GameCube: Your views

Monday, 6 May, 2002, 12:23 GMT 13:23 UK GameCube: Your views
Can the GameCube storm past its rivals?
After the launch of Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox in Europe, now it is time for Nintendo to throw its hat into the ring with the GameCube.

The small and powerful purple cube goes on sale on 3 May but as with any console, the game titles released with it will be crucial to its success.

"It is great to play and really fulfils Nintendo's promise that the cube is all about fun, " wrote BBC News Online's Darren Waters about Wave Race: Blue Storm.

But Crazy Taxi did not go down as well: "The problem is that the GameCube version differs so little from the Dreamcast original that none of the power of Nintendo's neat little machine is utilised."

But what do you think?

This debate is now closed. Please see below for a selection of your comments.

Just wait for the next in the Perfect Dark series – dare I say it, it could even be on a par with Halo.

How many of you actually watch DVD's on your consoles? I know at least 12 people with PS2s and only one uses the DVD player. The playing quality of DVD on the console is also inferior to watching it on a dedicated DVD player.

In reference to the 'cute' references, just wait until you see the lovely colourful blood, pooling on that stunningly cute floor, as it runs out of the .50 calibre hole in the baby-faced-zombie's head.
Ciaran O'Connor, N. Ireland

The GameCube may have some great games, but as a console it really is doomed.
Chris Malins, USA

I've got a Cube, an Xbox, a PS2, Dreamcast and N64. I bought the Xbox purely to play Halo. But I bought a Cube because I have high hopes for some "quirky" (Japanese) console games of the likes of Pikmin and Animal Crossing.

As it stands today, your choice of hardware matters very little as the same games seem to be available on all three "next gen" consoles at the moment. Personally, I'm hoping for more than just the current batch of boring PC ports on the cube, and hopefully Nintendo will bring us more stuff like the N64's Zelda, the PS2's Jak & Daxter and Skies of Arcadia on the Dreamcast.
John, Germany

I think GameCube is going to be in for some fierce competition given that Sega are developing games for PS2.
Max, UK

I have had my Cube for months now, and I can't wait for the new titles to get released. I am very happy to see that you all are enjoying yourselves over there. Rogue Leader is awesome, but I really like the billiards game on Super Monkey Ball.
Steven Romanowsky, NJ, USA

Having spent an hour queuing up at midnight, I can safely say that the Cube is a serious contender in the console wars. The vast majority of people buying the Cube were in their mid to late twenties. People should stop taking themselves so seriously and realise that far from being a kiddie console, the Cube is fun – what every console should strive towards!
Richard Marchlewski, UK

Having both a GameCube and a PS2 I can safely say that the GameCube makes a refreshing change from the other consoles on the market. Games such as Pikmin and Super Monkey Ball are exactly what you want when you can't be bothered with the other consoles that take themselves far too seriously. It's totally games orientated and although it's aimed at the younger market it's games will be a source of enjoyment for all ages.
Ade, UK

The GameCube's success depends on developers widening their vision of what can be released on a Nintendo machine, and whether the station generation can put down their lager and chips and enjoy the brighter side of gaming. I doubt gamers who's gaming collection includes Tekken, Gran Turismo 3, Grand Theft Auto 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 will appreciate rolling a monkey in a ball around a brightly coloured tilting playing field. It's unfair though to judge the cube this early on, especially to a console that's been through its teething period. Developers tend to judge early on how a consoles life will play out, despite the potential of the machine. Just ask Sega.
Revels, UK

Crazy Taxi is the last game you should be mentioning on this site. The game is over three years old and this is it's fourth format. I have just picked a GC up and I am astounded by the games I have played so far: Super Monkey Ball, Rogue Leader and Luigi's Mansion. I have played the PS2 and Xbox, but the cube knocks them both into a cocked hat. Super Monkey Ball has got to be the most frustratingly superb game in recent years.
Martin Gillett, UK

I feel that the GameCube will most probably outsell the Xbox, however, it will take a very long time to reach the stature of the PS2. With great games such as Luigi's Mansion, Sonic Adventure 2 and Star Wars Rogue Leader, there will be something to cater for everyone's gaming needs.

Although the GameCube doesn't have a DVD player or a hard drive, the fact of the matter is that it is all about the games. With franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong and more, along with developers such as Rare, GameCube will definitely be the machine to have if you're in it for the games. It's quality, not quantity. By the end of 2002, Nintendo will have reclaimed what is rightfully theirs, the throne of the video games market.
Zak, England

Much to my eternal shame, I was fourth in line for a cube in Glasgow. And already it's my favourite console ever with just one game (Luigi). It doesn't matter that it doesn't play DVDs or any of that nonsense, in terms of game-playing it's simply a perfect evolutionary climax along the lines of the Great White Shark and Siberian Tiger.
Ross McGlashan, Scotland

I've got a Japanese GameCube, and I'll be off buying the UK one shortly. I am stunned by the innovation shown in terms of the hardware, the software, the GBA link facility, and the pricing.

Compare and contrast: £230 for the Xbox and the very lacklustre Bloodwake and £150 for the GC and the magnificent Super Monkey ball. Where else can you get such quality, innovation, fun and value for money?
John, Reading

My advice to everyone even slightly interested in gaming is BUY A GAMECUBE! It looks cool, plays brilliantly and is very fun.
Jamie, England

Well bought the last one in the store along with the Star Wars game and ISS 2, a football game. Is it any good? Well put it this way, I was up until 4am pretending I was Luke Skywalker, and very nearly slept through the FA Cup final! Having played PS 2 and been utterly put off Xbox by its gargantuan size, this is definitely the best of the three!
Adam, UK

I was at the midnight launch at HMV London this morning (just behind the Sarah) and I got Luigi's mansion and Rogue Leader. Both games impressed straight away – with Rogue Leader edging it with the kind of graphics you show to impress your mates.

Remembering that this is only the first wave of titles, the GameCube is only going to get better, with titles like Mario Sunshine, Zelda, Metroid Prime and the simply stunning Resident Evil all exclusive for the console – the future looks bright for Nintendo's little box.

Excuse me, I have some games to play…
David Howlett, London

Although Nintendo will invariably experience a lag phase in sales, the games for the fourth quarter should be something to behold, regardless of your age it is going to be a big year for Nintendo.
Anthony Watts, England

We have a GameCube at our offices for our clients to use, it rocks, and our clients love it.
Fresh Egg, UK

Having had one on import since it was released in the US I can say that this is one hell of a games console. And that's what it is. Not a DVD player or anything else! It's for pure gamers. THPS3 is just a great game!
Rik Sidebottom, UK

I own an Xbox and the reason? Because the launch games inspired me more on the Xbox than with the GameCube. I will definitely buy a GameCube but not at the moment. It's so cute! Nintendo have taken a different approach and created a "just for games" system which could just work.
Ed, UK

Amazing. Nothing short of that. The box is perfectly made, and the games are so small, they take less time to load. Yet, they hold enough data to make you appreciate the graphics and gameplay. Not only will Nintendo take the game market to a new level, they will set new standards with this fantastic machine. Has been well worthwhile queuing up till midnight for this.
Parvez Hakim, London, UK

I think the GameCube has a lot going for it. Nintendo have always developed some of the most enjoyable games for its consoles and knows the business. I think it'll come in second in the "console wars."

It has some good games on launch and more on the horizon. It's also a lot more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper than the Xbox and the pad is a lot nicer to use. I know I'm going to get a GameCube over an Xbox!
Chris Seto, UK

GameCube will finally prove to everyone that Nintendo are the world's best and forever greatest games company. Sony and Microsoft are just bit-players in this on-going saga – they are disposable.
Jon Adams, UK

I for one will be getting a GameCube mainly for two of the launch titles. Super Monkey Ball looks absolutely fabulous and will be great fun to play with the lads on a drunken night in. Then there's the Star Wars game. I've seen it demonstrated in the shops and it looks great, it's every Star Wars fan's dream to do the trench run, now we get to do it!! Fantastic. The obligatory football games are there too, my choice will be the attractive gameplay of ISS2 over the "run down the wings and score" style of Fifa games. All in all, with the launch titles and the price of the cube, it's already on to a winner!!
Darren, England (UK)

Excellent. Better than the Xbox.
Kash, UK

GameCube games all seem to be ports, remakes or for the younger audience. Recent polls have suggested that the average age of gamers is between 25 and 32. This means that for the largest portion of the gaming community there is no real reason to buy a GameCube. The PlayStation 2's technology is outdated, and was so even before it was released in the UK.

The only real innovation was Microsoft's Xbox, however the PSX's fan base was so large that Microsoft were always going to have a tough fight. The Xbox has great games and is a great console. It is just a shame that most gamers are too stubborn to put down their Sony products for fear of not looking "cool".
Dani, England

Just got my cube and wow! I've always said Nintendo make the most original games that are always great to play. Long Live Sonic!
Keith Scott, Northern Ireland

I'm loving it, loving it, loving it. I got home at 1am this morning and plugged it in straight away for a few hours of fun.

As an overweight middle-aged man I find playing Tony Hawks Skateboarding a really great experience.

