IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 29/04/2009

EVGA Precision 1.7.1 ready for download
EVGA has now released a fresh update for its graphics card tweaking tool, Precision. The 1.7.1 version features the following additions:

- Update checking system.
- Now Logitech keyboard soft-buttons can be used to scroll Precision's LCD text in any direction. Both vertical and horizontal scrolling can be easily reset by pressing up and down or left and right scroll soft-buttons simultaneously.

... and can be downloaded from 2Manydownload via this link.

Dell goes after Tiger Direct
PC builder Dell has filed a lawsuit against Tiger Direct claiming that its former reseller has infringed on its trademarks and made it unclear which Dell products on sale were new and which were refurbished.

According to Dell's complaint, which was submitted to a New York court, Tiger Direct has used trademarked names like "Dell SuperStore" and "Dell Monitor Shop" without permission, and also made false claims in regards to the warranty offered for various products. To make things right Dell wants either triple the profits made by Tiger Direct from selling the products 'affected' by its wrongdoings or triple the damages, additional damages as decided by the judge and the legal fees of the lawsuit.

Intel slashes SSD prices
As expected, Intel has recently made some adjustments to the prices of 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch solid state drives, bringing them down to better fight off the increased competition. This new price cut sees the 80GB X25-M going from $390 to $340, the 80GB X18-M to $320, and the 160GB versions of the SSDs dropping to a still quite beefy $630 (Newegg now has the 160GB X25-M at $629.99).

Last but not least, the 32GB X25-E (Extreme) drive, has slipped from $410 to $390.

CPU-Z update brings ION, Clarkdale support
A new version of the freeware CPU, motherboard and memory information tool known as CPu-Z has now been released. The 1.51 update comes with an installer (it's no longer a standalone app) and brings support for the Nvidia ION platform and 'preliminary support' for Intel's Clarkdale, the 32nm dual-core+IGP processor set to arrive in Q4.

To download CPU-Z 1.51 check out this page.

IE8 starts Automatic Update push
In addition to delivering the Office 2007 SP2, Microsoft has started to make Internet Explorer 8 available through Automatic Update, to users of both IE6 and 7. Released last month, IE8 is still an optional install for those running older versions of the browser but is a highly recommended update due to its multiple updates in speed, reliability, privacy and overall security.

With the Automatic Update roll out, IE8 should be grabbing a lot more market share and pretty much take over as the number one browser. According to Net Applications' statistics, this month IE held just 1.83% of the browser market, with its older brother, IE6 and IE7 being at 18.36% and 46.54%.

Is the poor economy pushing businesses to cloud computing?
According to senior analysts at Deloitte and Touche, yes, indeed, the current economic conditions are actually forcing more and more companies to adopt cloud computing out of cost benefit over productivity benefits.

Deloitte's partner for Security & Privacy Services, Rena Mears said that "Clients tell me when they look at costs it's $500 to support a conventional desktop over a year. This falls to $5 to maintaining a desktop using cloud services. In this climate that's a compelling thing."

Mears spoke at Deloitte's annual Enterprise Risk: Privacy and Data Protection Survey, which found that over two thirds of responding corporations had either begun to or are planning on moving to cloud services in the coming months.

In particular, the rush to data storage is somewhat concerning, if not just confusing. The top concern voiced by managers was protection of intellectual property, with nearly a third of respondents saying this was an issue for them - so why are they investing in Storage options?

Financial applications were more understandable, according to Mears, considering the history of technology. "Technology came to enterprise initially in the accounting departments, and finance has led the way ever since," she said.

"Maybe it's not so strange that this was one of the first into the desktop."

Cloud computing was, and still is really in the maturing stages, and so there are many issues that need to be refined including data retention laws and various other legal issues.

"Any time you see a movement there's a lag in law, process and custom. Over time you see all of that develop. Contracts lag, regulations lag, what you get is a negotiation. That's the negotiation processing companies are negotiating with their employers," she said.

