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Most hardware in space vehicles is old.
RS232 is there probably so its compatible with the computers running on the space shuttle or ISS.

They've still got development to do. 260,000 colours aren't enough!

They will do 24 bits in no time and you will see them in laptops PDA's cameras and cell phones sooner than you think.
for more info on LEP/OLED displays try these...
Universal display
cambridge display tech
high efficency
transparent
flexible
stacked hi res

and some apps...
# Low-power, bright, colorful cell phones
# Full color, high-resolution, personal communicators
# Wrist-mounted, featherweight, rugged PDAs
# Wearable, form-fitting, electronic displays
# Full-color, high resolution, portable Internet devices and palm size computers
# High-contrast automotive instrument and windshield displays
# Heads-up instrumentation for aircraft and automobiles
# Automobile light systems without bulbs
# Flexible, lightweight, thin, durable, and highly efficient laptop screens
# Roll-up, electronic, daily-refreshable newspaper
# Ultra-lightweight, wall-size television monitor
# Office windows, walls and partitions that double as computer screens
# Color-changing lighting panels and light walls for home and office
# Low-cost organic lasers
# Computer-controlled, electronic shelf pricing for supermarkets and retail stores
# Smart goggles/helmets for scuba divers, motorcycle riders
# Medical test equipment
# Wide area, full-motion video camcorders
# Global positioning systems (GPS)
# Integrated computer displaying eyewear
# Rugged military portable communication devices

My favorite is the high efficency ceiling mount. Need white light [click] there you are. Want a change of pace go for blue sky with puffy white coulds [click] done.

These products are supposed to be cheap enough to do these things once mass production has begun.

I read some place that there's an x86-native OSX version somewhere, only they won't let us have it.

Hmm... Couldn't that stupid cracker that broke into Cisco have done something useful instead? :D

Opera is a class act. Their sense of humor in this whole thing kept it interesting. BORT! They're the perfect example that you don't have to be "free" to compete with Microsoft. Plus they make a better product.

FYI

Apple "fastest computer in the world" ad pulled by BBB

Yeah, they'll probably just cancel the pre-orders like they have before, and then have you arrested if you try to pick up your oder.

Its on geek.com too, maybe it got geeked.

When will they carry AMD? C'mon. This came out over a month ago.

Robosaurus will crush you posted 7/19/99

I think I'd be afraid to attend this now...

Maybe. The tariffs affect chips made in Korea and imported to the US. If they're already mounted on motherboards, graphics boards, or other such devices, there's no tariff. Likewise, the tariff doesn't apply if a US company--Dell, for example, receives them at an offshore location, builds them into a computer, and ships the computer to the US. The tariff also does not apply to Hynix chips manufactured in their Eugene, Oregon plant. There are many ways for Hynix to dodge the tariff, and I suspect they are employing every one of those ways.

See this link

Google points that they haven't deployed yet:

Munich Migration Hits Speed Bump
Munich Linux migration hits serious snags, Users finding Linux learning curve steep, city council calls for investigation
Munich Open Source Plows Ahead

Perhaps someone from Germany could track down the infamous Computerwoche article?

Try out this news site: http://www.geek.com It's like slashdot but without the obnoxious linux bias and politics. It's cool.

... on April 5

If "Son of Jaz" is pitched as a backup media, why wouldn't you go with a blue laser dvd? Media costs will surely be lower.

Peercy and Olano (Click on "PDF" in the upper right)

Presentation

ASHLI

GPGPU

More than Moore's Law

Moore's law : still for wimps

Using programmable graphics hardware (possibly through OpenGL) for final rendering is not that far off. (Definitely not in real-time, but as a more cost-effective way to do it, anyway.) Especially with the massive parallelism of rendering, and the fact that GPUs are far outpacing CPUs in terms of their speed and transistor counts.

OpenGL is much more similar to micropolygon rendering (REYES) than it is to raytracing in the first place. The shaders are where you spend all of your time, anyway.

Heck, do you think nVIDIA bought ExLuna (Larry Gritz, author of BMRT, and former Pixar employee) just for the fun of it?

