IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 17/02/2014

Sunday, February 16, 2014

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 17/02/2014

TweakTown

Commission says most Europeans download, stream pirated content
Around 70 percent of European citizens stream or download movies online, though some of them are legal, according to a recent European Commission study. Filmmakers need to appreciate the intricacies of filming and distributing content in Europe, with most films staying in their host nation.

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Sixty-eight percent of survey respondents say they pirate films for free, with more than half watching on a smartphone or PC.
"The study confirms that the European film industry is not making the most of its potential to reach new audiences or capitalizing on cross-border partnerships," the European Commission press release states. "We encourage filmmakers to make the most of the funding provided through Creative Europe, the EU's new program for the cultural and creative sectors, and its media subprogram in particular."
There is a global fight against Internet piracy, with copyright groups on the offensive to shut down piracy websites - and sometimes target users directly.

U.S. wireless carriers engaged in fight for subscriber attention
All four major U.S. wireless carriers have something to cheer about moving forward in 2014, in a suddenly exciting market for consumers trying to upgrade devices. Verizon Wireless subscribers still pay more than others, but the No. 1 wireless carrier also is preparing to address efforts from rivals: AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

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"Until this year, AT&T and Verizon were both doing strong business, while Sprint and T-Mobile were dying on the vine," said Jeff Kagan, industry analyst, in a statement to TweakTown. "However things are changing: Now T-Mobile has started to grow. They have shown growth over the last couple quarters and that is promising news."
Moving forward, Kagan had this insight into what to expect from all four companies: "So while I continue to see AT&T and Verizon staying in a strong position, I also see Sprint and T-Mobile waking from their sleep and beginning to grow. We could have four growth companies in this space."
Consumers are increasingly more interested in unlimited messaging and data plans, and continually demand carriers adapt to changing needs.

French aerospace industry, US veterans attacked via Microsoft IE flaw
The Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 Web browser reportedly had a flaw that allowed U.S. military veterans and French aerospace workers to be targeted. The Veterans of Foreign Wars non-profit group has reported the use of malicious code on its site, and federal agencies are now investigating the security incident.

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"Microsoft is aware of limited, targeted attacks against Internet Explorer 10," the company said in a statement. "Our initial investigation has revealed that Internet Explorer 9 and Internet Explorer 10 are affected."
Security group Websense identified the same type of code on a website belonging a French aerospace organization - and a similar attack could be linked to an attack on the Japanese financial industry, which was blamed on possible Chinese cyber criminals.
Even though both IE9 and IE10 featured the unpatched vulnerability, hackers were only targeting IE10 users.

Study: Tech workers aren't as lonely and anti-social as thought
Remember the stereotype that computer geeks tend to be lonely, socially awkward folks that need to get outside more? Well, a recent study shows that 62 percent of tech workers are married, the 2012 American Community Survey (ACS) indicates - about the same rate as medicine, education, law and finance industries, which are in the 61-62 percent range as well.

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However, trailing only scientists at 32 percent, 27 percent of IT workers haven't been married, which is slightly higher than other professions. Jobs that require less social interaction can make it more difficult to expand their social networks, according to researchers. Also, women tend to avoid the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, so that also makes it more difficult to find like-minded potential dates.
Workers in tech and science positions also have a slightly more difficult time emotionally connecting with others, said Tina Tessina, a successful psychotherapist and author.

New mobile apps informs users when a U.S. drone strike takes place
A new Apple iPhone app gives users the chance to track unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks launched by the U.S. military on targets overseas. Drone strike location, date, and victims of each strike will be shared - along with a map visually identifying the geographic location. The app is available for free in the iTunes store.

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The app was submitted to Apple for approval five times before it was finally allowed into the app store. Until designers renamed it from "Drones+" and removed published drone information, Apple was more receptive of supporting the app.
"The drone program amounts to little more than death by unreliable metadata," app creators recently said.
There is still a large amount of controversy related to drone attacks, so it's curious to see an iPhone app like this released. Recent drone strikes in Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan have raised U.S. political tensions in the continued battle against Islamic-based terrorist groups.

Book industry continues to change, with publishers trying to adapt
Purchasing and downloading e-books can evolve from periodic book enjoyment to costly activity, though the changing industry has churned out new unlimited e-book services.

