Windows 10 Gaming Guide

Get the most out of gaming with Bennett Ring

The release of a new Operating System is usually accompanied by a feeling of nervous anticipation followed by outright dread amongst gamers. Compared to the general PC populace, we’re the most sensitive to software change, with our demanding games putting more pressure on the entire PC than nearly every other type of software. If something doesn’t work quite so, it can destroy the entire gaming experience. It could be as simple as a broken refresh rate thanks to wonky monitor drivers, or as drastic as multiple-GPU setups no longer working caused by a revised version of DirectX; we’re accustomed to the release of a new OS breaking something. With the recent release of Windows 10, many gamers have adopted the safe Wait-and-See approach, which usually equates to waiting to see just how horrible the new OS is at gaming. Windows 10 seems to be something different though – despite the leap in version number up to 10, this isn’t really a giant leap forwards as an OS. It’s more a lick of paint applied to Windows 8.1, which probably explains why it’s already so good at gaming. We know this, because we’ve spent a month testing the ins and outs of this operating system in our regular gaming box. We’ve benchmarked the bejeesus out of it, but before we get to the performance metrics, let’s check out the new gamerspecific features that Microsoft has included.

Website Paywalls: Can They Work?

Could website content gated behind a subscription work or will the practice ensure the death of a site? Aaron Birch reports

The internet is seen by most as a free source of information. Whatever you want to know, you can find a site online, somewhere, that has what you need. Whether it’s news, the latest movie reviews, reference material for an exam or simply the latest juicy gossip, it’s all there. Sites are available for you to visit and soak up all that they contain.

The World’s Most Expensive Software Errors

Coming on the back of some recent revelations regarding software in cars, Mark Pickavance looks at the errant software that cost companies millions

The power of software is that it’s a flexible component, able to be adapted quickly to meet new requirements and challenges. But as much as that malleability is a strength, it’s also a weakness, because often changes can occur rapidly and without sufficient testing before they’re deployed. Sometimes this can cause inconvenience, but on occasion it can also be horribly expensive for the company involved.

Official Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Display

David Briddock examines the latest official Raspberry Pi accessory

It’s been a long wait, but on the September 8th the Raspberry Pi Foundation launched its official Raspberry Pi touchscreen display kit. Since then, the display has been available for purchase from the Pi Swag Store (goo.gl/SFNms5) for £48, or from RS Components/Allied Electronics, Premier Farnell/Newark and others at a similar price.

Is LiFi The Successor To Wi-fi?

Could a bright new alternative one day replace wi-fi? David Crookes talks to LiFi pioneer, Professor Harald Haas

There is no denying that wi-fi has revolutionised our lives, allowing us to speedily access the internet while on the move and removing the hassle of wired connections. It has saved us lots of money by letting us conserve our mobile data plans, and it has become a utility just like electricity and water for so many of us. You only have to gauge our reaction when it slows or stops working: we get on the phone and argue the toss with the service provider and we become stroppy at the sheer inconvenience of it all.