CDRoller version 8.00.80 software update
CDRoller finds, retrieves and copies the lost data from CD/DVD/s and Blu-Ray discs (BD and HD-DVD) that seem to be inaccessible for Windows standard tools. Key features: effectively retrieves the discs data created by 'drag and drop' CD/DVD/BD writing software. Finds and recovers a video and photos created by Sony digital cameras, DVD camcorders and personal DVD recorders. Includes a built-in UDF Reader. Retrieves back up files from the multisession discs. Finds and recovers accidently deleted files. Includes a built-in DVD-video splitter, CD/DVD/BD data burner and eraser.

Changes include:

- Added support of Blu-ray discs (BDs) and HD DVD. A new media formats are now supported by all program features, including: UDF Reader, Disc Analysis tools, Scan UDF Disc, Data Recovery options, Raw ISO Data Identifier, Data Burner and Eraser, Drive Capabilities Inspector, ISO Image File Extractor
- A list of supported file systems expanded. Added support of FAT32 for BD-RE and DVD-RAM discs. Includes a recovery of accidently deleted files. This can be useful if you selected FAT32 file system when formatting BD-RE or DVD-RAM discs under Windows XP or Vista.
- Added support of SPTD (SCSI Pass Through Direct) layer as alternative method for hardware access under Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista. The key feature of SPTD is an ability to avoid a conflict with 'malicious' filter drivers that can be installed by 3-rd party software.
- Recover DVD Video option is significantly updated. Added support of mini DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD+R DL, created by ACVHD camcorders.
- Forced scan updated. Added quick identification of M2TS files, recorded by ACVHD camcorders.
- DVD authoring engine updated. Better DVD-Video compatibility.
- CD/DVD/BD burner and eraser updated. Serious improvements and fixes in the data burning engine.
- A new Select Destination Folder dialog released. Now, it offers a different ways to choose the destination folder, where your recovered data will be saved. In addition to a simple navigation through the folders tree, it allows you to: Paste the selected path from the Address bar of your Windows Explorer, Select the destination path from the Recently Used List, Type a new path manually.
- Fixed a bug while getting vendor info for SATA and USB computer drives.

Website: CDRoller Soft
Download: CDRoller 8.00.80 (Free Trial)

Dell brings Studio One 19 All-In-One PC to US, Europe
Dell All-In-One computers have really begun to raise the bar lately, with their units becoming more sleek and sexy by the model, and giving Apple's iMacs a run for their money.

Adding to its All-In-One line-up, Dell has now finally launched the Studio One 19 in the United States and Europe. The unit has a lean and sleek design, is coupled with powerful options, and starts at $699!

In brief, the Studio One 19's basic configuration includes
:
- Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.5GHZ Processor
- 18.5" LCD All-In-One Monitor (16:9 Aspect Ratio) (+$100 for Multi-Touch functionality)
- Slot loaded CD/DVD burner (Dual Layer Compatible)
- 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
- 320GB SATA HD
- nVidia GeForce 9200 Integrated Graphics
- Available in Navy Blue, Charcoal, Powder Pink, Tuscan Red, and Solid White colours.

You can Flick, Grab, Stretch, Drag, when you reach out and touch the Studio One 19 desktop using the optional touch technology. Also, you can get right into your media favourites with the user-friendly multi-touch applications in the Touch Zone, and manage/edit photos and videos, or upload directly to YouTube using TouchCam with a simple slide of your fingertip.

Here is a video from Dell's website:

Windows Vista and Server 2008 SP2 RTM completed
Microsoft has now actually finished off writing and completely compiled the RTM version of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 - version 6.0.6006.18005.

Company officials have confirmed this as the Release to Manufacture build of the service pack, and we can confirm that the download is now available for MSDN Premium Subscribers.

The download is, of course, by now circulating around the larger BitTorrent portals, available in both 32 and 64-bit flavours from the get go. Microsoft is expected by the majority of the industry to publicly release the update sometimes this week.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 29/04/2009

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