Archive for the 'Computer' Category

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The Switch to Flash and the Death of the Hard Drive?

Published on February 5, 2008 in Computer, Latest and Technology. 0 Comments Tags: Intel, memory, NAND, storage.

Hear that loud whirring sound from your laptop? That’s the fan working overtime to try and cool down your overheated machine. This massive heat dissipation is caused by many culprits, and the main one is your hard drive.

What’s on your hard drive? It’s a bunch of spinning disks, and it’s those that drain so much power. But several recent advances in Flash technology innovation mean that the spinning disks may soon turn into a relic of the past.

A few years, the introduction of the NAND flash memory looked like it would signify a revolution in computer storage, with a lot of memory packed into a small space. But there was one drawback: data transfer rates between devices were sluggishly slow.

Now, a partnership of Intel and Micron has come up with a potential cure for the bottleneck. Their joint venture recently released a new flash drive with data transfer rates up to 200 MBps (reading) and 100 MBps (writing). That’s about 5 times faster than traditional flash technology.

Source: InfoWorld.com

The Next Generation of Google Searching

Published on February 5, 2008 in Computer and Web. 0 Comments Tags: Google, search.

One word best describes the Google search engine interface: simplicity. The search screen contains little else besides the logo, the search bar, and a few links. The results list is plain and to-the-point. This concept may be one of the reasons so many people find it easy to use.

But it’s also in need of an upgrade. While Google’s search algorithms are in a state of continual refinement, the user interface hasn’t changed much over the years. They’re working on this, and big changes are near. And they want your help.

Google is now offering its experimental search page, where users can try out one of five different interfaces to the search engine. Options include a timeline of results, keyboard shortcuts, suggested alternative keywords, and a new right- or left-hand navigation box.

Don’t get too carried away — you can only try out one of these options at once. But once you choose an experimental option, that choice will be displayed every time you perform a Google search.

To have your say in the upgrade of the world’s favorite search engine, go to the Google experimental search page. Also read more at ars tecnica.

Should I Buy An Air? Pros and Cons of the New MacBook

Published on January 22, 2008 in Computer, Latest and Technology. 0 Comments Tags: Intel, mac book air, Macworld.

The introduction of the new ultra-thin MacBook Air at the Macworld convention is the talk of every town. Some people are thrilled. Some people are disgusted. Like any computer, this new edition has features that will work fantastically for some and will be a big hindrance for others. Here, we take a case-by-case look at whether the Air is right for you.

Family

A plus: It’s small and light enough that your kids can use it. A minus: At a selling price of $1799, maybe you don’t want your kids to handle it. This computer also assumes that you have fully upgraded to the digital age. If you still want to play or rip music CD’s using your computer or do not have wireless at home, you will have to buy expensive accessories.
Bottom line: This should not be your only at-home computer.

Work-from-home professional

The portability and 5-hour battery life of this MacBook mean that you can take it with you just about anywhere you care to work. You probably work almost exclusively wirelessly already, eliminating needs for interfaces with Ethernet and firewire. The Intel dual processor, 2GB memory, and 80GB hard drive should be enough for most of your business needs.
Bottom line: The Air was designed with you in mind.

College student

If there’s one thing students are sick of, it’s lugging around heavy objects. The thin Air can be easily slipped between books in a backpack, making it easy to bring your MacBook with you for notetaking in class, easy-access research, etc. College campuses usually have fast, easy-to-access wireless technology. You probably don’t need the memory and processing power, unless you experiment with digital music production. In addition, the new movie rental service might completely eliminate the need for a TV in your dorm room.
Bottom line: If you have enough student loan money left over, invest in an Air.

Traveling businessperson

Finally, a laptop that you can use throughout a cross-country flight without running out of battery. The portability, size, and processing power are also nice. Wireless will be available most places you work, and you could invest in the Ethernet adapter if you are worried about being able to connect from your hotel room.
Bottom line: A sleek, useful traveling tool.

Source: http://www.macdailynews.com/

Physics simulation

Published on June 15, 2007 in Computer, Physics, Science and Technology. 0 Comments

In the last decade, computer simulation as improved a lot. Physic is now being simulated based on various of it’s formula in order to produce photorealistic animations which can then be used in movies and video games. What is more impressive is how easy it is to setup such environment within the various 3D applications that give you those possibilities.

This incredible fire physics simulation are made by Ron Fedkiw from Stanford Computer science department and some of his colleges. This are only simulations but with this resarches made by Ron Fedkiw we can be sure that one day we will see this simulations in real time on videogames… the thing is, when? who knows…

Source: http://gameplanets.blogspot.com/

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Electronic paper display within a credit card

Published on September 4, 2006 in Computer, Latest, Science and Technology. 0 Comments

SiPix, in partnership with SmartDisplayer as developped the flexible display which will be embedded into an ISO-compliant payment card. It is now possible to display dynamic passcode for a one-time use on your credit card. By pressing a button on the card, you can generate a new code.

Source: http://www.gizmag.com

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