Contents:

Introduction
Adam in the Spotlight
Call Adam Internet Helpdesk at local call rates from regional and interstate areas
AdamRewards provides Adam Internet customers with real credit
Important: Firmware update available for NB9WMAXX modems
Reminder -- Caution: hoax emails claiming to be from Adam Internet
We survived the City-Bay Fun Run!
Adam Internet Footy Tipping Competition 2008 winners announced
Adam Internet Staff Ride2Work Day 2008
5towns cyclists cross South Australia to support the Leukemia Foundation
PC Authority 2008 Reliability & Service Awards survey now open - win great prizes, help improve broadband services
Celebrate South Australian art at the A-Frame Exhibition and Auction
This Christmas party on down to Motown and share a drink with Hollywood Legends at Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre
GameTraders Marion 1st Anniversary Sale -- 20% off storewide
BodyTalk Health with Phil Sheldon
Toopy's Tips
World Wide Finance -- presented by Jeff Potter and Macquarie Bank
Weblinks
Hot Tips
Did You Know?

Introduction

Welcome to the September / October edition of Newsbytes, the bi-monthly Adam Internet newsletter.

Newsbytes will keep you updated on what's happening at Adam Internet, provide hints and tips for getting the most out of your connection, and let you know about specials or new services that you can take advantage of.

If there's anything you would like to see in Newsbytes, either as a feature or as a regular column, please email us at newsbytes@adam.com.au

• Telstra accused of dirty tactics
  

Call Adam Internet Helpdesk from regional and interstate areas at local call rates

In an effort to continue to improve the already high levels of service we offer to our customers, Adam Internet now provides regional and interstate residents with telephone numbers charged at local call rates*, as opposed to the more expensive STD rates.

Using the new numbers in the chart below will connect straight to the Adelaide-based Adam Internet Helpdesk.

Please ensure that you call the correct number for your province to take advantage of the local call rate. For example, if you live in Port Lincoln, according to the chart below, you should dial (08) 7557 8100.

Regional and Interstate Phone Numbers

* Adam Internet cannot be held responsible for any charges that you may receive from calling our help desk. Please ensure that you contact your telephone provider to verify call costs before using any of the listed numbers.

Adam Internet's AdamRewards program -- a reward initiative for existing residential customers who refer family and friends -- has received an extremely positive reception.

In fact, one particularly active referrer has ensured he won't be paying a cent for his Adam Internet AdamDirect ADSL2+ connection for a whole six months. He's even confident he can save money on the next six months. Imagine, a whole year of free Internet. So, what do you have to do to start saving on your broadband connection?

For each new customer you refer to Adam Internet, you could be eligible for up to 100% off your next month's broadband bill. For example, if you are on AdamDirect or Naked DSL and the person you refer joins on a plan that is of equal or greater cost, then Adam Internet will add the equivalent credit of one month's plan cost to your AdamRewards balance. If you are on an Adam Home plan, or the person you recommend joins an Adam Home plan, you will receive 25% off your next broadband bill.

To receive your reward, the person you refer will need to quote your email address in the AdamRewards email-field when they sign up for any eligible broadband services*. Once they have been connected, your referral rewards will be credited to your account.

You can keep track of your AdamRewards credit by logging into the Adam Internet Members Services area at http://members.adam.com.au . From there, select "AdamRewards" from the left-hand side menu, under "Members Information".

For more information on AdamRewards, visit www.adam.com.au/rewards .

* The referrer's email address will need to be entered at the time of sign up and cannot be added after the completion of the sign up process.

Important: Firmware update available for NB9WMAXX modems

Please be advised that an important firmware update is available for the NetComm NB9WMAXX modem. This modem ships as standard with the NakedDSL package.

This firmware update improves the emergency call fail over functionality, which will improve the reliability of the modem in situations when an emergency call needs be made (000) and there is no Internet connection.

To perform this upgrade, please follow the instructions below. Copied direct from NetComm.com.au:

1. Connect the computer to any LAN socket on the Modem.
2. Open the web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla firefox, etc) on the computer, type in http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar, and then press Enter.
3. On the left-hand side menu, click on Management > Device Settings > Update
4. On the right-hand side, click on the Browse button to search your local hard drive and locate the firmware to be used for update. Select the firmware file and press Open.
5. Click Update Settings to proceed. It will take a few minutes until a message pops up to indicate the upgrade has been successful.  
6. Do not turn off the modem during the upgrade.

