technology TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2015

Tech Tips: Stuff you didn’t know you could do on Facebook

NEW YORK: Did you know you can add a lot of people, and a lot of different UNSUBSCRIBE the likes and congrats roll in. Bask in the new feature, Facebook lets you spruce a pronunciation guide to your name on ways to say your name. To add a pronun- Anyone who’s commented on a popu- love and glory. Fast-forward a few years up the photos you post by adding text Facebook? Overlay colorful text on the ciation guide, go to the “about” section lar Facebook post, or belongs to a particu- for some couples, and the glory fades, not and quirky stickers, such as drawings of photos you post? How about mark the of your profile and click on “details about larly chatty group, knows that those noti- to mention the love and marriage. In this scuba gear, sunglasses or a corn dog. end of a relationship without your 500 you,” (called “more about you” on mobile) fications telling you that “Jane Doe and 4 case, you might not want to announce This tool is available on iPhones and is closest friends getting notified? then “name pronunciation.” Here, others also commented on a post” can the irreversible breakdown to 450 of your coming soon to Android devices. To use Many of these tips and tricks aren’t Facebook will offer suggestions for your get a bit annoying. You can turn off notifi- closest friends. Thankfully, you can still it, choose a photo to upload and click well known, even to veterans of the 1.5 first and last name that you can listen to cations for individual posts by clicking on mark the end of a relationship without the magic wand icon. Here, you’ll find billion-strong people-connector and before selecting. If none work, you can the globe icon on the top right corner of notifying everyone. Go to your profile and text overlay options as well as the same time-waster. Facebook is constantly also type in your own phonetic pro- your Web browser, then on the “X” next to click on the “about” section, then “family stickers you can use in other parts of updating its service, adding new features nouncer. the individual notification. You can also and relationships on the left.” Under rela- Facebook. or tweaking old ones. A lot can slip change your notification settings here to tionship, you’ll see a gray icon that proba- through the cracks even if you are scroll- ONE-TIME PASSWORD get fewer or more of them for each group bly says “friends,” or maybe “public.” SECURITY CHECK ing through your friends’ updates several Logging in from a public computer? If that you belong to. Change it to “only me.” Then change your Another recent addition to Facebook’s times a day. Here are a few ways to you don’t feel comfortable typing in your To do this on mobile, click to view the relationship status. After a while, you can trove of tools is a “security checkup” that enhance your Facebook experience: password on a shared machine that original post, then click the down arrow in change it back if you wish. Your hundreds guides users through a checklist aimed at might have malicious software, the top right corner of the post. You’ll see of acquaintances will be none the wiser, making their account more secure. This HOW DO YOU SAY THAT? Facebook lets you request a temporary an option to “turn off notifications.” unless they are stalking your profile to see includes logging out of Facebook on Web More than 83 percent of Facebook’s one by texting “otp” to 32665. You’ll get if you are single. browsers and apps they are not using, users are outside of the U.S. and Canada, an eight-character passcode that works KEEP IT ON THE DOWN-LOW and receiving alerts when someone tries and they use over 80 languages to com- for the next 20 minutes and cannot be Announcing engagements and mar- PICTURE PERFECT to log in to their account from an unfa- municate with friends and family. That’s reused. riages on Facebook is fun. Post and watch Thanks to a popular but little-known miliar device or browser. — AP

Cambodian student held Will video games become over Facebook post calling the new prescription drug?

