Archive for April, 2009

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Microsoft Windows

April 29th, 2009

Microsoft Windows is a series of software operating systems produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world’s personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced previously. At the 2004 IDC Directions conference, it was stated that Windows had approximately 90% of the client operating system market. The most recent client version of Windows is Windows Vista; the current server version is Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft has taken two parallel routes in its operating systems. One route has been for the home user and the other has been for the professional IT user. The dual routes have generally led to home versions having greater multimedia support and less functionality in networking and security, and professional versions having inferior multimedia support and better networking and security.[citation needed]
The first version of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released in November 1985, lacked a degree of functionality and achieved little popularity, and was to compete with Apple’s own operating system.[citation needed] Windows 1.0 is not a complete operating system; rather, it extends MS-DOS. Microsoft Windows version 2.0 was released in November, 1987 and was slightly more popular than its predecessor. Windows 2.03 (release date January 1988) had changed the OS from tiled windows to overlapping windows. The result of this change led to Apple Computer filing a suit against Microsoft alleging infringement on Apple’s copyrights.
Microsoft Windows version 3.0, released in 1990, was the first Microsoft Windows version to achieve broad commercial success, selling 2 million copies in the first six months. It featured improvements to the user interface and to multitasking capabilities. It received a facelift in Windows 3.1, made generally available on March 1, 1992. Windows 3.1 support ended on December 31, 2001.
In July 1993, Microsoft released Windows NT based on a new kernel. NT was considered to be the professional OS and was the first Windows version to utilize preemptive multitasking.[citation needed]. Windows NT would later be retooled to also function as a home operating system, with Windows XP.
On August 24th 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, a new, and major, consumer version that made further changes to the user interface, and also used preemptive multitasking. Windows 95 was designed to replace not only Windows 3.1, but also Windows for Workgroups, and MS-DOS. It was also the first Windows operating system to use Plug and Play capabilities. The changes Windows 95 brought to the desktop were revolutionary, as opposed to evolutionary, such as those in Windows 98 and Windows Me. Mainstream support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2000 and extended support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2001.
The next in the consumer line was Microsoft Windows 98 released on June 25th, 1998. It was substantially criticized for its slowness and for its unreliability compared with Windows 95, but many of its basic problems were later rectified with the release of Windows 98 Second Edition in 1999.[citation needed] Mainstream support for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002 and extended support for Windows 98 ended on July 11, 2006.
As part of its “professional” line, Microsoft released Windows 2000 in February 2000. The consumer version following Windows 98 was Windows Me (Windows Millennium Edition). Released in September 2000, Windows Me implemented a number of new technologies for Microsoft: most notably publicized was “Universal Plug and Play.”
In October 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, a version built on the Windows NT kernel that also retained the consumer-oriented usability of Windows 95 and its successors. This new version was widely praised in computer magazines. It shipped in two distinct editions, “Home” and “Professional”, the former lacking many of the superior security and networking features of the Professional edition. Additionally, the first “Media Center” edition was released in 2002, with an emphasis on support for DVD and TV functionality including program recording and a remote control. Mainstream support for Windows XP will continue until April 14, 2009 and extended support will continue until April 8, 2014.
In April 2003, Windows Server 2003 was introduced, replacing the Windows 2000 line of server products with a number of new features and a strong focus on security; this was followed in December 2005 by Windows Server 2003 R2.
On January 30, 2007 Microsoft released Windows Vista. It contains a number of new features, from a redesigned shell and user interface to significant technical changes, with a particular focus on security features.

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A network switch

April 28th, 2009

A network switch is a broad and imprecise marketing term for a computer networking device that connects network segments.
The term commonly refers to a Network bridge that processes and routes data at the Data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Switches that additionally process data at the Network layer (layer 3) (and above) are often referred to as Layer 3 switches or Multilayer switches.
The term Network switch does not generally encompass unintelligent or passive network devices such as hubs and repeaters.
The first Ethernet switch was introduced by Kalpana in 1989. [1]
As with hubs, Ethernet implementations of network switches support either 10/100 Mbit/s or 10/100/1000 Mbit/s ports Ethernet standards. Large switches may have 10 Gbit/s ports. Switches differ from hubs in that they can have ports of different speed.
The network switch, packet switch (or just switch) plays an integral part in most Ethernet local area networks or LANs. Mid-to-large sized LANs contain a number of linked managed switches. Small office, home office (SOHO) applications typically use a single switch, or an all-purpose converged device such as gateway access to small office/home office broadband services such as DSL router or cable, WiFi router. In most of these cases, the end user device contains a router and components that interface to the particular physical broadband technology, as in the Linksys 8-port and 48-port devices. User devices may also include a telephone interface to VoIP.
In simple terms, in the context of a standard 10/100 Ethernet switch, a switch operates at the data-link layer of the OSI model to create a different collision domain per switch port. This basically says that if you have 4 computers A/B/C/D on 4 switch ports, then A and B can transfer data between them as well as C and D at the same time, and they will never interfere with each others conversations. That is the basic idea in a nutshell. In the case of a “hub” then they would all have to share the bandwidth, run in half-duplex and there would be collisions and retransmissions. Using a switch is called micro-segmentation and it allows you to have dedicated bandwidth on point to point connections with every computer and can therefore run in full duplex with no collisions.