Software for translating from RenderMan Shading Language to Cg?

And what about RenderMonkey supporting RenderMan?

Do you even remember PixelFlow from Pixar? Do you see the name Marc Olano on that paper? The same Marc Olano who talks about rendering on consumer-level graphics hardware? These things have far more in common than you seem to realize.

Like the Psion Series 7 and Netbook then? Could do word processing, spreadsheets, internet stuff on the move in a much more compact case and with considerably better battery life than the laptops of the time.

What happened to it? It bombed. There's PDAs, there's laptops and it didn't sit comfortably in either camp - almost everyone who needs to work away from their desk needs/wants apps beyond the basics, and if it's as a desktop accompaniment the standard PDA tends to do a better job.

All this talk of opening up the Power 5 architecture just means to me that IBM is exiting the hard side of the manufacturing business and entering into being a designer and integrator; all the while and letting the poisonous drudge work to be done in various countries where public & workers rights are not well enforced.

IBM has moved assembly of Thinkpad , Netvista/Adaptiva (really Sanmima-SCI), and mid end Servers to outside the US to be a player. Now comes the egress of high end chips design work and assembly/integration.

Eventually IBM won't manufacture supercomputers in the USA at all but will design them, have some subcontractor build them then import them under the IBM name and sell them to the US GOV.

How many broken backs, destroyed environments, and tears for a cheap GFLOP or a MIP?

I had to google for this one ...

Basically, Bluesnarfing is an exploit of a Bluetooth vulnerability to access data stored on the mobile device.

A more detailed explanation can be found here

If parts of Windows were found to have been illegally copied from someone else's code (which has happened before), I don't see how the end users could be held responsible since they don't even have access to the source. Not only do they not have a duty to check Microsoft's source for infringing code, they don't even have the ability to do so. With open source products, the end user does have access to the source. Whether the user would be liable for infringement would vary depending on the circumstances, but it is at least more of a possibility. Although it looks like SCO has no case, this are issues that need to be addressed if someone were to come along and make SCO-type of claims and actually have evidence to back them up.

In this case, not only does the patent ignore the HTTP 1.1 prior art, which existed as an RFC two years before the patent application, but it makes a bunch of bogus claims about motivation - things like each domain name requiring a separate IP address (wasn't true after HTTP 1.1), domain names being expensive (they weren't then, and they're cheaper now), DNS name propagation time being 1-3 days (I think Verisign was updating 2LDs faster than daily in those days, and update time for subdomains is instantaneous - as fast as you can update your name server), manual entry of names taking a long time and lot of cost (that's what very small shell scripts are for), etc.

Bad, bad, bad.

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003May/gee20030 508019910.htm

I dont recall a Mac OS "PC" either.

Of course, I guess This particular Alpha chip was targeted towards high end servers and workstations too?

It may not have been targeted towards the Grandma at home like the Mac is (just an example), but PC is a very broad definition and Apple is definitely in the wrong here.

So now I'm guessing we wait for pakistan to condemn the game..

After all, the chinese didnt like C&C Generals all that much..

id As I recall, the US Army was suffering from a shortage of bugle players to play taps for the passing generation of soldiers. They developed a digital bugle [geek.com] that can play taps even if the bugler is incompetent, drunk, or both.

Since Toyota has now developed a vastly more complicated technology that can be used to solve the same problem as the slightly complicated one above, I look forward to future Pentagon procurement hearings.

Note to self: Sarcasm in this post often results in massive retribution.


dji

As I recall, the US Army was suffering from a shortage of bugle players to play taps for the passing generation of soldiers. They developed a digital bugle that can play taps even if the bugler is incompetent, drunk, or both.

Since Toyota has now developed a vastly more complicated technology that can be used to solve the same problem as the slightly complicated one above, I look forward to future Pentagon procurement hearings.

Note to self: Sarcasm in this post often results in massive retribution.

Why must everyone be involved with music these days? Pepsi, Coke, Starbucks....
What's next? I'm going to get a free song with a Happy Meal?