Reminder -- Caution: hoax emails claiming to be from Adam Internet

This was also featured in the July / August edition of Newsbytes .

It has been brought to Adam Internet's attention that hoax emails requesting sensitive customer account information, claiming to originate from Adam Internet, are being received by our customers. These fraudulent emails are in no way affiliated with Adam Internet and should not be replied to. If you believe that you have have received a hoax email, please contact our call centre on (08) 8423 4055.

Should you reply to a hoax email, your sensitive personal information may be used to access your account without your knowledge, or the information may be passed on to other external parties.

Some hoax emails may be hard to spot, so here are some pointers on how to recognise fraudulent messages:

• The email message has multiple spelling and grammatical mistakes.
• The email message has asked for sensitive personal information, including your username, password and credit details. Adam Internet will never ask for this information via email unless you have emailed the help desk specifically requesting technical support.
• The email message is sent from an address that appears real, but is not used by the company named in the email. For example, some of the Adam Internet hoax emails have originated from mail@adam.com.au and customers@adam.com.au, neither of which are used by Adam Internet for customer service. Adam Internet uses the address help@adam.com.au for the majority of customer service communications.
• The email message informs you that your account will be deleted if you don't reply. Adam Internet will not "delete" your account unless you have specifically requested us to close the service, or, in rare cases, where the Standard Form of Agreement terms have been breached.

Please do not ignore a hoax email. If you believe you have received a hoax email claiming to be from an Adam Internet representative, please contact help@adam.com.au or call the help desk on (08) 8423 4055.

Thank you to all our customers who have contacted us with information regarding hoax emails claiming to be from Adam Internet

On August 31 - weeks before two Victorian teams, the Hawthorn Hawks and Geelong Cats, would battle in the AFL Grand Final - a South Australian competition of equal importance had already drawn to a close; the 2008 Adam Internet Footy Tipping Competition.

It was a tough fight for the top tipper position heading into the final week of competition, with the leading ten competitors flitting about the ladder as the results piled in.

With the final minor premiership game between Essendon and St. Kilda at the Telstra Dome played, ,"Big Red" sat at the top of the tipping ladder.

Adam Internet is proud to award this precision tipper, Wayne "Big Red" Kernich, with five perfect rounds tipped, a final score of 132 points and a cheque for $2000. Congratulations!

Tipper "jday" took second place and $500 prize money, scoring 131 points and a margin of 677, just edging out "patrob", who placed third with 131 points and a margin of 700, taking home $250.

Congratulations to everyone who entered the 2008 Adam Internet Footy Tipping Competition. We look forward to your participation next year.

Adam Internet Staff Ride2Work Day 2008

Thousands of commuters shunned their carbon emitting cars and saved money on public transport on Wednesday 15 October, choosing to instead travel to work on their bicycle as part of the national Ride2Work Day.

Awaiting the registered riders in the city was a wonderful breakfast spread that was hosted by Bicycle SA, with breakfast provided courtesy of Baker's Delight.

This is the second year Adam Internet has taken part in the event, with a number of staff taking part.

The goal of Ride2Work is four-fold and has many benefits:

1. Health - feel great and reduce your likelihood of suffering from obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Check out the health benefits of riding your bike .
2. Save money - reduce the costs associated with driving to work or catching public transport. Click here to calculate how much you spend on petrol...and how much money you could save by riding to work!
3. Help the environment - reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Find out how much impact your car has on the environment by calculating your vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions .
4. Everyone is doing it! -  avoid traffic jams and commuter congestion by joining the bike riders
   

Congratulations to all those who took part and we hope that many of you will continue to Ride2Work for the benefit of your health, the environment and your wallet!

Visit www.ride2work.com.au for more information.

The goal of 5Towns is to raise $50,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, for an expansion of accommodation for rural families as well as developing and improving services for families living with blood cancers.

Visit http://www.5towns.com.au/ to view the stories uncovered by the 5Towns event.