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The Scribd e-book service with 100,000+ book titles is $8.99 per month that can be read - and some purchased - though don't expect to see any recent best sellers available. The Oyster e-book service is $9.95 per month and has a simple UI, though doesn't allow users to add or remove items from the reading list without Wi-Fi connection.
The current book industry has struggled in the traditional format, with Borders shuttering years ago, and Barnes & Noble fighting for survival. U.S. book store sales have dropped 22 percent over the past five years, and it seems like it will be difficult to stop the continued bleeding in the future. If consumers don't want an e-book version of a new title, simply buying online from a service such as Amazon provides cheaper prices and fast delivery times.

Norwegian psycho ready to launch hunger strike if PS2 isn't upgraded
Convicted killer Anders Breivik is ready to go on a hunger strike of his self-proclaimed "torture" conditions at the Ila and Skien prisons in Norway. Breivik killed 77 people in a shooting and bombing rampage in 2011, and is now serving a 21-year sentence.

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Breivik demanded the right to a newer PlayStation 3 game console "with access to more adult games that I get to choose myself," according to a letter he wrote to journalists. "Other inmates have access to adult games while I only have the right to play less interesting kids games. One example is 'Rayman Revolution,' a game aimed at three year olds."
The game title in question received a 3+ rating in Europe, so it's suitable for gamers of all ages above three years old. The ESRB gave the same title E+10, which means any player 10 years of age or older.

Connected TVs top 60 percent of households, according to TDG Research
At least 60 percent of households in the United States with broadband Internet access also have at least one connected television, according to information released from The Diffusion Group (TDG) Research. Broadband adoption is slowing due to a mature, stable market, but connected TVs are on the rise, with that trend expected to continue moving forward.

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In broadband households with at least one Internet-enabled TV, average ownership totaled 1.6 units, and it's possible that number will increase in 2014.
"Whether net-to-TV video will somehow topple traditional pay-TV service models has been a red herring from the beginning," said Michael Greeson, TDG president and director of research, in a press statement. "The real debate is the extent to which the growing availability and expanding use of 'OTT TV' services will have on the time viewers spend watching traditional pay-TV given the growing array of sources at their disposal."
The majority of new HDTVs have some type of connected features - so it might not necessarily be consumers showing great interest - as opposed to simply purchasing a new TV that allows Internet access.

Sony PlayStation 4 dominating Microsoft Xbox One global sales
The Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One are engaged in a fierce battle in the console market, though it looks like the PS4 outsold the Xbox One by a hefty 2-to-1 margin. The NPD Group didn't release specific sales figures, only saying that the PS4 led the market in hardware sales, but Sony executives claimed that its console "nearly doubled" that of the Xbox One.

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Game hardware sales in January 2014 were down 21 percent compared to the same time last year, though January 2013 had five weeks. Microsoft's reliance on restrictive DRM - or gamer perception of intrusive anti-piracy efforts has caused gamers frustration. In addition, cross-platform gamers are playing better on the PS4 than the Xbox One, along with the lower price tag of the PS4.
"Overall retail video game sales would be down only 1 percent instead of down 21 percent, if sales were normalized to account for the five-week January 2013 compared to the four-week January 2014," said Liam Callahan, NPD analyst, in a statement.
Next-generation consoles blend gaming and Web-based apps to keep consumers engaged in the living room.

Send a 'selfie' and avoid a trip to the doctor's office?
Using a smartphone can lead to an easier time for medical experts to offer remote medical consultations with patients, according to JAMA Dermatology.

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Since many hospitals don't have inpatient dermatologist services available to patients, it can be difficult for patients to receive treatment frequently. Using the term of "teledermatology," in-person doctors and remote specialists can work together to more accurately determine possible medical issues.
"Triage decisions were as follows: if the in-person dermatologist recommended the patient be seen the same day, the teledermatologist agreed in 90 percent of the consultations," according to the study abstract. "If the in-person dermatologist recommended a biopsy, the teledermatologist agreed in 95 percent of cases on average."
Doctors and patients could find one day easier methods to diagnose medical issues such as skin disorders without being forced to visit the office.

CIOs: Cloud computing and mobile will be focus of IT spending in 2014
Enterprise IT spending will mainly focus helping companies move forward with cloud computing and mobile-based services, while overall budgets are increasing. Mobile app development should see a strong boost in 2014, with decision makers hoping to keep users productive and customers happy.

