My childhood dreams for 40€

As a kid I used to read and re-read a book titled Choosing and using your home computer (Slovenian translation published in 1984). It contains photographs and descriptions of a lot of contemporary home computers, including the EPSON HX-20. This little device is described as the future of portable computing - it's amazingly small case includes a cassette recorder and a printer and you can even work with it while you are traveling since it has a rechargeable battery. According to this book this is the first truly portable computer, a first sign of what we can expect in the future.

Of course back then I really wanted to have one. The Spectrum we had looked just clumsy compared to it.

This weekend they were selling them at VCFE for 40€ a piece and now I'm wondering why the hell I haven't bought one.

Posted by Tomaž | Categories: Digital | No Comments »

Vintage Computer Festival Europe 2007

02.05.2007 0:16

Internet connectivity wasn't very good at VCFE, so here's a late and condensed report from my visit to München. (Organizers did give us internet access, but they said we should use it as little as possible because they only had a limited amount of net traffic allowed)

My general impression was that for a Computer Festival Europe the whole event was surprisingly centered around German visitors and exhibitors. When I asked why all announcements and speeches were in German they said that they do not want to force English language to the 95% of Germans there. I can understand that, but I don't think that adding a single English sentence would hurt their feelings too much. It would at least give me some idea what that last public announcement was about - even if that meant I would have to go to the nearest native speaker and ask him for a more detailed translation (everyone I spoke to was fluent in English). If CCC in Berlin got the right mixture of English and German language so that I didn't feel pushed aside, I don't see why they couldn't also.

Other than that, I was impressed with what I saw at the festival. I've never seen or heard of a lot of computers and equipment that was on display. It felt a bit strange to walk around and not recognize names on computers (and I thought that I have some knowledge of this field).

Then there was also the tour of the Cray-Cyber collection, which was awesome and deserves a post of its own.

MyCPU was in my opinion the most impressive exhibit of the VCFE. Its author created his own CPU architecture, implemented it with 74HC discreet logic circuits, built a complete computer around it (IDE interface, VGA board and all), wrote a DOS-like operating system for it and on top of everything ran a C64 emulator.

I'm definitely going to have a look at how he managed to implement a PS/2 keyboard interface with logic chips. Perhaps I could make a similar interface for Galaksija to replace that weird keyboard I made.

This Apple eMate laptop looked surprisingly like the OLPC laptop. It has similar size and a similarly unusual user interface. It is also 10 years older and sold for 8 times as much at the time (i.e. it was meant for USA, not Africa).

Yes, not all exhibits were digital! This Dornier DO-80 analog computer draw a ball that was bouncing inside the edges of the oscilloscope screen. I haven't studied the papers I got that describe how they managed to do that, but it sure was an impressive thing to see a box of operational amplifiers draw a nice animation like that

Last but not least, here's Cyberpipe's Museum with my Galaksija. Our exhibits attracted more attention from visitors than I expected. Galaksija was in fact so popular that there are good chances that next year I'll prepare a workshop where anyone will be able to built one.

In conclusion it was a nice experience. As always I really enjoyed being once again among friendly hackers where everyone is prepared to explain what is that weird thing on his table and/or try to help you with a particularly strange hardware problem you stumbled upon.

The World’s Smallest Color Laser Printer - Samsung CLP-315K

The South-Korean consumer electronics giant, Samsung has introduced its new color printer - CLP-315K, which the company claims as the world’s smallest color laser printer (20% smaller than the previous model - CLP-300), operating at 45dB, along with a resolution of 2,400×600 dpi and 32MB of internal memory. In addition, this printer has an ability to print up to 16 pages per minutes in black and 4 pages per minutes for color.