Of course, being an overweight middle-aged man also makes playing Star Wars Rogue Leader a dream come true when I finally get to destroy the death star.

Long live the rebel alliance.
James Hayward, UK

Amazing! The graphics which are made by ATI have really brought out the power in the GC. With 20 release games and about 50 by the end of the year Nintendo have made and effort. I feel that the GC is the best around, the PS2 has respectable games but poor specs and the XBox is a glorified PC that looks like it came out of the 80s. Nintendo are truly the best. Remember – No Nintendo, no PlayStation.
Ben Anthony, UK

The GameCube is one of the best consoles on the market. With games that already blow peoples' minds away and yet the best is still to come. Nintendo will bring out the most memorable sequels such as Zelda and Perfect Dark.
Genius, UK

The GameCube sure looks cute, but after the fall in the price of the Xbox just before my birthday, I'm afraid I could not wait for the GC. Sure the games look good (If you're into cutesy graphics and gameplay). But for the serious more mature gamer once you've played Halo on the Xbox. There's no need for any other machine. Though I do secretly hope my brother gets a GC, mind you he said he'd get the games 'cos the discs are cute (oh brother).
Tony B, N.Ireland

I am not disappointed! Rogue Leader is just fantastic, I'm currently unlocking as many hidden ships as possible… Anyway back to the fun before I have to go back to work on Monday!
H, UK

I live in a student house with eight other lads. Between us we have every console under the sun. I can safely say that Sony better get their Playstation 3 out soon 'cos their console is looking outdated, outmoded and simply old fashioned. The Xbox is a great console and I personally would be happy to have one along side the GameCube. Ultimately though I think that the GameCube will win out with those exclusive Nintendo titles. Just wait until those PS2 games start popping up on the Cube. And what a deal it is at £130.
James, UK

GameCube simply doesn't have the killer app titles to compete with Playstation 2 or the power to compete with XBOX. Its perception as a childrens toy is well founded. It will be a home to some exceptional titles over its time like the N64 before it but just like the N64 it will be an "also ran" horse in the console war race.
David Williams, UK

I¿ve had a Cube since it was launched in the US, and the games knock spots off other formats, the controller is excellently ergonomically designed, watch out for Bloody Roar, a solid beat 'em up with awesome graphics, beautiful, gauntlet dark legacy's brill, but its early days yet! Goodbye Microshaft X-Box!
Ibbs Hussain, England

I went to the Nintendo Cube Club event in April for a taster of the GameCube, I own an X-Box and GameBoy Advance. I was disappointed that so many of the games on offer were games that were already available for other systems. It hardly shows the GameCube¿s uniqueness. Luigi's Mansion and Pikmin looked good titles, but I'm wondering at what age group that they're aimed for. At 21, I'm more likely to go for a game like Halo or Deus Ex. Anyway, it's good that the console race isn't just two systems. Hopefully all the consoles available will make developers create new and much more interesting games.
Alasdair Duncan, Scotland

Got my console today (just, last one in the shop!) and I've been playing it virtually all day. I got Super Monkey Ball, which is superb and very addictive. Rogue Leader, every Star Wars fanboys dream come true this: Destroy the Death Star, battle Tie-Fighters, trip up AT-ATs, and that's just in the first 3 levels! And ISS2, which continues to be a superb footballing experience on a new generation of Nintendo hardware. I can honestly say that I was tempted mid-week to buy an X-Box. Needless to say any such thought has since been firmly banished from my mind forever, as I already have more games for my 'Cube than I would purchase at the moment from the complete range of available X-Box titles. Also, less than £130 for a new console, as opposed to £200 for either of the other two? No thanks, I'd rather have my 'Cube with 3 games for the price of a PS2 or an X-Box with 1 game. And it's a superior console to boot.
Dave James, UK

GameCube will wipe the PS2 because of GameCube's 400Mhz or more and PS2 has only got 200Mhz or more. GameCube will be beaten by the X Box by miles with its 700Mhz Or more.
Buckey, UK

I got a GC today and I am sooooo impressed!! The X-Box is too expensive & I know no one who has one(you can buy a GC a PS2 and a game for the price of the X-box alone!!), the PS2 is starting to show its age though it will still out sell both the GC and X-box.
Dillon Scott, Eire

Now I realise what attracted me to games in the first place – NINTENDO
Wayne Spencee, UK

It's a shame that the success of a product depends so much on how 'cool' it is, for in my opinion the Xbox wipes the floor with all these machines. Apart from a small handful of games GameCube on the whole is aimed at much younger players anyway, leaving the PS2 to slug it out with Xbox in the 'big boys' arena. Early adopters of the latest generation of consoles will have gone with the PS2, which is understandable, but the discerning gamer will have bought Xbox. And of course the hard-core gamer will have all of the machines, including GameCube!
Richard Joseph, UK

The GameCube is fantastic. Star Wars R.L. 2 has speed and graphics to rival any Xbox title and games like Super Monkey Ball and Wave Race Blue Storm have gameplay only Nintendo can produce. So it's not all about the hardware, the software is the key!
G.Williams, Co. Durham, UK

GameCube rules. I now have both PS2 and GameCube. PS2 will win this console war purely on the fact that it is deemed "cool" while GameCube will run second even though it is the best machine of the three.
Chi hao Tsang, England

I have to say the GC is way much better than the Xbox, it's small, powerful and it's got a great line up of games (Rogue Leader kicks ass).

Like Microsoft, Nintendo will have to come up with some sort of ingenious idea to pull people away from their PS2s.

The Xbox is just a souped up version of a PS2 with a different name, they both have similar games apart from Halo and other Microsoft franchises.

Overall, in the next two years or so I predict Nintendo will be named King of Gaming consoles.
Humza Ibrahim, UK

I am really impressed with the GameCube – it has launched at a price which is very affordable. It can produce some of the most amazing graphics ever. The Xbox has failed to be a success in Europe and it has specs which it can never perform to, looks ugly and a controller which is a deformed copy of the Dreamcast one.

I admit that Halo is a cracking game – but the GameCube at a cheaper price, easily matches or surpasses the Xbox in terms of graphics/sound, has a great launch line up and the best controller ever made. The PS2 is getting old now and although it has some mint games, it fails to excite.

The GameCube is a breath of fresh air with some really original titles. Future. Pikmin, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Eternal Darkness, Super Mario Sunshine, Starfox Adventures, Perfect Dark 2, Metroid, Kameo, the whole Resident Evil series plus new titles and a whole lot more – and these are just the games which haven't been released yet on European shores. Rogue Leader is amazing, Luigi's Mansion is very original and Super Monkey Ball is mad. Too many good games – too little time to mention. Buy a GameCube and you won't be disappointed.
Mike Thornton, United Kingdom

I think the GameCube will wipe out the PS2 but get nowhere near the Xbox.
John, UK

Nintendo are the kings. Super Monkey Ball is stunning.
Graeme Crowley, UK

For fans of the Sega version of Crazy Taxi I would recommend getting Simpson's Road Rage which has identical game play but the added fun of all the Simpsons characters! 2 player mode is great fun too.
Andy Mc, Boston, USA

Why does everyone keep thinking that this console is for kids? Only if you think that as soon as you hit adulthood all you want to do is look at Lara's chest. I'd suggest it's the other way round, this console is for the discerning grown-up.
Mike, UK

I own a PS2 and I have considered purchasing the Xbox, but I can't bring myself to part with cash when I know that the GameCube, which costs less, is the safe bet for outstanding, playable games like Mario, Zelda, and Metroid – there is simply nothing comparable on any other platform. Video game aficionados cannot possibly want to miss out on this little box of joy. I'm 28 years of age by the way…
Neil Blair, UK

The GameCube is great for younger children, with its bright colours and childish games. If you want the best gaming experience available though – buy an Xbox.
Chris Crowther, London

While the PS2 and the Xbox are both big, meaty machines with fairly serious games (e.g. Halo), I think the GameCube has the upper hand. The cute, purple (or black) machine sums up what gaming is all about – fun. Also, with games like Mario Sunshine, Zelda, Rogue Squadron and Super Monkey Ball, how can it fail?
Edward J Clark, UK

The GameCube is by far the best looking console on the market. Now having played it, it's got the best games as well.
Inzi, UK

Personally, I think Nintendo should just throw in the towel on console gaming. This is their fourth console and they have finally made it to the level of Sony PlayStation one. If people say that the GC has better quality in graphics than the PlayStation 2 or the Xbox then they haven't played Final Fantasy X for the PS2 or Halo for the Xbox. And when game developers truly start designing their games to use the full processing power that the PS2 and Xbox has to offer, well, I hope Nintendo has a rag to wipe the dust off their face as they get blown away. Anyway, this is my thought on the subject. But just to let you all know, the only way to game is computers.
Jonathon Pluth, United States

Tried the Xbox, and was unimpressed – most of the games are clones of those available for other platforms. I picked up a GameCube today, and haven't looked back – stunning graphics, fast and oh-so-addictively fun gameplay, and all in a cute little box to boot.