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"One of the learnings we had early last year when we were starting to play with cloud technologies was that there was always a risk of something like this happening," said Hugh Scott, Energy Plus CIO, when speaking of a recent Amazon Web Services outage. The downtime hit Netflix, Instagram, Pinterest, and countless other services that had to deal with upset customers.
Both Google and VMware recently announced a joint effort to accelerate development of corporate desktops, powered for the "Mobile Cloud Era." The service is designed to provide businesses and enterprises with access to a secure cloud on desktops, smartphones, and mobile devices.
New Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella plans to spend a large portion of his early days at Microsoft moving the company forward in the mobile and cloud markets.

Bitcoin glitch wipes out Silk Road 2.0, is the end near?
The underground Silk Road 2.0 website was reportedly hacked and those responsible ran off with an estimated $2.6 million for their efforts.

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"I am sweating as I write this... I must utter words all too familiar to this scared community: We have been hacked," Silk Road 2.0 administrators posted on a forum. "Our initial investigations indicate that a vendor exploited a recently discovered vulnerability in the bitcoin protocol known as 'transaction malleability' to repeatedly withdraw coins from our system until it was completely empty."
Although Defcon, the admin who posted a message on the Silk Road 2.0 forums didn't post an exact figure taken, security experts believe 4,400 coins - the equivalent of close to $2.6 million - was taken.
The original Silk Road successfully operated in the shadows before drawing federal attention, though Silk Road 2.0 never had the same luxury. However, the bitcoin exploit also recently ravaged several bitcoin exchanges, showing the digital currency has significant security issues.

Target execs may have ignored security warnings from internal IT
Target management received numerous warnings related to the company's cyber security issues, with at least 60 days notice before hackers stole information about millions of accounts. Despite concerns from security experts, Target may have ignored security warnings in favor of installing a new system and making sure it was in place prior to Black Friday 2013.

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Target, along with other major retailers, received memos written and distributed by security companies and the U.S. government warning of potential security concerns. Furthermore, a Target security analyst wanted to take a closer look at the company's point-of-sale and other payment, though it doesn't appear that took place.
Fallout from the Target breach continues to ripple throughout the industry, as several other retailers have also been affected from data breaches.
Companies receive a large number of security warnings, so it can be difficult to try and realistically figure out which ones to take seriously.

Check out the high fashion skirt made of Nokia Lumia 1520 smartphones
Smartphone maker Nokia has partnered with fashion designers to create the world's first interactive skirt, using Nokia Lumia 1520 smartphones, which will be shown off during the London Fashion Week.

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Designers used programming languages Python and C# to help with software development, and then used 3D printing and laser cutting to put together the first designs. The phones are able to load static images, or adjust to the wearer and the type of day she has had, using live video streams.
"This unique project is about exploring the possibilities of smart technology and fashion coming altogether, as well as supporting new talent to create something special using the beautifully designed Nokia Lumia 1520," said Annie Kearney, Nokia Brand Lab, in a statement.
Technology is finding a bigger presence in the high fashion world, with augmented reality and virtual reality also making a splash. Expect to see 3D printing also hit the runway at a larger frequency in 2014, though cost effectiveness will still scare some designers away.

Ford shows off edible 3D chocolate 2015 Mustangs
Auto maker Ford has teamed up with 3D specialist 3D Systems to print edible chocolate models of the 2015 Ford Mustang. The American auto company plans to make both chocolate and sugar candies of the car, which started with a CAD rendering that was then sent to a 3D printer.

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"We wanted to create something fun to show that while 3D printing made these edible Mustangs, manufacturing-level 3D printing was used in the development of Ford's all-new sports car," said Paul Susalla, 3D specialist at Ford.
Depending on consumer reaction, it's possible Ford will provide 3D-printed chocolate and candies for general purchase.
Ford already has worked to integrate 3D printing into its business, using 3D printed parts that engineers can tweak and test, for example, in an effort to remain competitive. The 2015 Ford Mustang will hit the auto market in fall 2014 for U.S. consumers, with other markets receiving the vehicle throughout 2015.

LG isn't fussed about Lenovo purchasing Motorola
When Lenovo purchased Motorola from Google in a deal worth $2.91 billion, it had the industry talking. But, those talks didn't seem to extend into LG boardrooms, with the South Korean giant not phased by the deal.

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Head of Product with LG, Kim Jong Hoon, said: "There are many talks over Lenovo and Motorola in the media right now and how it affects LG, but internally, we aren't discussing much about it". One would think that LG would be scared of the deal, as it will make Lenovo quite the player in the market, but LG has plans of its own for 2014.
LG plans to get back its third place in the global smartphone market before the year is wrapped up, moving itself from position #4. LG has just launched the G Pro 2 smartphone which will help it get there, and we're sure it is working with Google on the Nexus 6 - which should be based off of the bigger G Pro 2 and its very delicious internal specs.

Battlefield 4 patch for PC will improve Mantle performance
Another patch for Battlefield 4 on the PC is being pushed out from EA DICE, which should improve general stability, Mantle performance, and the usual bug fixes.

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The latest patch for the game will fix a few problems gamers were having with gunner seat changes in an IFV/MBT that would cause the game to crash, a bomb carrier would be permanently spotted in Defuse mode, missing grass physics and an incorrectly placed invisible wall on the map Zavod 311. The PC version is being patched up first, with console versions receiving the update in the near future.

Microsoft has sold over 200 million Windows 8 licenses
How is Windows 8 going for Microsoft after a year on the market? Well, Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Marketing, Tami Reller, spoke at a Goldman Sachs technology conference yesterday, where he said: "We've surpassed 200 million licenses now on Windows 8, which is pretty stunning".

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This seems like a lot, and it is - especially when you compare the numbers against Windows 7 after a year in consumers' HDDs. Windows 7 at this point in time had sold over 240 million licenses, but with Windows 8 not being received anywhere near as well as its predecessor, it's doing quite well at this point in its lifecycle.

Google Fiber is being cranked up to 10 gigabit
When Google first unveiled its Fiber service, most thought its 1 gigabit speeds were out-of-this-world... well, not so much now that the Mountain View-based giant is working on 10 gigabit connections.

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Yes, 10 gigabit: 10 times the speed of its already-blazingly-fast 1 gigabit service. Google CFO, Patrick Pichette, has said: "That's where the world is going. It's going to happen. That's what we're working on. There's no need to wait". The technology for 10 gigabit connections isn't quite ready, with Google still in the research phase of things.
Pichette has made it very clear that it could be years before we see connections laid into the ground at the consumer scale, but also said that Google has no intention of stopping the 1 gigabit speeds that are being offered up by Google Fiber. With the FCC requesting gigabit connections in all 50 states across the US by the end of next year, it will be interesting times ahead for US residents.

California is now home to the world's largest solar thermal plant
BrightSource Energy has just confirmed where the world's largest solar thermal plant is: California. The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System has just been enabled in the state.

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The solar array is backed up by both Google and NRG Energy, producing a total of 392MW of power from its 173,500 multi-mirror units. Generating this much energy, the massive solar farm can power 140,000 nearby homes, and represents 30% of all the solar thermal energy in the United States. The solar farm takes up a massive 5.5 square miles of space, and is unfortunately creating trouble for nearby wildlife and birds.

Titanfall beta invites sent out, weighs in at 12.3GB
The Titanfall beta is now live for some, where I've been lucky enough to receive an invite to Titanfall's next-generation first-person shooter. The beta can be downloaded through EA's digital distribution service, Origin.

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For those wondering about just how big Titanfall will be, the beta weighs in at 12.3GB - which is quite hefty for something that won't be anywhere near the full product. I have a slow Internet connection here Down Under, so expect my first impressions of the first-person shooter over the weekend.

TweakTown Weekly Podcast (Beta) #13 - This Week in Tech
A lot has happened in the world of technology in the past week or so, something I discuss in our Weekly Tech Podcast, which you can watch below.

There's lots to talk about, with Intel teasing its new 15-core Xeon processor, MasterCard and Visa pushing in a new PIN-based credit card to the US, Netflix announcing a third season of House of Cards and much more. Tune in to get the latest in tech news!

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TweakTown Weekly Podcast (Beta) #12 - This Week in Games
The week just gone in the gaming world was quite hot for news, with some big stories breaking over the past week - something we cover in Podcast #12.

