News

Now is the time to buy if you're looking. Price cuts from both companies happened a few days ago.

Quote

According to AMD's Web site, the company reduced the price of its desktop 3000+ by $60, or 18 percent, to $265 and cut the cost of the 2800+ by $45, or 20 percent, to $180. AMD's Athlon XP 2700+, 2600+, 2500+ and 2400+ were lowered to $137, $103, $89 and $84, respectively, which translates to price drops between $19 and $45.

You favorite online vender should be even cheaper.

Everyone that runs Kazaa (meaning everyone) should get this patch. A flaw allows someone to take over or crash a supernode. Damn flaws.

Quote

According to the original security advisory, published on the Full Disclosure security mailing list, attackers can take control of or crash the FastTrack "supernodes" that file swappers connect to.

I should get my GTA Vice City review up by tomorrow. I start summer school today, just one class. Simple.

Athenatech case @ 3DGM.
Free stuff @ Madshrimps.
12v/7v switch @ DVH.
Chenming Silver case @ MTB.
XFX Ti4200 @ 3DV.
Swiftech WC @ OCA.
Aerocool Deep Impact @ Viperlair.
PCToys MobileMaxx @ Pimprig.
Corsair WC @ DWPG.

Lojack for your computer? Privacy or security again. The problem is as I see it, people can find a way to disable your computer. Screwed!

Quote

TheftGuard, developed by Austin, Texas-based Softex, is designed to run independently of a computer's operating system. It is installed on Phoenix software called the Core Managed Environment, which resides on the computer's underlying hardware and on part of the machine's hard drive. Phoenix's Core Managed Environment technology is centered on the firm's FirstBIOS, which is basic input/output system software.

The demand is just not there due to the high prices that it carries. If they lower prices, people will buy more. Yeah, the last few 256MB DDR sticks I got for free. Now I want them to pay me for it!

Quote

While global contract prices for DRAM show no signs of recovery, the price of 256Mbit DDR has seen temporary support at US$3, as several leading DRAM makers maintain a bias towards holding inventory rather than selling at a loss. However, DRAM prices are unlikely to recover in the near term due to the traditional second-quarter weakness in the IT sector and the potential repercussions of SARS on IT demand, market participants said.

I keep wondering when OLED will be pushed into the consumer market. More and more teasers come out. A 2.2 inch display that looks great.

[QUOTE]With driver ICs built directly on its substrate and driven by electric current, instead of voltage, the display features QCIF-plus (176×RGB×220) resolution, 0.066×0.198mm dot pitch, 262,144 colors and 250cd/m2 brightness.[/QUOTE:10539882

I got some stuff coming out this week. The first thing is a review of GTA Vice City for the PC. It is much better on a PC!

Xdreamer @ Pimprig.
Free small stuff @ DVH.
Eluminx Keyboard @ MTB. Here also.
AMD Editorial @ Madshrimps.
Corsair WC @ ipKonfig.
MSI nForce 2 @ PC-A.
ATI AIW 9000 @ Ascully.

Apple and Microsoft both have plans for music downloads. They want you to pay for it though. iTunes already has sold 2 million songs.

Quote

After years of delays, the record industry is experimenting with services to combat the wide availability of free music brought on by the MP3 file format and file-swapping software such as Kazaa. Record labels and retailers have tried to lure paying customers by offering singles for sale as downloads for less than $1, and also for rent through monthly subscription services.

Today starts Memorial Day weekend (Which is on Monday), so take a moment and remember those who gave their lives for our country!

I normally would post this as a link on ASEville, but I thought it was funny. Futuremark is blaming nVidia of cheating in their 3Dmark2k3 program. They released a patch to fix it as well. No wonder 3Dmark 2k3 sucks.

Quote

A representative at Nvidia questioned the validity of Futuremark's conclusions. "Since Nvidia is not part of the Futuremark beta program (a program which costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars to participate in), we do not get a chance to work with Futuremark on writing the shaders like we would with a real applications developer," the representative said. "We don't know what they did, but it looks like they have intentionally tried to create a scenario that makes our products look bad."

Damn, I can't think of anything to say. Okay then!

Lian-Li 6010 @ Extensiontech.
CM Cooldrive 3 @ Myworld.
Vantec UV Fans @ 3DGM.
EluminX Keyboard @ Madshrimps. Here also.
PC Toys Fan grills @ DVH.
SLK 900 @ MHW.

