The TechWorld

Monday, March 10, 2008

The Best Bargain PCs

Sub-$750 Desktops

Our value-system lineup included three different case sizes. The three compact models--from HP (the very smallest), Polywell, and Sys Technology--are all based on microATX motherboards. The Compaq and the eMachines units came as minitowers with microATX-based motherboards, and the other two models, from Acer and Dell, were midsize towers. As far as connectivity options go, the larger the case, the more ports you get, as you might expect. But even the smallest compact PCs here offer at least a handful of USB ports, so connectivity shouldn't be an issue--unless you need FireWire (not all of the models provided such a port as a standard feature).

See our full reviews at these links:

Sub-$1000 Laptops

These all-purpose notebooks have screens ranging from 14.1 to 15.4 inches in size. Most have 2GB of memory, at least 120GB of hard disk space, dedicated multimedia shortcut keys, and underpowered integrated graphics. All the models we tested include 802.11b/g wireless networking; the second-place Acer Aspire 5920-6954 was the only one to support draft-n Wi-Fi, and it also featured discrete graphics and an HD DVD-ROM drive. Additionally, the Acer and the Dell Inspiron 1525 sported HDMI connections--extras we didn't expect at this price point.

See our full reviews at these links:

Red Hat to support Intel vPro-based desktops

Red Hat and Intel announced a joint program to deliver a Red Hat-branded software platform that supports desktop PCs with Intel vPro Processor technology. The collaboration will bring the power of hardware-assisted virtualization to business desktop computing.

"The legacy desktop falls short in its ability to provide a secure, reliable and manageable environment," said Brian Stevens, CTO at Red Hat. "Intel vPro technology combined with a Red Hat Virtual Appliance OS will allow customers to create a rock-solid foundation that can then provision, manage and secure the PC. This technology will reduce operational costs and increase operational flexibility."

The Appliance OS from Red Hat will support pluggable Virtual Appliances, available through ISVs, to deliver end-to-end manageability. Virtual Appliances can be used to enable functions such as network security, provisioning, monitoring and asset management, regardless of the state of the desktop OS.

In collaboration with Intel, Red Hat plans to develop, productize and support the necessary software components, including the hypervisor, the Service OS and Software Development Kit (SDK).

The virtual appliance capability built into the operating environment of business PCs coupled with technologies such as Intel Virtualization Technology and Intel Active Management Technology will enable a new level of solutions from the software ecosystem.

PCs with Intel vPro Processor technology and Red Hat's Virtual Appliance OS will host business applications in an isolated, secure and manageable manner. End users, IT departments, OEMs and ISVs will all benefit from the robust solutions that will be created based on these core technologies.

Active development on the project is underway today, with Beta software expected later this year and general release planned for 2008.

Has Facebook Changed The University Cheating Landscape?

Chris Avenir, a student at Ryerson University, is facing 146 counts of academic misconduct after being an administrator in a Facebook study group for a freshman-level chemistry course. Study groups is not a new concept at universities, so why do Facebook study groups qualify as a violation of cheating rules? Perhaps it's because a Facebook study group is much easier to track, monitor, and gather substantial proof regarding cheating.

Avenir faces one count of academic misconduct for each student that was a member of the group, regardless of the student's participation level in the Facebook study group, and he faces possible expulsion. But Avenir was not even the one that created the group -- he joined and became an administrator of the group, which lead to the charges.

But why should Facebook study groups be treated any different than traditional study groups? I'm sure at any given time you could step onto the Ryerson University library and find groups of students studying together for the same chemistry course. Those students, however, aren't facing an absurd number of academic misconduct charges.

Just because Facebook is there, and it makes it much easier to track and see everything discussed, doesn't mean it should be treated so much differently by the hard-to-interpret cheating laws. Give these kids a break. These are the kind of kids universities like Ryerson want. They actively seek out others to discuss classwork and help comprehend the subject-matter. What about the students who rarely turn in homework and never show up to class? I think they would be much more worthy of the university's time and effort.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

What Future nokia is good at...........

Nokia's Morph concept phone is an image of the future technology.

I think you know what a phone can do but here is the phone of the future which can do 7 more jobs other than the ordinary calling and etc that other phones can do.This phone shows how the future technology i.e nanotechnology is advanced.

The jobs done by future nokia are:

1) Breaking into your own house

Ho lost the keys of your own house then problem because you have the morph phone from nokia which has the ability to put you in. Simply cut a hole in the glass through which you can enter using the wedge you got with it.

2) Defending oneself from ninja attack

The Morph is the equal to the finest steel in a shuriken battle.
Prevent neighbors from stealing the newspaper! Kill squirrels! With its blade-edged design possibilities and aerodynamic form.

3) Chopping onions

Its is so thin that you can use it for chopping of vegetables like onions.

4) Removing snow and ice from cars

There is no need for an expensive dedicated ice and snow scraper, the Morph's keen edge cuts through even the most inclement weather.

5) Opening bottles

You didn't find a bottle opener in your house?, Then you have the nokia in your hands.This makes you to open the bottles.

6) A Magic: The Gathering card

The difference between a Nokia concept phone and a collect-em-all card game card is as immaterial as its chances of existing within the next 20 years.

7) Eco-friendly..........

The color is itself means the heading.

Virgin Mobile are in India now........

Do you know that theres coming a phone that pay you back for incoming calls in India. isn't it true is your question? Then its yes, Virgin group is going to launch the Virgin Mobile in India which use the Tata Teleservices and provide CDMA services under the brand name: Virgin Mobile. Mainly targeting the 400 million youth population of India, starting off with 50 cities initially and operations in 17 circles it is going to provide call rates @ 50paise and cellphones in the range from Rs.2000 to Rs.5000.Finally A user will be paid 10 paise for an incoming call that is more than 60 seconds long.This may be small amount but gives you something than nothing unlike others.

Apple iPhone is more likely to cover the features of BlackBerry

Till now the black berry was ahead in the phone world now iphone is coming with the new business features, by linking it with the corporate e-mail systems, making it more attractive to business customers, which also include enhanced security such as the ability to lock the device remotely in the event of theft.

Apple also made a bid to turn the iPhone into a platform for third party applications by releasing a software kit that will enable developers to write programs for the device.So far, iPhones have only been able to run a limited number of applications developed by Apple, but now as said above it is ready to use the programs that are developed by developers using software kit that is released by apple. Here these programs or applications will be kept in the net and device are to download them and install.

The new applications will be available exclusively to iPhone users through an online shop called 'Apps Store'. Apple said it would keep 30 per cent of the sale price, and would also retain the right to reject applications that included inappropriate elements, such as pornography.