Hanover  - Users of home networks may want to consider a networked hard drive to provide communal access to music, photos, videos and data. Also known as Network Attached Storage (NAS), these compact devices work quietly, are simple to set up, and use only 10 watts on average, reports the Hanover-based c't magazine.

By comparison, a PC left running around the clock uses at least 60 watts, even if only rarely used to call up data.

As NAS hard drives generally offer incredibly large amounts of storage space, they are well equipped to serve as a backup space for a PC or laptop's hard drive. Almost all operating systems can now handle daily backups of this type.

Munich  - Chip maker AMD is preparing a new line of microprocessors that feature the introduction of triple-core chips. The five new processors, aimed at consumers, will be released as part of the Phenom line of microprocessors and will be dubbed Phenom II, says AMD.

Hamburg  - At least 11.5 million people try to take over the world regularly albeit they're trying to conquer a virtual one. Their numbers reflect how many players pay monthly subscription fees for the online role playing game (RPG) World of Warcraft. Yet after more than four years in the Warcraft's realm of Azeroth, some players may be asking themselves whether online RPGs are anything other than cold, hard commercialism, designed only to lure subscribers to pay real money for months on end.

Washington (dpa) - Why not make your PC your alarm clock? If you leave your computer on all the time, it's easy. There are a number of free downloadable alarm clock applications available that will use any of your music files to wake you up. Just google "free alarm clock," and download a few to find one that suits you best. It certainly beats waking up to an annoying or obnoxious sound.

Washington, Feb 28 : The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has unveiled a solar race car that does 90 mph (miles per hour) and is packed with technology that may end up in the hybrids and Evs (Electric Vehicles).

The university's Solar Electric Vehicle Team unveiled the 243,000 dollars (US) carbon-fiber racer dubbed `Eleanor' and is shaking the car down to prepare for its inaugural race later this year.

London, Feb 28 : Poetry's grassroots scene is growing, all thanks to the Internet, say writers themselves.

Technologies like email, social networking sites such as Facebook and online media players are helping poets reach new audiences.

Richard Smith, a published poet who is also head of modern collections at the British Library, said that computers are helping poetry, reports The Telegraph.

He said: "What''s interesting is its counter-intuitive. You would have thought that poetry and pamphlets would be failing in the face of the internet, but that isn''t happening."

He argued: "It''s very like the relationship between the net and live music.