With Microsoft basically conceding the blunderous distribution and PR nightmare that is Windows Vista, apparently the decision has been made to continue with the development of the next version of Windows; not just patches and updates- a whole new version - Windows 7. They’re trying to push it out the door as soon as possible; expectations are the holiday season 2009. Based on a small [non-applied history course] Windows 7 is slated to be the successor to Vista as XP was to Windows ME, and just as ME, these users are going to be left to deal with a problematic operating system and numerous incompatibilities with hardware. There going to be left with a bastard Operating System or upgrade to Windows 7 [show me the money].
Microsoft is moving on with the development of Windows 7 and focusing on the user interface [GUI] and operating system boot times.
When Windows Vista was released the desktop, interface was the most advertised improvement of the operating system, but the user interface for the desktop wasn’t an excessively huge improvement to the desktop environment. Free and commercial solutions were able to offer comparable interfaces for Windows XP. The Redmond company is again focusing on the desktop environment, and rightfully so. But I don’t think this is where they’re going to be winning the big bonus points with the users or with the market. [Read More]
Popularity: 8% [?]
Tags: 7, boot, instant, microsoft, on, Operating System, time, windows
As anyone knows that has a PC and lets it run all the time, you have a little monster on your hands. This little monster has a video card, power supply, CPU(s) and hard drives. All these things put off heat. It’s like a small furnace running all the time.
Anyone who has ever been to a data center, or has more than 1 computer in a small room knows, that room is always going to be hotter. In the winter time just sleep in that room with the door closed; you’ll be comfy/cozy.
I found this video and it’s just ‘kewl’, but not only is it kewl, but it would actually save you money- AND I think it would also save you your PC, because heat is your PC’s arch enemy. Heat is breaking down the PC from the time the poor thing gets it’s taste of power. Additionally, you wouldn’t have to worry about the fans getting clogged up with dust! There’s no dust when it’s submerged.
I love this concept as a production model. It’s never gonna happen, but it fixes some issues.
The idea of having a CPU cooled by a fluid is an idea that’s been around a while, but I don’t think many actually think about submerging the whole system in a fluid to keep the system cooled. The cooler a system can be kept the better it performs [there are limits].
Maybe one day you’ll go to the store and pickup a PC and it’s gonna slosh around while your walking and carrying it home. Sounds fun. I’d buy the little toy fish and treasure chest to go with it.
Regards,
NapoleonAG
Email/IM: NapoleonAG.TSS@Gmail.com
Website: www.TechSideStories.com
Popularity: 7% [?]
USB External Video Cards and Monitors
I was recently looking at the prospect of buying a another video card for another computer. It wasn’t going to be doing anything particularly exciting, but I didn’t want to waste money on a matching video card for the system.
I’ve been watching and reading articles on USB External Video Cards. I was looking at some of the shopping websites and found a deal on a USB External Video Card; it was $39. For what I was going to be using it for and the fact it could be used on other machines as required for another display, and undeniably XP is going to be around a while, I made the choice to try it out.
Without issue I was able to load the drivers, reboot the system and plug the adapter in and wha-la! I had another display; worked perfectly. It extended the desktop automatically. It had maximum capabilities to do 1280 x 1024 and 32 bit color. The display seems to work perfectly on quasi-stationary information. It’s the performance equivalent to having a VNC connection to another PC over a LAN [that's simplest way to explain it].
Having experienced this I’m optimistic about USB External Video Cards in general; seeing they can only get better.
The greater expectation is the purely USB driven LCD Monitors. USB plug and play monitors are on the market, but the transfer rates and CPU limitations are most likely keeping this market from taking off. I see many people embracing this very quickly; especially in the corporate market. Gamers aren’t going to get in to this very quickly; it uses too much CPU and the frame rates are going to be way to slow.
But there’s an answer to this. We have 64bit CPU’s becoming more predominate in the market and the release of USB 3 [with GB speed] is really going to kick up this option.
I’m going to keep my eye out for more USB video cards and monitors- it should be interesting.
Regards,
NapoleonAG
Email/IM: NapoleonAG.TSS@Gmail.com
Website: www.TechSideStories.com
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tags:
Install Dragon Naturally Speaking 9 on Vista 64
October 18, 2008
Overview
A couple weeks ago, I posted an article about Nuance and the fact it has completely ignored the customers with Windows 64 bit operating systems. Periodically, I’ve been checking this ‘Knowledge base’ article to see if there’s any progress, and mostly it’s in vain.
From the Nuance website:
http://knowledgebase.nuance.com/view.asp?60VQ=JLJG&5d7r4B=iv56n%20JH
** Update as of September 2008 **
Support for 64-bit operating systems is a common request from Dragon customers. As you may know, 64-bit operating systems represent a relatively small percentage of the operating system market, but that market segment is growing rapidly. Users of 64-bit operating systems know firsthand that many programs on the market do not support that operating environment at this point. Products like Dragon are especially complex to support in this kind of environment. We are committed to supporting Windows Vista 64 in the future, but we have not announced the date.** Update as of Dec 25th 2008 **
Nuance is NOT going to issue an update for v9 for Dragon NaturallySpeaking. The only update will be issued for Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 for those users registered with Vista 64.
