The Gulftown is Intel’s first six-core processor fabricated at 32nm, capable of handling 12 computing threads at once. As part of the Extreme Edition line, the i7-980X is targeted at enthusiasts and hardcore-gamers who have enough cash to purchase one (or even two ) of these benchmark monsters.

Specifications & Features

• Core Frequency: 3.33GHz (Up To 3.6GHz w/ Turbo)
• QPI Speed – 6.4GT/s
• TDP (Thermal Design Power) – 130W
• Stepping – 2
• Number of CPU Cores – 6 (12 Threads w/ HT)
• Intel SmarCache – 12MB
• L2 Cache – 1.5MB (256K x 6)
• Processor input voltage (VID) – .95v
• .032-micron manufacturing process
• Shared Smart Cache Technology
• PECI Enabled
• Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)
• Extended HALT State (C1E) Enabled
• Execute Disable Bit (XD) Enabled
• Intel 64 Technology
• AES-NI: 12 new processor instructions
• Intel Virtualization Technology (VT)
• Packaging – Flip Chip LGA1366
• Total Die Size: Approximately 248mm2
• Approximately 1.17B Transistors
• MSRP – $999

Intel bundles in a new stock cooler that matches it’s flagship processor speed with stylish looks we’d normally expect from Zalman, Coolermaster, etc.

Neat huh?

Here’s a run down of reviews from several top hardware sites:
Hothardware
Toms Hardware
PC Per
Tech Report

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Post tags: 980X, i7, Intel, Processor

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The very first reports of problems came from Battle.net.  Symptoms started from low FPS after driver installation on Blizzard games (Warcraft 3, World of Warcraft and StarCraft 2 Beta) and finally frying the GPU due to excessive heat.

The bug on version 196.75 keeps the fan speed of the GPU at minimum, hence the overheating problem.   This puts all fan-cooled, NVIDIA graphics cards at risk.  Passively cooled cards don’t seem to be affected (after all, there’s no fan speed to break ).

NVIDIA hasn’t commented on this yet, but the drivers download links have been deleted. The fix?  Simply install an older version of the driver or simply don’t open any application that’ll stress your GPU.

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Post tags: Drivers, Graphics Cards, Nvidia

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Nokia C5 Full Specifications
2.2″ screen @ 240×320 pixels
up to 16GB via microSD (2GB included)
HSDPA 10.2 Mbps, HSUPA 2 Mbps
Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP
3.15MP autofocus camera, LED flash
Symbian OS v9.3 Series 60 rel. 3.2
Stereo FM radio with RDS
GPS with aGPS support and Ovi Maps 3.0

See anything missing?  Yep.  It’s missing WiFi connectivity.  It’s a make or break omission especially since the Nokia C5 is expected to hit the market at just Php 8,500.  Any takers?

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Post tags: Nokia, Nokia C5, Smartphone

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Windows Double Explorer (WDE for short) opens two panes, each with it’s own Windows Explorer window where users can browse and navigate files, folders, documents, etc. Two panes aren’t enough for you? Just add more tabs until you get your fill . I haven’t found out what the limit is on the number of tabs WDE can handle but I’m pretty certain it’s a lot.

Now you might be wondering, what good does using Windows’ very own Explorer application instead of using it’s own dedicated file navigation system. By using Windows Explorer, you get access to all the nifty additions that Windows 7 has added like Libraries, Favorites, etc. If you want something a bit more toned down and back to basics, you may want to look at the free version of Xplorer2 (Xplorer lite). My only qualm about WDE is that auxiliary mouse buttons (button 4 and 5 on my A4tech laser mouse) don’t work. They work gracefully with an ordinary Windows Explorer window for moving back and forth (button 4 is usually mapped to back and button 5 to forward) the directories you’re browsing and I kinda miss it while using WDE. I’m hoping it’ll be addressed with future releases .

Windows Double Explorer is freeware and can be downloaded via the developer’s a href=”http://wde.codeplex.com/”>site. The current build as of publishing this post is v0.3.7
Do note that this application ONLY works with Windows 7

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Post tags: Free Software, Windows 7, Windows Double Explorer

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Here’s an exhaustive list of keyboard commands for Windows 7  or accelerator hotkeys available on the operating system level and also for several built-in application programs in Windows 7, as published by Microsoft.

Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts

• Right Shift for eight seconds: Turn Filter Keys on and off
• Left Alt + Left Shift + PrtScn (or PrtScn): Turn High Contrast on or off
• Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock: Turn Mouse Keys on or off
• Shift five times: Turn Sticky Keys on or off
• Num Lock for five seconds: Turn Toggle Keys on or off
• Windows logo key + U: Open the Ease of Access Center

General keyboard shortcuts

• F1: Display Help
• Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert): Copy the selected item
• Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item
• Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert): Paste the selected item
• Ctrl + Z: Undo an action
• Ctrl + Y: Redo an action
• Delete (or Ctrl + D): Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
• Shift + Delete: Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
• F2: Rename the selected item
• Ctrl + Right Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
• Ctrl + Left Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
• Ctrl + Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
• Ctrl + Up Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
• Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key: Select a block of text
• Shift + any arrow key: Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
• Ctrl + any arrow key + Spacebar: Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
• Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window
• F3: Search for a file or folder
• Alt + Enter: Display properties for the selected item
• Alt + F4: Close the active item, or exit the active program
• Alt + Spacebar: Open the shortcut menu for the active window
• Ctrl + F4: Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• Alt + Tab: Switch between open items
• Ctrl + Alt + Tab: Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
• Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel: Change the size of icons on the desktop
• Windows logo key + Tab: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
• Ctrl+ Windows logo key + Tab: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
• Alt + Esc: Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
• F6: Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
• F4: Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
• Shift + F10: Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
• Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu
• Alt + underlined letter: Display the corresponding menu
• Alt + underlined letter: Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
• F10: Activate the menu bar in the active program
• Right Arrow: Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
• Left Arrow: Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
• F5 (or Ctrl + R): Refresh the active window
• Alt + Up Arrow: View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
• Esc: Cancel the current task
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager
• Shift when you insert a CD: Prevent the CD from automatically playing
• Left Alt + Shift: Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
• Ctrl + ShiftL: Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
• Right or Left Ctrl + Shift: Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + Tab: Move forward through tabs
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Move back through tabs
• Tab: Move forward through options
• Shift + Tab: Move back through options
• Alt + underlined letter: Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
• Enter: Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
• Spacebar: Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
• Arrow keys: Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
• F1: Display Help
• F4: Display the items in the active list
• Backspace: Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

• Windows logo key: Open or close the Start menu.
• Windows logo key + Pause: Display the System Properties dialog box.
• Windows logo key + D: Display the desktop.
• Windows logo key + M: Minimize all windows.
• Windows logo key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
• Windows logo key + E: Open Computer.
• Windows logo key + F: Search for a file or folder.
• Ctrl + Windows logo key + F: Search for computers (if you’re on a network).
• Windows logo key + L: Lock your computer or switch users.
• Windows logo key + R: Open the Run dialog box.
• Windows logo key + T: Cycle through programs on the taskbar.
• Windows logo key + number: Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
• Shift + Windows logo key + number: Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
• Ctrl + Windows logo key + number: Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
• Alt + Windows logo key + number: Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
• Windows logo key + Tab: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
• Ctrl+Windows logo key + Tab: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
• Ctrl+Windows logo key + B: Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
• Windows logo key + Spacebar: Preview the desktop.
• Windows logo key + Up Arrow: Maximize the window.
• Windows logo key + Left Arrow: Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
• Windows logo key + Right Arrow: Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
• Windows logo key + Down Arrow: Minimize the window.
• Windows logo key + Home: Minimize all but the active window.
• Windows logo key + Shift + Up Arrow: Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
• Windows logo key + Shift+ Left Arrow or Right Arrow: Move a window from one monitor to another.
• Windows logo key + P: Choose a presentation display mode.
• Windows logo key + G: Cycle through gadgets.
• Windows logo key + U: Open Ease of Access Center.
• Windows logo key + X: Open Windows Mobility Center.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Open a new window
• Ctrl + W: Close the current window
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder
• End: Display the bottom of the active window
• Home: Display the top of the active window
• F11: Maximize or minimize the active window
• Ctrl + Period (.): Rotate a picture clockwise
• Ctrl + Comma (,): Rotate a picture counter-clockwise
• Num Lock + Asterisk (*) on numeric keypad: Display all subfolders under the selected folder
• Num Lock + Plus Sign (+) on numeric keypad: Display the contents of the selected folder
• Num Lock + Minus Sign (-) on numeric keypad: Collapse the selected folder
• Left Arrow: Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the parent folder
• Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
• Alt + P: Display the preview pane
• Alt + Left Arrow: View the previous folder
• Backspace: View the previous folder
• Right Arrow: Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder
• Alt + Right Arrow: View the next folder
• Alt + Up Arrow: View the parent folder
• Ctrl + Shift + E: Display all folders above the selected folder
• Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel: Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
• Alt + D: Select the address bar
• Ctrl + E: Select the search box
• Ctrl + F: Select the search box

