happened, you’d really think Sony would be pulling out every stop available to them at every turn. Instead we have another missed opportunity – PSN goes down again, with no support from Sony. Poor.