Lots happened in the gaming world over the past week, with EA coming out and calling Battlefield 4 an "exceedingly successful product", Flappy Bird coming in and out of our lives, over 15 million copies of Diablo 3 have now been sold, Titanfall beta registrations opening up, and a new police-themed Battlefield title is reportedly in development with Visceral Games.

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Verizon Wireless outs its "More Everything" plan
Verizon Wireless slowly moved into the growing price war between U.S. wireless carriers, with lower subscription prices and additional perks available. Some of its data plans saw price cuts up to 12.5 percent, and some customers are receiving up to $20 discount per month for subscription plans.

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The company also decided to attach unlimited international messaging to subscription plans in the U.S. that include unlimited domestic text, picture and video messaging.
"MORE Everything changes the game by adding even more of what customers want from their wireless provider in a single, simply monthly plan," said Ken Dixon, Verizon Wireless CMO, in a statement. "Verizon Wireless led the way with the introduction of shared data plans, and MORE Everything is the next leap forward with more storage, more messaging and more choice, all on a 4G LTE network that is unmatched in coverage and capacity."
As TweakTown recently learned, Verizon Wireless tends to closely follow what competitors do in the market, though waits patiently before responding. Industry analysts have been curious to see how Verizon Wireless would respond to price cuts from AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile over the past few months.

T-Mobile makes steps in the right direction, fighting wireless rivals
T-Mobile is on the right track to better compete against the three bigger wireless carriers in the United States, though it will continue to be a drawn out, fierce battle. The company is putting pressure on AT&T and seeing results, with the company's sights set on attacking competitors and attracting new subscribers.

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"T-Mobile was dying on the vine for years," industry analyst Jeff Kagan recently told TweakTown. "Then a little over a year ago they hired a new CEO, John Legere. He ran Global Crossing. He looked around at T-Mobile, the changing marketplace, and decided on a path. This has been successful for T-Mobile. They have seen the first couple quarters of growth in years. And hopefully they can continue to build."
Verizon Wireless and AT&T, the No. 1 and No. 2 wireless carriers in the United States, relying on "wireless, wire line, television using IPTV and a wide variety of different technologies and offerings. T-Mobile is just wireless. And a small wireless player at that," which forces T-Mobile to get a bit creative with their sales and marketing efforts. "I think T-Mobile can continue to grow going forward for a while. However they will likely remain the number four competitor. Unless they get acquired."
Verizon Wireless is competing against T-Mobile with its "More Everything" plan, so T-Mobile, the No. 4 wireless carrier, will have to find a way to respond against the biggest U.S. wireless carrier.

RAVPower Qi-Enabled Wireless Charger Charging Pad Review

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Among the many advances in technology, wireless charging of our mobile devices is one of the greatest to come in the last few years; enabling us to break free of the constant plugging and unplugging of our devices. With many smartphones now coming equipped with, or allowing the technology via add-on back plates, it's time to explore your options.
Most manufacturers that allow the use of Qi wireless charging also offer their own competing charging solution. Today, we are looking over the RAVPower Qi Wireless charger. Out of the box, the charger supports all Qi enabled devices, including the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, and the second generation Nexus 7. Additionally, if your phone supports the technology through an optional case or cover, you can throw those devices on the RAVPower as well. MSRP of the RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger is $39.99, with a one-year warranty.

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The scope of delivery for the RAVPower includes the USB cable, wall adapter, along with reading materials, and the Qi charging plate.

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The front edge of the device houses a LED, which indicates your device is charging.

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The input for the RAVPower features a standard USB mini plug.