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

• Shift + Click on a taskbar button: Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program
• Ctrl + Shift + Click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator
• Shift + Right-click on a taskbar button: Show the window menu for the program
• Shift + Right-click on a grouped taskbar button: Show the window menu for the group
• Ctrl + Click on a grouped taskbar button: Cycle through the windows of the group

Magnifier keyboard shortcuts

• Windows logo key + Plus Sign or Minus Sign: Zoom in or out
• Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar: Preview the desktop in full-screen mode
• Ctrl + Alt + F: Switch to full-screen mode
• Ctrl + Alt + L: Switch to lens mode
• Ctrl + Alt + D: Switch to docked mode
• Ctrl + Alt + I: Invert colors
• Ctrl + Alt + arrow keys: Pan in the direction of the arrow keys
• Ctrl + Alt + R: Resize the lens
• Windows logo key + Esc: Exit Magnifier

Remote Desktop Connection keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + Page Up: Move between programs from left to right.
• Alt + Page Down: Move between programs from right to left.
• Alt + Insert: Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in.
• Alt + Home: Display the Start menu.
• Ctrl + Alt + Break: Switch between a window and full screen.
• Ctrl + Alt + End: Display the Windows Security dialog box.
• Alt + Delete: Display the system menu.
• Ctrl + Alt + Minus Sign (-) on the numeric keypad: Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt + PrtScn on a local computer).
• Ctrl + Alt + Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad: Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local computer).
• Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow: “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.
• Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow: “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.

Paint keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Create a new picture
• Ctrl + O: Open an existing picture
• Ctrl + S: Save changes to a picture
• F12: Save the picture as a new file
• Ctrl + P: Print a picture
• Alt + F4: Close a picture and its Paint window
• Ctrl + Z: Undo a change
• Ctrl + Y: Redo a change
• Ctrl + A: Select the entire picture
• Ctrl + X: Cut a selection
• Ctrl + C: Copy a selection to the Clipboard
• Ctrl + V: Paste a selection from the Clipboard
• Right Arrow: Move the selection or active shape right by one pixel
• Left Arrow: Move the selection or active shape left by one pixel
• Down Arrow: Move the selection or active shape down by one pixel
• Up Arrow: Move the selection or active shape up by one pixel
• Esc: Cancel a selection
• Delete: Delete a selection
• Ctrl + B: Bold selected text
• Ctrl + +: Increase the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
• Ctrl + -: Decrease the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
• Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
• Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
• Ctrl + E: Open the Properties dialog box
• Ctrl + W: Open the Resize and Skew dialog box
• Ctrl + Page Up: Zoom in
• Ctrl + Page Down: Zoom out
• F11: View a picture in full-screen mode
• Ctrl + R: Show or hide the ruler
• Ctrl + G: Show or hide gridlines
• F10 or Alt: Display keytips
• Shift + F10: Show the current shortcut menu
• F1: Open Paint Help