Well done, Nintendo – you've even put Sony to shame!
Jack, UK

In my eyes, Nintendo will always rule the console market. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't be enjoying the amount and quality of games on all platforms. Xbox's specs eat the rest up but it is quality in gaming that I'm after, not graphics and anyway, you'll be using them all as a doorstop in three years time. Especially the Xbox!!!
SB, UK

The GameCube is a cool little machine, a good alternative to the Xbox and PS 2. Plus it's got the Resident Evil franchise which should help Nintendo shift a few more cubes.
Ashley, England

Great games, but it can't play DVDs. Huge mistake there Nintendo. Sorry guys, you will be missing out to the PS2 and Xbox on that one!
Paul, UK

Having got my cube this morning, I must echo the comments of most of the folk here, it's amazing. As for it only having "cute" games, then take a look at what games are heading to the cube. I'd hardly call many of the tiles cute. And as for many of the games being ports.. of course that never happens on any other console now does it? Nintendo have produced a winner.
Joanne Connors, UK

The GameCube is rubbish! I can't believe I queued this long to pay £129 for this. The graphics are poor and the gameplay is lacking.
James Peck, UK

While many gamers seem to fall into one of three camps, I personally think there's room for both Xbox and GameCube. With the PS2 already well established, however, both may have a little trouble finding a footing. Technically, both are better than the PS2. The Xbox gains ground on the GC due to the hard-drive, broadband modem and full DVD support. The GameCube, on the other hand, can link with the GBA which could prove interesting.

And while the Xbox/PS2 tend to cater towards the older or "cooler" gamer, the Cube looks to be shaping up to deliver a series of small but perfectly formed fun-fests for the whole family.

I've got a PS2 and an Xbox at the moment. Certainly a GC will fly my way soon – but not quite yet. The initial line up, bar Super Monkey Ball, holds nothing "must buy"… Give it a few weeks, though…..
Dagada Dagada, UK

Too little. Too late. Disappointing to see a company who wield the banner of games forth and foremost should present the least technically innovative to gamers. Where's the broadband gaming future? Ironic that a stuffy, PC-orientated company like Microsoft should lead the way with Xbox.
Cockles, England

The GameCube is good for what it is aimed at…I have PS2 and Xbox for big, more serious games, but the GameCube is just right for that after pub gameplay with friends… and it's small enough to fit into the limited space under my TV.
Papa, England

We bought the GameCube for our children at Christmas and it has been a great success. I love playing Pikmin, a good mix of action and strategy. The kids like Smash Bros Melee.
KS, USA

I have one, am very excited. I only have bought Super Monkey Ball so far as this game is fantastic! The GC really offers something different, unlike the Xbox that just does the usual Microsoft trick of copying everyone else.
Jasper, UK

The launch selection is the most impressive I have seen to date. I believe with lowest price and most powerful hardware, the GameCube will secure its place as a market leader.
Kevin Prince – Next Gen Games, UK

I've got my GameCube (though not played it yet as I'm at work). I do own a PS2 and a PC (so I don't need an Xbox) but I can see this becoming my main games machine. Nintendo do only games and they do it well. They're not doing it for control of the living room like Sony and Microsoft. They will concentrate on the quality of their games, while MS and Sony will concentrate on extending their games consoles into the rest of your home. I sincerely hope that the quality and innovation that Nintendo deliver will ensure a long and fun future for Nintendo.
Simon Frost, UK

I think the Cube will succeed as an "impulse" buy – it is less than three average games after all. I will buy one to complement my Xbox, but Xbox is the one that I am most excited about in 20 years (!) of gaming.
Ross, UK

Whether or not you buy this machine is completely dependent on what you're looking for. If you just want games, get this. Unfortunately I have no faith in Nintendo following the N64, where games like Mission Impossible which were meant to be launch titles didn't come out until nearly a year after the console. They simply don't have the wide developer support that Sony has, Rare being one of the few. Plus the fact that the games and machine, as Nintendo have admitted themselves, are generally aimed at the younger market.

You look for fun games, definitely, but you can get these on a PS2 as well as the darker, more cerebral games like Soul Reaver 2, Silent Hill 2, et al.

More powerful as regards the hardware, but not the most appealing of the batch I'm afraid. And hey, give it a few months and chances are most of the games will have been ported to PS2 anyway.
Adam Green, England

Just picked up my GameCube. I haven't managed to take it home yet as I am still at work. (I got at lunch!!!) Three excellent games – Sonic, Luigi's mansion and ISS2 ….I can't wait.
Chico Mendez, UK

GameCube's launch titles may be good, but it's the next six months that will show whether it has the legs. Playstation beat N64 by the sheer number of games churned out for it. PS2 will kill Xbox and GameCube if they don't adopt the same approach.
Laurence, UK

The wait is finally over. I love this console – the games don't rely on their amazing graphics and sound, the playability is un-rivalled. Unlike its competition, Nintendo have launched this console with a huge array of great games right from the start. The only question when deciding on which console to buy should be "What colour GameCube should I buy?"
Richard Allen, UK

I've had a Japanese Cube for a few months, and it is by far the best console since the underrated Dreamcast.

Forget the power and DVD arguments – the games are the most important, and Pikmin, Super Monkey Ball, Super Smash Brothers and Rogue Leader are pure entertainment. What more could you want from a games console?
Dan, Wales

I picked up a GameCube today, with four games. I played them all and loved every second of it…I urge you to buy one.
Kip, UK

Nintendo certainly have the pedigree and financial clout to make GameCube a success, and with a £130 price point from launch it is a very attractive option. What concerns me however is the speed to market of their software, and the quality of it. The N64 was a good machine but suffered from a dire lack of "adult" themed games and was notorious for triple A titles being delayed. With the exception of Zelda and most of the Rare titles it was a disappointing range of games. If Nintendo can rectify this (and the signs are good with Rogue Squadron and Resident Evil) then they will be on to a winner.
Nathan Griffiths, United Kingdom

Fantastic console and games. Size of console makes a great change from that elephant of an Xbox. Long live Nintendo.
Adam, UK

Whilst Super Monkey Ball is an excellent game, it is far from being in the league of Halo. Having owned an import GameCube for months, I now play it very rarely and it is sitting gathering dust like my PS2. Halo, Jet Set Radio Future and Project Gotham Racing put the GameCube to shame. I expect better games to arrive in the next six months!
Ian Harvey, UK

It may be small but it will frighten the life out of Xbox, except Halo which is the best game ever.
Joe S, England

Awesome, absolutely awesome. As simple as that.
Mark, UK

The cube's great. I'm hoping I can run my Xbox games on to it real soon, as it's so much cheaper.
Ciaran Mullan, Ulster

I think it's brilliant and can't wait for more games.
Daniel, UK

My mate bought one on Friday, with SMB, Rogue Leader, Luigi's and Waverace, and I was stunned. I have always been a keen Nintendo fan (having owned every console so far) and I was interested to see what route they would take into the next gen of gaming, and they have blazed their own path as usual.

The games are incredibly beautiful, the controls are responsive and fluid and the humour is as present as it ever was. Since the demise of the N64 I have converted to PS2, but I think the two are going to lead the way, with Xbox trailing behind. PS2 seems a bit more adult and serious, whilst GameCube is definitely geared towards the multiplayer post-pub crowd. Get one of each and make your life complete!
Ash, UK

I'm a 30-year-old gamer and I must say that I own all three systems and Nintendo by far outdoes the other two. With the games they have now and the ones on the way, Nintendo is gonna leave the rest wondering what happened. Because it is fantastic. About it being a kiddie system, just look at the release calendar. I am going to trade my PS2 and Xbox in to pre-order as many Nintendo games as I can. It's just that good. Nintendo rocks. By the way, wait till you lads see Resident Evil. It's the best looking and scariest game I've ever played. Be sure to check that one out. And please enjoy the sweetest system of them all. Nintendo rules all.
Mark, USA

I think it's stupid when people say that the GameCube is a kiddies console. Is Resident Evil a kiddies game?
Jake Kearsley, UK

The Xbox is undeniably American – ugly, big, powerful and noisy just like their cars, however, it only has one distinctive game, Halo, that was destined to be a hit on any platform.

Whereas we look at the GameCube, it is undeniably Japanese, sleek, small, affordable and fun – also like their cars.

This is not a battle of consoles, this is a battle between the East and West!!
Alex, UK

I have a PC, I always will have a PC and my PC will always be better than any console. That said, there is only one reason why I'd buy a console; multiplayer!! I cant think of a better way to spend an evening in with three friends but to play Super Monkey Ball or Super Smash Bros.

Also the fact that I can get any decent Xbox game for my PC (Halo) makes me wonder why I'd want to shell out £200 for what is essentially a one game platform
Max, UK

This cube kicks serious butt. Rogue Leader is amazing, as is the short but very sweet Luigi's Mansion. Done Nintendo, let's keep these magnificent games coming.
Jac, Scotland

I got a GameCube with Luigi's Mansion, Super Monkey Ball, and Star Wars. The console itself is excellent – I love the size and the look. The control pad feels good in the hand and the games I have at the moment are all very good. I'd highly recommend the GameCube, oh and I'm 22.
Ben, UK

People talk about the "power" of the GC compared to the X-box, the fact is that as those who understand the technical specifications of the machines will know, the GC is more than a mach for the X-box. Why? Because for one, it utilises Apple's "Power PC" technology in its "Gekko" CPU, whereas the X-box uses a standard Intel chip. Bottom line, the raw power/clock speed of the GC at 485MHz is fairly much on a par with the 733MHz of the X-box.

