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Let’s face it; you’d have to have been living alone in the jungle for the past few years not to have at least heard about the fantastic Apple iPod! This fantastic machine has revolutionised the way we listen to music and ushered in a new ‘must-have’ gadget into the twenty first century. Occasionally however, it can be daunting to pick from the large number of iPods available, especially if you are unsure which of these fantastic machines is the right one for you!


So in this article, we are going to explain exactly which apple iPod is the perfect choice for your lifestyle!


Apple iPod Shuffle


If you are on a budget, or have no other requirements than to listen to your music, then the Apple iPod Shuffle is the perfect choice for you. Despite being an entry-level machine, the Apple iPod Shuffle still has the chic, stylish, futuristic look, which you will have come to expect from the manufacturer. The set comes complete with a set of top quality apple headphones and is available both in a range of colours, (pink, green, silver, blue and black) and a range of memory sizes (2GB and 4GB).


The 2GB iPod shuffle will hold around 500 songs, whereas the larger 4GB shuffle will hold an impressive 1000 songs! That equates to around three days worth of listening without ever having to repeat a song!


Using the machine could not be simpler. Once you have connected the iPod to your PC and downloaded your music, either from your own CD selection or iTunes, you have only to switch the machine on and press play. You can flick backwards and forwards through your tracks and press the stop button! That’s it! The Apple iPod Shuffle is a godsend for people that want a simple, easy to use, no fuss machine that offers the ability to listen to music in fantastic quality while on the move, all at a fantastic price of just £46 for the 2GB model and £60 for the 4GB machine! Hurry while stocks last!


Apple iPod Nano


Apple are renowned for their technological innovation and their Apple iPod Nano doesn’t disappoint. This fantastic machine not only offers the chance to listen to music on the move in fantastic quality, but also contains a video camera, complete with integrated microphone, to allow you to immediately record those special moments in life, by video or digital photograph, that would otherwise be forgotten.


You can view your masterpieces on the larger and clearer 2.2” display before deciding to upload them onto your PC for the world to view at their leisure.


The Nano also features an inbuilt FM tuner, allowing you to listen to your favourite FM radio stations, as well as a built in pedometer and a stopwatch, which makes it an ideal companion for those out on a power-walk or a healthy jog.


The iPod Nano comes in a selection of 9 vibrant and stylish colours and also in a range of memory sizes, the 8GB Nano having enough space for up to 8 hours of video, or 2000 songs and the larger 16GB Nano containing double that already immense capacity!


Navigating through the menus could not be easier using the click wheel and the display! The Nano is an awesome machine and has proven itself immensely popular in the UK market and they are yours today from PC World for just £118 for the 8GB model and £138 for the 16GB model!


Apple iPod Classic


The original iPod machine has had a makeover and while it still retains that amazing functionality that made it such a massive hit upon release, it now looks more stylish than ever.


The iPod Classic is the big brother of the Nano machine. It too contains a video camera that allows you to shoot fantastic video and take photographs; only the classic offers an immense 160GB of storage space! That means you can fit an incredible 40,000 songs, 200 hours of video or 25,000 photographs onto this incredible machine!


Once you’ve connected your iPod Classic to your computer and iTunes, you can purchase and download hundreds of games, films, TV shows, audio books, music, podcasts and more from the online i-Tunes store! It truly is the must have machine for those on the go!


The clickwheel navigation control and large 2.5” LCD colour screen make navigating through your music, games and apps an absolute doddle! It could not be easier and with a battery life that lasts approximately 36 hours when listening to audio, you won’t need to recharge it that often either!


Available in a choice of two stylish colours, black and silver, the Apple iPod Classic really is the machine that changed the way we listen to music! Available now for just £193 from PC World, you are not just buying a brilliant machine, but a verifiable piece of music history!


Apple iPod Touch & iPad


When Apple developed their iPhone, with its touch screen technology, it immediately became a huge hit. Demand was great for Apple to produce an iPod along similar lines and the result is the amazing Apple iPod Touch.


The iPod Touch is a step on from a music player that can take photographs and video. This machine offers much more, all based on the fantastic Apple touch screen technology. Peer-to-Peer gaming is possible by linking two machines together, you can enable Bluetooth to link to other Bluetooth compatible machines and you can even give the machine a little shake, while listening to music, and it will change tracks for you randomly!