WordPad keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Create a new document
• Ctrl + O: Open an existing document
• Ctrl + S: Save changes to a document
• F12: Save the document as a new file
• Ctrl + P: Print a document
• Alt + F4: Close WordPad
• Ctrl + Z: Undo a change
• Ctrl + Y: Redo a change
• Ctrl + A: Select the entire document
• Ctrl + X: Cut a selection
• Ctrl + C: Copy a selection to the Clipboard
• Ctrl + V: Paste a selection from the Clipboard
• Ctrl + B: Make selected text bold
• Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
• Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
• Ctrl + =: Make selected text subscript
• Ctrl + Shift + =: Make selected text superscript
• Ctrl + L: Align text left
• Ctrl + E Align text center
• Ctrl + R:: Align text right
• Ctrl + J: Justify text
• Ctrl + 1: Set single line spacing
• Ctrl + 2: Set double line spacing
• Ctrl + 5: Set line spacing to 1.5
• Ctrl + Shift + >: Increase the font size
• Ctrl + Shift + <: Decrease the font size
• Ctrl + Shift + A: Change characters to all capitals
• Ctrl + Shift + L: Change the bullet style
• Ctrl + D: Insert a Microsoft Paint drawing
• Ctrl + F: Find text in a document
• F3: Find the next instance of the text in the Find dialog box
• Ctrl + H: Replace text in a document
• Ctrl + Left Arrow: Move the cursor one word to the left
• Ctrl + Right Arrow: Move the cursor one word to the right
• Ctrl + Up Arrow: Move the cursor to the line above
• Ctrl + Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the line below
• Ctrl + Home: Move to the beginning of the document
• Ctrl + End: Move to the end of the document
• Ctrl + Page Up: Move up one page
• Ctrl + Page Down: Move down one page
• Ctrl + Delete: Delete the next word
• F10: Display keytips
• Shift + F10: Show the current shortcut menu
• F1: Open WordPad Help

Calculator keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + 1: Switch to Standard mode
• Alt + 2: Switch to Scientific mode
• Alt + 3: Switch to Programmer mode
• Alt + 4: Switch to Statistics mode
• Ctrl + E: Open date calculations
• Ctrl + H: Turn calculation history on or off
• Ctrl + U: Open unit conversion
• Alt + C: Calculate or solve date calculations and worksheets
• F1: Open Calculator Help
• Ctrl + Q: Press the M- button
• Ctrl + P: Press the M+ button
• Ctrl + M: Press the MS button
• Ctrl + R: Press the MR button
• Ctrl + L: Press the MC button
• %: Press the % button
• F9: Press the +/– button
• /: Press the / button
• *: Press the * button
• +: Press the + button
• -: Press the – button
• R: Press the 1/× button
• @: Press the square root button
• 0-9: Press the number buttons (0-9)
• =: Press the = button
• .: Press the . (decimal point) button
• Backspace: Press the backspace button
• Esc: Press the C button
• Del: Press the CE button
• Ctrl + Shift + D: Clear the calculation history
• F2: Edit the calculation history
• Up Arrow key: Navigate up in the calculation history
• Down Arrow key: Navigate down in the calculation history
• Esc: Cancel editing the calculation history
• Enter: Recalculate the calculation history after editing
• F3: Select Degrees in Scientific mode
• F4: Select Radians in Scientific mode
• F5: Select Grads in Scientific mode
• I: Press the Inv button in Scientific mode
• D: Press the Mod button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + S: Press the sinh button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + O: Press the cosh button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + T: Press the tanh button in Scientific mode
• (: Press the ( button in Scientific mode
• ): Press the ) button in Scientific mode
• N: Press the ln button in Scientific mode
• ;: Press the Int button in Scientific mode
• S: Press the sin button in Scientific mode
• O: Press the cos button in Scientific mode
• T: Press the tan button in Scientific mode
• M: Press the dms button in Scientific mode
• P: Press the pi button in Scientific mode
• V: Press the F-E button in Scientific mode
• X: Press the Exp button in Scientific mode
• Q: Press the x^2 button in Scientific mode
• Y: Press the x^y button in Scientific mode
• #: Press the x^3 button in Scientific mode
• L: Press the log button in Scientific mode
• !: Press the n! button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + Y: Press the y√x button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + B: Press the 3√x button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + G: Press the 10x button in Scientific mode
• F5: Select Hex in Programmer mode
• F6: Select Dec in Programmer mode
• F7: Select Oct in Programmer mode
• F8: Select Bin in Programmer mode
• F12: Select Qword in Programmer mode
• F2: Select Dword in Programmer mode
• F3: Select Word in Programmer mode
• F4: Select Byte in Programmer mode
• K: Press the RoR button in Programmer mode
• J: Press the RoL button in Programmer mode
• <: Press the Lsh button in Programmer mode
• >: Press the Rsh button in Programmer mode
• %: Press the Mod button in Programmer mode
• (: Press the ( button in Programmer mode
• ): Press the ) button in Programmer mode
• |: Press the Or button in Programmer mode
• ^: Press the Xor button in Programmer mode
• ~: Press the Not button in Programmer mode
• &: Press the And button in Programmer mode
• A-F: Press the A-F buttons in Programmer mode
• Spacebar: Toggles the bit value in Programmer mode
• A: Press the Average button in Statistics mode
• Ctrl + A: Press the Average Sq button in Statistics mode
• S: Press the Sum button in Statistics mode
• Ctrl + S: Press the Sum Sq button in Statistics mode
• T: Press the S.D. button in Statistics mode
• Ctrl + T: Press the Inv S.D. button in Statistics mode
• D: Press the CAD button in Statistics mode

Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Start a new note
• Ctrl + O: Open a recently used note
• Ctrl + S: Save changes to a note
• Ctrl + Shift + V: Move a note to a specific folder
• Ctrl + P: Print a note
• Alt + F4: Close a note and its Journal window
• Ctrl + Z: Undo a change
• Ctrl + Y: Redo a change
• Ctrl + A: Select all items on a page
• Ctrl + X: Cut a selection
• Ctrl + C: Copy a selection to the Clipboard
• Ctrl + V: Paste a selection from the Clipboard
• Esc: Cancel a selection
• Delete: Delete a selection
• Ctrl + F: Start a basic find
• Ctrl + G: Go to a page
• F5: Refresh find results
• F5: Refresh the note list
• F6: Toggle between a note list and a note
• Ctrl + Shift + C: Display a shortcut menu for column headings in a note list
• F11: View a note in full-screen mode
• F1: Open Journal Help

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + C: Display the Table of Contents
• Alt + N: Display the Connection Settings menu
• F10: Display the Options menu
• Alt + Left Arrow: Move back to the previously viewed topic
• Alt + Right Arrow: Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
• Alt + A: Display the customer support page
• Alt + Home: Display the Help and Support home page
• Home: Move to the beginning of a topic
• End: Move to the end of a topic
• Ctrl + F: Search the current topic
• Ctrl + P: Print a topic
• F3: Move the cursor to the search box

Know a hotkey/keyboard shortcut that’s not listed here? Post a comment and we’ll add it to this admittedly very useful list

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Post tags: Hotkeys, Keyboard Shortcuts, Windows 7

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If you’re asking why Microsoft would do such a thing is because as part of the agreement for allowing you to use the Release Candidate for free up until June 1.  If up until then you still haven’t switched OS (which is a feat that calls for applause considering your computer will start to forcibly shut down starting May 1), according to Ars Technica, it will trigger a “non-genuine experience.”  What’s this non-genuine experience?  Aside from the scheduled shut downs, your wallpaper will be replaced with a plain backdrop with a message “This copy of Windows is not genuine” plastered at the lower right corner of the desktop.  Looks fancy doesn’t it? /sarc

If you want to retain your copy of Windows 7 there’s two things you can do, get it cheap (via MSDNAA, your company’s MSDN/Bizspark subscription, your friend?) or locate and install a copy of Windows 7 RTM. 

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Post tags: Windows, Windows 7

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Important Note:  You need to have Windows Aero enabled to make the hack work so if you’re on Windows 7 starter, you might want to consider upgrading since you’re missing on quite a few features.