To make a donation, visit https://www.leukaemia.org.au/ and select 5Towns from the right-hand side "Supporting an event" pulldown menu after selecting a donation method.

Adam Internet is proud to sponsor the 5Towns event.

PC Authority 2008 Reliability & Service Awards survey now open - win great prizes, help improve broadband services

Have your say in Australia's largest online consumer technology survey and be in the running to win one of 40 prizes, from a total prize pool valued at $17,000. Prizes include full office software suites, large capacity external harddrives, laptops and EeePCs.

The PC Authority 2008 Reliability & Service Awards provide the opportunity for all Australians to discuss subjects including the reliability of their notebook, whether they are happy with the image quality of their digital camera, and how satisfied they are with their Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Last year, Adam Internet was the only ISP to receive a six out of six star rating for customer satisfaction and was voted as one of the top three ISPs Australia-wide.

By participating in the quick 10-minute survey, you'll not only be in the draw for great prizes, but also help Adam Internet to improve the services we offer to our customers.

To complete the survey online, please visit http://www.pcauthority.com.au/promos/awards before November 4, 2008.
 
The results from last year's survey may be viewed online at http://www.pcauthority.com.au/awards2007/bestisp.aspx .

A-Frame Exhibition and Auction
Foyer, Adelaide Festival Centre
King William Road, Adelaide

Auction:
Sunday 16 November 2008
Commencing 2pm sharp - 5pm

Artwork viewing:
5-23 November, 2008
or visit http://www.artsaccess-sa.org.au/aframe/artworks.htm

This Christmas party on down to Motown and share a drink with Hollywood Legends at Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre

The legends of Hollywood and Motown will descend on Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre for the 2008 Christmas season.

The stars of Hollywood will light up the stage including the Australian Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond tribute shows as well as a special appearance from Marilyn Monroe, accompanied by the sounds of the Hollywood Show Band.

Or, for something a bit funkier, get your groove on with the Jungle Juice Show Band, Motown Singers and Bee Gees Tribute Show at 'Staying Alive in Motown'.

Both events feature plenty of prizes and giveaways, as well as a three course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks provided. This dinner event hosted by Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre will make you think all your Christmases have come at once.

For more information on "Hollywood Legends" [click this link] .

For more information on "Staying Alive in Motown" [click this link].

Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre offer a wide range of services, including a function room and convention centre, accommodation, tourism and hospitality training plus gourmet food and catering for a variety of events.

Visit www.sferas.com to make a booking today.

GameTraders Marion is one year old and is offering its customers the chance to celebrate with a massive 20% off storewide, excluding consoles and sale items.

To take advantage of this massive discount simply dress up as your favourite videogame or anime character and visit GameTraders Marion (Shop 2010A, Westfield Marion) on Saturday 22 November.

As an added incentive to bring out your creative flair, the best dressed on the day will win a Nintendo Wii console, including Wii-mote, nunchuk and the Wii Sports videogame.

This may be perfect occasion to pick up an early Christmas present for that special someone, or simply something to spoil yourself!

If you want to know what great games will hit store shelves before the sale and in time for the holiday season, check out our special Adam Internet feature "A Christmas Guide To Videogames" under the "Did You Know?" section of this Newsbytes.

What really is Arthritis?

In simple terms, Arthritis is inflammation of joints and a common cause of pain, disability, and deformity. Doctors speak of "hot joints" to describe the acute phase of arthritis because the affected part is swollen, red, tender, and warm to the touch. Arthritis can result from trauma or can be a symptom of infectious disease, but most cases are either rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease affecting younger people (especially women), or osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease of older people and affects both sexes equally. It is estimated that well over 3-million Australians are affected by this condition. People often ask me what are the best alternative medicines to use. I personally do not like the term alternative, I prefer complimentary.

Medicine today is becoming more and more integrated; pharmaceutical drugs, herbs, vitamins, minerals, diet and exercise can, and should, all work together. In this way, the patient should receive the best available help for his or her needs. Remember, we are all different; there is no one exactly like you anywhere on this planet. Whether it is your genetic makeup, your own body chemistry, your own personality or the individual experiences you alone have encountered reflects upon your uniqueness. What may be good for one sufferer may not do anything for another.