for ‘Colour Revolution’ NEW YORK: Boys and girls want very American Psychological Association different things from their video cited by Medical News Today. Violent PHNOM PENH: Cambodian authori- “Does anyone dare to launch a games. In a national survey of both video games, like those from both the boy and girl gamers, researchers found Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty ties have charged a student with Colour Revolution with me? Any day, that girls care more than boys about series, specifically have been linked to incitement to commit a crime over in the near future I will launch a playing as female characters, accord- decreases in empathy, positive social an alleged Facebook post calling for Colour Revolution in order to ing to GDC Vault, a video game confer- behavior and sensitivity to aggression, a “colour revolution” in the country, a change the vulgar regime. Even if I ence series. The survey found that girls according to the study, which right groups said yesterday. am jailed or die, I have to do it,” he prefer to play as female characters, reviewed four mega-analyses previ- Kong Raiya, 25, an anti-govern- wrote. Raiya faces up to two years in whereas boys are fine playing as either ously done by the APA about video ment activist, was arrested on jail if convicted. Cambodian officials boy or girl characters. game use and behavior. In some cases, Thursday outside a university in could not be immediately reached Specifically, the study found that 28 these video games have increased Phnom Penh, Am Sam Ath of local for comment. In recent months percent of girls were more likely to criminal behavior among youngsters, rights group Licadho told AFP. strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen play a game because of the protago- Medical News Today reported. The 25-year-old man was charged has taken an increasingly hard line nist’s gender, whereas just 20 percent Studies like these have made it by a court on Saturday with incite- towards dissent. of boys said the same, according to difficult for Omernick and other start- ment to commit a felony and sent to “His arrest is a warning to other GDC Vault. up leaders to get the FDA to allow jail pending further investigation, he youths,” Am Sam Ath said. It also fol- Despite the difference in prefer- doctors to prescribe video games said. lows the recent jailing of a number ences, boys and girls both play a lot of instead of prescription drugs, NPR “He was arrested because of a of opposition members and activists video games, although boys overall reported. The FDA and other post on Facebook calling on people for insurrection over their alleged play video games more frequently. In help children manage medical issues tor of Akili, a startup that’s developing researchers say there isn’t “good evi- to launch a colour revolution,” Am roles in a protest that turned violent fact, 19 percent of boy gamers said like ADHD, depression and autism. a video game called Project Evo, which dence that brain changes actually Sam Ath said. “Colour revolution” is a last year. A Cambodian opposition they played video games several times Video games, experts told NPR, is aimed at helping children with men- occur” for better or worse. help the brain focus on specific tasks tal health disorders. Video games have term used to refer to a wave of anti- senator also faces up to 17 years in a day, while 6 percent of girl gamers Dr. Michael Ehlers told NPR that said the same, according to Pew. Boys and situations, which can improve also been known to help adults, too, more research that measures the government mass movements in jail after a court charged him over are also more likely to play on any giv- one’s cognitive skills and act like medi- especially those with post-traumatic effects of video games needs to be recent years, mainly in the former the posting of a disputed document en day, Pew reported. In fact, 60 per- cine. stress disorder, according to my col- done before doctors can be allowed Soviet bloc, although it is unclear on Facebook about the border with cent of boys said they played video league Chandra Johnson. In fact, some to prescribe video games instead of which one the student was referenc- Vietnam. games on any given day, whereas 39 Perfect vessel video games have been created specif- medicine. “It’s just essentially a digital ing in his post. Hun Sen, one of the world’s percent of girls said the same, accord- “The qualit ies of a good video ically to help those with PTSD cope version of otherwise typical kinds of In a Facebook post on August 7, longest-ruling leaders, marked three ing to Pew. game, things that hook you, what with their traumas. psychological and cognitive behav- Raiya under his profile name “Soriya decades in power in January. He is But both boys and girls could soon makes the brain snap, engage and go, This isn’t the case with all video ioral therapy,” he told NPR. “Quite Koko” said he would launch a revolu- regularly criticised by campaigners benefit from booting up their could be a perfect vessel for actually games, though, as some have been important is that we hold them to tion in the near future. for stamping out dissent. — AFP Nintendo. NPR reported earlier his delivering medicine,” said Matt linked to aggressive behavior among the same standard of evidence that month that some video games may Omernick, the executive creative direc- children, according to a study from the they actually work.” 10 video games coming this week