Continue reading The World’s Smallest Color Laser Printer - Samsung CLP-315K » » »

The Internet Visualized

I was stuck for a couple of extra hours at the airport in Dulles and I noticed this amazing visualization of the Internet from AT&T Labs and a company called "Lumeta". Yes, I know these have been done before, but rarely with any sense of aesthetics in mind. Alas, some extensive searching revealed no aditional information on this monstrosity (it is rather large). It is one of those things you'd really like to get a copy of, but for some reason, a company smart enough to map the Internet is not smart enough to put an URL on the poster to follow up on their creation. Something this cool deserved a "How We Did It" type of explanation somewhere. Oh well. If you are in Dulles or Reagan airports, be sure to check it out. It color codes major nodes and networks, and that faint gray "haze" is actually thousands of labels for major servers in the network. A great marriage of science and design.

And apologies for the quality of the picture. It was taken with my phone.

A central processing unit

A central processing unit (CPU) :

is an electronic circuit that can execute computer programs. This broad definition can easily be applied to many early computers that existed long before the term “CPU” ever came into widespread usage. The term itself and its initialism have been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s (Weik 1961). The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation has remained much the same.

Early CPUs were custom-designed as a part of a larger, sometimes one-of-a-kind, computer. However, this costly method of designing custom CPUs for a particular application has largely given way to the development of mass-produced processors that are suited for one or many purposes. This standardization trend generally began in the era of discrete transistor mainframes and minicomputers and has rapidly accelerated with the popularization of the integrated circuit (IC). The IC has allowed increasingly complex CPUs to be designed and manufactured to tolerances on the order of nanometers. Both the miniaturization and standardization of CPUs have increased the presence of these digital devices in modern life far beyond the limited application of dedicated computing machines. Modern microprocessors appear in everything from automobiles to cell phones to children’s toys.

Output device

output device :

is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) to the outside world.

In computing, input/output, or I/O, refers to the communication between an information processing system (such as a computer), and the outside world. Inputs are the signals or data sent to the system, and outputs are the signals or data sent by the system to the outside.

The most common input devices used by the computer are the keyboard and mouse. The keyboard allows the entry of textual information while the mouse allows the selection of a point on the screen by moving a screen cursor to the point and pressing a mouse button. The most common outputs are monitors and speakers.

Monitor : A monitor is the screen on which words, numbers, and graphics can be seem. The monitor is the most common output device.

Compact Disk : Some compact disks can be used to put information on. This is called burning information to a CD. A CD can also be an input device.

Printer : A printer prints whatever is on the monitor onto paper. Printers can print words, numbers, or pictures.

Speaker : A speaker gives you sound output from your computer. Some speakers are built into the computer and some are separate.

Floppy Disk : A floppy disk is used to record information on. The information is stored on the floppy disk and can be used later or used on another computer.

Headphones : Headphones give sound output from the computer. They are similar to speakers, except they are worn on the ears so only one person can hear the output at a time.

Disk Drives : A disk drive is used to record information from the computer onto a floppy disk or CD.

Multitasking

Multitasking :

While a computer may be viewed as running one gigantic program stored in its main memory, in some systems it is necessary to give the appearance of running several programs simultaneously. This is achieved by having the computer switch rapidly between running each program in turn. One means by which this is done is with a special signal called an interrupt which can periodically cause the computer to stop executing instructions where it was and do something else instead. By remembering where it was executing prior to the interrupt, the computer can return to that task later. If several programs are running “at the same time”, then the interrupt generator might be causing several hundred interrupts per second, causing a program switch each time. Since modern computers typically execute instructions several orders of magnitude faster than human perception, it may appear that many programs are running at the same time even though only one is ever executing in any given instant. This method of multitasking is sometimes termed “time-sharing” since each program is allocated a “slice” of time in turn.

Before the era of cheap computers, the principle use for multitasking was to allow many people to share the same computer.

Seemingly, multitasking would cause a computer that is switching between several programs to run more slowly - in direct proportion to the number of programs it is running. However, most programs spend much of their time waiting for slow input/output devices to complete their tasks. If a program is waiting for the user to click on the mouse or press a key on the keyboard, then it will not take a “time slice” until the event it is waiting for has occurred. This frees up time for other programs to execute so that many programs may be run at the same time without unacceptable speed loss.

Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing :
Some computers may divide their work between one or more separate CPUs, creating a multiprocessing configuration. Traditionally, this technique was utilized only in large and powerful computers such as supercomputers, mainframe computers and servers. However, multiprocessor and multi-core (multiple CPUs on a single integrated circuit) personal and laptop computers have become widely available and are beginning to see increased usage in lower-end markets as a result.

Supercomputers in particular often have highly unique architectures that differ significantly from the basic stored-program architecture and from general purpose computers. They often feature thousands of CPUs, customized high-speed interconnects, and specialized computing hardware. Such designs tend to be useful only for specialized tasks due to the large scale of program organization required to successfully utilize most of the available resources at once. Supercomputers usually see usage in large-scale simulation, graphics rendering, and cryptography applications, as well as with other so-called “embarrassingly parallel” tasks.

Application software classification

There are many subtypes of application software:

* Enterprise software addresses the needs of organization processes and data flow, often in a large distributed environment. (Examples include Financial, Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain Management). Note that Departmental Software is a sub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on smaller organizations or groups within a large organization. (Examples include Travel Expense Management, and IT Helpdesk)
* Enterprise infrastructure software provides common capabilities needed to support Enterprise Software systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers, and Network and Security Management)
* Information worker software addresses the needs of individuals to create and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource management, documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information system, and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks.
* Content access software is software used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers, and Games)
* Educational software is related to content access software, but has distinct requirements for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress through material. It is also related to collaboration software in that many Educational Software systems include collaborative capabilities.
* Simulation software are computer software for simulation of physical or abstract systems for either research, training or entertainment purposes.
* Media development software addresses the needs of individuals who generate print and electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes Graphic Art software, Desktop Publishing software, Multimedia Development software, HTML editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital Audio and Video composition, and many others. [2]
* Product engineering software is used in developing hardware and software products. This includes computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling tools, Integrated Development Environments, and Application Programmer Interfaces.

Computer Hardware

A personal computer is made up of computer hardware, multiple physical components onto which can be loaded into a multitude of software that perform the functions of the computer.

Typical PC hardware :
Motherboard:
The motherboard is the “body” of the computer, through which all other components interface. Components directly attached to the motherboard include:

* The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the “brain” of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
* The chipset mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
* RAM is the system’s main memory or primary storage, and holds data and instructions for running applications and the operating system.
* The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The basic input and output tasks from which it gets its name are now handled by operating system drivers.
* Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.

Current
* The northbridge memory controller, for RAM and PCI Express
*PCI Express, for graphics cards
* PCI, for other expansion cards
* SATA, for disk drives

Obsolete
* ATA (superseded by SATA)
* AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
* VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
* ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)

External Bus Controllers support ports for external peripherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the southbridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.

* USB
* FireWire
* eSATA

II, Computer sizes and power

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor.
• Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and, in general, a higher-quality monitor.
• Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously.
• Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
• Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

Development of the Internet

In 1969 the Pentagon commissioned ARPANET for research into networking. The following year, Vinton Cerf and others published their first proposals for protocols that would allow computers to 'talk' to each other. ARPANET began operating Network Control Protocol (NCP), the first host-to-host protocol.
In 1974 Vint Cerf joined Bob Kahn to present their 'Protocol for Packet Network Interconnection' specifying the detailed design of the 'Transmission Control Program' (TCP) - the basis of the modern Internet. In 1978 TCP was split into TCP (now short for Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol).TCP/IP defined : the foundation of the Internet
In 1982 TCP/IP was established as the protocol for ARPANET. This provided one of the first definitions of an internet as a connected set of networks using TCP/IP, but defining 'the Internet' as all connected TCP/IP internets.The launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik in 1957 threw the American military and scientific establishment into near panic with visions of Soviet weapons in space striking a helpless America. As part of the response, in 1959 the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was formed within the Pentagon to establish an American lead in military science and technology.By the early 1960s the first theories of computer networking were starting to be shaped and in 1965 ARPA sponsored a study on 'co-operative network of time-sharing computers'.The first such plan was shaped by Lawrence G. Roberts, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in October 1966. Designs for such a network were put forward the following year and in 1968 the Pentagon sent out requests for proposals for ARPANET - a computer network to unite America's military and scientific establishments.
The World Wide Web is invented (1991) : anyone and everyone.By the end of the 1980s the European Particle Research Laboratory CERN in Geneva was one of the premier Internet sites in Europe. CERN desperately needed a better way of locating all the files, documents and other resources that now threatened to overwhelm it.