I have found that building up to a regular exercise program with an activity that feels comfortable to you may help compliment medical arthritis therapies. In addition eating a diet that helps your body fight the disease is extremely beneficial in reducting the symptoms. An ideal diet should include components such as antioxidants, bioflavonoids foods to counter the ill effects of arthritis medicines, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to keep inflammation down, and low-fat foods to keep your weight under control. You should try to reduce protein intake to approximately 10 percent of daily energy intake. Replacing animal protein as much as possible with plant protein can also be useful. Some people gain a benefit from reducing milk and milk products, substituting the dairy calcium sources with other products such as soy. Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables where possible. Reduce the use of polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain acids, use extra-virgin olive oil as your main source of fat. Also, eat ginger and turmeric regularly.

Research has shown swelling and pain from arthritis and soft-tissue injury can be eased by using a lot more than standard Glucosamine, so Optimal Essentials* designed a unique combination of goodies called Ultra Bone & Joint.  It contains things like magnesium, folic acid, ginger and green tea, along with Glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, bromelain, quercetin, and anti-inflammatory herbs. It is designed to combat swelling and inflammation associated with arthritis, and to increase joint mobility by relieving aches, pains and sprains from soft tissue injury.

© Phil Sheldon MSc
www.optimalessentials.com
www.philsheldon.com.au

* Full Disclosure: Phil Sheldon is the 'product and nutritional advisor' for Optimal Essentials.

All views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Adam Internet.

Toopy's Tips

It's all about the service!

What defines the ultimate dining experience? Inviting surroundings, delicious food and top notch wines are a great start, but there is an additional element which can make or break your meal - the warm and friendly, or more often curt and distracted, waiting staff.
We've all had these experiences and it's a well know fact that regardless of how good a meal or product is, if the customer service is below standard we won't be heading back to that business anytime soon!

Real Estate is no exception to this rule. We're in the business of helping people to find the property that's right for them - so for us, service is everything.

At Toop&Toop we've implemented a number of innovations to make house hunting that little bit easier and improve even further the service we provide to you, our clients. To begin with every home has its own home on toop.com.au so you can go directly to the source of information, regardless of whether you're on your PC or Mobile eg www.26OldBelair.toop.com.au. By registering as a buyer or renter with VirtualAgentTM you'll be informed of new properties that meet your criteria before they hit the market through SMS or email.

We've even implemented a system to help you plan your day of open inspections, PropertyNavTM will put the properties you want to see in order of inspection time and load the directions on how to get there directly into your navigation system.

With all these innovations, we still believe that classic people to people contact remains the strongest form of client service. So, for those of you who aren't into technology and gadgets we've developed Client Concierge as your one stop shop when it comes to assistance and referrals to help you navigate the way through your Real Estate transaction.

One of our missions at Toop&Toop is to provide service to our clients of a standard unmatched in Real Estate. As our clients your experiences allow us to continually improve our services - without this we would be unable to grow and develop as a business. Your feedback is invaluable to us and we invite you to provide us with this. Just call Client Concierge on 8332 8888 to share your thoughts so that we can continue to strive to provide you with the ultimate Real Estate experience.

Anthony Toop
Managing Director
Toop&Toop Real Estate
23-25 The Parade
Norwood 5067
(08) 8362 8888

All views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Adam Internet.

World Wide Finance -- presented by Jeff Potter and Macquarie Bank

Looking Beyond The Uncertainty by Riccardo Briganti

US equity markets fell sharply over the last week in response to a spate of problems with major financial companies. Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, Bank of America agreed to buy Merrill Lynch and one of the world largest insurers, American International Group (AIG) was close to collapse before a rescue package was instigated by the US Federal Reserve.

Current market conditions are uncertain. Whether history provides any guide to how events will unfold is debatable but it can provide insight into how financial markets react to extreme conditions.

Investors need to be conscious of the heightened risks in the current environment but also need to be aware of the pitfalls of attempting market timing.

Uncertainty begets opportunity

During periods of extreme share market uncertainty, it can be easy to forget that the history of financial markets is punctuated by crises. In the midst of each of these it was as difficult to see the way out of the seemingly all-engulfing turmoil as it is now.

