[Book] Pro Linux System Administration

This book reached my door yesterday. I bought it from Amazon for USD31.49. 1,025 pages added to my technical library. E-books are great, but if you can afford paper then go paper.

May the FOSS be with us!

[ZDnet] Microsoft confirms 'detailed' Windows 7 exploit.

Ryan Naraine wrote ...
Microsoft has issued a security advisory to acknowledge a crippling denial-of-service flaw affecting its newest operating systems — Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4938&tag=nl.e019

TOP500 List - November 2009

The TOP500 table shows the 500 most powerful known and commercially available computer systems. 

SkyNet not included.

http://www.top500.org/lists/2009/11

[Reuters] Pigeon transfers data faster than South Africa's Telkom.

The whole article here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSTRE5885PM20090909

Local news agency SAPA reported the 11-month-old pigeon, Winston, took one hour and eight minutes to fly the 80 km (50 miles) from Unlimited IT's offices near Pietermaritzburg to the coastal city of Durban with a data card was strapped to his leg.

 

Including downloading, the transfer took two hours, six minutes and 57 seconds -- the time it took for only four percent of the data to be transferred using a Telkom line.

[SUN] Migrating from Microsoft Office to OpenOffice.org or StarOffice 9.

This brief (16-page PDF) whitepaper from Sun Microsystems is designed to assist IT professionals and system integrators who want to move an organization from Microsoft Office 97/2000/XP/2003 to OpenOffice.org (OOo) or StarOffice (SO). The whitepaper provides a general framework for a migration to OOo/SO, including a discussion of the key technical aspects of migration planning and file conversion. The basic information that is needed to plan for contingencies during the critical pre-conversion and post-conversion stages of the migration is also provided.

Get it here: http://www.sun.com/offers/docs/Migration_Overview.pdf

[TR] Radiation threats: The 10 most potentially hazardous smartphones.

The said list is for US phones. Your phone not listed? The "GSM" counterpart of the said models should be the same.

Based on new research, learn the 10 smartphones that emit the most radiation, the 10 that emit the least radiation, and a few quick safety tips.

The whole article here: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=2888&tag=nl.e101

The full list: http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/Get-a-Safer-Phone?allphones=1

8 Safety Tips (PDF): http://www.ewg.org/project/2009cellphone/EWGguide-cellphoneradiation.pdf

[cnet] 802.11n Wi-Fi standard finally approved.

We have been seeing many computer, network, and mobile devices with the 802-11n or Wi-Fi "N" label or logo. To be exact, these devices are still actually on the "Draft-N" specification.

But finally, IEEE has approved the 802.11n high-throughput wireless LAN standard.

You have an existing device on Draft-N? Do not worry, because "most" of these Draft-N devices (I hope mine included) can be upgraded to the final specification via firmware flash/upgrade. So check the manufacturer's site soon.

The whole article here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10351215-94.html

[APC] Watts and Volt-Amps: Powerful Confusion.

APC wrote ...
This note helps explain the differences between Watts and VA and explains how the terms are correctly and incorrectly used in specifying power protection equipment. Many people are confused about the distinction between the Watt and Volt-Amp (V-A) measures for UPS load sizing. Many manufacturers of UPS and load equipment add to this confusion by failing to distinguish between these measures.

get the PDF here:
http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/SADE-5TNQYF_R0_EN.pdf

[APC] The Seven Types of Power Problems.

APC wrote ...
Many of the mysteries of equipment failure, downtime, software and data corruption, are the result of a problematic supply of power. There is also a common problem with describing power problems in a standard way. This white paper will describe the most common types of power disturbances, what can cause them, what they can do to your critical equipment, and how to safeguard your equipment, using the IEEE standards for describing power quality problems.

Get the PDF White Paper here:

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK_R0_EN.pdf

Panda USB Vaccine.

Free antimalware to block malware spreading through USB drives.

There is an increasing amount of malware which, like the dangerous Conficker worm, spreads via removable devices and drives such as memory sticks, MP3 players, digital cameras, etc. To do this, these malicious codes modify the AutoRun file on these devices.

Panda USB Vaccine is a free solution designed to protect against this threat. It offers a double layer of preventive protection, allowing users to disable the AutoRun feature on computers as well as on USB drives and other devices:

Vaccine for computers: This is a ‘vaccine' for computers to prevent any AutoRun file from running, regardless of whether the device (memory stick, CD, etc.) is infected or not.

