Listen -- and then take a guess...
I'm not going to try any of the links, either.
Left: What Yearbook Yourself thinks I looked like in 1970.
Right: PC World photo of me today.
For the last two days I've talked about dual monitors. And as much as I feel more productive using two monitors, I never liked the cockamamie way they were arranged on my desk.
Both sat on a platform I bought eons ago in order to give me more space on my desk. So I'm trying out the Visidec Freestanding Double Horizontal stand from Atdec. It mounts both monitors horizontally on one pole. Atdec has other ways to do the mounting--vertically, or, if you're a gasoline commodities speculator, or just want to impress your co-workers, four-up.
Mount your monitors on an Atdec
My monitors are different sizes--23 and 24 inches--and it doesn't matter to the mount. The Atdec mount can handle 12- through 24-inch LCDs and each can weigh up to 25 pounds.
Putting together the mount took about an hour (think Ikea, with an Allen wrench, 21 screws, clips, and other doodads), the toughest part of the setup. Removing the monitors from their existing bases, holding the cables out of the way, and doing it all without dropping anything wasn't easy, either. If you can get someone to help you, (hey, honey, you busy?), the job will be easier.
I liked being able to stick the power and monitor cables inside the post of the mount, and ultimately, when the project was done, it looked good.
Of course these puppies aren't cheap (but neither were your monitors, right?). The two-up mount discounts for about $200.
Yesterday I told you about my dual monitor setup and gave you a few ideas for doing the same thing in your office.
Physically setting up two monitors; herding them with software is another matter entirely.
I use UltraMon, a $40 tool to control both monitors. The program outshines any video adapter utility, or any other video program, for that matter.
For instance, I can quickly move windows or applications from one monitor to the other and UltraMon corrects for display size differences. I can have separate taskbars on each monitor and assign hotkeys to do my bidding--say, move, maximize, or even reposition app windows. I've set up UltraMon shortcuts that load favorite apps on boot and move the windows to a specific monitor.
I'm not alone in loving UltraMon. In the Step-by-Step I mentioned yesterday, my colleague Eric Lai raves about the program, saying it's "the creme de la creme of multimonitor software..."
Grab a trial, or even try the beta upgrade and see what author Christian Studer is offering in the upcoming version. BTW, Christian is very responsive to support e-mails (and e-mails in general), and his company's support forum is well-maintained.
UltraMon supports all versions of Windows -- 98, Me, 2000, XP, and 2003; the Vista version is in beta.
I know you'll trust me on UltraMon, but just in case you want to shop, look at Maximize Your Monitor with These Utilities
UltraMon has dozens of ways to control your two monitors
Among other features, UltraMon saves the position of your desktop icons
Last week I was in a hotel room, juggling four applications on my teeny, tiny notebook screen. I didn't realize till then how dependent I've become on my dual ViewSonic monitor setup at home.
If you're never had a dual monitor experience, you're missing out on both a higher level of productivity and more pleasurable computing.
Imagine seeing your e-mail app on one monitor and your browser in the other. Have a link in e-mail? Just drag it across the void onto the other monitor and into the browser. Ditto for scraping numbers from Word and popping them onto the other monitor displaying Excel. If you don't believe me, read what my buddy Tom Mainelli said when he upgraded to a dual monitor setup over 3 years ago (see GeekTech: Double Your Fun With a Second Monitor).
Just Do It
Most modern PCs have video adapters--either built into the motherboard, or a separate add-in card--that have dual monitor ports. Most of the time adding a second monitor is straightforward. Turn off your PC, connect the cable that comes with the monitor to the second port on the video adapter, and boot. Both XP and Vista will spot the other monitor (probably thinking "it's about time...") and talk you through the setup steps.
If you don't have dual ports, or you use a notebook, and still want a dual monitor setup, there are ways. My colleague, Eric Lai at Computerworld, explains how in Step-by-Step: A Three-Screen Workstation for $230 or Less. You can also read my ditty, Two Monitors Are Way Better Than One. If you're out of desktop space and into gadgets, check out the Two Monitors: Better Than One? video of Samsung's 22-inch 2263DX, which sports a secondary 7-inch monitor.
