Want to know what all the fuss is about regarding Google's Android cellphone operating system? Check out the online emulator available on the T-Mobile website.

Note: Click the Emulator link at the top right hand of the page.

The emulator is pretty good and will give you a feel as to how the Android OS will feel in use (be aware that some aspects of the emulator are non-functional).

I have to admit that I like the concept behind Google's Android OS and if it takes off it could represent serious competition to Apple's iPhone, especially when it comes to applications. However, I'm not going to buy into Android just yet - the platform needs time to mature.

With soaring energy prices people are concerned about how much electricity their gadgets are consuming. Over on ZDNet I've posted a handful of tips on how you can put your PC on an energy diet!

Here's a taster:

• First things first!
  Find out just how much juice your PC is currently using. There are several devices on the market that will allow you to measure the how much power your PC (and other devices) is consuming.
  Two of my favorites power monitoring devices are:
  - Kill-A-Watt - Simple set of features
  - Watts Up Pro - Advanced set of features, including logging
  Either of these will tell you exactly how much power your PC is consuming, and how much it is costing you to run your PC.
  Tip: While some power monitors will do the math for you, with some of the cheaper ones you will have to calculate for yourself how much the power is costing you. Fortunately the math is pretty straightforward:
  ((Watts x Hours in Use)/1000) x Cost per kilowatt-hour = Total cost

There are literally hundreds of reasons why a PC can crash. OK, I lied, there are a near infinite number of reasons why a PC can crash, but I didn't want to upset you with the truth.

One cause of system instabilities and crashes is RAM related problems. If you've built or bought a new PC and you're having problems, or you've worked on your PC and you're experiencing issues, it's worthwhile testing the RAM to make sure that things are OK in that department.

Under Vista it's a snap to test your RAM.

If you're system is running an booting up then you can access the Memory Diagnostics Tool as follows:

1. Click Start > Control Panel
2. Click System and Maintenance
3. Click Administrative Tools
4. Click Memory Diagnostics Tool
5. Click on Restart now and check for problems (recommended)

But what if Windows won't boot up? Well, under these circumstances there are two options open to you;

• Use the Windows Boot Manager - Just as Windows Vista starts to boot you press F8. The scroll down to Windows Memory Diagnostic and press ENTER.
• Alternatively, pop your Vista DVD in the DVD drive and boot up. When you get to Install Now select the Repair Your Computer option and then Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool.

A full scan of your memory can take some time, so use that opportunity to take the dog for a walk or something!

More nuclear related spam ...

What strikes me about this one is that the site that users are taken to (here's the WHOIS data on it) looks pretty convincing.

(via the good folks at Sunbelt Software)

Do you hate that plastic clamshell wrapping that things tend to come in? I know I do and I've a couple of scars from past attempts to break through the plastic and get at my stuff.

wikiHow has some great tips for opening this kind of packaging safely. I love the can opener method - works a treat!