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“The Dark Knight Rises” in theaters July 20.
Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

For those of us who aren’t well-versed in the terminology of the latest technological developments, the idea of “cloud computing” may be difficult to understand, or maybe even a bit intimidating to approach. So what is cloud computing? Dell is a company that has the ability for individuals and companies to store information online. When trying to guess what cloud computing might be, one could imagine invisible servers that store energy in the air in great globs of formless circuitry or perhaps even computers that are stored in hot air balloons that float in the clouds so as to not take up space on the ground. However, the reality of what cloud computing is doesn’t extend into science fiction as the aforementioned possibilities. Instead, cloud computing is the use of storage space that can be accessed through a network to put files into a place where they can be accessed from any machine that is connected to the network. Cloud computing allows memory or electronic storage to be sold as a service instead of as a physical commodity; individuals who purchase space on a storage cloud can buy exactly what they need so that they are able to make more effective use of their resources than if they bought an entire server or a large local disk and only needed to use a fraction of the space on it.

Cloud storage is especially useful for those who have multiple personal computing devices: laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc. It can be annoying and inconvenient to have to physically move needed files in between personal computing devices using a flash drive or other physical storage device. However, if one uses cloud storage to upload a file to the cloud, it can be accessed from any of the other personal computing devices. This means that through using cloud storage individuals can avoid having to worry about having files on hand because as long as they’re able to connect to the network that holds the cloud then they can access any files that they have uploaded to the cloud.

This is useful for students who need to keep track of papers and presentations for different classes. I’ve had a few instances where I needed to print out a paper on campus and got all the way to campus before I realized that I hadn’t moved the file over to my flash drive. Programs like Dropbox make cloud storage convenient and easy to understand so that even those unacquainted with cloud computing can benefit from the advantages of cloud computing. Some have concerns over storing important information on storage clouds because if hackers attack a cloud to gain access to one group of files then they can also have access to other files contained in the cloud, so in this way users would be vulnerable to even those attacks that are not directly specifically at their files. However, storage clouds are becoming increasingly secure, and centralizing files also gives those maintaining the storage cloud to centralize the defenses that guard the files. Considering the convenience of using cloud storage, the net effect of this new technology is positive.

At a time when Yahoo! has announced that it intends to shed 2,000 jobs worldwide, with a large number of them being lost in London, the news that Skype has plans to expand its business and launch an innovative new recruitment campaign is welcome news to the London jobs market.

Skype, the VOIP and software service owned by the Microsoft Corporation since 2011, has ambitious plans to grow significantly over the next few years.  Since the company was set up in 2003, it has experienced a phenomenal global growth rate. In September 2011, Skype announced that it had over 663 million registered users worldwide and no doubt this number has continued to grow steadily since that declaration. Skype handles an unbelievable 7 million hours of calls and video each and every day!

To support its continued growth, Skype has plans to increase its workforce by 400 additional members. The company currently has 1,200 employees worldwide, with the majority working at the Skype head office in Luxembourg, with a strong presence also in Tallinn and Estonia. The majority of the new positions will be located at Skype’s London and Stockholm offices, increasing their workforce by 40%.

A Skype spokesperson told the BBC that the majority of the new roles were IT jobs focusing on software engineering, product management and design. “We have one project about ‘big data’, which is about making use of data that our users generate when using the product to improve the quality of the products we offer,” said Skype’s Rick Osterloh.

“We also have a number of initiatives we are working on in the web area, and we are hiring some positions for our newly formed Xbox division.”

To support their investment in IT jobs in London, Skype also plans to open a new technology centre. The company already has a base just off Charlotte Street in central London so it is currently unclear if Skype will simply expand its existing premises there or look for a new location. Whatever the decision, the new office will no doubt promote the same ‘fun factor’ as the existing ones.

Skype’s recruitment webpage outlines the relaxed and playful work environment that they hope to achieve in all their offices. Employees can help themselves to a breakfast buffet of fruits, toasts and an impressive array of 16 different cereals to keep energy levels high. Team building is encouraged by an onsite games room allowing employees to play table football or pool.

Skype expressed confidence that the new roles in London to be extremely popular and no doubt the communications company will be inundated with applications.

Here’s your first look at in-game engine footage from Crytek and EA’s upcoming first person shooter Crysis 3.

The hunted becomes the hunter in the CryEngine-powered open-world shooter Crysis 3! Players take on the role of ‘Prophet’ as he returns to New York in the year in 2047, only to discover that the city has been encased in a Nanodome created by the corrupt Cell Corporation. The New York City Liberty Dome is a veritable urban rainforest teeming with overgrown trees, dense swamplands and raging rivers. Within the Liberty Dome, seven distinct and treacherous environments become known as the Seven Wonders. This dangerous new world demands advanced weapons and tactics. Prophet will utilize a lethal composite bow, an enhanced Nanosuit and devastating alien tech to become the deadliest hunter on the planet.

Prophet is on a revenge mission after uncovering the truth behind Cell Corporation’s motives for building the quarantined Nanodomes. The citizens were told that the giant citywide structures were resurrected to protect the population and to cleanse these metropolises of the remnants of Ceph forces. In reality, the Nanodomes are CELL’s covert attempt at a land and technology grab in their quest for global domination. With Alien Ceph lurking around every corner and human enemies on the attack, nobody is safe in the path of vengeance. Everyone is a target in Prophet’s quest for retribution.

Genre: First-Person Shooter
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Crytek Studios
Available on: X360, PlayStation 3, PC
RP-M+ for Rating Pending, Targeting a Rating of Mature or Above

With Google set to release its Google drive any day now, Microsoft is jumping in on the cloud service and revamping its SkyDrive. They initially  acted more like storage for the attachments you send via emails rather than a dedicated online file storage service.They have now released their clients for PC and Mac just like DropBox. Coupled with apps for Windows Phone 7, Android and iPhone, the online file storage service by Microsoft seems to be complete and ready to rival DropBox and Google Drive.

To get the dedicated clients as well as apps, visit SkyDrive.

Currently when you sign up, you get 7GB of free storage. You are given a chance to claim your 25GB of free storage for a limited time however, not quite sure when the offer will expire. If 25GB (or 7GB if you’re a new user or miss out on the free upgrade) isn’t enough for your needs, Microsoft is offering three upgrade options for the SkyDrive service:

• Additional 20GB – £6/yr ($10)
• Addition 50GB – £16/yr ($25)
• Additional 100GB – £32/yr ($50)

It just might be the time to give up on Dropbox. I had managed to get upto 8GB free by referrals. 25GB free by default is a bargain! Get on SkyDrive now!

via MSDN