As for games (the most important factor), I would hardly call the complete Resident Evil series a child's game. If you look at recent screenshot comparisons you will also see how vastly superior the graphics are to Sony originals.
Andy, UK

Bought one under extreme duress from my housemate who has always rated Nintendo above all others – looked forward to mocking the smug little fella for being sucked in by the prospect of cutesy games wherein you fire your bubble gun at smiling hamsters.

However – I have just blown up the deathstar and bent it like Beckham in under 30 minutes and have to admit he was right – Super Monkey Ball is a bit poor though.
Neil Stephens, UK

How can the Xbox and Ps2 compete? GameCube is almost half the price, half the size but four times as powerful as the PS2. Also, some incredible games are lined up for the next few years and third party developers are already queuing for licenses to develop for Nintendo.
Glenn White, Uzbeckistan

Friday May 3rd. A day I had been waiting for months. Ever since the launch date was announced I counted the days waiting to get my hands on Nintendo's cube of quality. I bought Luigi's Mansion, Fifa World Cup and Tony Hawk's 3 and have been playing ever since. The graphics are unbelievable and the gameplay is even better. My advice to anyone who wants a console that plays good quality games is: BUY A GAMECUBE!
Darren, England

GC already wipes the floor with the competition in terms of sheer fun. Super Monkey Ball is the most enjoyable game I've ever played and Rogue Leader the most impressive. But Nintendo will only defeat Xbox if they can convince enough adolescents that there's more to gaming than guns, gore and fast cars. I'd love to see Microsoft crash and burn, but it will take the right sort of marketing.

Incidentally, in response to a couple of earlier posts, the Cube does have broadband capability.
Charles, UK

The GameCube is superb, a next generation console for £130, what really annoys me is people that say the GameCube is not as powerful as the Xbox and see that as the be all and end all. Okay it isn't as powerful as the Xbox but what you need to understand is that all the machines including the PS2 (look at Jak and Daxter, Devil May Cry, GTA3, MGS2,THPS3) are capable of hi-end graphics, it's mainly how you work with the hardware to get the game running smoothly. The GameCube has soooo much potential, just look at what Rare did with Donkey Kong Country on the Super Nintendo.

For me the Xbox has always been out of the picture, I think it is losing the fun aspect of gaming and all the titles seem to be way too serious, and you can't get away form the fact the machine is big and ugly. (Halo is great though!)

I do believe that the GameCube is the best choice in the long run and cannot wait for new games such as Sega Soccer Slam, Zelda, Mario Golf and that Starfox one. The PS2 is still great!
Ross Wallingford, Sussex, UK

For me, the Xbox launch software was better. I think I'll use my GameCube money to buy some more Xbox games. Maybe get one in four or five months time when there's more software.
Arran, UK

How disappointing, after reading all the comments here I expected so much more. Star Wars is good but just not finished off professionally. Luigi's mansion is for children. Oh well, back to the PS2 and Metal Gear Solid 2!! I think if you are over 16 or something it's not worth it. It's a toy aimed at children, my daughter loves it!
Kevin, England

With a huge amount of games on day one and with games to come like the new Zelda and Mario Sunshine, GameCube will rock. I already own a cube and the graphics rule, the sound is amazing and it is so great I can't put it down. With more and more games being announced it will easily thrash the Xbox and the PS2 in the computer games wars.
Andy Holkham, England

I got a GameCube for my kids (to get them off my PS2), but I find myself sending them to bed early so I can get my hands on it. It's an elegant design, and Super Monkey Ball is great fun. For a £129, it rocks!
Janus, UK

The GameCube is just plain amazing. It's got the most games on release than any other console, its' easy to carry (unlike the Xbox which gives you a hernia just trying to lift it), it's got four times as much power as the PS2 and it doesn't actually look ugly. So BUY A GAMECUBE, don't waste your time buying these overrated consoles, mentioning no names (PS2, Xbox!). Think clearly and buy a GameCube!
Robert Boyce, England

I have been very pleased with my GameCube. The graphics this system can produce are stunning and easily comparable to the PS2 and not far behind the Xbox. The controller is very comfortable to hold and all the buttons are within easy reach. The most important thing though is the games and both games I've bought (Star Wars and Super Monkey Ball) are excellent fun and have a lot to come back to. I have always bought Nintendo consoles and the GameCube certainly doesn't disappoint.
Alex McIver, Scotland

I have a Cube and an Xbox but the cube seems like a toy. The box has an air of power in comparison to the weedy cube.
John Woodhouse, England

See also:

05 Oct 01 | EntertainmentGameCube packs a punch
22 Apr 02 | EntertainmentGameCube price dropped
13 Sep 01 | EntertainmentWhat's in the GameCube
02 May 02 | EntertainmentConsole wars hot up
Internet links:

Nintendo GameCube
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
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Getting the most from open source

Free. It is not something Western culture does particularly well. It is certainly not something that features big in the plans of the millionaires at Microsoft, Apple and Intel – to name but a few.

But there is one crowd that lives for free technology, and it is not doing bad business either.

This week we take a look at the open source operating system Linux and make a few software recommendations.

LINUX

Open source is a strange phrase. To many, it suggests someone has left the top off the ketchup bottle, but in the hi-tech world it is both a way of life and some say the future of the computer industry.

"Open Source is where the source code which makes up the application is freely available to download, to distribute, to review," said Paul Holt of open source technology company Redhat.

"It's essentially developed by any number of organisations, individuals, academic institutions. The advantages of it are numerous because there are many eyes on the code itself it tends to be much much better in terms of the quality of software – peer review etc.

"You tend to find that because of the open nature of the code it tends to be designed in a modular fashion because the module which someone is writing over here has to work with the module that someone else is writing and that really helps drive innovation."

And from the open source movement we get the Linux operating system. It is free and you can copy it to as many machines as you like.

And from that acorn did many versions of Linux grow – up to 300. Each flavour is called a distro (short for distribution) and is a version prepared for a different purpose or a particular type of user.

It is a given that techies can load it with their eyes closed but the holy grail for Linux is for it to be as easy to load and use for those who use Windows on a PC or OS X on the Mac.

Any novice installing the latest version of Ubuntu – a Linux distro developed for PCs – may find it disturbing as its highly technical computer workings are clearly visible.

But the open source crowd has taken the need for usability to heart and has worked hard to make the software look clean and professional.

It is influenced by modern front ends like Windows and OS X which is good news for novices. The surprise may be that the front end is just a bolt-on and there are many others to choose from.

"The modularity of Linux, essentially means that the front end, the GUI, the graphical user interface, is just another module," said Mr Holt, "and that means that if an organisation wants to develop its own specific GUI to sit on top of the kernel itself, they are absolutely free to do that.

"So what you are seeing is just a function of Open Source, the fact that there are a number of front ends out there, that's because organisations have felt the need to go out and develop that.

"That's all about choice, it's about organisations allowing the end user to choose what their front end looks like."

The distributions usually come with a free word processing and spreadsheet software and, if you add to that the many other applications developed by the open source world, Linux is finally looking like a very serious alterative to Windows and OS X.

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SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS

Open Office

Open Office is a fully functional suite of business programs that mimics just about all of the main features of the paid-for office software from firms such as Microsoft. It has been going since before 1999 and there are versions for other operating systems including, OS X and Linux.

This is the answer if the question is: "How do I get an office suite for free?"

The latest version has been beta tested by hundreds of thousands of people, each reporting back the slightest error. While this is good it can lead to a backlog of tweaks and bugs to be fixed, although unlike with Microsoft Office, you can pop over to the Open Office website and look at the status of the corrections or add a bug report yourself if you want.

It looks just like a real piece of software – real as in a piece of software you buy.

Firefox

The other must-have application for the modern computer user is a web browser and of course there is a very popular open source application in that area – Firefox.

According to some measures it is now in use by nearly 15% of the internet population.

Firefox was one of the first to introduce tabbed browsing and it is also one of the most secure as any security problems are found and fixed quickly by its large developer community. There are also dozens and dozens of downloadable customisations that you can add to it.

Thunderbird

And finally the third part of the computer user's tool kit is an e-mail client and that is Mozilla Thunderbird.

It understands all the standard ways of sending and receiving e-mails and it also has a newsreader built in so you can put all your RSS news feeds into it.

These are just some of the bits of software out there being made by others for all of us – proving you can use your computer and do just about all the things you need to do without having to buy any applications at all.

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BBC SPORT | Football | African | 2004 Confederation Cup

2004 Confederation Cup champions: Hearts of Oak (Ghana)

The Confederation Cup replaced the African Cup Winners' Cup and Caf Cup competitions.
The competition is open to national cup winners, and third-placed teams in national leagues from 12 countries selected on merit.
(Algeria and Egypt entered only one club despite being entitled to two.)

