Convenience, at a price

In this week's column, read about Microsoft's Fingerprint Reader - built into the €115 Optical Desktop mouse/keyboard combo and used to log on to Windows and sign into websites at the flick of a digit.

Ultimately, it just seems to form part of Microsoft's PR attempt to rebuild its shattered security reputation - MS tells you during installation that the feature is purely for convenience and not particularly secure (ie, you can probably fool it easily).

That it insists on using the deeply flawed Internet Explorer is the technology's biggest mistake.

Anyway, it also comes as a standalone reader and integrated into a wireless mouse receiver if you're still interested.

Much more grounded in reality is Trend Micro's PC-Cillin Internet Security 12 package. Unlike McAfee and Norton, it won't bring your PC grinding to a halt, imposing just a barely perceptible performance while still protecting your computer from viruses, worms, hackers, spyware and spam.

Reviewed in games is Nokia's long-awaited Pathway to Glory, a gripping turn-based wargame, ideally suited to the small screen. Also getting a spin this week are The Vampire Masquerade: Bloodlines (FPS meets RPG, not entirely unsuccessfully) and Spyro: A Hero's Tail (not a patch on the last dragon outing but amusing enough).