You need not look too far back in history to identify a number of such events. The US Savings and Loan crisis in the 1980s saw more than 700 savings and loan associations bankrupted. The Asian financial crisis in 1997 saw most Asian equity markets halve but had little impact on US and Australian markets. The Russian debt default and the subsequent collapse of Long Term Capital Management (LTCM) some 12 months later saw a significant decline in US equity prices but proved short-lived.

The following chart shows the US S&P500 index over the last 30 years with each of these events highlighted. The Tech crash and the accompanying US recession in the early part of this decade provides a more extreme example of the impact of a crisis or bursting of a financial bubble.

None of these previous periods are directly comparable with the current environment but they provide a basis of comparison which can be useful in determining the possible path out of the current problems.

There are some major differences (the scope and reach of the problem, debt and gearing levels, the influence of hedge funds) which make the current environment more challenging than previous examples. Other differences (expansionary US monetary policy settings and direct intervention by the US Federal Reserve and other US authorities) support a more positive reading of the current situation.

An investor only needs to miss the 20 best days of Australian share market performance over the last 10 years to substantially diminish the wealth creation potential of investing in equities. Instead of $100 growing to $300, it would have increased to $160, foregoing the extra $140 gain by missing the 20 best days.

If you are going to be invested in equities, which over the long term provides returns above other asset classes, your focus needs to be resolutely on the long-term benefits. Attempts at market timing are likely to do more harm than good.

This research has been issued and distributed in Australia by Macquarie Equities Limited ABN 41 002 574 923 ("MEL"). MEL holds Australian Financial Services Licence No.237504 and is a Participant of the Australian Securities Exchange Group. MEL is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act (Cth) 1959 and MEL's obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542. Macquarie Bank Limited does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of MEL. This research has been prepared for the use of the clients of Macquarie Group Limited and its related entities (the "Macquarie Group") and must not be copied, either in whole or in part, or distributed to any other person. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use or disclose the information in this research in any way. Nothing in this research shall be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction. This research is general advice and does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this general advice you should therefore consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your situation. We recommend you obtain financial, legal and taxation advice before making any financial investment decision. There are risks involved in securities trading. The price of securities can and does fluctuate and an individual security may even become valueless. International investors are reminded of the additional risks inherent in international investments, such as currency fluctuations and international stock market or economic conditions, which may adversely affect the value of the investment. This research is based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable but we do not make any representation or warranty that it is accurate, complete or up to date. We accept no obligation to correct or update the information or opinions in it. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. No member of the Macquarie Group accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss arising from any use of this research and/or further communication in relation to this research. The Macquarie Group or its associates (including MEL), officers or employees may have interests in the financial products referred to in this report by acting in various roles including as investment banker, underwriter or dealer, holder of principal positions, broker, lender, director or adviser. Further, they may act as market maker or buy or sell those securities as principal or agent and, as such, may effect transactions which are not consistent with the recommendations (if any) in this research. The Macquarie Group or its associates (including MEL) may receive fees, brokerage or commissions for acting in those capacities and the reader should assume that this is the case. The analyst(s) principally responsible for the preparation of this research receives compensation based on overall revenues, including investment banking revenues of Macquarie Group Limited and its related entities. Disclosures with respect to issuers, if any, mentioned in this research are available at www.macquarie.com.au/research/disclosures, or can be obtained from your Macquarie representative. © Macquarie Group

All views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Adam Internet.

Weblinks

Need to know your IP? -- http://www.adam.com.au/whatismyip -- When networking computers you may need to identify your IP (your computer's Internet address). Simply hit the link above to find out what your IP is.

Make passwords secure -- http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/create.mspx -- Follow these simple steps and ensure your password protected accounts are safe and secure.

Grab your username -- http://usernamecheck.com/ -- Many online spaces, including forums, blogs and websites, require users to register for an account with a unique username. Many Internet users like to maintain their username and identity across multiple websites. Type your desired username into Username Check for a summary of the most popular networks and websites and whether your username is available.