Prices for an Apple iPod Touch start at just £149 for the 8GB version, £234 for the 32Gb version and £306 for the 64GB version and many are available to collect in store today!


Indeed so popular has the clamour been for the iPod Touch, that its success has driven the demand for the brand new Apple iPad, which hit selected PC World stores recently in the UK and which greatly enhances the ‘computer’ feel of the machine! It truly is a machine for the new age, with its fantastic design; touch screen technology and thousands of apps available.


The iPad is available from selected PC World stores, but hurry! Stocks are limited and prices begin at £429 for the 16GB machine, rising to £699 for the 64GB machine with WI-FI and 3G compatibility!

When it comes to the tedious task of doing the laundry, it pays to have the best washing machine for the job. But choosing the right one for you can be a difficult task in itself. Thankfully, there’s plenty of advice out there to ensure you pick the right washing machine to suit your needs.

Look no further than the Zanussi washing machine. With an impressive 21 wash programmes to choose from, the Zanussi ZWF14069W may just be the washing machine for you. There’s a programme for every fabric type, ensuring your delicate items don’t come out shredded and torn and your knits don’t go bobbly. Programmes include a hand-wash setting for gentle washing, wool and even a pre-wash setting. A half-load option is an ideal setting for those days when there’s only a few items to bung in the washer. The Zanussi washing machine also helps to keep those energy bills down with its delay start timer.

The Zanussi ZWF14791W washing machine in white is stylish and economical. With the ability to accommodate a large 8kg wash, the washing machine uses jet washing technology for powerful and effective washing. Featuring an easy-to-read LCD display and electronic controls for ease of loading, the ZWF-14791W washing machine has a large 30cm porthole and an excellent range of wash programmes including wool, an economical half-load setting and a delicates setting for your fragile laundry items. Boasting an A+ energy efficiency rating, the machine will help to reduce your energy bills.

The impressive Beko washing machine is also worth checking out if you’re looking for a good all rounder. The Beko WM5120W, for example, is the ideal addition to any family home and is a great size for most kitchens. Dazzling white, it’ll look great in any kitchen, garage or utility room and has over 16 programmes to choose from, including a wool and hand wash setting for your delicates. Comprising a handy delay timer, the WM5120W washing machine has an economical half load function for single items and lighter loads.

Also from Beko is the WME8227W washing machine in white. For households with particularly sensitive skin, the washing machine can perform an extra rinse to ensure all traces of detergent are fully removed. The washer also comprises an easy to use 180° opening porthole, helping you to load your laundry with no trouble. You can wash all your clothes with ease with this washer, including every day or delicate items. There’s an 8kg capacity and a pre-wash programs will ensure all stubborn stains are removed to save you the job.

Another trusted washing machine brand is Whirlpool, providing a great range of models to suit everyone’s needs. The Whirlpool washing machine is reliable and stylish looking and will look fantastic in any home. In particular, the Whirlpool AWO/R 5406 washing machine in white is energy and washing efficient. The smart, front loading washer has a grade ‘A’ energy and wash performance rating for optimum cleaning results. Environmentally conscious families will be pleased to learn that this Whirlpool washing machine has minimum impact on the environment, as well as those all important energy bills.

Boasting a 6kg capacity, the AWO/R5406 washing machine can easily cope with even the most demanding of wash loads - the larger porthole making it the ideal washer to load bulky items such as bed linen and towels. A spin speed of 1400rpm also helps reduce drying time by extracting more water and there’s 17 wash formats to select from, including half load and wool programs. The washer also has an anti-crease option, which also helps to cut down on your drying time.

If you want a modern, sleek Whirlpool, why not take a look at the Whirlpool AWOE8759B washing machine. Thanks to the appliances 6th Sense technology, the Whirlpool AW0E 8759 B washer uses only the energy it requires by adjusting the settings accordingly. This helps save money on energy bills - and you can’t ask for more than that! Ideal for a large or busy household, the 8kg capacity means this is a washing machine that can handle your laundry demands with ease. The sleek and stylish washing machine has a Clean+ option, which means you have the choice of multiphase washing, which can be used in conjunction with a stain remover. Reducing odours, mould and bacterial growth in the washing machine’s detergent drawer, the Microban treatment is ideal for busy Mums on the go.