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Above, we compare the size of the RAVPower to the Nokia DT-900. The RAVPower carries a much larger footprint than the Nokia, but is quite a bit slimmer.
A little over a year ago, I jumped on the bandwagon and purchased my first smartphone. While there were many choices at the time, the Nokia Lumia stood out to me. For one, it is a Windows phone, and since I was already using Windows 8, it offered a similar user experience for me. The second reason it stood out to me was because of a technology I knew little about at the time, Qi wireless charging. After the purchase of my phone, and subsequent purchase of the DT-900 from Nokia, I quickly realized I'd never go back to charging my device via the mini USB port.
In my use of the RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger, I was pleasantly surprised with how well it did when compared to the DT-900 I've used for the last year. The build quality of the unit is superb, and the additional surface area of the RAVPower is more than inviting. In addition, the rubber grip in the center of the charger offers a point for you to center your device for charging, and being that the charger lays flat, you need not worry your phone will slide off of the charger.
In testing the RAVPower, starting with 10% battery life, I was able to fully charge my phone in just over two hours. One thing I did notice was my phone was quite a bit cooler than it normally is when using the DT-900; I'm assuming this has something to do with the different voltage outputs of the devices. Overall, with the generous surface area and charging capabilities of the RAVPower, it is certainly a great option for those wanting to get into Qi wireless charging.
PRICING: You can find the RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing, but can change at any time. Click the link to see the very latest pricing for the best deal.
United States: The RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger (Black) retails for $35.99 at Amazon, and the RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger (White) retails for $35.00 at Amazon.
Germany: The RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger (Black) retails for EUR 35,99 at Amazon DE, and the RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger (White) retails for EUR 35,99 at Amazon DE.
France: The RAVPower Qi Wireless Charger (Black) retails for EUR 32,99 at Amazon France.

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be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 CPU Cooler Review - A winner in terms of performance and quietness?

Introduction

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Over the last couple of years, we have seen quite a few things from the be quiet! lineup. Whether it be with coolers, or power supplies, they have kept us pretty busy here at TweakTown. While I did miss out on the original iterations of their cooler designs, when I was brought up to speed on what they had to offer, it did not take long to realize they were very tough competition for the rest of the air cooling segment. While their coolers may be a bit on the larger side, they have all been black in order to blend into the system. They have also delivered some of the lowest audio results in our testing, and at the same time, they are more than capable of standing tall on the thermal charts. For these reasons, there is a bit of excitement as we now get to look at their third generation of designs.
We have seen many a dual-tower design in the labs over the years (starting off with Noctua and the D-14), but over the years, many other designs have surfaced. Some of these designs were outright clones; while in other designs, you could really see where the design team really went to work implementing all of the tricks of the trade to try to squeeze more performance out of a basic concept.
There are quite a few things a company can design into the cooler, things like closed sides to the fins, textures added into the fin working like dimples in a golf ball, offsetting designs to the fins, extra spacing, and things of that nature. However, no matter the design implementation, it also takes a good pair of fans in the design to be able to rid the cooler of the mass amounts of heat produced by today's top-tier processors.
While this latest incarnation from be quiet!, the Dark Rock Pro 3, keeps the seven heat pipes, the black nickel plating, and black brushed aluminum top plate that has been a success for them, this time there are some newer ideas of how it all should be implemented. On top of that, they have changed a few things about the design in subtle ways, to gain more efficiency. Nevertheless, the one thing that remains a constant (aside from the product name) is that be quiet! did not mess with the fans that have made them rank as well as they have in our audio charts. Some things are better unaddressed, because if it isn't broken, why fix it?
With all of this in mind, I say we dive right into it, to see what the Dark Rock Pro 3 offers our test bench, and to see if this dual-tower cooler from be quiet! should in fact be on your "must-have" list next time you're building a new PC.
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ASRock EP2C602-2T/D16 Server Motherboard (Intel C602) Review

Introduction

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Server motherboards can come in all different configurations. The ASRock EP2C602-2T/D16 comes equipped with good network connectivity and storage options onboard, so few extra add-on cards will be required. This is very nice when deciding what motherboard to use for your server. You can pick a board that fits your needs and not have to worry about extra cards to support features that the motherboard does not.
Manufactures usually design their motherboards to fit certain cases, and the EP2C602-2T/D16 fits into ASRock 1U and 2U barebones kits. The CPU is placed at the front of the motherboard so that they are first in line for the cooling fans for maximum cooling effect. This setup works out great for these cases, which have limited space for cooling.
We did not receive a full barebones kit to do this review, only a motherboard, but this would be a typical 2U barebones kit from ASRock.
All you would need to do here is install CPUs, heat sinks, RAM, and drives to complete this server.