Final:

02/01/05:
In Accra: Hearts of Oak 1-1 Asante Kotoko

09/01/05:
In Kumasi: Asante Kotoko 1-1 Hearts of Oak
2-2 on aggregate: Hearts of Oak win 8-7 on penalties

NB The final was postponed by Caf from the original dates of 28 November and 11 December.

Group Stages:

GROUP A:
P W D L GF GA Pts Kotoko (GHA) 6 3 1 2 10 7 10 Enugu Rangers (NIG) 6 3 1 2 12 6 10 Al Hilal (SUD) 6 3 0 3 6 11 9 Petro Atletico (ANG) 6 1 2 3 5 9 5

NB: Asante Kotoko qualify for the final on head-to-head results against Enugu Rangers

08/08/04
Asante Kotoko 3-1 Enugu Rangers
Petro Atletico 3-1 Al Hilal

11/09/04
Enugu Rangers 4-0 Petro Atletico
Al Hilal 2-0 Asante Kotoko

25/09/04
Enugu Rangers 4-0 Al Hilal
Asante Kotoko 2-1 Petro Atletico

16/10/04
Al Hilal 2-1 Enugu Rangers
17/10/04
Petro Atletico 1-1 Asante Kotoko

30/10/04
Enugu Rangers 2-1 Asante Kotoko
Al Hilal 1-0 Petro Atletico

13/11/04
Asante Kotoko 3-0 Al Hilal
Petro Atletico 0-0 Enugu Rangers

GROUP B:
P W D L GF GA Pts Hearts of Oak (GHA) 6 4 1 1 10 5 13 Cotonsport (CMR) 6 3 2 1 9 3 11 Sable Batie (CMR) 6 2 1 3 6 9 7 Santos (RSA) 6 1 0 5 3 11 3

07/08/04
Hearts of Oak 1-0 Santos
29/08/04
Sable Batie 0-0 Cotonsport

12/09/04
Santos 1-0 Sable Batie
Cotonsport 0-0 Hearts of Oak

25/09/04
Cotonsport 4-0 Santos
26/09/04
Sable Batie 2-0 Hearts of Oak

16/10/04
Santos 0-2 Cotonsport
17/10/04
Hearts of Oak 5-1 Sable Batie

31/10/04
Santos 0-1 Hearts of Oak
Cotonsport 1-0 Sable Batie

14/11/04
Hearts of Oak 3-2 Cotonsport
Sable Batie 3-2 Santos

Third Round results:

11/07/04: Cotonsport (CMR) 3-0 Green Buffaloes (ZAM)
24/07/04: Green Buffaloes (ZAM) 1-1 Cotonsport (CMR)
Cotonsport win 4-1 on aggregate

09/07/04: Orlando Pirates (RSA) 4-2 Sable Batie (CMR)
25/07/04: Sable Batie (CMR) - Orlando Pirates (RSA)
Second leg abandoned after rain. Caf have ordered a rematch to take place on 15 August.

10/07/04: APR FC (RWA) 1-0 Enugu Rangers (NGR)
25/07/04: Enugu Rangers (NGR) 3-0 APR FC (RWA)
Enugu Rangers win 4-1 on aggregate

11/07/04: Al Hilal (SUD) 1-0 Liberty Professionals (GHA)
25/07/04: Liberty Professionals (GHA) 1-0 Al Hilal (SUD)
1-1 on aggregate: Al Hilal win 2-0 on penalties

11/07/04: Asante Kotoko (GHA) 2-0 Wydad Casablanca (MOR)
24/07/04: Wydad Casablanca (MOR) 1-1 Asante Kotoko (GHA)
Asante Kotoko win 3-1 on aggregate

11/07/04: Petro Atletico (ANG) 0-0 FAR Rabat (MOR)
24/07/04: FAR Rabat (MOR) 0-1 Petro Atletico (ANG)
Petro Atletico win 1-0 on aggregate

11/07/04: Hearts of Oak (GHA) 1-0 AS Douanes (SEN)
24/07/04: AS Douanes (SEN) 0-0 Hearts of Oak (GHA)
Hearts of Oak win 1-0 on aggregate

11/07/04: Canon Yaounde (CMR) 1-1 Santos (RSA)
25/07/04: Santos (RSA) 2-0 Canon Yaounde (CMR)
Santos win 3-1 on aggregate

Second Round:

16/05/04: Liberty Professionals (GHA) 3-2 Stade Tunisien (TUN)
28/05/04: Stade Tunisien (TUN) 1-1 Liberty Professionals (GHA)
Liberty Professionals win 4-3 on aggregate

16/05/04: PWD Bamenda (CMR) 2-2 Douanes (SEN)
29/05/04: Douanes (SEN) 3-0 PWD Bamenda (CMR)
Douanes win 5-2 on aggregate

14-16/05/04: Lobi Stars (NGR) 2-1 Green Buffaloes (ZAM)
29/05/04: Green Buffaloes (ZAM) 4-2 Lobi Stars (NGR)
Green Buffaloes win 5-4 on aggregate

14-16/05/04: Stella (CIV) 0-0 Wydad Casablanca (MOR)
29/05/04: Wydad Casablanca (MOR) 2-1 Stella (CIV)
Wydad Casablanca win 2-1 on aggregate

14-16/05/04: FAR Rabat (MOR) 0-0 Club Africain (TUN)
29/05/04: Club Africain (TUN) 1-1 FAR Rabat (MOR)
1-1 on aggregate: FAR win on away goals

14-16/05/04: Sable Batie (CMR) 4-1 Leopards Transfoot (MAD)
30/05/04: Leopards Transfoot (MAD) 1-2 Sable Batie (CMR)
Sable Batie win 6-2 on aggregate

14-16/05/04: King Faisal Babes (GHA) 1-1 Santos (RSA)
30/05/04: Santos (RSA) 2-1 King Faisal Babes (GHA)
Santos win 3-2 on aggregate

14-16/05/04: Etoile Guinea (GUI) 0-0 Enugu Rangers(NGR)
30/05/04: Enugu Rangers (NGR) 2-1 Etoile Guinea (GUI)
Enugu Rangers win 2-1 on aggregate

First Round:

9-11/04/04: Transfoot (MAD) 1-1 Wits University (RSA)
24/04/04: Wits U'sity (RSA) 2-2 Leopards Transfoot (MAD) 3-3 on aggregate: Leopards Transfoot win on away goals

9-11/04/04: InterClube (ANG) 1-2 Douanes (SEN)
24/04/04: Douanes (SEN) 2-1 InterClube (ANG)
Douanes win 4-2 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Ismaili (EGY) 2-1 Stade Tunisien (TUN)
24/04/04: Stade Tunisien (TUN) 2-0 Ismaili (EGY)
Stade Tunisien win 3-2 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Etoile Filante (BUR) 0-1 W. Casablanca (MOR)
24/04/04: Wydad Casablanca (MOR) 0-0 Etoile Filante (BFA)
Wydad Casablanca win 1-0 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Wallidan (GAM) 2-1 Club Africain (TUN)
24/04/04: Club Africain (TUN) 3-0 Wallidan (GAM)
Club Africain win 4-2 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: PWD Bamenda (CMR) 1-0 TP Mazembe (DRC)
25/04/04: TP Mazembe (DRC) 2-1 PWD Bamenda (CMR)
2-2 on aggregate: PWD Bamenda win on away goals

9-11/04/04: Huambo (ANG) 1-0 Liberty Professionals (GHA)
25/04/04: Lib. Professionals (GHA) 5-1 P. Huambo (ANG)
Liberty Professionals win 5-2 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: USM (GAB) 2-2 Sable Batie (CMR)
25/04/04: Sable Batie (CMR) 1-1 USM (GAB)
3-3 on aggregate: Sable Batie win on away goals

9-11/04/04: Dynamos (ZIM) 0-1 King Faisal Babes (GHA)
24/04/04: King Faisal Babes (GHA) 4-0 Dynamos (ZIM)
King Faisal Babes win 5-0 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: G. Buffaloes (ZAM) 6-1 Motema Pembe (DRC)
26/04/04: Motema Pembe (DRC) 2-1 G. Buffaloes (ZAM) Green Buffaloes win 7-3 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Express (UGA) 1-1 Lobi Stars (NGR)
25/04/04: Lobi Stars (NGR) 3-0 Express (UGA)
Lobi Stars win 4-1 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Deportivo (GEQ) 1-1 Stella (CIV)
25/04/04: Stella (CIV) 2-0 Deportivo (GEQ)
Stella win 3-1 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Nasr (LBA) 1-0 Enugu Rangers (NGR)
25/04/04: Enugu Rangers (NGR) 4-0 Nasr (LBA)
Enugu Rangers win 4-1 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Etoile Guinea (GUI) 1-0 Belouizdad (ALG)
24/04/04: Belouizdad (ALG) 2-1 Etoile Guinea (GUI)
2-2 on aggregate: Etoile Guinea win on away goals

