2008 July

Over at the Windows Vista Team Blog, seems that their statistics are showing that Vista 64 bit is gaining users. According to Chris Flores, Microsoft has noticed an increase in 64 bit machines connecting to Windows update. In fact the number of machines using 64 bit has tripled in the US during the past 3 [...]

It seems that both DirectTV and Dish Network will be offering true 1080p broadcasts, but it will cost you. Both satellite companies are expanding their offerings of HD channels with DirectTV offering 130 channels and Dish Network hitting 100 channels by tomorrow. Currently both companies are broadcasting in 1080i, which is a step down from [...]

Well there seems to have been some improvements over at delicious.com, that according to their blog, should make the site more useful and faster. The Delicious team invites everyone over for a look at their new site, and I did just thought. I like the layout and yes, it is fast. Everything so far just jumps [...]

Asustek, makers of the very popular Eee PC’s, has announced that they will be offering additional models during 2008. The new computers will be versions of the Eee PC called Ultimate and Pro models and will be in the $700 range. According to this article which states:
Asustek Computer plans to launch more Eee PCs designed [...]

Our friends to the north in Canada are facing a new throttle back program by Bell Canada that appears will cost consumers more. It appears that the new plan, once in place, will charge for those who go over a set limit per month on downloading. Though Bell Canada does not mention how much the [...]

As previously reported a San Jose firm named Vastech, Inc, dumped some 1300 rebates into a dumpster. The Santa Clara District Attorney filed charges against the firm and they subsequently were fined $10k. Though the amount just barely covers the cost of the rebates, the fine none the less brings attention to the problem with [...]

The FBI is warning consumers about a Facebook virus that is being spread via email, that is in fact a bug. The warning also states that if you are the victim of such an attack, you can file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, linked in their press release. It also states:
 Storm Worm [...]

On Sunday I was reading our local newspaper, which includes a computer column, when I read this. Seems that a reader was complaining about Vista [they even used the word 'hate'] to describe their frustration and asked about doing a downgrade to XP. Seemed like a fairly straight forward question. But the answer kind of [...]

Back on July 24th, 2008, I wrote about what is best described as the Mojave experiment , in which Microsoft tested Vista using the Mojave code name, to see the reactions of participants who were alleged anti-Vista people. These people were in ’shcok and awe’ when they learned that Mojave was really Vista. So yesterday [...]

As reported a few days ago, Dell is offering a BIOS update for some of their laptop systems, using the GPU from NVidia, that is faulty. In lieu of replacing ALL of the bad chips, Dell has instead has issued a BIOS update that will increase the fan use to help keep the systems cool. [...]

The latest rumor being reported is that Microsoft has a secret project that is called Midori and is the sucessor to Microsoft Windows. The rumor is full of conjectures as to what the new operating system may or may not be, including a listing of features such as:

Modularity
All-device support (in one OS version)
Connectivity/networking
Synchronization
Backward compatibility (through [...]

Gartner in a press release feels that a $100 computer is still some 3 years away from becoming a reality. Though it was hoped that a netbook would be the first to hit this barrier, at least for college students, the research firm feels that prices will not fall for the next 2 to 3 [...]

Earthlink is going back to basics. The company has tried several failed ventures involving broadband and now has decided to start gathering dial-up customers. It seems that Earthlink has a plan to buy customers from other ISP’s who don’t want dial-up since it is not as lucrative as broadband. But will this work?
According to this [...]

Dell has introduced a new computer which it calls ‘New Studio Hybrid’. The cases are smallish and have a stylish case. Dell states that the new systems will come with 6 interchangeable color sleeves to match any decor. The basics of the trimmed down systems is that they using mobile technology in a small desktop [...]

For those of you who use Spybot Search and Destroy, a new version is now available for download. Version 1.6 includes many improvements and fixes some compatibility issues. The author describes the improvements as:
Time for an update! To keep up with the latest threats, and solve some issues and feature requests users had, we’re proud [...]

This morning I wrote about the new search engine, Cuil, after which it appeared that the new kid on the block suffered some massive growing pains. Servers were overloaded and the system went down briefly. What was even more embarrassing was a news story on CNN.
They were trying to show the attributes of Cuil, and [...]

Microsoft is offering free software to researchers and scholars in an effort to assist them in sharing  and to collaborate on projects. In a press release from Microsoft it states:
Speaking to more than 400 faculty members from leading research institutions worldwide, Tony Hey, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s External Research Division, emphasized the role his [...]

I was over at the San Jose Mercury News when I stumbled upon an article concerning a gas mileage challenge. It seems that one the SJMN reporters owns a Toyota Prius, that he admits he drives over the speed limit most of the time, heading up Hwy #101 towards Brisbane daily. So the challenge was, [...]

Over the years I have always considered people who used Apple computers as kind of eccentrics. I say this as a compliment and not as a criticism. I personally believe that Apple has and does make a great computer system. But as with any type of consumer product, we all have our personal favorites. Mine [...]

It only took some eighteen months or so, but Microsoft finally has set up a Windows Vista Compatibility Center. On the site a user can check to see what hardware is now Vista compatible. The site lists most of the hardware that all of us may use, including printers, scanners, digital cameras, graphic cards, monitors [...]