The purpose of the PR system has been to reflect that the Athlon XP chips are more efficient and compare favorably to P4 chips, but the official explanation of them was indeed the Thunderbird comparison as seen in the first Athlon XP review by Anandtech.

These "Model Numbers" are supposed to correspond to the real world performance of the Athlon XP CPUs when compared to higher clocked competitors. While AMD will argue that the Model Numbers are used to compare the Athlon XP to an equivalently clocked Thunderbird, it's clear that the ratings are used to somehow bridge the clock speed gap between the Athlon and the Pentium 4.

If you took a few more seconds to search Geek.com you would see that they corrected their supposition that the XP model numbers were based on P4 numbers:

Apparently it is the performance relative to a Thunderbird Athlon and has nothing to do with Pentium 4. Many sites (including ours) have been reporting that the Athlon XP model number system will be relative to the performance of Northwood Pentium 4s, therefore allowing a 1.533GHz Athlon to perform like a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 Northwood.

here's one of many found on google

I should also note that last year when AMD tweaked the formula they ended up with a CPU that had a higher PR number than the previous model, but was slower in realworld performance.

Try as you might, you will never find any AMD benchmarks that backup the 1GHz Thunderbird myth.

I keep hearing that Newton handwriting recognition (HWR) is "terrific" and "the best there ever was" and have for years. How come this terrific software has never been ported to any other platform? I googled around but, came up empty. A few years back there was the Mac PDA vaporware, obviously, not an option, what's a chicken scratcher to do if a Newton is otherwise inadequate?

when you consider that MS codec was chosen as the new stadard for HD DVDs, and MS had to truly make the standard "open" before they got this boondoggle. What would be the ramifications of this? In Europe, MS OSes would have to be shipped with Third Party implementations? That might be a good thing.

HD DVD are not available yet.... but, they're talking about them already. Check out stories on Blu-ray, and MS HD DVD Codec or DVD Forum approves new DVD standard

iPods batteries can't be replaced by end users? Better tell the guys who replaced theirs. Let me guess, Macs don't work with two button mice either? Parent should be modded a troll (and I should be modded a troll-feeder)

Anyways, now that the Caldera SCOunks have attacked completely uninvolved parties the finishing off of that rabid animal can't be far away.

Heh... note the email address Annalee Newitz is using here... she evidentally creates a new mail alias for every column: sugarpill@techsploitation.com

Ah, slash ids pushing a billion and whining about what a sewer it's become...

Looking at the specs, I see that it does contain a an MP3/AAC/ATRAC3 Sony Special. You were right.

That doesn't change my complaint about hobbling it with badly undersized and overpriced memory sticks...

Doesn't this lose the main advantages of USB: Devices drawing power from the bus
Someone ought to tell them that the most successfull USB devices are:

• Keyboard light
• Fan, Fan again
• Coffee mug heater
• Vibrating thingy
• Hello kitty USB hub
• X-mas tree
• Germ filter

I'm so sick of hearing the "nothing to hide" argument. I don't think most people really understand what it will be like to live under constant government monitoring.

In total agreement, the "nothing to hide argument" isn't even an argument. For you people who aren't scared by it or think it "makes sense", ask yourself this: Who gets to decide what it means to have nothing to hide?

From the article: "This is not something that's going to go away. It's only going to grow," [Revenue Department Commissioner Alan] LeBovidge said. "The world is shrinking. There's fewer and fewer places to hide."

If you think it's black and white, try this: I like to use Linux, and I like to use it with my WiFi card so I can surf on the toilet or whatever (I know I'm not alone in this). So far I've got nothing to hide, right? What if a third party with a conflict of interest lobbies hard enough to convice somebody who makes decisions that these activities are suspect, and I can now be held indefinitely, without indictment, etc. Now I most certainly have something to hide, even though I'm doing what any reasonable and free person would consider a legitimate activity.

Don't think it'll happen to you 'cause you use Windows like any red-blooded American should? Fine. Just don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave the country because everyone else will already be gone or imprisoned. Oh, and by the way, once we get rid of all the non whites, we're coming after the redheads next.