Tomorrow: The best monitor utility I've ever used.
Talkback
Have something to say about dual monitors? You can take the BuzzDash poll, use Comments below, or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
I've been drooling for a Dual Monitor for a long time now. Not being the "Donald" I always figured my Dell 18" Ultra Sharp FP would be a starter with it. (DVI + VGA Ports) Space requirements limit me to a 19" maybe 2 21" monitors eventually so I would start with an 18" and a 21". Any problems except one will outshine the other? Jeff Smith Branchville, NJ
The other day I told you about a Trojan horse floating around in an e-mail that suggests you click the link to see a YouTube video. (See Be Careful: E-Mail With Nasty Payloads.)
Once you're on the site--which at a quick glance looks like YouTube--you're told you need to upgrade your Flash player.
Click this and you'll end up with an infected PC
I'm mentioning this again because I almost got nailed. I received a Facebook message with a link that looked innocuous, the sort of thing I often send out. I was lucky because I was paying attention, felt a twinge of doubt, and didn't click the Flash link.
If you face the same situation--a video site that suggests you click to upgrade your media player, well, don't.
Instead, head for the player's originating site--a spot you can trust is safe. For Flash, go to Adobe and download the file. For QuickTime, go to Apple's site, choose the Downloads tab, click the QuickTime button, choose QuickTime 7.5 for Windows XP or Vista (unless you want to load up your PC with iTunes), and IMHO, definitely uncheck the "Free Weekly..." and "Keep me up to date..." options. In fact, consider going to these sites and upgrading right now.
Talkback
Have something to say about the Facebook virus or security in general? You can use Comments below or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
Steve - Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this reminder (please remind us once a week).
Next Friday will be the 50th Time Waster I've blogged. I'm curious what kind you like best. Take a sec tell me what you think (and waste some more time). You can also leave a comment on the BuzzDash poll (see the Voter Comments button), in our Comments below, or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
Oh, this is bliss!
Please, scratch my belly...
In regards to the tiger temple in thailand the CWI (care for wild international) have unravelled some disturbing and shocking details to how the tigers in the temple are looked after. in the report findings have revealed that the tiger temple houses behind the scenes, illegal trade, cruelty to animals (the tigers) and malnouishment due to a poor diet. these tigers are being fed on a diet including chicken carcasses and occasional tin of dog food and cat food this does lead to severe malnourishment. The full report on these horrid conditions are on www.careforthewild.org
Worried about malware? You should be, even though you know the drill. Heck, you've heard it dozens of times: Don't click on links in e-mail; if you're told your PayPal or Amazon.com (or whatever) account needs attention, go to the site directly by typing the site's legitimate URL into your browser. If an e-mail suggests you open an attachment, use your intuitive skills and common sense, and run like hell. (BTW, in yesterday's blog I told you about risks in two particularly tricky e-mails. See Be Careful: E-mails With Nasty Payloads.)
If you don't have protection against malware, at a minimum, grab AVG Anti-Virus, Comodo Firewall Pro, and with 8 million downloads, everyone's favorite, Spybot Search & Destroy, all freebies.
One tool too few people know about is SpywareBlaster, an application that blocks over 10,000 malware sites and tracking cookies while you're browsing. Read more about SpywareBlaster in Ten Tools to Make Windows Shine.
Super protection from 10,000 nasty sites
Have you received your Trojan-infected e-mail yet today? I don't know what's up, but in the last week I've received dozens of e-mails with a virus infected attachment or a link to a backdoor Trojan horse.
There are three variations and all have one thing in mind -- luring me into getting zapped with a nasty payload.
The first has a link to an authentic-looking CNN alert. Click the link (no, don't! -- I was speaking metaphorically) and you'll land on a malware-hosting site that attempts to download a malicious executable onto your PC. Read Fake CNN Alert Still Spreading Malware for details.