WASHINGTON: Every year is backloaded back in 2006 for Xbox 360, and it kicked she is, or what the heck is going on in her November 6, but if you preorder Call of with major game releases as publishers off one of the best shooter franchises life. It turns out that romance is going on. Duty: Black Ops III on or PC, hope for big sales during the holiday around. Since Gears of War 4 won’t be With the help of a spirit named Orion, you you get a code that lets you participate shopping season. The deluge of big hitting the shelves until the end of 2016, get to go on dates with five men. The trick in a multiplayer beta that takes place games is officially beginning, and it’s not Microsoft thought now would be a good is that you can’t let on about your condi- August 26-30. This sneak-peek includes going to let up for quite some time. time to polish up the first installment for tion, or else you’ll lose the chance to three maps and seven modes that you’ll That’s great news for anyone who likes Xbox One. The question is whether the regain your memories altogether. It might be able to test drive ahead of anyone playing video games, but it’s also over- game is good enough to stand out in not be for everyone, but it sure is unique. else. whelming. Who has the time and money 2015. Judging by the multiplayer beta Check out the reviews if you’re looking for Beta tests like these rarely go to play them all? Microsoft did a couple months ago, it something different. smoothly, so you might want to clear That doesn’t seem to be a problem does. The game looks fantastic and plays your schedule if you’re going to try to that’s hurting the industry, so whether great. Now if only they’d remaster the 8. I Am Bread get onto the servers right when they go you like choose-your-own-adventure rest of the series... live. That said, this is your best chance to horror games, remastered classics, visual Releases August 25 for PS4 get an early look at this year’s install- novels, football, or just about any other 3. Madden NFL 16 A new genre of game is sprouting up ment of the blockbuster shooter fran- kind of game, you’ll find something to in which the primary challenge is fighting chise. play. Read on for all the biggest games Releases August 25 for Xbox One, Dishonored: Definitive Edition the bizarre control schemes. I’m talking launching the week of August 24, 2015. PS4, Xbox 360, and PS3 about games like QWOP, Octodad, and 10. Octodad: Dadliest Catch One of the most prolific and longest- sneak into enemy compounds, rescue The game follows a group of . A more recent entry in 1. Until Dawn running series in the history of video hostages, assassinate villains, or pretend teenage protagonists who discover a this burgeoning genre is I Am Bread, a Releases August 26 for Xbox One games, Madden NFL has come out in to be an invited guest at a fancy cos- machine that can send emails into the much less gory game from the makers of This game has been swimming from Releases August 25 for PlayStation 4 yearly installments since 1990. The tume party. past. Since that lets the recipient Surgeon Simulator. You play as a piece of system to system since its original PC If you like horror movies, then you’ll games have come a long way since To help make your entrances extra change the future, they realize this is bread (of all things) and you have to move release in 2010, but it’s just now making definitely want to keep an eye on Until then, culminating in the most realistic stealthy, you have an array of supernat- powerful technology indeed. This dis- your clumsy self from point A to point B. its way to Xbox One. Like I Am Bread and Dawn, a game that puts you in the shoes digital version of the sport imaginable. ural abilities that let you do things like covery inspires them to try to create an You control the corners of the bread as Surgeon Simulator, the only enemies in of eight potential murder victims. Like As usual, this year’s installment teleport short distances, possess ene- actual time machine, which kicks off a you try to maneuver it, say, from a kitchen this quirky game are the overly compli- many scary flicks, the game follows a includes a few tweaks that may or may mies, control swarms of rats, and more. series of fascinating and entertaining table into a toaster on the counter. Not cated controls. group of teenagers who decide to spend not stick in future editions, based on It’s a ton of fun, with numerous ways to events. If you don’t mind a lot of reading only is the bread hard to control, but you The funniest part of the game is actu- the night in a cabin in the woods, a locale how successful they are here. Developer complete each mission. You can even in your games, this is one to check out. can’t let it touch dirty surfaces for long. ally the premise. Somehow an octopus that just happens to be in the path of a Electronic Arts is touting more beat the game without killing anyone if serial killer. You get to play as each of the advanced passing options, new receiver you’re feeling non-violent. If you missed kids in turn, making decisions about controls you can use while the ball is in this game the first time around, don’t let where they hide and how they react the air, and new “broadcast graphics” it pass you by now. when the killer comes a-hunting. that make the game look even more Your choices determine who lives and like a televised game. 5. Mega Man Legacy Collection who dies, so if you’re always yelling at horror movie characters for making 4. Dishonored: Definitive Edition Releases August 25 for Xbox One, dumb decisions, you’ll be pleased that PS4, and PC you get to craft the narrative here. Add in Source: Bethesda Softworks The Mega Man games practically performances by Hollywood stars like Releases August 25 for Xbox One and defined the action platforming genre Hayden Panettiere, and you’ve got the PS4 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. makings of a potentially terrific horror Dishonored is one of my favorite That console was home to the first six game. games from the last console generation, games in the series, which came out so it’s good to see it come to the new between 1987 and 1993 and are collect- 2. Gears of War Ultimate Edition crop of systems with all of its DLC ed here. included. What is Dishonored? It’s a first- Also in this collection are a number Releases August 25 for Xbox One person action stealth game that, of extra goodies, like concept art, ene- The original Gears of War came out depending on the mission, has you my descriptions, challenges that remix memorable segments of the games, and even screen filters that make it look like you’re playing on a CRT television. Pick this one up if you want to relive an important part of gaming history. 6. Steins; Gate Call of Duty: Black Ops III Multiplayer Beta Releases August 25 for PS3 and PS Vita 7. Amnesia: Memories The result is equal parts hilarious and frus- has convinced everyone in his life, from The PS Vita is home to lots of genres trating. Check this one out next time his co-workers to his family, that he’s a that haven’t gotten a foothold in the Releases August 25 for PS Vita you’re hanging out with your buddies. human. To keep up the ruse, you must U.S., and Steins;Gate is one of them. It’s If one visual novel isn’t enough for you, help him do things like get from the a “visual novel,” which means you spend here’s another releasing the very same 9. Call of Duty: Black Ops bedroom to the kitchen, eat breakfast, most of your time in the game reading. day. Amnesia: Memories is a romantic sto- III Multiplayer Beta and get in his car to go to work. It’s not The focus is on the narrative rather than ry that centers on a young woman who easy, but it’s incredibly silly and highly on the gameplay, but the narrative is wakes up on August 1 with no memories Takes place August 26 - 30 satisfying once you achieve Octodad’s excellent, according to most reports. at all. She doesn’t know who she is, where Madden NFL 16 The full game doesn’t come out until rather pedestrian goals.