Great Value (Computeractive)

Member Name: jaybee

Product:	Computeractive
Date:	08/11/00 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of easy to understand information

Disadvantages: only once a fortnight

I’m not a technophobe by any means, but wanting to know all the intricacies and every detail about my pc doesn’t really interest me.

There are certain things I want to know about: that will improve my knowledge, and use of my computer, but I want to be able to understand what I’m reading about. I don’t want to read articles that are full of techno speak and jargon that leave me feeling like an idiot (even if I am!).

Occasionally I would buy a computer magazine to read about new innovations, new software, hardware, or maybe just for an article that had caught my eye. I normally found the information or the articles to be useful –once I’d trawled through all the adverts in the mag to find the bits I wanted –
but a lot of the magazine didn’t really interest me. They were full of adverts and technical articles that I didn’t find very interesting.

Now these magazines can cost you anything from around £3.00 to £4.99 that’s quite a lot of money to pay to read a two-page article. They also give away software with each issue, but surely there are only so many route finders we can use?

So I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up a copy of Computer Active. I found the magazine contained step-by-step guides and workshops that clearly explained how to get more out of your computer.

Some of the workshops featured have been about things I’ve known how to do. or use. But even then I’ve found out some things I’ve not known. Maybe another way to do things, normally an easier quicker way than I was using.

For anyone new to computers - or with a limited knowledge about them – then this magazine would be of great interest and help.

The how-to features are well laid out and easy to understand. They all use a step-by-step guide written in plain English and accompanied by illustrations or screen shots, so you know exactly what you should
be looking for, or at on screen.
These articles are extremely easy to understand and follow.

Dotted around the page are little text boxes that accompany the articles these are called “Jargon Busters” and they explain any of the technical terms or words you might not be familiar with (A really good idea this - as it also increases your knowledge.).

The magazine also contains features you would find in similar magazines: Software and Hardware reviews; News features, and testing of new products that have easy to understand rating systems. There’s a letters page, education pages – these normally look at children’s educational software –recommended websites and normally at least one competition where you can win prizes.

The magazine is published fortnightly and only costs £1.20 which is a lot cheaper than most of the others.
I think it’s extremely good value for money, especially if you’re like me and only buy it when you see a workshop or how to feature that interests you.

I also think for someone new to computers it would be very beneficial.

Summary: