IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 30/05/2009

Microsoft confirms dropping 3-app limit from Windows 7 Starter
One week after rumors started to flood the interwebz Microsoft has stepped forward and via its Windows 7 Team Blog has confirmed that the Starter Edition of Windows 7 will not have the previously-mentioned limitation of running just three applications simultaneously. Yay!

"We believe these changes will make Windows 7 Starter an even more attractive option for customers who want a small notebook PC for very basic tasks, like browsing the web, checking email and personal productivity," said Microsoft Brandon LeBlanc in the Win 7 blog.

Even though able to run as many apps as it can, Starter is still the lowest-end and cheapest Windows 7 SKU so it will come will a whole bunch of limitation including the inability to change the desktop background, window colors, or sound schemes, and the lack of Aero Glass, multi-monitor support and DVD playback, the Windows Media Center, and Remote Media Streaming. Given the fact that it will mostly be aimed towards netbook use, Starter doesn't look all that feature-dry but it's obvious Microsoft is trying to 'convince' people that getting another edition - Home Basic/Premium will be the way to go.

Windows 7 is expected to become available "in time for the holiday shopping season," with a probable release date being October 15.

Patriot's DDR3 notebook memory gets XMP certification
Proud as a peacock, Patriot Memory has just announced that its DDR3 SoDIMM memory offer has been Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP) certified, which means notebook powered by them will be able to get a performance boost from the use of more aggressive timings.

"The landscape of the notebook market has vastly changed, as notebooks are closer to matching their Desktop counterpart in performance," says Benny Chea, Patriot's Applications Engineer. "The Patriot DDR3 XMP-Certified SODIMMs are a true testament on how the PC enthusiast market has evolved over the last few years. Casual users can not only benefit from one-click XMP settings, but can now take their high performance mobile."

Patriot's XMP-ready line-up includes a 2GB module and a 4GB dual channel kit able to work at 1066 MHz with 5-5-5-15 latencies and 1.6V. The very select club of companies that have XMP DDR3 SoDIMM memory also includes Kingston and OCZ.

Wikipedia bans scientologists from editing
The Wikipedia high-court ArbCom has now issued a project-wide ban of all IP addresses that are known to be owned by Scientology, as they have been disruptively editing entries in a coordinated "assault" in order to maintain their own status quo - including "persistent point-of-view pushing and extensive feuding over sources on multiple articles."

This is the first time ever that an entire organisation has had their IPs blocked from Wikipedia - and arbitrators voted 10 to 0 (with one abstention) in favour of the ban, however individual editors may request IP block exemption if they wish to contribute by using one of those addresses. The case also resulted in the restriction of a further 15 editors from Scientology-related articles or, in some cases, the entire encyclopaedia.

Nonetheless, this comes as a relief for Wiki-fans, as this case was the result of the longest running arbitration case in Wikipedia's history so far.

New next-gen iPhone photo surfaces
MacRumours are claiming that they have found a shot of the 2009 iPhone 3G handset facing down on a worktop. This could very well be a cleverly designed hoax using one of the many thousands of iPhone cases available - or it could be legit!. Who knows, but here it is in all of it's glory:

MacRumors have in fact already posted a photo of part of this case - way back in February. If it is the final finish, Apple are hardly being the adventurous innovators that they make out to be, and as 'sweet and simple' as it looks, the product had best make up for the lack of design change with some decent hardware upgrades if they want to lure in the masses once again.

Of course, if the design is all you are interested in, a $4 case will achieve the same thing, and you can even replace that when it gets worn and tired!

Twonky Media Server coming to all Windows Home Servers
Good news for Windows Home Server Media enthusiasts, as TwonkyMedia Server software has announced that they will be releasing a standalone add-in for all Home Server users to enjoy.

As it stands TwonkyMedia is only available as part of the HP MediaSmart and FSC Scaleo servers, so custom builders have yet to get their hands on.

Tonky have said that they are expecting to release before the end of June, and that for those that can't wait they should follow via Twitter updates @twonkymedia.

Zip Repair Tool version 3.3 software
The zip file format offers much in terms of data storage and network transfer, but its potential weakness, however, lies in the fragility of the file structure. If for any reason some part of a zip file becomes damaged, standard zip tools will be unable to extract it.

Zip Repair Tool provides the user with a cutting edge technology that helps repair zip structure and extract zipped files. Full automation of the zip repair process and a user-friendly interface make zip repair a snap. After the user locates zip files, the program scans each file to assess the damage - then Zip Repair Tool deploys its robust engine to recover zip files wherever possible. High speed and accuracy are the distinguishing features of the technology. The zip repair engine can fix zip files of any size and number. Big files can exceed 4 GB and can "span" multiple disks, but with Zip Repair Tool you can easily recover zip files of any size and number of volumes.

Website: Z-R-T Labs
Download: Zip Repair Tool 3.3

Squeal-free MSI GeForce GTX 275 Lightning pictured
Taking Computex by storm, MSI is preparing to show off in Taipei a new GT200-powered Lightning graphics card. Officially named N275GTX Lightning, the upcoming release is a custom job to say the least as it features double the normal amount of memory for a GTX 275 - 1792MB, has a 10 phase PWM, and Solid State Chokes (SSC), which not only provides better performance, but it makes away with the annoying squealing that has plagued GT200 cards based on Nvidia's design.

In addition to the board changes, the second Lightning card will come with a new Twin Frozr heatsink which, like the first iteration, makes use of two fans and five copper heatpipes, but has a tweaked design. The N275GTX Lightning will be factory overclocked but we'll probably have to wait until next week to get the exact frequencies.

Photos courtesy of VR-Zone.

MSI's Wind Box DE200 nettop gets a makeover and new hardware
We don't know what happened to this to happen, but in the two months that have passed since we first saw it, the Wind Box DE200 has changed both on the outside and on the inside, and we're not talking small tweaks. Seen below in its new form, the nettop seems less sleek than the first iteration but is still quite compact and it no longer uses a Celeron CPU, or an Nvidia GeForce 9400 motherboard, but an Atom 230 (single-core, 1.6GHz) and a 945GC board.

The DE200 also boasts less RAM than the CeBIT version - 1GB, and has an 160GB hard drive, WiFi, Ethernet, D-Sub and HDMI outputs and one of four funky colors - black, white, blue and red. Expect more details, like the release date, next week at Computex.

Picture courtesy of msiwind.es.

Lian Li unveils four Lancool DragonLord K PC chassis
Lian Li is ready to show off a lot of nice things at Computex and among them are the latest products bearing the Lancool brand, the DragonLord K series mid-tower cases. All aimed at PC gamers and made out of steel, the PC-K56, PC-K58, PC-K60 and PC-K62 all feature five external 5.25-inch bays, a tool-less design which enables easy installation of optical/hard drives, PCI cards and the PSU, a nice black coating, anti-vibration rubber grommets for the HDDs, and top-placed USB and audio ports. With the exception of the K62, which has a side window, the rest of the upcoming cases will be available with or without such an option.

The PC-K56 measures 210 x 460 x 490 mm and comes with two 120mm fans working at 1200 (front) and 1500 (rear) RPM, while PC-K58 stands at 214 x 496 x 498 mm and has the same standard cooling solution but also provides support for two 140mm at the top panel. The PC-K60 and PC-K62 are as big as the PC-K56 and feature one 140mm fan (1000 RPM) in front, two top-mounted 140mm fans and a 120mm spinner going at 1500 RPM. The main difference between the PC-K60 and PC-K62 is that the latter has its 140mm fans equipped with blue LED for a more pimpin' look and comes with a black-painted interior.

According to Lian Li, the DragonLord K PC-K56, PC-K58, PC-K60 and PC-K62 will all start shipping at the end of July and cost about $75, $80, $95 and $110, respectively (without VAT).

Saturday, May 30, 2009

IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 30/05/2009

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