Download: Windows7-DreamScene

How to Install DreamScene in Windows 7

1. Download the file linked above (Windows7-DreamScene.zip) and extract it to your PC
2. Windows7-DreamScene.exe as Administrator to install and enable Windows DreamScene on Windows 7.  This will copy DreamScene.dll to %WinDir%\System32 folder, DreamScene.dll.mui to %WinDir%\System32\en-US folder and add the required registry keys and values.
3. Explorer will restart automatically.  Don’t panic, it’s normal.
4. You now have a Windows DreamScene folder (located at %WinDir%\Web\ folder) that holds all media that you select to use as background for DreamScene as it was in Windows Vista.  The catch is that unlike in Vista, with Windows 7, DreamScene is not available on the Control Panel giving you very little control over it.

Using DreamScene in Windows 7

1. To apply a video clip (in .WMV or .MPG format) as the DreamScene animated wallpaper desktop background, right click on the video media file.
2. Select Set as Desktop Background in the context menu.   Due to DreamScene been stripped from Windows 7 issue, video files may not be visible inside Personalization and Desktop Background configuration page. However, all features of DreamScene, such as Play DreamScene, Pause DreamScene and sound/audio are supported.

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Post tags: DreamScene, Windows 7

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Looking at the numbers, a lot of Windows 7 adopters have upgraded from their existing installation, with most migrators coming from Vista, proving that even if Microsoft had indeed fixed most of the issues from the last OS release, people still don’t like it .

Early in it’s life cycle, Microsoft is already prepping its first Service Pack for Windows 7.

[Image via: Net Applications]

Have you made the switch yet? If so, how is Windows 7 for you? If not what’s holding you back?

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Post tags: Microsoft, Windows, Windows 7

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Official specs are available after the jump

The Apple iPad specs:

• Display: 9.7″ display screen with multitouch
• Resolution: 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Processor: 1GHz Apple A4 Processor Chip
• Storage: 16Gb to 64GB SSD
• Connectivity: WiFi 802.11n + Bluetooth 2.1
• Optional 3G: via new micro-SIM
• Battery life: 10 hours battery life + 1 month standby (Apple claim)
• Supported audio formats: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAVSupported file formats: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)
• Audio options: 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack, Built-in speakers, Microphone
• I/O options: Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Composite A/V Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite A/V Cable

via [Apple ipad microsite]

Running a modified version of the iPod touch/iPhone version of OSX, one of the tablet’s strong suit is that it has access to ALL of the existing applications that’s currently in the App Store.  Of course the tradeoff is that if you run a non-iPad compatible application, you’ll end up with an app that runs full-screen on that 9.7″ screen in all it’s pixelated glory.  Apple had already reworked some applications (and are likely currently doing makeovers on most of their first party apps) to work with the larger screen size and some of these (iBooks in particular) have already been demoed.

How does it handle?  The iPad is thin, just 0.5″ or 12.7mm and lightweight at just 1.5lbs making it handy and portable (though the size might make it hard to pocket ).  It’s basically (literally and figuratively) and enlarged iPod touch.  As for price?  The basic version is just double of the latest iPod touch iteration.

iPad WiFi 16GB: $499
iPad WiFi 32GB: $599
iPad WiFi 64GB: $699

iPad WiFi+3G 16GB: $629
iPad WiFi+3G 16GB: $729
iPad WiFi+3G 16GB: $829

So it’s a tablet PC and Steve Jobs calls it the iPad. Think 6 times the size of the iPod Touch. Kinda funny name though. What say you?

The shift to tablet computing may begin with the iPad as it’s the first (for the year at least since tablets have been available since pdas)  tablet PC to reach consumers.  Will it start a revolution?  I honestly don’t know but what I’m certain is that the iPad has had other companies (HP, Freescale, MSI, etc) polishing their upcoming offerings.  It’s going to be a good year for tablets, whether you’re going for an OSX-powered one, a linux-powered tablet or even a Windows 7-based slate.  What say you?