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The first thing that pops right out to us when looking at the barebones kit using this motherboard is how clean the design is. You do not see wires crossing all over the place; they flow right along the edges because the connections on the motherboard provide easy access to cables. The only exception to this is the mini SAS 8087 cable and how it connects to the drives in the back of the case. This is a minor concern because it should not block airflow to any great degree.
To use the EP2C602-2T/D16 in other cases, be sure that you have the correct motherboard standoff pattern for an SSI EEB size motherboard and that the I/O plate on the back will fit the case you decided to use.
The EP2C206-2T/D16 is one of a series of motherboards that all share the same motherboard, but have different features. We have highlighted the main feature differences:
EP2C602-2T2OS6/D16
1x Intel 82599ES support 2x 10G fiber, SFP+, Intel X540 support 2x 10GBase-T
8x SAS2 (6Gb/s) from 2x mini SAS 8087 connector by LSI 2308
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1x Intel 82599ES support 2x 10G fiber, SFP+, 1x Intel i350 support Dual GLAN
8x SAS2 (6Gb/s) from 2x mini SAS 8087 connector by LSI 2308
EP2C602-2L+OS6/D16
1x Intel 82599EN support 1x 10G fiber, SFP+, 1x Intel i350 support Dual GLAN
8x SAS2 (6Gb/s) from 2x mini SAS 8087 connector by LSI 2308
EP2C602-2TS6/D16
Intel X540 support 2x 10GBase-T
8x SAS2 (6Gb/s) from 2x mini SAS 8087 connector by LSI 2308
EP2C602-2T20/D16
1x Intel 82599ES support 2x 10G fiber, SFP+, Intel X540 support 2x 10GBase-T
EP2C602-2T/D16
Intel X540 support 2x 10GBase-T
EP2C602-2L+/D16
1x Intel i350 support Dual GLAN
EP2C602-S6/D16
1x Intel i350 support
8x SAS2 (6Gb/s) from 2x mini SAS 8087 connector by LSI 2308
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Amped Wireless REA20 Dual Band 802.11ac Range Extender Review

Introduction

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Range extenders have been a part of wireless networking since the beginning. While most of us can get by with a router, for those that have large areas to cover, or want increased speeds at long ranges, these devices fit the bill. Amped Wireless has a great history with their line of wireless range extenders, and not just in the traditional networking arena, but also with the hobby market and RC helicopters.
The Amped Wireless REA20 is a dual band 802.11AC range extender, built upon the same platform as the RTA15 we looked at a few months back. In fact, to differentiate between the two, Amped has placed the REA20 inside a white enclosure, rather than the black of the RTA15.
Internally, the REA20 features a 2.4GHz radio capable of 802.11n speeds up to 300Mbps, and a 5GHz radio capable of 867Mbps via 802.11ac, both of which are backed by high power amplifiers.
With these capabilities, the REA20 can extend your wireless network an additional 10,000 sq. ft., and provide added wired gigabit ports to nearby devices.

Pricing and Availability

The Amped Wireless REA20 carries a MSRP of $199.99 with a one-year warranty; availability of the range extender is quite high.
PRICING: You can find the Amped Wireless REA20 Dual Band AC Range Extender for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing, but can change at any time. Click the link to see the very latest pricing for the best deal.
United States: The Amped Wireless REA20 Dual Band AC Range Extender retails for $191.82 at Amazon.
Canada: The Amped Wireless REA20 Dual Band AC Range Extender retails for $209.99 at Amazon Canada.
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3D Printing Tips and Tricks - Essential Tools of the Trade for your hobby

Introduction

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There is more to 3D printing than just owning a 3D printer. Several tools are needed to help in creating and finishing printed objects, as well as to aid in maintenance and repair. For anyone who has built their own 3D printer from scratch, they most likely already possess many of the tools I am going to talk about in this article. For those who have bought a pre-built printer, their printer most likely did not come with any of the tools needed other than a screwdriver or an Allen wrench, but even those are scarce in pre-built printers.
Not everyone is into creating their own objects to print in a precise manner, but if you own a 3D printer, there will come a time when the printer will need to be serviced, and without the proper tools this becomes a very difficult, if not impossible job.
On the other side of the equation, an entirely different set of tools are needed to finish 3D printed objects if precision and accuracy are needed, or simply for better aesthetic results. Many of these tools are also staples in every Maker's took arsenal, so if you are reading this, chances are you already have everything you need.
I am going to break this article down into three categories: General Use, Maintenance, and Part Creation / Finishing. General use tools will be what I consider to be staples that should remain within arm's reach of the printer at all times, as they are frequently used during the printer prep, and print removal process.
Maintenance tools consist of those tools that might be needed to disassemble the extruder, or other parts of the printer in the event of a jam, or failure of the axis drive system such as a broken belt, or failed stepper gear. Part Creation / Finishing tools will cover what I like to use to finish out my 3D Prints for fit, as well as finish.
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Netis Systems WF2416 Portable Router Review - 150Mbps Wireless N for your travels