The Protection of Information in Computer Systems

Abstract - This tutorial paper explores the mechanics of protecting computer-stored information from unauthorized use or modification. It concentrates on those architectural structures--whether hardware or software--that are necessary to support information protection. The paper develops in three main sections. Section I describes desired functions, design principles, and examples of elementary protection and authentication mechanisms. Any reader familiar with computers should find the first section to be reasonably accessible. Section II requires some familiarity with descriptor-based computer architecture. It examines in depth the principles of modern protection architectures and the relation between capability systems and access control list systems, and ends with a brief analysis of protected subsystems and protected objects. The reader who is dismayed by either the prerequisites or the level of detail in the second section may wish to skip to Section III, which reviews the state of the art and current research projects and provides suggestions for further reading.GlossaryThe following glossary provides, for reference, brief definitions for several terms as used in this paper in the context of protecting information in computers.

Advantages of Computers

Computers have affected every aspect of our day-to-day life. Let’s look into the advantages of computers.
The present global age is the consequence of the computer age. A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data, according to a list of instructions. It allows a user to manipulate data easily. The speed of performance of a computer is incomparable. The computer and Internet have affected our way of working, communicating, playing and also writing. In fact, computers are used in every aspect of life today. Advantages of Computers Because of the many advantages of a computer, it has become an important household item. A computer operated by an individual without any specific computer operator is called as a personal computer (PC). A PC can be a desktop or a laptop computer and can be used at home or at office. As per the requirement of the user, softwares are installed in a PC. Let’s discuss the advantages of computers. One can write more effectively by means of a computer. There are tools like spelling and grammar checker, thesaurus and dictionary, installed in the computer. Thus, it takes less time to proofread a written document and also, there is no need to open up a dictionary book to look for meanings of words. Typing is much faster than writing on a paper. If there is a need for reorganizing the sentences or paragraphs, one can cut and paste and make the necessary changes. Thus, overall a computer allows the user to create documents, edit, print, and store them so that they can be retrieved later. Using a computer, one can remain connected to the world through Internet. Internet is a network of computers that communicates via the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). The World Wide Web (WWW) or simply web is a huge resource of information that can be accessed via the Internet. To mention a few of the resources, there are electronic mail (e-mail), file transferring and sharing, online chat and gaming. The Internet allows people from around the world to share knowledge, ideas and experiences in any field. E-mail is a method of communication used globally and is provided with a system of creating, storing and forwarding mails.

ASME's newest computer journal debuts in March

Henry Baumgartner ASME NEWS ASME's newest Transactions journal, the Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, or JCISE for short, is getting ready to publish its first issue in March.
Sponsored by the Computers and Information in Engineering Division with the cooperation of the Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Dynamic Systems and Controls Divisions, the new journal will fill a gap in the dissemination of technical information and scholarly innovations in computing and information science as they relate to mechanical engineering.
The technical editor of the publication is Jami Shah, a professor at Arizona State University in Tempe, where he is a member of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering as well as director of the Design Automation Lab.
According to Shah, the mission of JCISE is to serve a new generation of ASME members, software developers and information technology professionals involved in developing or using computing and IT tools in mechanical engineering applications.
JCISE will publish archival research results and information on advanced technical applications in emerging and interdisciplinary fields at the intersection of mechanical engineering, information technology and engineering software.