Vaccine for USB devices: This is a ‘vaccine' for removable USB devices, preventing the AutoRun file from becoming a source of infection. The tool disables this file so it cannot be read, modified or replaced by malicious code.

This is a very useful tool as there is no simple way of disabling the AutoRun feature in Windows. This provides users with a simple way of disabling this feature, offering a high degree of protection against infections from removable drives and devices.

You can Download Antimalware Panda USB Vaccine free here.

OC Extreme Forums still active.

I'm very surprised to see that there are still those who visit, register, and post topics in OC Extreme Forums! (OCXF).

OCXF is just a temporary forum while Net-25's Convergence Forums was down. I can't regularly check this site.

I strongly suggest we continue our discussions at the new CNVF: http://convergence.net-25.com/

Cheers! 8)

Microsoft unleashes 20,000 lines of Linux code.

Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft is releasing three Microsoft-developed Linux drivers to the Linux community for possible inclusion in the Linux source tree. This is the first time Microsoft has made in-house code available directly to the Linux community. READ FULL STORY

[FREE] The Java EE 5 Tutorial.

If you are interested with the FREE Java EE 5 Tutorial (1124 Pages, PDF, 4.4MB), then go to this link:

https://dct.sun.com/dct/forms/reg_sg_2904_210_0.jsp

Developers today increasingly recognize the need for distributed, transactional, and portable applications that leverage the speed, security, and reliability of server-side technology. In the world of information technology, enterprise applications must be designed, built, and produced for less money, with greater speed, and with fewer resources.

With the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE), development of Java enterprise applications has never been easier or faster. The aim of Java EE 5 platform is to provide developers a powerful set of APIs while reducing development time, reducing application complexity, and improving application performance.

This tutorial is a guide to developing enterprise applications for the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5 (Java EE 5).

Tmax Window, an MS Windows Alternative

The HardwareZone article here:

http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/news/view.php?id=14065&cid=11

- The beta version of the OS will be released to users in October and available for purchase in November.

- Built from the ground up with security, scalability, and stability in mind, Tmax Window is fully compatible with MS Windows applications.

I hate the new Via Arena Website.

The new Via Arena Website has lots of ads and you have to use the sponsor software before you can download any driver.

OpenSolaris Live USB Creator

Want to try OpenSolaris on your "spare" thumbdrive? Then head to this page for the complete details:

http://devzone.sites.pid0.org/OpenSolaris/opensolaris-liveusb-creator#TOC-AUTHOR

Here are some installation screenshots:





You can get the Live USB Creator here:

http://devzone.sites.pid0.org/OpenSolaris/opensolaris-liveusb-creator#TOC-DOWNLOAD

The latest OpenSolaris Live CD here:

http://www.opensolaris.com/get/index.jsp

The OpenSolaris Operating System offers unique features designed to help you build and deploy high-performance application services, starting with the Image Packaging System (IPS), continuing to the latest enhancements to the award-winning ZFS and featuring integrated virtualizaton options that span OS, network and storage -- and that's just the beginning. OpenSolaris gives you next generation Solaris technologies coupled with the best in open source software and a vibrant development community.

The latest Milax Live CD and USB images here:

http://www.milax.org/?page_id=9

MilaX is a small size Live CD distribution which runs completely off a CD or a USB pendrive. It is based on Solaris Nevada and includes its basic features. What originally started as an experiment to see how much Solaris software could fit in miniCD eventually became a full-fledged OpenSolaris distribution. MilaX also it is possible to use as Rescue-CD. It was designed to run graphical applications on older PC hardware and can be installed on storage media with small capacities, like bootable business cards, USB flash drives, various memory cards, and Zip drives. Available for both x86 and SPARC platforms. MilaX is free to use, modify and distribute.

[FREE] Technology+Business Magazine

Free-to-download Technology+Business magazine, with all-new articles, case studies, tips and advice, as well as discounts and special offers on powerful yet affordable midmarket solutions from Sun and AMD.

Download this issue in PDF.

Sun's Open Network Systems Launch

Date: 30 Jun, 2009 (Tuesday) 08:00AM-01:30PM
Venue: Quezon Ballroom Makati Shangri-la Hotel
Web: https://events.sun.com.ph
Register: http://events.sun.com.ph/registration.html

--

With greater economic pressures on businesses, this is the time for organizations to revisit their data center model, starting with the optimization of IT resources to gain better datacenter efficiencies and scale.