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Whether it's for work or play, having the ability to create your own wireless network while on the road is a luxury one cannot simply pass up. With the portable router market quietly heating up, we take a look at a rather inexpensive solution from Netis, the WF2416 portable router.
The WF2416 is a small pocket sized router, with dimensions coming in just over three square inches by one inch thick. Utilizing the 2.4GHz band, the Netis is capable of 150Mbps, and is compatible with 802.11b/g/n standards. In addition to the routing capabilities of the WF2416, the unit can also function as an extender, adding range to an existing network via the built-in WAN/LAN port. MSRP of the WF2416 is set at $19.99, and it is backed by a one-year warranty.

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Scope of delivery for the Netis WF2416 includes the router, network cable, and reading materials.

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The side of the router houses the switch for each mode router and extender; the WAN port is to the right.

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Moving to the other side, you will find the WPS button for quick setup of your wireless connection, along with the reset button should you ever need to default the unit.

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The power plug is built to be modular. It is also built to be easily tucked away when not in use.

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On the top of the unit, you will find a blue LED to denote activity.

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The menu system for the portable router is rather simple. Though, you can change the device mode along with SSID, security options, and the password. In addition to the simple menu seen here, the WF2416 carries an advanced menu system that allows you to tweak the router a little; to activate this mode, the top right includes a button.

netis_systems_wf2416_portable_router_review_150mbps_wireless_n_for_your_travels

Above, we have opened the Wireless Utility on our MacBook Pro. Starting within five feet of the portable router, we grabbed a great connection at -45dBm. Moving out at ten-foot increments, you can see the signal start to fade until we stopped at sixty feet from the router, with a signal rate of -75dBm.
The Netis WF2416 is a well-built pocket size router that comes into the market at the perfect time. With people traveling for both business and pleasure, one thing is for sure: they want to be connected to the world at all times. With a device such as the WF2416, you can take that wired connection in your hotel room, and turn it into a hotspot for all your devices.
The performance in the testing I did showed the unit had plenty of power to carry the wireless signal a good 60 ft., and with a decent connection rate of 73Mbps.
However, there are a few drawbacks to the unit. One of which is the WAN/LAN port only being capable of 100 Mbps; this takes away from the capabilities of the unit as an extender, since you will be unable to fully utilize the wireless throughput. The second is the wireless mode switch on the side of the unit. I found it to be loose fitting, and it would slide back and forth too easily. There were a few times I set the WF2416 to router mode, and then plugged it in only to slide the switch when doing so.

What do TweakTown awards and ratings mean? Click for details!

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QNAP HS-210 2-Bay Media Sharing NAS Review - Reduced in size for your living room

Introduction

qnap_hs_210_2_bay_media_sharing_nas_review_reduced_in_size_for_your_living_room

The number of smart TVs shipped in the last two years is amazing, and the technology has trickled down to lower cost offerings. The best time to purchase a new TV is right around Super Bowl time. This is when TV manufacturers allow retails to offer massive sales on products launched the previous year. New TVs tend to release in March, so if you're shopping for a TV, this is a really good time to start looking.
Of the large number of smart, Ethernet connected TVs, many users never get around to actually connecting the Ethernet cords. With internet connections and home NAS products in offices and bedrooms, running a cord to the TV is usually out of the question. To get around this, QNAP has built a small NAS unit that sits with your set top box and other A/V components.
The QNAP HS-210 is a small, quiet, and attractive NAS product that holds two 3.5" or 2.5" drives, and brings the power of QNAP's award winning OS to the living room. The HS-210 was built for convenience over performance and as such a product, it's fanless. Paired with the right HDDs like Western Digital's Red or Seagate's NAS HDDs, the system is very quiet, even at close distances.
You may think the next talking point is the A/V capabilities through some sort of audio and video output, but that isn't the case. The natural progression of the HS-210 would be a HDMI output, but that didn't happen. Adding HDMI output would move the system away from the Marvell 1.6GHz processor, and to an Intel processor. The move would have increased the price of the HS-210.
At the time of writing, the HS-210 costs $290 at Amazon.
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