Make your washing a breeze with the Whirlpool washer and see if there’s a model for you.

In these difficult economic times people across the country are looking to save money in any way they can. One very profitable way to do this is by cutting down on your home’s emissions. The cost of gas and electricity is traditionally one of a family’ biggest monthly outlays - so by cutting down on energy consumption you can save money on your bills in addition to doing your bit for the environment.

There are many ways to reduce your property’s emissions and collectively, these will have a noticeable effect. The Internet is the place to head to as there is plenty of advice and tips available on how you can cut down your energy emissions. You may have already carried out some of the ideas suggested, but there are bound to be some that you haven’t thought of that could allow you to reduce your family’s environmental impact.

The first step to cutting down your energy bills is to get a Home Energy Assessment carried out. If you’re not sure on how to cut your energy bills then an energy expert can survey your home and produce a personalised Energy Saving Report for your property.

The initial outlay of £40 is likely to be recovered quickly and in the long-term you will save a good deal of money. You can also rest safe in the knowledge that the outlay will be recovered - if at least £40 of annual energy savings aren’t identified then the cost of the Green Home Energy Assessment will be refunded.

There are many ways to cut down your home’s emissions and small steps can help to ensure that you use less gas and electricity on a daily basis. In fact, there are tens of different ways to save money and energy. Here are ten most popular that you could put into action.

The first way to cut down on emissions is to have your house insulated. By insulating your home you help to ensure that less heat escapes, and as a result you don’t need to use as much energy to keep your house warm during the winter.

By having your cavity walls insulated you could save around £115 a year, an amount that certainly isn’t to be sniffed at. By insulating your loft you could save an extra £150 a year, and therefore this combination really can save householders a good deal of money.

Secondly, one thing that many of us are guilty of is leaving our electrical items and gadgets on standby. This is largely due to laziness, but making the small effort to turn your electrical appliances off rather than leave them on standby can help to cut down your emissions.

You will probably be surprised by the amount of power that an electrical item uses when it is on standby. The simple act of turning off your TV and all the electrical accessories attached to it off can save £30 a year. Remembering to switch the computer off can save a further £10, ensuring that this simple step will make a noticeable dent in your home’s emissions levels.

One of the biggest sources of energy emissions in homes up and down the country is central heating. In the UK’s bitter winters it can get really cold and there is nothing nicer than turning the heating up and snuggling up in the warm.

This, however, can cost a lot of money and even a small adjustment of your thermostat can increase emissions significantly. By turning your thermostat down just one degree C you could save an impressive £60 a year - pretty hefty amount considering you’re unlikely to notice the change in temperature.

Staying with the weather and Britain may not enjoy that many hot days over the course of the year, but when the sun is shining you should always use the natural heat to dry your clothes. When it isn’t sunny outside you can still let your clothes hang to dry, and by not using a tumble dryer to dry your clothes savings of around £40 a year can be achieved.

A fifth step that can be taken to reduce your home’s emissions is to double glaze all of your house’s windows. A vast amount of heat escapes through the windows, and by double glazing them you can reduce the heat lost by half, saving more than £100 a year on your heating bills in the process.

To further lessen the amount of heat escaping through windows and doors, homeowners may wish to consider draught proofing using a fix brush or PVC seal. This will ensure that as little heat as possible escapes from your house, meaning that less energy is required to heat your property.

There are further ways to stop heat escaping and thus reduce emissions. These include installing a hot water cylinder jacket and primary pipe work insulation. Further to this, silver foil can be put behind any radiators fixed to external walls, which will help reflect heat back around the room.

An additional thing that can be done to reduce a property’s emissions is to install a modern, energy-efficient boiler. A lot of energy is wasted by older, inefficient boilers and thus more energy has to be used to keep a house warm. Installing a new boiler and controls may be a considerable outlay initially, but you will soon get that back as it can save households up to £235 a year.