9-11/04/04: FAR Rabat (MAR) 3-0 Olympic (NIG)
24/04/04: Olympic (NIG) 2-3 FAR Rabat (MOR)
FAR win 6-2 on aggregate

9-11/04/04: Mtibwa (TAN) 0-3 Santos (RSA)
24-25/04/04: Santos FC (RSA) v Mtibwa (TAN)
Match abandoned: Santos advance after Mtibwa withdraw due to financial problems

Preliminary round Results:

05/03/04: Entente (MTN) 0-2 Etoile Guinea (GUI)
19-21/03/04: Etoile Guinea (GUI) 2-0 Entente (MTN)
Etoile win 4-0 on aggregate

06/03/04: Olympic Real Bangui (CAR) v Petro Huambo (ANG)
Petro Huambo advance after CAR clubs withdraw

06/03/04: Stade Tunisien (TUN) 6-0 Thies (SEN)
19-21/03/04: Thies (SEN) 3-0 Stade Tunisien (TUN)
Stade Tunisien win 6-3 on aggregate

06/03/04: St Louis (SEY) 2-2 Leopards Transfoot (MAD)
19-21/03/04: Leopards Transfoot (MAD) 4-0 St Louis (SEY)
Leopards Transfoot win 6-2 on aggregate

06/03/04: Chemilil Sugar (KEN) 0-2 Mtibwa Sugar (TAN)
19-21/03/04: Mtibwa Sugar (TAN) 2-1 Chemilil Sugar (KEN)
Mtibwa win 4-1 on aggregate

06/03/04: Savanne (MRI) 0-0 Dynamos (ZIM)
19-21/03/04: Dynamos (ZIM) 3-0 Savanne (MRI)
Dynamos win 3-0 on aggregate

06/03/04: Al Merreikh (SUD) 1-0 Green Buffaloes (ZAM)
19-21/03/04: Green Bufflaloes (ZAM) 2-0 Al Merreikh (SUD)
Green Buffaloes win 2-1 on aggregate

06/03/04: Express (UGA) 2-1 Coffee (ETH)
19-21/03/04: Coffee (ETH) 0-0 Express (UGA)
Express win 2-1 on aggregate

06/03/04: Diables Noirs (CGO) 2-2 Deportivo Mongomo (GEQ)
19-21/03/04: Deportivo Mongomo (GEQ) 0-0 Diables Noirs (CGO)
Aggregate score 2-2. Deportivo Mongomo win on away goals rule

06/03/04: Mogas '90 (BEN) 1-0 Al-Nasr (LBA)
19-21/03/04: Al-Nasr (LBA) 5-0 Mogas '90 (BEN)
Al Nasr win 5-1 on aggregate

06/03/04: Djoliba (MLI) 1-0 Wallidan (GAM)
19-21/03/04: Wallidan (GAM) 3-1 Djoliba (MLI)
Wallidan win 3-2 on aggregate

06/03/04: Bouafle (CIV) 3-2 Olympic (NIG)
19-21/03/04: Olympic (NIG) 1-0 Bouafle (CIV)
Aggregate score 3-3. Olympic win on away goals rule

07/03/04: Kiyovu Sport (RWA) 0-1 USM (GAB)
19-21/03/04: USM (GAB) 2-1 Kiyovu Sport (RWA)
USM win 3-1 on aggregate

07/03/04: Etoile Filante (BUR) 2-0 Dynamic (TOG)
19-21/03/04: Dynamic (TOG) 0-0 Etoile Filante (BUR)
Etoile Filante win 2-0 on aggregate

07/03/04: Ferroviario Nampula (MOZ) 1-3 Wits University (RSA)
19-21/03/04: Wits University (RSA) 4-0 Ferroviario Nampula (MOZ)
Wits University win 7-1 on aggregate

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Chinese challenge one-child policy

When Niu Jian Fang and Jiao Na got married they knew China's rules – one couple, one child.

A woman can only give birth once.

So, four years ago, Jiao Na got pregnant and gave birth to a son, Bei Bei.

And then a few minutes later she had a daughter, Jin Jin, then another son Huan Huan, a second daughter, Ying Ying, and finally another girl, Ni Ni.

She and her husband beat China's one-child policy by having quintuplets.

But life has not been easy for them.

Their small farm does not bring in much money.

They have had to give Ying Ying to a relative because they cannot afford to raise all five children on their own.

Still, they managed to beat China's system. But they are reluctant to explain how they did it.

Fertility drugs

"What's your secret?" I ask them.

Niu Jian Fang stares ahead. Jiao Na laughs nervously.

"Difficult to say," she answers.

No-one here in Buffalo village wants to say it openly, but privately families admit they use fertility drugs to get round the one-child limit.

One woman says her parents-in-law put the drugs into her food to make sure she would conceive twins.

This is a farming village – families need more than one child to help till the land.

Because of the fertility drugs, this village has more twins on one single street than you would expect to find in the entire village.

Just down the road from the quintuplets' house, there is Lou Yuan Mei and her two-year-old twins, Lin Kai and Lin Da, dressed in identical orange jumpsuits.

A few doors down, Wu Xiaofang is happy to pick up and show off her baby twins, Jiao Jiao and Fei Fan.

'Easily available'

Near the village, the records of the county maternity hospital are filled with lists of multiple pregnancies.

Dr Guo Gui Fen turns the handwritten pages slowly and points to the name of each mother who conceived twins or even triplets. "We've seen a huge rise in the number of twins in recent years," she says.

"That's all because of the fertility drugs that are easily available."

Just across the road from the hospital, there is a chemist which sells drugs to Buffalo village and to other nearby villages.

I head into the shop to test how easy it is to buy the tablets without a prescription.

"One box?" asks the shop assistant.

"Just one," I reply.

She asks no more questions and heads off to get the last remaining box of Clomifene Citrate Capsules, which costs just 7.5 RMB ($1).

The assistant takes the money and hands me the box of tablets. It is that simple to get hold of fertility drugs in this part of China.

Resentment

China introduced its one-child policy in 1980 because it was worried about its ability to feed a growing population.

In towns and cities, the policy is often strictly enforced.

Some women are sterilised after they give birth to their first child.

Others have been forced to have abortions if they get pregnant for a second time.

Couples face heavy fines if they go ahead and have a second child.

There are some exemptions, however, with families from ethnic minorities allowed more than one child.

Some rural families are also permitted to try for a son if their first child is a daughter.

But those Chinese who are limited to just one child increasingly resent the policy.

In modern China, more and more people object to the state telling them what to do.

Riots

On 19 May, the residents of Bobai, a town in China's southern Guanxi Province, rose up against the policy.

Communist Party officials started going house to house to collect fines for having a second child.

According to reports, the officials tried to intimidate rule-breakers into paying, but locals fought back by burning cars and destroying official buildings.

Many Chinese would prefer to avoid this kind of confrontation with the state, which is still hugely powerful.

That is why so many choose to take fertility drugs in the hope of a multiple pregnancy.

If you have all your children in one go in China, you do not have to worry about a fine and a fight with the Communist Party.

The Chinese government insists its one-child policy has to remain in place for many more years, as it believes it is the only viable way of controlling the country's population.

But with fertility drugs, the people of Buffalo village have now found their own reliable way of beating the system.

Libya’s economic rewards of rehabilitation

While the Americans wait, the Belgians talk businesses at one of many recent international trade conferences in Tripoli.

They are hoping to snap up deals to build roads, railways, telecommunication systems and a $125m jetty for gas exploration.

The delegation is led by the former minister for foreign trade, Robert Urbain.

So does Monsieur Urbain feel at all guilty about doing deals with the Libyans while American businesses are barred by sanctions?

The answer is definitely "Non".

"All European countries have been encouraged by the US not to do trade with this country.

"But in fact the Americans are very present."

Investments

Indeed, despite decades of icy relations between the two nations, Libya still honours a string of major oil concessions held by American companies.

And the US has protected its investments by threatening to fine foreign firms that make heavy investments in oil here while it is shut out.

Though with Libya seeking around $10 bn of foreign investment in oil there should be plenty for all, and not only in that industry.

I visited a beach west of Tripoli, one of many on a coastline which stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres.

Most of it is unspoilt and deserted, but if Tripoli and its tourism minister Ammar Ltaief have their way, it could soon be teeming with tourists.

"It's clear tourism is going to be an important new source of income for Libya.

"We want to encourage the building of new hotels and the rapid improvement of facilities here."

Booze ban

Libya's tourism minister is a man with big plans and he'll stop at very little to achieve them.

Eight-year tax breaks are on offer to tempt foreign investors and many are apparently biting his hand off.

One British firm is currently negotiating permission to build a 500 hectare tourist complex, complete with a luxury marina, golf courses and fitness clubs.

But isn't the minister aware that his country continues to have something of an image problem, not helped by strict laws banning booze and bikinis? "People coming here in the summer will find men and women wearing shorts – it's quite acceptable, Ammar Ltaief said.

"Alcohol here is prohibited, but maybe in the future we'll take another look at the issue.

"It's not a barrier to tourism."

But one visitor here, Virgin boss Richard Branson, who is thinking of opening a new air route between London and Tripoli, issues a note of caution.