I've also received a smattering of e-mails created by clueless cretins, dopes who haven't taken the time to run a spell checker on their even dopier messages. One tells me my FedEx package hasn't been delivered and asks me to click on the attached zipped Trojan to print the invoice. What caught my eye was the tracking number in the subject line, and I worry that some of you might not pay attention to the message and click the link.
But the most malevolent of the bunch has a "click to watch the video" link that purportedly leads to MSNBC's site, but actually sweeps you to a malware site that insists you need to update Flash in order to watch the video. Too many people probably do need to update their Flash applet, so this fool thing is a real temptation. But click the "adobe_flash.exe" upgrade and you'll get nailed by the EncPk-DA Trojan. You can get a full explanation of the depth and breadth of this exploit in Fake News Bulletin Spreads Malware
Tomorrow: How to protect yourself, plus links to everyone's favorite, free defense tools.
If you have a sec, take this BuzzDash poll...
This week lots of XP users are seeing SP3 offered when they click the Windows Update icon. Not all of the early adaptors -- people who downloaded the beast and upgraded right away -- had a good experience. (Read XP SP3's Aches, Pains, and User Complaints for details.)
I made the mistake of installing SP3 on my wife's PC last week. The upgrade gleefully removed all traces of the network adapter, so I couldn't get online. I spent half a day trying to make it work. (The how and why would make for an entertaining episode on "Unsolved Mysteries.")
I threw in the towel and finally uninstalled SP3. Don't be concerned: My wife's PC is doing okay; it hasn't been taken over by malware, hassled by Trojans, or targeted for a DDOS attack. (She's also covered with plenty of free security software.)
Will SP3 Hose Your System?
That's a good question and one I can't answer. But if the upgrade does give you grief, you can safely uninstall it, just like you'd do with any program -- and what I did on my wife's machine. However, don't bother with XP's Add/Remove programs and instead, use Revo Uninstaller, a free and much better tool.
If you upgrade and things don't work as expected, you have another option. You can get free support from Microsoft. It's true, Microsoft offers free upgrade support -- by phone, e-mail, or chat -- for many of their products. But no surprise, finding the support sites isn't easy, and especially difficult if you can't get online. So I've listed the sites, phone numbers, and other details. (You ought to save and print this blog for safekeeping. Then do a nice thing and forward the blog to a couple of buddies.)
Free Windows Vista Small Business
Support number: 866 613-0270
Vista Small Business Assurance free phone support is available to all small businesses purchasing a new PC with Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate from July 1 to September 30.
Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Support number: 866 234-6020
Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows Vista, but only for Service Pack 1 (SP1). This support for SP1 is valid until March 18, 2009. Availability of chat or e-mail support differs depending on your geographic location. For customers residing in North America or Canada, chat and e-mail support is also available.
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3
Support number: 866 234-6020
Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is valid until April 14, 2009.
Internet Explorer 7
Support number: 866 234-6020
Support for Internet Explorer 7 installation and set-up is available via the phone based on your locale. Customers must be running Windows XP or Windows Vista in a non-domain environment.
Okay, sure, I know this isn't technology. (I'll post a juicy PC tip later today, I promise.)
But for right now, everyone, including me, is spending too much time watching the Olympics.
So here are some Sports Illustrated photos of the 100-meter butterfly finish. [Thanks, Tom L.] And on the other hand, take a look at these great images that you won't see on NBC.
In hindsight, the decision to install
a magnetic wall in the baseball stadium
was a bad one (from the Guardian)
Symantec isn't big enough and apparently doesn't have enough programs to sell. So they just announced they've agreed to acquire PC Tools, an Australia-based provider of Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic, and other security tools.
What's it mean to you if you're a PC Tools customer? Symantec says the company will remain a separate entity and "will maintain separate operations within Symantec's consumer business unit." So not to worry -- everything will be rosy, right?
Me, I never feel comfortable when one company is gobbled up by another, larger business that has similar applications. It stifles competition and the development of better, sharper, and smarter programs.
My sense is that eventually all of the products from PC Tools will either blend into an existing Symantec product -- or just drop out of sight.