Hot Tips

Windows XP and Windows Vista

Did you know you can move the Windows Taskbar from the default bottom of the screen to the top and sides? Moving the Taskbar to the side increases the number of slots for listing open windows and can be a more economical use of space on widescreen displays. Right-click the Taskbar and unselect "Lock Taskbar", then drag the Taskbar to wherever is most comfortable or useful for you.

Click here, or the image to the right, for pictorial reference.

Macintosh OSX

The Dock is an important user interface tool for OSX users, providing quick access to a range of programs and folders. The dock is also highly customisable. Under the Apple menu you'll find the "Dock" item. Here, you can adjust a range of features, including the magnification size when you hover the mouse over the Dock icons and where the Dock is positioned relative to the screen (bottom, left or right). Adding and removing programs from the Dock is also easy -- simply grab the icon you'd like to add to the dock from the desktop or open window then drop it in the Dock. To remove an item, click and drag the icon away from the Dock and release the mouse.

Click here for pictorial reference.

Linux Ubuntu

Ubuntu users may also move their Menu Bar, as Windows users may move their Task Bar. Simply right-click the Menu Bar and select "Properties" from the menu. In the "Properties" menu, click on the tab next to "Orientation" and select the option that best suits you.

Click here for pictorial reference.

Did You Know?

A Christmas Guide To Videogames

For avid gamers, the months leading up to the Christmas holiday season are the most exciting, and feared, of the year. Unlike major film releases, which are staggered across the entire year, the biggest videogame titles tend to all drop at once -- between late October and early December. As such, it is the nature of avid gamers to have conducted months of research prior to this peak period in an effort to summarise into a list the games they really, really, really want to play and will buy and what they can do without -- then chuck out the list and buy everything anyway.

It is in this spirit that we present a brief summary of what major, or landmark, games will be dropping in the next few months. If you're looking for the perfect present for that gaming friend or family member, you might even find some clues here.

Next to each game title you'll find the Australian ratings classification in brackets, such as "Gears of War 2 (MA15+)". For more information on what each classification means, please visit the official Australian Government classification website at http://www.classification.gov.au/.

Console key: Xbox 360 (X360), PlayStation 3 (PS3), Nintendo Wii (Wii), PlayStation 2 (PS2), Personal Computer (PC).

Fans of shooting games will be excited by the release of two sequels in November, each exclusive to one of two major consoles. For the Xbox 360 there is Gears of War 2 and for the PlayStation 3 there is Resistance 2.

Gears of War 2 (MA15+) features aggressive 4-player cooperative play against the humanoid Locust horde, which has begun destroying human cities using giant sink-holes. Touted as "bigger, better and more badass" by the game's lead designer, Gears of War 2 is all about guns, chainsaws, adrenalin and meat-giblets as players take the battle for planet Sera to the Locusts' home deep underground.

Resistance 2 (MA15+) is set in an alternate version of world history, where the alien-human hybrid monsters called Chimera have destroyed half of Europe circa World War II and have now made it to US soil. Resistance 2 follows the story of the original and provides players with the option to play a single-player story campaign, or a separate yet interwoven story campaign with up to 8 other players. It will also feature massive 60-player online battles, a first for the PlayStation 3.

Providing players the opportunity to choose their own paths are Far Cry 2 (X360, PS3, PC), Fable 2 (X360) and Fallout 3 (X360, PS3, PC).

Far Cry 2 (MA15+) promises players an open-world environment set in Africa, with savannah, desert and jungle environments in which to play. Sick with malaria and with only a small group of allies to aid in your many battles with warring factions, players must choose how best to approach the core objective -- to take down the ruthless arms dealer, 'The Jackal'. Will you burn enemies out by setting the tall-grass ablaze, snipe enemies from a distance or careen into shanty's with a fast moving vehicle?

Fable II (M) is a fantasy game set in the colonial era world of Albion and was designed to be as accessible for non-gamers as possible. The game focuses on sacrifice, love, corruption, kindness and other themes as players and their loyal dog companion choose to walk the path of good, evil or neither, shaping the future of their character and Albion.

Fallout 3 (MA15+) is a sequel a decade coming, with a pack of rabid fans eagerly awaiting its release. In a post-apocalyptic United States, players leave their locked radiation shelter, or Vault, for the first time in search of their missing father. Designed with a distinctly retro-futuristic 1940s style, and featuring dastardly black humour, players are left to roam the world at their will, making decisions that will directly effect how the rest of the game plays.