Give your datacenter an efficiency makeover with our latest Open Network Systems – a full range of versatile, flash-ready x64 rackmount servers, workstation and blade modular systems – that set to maximize the economics of computing with breakthrough application performance, scale and cost-efficiency.

Join us as we unveil the new Sun systems based on Intel® Xeon® processor 5500 series. Furthering our leadership in networking and Open Network Systems, Sun is the first vendor to embed low-latency high performance networking and Sun's SSD/Flash storage technology in these revolutionary systems to deliver speed, simplicity and savings.

Add new touches to your datacenter by redefining your system performance now!

Seats are limited. Register early.

Sincerely,

Sun Microsystems Phils., Inc.

June VirtualBox Live Show

https://dct.sun.com/dct/forms/reg_us_2205_342_0.jsp?cid=222965

If you missed the VirtualBox Live webinar, don't worry! You can view the recorded archive on demand at your convenience. You'll see and hear:

- News from the Show
- How VirtualBox powered one of the largest virtual desktop deployments at JavaOne
- News from the VirtualBox labs
- Q & A

WHO: Andy Hall, VirtualBox Product Manager and the team

WHAT: VirtualBox Live Show

WHEN: Anytime you'd like. It's on demand.

WHERE: Simply access the web seminar archive from the comfort of your own office.

WHY: If you need a fast, easy and flexible enterprise-class virtualization solution, you won't want to miss this webinar on the world's most popular open source virtualization software.

FREE Virtualization for Dummies E-Book

Fill-out the web-form and get this FREE e-book:

http://sg.sun.com/offers/details/virtualization_dummies/?intcmp=tc244_listing_as

This eBook is a Sun and AMD Special Edition and was published by the same folks who create all the "Dummies" books. It explains how virtualisation works and how it can benefit your organization. This special edition version showcases Sun and AMD virtualization offerings, how they work together, and how they can help businesses. Learn about the latest virtualization technologies with this brief and easy-to-read booklet.

[HZN] Nokia E72 Preview.

http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/articles/view.php?cid=24&id=2947

Back to the E72, in terms of aesthetics, it retains most of what made the E71 special. Though there are some slight tweaks to the overall design, it is enough to make the E72 look (and feel) like a whole new animal.

[HZN] Nokia 5530 XpressMusic Preview .

The Apple iPhone is the spark that ignited the mobile industry to embrace touch technology. See this preview by HardwareZone Networks of the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic:

http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/news/view.php?id=13889&cid=9

Sparkle X-Link SPF-16 Extreme Display Adapter.

See the Sparke X-Link, a cool Display Adapter that can be plugged to a USB 2.0 port of your PC or Mac for an instant 2nd display. You can connect up to 6 of these for a really easy multi-display system. It natively outputs to a DVI. Not using DVI, then don't worry because it also comes with adapters for VGA and HDMI too.

Check the official page and the press release.

Taipei, Taiwan – June 16, 2009- SPARKLE Computer Co., Ltd., a professional VGA card manufacturer and supplier, today proudly Announced X-Link, making a USB port into a true external video adapter, providing more convenience to users who need multi-monitors to work with.

The actual product shots below courtesy of PCStats.com - Computex2009.

Kingston 128GB USB Flash Drive

Want a monster 128GB "cap-less" USB Flashdrive in your pocket or hanging on your neck? It's priced like a value/midrange laptop or souped-up netbook, but what the heck. This is truly a geek stuff.

Currently the said 128GB thumbdrive is build-to-order only and costs US $546.

Check the whole press release from the Kingston Website.

Fountain Valley, CA -- June 15, 2009 -- Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the release of the DataTraveler® 200 (DT200), the world's first 128GB USB Flash drive. The large capacity along with password protection gives users the flexibility to carry critical data with them at all times in a very small form factor....

Oh by the way, thanks to Benji® of CNVF for the heads up.

[Free] Krispy Kreme Glazed Chocolate Cake.

Just play this game: http://game.chocolatekarnival.com/

You will get a coupon for a "free" Krispy Kreme Glazed Chocolate Cake.

Valid in the Philippines and until June 30, 2009 only. Cheers to all.

MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2009.

http://www.oc-arena.com/SEA

Duration: 22nd June ~ 31st July 2009

PRESS RELEASE

MSI MOA 2009 Begins!
Prestigious global overclocking tournament returns once again to test overclockers

How far can you go? This is the question that will be put to overclockers around the world as the MSI MOA 2009 (Master Overclocking Arena) returns to test overclockers’ knowledge, skill, and perseverance in recording the highest benchmark scores from their overclocked computer hardware systems.