The technology that shouldn't (RAM needs electricity for storage) is what DRAM companies are hoping for. With RAM sales down in the dirt, they hope flash will be the float that saves them.

[QUOTE]Faced with lackluster demand and oversupply, Taiwanese DRAM module makers are fast moving toward flash-related products as they try to boost profitability, sources said. Apacer Memory will cut production of DRAM modules this year to 50% of its sales as it boosts production of flash products. The company started restructuring its product mix, mainly to increase flash sales, in 2002, it said. Kingmax Semiconductor said that it will also increase production of flash in 2003, though DRAM modules will continue to be the company’s main product. Kingmax said that its total flash shipments this year will grow several-fold from 2002. As DRAM module prices continue to remain weak, most DRAM module makers and distributors “lose more money than they make,” market players said.[/QUOTE:10537271

Kazaa is setting records by downloads of the program alone. Anyone remember Scour? Yeah, I thought so.

Quote

As of late Thursday, the Kazaa Media Desktop application--a file-sharing software that has drawn the wrath of the music industry by enabling its users to swap songs for free--had been downloaded 229,150,955 times, as measured by Download.com, which is owned by CNET Networks, the parent of News.com. Sharman said by midday Friday it expected Kazaa would top the record set by ICQ. As of Thursday, ICQ has been downloaded 229,363,307 times, according to Download.com.

Part 2 of the HTPC will be coming out some time later, I am in contact with VIA about the updated EPIA M and hope to get that. I'm also looking for cases and contacted Cooler Master. Thanks for the help!

Gateway Centrino laptop @ Designtechnica.
Hydrocool @ AthlonXP.
OCZ Dominator 2 @ PCTechZone.
Shuttle SB61G2 @ Hexus.
Iwill Ebox @ AMDZone.
Antec Sonata @ ClubOC.

Intel will be cutting the prices of their newest Springdale chipsets on June 29th. Wait to buy them then.

Quote

Despite its plan to boost demand by cutting prices, Intel will only cut prices by US$1-2 on June 29, suggesting little pricing pressure in the current market. However, motherboard manufacturers believe that the chip giant may announce larger price cuts by the end of the third quarter if Taiwanese chipset designers introduce 800MHz FSB (front-side bus), dual-channel DDR400 products on time in that quarter and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) launches its K8-core Athlon 64 processors in September as scheduled.

I have done a bunch of work with the Eden motherboard from VIA. It is shaping up into a nice HTPC.



Check it out. Part 2 will hopefully be coming soon.

Too bad it was raining today. I posted my HTPC Part 1 article today. Check it out! Here.

Asus Springdale @ Hexus.
Logitech MX700 @ OCIA.
Aopen Springdale @ TWL.
Epox Springdale @ 3DV.
Koolance case @ 3DGM.
Lights @ MTB.
Bytecc EL Keyboard @ PCA. Here also.
Abit Springdale @ OCA.

The Dept of Defense will now be limited on to what the TIA can do for individual people. Safeguarding privacy and security are always a give and take.

Quote

While specific safeguards have not been established, possibilities mentioned by the report included audit trails to keep track of who is using the system, access controls to limit what data they see and filters to hide individuals' names unless investigators had a court warrant to reveal them.

The standard of Ethernet has been around for 30 years already. The innovations aren't over though. There are many new problems that need to be addressed.

Quote

The task of devising a way to connect multiple computers to one another and to exchange messages over increasingly busy networks fell to Xerox PARC researcher Bob Metcalfe, who in a 1973 memo described the technology that would evolve into today's ubiquitous Ethernet protocol. Metcalfe's Ethernet wasn't the first of such network protocols--some preceded it, and many more followed. But it won out and became the the dominant local area networking technology for businesses, en route to its place in the Internet, besting a long series of what Metcalfe today calls networking "Godzillas."

The Home Theater PC is a prime example of convergence. It combines many different media playing functions into one box. Check out Part 1 of my HTPC building.Next Page »

Okay, so I didn't get my HTPC guide up. I just reclaimed my office in my house again. I'm going for my motorcycle test tomorrow, and the guide will be up after that.

