Tech is the most open section of all the review areas. Tech reviews will tend to be a little longer than traditonal reviews and they will also involve a bit more history and research. Tech reviews can be about anything from the ColecoVision system to the XBox 360 or Wii system. They can include handhelds, joysticks, gadgets of any nature and even software.

The first one I have done is a bit on the history and evolution of DirectX. it is not exactly the kind of review that one would expect, since if you are develping for Intel based PC's use of DirectX is almost mandatory. However, having to use a tool and understanding what effect it has on you ability to develop are two different things I believe a little history and a healthy amount of respect should go into tool choices - even when you don't seem to have much choice. If there is only one maker of 3D joysticks, as a developer I am leery of the whole 3D joystick market - no matter how cool the device seems ot be and no matter how easy the interface is to access it.

So I may provide you with a bit of historical perspective, a touch of personal feeling, a short catalogue of features. These are reviews I may go back and expand and change as I find out more.

They are also reviews where news can creep in on a daily basis. Some of it may be more worthy of note than the actual capabilities of the item, simply becuase of what it says about the market.

For example, Microsoft has indicated that it will not provide DirectX 10 on the Windows XP and Windows 2000 platforms. If true that indicates that users of DirectX 10 will be limiting their market to those new purchasers of Vista, the new untested operating system that has been delayed until January of 2007.

As a developer, knowing DirectX 10 is Vista only software may influence my decision to use it.

I have a limited amount of time to review. Don't expect to see hundreds of reviews popping up here overnight. One feature I am including is a link to allow you to purchase the item - if one is available. It will be in the left column of the screen.

That's it. Now where did I put that joystick? Time to test out this flight simulator...