Computer Information Systems Technician

The Computer Information Systems Technician (CIST) program provides two years of technician level training where graduates will be qualified to work in one of two specialty areas of the industry - Network Systems or Internet Systems. In the first year of the program students master a common core of computer system training based on appropriate industry standards infrastructure and technology. The first year of the program covers computer hardware, operating systems, networking and Internet technology. In the second year of the program, students choose a training specialty - Network Systems Technician (NST) or Internet Systems Technician (IST). Applicants should possess excellent communication skills along with the capability for analytical and logical thought. Applicants must also have basic keyboarding and computer skills.

Nature of the Work

In the modern workplace, it is imperative that technology works both effectively and reliably. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the implementation of technology within their organizations. They do everything from helping to construct a business plan to overseeing network security to directing Internet operations.
Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct research and facilitate the computer-related activities of firms. They help determine both technical and business goals in consultation with top management and make detailed plans for the accomplishment of these goals. This requires a strong understanding of both technology and business practices.
Computer and information systems managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, support specialists, and other computer-related workers. They plan and coordinate activities such as installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, development of computer networks, and implementation of Internet and intranet sites. They are increasingly involved with the upkeep, maintenance, and security of networks. They analyze the computer and information needs of their organizations from an operational and strategic perspective and determine immediate and long-range personnel and equipment requirements. They assign and review the work of their subordinates and stay abreast of the latest technology to ensure the organization does not lag behind competitors.

The world's fastest computers are Linux computers

There are fast computers, and then there are Linux fast computers. Every six months, the Top 500 organization announces "its ranked list of general purpose systems that are in common use for high end applications." In other words, supercomputers. And, as has been the case for years now, the fastest of the fast are Linux computers.
As Jay Lyman, an analyst at The 451 Group points out, Linux is only growing stronger in supercomputing. "When considered as the primary OS or part of a mixed-OS supersystem, Linux is now present in 469 of the supercomputer sites, 93.8% of the Top500 list. This represents about 10 more sites than in November 2007, when Linux had presence in 91.8% of the systems. In fact, Linux is the only operating system that managed gains in the November 2008 list. A year ago, Linux was the OS for 84.6% of the top supercomputers. In November 2008, the open source OS was used in 87.8% of the systems. Compare this to Unix, which dropped from 6% to 4.6%, mixed-OS use which dropped from 7.2% to 6.2% and other operating systems, including BSD, Mac OS X and Windows, which were all down this year from the November 2007 list."
Microsoft is proud that a system running Windows HPC Server 2008 took 10th place... behind nine supercomputers running Linux. Even then, this was really more of a stunt than a demonstration that the HPC Server system is ready to compete with the big boys.

The World Wide Web is invented (1991) : anyone and everyone

By the end of the 1980s the European Particle Research Laboratory CERN in Geneva was one of the premier Internet sites in Europe. CERN desperately needed a better way of locating all the files, documents and other resources that now threatened to overwhelm it.
A young British scientist, Tim Berners-Lee, working as a consultant for CERN, had the answer. His 'World Wide Web' system assigned a common system of written addresses and hypertext links to all information. Hypertext is the organisation of information units into connections that a user can make, the association is called a link.
In October 1990 Berners-Lee started working on a hypertext graphical user interface (GUI) browser and editor. In 1991 the first WWW files were made available on the Internet for download using File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
By 1993 the world was starting to wake up to the World Wide Web. In October that year there were around 200 known HTTP servers. Within a year there would be thousands.
May 1994 saw the first International WWW Conference - at CERN in Geneva. The event was heavily oversubscribed, with 800 applying to attend and only 400 allowed in.
By now the load on the first Web server at CERN was 1,000 times what it had been three

The Internet price war : when ISPs collide

Just as the saying goes about there's no such thing as a 'free lunch', there is also no such thing as free Internet access - with nobody as yet finding a way to provide the telephone or data connections involved completely free of charge.
That said, prices have fallen with some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offering unlimited dial-up access, faster connections through broadband technology, virus scanning and lots more lot for a fixed monthly charge.
Originally, many ISPs made money by taking a proportion of the call costs. There was no monthly subscription but users had to pay local call rates, meaning the bill grew with every extra minute spent online. Complaints that this was holding back Internet use coupled with pressure on margins and it was this that spurred most ISPs into offering tariffs that now give unlimited use for a fixed price.
Making internet access available to everyone in the UK is also firmly in the minds of our politicians with the three main parties continually stressing its importance in our lives.

