Your Technology

LEAVE YOUR JOYSTICK AT HOME Any of the 5 million people who own Wing Commander, the perennially popular space-wars game for the PC, could imagine that its developer, Chris Roberts, had big aspirations. After all, this is the guy who created an elaborate futuristic world where humans battle the evil Kilrathi race across the galaxy. At last Roberts' cyberfantasies get the colossal scale they deserve in the movie version of his game, opening Friday. Expect dazzling effects in this, the first PC game adapted for film.

FREQUENT SURFER MILES If you're the kind of bargain hunter who would switch your long-distance carrier to get extra frequent-flyer miles, then CyberGold's new Earn & Spend program, at

, may be up your alley. Consumers willing to try various online promotions--like getting a price quote from online car dealer Autobytel or performing a Web search on the Ask Jeeves search engine--can earn $2 to $8 for each task, which accrues in an online account and can be used to buy legal forms (like wills or leases), MP3 songs, or screen savers.

CHEAPER GAS, PUMPED FOR YOU Hate jumping out of your car to pump gas, but rather not pay for full service? This summer, Shell Oil plans to test its Smart Pump automatic fueling system, in which a large robotic arm opens your gas cap, fills the tank, closes the cap, and bills your credit card, all in about three minutes, while you relax or buy coffee. First available in Indianapolis, the Smart Pump will require a special gas cap (installed by Shell) and will read a sensor installed in the car window to detect your fuel type, locate your gas cap and charge your credit card.