With the European qualifiers slotted to take place in May to choose the best overclocking teams to represent Europe, Asian teams will get their time to shine as the Asian qualifiers will take place soon in the region. To encourage more overclockers to participate in the MSI MOA 2009 tournament, an online contest will be held as well where voters will get to choose their favorite contestants for a chance of winning lucrative MSI hardware.


“I think MOA 2008 was a GREAT event, hopefully MOA 2009 will be even GREATER ! I'm really looking forward to meeting my friends in MOA 2009” - Alva Jonathan / Champion of MSI MOA 2008


The MSI MOA 2009 aims to not only test the limits and capabilities of computer hardware but also bring together overclocking communities around the world by nurturing the spirit of healthy competition and camaraderie through the teams’ common interests in computer hardware and technology. This year, up to 20 teams are expected to be invited to the Grand Final in Beijing this August.

Details of the regional tournaments and prizes will be released soon. For more information, please visit the official MSI MOA 2009 website at http://www.oc-arena.com/SEA

About the MSI MOA

The inaugural MSI MOA took place in 2008 at Huashan Cultural-Creative Park, Taiwan, where 13 teams around the world were invited by MSI to take part in this prestigious overclocking tournament. These teams were chosen for their overclocking results and performance displayed during the national finals held in their respective countries. After several hours of preparation and benchmarking in 3DMark2001 and SuperPI, the results were announced. Team Indonesia was the overall winner of the competition with Team Greece and Team Taiwan taking the second and third places respectively.

Once considered a niche hobby, overclocking today is big business as more and more computer hardware makers such as MSI are specifically releasing motherboards designed for overclocking and extreme performance. The results gained from overclocking records are invaluable feedback for the computer hardware industry, allowing further technological advancements in the field of components circuitry. Overclocking also allows users to learn more about the intricacies of their PC systems and how they work in general.

About MSI

MSI (Micro-Star International Corporation, Ltd) is one of the IT industry's leading manufacturers of computer hardware products and solutions. As one of Taiwan’s top three motherboard manufacturers, MSI is also one of the world’s top five mother board manufacturers, and has been a leading graphic card manufacturer for the past four years.

Today, MSI is pressing forward with the development of new products, such as notebooks and consumer electronic products. Through world class engineering, manufacturing and design innovation, MSI is dedicated to providing leading-edge hardware products and robust solutions that are easy to implement and integrate while also enhancing overall performance, value and ultimately the individual end user's personal digital life experience.

For more information, please contact:

Emily Lai: emilylai@msi.com.tw
Tiffany Yu: tiffanyyu@msi.com.tw
Vanessa Yang: vanessayang@msi.com.tw

Fedora 11

You can get Fedora 11 here:

http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora

Want KDE? go here:

http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora-kde

Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and open source software. Fedora is always free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. It is built by people across the globe who work together as a community: the Fedora Project.

PowerUp! Windows 7 Loadfest.

Join a fun-filled afternoon with the Philippine Windows Users Group as they share their knowledge and experience of Windows 7. Experience, witness and realize the potential of Windows 7 through hands-on-labs and actually having it installed in your own machine.

Saturday, June 20, 2009 9:00 AM - Saturday, June 20, 2009 5:00 PM
Microsoft Philippines 16F 6750 Ayala Office Tower,
6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati City Metro Manila 1200 Philippines

Register here (MS Live ID Required):
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/Register.aspx?culture=en-PH&EventID=1032417640&CountryCode=PH

Jolicloud

Jolicloud is a new operating system for netbooks. The OS provides a beautiful interface, an application directory, and a set of social features that make it easy and fun to use.

Website: http://www.jolicloud.com/

Tour: http://www.jolicloud.com/tour

To get Jolicloud, you have to request for an invitation:
http://my.jolicloud.com/account/invitation?next=%2Fregister

Avast Home Edition and Vista SP2

Today I installed Vista Home Basic SP1 OEM on a new Athlon64 machine. Installation was smooth. Then I patched it with SP2.

I encountered a problem with Avast Home Edition, wherein after the reboot, the Avast splash screen loaded. Quite weird, when I right-clicked the Avast taskbar icon, nothing happened. I also launched Avast from the start menu, the spash screen appeared and memory scanning started. However after the memory scan, no Avast GUI came out.