He believes anyone thinking of investing large amounts of cash in socialist Libya might need a stiff drink given the current absence of clear legal protection for their money.

"Without a legal framework no company will invest here – quite a lot of companies got burnt in the past.

"Once the legal framework is in place, the world will realise Libya is deadly serious and a lot will come and invest in this country," Mr Branson said.

Though it might be advisable for the government to hide Colonel Gaddafi's little green book, because it says: "The recognition of profit is an acknowledgement of exploitation."

Supporting privatisation

Tripoli's army of minibus drivers seem to have gone off message, if their enthusiastic attempts to drum up passing trade are anything to go by.

And they're joined by the country's Harvard-educated Prime Minister, Shukri Ghanem, who after 34 years of state-controlled everything is actually talking of privatisation.

"The best thing is to privatise the economy by supporting private endeavour."

The voice of country and western star Kenny Rogers blasts from a shabby music stall in one of Tripoli's outdoor markets.

But whilst the music may be western, the wages are not.

Most government workers – almost everybody – haven't had a significant pay rise for twenty years.

And there are few jobs for the many well-educated people being turned out in their droves by the country's education system.

But on the bright side, huge subsidies mean food is cheap, the weather is good and the Dinar is down.

And if Tony Blair goes through with his trip Tripoli later this year, it is a fine place for a holiday, according to the minister for tourism.

"Blair could come here at any time – he will get a very warm greeting in Libya."

Rapid take-up on Windows’ Safari

Apple's new web browser for Windows was downloaded more than a million times in the first 48 hours of its release, the computer group has said.

The Windows version of Apple's Safari will compete head-on with Microsoft's Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox and expand the 4.9% market share it enjoys.

Steve Jobs launched "the fastest browser on Windows", saying it was twice as fast as Internet Explorer.

It was previously only available for Macintosh computers.

A test version of Safari 3 for Windows XP, Vista and Apple Macs running OSX, is available for download from the Apple website.

Apple is hoping to replicate the success of iTunes, which has proved enormously popular on both Macs and Windows machines.

Security researchers say they have already found numerous loopholes in the browser which might possibly allow attackers access to users' computers.

On Tuesday, Apple issued an update to the program, to fix some of the potential security flaws.

Facebook users warned about ads

Credit companies are using the Facebook social networking site to target young people, a debt charity has warned.

Credit Action says adverts promising cheap loans for people with poor credit ratings are appearing on the site and many break advertising regulations.

In particular, they are promoting two new products – payday loans secured against a salary or logbook loans secured against a car, it says.

The charity has made a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading.

Credit Action says many of the adverts contravene UK credit advertising regulations, usually by failing to give details of interest rates.

It is now advising Facebook users to warn the website about adverts which break the rules.

A charity spokesman said: "Social networking sites, Facebook in particular, have become hugely popular in recent times, and not just with users.

"Lots of credit companies, especially payday and logbook loans companies, are using the medium to advertise their products.

"It is such a popular method because they can target young people with whom the site is so popular."

'Make it clear'

Chairman of Credit Action's board of trustees, Malcolm Hurlston, said that advertising rules "are there for a reason".

He added: "They are there to make it clear to people from the beginning what they are letting themselves in for."

Mr Hurlston also said some adverts do include the rates of APR but only in the frequently asked questions section, and not prominently on the advert, which is what the rules require.

BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones says the adverts are being placed at a time when it has become harder to borrow from traditional sources.

Facebook, along with its main rivals Bebo and MySpace, lets users set up personal web pages and communicate with each other.

It has an estimated 50 million members worldwide and figures released earlier this year suggest that it has 8.5 million UK-based users.

Read a selection of your comments on this story:

I'm a Facebook user and I think its ridiculous how credit companies can advertise such high rate APR loans on a social network site who's main audience is teenagers and young adults. The majority are students who have a poor credit rating anyway, they're like vultures waiting for vulnerable young adults, these kind of credit companies do more harm than good, instead of helping improve credit situations, in most cases, they make it worse. If someone has a poor credit rating it is because they cannot control their own spending, so by giving them MORE money it's a disaster waiting to happen
Pally, Wolverhampton

I saw an advert for Payday UK and attempted to go through their application form. Once I had completed all of the required fields it asked me to enter an authorisation code that was sent by SMS. This code did not arrive and when I queried this with the helpline I got the answer that I needed to send a copy of my passport to them despite it being all over the site that no documentation was needed. At this point I got cold feet and asked them to remove my details as I was not going to complete the process. To this I was told they are legally oblidged to keep my account details (bank & debit card) on file for 6 years. I am not happy and am trying to ascertain whether this is legal or not.
Jon Poste, Leicester

I recently complained to the FSA regarding PayDay UK, who offer loans at 1355% APR. It seems unreal. On their website they also provide information about what apr means – but this is totally misleading. They compare borrowing money over a 3 or 5 year period with their charges for one month, and suggest that their rates are cheaper! The FSA's response was: "Neither the FSA nor the OFT can intervene in or investigate complaints against firms on behalf of the public…To make a complaint against the firm you should complain to the firm…" I am sure that the firm, PayDay UK, are fully aware that they are targeting young people who have no knowledge or understanding of finances. I am also sure that the firm feels no remorse for preying on the vulnerabilities of their victims. Evidently, all PayDay UK obviously care about is money. What then is the point of making a complaint to them, and detailing the above? I suspect their response might be something like: "Dear Damian, thank you for your compliments! If you would like to arrange a loan with us we would be more than happy to prey on you too!" I strongly feel that there should be laws implemented to prevent these kinds of companies operating. I also feel that Facebook should be ashamed of making money by allowing these companies to advertise on their site.
Damian, Sheffield

I think it is wrong, there are so many people preparing to go to uni at this time of year, and they may think, well if i get a loan i will be able to afford it. Its wrong and i feel personally that it is taking advantage of the younger generations.
Victoria , Grimsby

I saw an advert where you can take out a loan as little as £70 to bout £2000. I was tempted to borrow jus £100 as I was skint that week and you can't really borrow small amounts of money like that anywhere else. I don't think it's a good idea. I just saw it and wanted it because I could.
Charlotte, Newport South Wales

The Facebook advertising piece gives only limited space for text for advertisers. As there is not enough space to meet regulatory requirements in the ads and deliver a marketing message, it makes sense for Facebook to refuse ads from the financial services sector. Maybe also they should publish a code of conduct to all other advertisers which includes Advertising Standards Agency guidelines and before Facebook publish ads they confirm compliance against these. Ian Hendry
Ian Hendry, London, UK

I noticed an advert for a 'payday' loan on facebook, and out of curiosity I clicked on it to find out what it was – i was shocked by how misleading the marketing of the loan was; it was cleverly done and could easily dupe vulnerable or naive individuals. The value of the loans is low and it just seems like a completely pointless product, but I was left stunned when i discovered the APR breakdown: a whopping 1380%. That's no typo!
Tom, London

Facebook is responsive to user suggestions and complaints. I was offended by a particular set of ads for "meet the babe of your dreams" and emailed them; the ads stopped appearing on my profile within hours. I am sure that Facebook will respond equally well to Credit Action's complaint. This highlights a wider issue over US adverts appearing in a UK context, something the technology should be able to solve if done right.
Stuart, Staffordshire

I find using Firefox and AdBlock you can set it so that you don't see the ads. Parents could set it up if they wanted so kids didn't see them at all.
John, Teesside, UK

You should be aware of the fact that not all Facebook users are "Young People". Personally, I'm 54 and quite a lot of my friends of similar age use it to stay in touch. These ads don't bother me, they're just part of the background noise of using the net. After all, someone has to pay for the upkeep of the system and I'd rather it was advertisers than me.
Steff, Yeovil, UK

Have we lost all power of free will? There's nobody pointing a gun to your head threatening to pull the trigger if you don't click on one of these ads and take up the loan they advertise! You can click on it, see the interest rate is humongous and close the page – or not click on it at all if you can't afford credit, simple as that.
Dino Mavridis, Manchester, UK

I've seen the ads, I should think most people have. I didn't think they were illegal and if they are they should be removed. However, I can't help thinking, if you are silly enough to take one of these loans when they are so obviously an unregulated scam…. you deserve the obvious outcome!
Sara Daintree, Manchester, UK

I use Facebook and have certainly noticed the advertising boom since its early days. The ads are often targeted, as keywords on your profile are used, but also often not at all and are just general. Sometimes they are actually useful; I'm a gamer and sometimes good offers come up. Other times it's things like these debt ads. I had noticed the payday loans and do think it's disgusting that this kind of ad is allowed when users are generally of a young age and we're mostly in debt from University anyway!!
M Baker, London, England

Click Tips

Rob Freeman, Click Online's very own Mr Fixit, troubleshoots your PC problems.

At the birth of the web one piece of software had the monopoly on surfing the internet. Developed by America's National Centre for Supercomputing Applications, it was called Mosaic. The authors went on to write Netscape, which quickly became the online world's new browser of choice.

Over a decade later, there is still one browser with a massive monopoly. It is called Internet Explorer, and the way it works is getting some of our viewers really annoyed.