Think I'm too harsh? Symantec has a long history of acquisitions. For those of you who were around in the 80s and 90s, you might remember Fastback, a great DOS backup program and all the utilities from one of my favorite firms, Central Point Software. Have you heard anything recently from GoBack, the first of the system snapshot tools or PowerQuest's smart Partition Magic, a disk management tool? Nope, they're all gone as are the other 56 computing companies Symantec owns.
I'm waiting for the day Symantec buys Microsoft and morphs it into SyMicrosoftTec or SyMicroManTec...
Talkback
Have something to say about Symantec -- or acquisitions in general? You can use Comments below, take the BuzzDash poll, or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
Remember that the original central Point Software suite
Symantec acquired by its purchase was ALSO called "PC Tools"!!!
I am in full agreement about GoBack and Partition Magic: "Let's buy it, use it as long as we can without any further development and then, when further work becomes necessary (e.g. Vista), kill it".
Bill Zigrang
Stay out of the firing zone and you'll be okay.
Definitely too cute for words
To get more bang for the gas buck, lots of people are looking to a bunch of oh-I-hope-it'll-work devices. I saw a $10 gadget that attaches magnets to your gas line and thought, what the heck maybe it'd help. But my colleague, Tom Spring, says, no way, no how, in his Gas Crisis Fuels Dubious Online Offers.
Some people are trying outlandish and extreme tricks in order to save gas. It's called hypermiling -- coasting whenever possible, sliding through stop signs (oh, yeah, that's smart), and tailgating trucks (oh, sure...). Edmunds.com has a good piece on hypermiling and Go Green Travel Green has a long list of tricks --- about 450 -- that you may want to spend a week studying.
Considering that you're getting zero miles per gallon while you're idling, an appealing hypermiling trick is turning off the engine while you're waiting for the light to change at one California's infamous five-minute, four-way intersections. It may be worth it, provided the stop's longer than a minute or two. Stanford University School of Earth Science says yes as does the Daily Fuel Economy Tip site.
More interesting -- and apparently legitimate -- is Valcent's Vertigro, a way to produce fuel oil from algae. The video explains how they can produce practically any sort of fuel -- diesel, airline fuel, whatever -- just by modifying the algae.
Talkback
Have something to about say? You can use Comments below or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
Here in southern California, gas prices are dropping--down to a whopping $4.20 a gallon. [Wow, that's terrific! The cheapest I've seen it here in San Francisco is $4.35. -Editor]
Are the outrageous prices caused by oil speculators, the oil producing nations, or a hyper-conspiracy by -- hold the phone -- the government? I'm still not sure, but I do know that lots of people -- pundits, the airlines, and average Joes -- are all giving me compelling stories.
Speculator Greed!
I generally disregard messages from corporations pitching me to write to the legislature. The one I got recently from United Airlines caught my eye.
United claims that oil speculators are responsible for driving up fuel prices. You can read the letter below and go to the site that walks you through sending an e-mail to your congressperson.
So I dug around the Internet, as did my buddy Paul C., and we came up with three weighty pieces that say, essentially, no, we can't blame speculators.
Oil-Producing Nations
Some people point fingers at the Middle East countries that sell us oil.
I don't know if it's true. Energy Investment Strategies says "Mideast oil producers increasingly consume their own oil to fuel their fast-growing economies, driving up oil prices," in Vicious Circle: Middle East Affluence Drive Up M.E. Oil Use and Price.
Nonetheless, I found a half-dozen unrelated, yet legit news stories showing how much money some of these countries have to throw around.
The Conspiracy Theorists
Keep the supply low, the demand will be high, and oil company profits will skyrocket. That's the theory opined in Damning Evidence of ?Big Oil? Conspiracy To Limit Supply and Demand.
There are also the people who think it's a government conspiracy to force us to pay more in taxes. Read the American Daily's So you think you know oil: maybe not.
Tomorrow: Gas hoaxes and possible solutions.
The devalued US$ accounts for >35% of the increase in oil prices.