Suspecting the Windows Defender to be conflicting with Avast H.E., I disabled it and restarted vista. Finally the Avast GUI and taskbar context menu worked. I then re-enabled windows defender.

The problem now is that Avast attempts to update online but can't find any new updates. I will check the firewall settings tomorrow and post back.

MS DevLabs' Small Basic

Many thanks to epgirang for the heads up.

Small Basic is a simple and easy programming language with a friendly environment that provides a cool and fun way of learning programming.

Small Basic is a project that's aimed at bringing "fun" back to programming. By providing a small and easy to learn programming language in a friendly and inviting development environment, Small Basic makes programming a breeze. Ideal for kids and adults alike, Small Basic helps beginners take the first step into the wonderful world of programming.

Official Page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/devlabs/cc950524.aspx

Download Here:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/A/F/CAF9E062-94D3-4003-80D9-44CDF7EC7BD9/SmallBasic.msi

PDF Quick-Start Guide:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/0/6/90616372-C4BF-4628-BC82-BD709635220D/Introducing%20Small%20Basic.pdf

Requires .Net Framework 3.5:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=333325FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6&displaylang=en

Enjoy!

[TPU] ASUS Designs Own Monster Dual-GTX 285 4 GB Graphics Card.

All I want for now is just a measly Inno3D GeForce 9600GSO 512 DDR3 256-bit video card... the Mars is too much and is truly a monster video card!

The whole article here: http://www.techpowerup.com/95445/ASUS_Designes_Own_Monster_Dual-GTX_285_4_GB_Graphics_Card.html

techPowerUp wrote ...
ASUS has just designed a new monster graphics card that breaks the mold for reference design GeForce GTX 295, called the ASUS MARS 295 Limited Edition. The card, although retains the name "GeForce GTX 295", same device ID, and is compatible with existing NVIDIA drivers, has two huge innovations put in by ASUS, which go far beyond being yet another overclocked GeForce GTX 295: the company used two G200-350-B3 graphics processors, the same ones that make the GeForce GTX 285. The GPUs have all the 240 shader processors enabled, and also have the complete 512-bit GDDR3 memory interface enabled. This dual-PCB monstrosity holds 32 memory chips, and 4 GB of total memory (each GPU accesses 2 GB of it). Apart from these, each GPU system uses the same exact clock speeds as the GeForce GTX 285: 648/1476/2400 MHz (core/shader/memory)...

Here is another really cool gamer/enthusiast chassis from Cooler Master... the HAF 922.

Cooler Master wrote ...
Following the success of the full tower HAF 932, Cooler Master extends the line to a mid tower with the HAF 922. It has a rugged strong appearance and outstanding protection designs that characterize a beast yet to be tamed. Without a doubt this mid tower has it all! It accommodates all sorts of high-end hardware from its spacious interior, and supports up to three 200 mm fans for maximum airflow at minimum noise. This mid tower chassis represents a disorderly collision of machine and beast.

The Official Page:
http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?language=en&act=detail&tbcate=17&id=6618

PDF Tech-Sheet:
http://www.coolermaster.com/support/dl.php?f=HAF922_ProductSheet_0506.pdf&fc=ProductSheet.pdf

The Reviews:
http://www.techspot.com/review/165-coolermaster-haf-922/page1.html
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/cooler_master_haf_922/
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cooler_master_haf_922/

The Lenovo IdeaPad S12 "Ion" Netbook.

Lenovo has launched in the US a 12.1" netbook... the IdeaPad S12, which is on the Nvidia Ion graphics chipset and costs about USD 500.00.

I just hope this netbook reaches the Philippine shores soon.

Oh by the way, the related articles:

http://gizmodo.com/5268833/lenovo-s12-is-the-first-netbook-with-nvidia-ion-costs-under-500

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10247921-1.html

Transforming USB Flash Memory (2 GB) - Ravage

Features :

- Windows98/Me/2000/XP/Vista，Mac
- Interface : USB 1.1 & USB 2.0
- Speed USB 2.0 : 480mpbs
- Speed USB 1.1 : 12mpbs
- Memory : 2 gigabytes

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK10927&mode=retail&picture=out

Ishihara Test for Color Blindness

Many thanks to d_konqueror for sharing.

Go here: http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.asp

Mysterious virus strikes FBI.

The FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service were forced to shut down parts of their computer networks after a mystery virus struck the law-enforcement agencies Thursday, according to an Associated Press report.

The whole article here:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-304150.html?tag=nl.e550

How Google produces relevant search results

Wondering how Google Search works?

See this article: Indexing and PageRank explained.

CNVF is back!

Net25's Convergence Forums is now back online!

Go to this site: http://convergence.net-25.com/

See you all. Cheers!

[TR] Google vs. Wolfram Alpha

Find out which search/computational engine is the best, or if they even compare at all.

[National Instruments] Graphical System Design Summit - LabVIEW with Embedded System

Register Online Now

Learn more about this seminar

06-26-2009 | 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM
PHILIPPINE TRADE TRAINING CENTER
Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue
Corner Roxas Blvd
Pasay City, PH 1300

Seats are limited. Please register to ensure that you are allocated a seat as well as the necessary seminar hand-outs. In the event that there are changes to the seminar, we would also be able to inform you immediately.

Register Now
Register Online Now
asean.events@ni.com
Fax: (632) 659 1733
Phone: 1 800 1 888 3834

The Ubuntu 9.04 CDs Have Arrived!

Too bad I still have to pay P35.00 at the post office, anyways I got the disks and 4 stickers!

You too can also get them, go here:
https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

By the way, you will need a Launchpad Account (FREE):
https://login.launchpad.net/+openid

May the FOSS be with you!

MSI's Twin Frozr Thermal Design

MSI introduced their exclusively developed Twin Frozr thermal design, which incorporates a dual fan, 5 heatpipes, an extra large heat sink and a copper-nickel base.

... When it comes to the component level in thermal solutions, fans, bases and heat pipes etc. represent important parts that more or less have an impact on the overall heat dissipation. MSI’s exclusive Twin Frozr thermal design pays particular attention to those three essential components in order to improve heat dissipation efficiency...

The complete News Release here:

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=newsdesc&news_no=785

Zotac ION mini-ITX.

I'm saying goodbye to the Intel D945GCLF and hello to the Zotac ION mini-ITX.

http://www.hardwarezone.com.ph/articles/view.php?cid=6&id=2895

http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/news/view.php?id=13536&cid=4

Windows 7 Release Candidate Download.

No need to go for torrents or P2Ps. You can get the Windows 7 RC "legally", check these official links:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc

Note: Windows LiveID required (free sign up).

[ZDNet]Chemical mind hacking: legit, or corporate cheating?

Hmmm... I'll just stick to caffeine, taurine, ginseng, B-complex, and sugar.

Double Espresso, anybody? 8)

There is an absolutely fantastic article by Margaret Talbot in this week’s New Yorker about the use of “neuroenhancers” — that is, neuroenhancing drugs such as Adderall, Ritalin and Provigil that are typically prescribed for ADHD and dementia — to effectively “hack” the brain and coax more productivity from it.

The whole article: http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=3573#

Honda's Experimental Walking Assist Device

TOKYO, Japan, April 22, 2008– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will showcase an experimental model of a walking assist device which could support walking for the elderly and other people with weakened leg muscles...

The whole article here:
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c080422Experimental-Walking-Assist-Device/

[ZDNet] Core i5 details leaked.

The Core i5 (codenamed Lynnfield) is basically a Core i7 part with the third memory channel removed and the QuickPath interconnect dumped and replaced by a cheaper Direct Media Interface.

More info here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=4176&tag=nl.e589

[ZDNet] Nine more Firefox add-ons to try.

http://content.zdnet.com/2346-9595_22-289082-3.html

Netbook Chips Create a Low-Power Cloud

Using a cluster of the same processors that normally show up in netbooks and similar mobile devices, researchers have created a powerful server architecture that draws less power than a lightbulb.

The architecture, dubbed a "fast array of wimpy nodes," or FAWN, offers a way to decrease by an order of magnitude the amount of power used by the computational infrastructure of Internet giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and others. If the predictions of its inventors are borne out, it could have a significantimpact on both the bottom line and the environmental impact of cloud computing.

The whole article here:
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/22504/?a=f

CNVF problem.

Convergence Forums is experiencing some technical difficulties. I have re-opened my forum to serve as a temporary home for CNVF members. I will close it as soon as CNVF goes back online.

Please be informed that OC Extreme! Forums (ocxt.forum.st) is not in anyway connected or sanctioned by Convergence and Net25.