Teenage delusions of rock and roll grandeur and love of videogames collide this year when Rock Band (X360, PS3, Wii, PS2) (PG) and Guitar Hero World Tour (X360, PS3, Wii, PS2) (PG) provide players the opportunity to thrash out as a rock quartet. Based on the popular Guitar Hero franchise, where players strum on a faux electric guitar, each game also provides players with a variation on a full-size drum kit and microphone. Research will need to be done before purchase, however, as each game features a different set of music tracks both on disc and for download.

Blending music, colour, paint and personal expression, the Australian made de Blob (Nintendo Wii) (PG) is best described as an interactive colouring book. Taking the role of the amorphous Blob character, players paint the monochromatic and boring world of Chroma City, which has been sucked clean of fun and colour by the oppressive Comrade Black and the I.N.K.T. Corporation. Perfect for children and adults alike, de Blob offers a fun platforming adventure with a distinctly Australian flavour -- featuring music by the original Melbourne-based funk band, The Bamboos .

Gamers with a taste for speed are catered to by Midnight Club Los Angeles (X360, PS3) and Need For Speed: Undercover (nearly every console available).

Midnight Club LA (PG) provides a faithfully recreated tourists' version of Los Angeles city, where players race through crowded streets in search of cash and real-world cars and bikes. Vehicle customisation plays a huge part in the experience, with the ability to detail the exterior and interior of every car and bike using a huge range of tools, before sharing designs online. The game is fast, gorgeous and tough.

Need For Speed: Undercover (PG) sets the gamers as an undercover police officer who is tasked with infiltrating an underground racing circuit with access to a range of real-world cars and some police vehicles. With an embedded narrative, an open-world in which to roam and a variety of new game modes, Undercover will deviate from the previous (and poorly received) NFS: Pro Street game, and will resemble more closely the better-received NFS: Most Wanted.

One of the most anticipated titles of the year is the PlayStation 3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet (G). Adhering to the mantra "Play. Create. Share.", LittleBigPlanet centres on the adorable, and unofficial, PlayStation 3 mascot the Sackboy, or Sackgirl. Using this customisable little character, player's can interact with the environment by running, jumping and grabbing. In addition, players may use a wide range of simple tools to construct amazingly complex levels and environments, then share them online. Truly Game 2.0. Check it out, somebody even made a digital calculator in the game !

Lastly, those with a penchant for zombies and horror can't go past Left 4 Dead (X360, PS3, PC) and Dead Space (X360, PS3, PC).

Up to four players must team up in order to survive the never ending horde of zombies in the shooter, Left 4 Dead (MA15+), brought to fruition by master game makers, Valve, who have won endless praise for their Half-Life series of games and the recently released Portal. In a surprise twist, an additional four players may play the role of boss monsters, which can perform a range of sickening attacks in order to convert the survivors to the dead side.

Fans of survival horror may inexplicably enjoy being scared pants-less in Dead Space (MA15+). As an engineer on board the lifeless, yet monster infested, mining ship the USG Ishimura, you must survive the claustrophobic, blood-drenched hallways and zero-gravity environment in the search for your missing wife. Perfectly blends phenomenal sound effects, a piercing orchestral score, breath-taking graphics and amazing lighting effects with classic horror movie scares.

Oh, how could we forget? There's also Mirror's Edge (X360, PS3, PC) (M), which focuses on the use of parkour, or free-running, as a primary means of transportation throughout a clean, Utopian, yet heavily regulated city. The developers, industry veterans DICE -- responsible for the popular Battlefield franchise -- seek to redefine how games tackle the first-person perspective. Smooth, fast and free-flowing, player's take on the role of Faith, an illegal courier of information and items in a world controlled by a Big Brother government, not dissimilar to that of the famous book, 1984 . May just be one of the most innovative games of the year.

So, as you can see, before the end of the year gamers will be faced with an insurmountable pile of major game releases. Of course, some are better than others and research is key to picking the right game for the right person and, indeed, there are many more games being released each week that are not included in this "brief summary".