I bought gas here in Florida for $3.69 a gallon on Monday. Something's rotten somewhere.
What people don't realize about petroleum is that we have to stop using the stuff. Period. For the rest of human history we'll need what's left for a ready source of hydrocarbons for critical purposes. We can't afford to be turning it into heat and brake dust. Ever.
These arguments all look at the problem as though it's a USA problem, similar to the arguments regarding polution.
The developing nations, particularly China and India, are demanding ever increasing quantities of oil to fuel their emerging economies. They are bidding for it on the world market, just as we are, and that huge increase in the demand is an unstoppable force in the economy and cost of oil.
Even if we produce more oil here, the producer will sell it to the highest bidder, which is increasingly in the middle ease.
This doesn't explain the short term spikes in price, which is due to many factors, but is the major part of the long term increase.
Unless you've been living in a cave or otherwise comatose, you've probably heard that Dan Kaminsky, a security expert, discovered what could be a nasty DNS exploit. It was so serious that, hard as this is to imagine, even Microsoft paid attention. To get the backstory, read Kaminsky: Many Ways to Attack With DNS. And hold onto your seats, you Mac fans are also vulnerable. Read The DNS Vulnerability: What You Should Know and Do
OpenDNS -- A Smart Switch
It turns out that a simple switch of one of your network settings will protect you from the DNS exploit. Just change your system (or your router) domain server configuration to bypass your ISP's domain servers and use those offered by OpenDNS. It's a two minute process and the steps are explained on the OpenDNS site.
OpenDNS is a freebie and gives you more than just a better way to handle domain name servers. It can also give you a speedier way to get e-mail, FTP, and Internet access in general. It's faster because the OpenDNS domain servers have an enormous cache; if you ask for the same IP address that other users have requested, OpenDNS doesn't need to look elsewhere--it has it.
You say you don't have a clue about Domain Name servers? Basically, the DNS translates site names, such as CNN.com, into IP addresses that PCs use to find each other on the Internet. If you want a more extensive explanation, which will ultimately let you impress your friends, read More Ways to Protect Yourself From Phishing.
I switched to OpenDNS a few weeks ago. It has been great!! Before the switch, my DSL modem would have to be reset every few days to restore access to the Internet, now I have not had one minute of downtime. Also, I love the faster net and the content and phishing blocking.
I just started using OpenDNS and their OpenDNS Updater. The updater does not work properly, I don't see any difference in speed and my email to support has not yet been answered.
Makes me wonder.
Thanks Steve I switched to OpenDNS and see a lot of improvement to my PC . Keep up the great work .
If you buy new tires, it's critical that you check to see if they're brand new and fresh. If you don't, and the tires are more than six years old, the risk of them failing is substantial.
A couple of years ago I read that tires need replacing every six years. I remember thinking that it was a ploy by tire manufacturers to increase business. That's not the case -- and a few things changed my mind.
An Independent Tire Dealer's Message
I subscribe to a YahooGroup for owners of the Roadtrek, a camper van. One of the members passed along a link with an ABC video: "Aged Tires: A Driving Hazard?" He told us: "As a retired tire company employee and independent tire dealer owner myself, I know that RV tires rarely wear out, but instead rot due to age. Most responsible tire manufacturers recommend replacement before the tire reaches its sixth birthday, but often consumers don't realize that this means six years from manufacture, not six years of service."
The video is pretty compelling. It shows how some tire dealers sell old -- like, very old tires. The video also explains how to determine the date your tires were manufactured.
First-Hand Experience
I sent the link to my private YahooGroup and I got a note from a buddy, Jack K., who said: "I can relate to this one. I had a tire come apart on my Buick a few years ago. It had been on the car for five years, but there was plenty of tread left because I didn't drive much. I didn't know about the date code and had no idea how old the tire really was."
My friend Jack's too-old-to-drive-on tire
Talkback
Have something to say about old tires? You can use Comments below or, if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
"Hey, who belongs to that hand?!?"