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Post tags: Apple, Apple iPad, iPad, iPad specifications, Tablet PC

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$500 upfront. Mighty generous of them right? But seeing how important security is to Google and to internet users like us, $500 is a small price to pay (for them at least).

Now before you start your bug-finding, vulnerability-unearthing skills, do note that there are several guidelines you should follow. The first of which is that all bugs should be filed through the Chromium bug tracker (under the template “Security Bug”) and will be examined by the Chromium staff before any monetary exchanges get going. Now for the guidelines:

Q) What reward might I get?
A) As per Mozilla, our base reward for eligible bugs is $500. If the panel finds a particular bug particularly severe or particularly clever, we envisage rewards of $1337. The panel may also decide a single report actually constitutes multiple bugs. As a consumer of the Chromium open source project, Google will be sponsoring the rewards.
Q) What bugs are eligible?
A) Any security bug may be considered. We will typically focus on High and Critical impact bugs, but any clever vulnerability at any severity might get a reward. Obviously, your bug won’t be eligible if you worked on the code or review in the area in question.
Q) How do I find out my bug was eligible?
A) You will see a provisional comment to that effect in the bug entry once we have triaged the bug.
Q) What if someone else also found the same bug?
A) Only the first report of a given issue that we were previously unaware of is eligible. In the event of a duplicate submission, the earliest filed bug report in the bug tracker is considered the first report.
Q) What about bugs present in Google Chrome but not the Chromium open source project?
A) Bugs in either build may be eligible. In addition, bugs in plugins that are part of the Chromium project and shipped with Google Chrome by default (e.g. Google Gears) may be eligible. Bugs in third-party plugins and extensions are ineligible.
Q) Will bugs disclosed publicly without giving Chromium developers an opportunity to fix them first still qualify?
A) We encourage responsible disclosure. Note that we believe responsible disclosure is a two-way street; it’s our job to fix serious bugs within a reasonable time frame.
Q) Do I still qualify if I disclose the problem publicly once fixed?
A) Yes, absolutely. We encourage open collaboration. We will also make sure to credit you in the relevant Google Chrome release notes and nominate you for the Google Security “thank you” section.
Q) What about bugs in channels other than Stable?
A) We are interested in bugs in the Stable, Beta and Dev channels. It’s best for everyone to find and fix bugs before they are released to the Stable channel.
Q) What about bugs in third-party components?
A) These bugs may be eligible (e.g. WebKit, libxml, image libraries, compression libraries, etc). Bugs will be ineligible if they are part of the base operating system as opposed to part of the Chromium source tree. In the event of bugs in a component shared with other software, we are happy to take care of responsibly notifying other affected parties.
Q) Who determines whether a given bug is eligible?
A) The panel includes Adam Barth, Chris Evans, Neel Mehta, SkyLined and Michal Zalewski.
Q) Can you keep my identity confidential from the rest of the world?
A) Yes. If selected as the recipient of a reward, and you accept, we will need your contact details in order to pay you. However — at your discretion, we can credit the bug to “anonymous” and leave the bug entry private.
Q) No doubt you wanted to make some legal points?
A) Sure. We encourage participation from everyone. However, we are unable to issue rewards to residents of countries where the US has imposed the highest levels of export restriction (e.g. Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria). We cannot issue rewards to minors, but would be happy to have an adult represent you. This is not a competition, but rather an ongoing reward program. You are responsible for any tax implications depending on your country of residency and citizenship. There may be additional restrictions on your ability to enter depending upon local law.

via the Chromium blog

Now you might be wondering, “Payment for bugs?  Isn’t that against Google’s DO NO EVIL motto?”  Technically no.  If you’re familiar with SDLC (software development life cycle), Google is just employing the $500 as a motivator to raise enthusiasm among bug-finders (AKA guinea pigs… AKA us ) so that they can eliminate bugs and security vulnerabilities on their browser.  If they had to hire Q.A. testers to do this task, it’ll take much more than just $500 or even $1337.  Google has used the “reward” card to get quality control for cheap.  And you get the chance to earn it for yourself.

Comments?  Suggestions?  Violent reactions?

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Post tags: Bugs, Chrome, Google

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