I'm seeing lots of conjecture about greenhouse gases but no information on what the new invention actually produces. Until we get real information, let's be optimistic, OK?

I have downloaded music for years, but all that has done is vastly widen my musical taste. Now I want albums from labels that the monkies in virgin and hmv haven't even heard of! So places like amazon are always going to win with a wider range. All I want now is for them to stop the stupid price fixing restrictions CDwow and i will be happy.

joe

I think people forget about the problems that can happen when you uncap.

Given that a windows desktop server can cost several thousands of dollars to buy software for, before you pay someone to actually install and configure it, are they saying it cost them several thousanddollars to get the linux server working?

Takes me less than a day to get a working, configured server linux server... (two if I download all the software).

Ongoing costs? Yes, they did have to read the manual for the linux software... But i'd have to read the manual for the Windows software if I wanted a non-default config.

As for the "case studies" I wonder how much it cost M$ to send someone out to walk them through the changeover? Might not have cost that customer, but It sure didn't come out of Bill's pocket!

Interesting Facts: Giga Research is a wholly owned subsidiary of Forrester Research, who changed their policy on paid-for product comparisons as a result of at least a similar study, if not the one touted in the advert.

In their defence (or perhaps not), Forrester did find that MP3s are good for the music industry...

Meta Group will say anything: (not that I don't like the idea, but wouldn't you try to "correct" a firm saying this about you?)
By 2006 or 2007 Linux will be running on 45% of new server
again on eeek (I notice that has a HP ad on it) er, eWeek - but I like the typo better :-)

IDC - well.... IDC: Microsoft breakup would benefit the industry and a quote from here
"IDC has also published research in the past that shows some companies replacing Unix systems with Linux can save twice as much as those that move from Unix to Windows".

Best Buy has its customers arrested for such heinous offenses as trying to get the advertised price on an item.

If you want an Aiero, get it somewhere else.

(I'm not trying to sound like I have a big ego but here goes)


First we need a protocol somewhere between Bluetooth & 802.11b (I'm sure it exists, I am just to lazy to look for a link), that offers low-bandwidth + medium range (50m) and ultra-low battry usage (1 week of usage).

Next we can embed network aware sensors that WE can program. (level of detail to provide and/or services offered)

(You are a middle-aged computer geek who loves Thai food, hockey, and biking) You can program the device to "broadcast" your likes & dislikes this can also help when looking for a job, post your resume and be alerted whenever a company is hiring. Meanwhile companies that want to sell to your demographic can advertise to you when you get near (50m) the shop. (Like Minority report but less invasive because you can turn all of this off if you want.)

It can store all of your personal media to be displayed whenever/wherever you are.

Devices like this with an LCD in the glasses combined with something like this and a terrabyte storage in a form-factor the size of a deck of cards.

It can help with meeting other individuals that share your same tastes, AND store vital data about people you meet (incase your memory is so bad that you can't remember information ie. wifes's name, kids birthdays, etc..)

But most importantly, it's up to YOU to decide how much or how little you provide.

They also wish to use nets like these to charge people for each mile driven. And the price will vary depending on the time of day

Yes! An example is this proposed one. And car insurance by the mile exists right now. I, too, have heard of car insurance schemes that would charge different rates for driving at different times of day(but this is the only link I found on it.)

I have a 1998 era laptop I bought from the now out of business Quantex.

I was able to find out that the manufacturer is a company out of Taiwan named Compal.

I'm finding myself in need of a new keyboard, touchpad assembly(buttons), and I'd like to pick up a second hard disk sleeve.

I emailed their support desk 3 times between November and December 2003 asking for parts information. To date these emails have been ignored.

I've been to local shops and looked on Ebay, but I can't find the parts I need. Well, in truth I found the drive sleeve, but they wanted $50.00 for it. Way too much for $2.00 worth of plastic...

I get the sense that these compaies don't really care about the consumer, even if we're willing to spend money for parts. It's a shame.

I've even tried Dell, who at the time marketed the same model laptop as an Inspiron. Their service department wants nothing to do with Quantex laptops, even though the parts are exactly the same.

wbs.