But back to the time waster: When I watched the Sales Guy vs. Web Dude video, I LOLed and thought of every IT and system admin I know. Unfortunately, if you work from home and never had to deal with an IT department, you might not get it. Either way, I have to issue a stern warning: The language is strong (but of course, nothing you haven't heard before).
Some time ago--in December, I think--I watched a video called "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." ("The Last Lecture" is the name of the best-selling book that the lecture was turned into.) The video, presented at Carnegie Mellon University, starred Professor Randy Pausch. He knew he was dying of pancreatic cancer and the impact it was having on his view of living--and dying.
The video has been viewed on YouTube almost 6 million times so far. I was definitely moved, quite dramatically, by Pausch's powerful and inspirational message.
He died in late July.
Watch the Video
It's a long video, over an hour, and I encourage you to watch to it all. You can also read his obit: Prof whose 'last lecture' became a sensation dies.
It was a nice jolt. Popcorn, VP of human resources, barked at it, and Zippy, the dopiest dog in the world, thought it was some new, weird thunder and high-tailed it into the bedroom. I was under the desk, waiting for the bookcases to tumble.
It was over in a flash and we were pretty lucky this time with a Richter measurement of 5.4 compared to the 1994 Northridge quake's 6.7. (Check the stats.)
My guess -- hope, actually -- is that most southern Californians are considering the latest little shake an earthquake drill. With that in mind, I have a slew of earthquake resources that may help you handle the next one.
Spots to Help You Prepare
Earthquakes: The Technical Sites
There is a mass of terrific stuff about earthquakes on the Net, everything from maps showing how an earthquake's shock waves travel to myths about why earthquakes occur.
Getting Notified
I got the details on the range and intensity of the earthquake -- after the fact -- by way of an e-mail sent by the Emergency Email Network. (Remember, I was hiding under the desk while the dogs went nuts.) I also use the site to receive instant e-mail updates regarding extreme weather and other disasters. You may get quicker notification directly from the USGS's Earthquake Notification Service by e-mail or RSS.
Just in case you're wondering if earthquakes can be predicted, you might want to look at Jim Berkland's Earthquake Prediction Online. According to Wikipedia, the guy's a retired geologist who worked many years for the U.S. Geological Survey and as a geologist for Santa Clara County in northern California. [Thanks, Chuck.]
Tips for Buying Earthquake Insurance
Making the decision to buy earthquake insurance -- or maybe cancel it -- is difficult. Here are some resources:
I often have to duplicate 50 or more training CDs or DVDs for a local nature organization where I volunteer. In the past, I'd use my PC and my test system, and swap out discs for an afternoon.
I've dreamed of using a stand-alone disc duplicator, but the cost -- $1000 or more -- stopped me cold. That changed recently when I tried a reasonably priced Xerox DVD, CD, and Blu-ray duplicator.
For under $300, the two-disc model (one reader, one burner) can burn 700MB CDs in 3 minutes at 52X and 4.7GB DVDs in 6 minutes at 20X. The duplicator has 256MB of buffer memory that reduces buffer under-run errors.
There are two ways to create a master image: I can burn a disc's contents directly onto the duplicator's 160GB hard drive, or drag and drop image files directly from a PC to the duplicator using a USB 2.0 connection. Once you've transferred the files, the PC doesn't need to stay connected.
If you have the bucks, you can get more writeable drives, all the way from one reader and three burners for about $520 up to a model with one reader and 15 burners (about $1700).
Xerox's one-reader-and-three-burner model.
The one thing missing from Xerox's disc duplicators is the ability to label the discs. For that, you'll need to wait for Xerox to release its just-announced models with LightScribe disc labeling. Unfortunately, it's too new, so I can't provide pricing, availability, or even a link.
The Aleratec 1:15 DVD/CD Tower Publisher SLS part # 260178 LightScribe Duplicator is available now at leading resellers, the link is as follows:
http://www.aleratec.com/al1dvtopusls.html
It's true: Microsoft has confirmed that it's abandoning Windows as we know it. Cagey as ever, the Microsofties won't say when it'll happen, but they have talked a little bit about what the next OS is going to look like--or not look like.
