However, one thing you have to do when ostensibly reviewing products is to let go of any previous biases. So, when Dopod sent over its new C800 handheld, I said: why not? But, honestly, the handset impresses on a lot of fronts-e-mailing over a WLAN network is relatively easy and the handset does have some very nice games.

Functional keyboard: Plus, and this is important really, I did like the form factor. Okay, it's a bit big, but for a handset with a sliding qwerty keyboard, it is actually quite small. I remember seeing a T-Mobile Sidekick with a friend, and that really looked like a brick. The keyboard is very functional and you get used to using it fairly fast.

Connectivity problem: But, and there always has to be one in reviews, the Dopod did disappoint me on one major count. In fact, this became a rather aggravating factor. The phone, or at least the piece I had, had this terrible habit of losing GSM connectivity for long periods of time. And because this happened without warning when the phone was nestled happily in my pocket, I had no clue when it became a signal-less toy.

The situation did not improve even when I soft-booted (pressed the power button off and on) the device. Sometimes, it didn't improve with a hard-boot (removing the battery and the SIM card), but when I put the SIM into my plasticy unsmart handset it worked quite fine. This situation was weird because it worked fine one day and the next I wouldn't have a signal for three hours in the middle of Delhi. This is a problem you neither anticipate nor really put down to something being too complicated.

The Dopod C800 is a phone that does lots of things, but it is a phone at heart, and on that front it didn't do the job very well. So really, other than show-off ability, I'd still rather get a Nokia E-series, BlackBerry Pearl or, maybe, wait for the Motorola Q if I were going in for a smart phone. Price: At Rs 45,101, it is crazily expensive!

Sad, because I did spend a lot of happy hours playing Bubble Breaker on the phone.

Joost

This promises to revolutionise the way we consume media online. Joost, the latest offering from the guys who brought you Kazaa and Skype, is a unique program that allows a cloud of users to share the bandwidth required for hosting online video content and, thus, lighten the load on the central server-diametrically opposite to the way YouTube and its ilk share videos.

I have been using (albeit not too much, I have to admit) the beta of Joost that I signed up for when it was still called something sinister-The Venice Project. While the project seems nice as does the entire concept of "sharing" bandwidth, and image quality is far superior to almost all other video-sharing sites online, there is just not enough content.

Live content: That said, this is in the very early stages of beta testing and we are told that more content is on its way, including "Live" content. But the question I was beginning to ask is: will Joost be the final push towards making 'You' into broadcasters? I don't know, and even if it does, it may not happen tomorrow; but maybe, for broadcasters, services like Joost give a terrifying glimpse into the future. Joost is expected to do a wider-beta test in the next couple of months.

Anyway, for more, check out the blog at printedcircuit.blogspot.com

TREADMILL
Treadmill's 10 Tips for Beginners

I've been getting quite a few e-mails from readers who want to begin an exercise programme but don't know how to start. The year's still young so I thought this could be a good time to do a checklist for those who want to start working out. Here goes Treadmill's 10-point start-up kit for beginners.

1. Health Check-up. This is vitally important before you set out on an exercise programme-be it at the gym or even if you are planning to workout at home or outdoors on your own. If you smoke or have high cholesterol or blood pressure levels, diabetes or any other ailment, it is essential that you ask your doctor for advice before training.

2. Fix A Goal. If you set a target-say, fitting into an old pair of jeans (size 32") or lopping off 10 kg from your weight or even being able to run a kilometre in 6 minutes, you will have something to aim for while you're on the exercise regime. Without a goal, you could end up skipping workouts.

3. Start Easy. It doesn't matter how much weight the guy or the gal next to you is lifting in the gym or how fast they are running on the treadmill. You should begin with easy levels that you can do without taking on too much stress. Start with small steps and they'll soon turn into giant ones.

4. Get Gear. While a pair of good, new sneakers and comfortable yet sweat-absorbing clothes is essential workout wear, a new set of these can give your ego and image a burnish and keep you motivated.

5. Guzzle Water. As you workout-whether you're running, cycling or lifting weights-you lose water through increased sweating and you have to replenish this because that's what gives your muscles the fuel to grow. Besides, dehydration can wreak havoc with your body.

6. Maintain Form. Whether you are exercising with weights or merely running or jogging, you need to maintain proper form and follow the right technique. If an experienced trainer is unavailable, look for good books for beginners. Investing in some of them will bring good returns.

7. Avoid Over-training. Many beginners tend to push themselves too hard. You should gradually go from easy to difficult and not strain your body too much. Use moderate weights for lifting and don't overdo your stints on the treadmill or cycle.

8. Take Breaks. As a rule, avoid exercising the same group of muscles again unless you've rested them for 48 hours so that they get a chance to recover from the stress of the previous session.

9. Avoid 'Magic' Potions. Don't get swayed by advertisers hawking miracle powders or supplements that promise to give you big muscles. Many of these are useless and some may even be harmful.

10. Watch Your Diet. No, I don't mean you should eat like an anorexic runway model but you should have a balanced diet. Eat several smaller meals rather than a few huge ones.

11. (The Bonus Point!). If you want to know more, you know who to e-mail (Hint: See below!).

Caveat: The physical exercises described in Treadmill are not recommendations. Readers should exercise caution and consult a physician before attempting to follow any of these.

EAT OUT, BUT STAY HEALTHY

Eating out is fun and relaxing, provided you know the dos and don'ts. Try these tried-and-tested tips:

Never go hungry. "Eat a fruit on the way to the restaurant. This way, you will never gorge," says Dr Anoop Misra, Senior Consultant, Fortis Hospital.

Start sensibly. Drink at least one glass of water or iced tea before eating your meal. This helps your digestive process, and, because you'll feel full sooner, you will eat less. "Otherwise, drink soup first. It will help you eat less," adds Dr Misra.

Size does matter. The bigger the portions, the easier it is to eat more than you need. Instead of ordering a huge pizza, go for the mid-size one, instead.

Snack smartly. Healthy snacking doesn't have to be boring as long as you give yourself a variety of choices. When ordering sandwiches, order them with mustard, rather than with mayonnaise. Substitute non-fat frozen yogurt for ice-cream.

Be salad-savvy. Although vegetables are great, salads can also be full of fat. "Select dark, leafy greens, raw vegetables, fruits, and cottage cheese. Use fat-free dressing or low-fat dressing in small amounts," says Dr Misra.

Menu check. If you want everything on the menu, it will show in your arteries and dress size. Endless pasta may be your idea of bliss, but it's a scary prospect to those of us who overeat.

Bar basics. "To help keep alcohol consumption within limits, drink half a glass of plain water after every drink; this will also help prevent dehydration," says Dr Misra.

-Manu Kaushik