I have a Shaun Jackson Design's Lapdog and I have to say it is quite simply the best bag I have ever seen or used. Geek.com gave it 4.75 stars Everywhere I go people ask me about it. It is built out pf ballistic nylon and suede. The best thing about it is that the bag really is designed to be used and used hard. It protects your lap from the heat and gives great storage for your accessories. It is quite simply an ingenious design.

The design of the G5 is to use two fans in each zone, one gently blowing, one gently sucking. The result is that you're never slamming air against a wall, which is actually where a lot of the fan noise come from.

The 2.0ghz G5 chip consumes97 watts of power

From a cursory investigation, a Pentium IV seems to take between 60 and 100 watts

As to whether its revolutionary, I doubt it - its just solid engineering without concern with having to fit old form factor bits into the box. (PeeCees have much more homogenous designs, since Macs always come from a single vendor.)

> You really are an Apple zealot in the worst sense.
That's why I have two Windows PCs next to my desk that I use every day, and have used every Windows OS since 3.1. That's why I make money doing Windows support and stuff. Cos I'm an Apple zealot. Yeah, that's it. Christ, why does every article that mentions Apple have to turn into a "you're wrong because you [do/do not] use a Mac" debate? I'm simply stating facts here. It sounds like you're just pissed off because Apple, for a couple of brief years, has a lead in marketshare in this particular field. So what?

> Not everybody can afford to buy a new iPod in 18 months
Everyone's seen that silly video where the guy goes around spraypainting that the iPod battery "only lasts 18 months." So one guy used his iPod so much (and probably didn't observe good charging habits) that it dies sooner than expected. Or perhaps it was just defective. Big fucking deal. Every once in a while a battery is either defective, or someone uses a battery a whole lot, and it doesn't last as long as it's supposed to. This is true for any battery-powered device. Don't tell me you really believe no laptop or cellphone battery ever died unexpectedly. And so the iPod battery is no different than any battery. I know tons of people who have had iPods longer than that which are still fine (and in fact none with dead batteries). And sure, it's not "user-replaceable" in the classical sense. But you can replace it yourself , and if you can post on Slashdot, I think you can read the directions and do it.

> And I don't know where the hell you got the $50 battery -
This is where the hell I got the $49 battery. If only there were a website where one could type in terms and find web pages relevant to them! Oh, wait, there is. It's called a search engine .

> Apple charges $99 and you have to give up your iPod to get a different one. How nice.
See this link.

> You really are an Apple zealot in the worst sense.
That's why I have two Windows PCs next to my desk that I use every day, and have used every Windows OS since 3.1. That's why I make money doing Windows support and stuff. Cos I'm an Apple zealot. Yeah, that's it. Christ, why does every article that mentions Apple have to turn into a "you're wrong because you [do/do not] use a Mac" debate? I'm simply stating facts here. It sounds like you're just pissed off because Apple, for a couple of brief years, has a lead in marketshare in this particular field. So what?

> Not everybody can afford to buy a new iPod in 18 months
Everyone's seen that silly video where the guy goes around spraypainting that the iPod battery "only lasts 18 months." So one guy used his iPod so much (and probably didn't observe good charging habits) that it dies sooner than expected. Or perhaps it was just defective. Big fucking deal. Every once in a while a battery is either defective, or someone uses a battery a whole lot, and it doesn't last as long as it's supposed to. This is true for any battery-powered device. Don't tell me you really believe no laptop or cellphone battery ever died unexpectedly. And so the iPod battery is no different than any battery. I know tons of people who have had iPods longer than that which are still fine (and in fact none with dead batteries). And sure, it's not "user-replaceable" in the classical sense. But you can replace it yourself , and if you can post on Slashdot, I think you can read the directions and do it.

> And I don't know where the hell you got the $50 battery -
This is where the hell I got the $49 battery. If only there were a website where one could type in terms and find web pages relevant to them! Oh, wait, there is. It's called a search engine .

> Apple charges $99 and you have to give up your iPod to get a different one. How nice.
See this link.