Microsoft code-named the project Midori. As best I can figure, it's cloud computing: Everything, including applications and data, is on the Internet.
What Exactly is Midori?
My colleague Elizabeth Montalbano, with the IDG News Service, tried making some sense of it in Microsoft Prepares for End of Windows With Midori and Erik Larkin, our crackerjack OS and Web guy, has plenty to say in Cloud Computing, Microsoft's Midori, and the End of Windows. There are also details -- and speculation -- in an SDTimes piece, Microsoft's plans for post-Windows OS revealed.
Midori for Linux?
One of my smarter-than-me buddies, Gary F., told me that Linus Torvalds worked on something called Midori a few years ago, an embedded Linux for mobile devices: "I doubt Microsoft would ever release something that could be traced back to Linux, but if I recall correctly, Transmeta's Midori had some rudimentary 'cloud computing' features vaguely similar to Microsoft's Midori." Read Details emerge on Transmeta's "Mobile Linux" and Transmeta Exports Midori Linux to China for details.
Quick aside: Cloud computing is worth knowing about, if for no other reason than sounding smart at your next dinner party. Read Yahoo, Intel and HP Form Cloud Computing Labs and Sci-Fi Channel Has Head In Cloud (Computing) to get a handle on it. Interesting, too, is what Dell is trying to do; read Dell Tries to Trademark 'Cloud Computing' for details on that.
Talkback
Midori isn't likely to be available for years (hey, we first have to gear up for Windows 7 (see Windows 7 in 2009?). Nonetheless, everyone has an opinion, and I'd like to hear yours.
If you have something to say, do it in Comments below, take the quick BuzzDash poll, or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.
Definitely makes sense to me. Windows PCs should have been replaced by an all talking, all reading, all 3D seeing, interactive
interface, with 64/128 bit CPUs, and autonomous PUs for graphics, Ethernet, sound, and data transfers, starting in 1995 and moving to 256bit by 2000.
Instead the world has been forced to spend money on the gradual
increments of Microsoft's rendition of the '75 XEROX WIMP, an
interface that reached it's end of life phase in '85 on multi
processor 32bit personal workstations like the SGI Indy.
The only way I can make my 64bit AMD box work as fast as these old workstations used to, is to load a real time optimised Linux kernel, and compile the software applications for the hardware. At least by using KDE4 and 4 GB RAM I don't have to wait more than the then standard 0.3 of a second for each function to complete.
Goodbye Windows, roll on Internet ISP leased connectivity boxes in a P2P supercomputer grid, user friendly human interface devices and the cloud.
When Larry Ellison came up with his "thin client" uhh, "paradigm", my comment was: SQL*Nuts. I haven't changed my mind, though I am sure that corporate IT is going to love the idea of re-building the "glass house", throttling off anything "not invented here" and turning the corporate computing environment into a profit center - remember that term?
What is being forgotten here is the fundamental reason that the PC became popular: it's like the difference between personal transportation and getting on the bus, or train. Uhh, which do you prefer?
In my opinion, it's time to start thinking about converting over to the Macintosh. When will Microsoft come up with a reliable operating system without thinking about clouding? And what about all of the rural people in the world that do not have access to high speed internet or do we matter?
Here's the procedure:
1. Click Start
2. Wait for the 3, 2, 1 to disappear and then quickly memorize the position of the numbers on the screen.
3. Click the circle from the smallest number to the largest number.
4. At the end of the game, the computer will tell you how old your brain
is.
You're in a room. Click on something -- anything -- to learn more.
Get the password right -- and you pick up important info.
I really mean this in a nice way.... Damn you Steve Bass for introducing me to the "Kongregate Desktop Tower Defense". This is definately a "Time Waster" and well worth wasting my time! Thank you, I really enjoy this game, it is very challenging.
Keep up your great work at supplying us with truly useful information.
Cheers.
--------------------
SlightlyConfused: Glad to have wasted your time.