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MORE ON AMD

April 22nd, 2009

AMD considers the quad core Phenoms to be the first “true” quad core design, as these processors are a monolithic multi-core design (all cores on the same piece of silicon die), unlike Intel’s Core 2 Quad series which are a multi-chip module (MCM) design. The processors are on the Socket AM2+ platform.[2]

Before Phenom’s original release, a flaw was discovered in the translation lookaside buffer (TLB) that could cause a system lock-up in rare circumstances. Phenom processors up to and including stepping “B2″ and “BA” are affected by this bug. BIOS and software workarounds disable the TLB, and typically incur a performance penalty of at least 10%.[3] This penalty was not accounted for in pre-release previews of Phenom, hence the performance of early Phenoms delivered to customers is expected to be less than the preview benchmarks. “B3″ stepping Phenom processors were released March 27, 2008 without the TLB bug and with “xx50″ model numbers.[4]

An AMD subsidiary has released a patch for the Linux kernel,[5] which it said has received “minimal functional testing”, to overcome this bug by software emulation of accessed- and dirty-bits causing little performance loss.[citation needed]

AMD has launched several models of the Phenom processor in 2007/2008 and more recently an upgraded model Phenom II in 2009.[6][7][8][9]
AMD Phenom processor family
AMD K10 Desktop
Quad-core Triple-core Dual-core
AMD Phenom logo as of 2007 AMD Phenom logo as of 2008 AMD Phenom logo as of 2008 AMD Athlon X2 logo as of 2007
Code-named Agena Toliman Kuma
Core 65nm 65nm 65nm
Date released Mar 2008 Mar 2008 Dec 2008
AMD Phenom logo as of 2008 AMD Phenom logo as of 2009 AMD Phenom logo as of 2009
Code-named Deneb Heka
Core 45nm 45nm
Date released Feb 2009 Feb 2009
List of AMD Phenom microprocessors

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Yahama R15 Review

April 19th, 2009

R15 is the first model for the Indian market designed in the true supersport image and featuring a high-level balance of enjoyable running performance on winding roads. Packed full of state-of-the-art technologies, R15 boasts performance worthy of a supersport model and a body design that evokes the image of the YZF-R series and gives visual expression to the quality of its ride.
R15 is powered by 149.8cc Fuel Injected liquid cooled engine that will be producing an almost impossible 17bhp with maximum torque of 15 Nm at 7500rpm; which makes it like the most powerful bike under 200cc range and has a 6-speed Transmission. Yamaha is showcasing its potential for India with some real performance.
R15 has India’s first 150cc 4 valve engine with forged pistons, Deltabox frame & 6speed gear box. It’s overall length is 1995mm, overall width is 670mm and its wheels base is 1290mm. Since sporty YZF R15 is shorter too and its height is just 1070mm. YZF R15 features F 80/90 -17 inches tyres in the front and 100/80-17 inches tyres in the rear. Both the tyres are tubeless.
Design & Styling
The “R” Design: This characteristic of motorcycles designed by Yamaha as represented by the R series reflects the philosophy running through these models — expressing performance visually.
For example, YZF-R6 shows a strong body line that springs up in a single line from the rear axle to the pivot and then to the head pipe. This is a visual expression of the straight shape of the Deltabox frame. These elements are a visual expression of “frame rigidity.” Viewed from the side, the shape created by the side panel and the upper surface of the tank creates an impression of the center of gravity shifting to the front tire.
This is a visual representation of how the front tire grips the road in its sporty running performance. Needless to say, YZF-R1, with its athletic build, is also a visual expression of performance. A characteristic of the R series is that, when you view the machine, you get a sense of its concept and performance.
This philosophy has been fully transmitted to YZF-R15. An important point to note is that this motorcycle is not a scaled-down version of YZF-R1 or YZF-R6. YZF-R15’s design is based on having an excellent engine cooling method.
The shape of the cowling around the radiator area was determined so that the shapes of the air intake area and the rear outlet area where the air is scooped out are optimized to improve radiator efficiency. As for the outlet area, the mid-cowl area was designed using sculpturing 3D methods to create a three dimensional shape with a sense of volume. rst for the Indian market.
When viewed from the front, it gives a sense of volume that seems well beyond its 150cc displacement. This does not simply mean that it is voluminous, but that it is grounded in the Art of Engineering which transforms function into art.
Engine
YZF-R15 is equipped with this all-aluminum cylinder called the DiASil Cylinder and a forged piston, the same type of piston used in Yamaha’s supersport bikes. The fact that both the piston and cylinder of YZF-R15 are all-aluminum ensures excellent heat dissipation, eliminates heat-induced engine power loss, and helps improve fuel

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Apple’s MacBook

April 18th, 2009

Slimmer, lighter, greener and more capable than its fore runners, the Apple’s new unibody MacBook junks the plasticky design of its predecessors and redefines Notebook design. Check out the new 13 inch MacBook with all qualities of a next gen notebook but slightly overpriced.

The new MacBook is built from a single aluminum piece and Apple calls this “unibody”. A shiny metal body worn to impress and an all glass, all gloss face that reflects just about anything: the new MacBook is designed to charm whether its turn on of off. Though it’s not as light as its plasticky predecessors, its shiny yet subtle look makes it an aesthetic piece of technology. This with a brilliant LED backlit display, a spacious glass Multi-Touch glass track pad and thus it becomes clear that the new MacBook is clearly nex-gen.

As far as core specifications you can choose between 2.0 and 2.4 GHz processors. The 2.0 GHz Mac comes with a 160GB 5400 rpm hard drive and the 2.4 GHz comes with a 250 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. Both features 2 GB of DDR3 memory running at 1066MHz and is upgradable to 4 GB.

MacBook has set a new standard for environmental responsibility. The MacBook is toxic free: the display incorporates mercury free LED backlight technology and arsenic free glass interface, making MacBook highly recyclable notebook. To be short MacBook unibody is one real stuff for entertainment.

COST:

MacBook 2.0v: Rs.72, 910.

MacBook 2.4v: Rs.88, 280.

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Posted in Miscellaneous