How To: Overclocking Your AMD Processor : Introduction: The Basics Of Overclocking

introduction: The Basics Of Overclocking

Tom’s Hardware readers know all about overclocking, of course. In fact, many processor and graphics card reviews would be deemed incomplete without coverage of overclocking potential. Indeed, articles such as the System Builder Marathon series have a long history of specifically valuing performance achieved through overclocking rather than just through stock performance.
If you already consider yourself an enthusiast, pardon a bit of background here--we'll get into the nitty-gritty technical stuff in just a second.
What exactly is overclocking? In a nutshell, the term is used to describe running a component at a higher speed than its specification in an attempt to increase performance. Various computer components can be overclocked, including the processor, memory, and graphics card. And the degree of overclocking can include anything from simply procuring small gains from an inexpensive component all the way to seeking a level of performance way beyond what could even be purchased at that point in time.
There is already a wealth of content available on this site on the history, risks, and benefits of overclocking. Those seeking a bit more background can refer to an overclocking guide written back in 1997 by Thomas Pabst, the founder of Tom’s Hardware, and also this more recent three-part guide.
In today’s guide, we will focus specifically on how to overclock current AMD processors to maximize the available headroom given your cooling solution of choice. The timing here isn't coincidental. If you're planning to participate in our AMD Overclocking Competition, we'll be providing you with tips within the pages of this story that will help your chances of putting up winning scores.

Flashback: The Commodore 64 In Pictures

The Commodore 64 is the computer that launched the careers of many of today's IT experts. Back in the 1980s, you could easily get countless add-ons, accessories, and peripherals for this home computer. For example, one of the best-beloved models in this family was the Commodore 128, whose C128D Diesel version sported a built-in 5" floppy drive. Along with an 80-column RGB monitor, a dot matrix printer, and an ungodly expensive 20 MB hard disk, you could also select from a large number of input devices and a plethora of software.

This breadbox shaped computer--also called a "bullnose" thanks to its rounded front edge--led many young enthusiasts to neglect their school work, and prompted many sleepless (but exciting) nights at the keyboard. At that time, the x86 PC was still chasing the Commodore for market share. These were pioneering days for personal computing technology and interest in the field pushed many people into IT careers. A whole slew of Tom's Hardware editors trace their computing roots back to the C64, or to other early PC precursors such as the VC20, C16, or C166 models. Generally, they moved to Amiga 500s or to the original 8086 PC models from there.

How To: Build An HTPC (With Windows 7) : One Small Hawaiian Island At A Time...

I’ve been trying to build great HTPCs for several years, and several generations of PR folks at AMD (formerly ATI) have tried helping me piece together the right components to make my theater room shine. Incidentally, this is one niche where Nvidia has historically had little impact. Of course, those efforts have forever centered on All-in-Wonder graphics cards, which integrated 3D, OTA television reception, time-shifting, and video playback.

Not that anything was wrong with the AiW lineup—the cards demonstrated tremendous engineering prowess, as ATI managed to fit all of its multi-media strengths onto boards that didn’t compromise 3D viability. The AiW boards simply didn’t break down all of the barriers to getting PC technology into the living room, as attractive as they were.

Pardon the cabling mess; this project required a little re-wiring.

