Toshiba Satellite P505 notebook computer
by Heath McKnight

The Toshiba Satellite P505 is one of the best Windows-based laptops I've had the pleasure of reviewing. With its beautiful, large display, excellent Harmon/Kardon speakers, large hard drive,and blazing fast processor and graphics, this is a top-notch laptop that will fit virtually anyone's mobile computing needs. From the student all the way to professionals, this is a great system.   [FULL STORY]

Building a Better Mouse: Contour Design RollerMouse Free
by Jeffrey P. Fisher

Like me, you've probably been mousing around for some time. You may have even tried some mouse alternatives, such as tablets, trackballs, and their ilk. But, eventually you found yourself back with the mouse in hand. I know, it's not an easy habit to break. But now there is an alternative that is well worth considering: the Contour Design RollerMouse Free.   [FULL STORY]

Lenovo ThinkStation S20 workstation
by John Virata

The Lenovo ThinkStation S20 is the company's mid range workstation that works well in a variety of creative environments, be it video and special effects creation to CAD and animation. Configured with the right graphics card, the unit will fit well in any creative environment. The S20 is larger than most mid-tower cases, and sports ample room inside for user upgrades.   [FULL STORY]

Google SketchUp Essential Training: Construction Guides
by George Maestri

In this clip, Lynda.com host George Maestri covers how to measure and create guides within Google SketchUp. Two tools, the tape measure and the protractor enable you to measure and create the guides. He details how to use both the tape measure and the protractor, how to measure out angles and guides, which he also defines.   [FULL STORY]

Google SketchUp Essential Training: Smoothing edges
by George Maestri

In this clip, Lynda.com host George Maestri takes a look at smoothing or softening the edges of objects in SketchUp. George creates a a 12 sided circle and a polygon to show how to smooth the edges of the objects, to show how to smooth them.   [FULL STORY]

Google SketchUp Essential Training: Follow me Tool
by George Maestri

In this clip, Lynda.com host George Maestri takes a look at the Follow Me Tool. What the Follow Me Tool does is takes a face and extrudes it along a path, which is similar to a launch tool in other 3D packages. George shows you how to locate the Follow me Tool and how to use it.   [FULL STORY]