When I posted my article I received a response from several people, but the most important was from Peter Mahoney, vice president and general manager of Nuance. His response was eloquent and politically correct, but his response did not address the problem at hand; why would he? The company’s mistakes equates to his paycheck and the stockholders best interests. That’s why I feel this document is so important, it has the potential to cost Nuance thousands of dollars in lost revenue because information is being provided to the public on how to install a product that was not originally designed for it.
Popularity: 91% [?]
Tags: 64, 64 bit, Dragon, How to, install, Naturally, Nuance, Speaking, version 9, version 9.5, Vista
As security professionals have been chatting for a while about WiFi security, but now it’s official WiFi can be cracked in about 50 seconds using the an Nvidia graphics card.
I was personally alarmed at this article/notice. WiFi is no longer a viable secure connection - SC Magazine UK. And here is the release from Elcomsoft.
While leaving your WiFi router without a password is dunce-cap worthy [and you deserve to be hacked], but for those who are using standard WiFi WPA and WPA2 are going to be at risk and currently this is a a lot of people.
It’s time to check the dam and filling the holes [again].
Regards,
NapoleonAG
Popularity: 10% [?]
Well, Apple did it. Google did it. Now, Microsoft is finally doing it.
They are holding a contest to see who can create the best application for an embedded device using the .NET Micro Framework. Yes, they are doing it a little differently than Apple and Google. They only wanted applications for their phones. Microsoft wants whatever you can dream of. There is the chance to win over $101,000 in this contest.
Here are some of the deadlines:
Popularity: 14% [?]
Tags: .net, .net framework, .net framework contest, .net micro framework, .net micro framework contest, embedded devices, embedded devices contest, microsoft, microsoft contest
Well ladies and gentlemen, Fios TV is about to make a major leap forward with their update here in North Texas. The update will include upwards of 200 bug fixes (thank goodness). My scheduled programs to record are not recording. I am getting upset.
I will progress. Here are some of the things that are being added/enhanced:
Widgets: I am not real big on their widgets. That is why I have computers. Although, if you are into fantasy football, they are integrating a widget with ESPN and their service. I would use this if I was in a league this year.
Games: They are adding games to be played through your tv service. I am not sure this is a good idea. More of a marketing ploy. I tried to play the ones that Tivo had, when I still had my Tivo, and did not like it. Using your tv remote the experience is not very good.
HD Streaming: In the past you could only stream SD shows that you had recorded on your DVR. This is a great update in my mind as we record almost only in HD. Why do you think we bought the big tv.
Content Discovery: Again, this is a feature that Tivo had. I like this one. It will discover new shows for you. You will also be able to see what others and friends are recording. Kind of like a social network for TV recordings
Web Scheduling: This is my favorite update coming down the pipe. Unfortunately, only a select few will get this at first, but everyone should have it by end of the year. This allows you to go online from any computer and see what you have to be recorded. You will also be able to see how much space you have on your DVR. And finally you will be able to schedule new shows to be recorded or edit what you have scheduled.
They have other features coming as well, but these where the best ones in my opinion.
Sir Slur
Popularity: 21% [?]
Tags: verizon, verizon fios, verizon fios 1.6, verizon fios 1.6 update, verizon fios tv
Again, Microsoft has missed the boat. For me, it’s hard to fathom that these bone heads can’t put two and two together. Put the operating system on a removable chip [or flash memory if you will] making the OS hardware based. The OS has to be hardware based and use the hard drives for the storage of the processed data; just like the cell phones do…
Are they really going to sit around and piddle with their 3rd thumb to come to realization they can’t do it. Yeah. Yeah they are.
Getting tired of the same ole’ crap every year about performance and boot time issues, manufactures like Dell plans to deploy the ‘Instant-on’ technology is, I think, going to really be a awesome innovation. ‘Instant-on’ is the companies version of how everything else in the world works, before Microsoft put us in boot-time hell. When you turn on a TV, a phone, a light, a blackberry or use a toaster for a pop-tart; it’s on- you can use it. You don’t have to wait 3-5 minutes to get to a point where you can do something with it. It’s just not feasible.
People’s patients is out the window; they want it on now and if they can’t get it now their gonna be pissed. I need to use it now- it’s that simple. While Dell may be deploying this really soon [maybe by the end of the year], this is not a new concept. Other manufacturers are doing this. Phoenix and others are getting ready to make this somewhat of a standard on laptops and PCs. Seems like the obvious choice.
While I like Ubuntu and the Linux distros, this is going to be the answer to the hardware makers tech support issues; cutting a lot of boot time problems with Windows. Saving the companies load of money in support they don’t have to provide. And while I’m writing this I know it’s predicated from Microsoft, it’s also going to affect the Linux OS as well, BUT amazingly enough the basis for these instant-on technologies is Linux.
The Instant-On is LINUX. The programs they are offering upon boot up are free, Linux based programs; all free. While Dell offers PC’s with Ubuntu, this is going to be the better option. I would expect Ubuntu to be built right in to the hardware some time soon; providing a complete computing package for the customer.
So there you have it. Microsoft is going to spend loads of money trying to keep their business model intact, fighting what they say they have been trying to improve [technology] for decades. They’re focusing on how to make PC’s boot faster; just in the nick of time-ay guys?!
Coming to a Laptop/PC near you!
Popularity: 11% [?]
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