Maxtop case @ OCA.
Seagate Cheeta @ TWL.
Arctic Silver Ceramic @ MyWorldHardare.
DIY UV Fan @ MHW.
Sata raid @ Techseekers.
Epox Ultra nForce 2 @ Hexus.
Corsair WC @ 3DV.
FIC Springdale @ OCA.

All future Intel chipsets will be standard memory (DDR). Intel has finally dropped Rambus from their chipsets.

Quote

After the release of its new 865 series (Springdale) chipsets on May 21, which will adopt dual-channel DDR400, Intel will move to the DDRII platform for its next-generation Grantsdale chipsets. But following its Granite Peak program, which ensures transition stability for six quarters, Intel will not introduce DDRII-supporting products such as the Grantsdale chipsets until the second quarter of 2004. However, as DDR400 has only begun entering the market mainstream, module makers said that might still be too early for Intel to adopt DDRII.

Next time you think of making a cell phone call, think if it travels over WiFi. Now read this.

Quote

Wi-Fi essentially extends the reach of VOIP functionality. Handhelds enabled with Wi-Fi run for far less time on a single battery charge than traditional cell phones. Nonetheless, mobile Wi-Fi calls basically cost nothing because they run across existing, expensed computer networks.

We got lots of reviews, so they will be categorized. Anyway, the HTPC guide will be up later today! Look for it.

Hardware:
TwinMOS PC3200 @ ClubOC.
8RDA+ @ OCIA.
P4 Mini-ITX @ Hexus.
Athlon 3200+ @ AMDZone.

Cooling and Cases:
Vocano 11+ @ PCtechZone.
CM Al case @ Hexus.
Aero 7 @ ClubOC.
2 fans @ MyWorldHardware.
Antec vs Vantec @ Nexus.
Antec 550watt PSU @ PCA.
Vantec UV fans @ ClubOC.
Sunbeam clear case @ MTB.
Antec 500watt PSU @ Viperlair.

Other:
ADPMods Lapping kit @ MTB.
Bubble lights @ PC-A. And here.
Trust610 card reader @ Modtown.

Microsoft will license Unix tech from SCO. Why does Microsoft need Unix technology? Yeah, you know.

Quote

Late Sunday, Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith said acquiring the license from SCO "is representative of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to respecting intellectual property and the IT community's healthy exchange of IP through licensing. This helps to ensure IP compliance across Microsoft solutions and supports our efforts around existing products like services for Unix that further Unix interoperability." The pact was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Unix/Unix-Variants are still around in 2800 AD. At least according to Matrix Reloaded and some very bad administrator is still running SSH v1. =)

Trinity hacks the Matrix using real world exploits!

Quote

The average American moviegoer taking in the Matrix Reloaded this weekend will likely be wowed by the elaborate action sequences and dazzling special effects. But hackers who've seen the blockbuster are crediting it with a more subtle cinematic milestone: it's the first major motion picture to accurately portray a hack.

That's right: Trinity uses a 'sploit.

you can view some screenshots here.

I posted this one a few days ago, but I forgot to make a news post on it. Whoops.



Check it out. Spot lighting is nice.

Some stuff for Friday. Did you check out the latest from ASE Labs? I'm almost done with PM Alerts and I have my HTPC guide part 1 coming up soon.

HEPC Part 4 @ Icrontic.
Sunbeam stuff @ OCA.
Al cases @ Casetest.
Memory timing @ TWL.
Koolance WC Case @ 3DGM.
Zalman fanbus @ MTB.
Free stuff @ Viperlair.

Here is a big win for open source people. NASA is praising the open source model.

Quote

"This is not to say releasing software open source magically means that programmers will step in when needed--many open-source projects die in obscurity--but when the technology is important enough...then the motivation will be there," Moran said.

The Centrino will be getting 802.11g and a support in the coming year. Support for WiMax is also coming as well. WiMax goes up to 30 miles and has a speed of 70mbps. Ultra long wireless (802.16a).

Quote

Also in the works are plans for Intel to produce silicon for the WiMax 802.16a standard, Maloney added in an interview with CNET News.com Friday, though the timing for the adoption has not yet been determined. WiMax, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, promotes 802.16a for wide-area broadband access. Networks based on 802.16a have a range of up to about 30 miles with data transfer speeds of up to 70mbps.