Jeff Jones sent this to us:

I'm really fed up of pop-up windows. How can I stop them? They are killing IT for me.

And then there's this one from Debra Lodoen in France:

I get a lot of pop-up boxes when I'm online. I always ignore them and click the close button even if they interest me. Are any safe to open? Some of these increasingly frequent pop-ups are annoying and intrusive and I am worried that they will download something that will wreak havoc with my PC.

Debra, you are probably wise to ignore them, because there is a distinct chance that one of them may not be what it appears and may contain what is known as a drive-by download.

If you do see something interesting that pops up in front of you while surfing, it is still probably safer to look it up separately by doing a web search.

But pop-up windows take advantage of the fact that most versions of Internet Explorer cannot block them. So why not try a new browser? Internet Explorer is not the only one, there are other browsers out there which do exactly the same job, some would argue a better job.

First is the fastest growing new browser at the moment. It is called Firefox and it is the only browser for many years to come close to threatening Microsoft since Netscape disappeared from widespread use.

Many of our viewers have e-mailed to recommend this. It is free to download and to use.

The main thing that has brought on the take-up of Firefox is Microsoft's own shaky record when it comes to security. Firefox is Open Source which means there is an opportunity for anyone to examine the code for potential problems, and fix them.

It is resistant to spyware and comes with an effective pop-up blocker and is just over 4mb – probably between 10 and 20 minutes download time if you have a slow modem.

And it is not just for Windows users, as there are versions Linux and OSX, and many language versions, including Turkish, Polish and Swedish.

Another contender is Opera, already the browser of choice in a lot of handheld computers and internet phones because it is less than a megabyte to download. There are Linux, Windows and Mac versions as well.

Mac users also have the speedy Safari, also Open Source, which can be downloaded from Apple's website It is just for OSX, so you guys can rub your hands and feel just that little bit more special that you get something all to yourselves!

Incidentally, changing your browser does not mean losing all your personal web bookmarks.

Many browsers make a copy of these during the install process, but you can make Internet Explorer create a file containing all your favourites, which can be useful to import into any browser, or as a backup.

Start at the File menu, and choose Import and Export. You will get a welcome screen, and then you will need to choose Export Favourites from the Options.

Internet Explorer will then show you the Favourites folder, and if you have made any sub-folders for special categories then you can export these separately if you want to.

Otherwise, just press the Next button and browse to where you would like the file to be stored. The result will be a single file containing all your bookmarks which you can use on a different browser, or share with someone else.

If you have any questions or queries, please visit our "Contact us" page to get in touch.

Click Online is broadcast on BBC News 24: Saturday at 0745, 2030, Sunday at 0430, 0645 and 1630, and on Monday at 0030. It is also shown on BBC Two: Saturday at 0745 and BBC One: Sunday at 0645. Also BBC World.

Browser aims to open up the web

The key developers behind forthcoming changes to the Firefox browser reveal their plans for how the popular program will change.

The difference between online and offline, the web and the desktop will blur in the near future, Mozilla's Mike Schroepfer has said.

The vice-president of engineering at the home of the Firefox browser said small changes to the way the web works will have a big impact in the coming years.

"Things that are impossible or hard to do now, will be possible or very easy," he said.

Big plans

Firefox is the world's second-most popular browser with a 12% market share.

"We have got planned road maps for next three to four years at least and that's over the horizon that we can see," said Mr Schroepfer.

"If you think of your browser fundamentally as your gateway to the web then we must ask, 'What are the capabilities of the web? Are we done evolving the web?'

"The answer to that is 'absolutely no'."

One of the biggest changes to the way people use the web will surface in the third release of Firefox.

"I have been demonstrating recently support for using web applications offline – the ability to take your web-based e-mail, calendar, RSS feeds and access all the old content even when I don't have net access."

With more and more people using web-based applications rather than desktop software their usefulness often stops when access to the net ends.

"Perhaps I am on an airplane, wi-fi access is bad. It happens a lot when you travel.

"Accessing data at all times is one of the things you can do on the desktop, but you can't do on the web today.

"We are going to remove that block when Firefox 3 ships."

Community change

Firefox is an open source browser built by a community of developers around the world – about 2,000 contributed code to Firefox 2 and tens of thousands of people test nightly versions of Firefox.

Mr Schroepfer said the release of JavaScript 2 – the fundamental technology that powers many of the advanced features of the web – would have a big impact on the flexibility of web applications.

"People are doing these things now in spite of the technology. We want technology on the web to catch up with people's creativity.

"What we're just seeing today people are building on browser technology of four years ago."

Data games

Mozilla is also experimenting with using structured data on the web so that applications can use data intelligently.

Knowing the difference between a phone number or an address, for example, makes that information more valuable and flexible.

"With a little bit of structured data we can add things automatically from web pages to calendars, or you can click to dial with Voip, or export an address to contacts.

"We only need minor tweaks to web pages to get that to work."

More long term, Mozilla is working on making the web a much more three-dimensional world.

"For Firefox 4, we're working on a lot of innovations to advance the state of graphics and text rendering on the web," Brendan Eich, chief technical officer of the Mozilla Foundation, told the BBC's Digital Planet recently.

Users can expect Firefox to improve its display with developments in "smooth text and magazine-style layout".

Adobe and Microsoft are currently developing 3D rendering engines for webpages and desktop applications but Mr Eich stressed that these technologies should be developed as open source software.

"It should be done in an open standard way that all browsers can implement. You shouldn't have to get a proprietary run-time to take advantage of these features."

Mr Schroepfer said that the work to create and develop an open source browser solution continued.

"The game isn't over, the war isn't won.

"A lot of things we believe in around security and privacy we don't see implemented in other browsers."

With 500,000 copies of Firefox downloaded each day, it would seem a lot of people agree with him.

BBC ON THIS DAY | 11 | 1961: Eichmann’s trial – a witness account

Jewish artist Yehuda Bacon was born in 1929 in Moravska Ostrava, Czechoslovakia.

He witnessed the Nazi deportation of Jews from his home town, and was himself sent to the Czech ghetto Theresienstadt in 1942, on the orders of Adolf Eichmann.

A year later, Mr Bacon and his family were transported to Auschwitz concentration camp. The artist's account and drawings of his experiences were used in evidence against Eichmann.

In 1959 I gave a testimony to the holocaust museum Yad Vashem. They asked people who had been in the camps to tell their story.

They recorded me on tape and when they transcribed it, there were about 78 pages.

These pages were in the archive and when they caught Eichmann, they went through the archive and looked for people who could be useful for the trial.

When they found my account they asked me to be a witness.

The disappeared

I told my story – how I came to Theresienstadt, what happened before, what was the daily life, what happened to the children and my meetings with Jacob Edelstein [the Jewish elder of the ghetto].

They were very interested to know at the trial if I knew how Edelstein was later killed.

We came to Auschwitz at the end of 1943 when they created the so-called "family camps".

Before then there were no children or old people in Auschwitz, and the reason this camp was created was because the Germans thought the International Red Cross [IRC] would like to see what happened to all these people who disappeared.

But we were given a paper when we arrived stamped SB: Sonderbehandlung or "special treatment for six months".

In the language of Auschwitz this meant we should have been killed only after six months.

The IRC came and they were so impressed because Germany put on such a wonderful show for them and everything was beautiful – music and so on.

Of course everything was a great theatre and lie – after six months we knew exactly which day we would be killed.

But at the last minute they chose from the boys a group of about 90 children. They were selected most probably in case the IRC asked what had happened to the children.

From this group only a few survived.

The children had to do all kinds of jobs. In the crematoria, there were wooden huge logs which were actually for burning people, but we took these logs for heating into the different camps.

When we were in the crematoria and nobody was there, late in the autumn when it was rather cold the Kapo said:

"Children, you have finished your jobs and nobody's in the gas chamber so if you are cold you can warm yourself there."

I was a curious child – I went there and I tried to remember everything I saw.

Cannibalism

I asked the people who worked in the crematoria as prisoners what it was and they explained it to me.

I remembered it very well and in 1945 I made drawings of it all. The last time these were used was at the [David] Irving trial in London.

Another job was to take the ashes from the crematoria in colder months and throw it on the frozen paths so that people wouldn't slip so easily – I was asked about that in the Eichmann trial.

I was also asked about when we were evacuated from Auschwitz to the other concentration camp Mauthausen – the so-called "death marches" – and the cannibalism I witnessed at Mauthausen.

Duty

I never had any special interest in the trial – I was only interested in art.

But the people from the crematoria had told me a story they didn't want to tell.

"Why do you need it? Nobody will be able to come out of here," they said.

But I told them, "You never know, maybe one day I will be free and I will tell about you."

'Tremendous evil'

So I felt obliged to tell their stories – I thought it was my duty.

Of course I was very tense. I observed Eichmann and even made a drawing of him in one of the sessions, but I didn't have any special feelings for him.

I hoped that by telling this story some good things would happen.

My question is, "What can you do? How can you avoid this tremendous evil?" And my answer is through education, through personal relationships and through hoping it will not occur again.