There is a lot of debate — and some scientific controversy — on whether radiation from cell phones is damaging to health.

While the scientific evidence is so far inconclusive and incomplete, a lot of people are scared of the radiation. Still most balance the possible threat with the practical advantages of cell phones — and come down in favour of using them.

Still the fact is cell phones emit more or less radiation depending on what model you buy. CNet has put together a great guide rating most of the main models sold in the US so that you can decide that balance for yourself.

The chart uses a 'Specific Absorption Rate' (SAR), a standard way of measuring the quantity of radiofrequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body.

For a phone to get US certification, it must have a maximum SAR level of less than 1.6 watts per kilogramme (W/kg), the same as Canada. Europe's maximum is 2W/kg.

Cnet ranks the Motorola V195s, at 1.6W/kg, as the highest emitter of RF.

In fact six Motorola models are in the top seven positions of the ranking of highest emitters, a good reason for the manufacturer to consider reworking its phones.

The top 10 lowest emitters range from the LG KG800 (0.135 W/kg) to the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 (0.5 W/kg), a big difference from the highest emitters.

You can find your cell phone model here: (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6602_7-5020355-1.html)

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Ion Audio's range of USB archiving turntables, released this year, are a great combination of the new and the 'retro'.

The Ion Audio range cross the barrier for those of us who like the convenience of digital, and want to save their collection from wearing out.

For example the ION TTUSB05, at $100, connects to your computer's USB port. You then use the included software to record and digitalise your music, before transferring it to CDs or portable media players. You can also use the included Audacity software to edit the digitalised tracks, for example to remove the clicks, hisses and other noises from your recordings.

The TTUSB05 also has a standard, RCA line output so you connect to a home stereo or home theatre system to listen to your records directly.

As an aside, it's hard to believe that I now work with a lot of younger people who have never heard the sound that can come out of a properly cut record. I'm starting to feel 'old fogiesh'.

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I note with some pleasure that Hitachi is slowly exiting the personal computer business. The first laptop I ever bought was a Hitachi model, which promptly failed twice on me. I ended up spending enormous amounts sending it to be fixed after spending a small fortune on the phone with the company's tech support, if you could call it that.

On the second new machine they sent me, the CD reader did not work. At that point I gave up and accepted that there was no use in beating my head against a lemon, and switched to a more reliable maker.

Speaking of laptops, here's a reason, if you needed it, to always back up your machine regularly, especially if it is critical to your business.

Paul Croucher, the co-owner of Croucher Brewing Company in New Zealand, had his laptop stolen on 15 October from his office. The company made the news because Croucher is now offering a lifetime supply of 12 bottles of beer a month (surely not a generous offer) to anyone able to name the thief, or recover the laptop.

The laptop contained all the new label designs Croucher had been working on, along with financial information, and contact details. Croucher had backed up the computer, but the data was not up to date.

Back up, or cry in your beers to your buddies at the bar.

Send any of your comments on technology to Ahmed at elamin.ahmed[AT]gmail.com.