The energy-saving tips outlined above illustrate ten ways in which you can reduce your home’s emissions and consequently save monthly on your annual energy bills. Home insulation is one of the major things as loft and cavity wall insulation can help to keep the heat in your house instead of escaping. But little things such as turning all of your electrical gadgets off instead of leaving them on standby can also make a massive difference. Taking all of these steps can significantly reduce your emissions, which is great news for the environment, while you can look forward to saving money on your gas bills.

Linda Barker is a very successful designer and has undertaken many diverse interior design commissions, both in the private and corporate sectors.

She is perhaps best known from her days in the BBC interior design show Changing Rooms due to it being shown on virtually every English speaking TV territory around the world. During her time on the show it peaked in its popularity and attracted an audience of over ten million viewers every episode.

Linda has now started designing and developing an extensive range of ‘Linda Barker’ branded products which include; rugs, lighting, wallpaper, kitchen storage, scented candles, china, curtain accessories, textiles and even gift wrap.

This business has gone from strength to strength and in 2003 she launched her own mail order business known as Really Linda Barker. This website and catalogue feature a whole host of different items to buy including home accessories and decorative products all chosen or designed by Linda herself. Perhaps more importantly, everything in Linda’s range has been chosen with an eye on price and value for money to ensure that there is something for every room and every budget.

Linda’s point of view is this; “Nobody should have to spend weeks on end trying to find just the right accessory for their room any more, there is a wealth of gorgeous products out there nowadays and all it needs is someone to bring them all together in one place. That’s what Really Linda Barker is about. It’s the best of the beautiful, all hand-picked by me to provide the perfect presents for the home you love.”

With Linda keeping watch on the price and now price comparison site moneysupermarket.com playing their part in keeping the price down even further with their great money off vouchers on their new channel that’ll make Linda’s timeless designs even more tempting to buy.

Visit moneysupermarket.com and find out how much money you can save on these Linda Barker designs today as the site aims to “make sure you get the best deal” at all times.

As well as adding beauty and warmth to where you live, wood flooring can bring many practical benefits.

For a start, wood floors are an investment which will add financial value to your home – estate agents report that homes with wooden floors sell more quickly than those with other kinds of flooring.

But if you’re planning on staying in the same house, wooden floors are incredibly durable. In fact, they can last for up to 100 years, so you’ll never need to replace them as you do carpet or lino floors. Equally, because of their classic elegance, wooden floors will never go out of fashion but will remain a stylish option, and will always look good.

Your floors will be especially long-lasting if you use wood from old growth trees, which have a tighter grain, making it denser and firmer than new wood, and able to retain its appearance longer.

Wood flooring takes very little effort to maintain keep clean. Caring for your wood floors takes little more than a quick sweep or vacuuming once or twice a week, with perhaps the occasional use of a cleaning product to keep up the shine. These floors are sturdy enough to withstand all the spills and knocks of family life.

Wooden floors are also a very eco-friendly option. Wood is a thoroughly natural resource, and a renewable energy source. Many wood floors are made of reclaimed lumber which has been recycled from old homes or boats, or it may even have been brought up from riverbeds where it sunk years and years ago. Having your wood floors made from reclaimed timber means you can have exquisite wood flooring without deforestation, and without a single tree being cut down.

If you find you are sneezing all the time, and have a year-round runny nose, it could be because of a dust allergy. A single square metre of carpet can be home to tens of thousands of dust mites, and dust can also contribute to health problems like asthma and eczema. The simple reality is that wooden floors are more hygienic than carpets because you can see and deal with dust and other dirt more easily.

Also, if you have pets, not only are the inevitable ‘little accidents’ quicker to clean up, but you won’t have to deal with embedded pet hairs as you do with carpets.

If you’ve previously been put off buying wooden floors because you think they may be more expensive than other kinds of flooring, think again. New technology has made wood floors more affordable than ever.

Another myth surrounding wood flooring is that it makes your home seem colder than carpets. In fact, wood retains heat naturally, so you’ll stay cosy even at the coldest times of the year.

Finally, there are now more varieties of wooden floors than ever, giving you stacks of choice, especially in terms of different cuts and finishes. There are more than 20 different types of wood flooring, including American beech, pine ash and Douglas fir and walnut flooring.

So it’s no wonder that, for more and more of us, wooden floors are the natural choice.

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