Ironically, now that the All-in-Wonder family is all but deceased (with one lonely model representing), the age of the HTPC is arguably upon us.You see, previously, incorporating an HTPC into a home entertainment rack almost felt like showing off, since much of its functionality would be redundant. Yeah, you could get a PC wedged in between the stereo receiver and the standalone DVD player. But so much of the concept’s functionality still depended on other components in the rack.You’d run video from the graphics card out to a DVI input, ideally, or a component input if your TV didn’t have the digital connection. You’d run optical or coaxial audio to a stereo receiver, which would be responsible for taking that sound signal, decoding it, and outputting to the non-powered speakers typical in a theater.Adding an HTPC just seemed superfluous. And with a Playstation 3 in the loop, sporting its almost instant-on and rich audio/video playback (plus wireless network connectivity), there’s almost no reason to power-on a PC and wait for it to boot up into a Media Center environment—until now.

Maui Makes Nice With The Living Room

AMD recently (actually, not so recently—it was late last year) sent us an example of its Maui platform, a collection of hardware that, put together, achieves a remarkable degree of living room functionality despite its desktop PC pedigree. We’ve had the hardware in an HTPC role for a few months now and recently shifted the system’s software environment from the Vista Ultimate/Media Center/TotalMedia Theatre configuration that AMD shipped to a more streamlined (at least we think so) Windows 7/PowerDVD build.

In this How To guide, we’ll explain why the HTPC now makes so much sense, we’ll show you the hardware that goes into our test platform (and how it all fits together), and we’ll walk you through using it with Microsoft’s Windows 7 beta, which should be shipping by the end of the year. Truly, this is the hardware/software configuration for which we've been waiting.

OCZ Unleashes Backlit Keyboard

For those who constantly find themselves typing in the dark, OCZ has a great solution to reduce those typos down to a minimum.

OCZ Technology revealed its cool new Alchemy Illuminati backlit multimedia keyboard, featuring rubber coated keys for a unique tactile feel, and a choice of two backlit colors (red and blue). Illuminating the letters rather than the entire key- that should make typing a lot easier during those World of Warcraft marathons down in the family dungeon. OCZ also said that the keyboard offers 14 multimedia and Internet hot keys to help manage music, web, and video applications "with the touch of a button."
“Building on our Alchemy line of peripherals OCZ is now introducing the Illuminati backlit keyboard,” commented Ryan Edwards, Director of Product Management at the OCZ Technology Group. “The Illuminati Keyboard offers multimedia consumers a host of features including rubber coated keys for comfort while both working and gaming, fourteen quick launch keys to better access to multimedia, and the choice of two backlit colors making it easier to make full use of the keyboard in low light environments.”
The Illuminati is compatible with a Windows operating system, although the company emphasized on XP with Service Pack 2 or later and Vista. The keyboard is 215mm wide, 495mm long and 30mm high, weighing around 850g. The keyboard connects to a USB 2.0 port, features an integrated palm rest, and has a lifespan of 5 million cycles. The keyboard is plug and play right out of the box, requiring no additional drivers.
While OCZ said that the Illuminati keyboard s designed with all the features of a quality keyboard without the hefty price tag, the company did not offer an actual price tag.Hopefully the new OCZ keyboard will withstand a barrage of typing. We've exerpeinced faded keys from the likes of Logitech and other big name manufacturers in recent years with average use. Hopefully OCZ keeps quality on the high with its new keyboard

System Builder Marathon: Performance & Value : What’s Your Idea Of Value?

Here are links to each of the four articles in this month’s System Builder Marathon (we’ll update them as each story is published).

• Day 1: The $625 Gaming PC
• Day 2: The $1,250 Mid-Range PC
• Day 3: The $5,000 Enthusiast PC
• Day 4: Performance and Value Dissected

Introduction

The best performance per dollar is usually found in low-cost components that are, unfortunately, often too weak to perform high-end tasks. That is to say, if the most-expensive system has the minimum required performance, the others, even if vastly cheaper but only slightly slower, fail. We certainly didn’t see many failures in our $625 or $1,250 builds, but is the $5,000 system ever really needed? That’s something each buyer must decide based on his or her personal expectations.

The $625 system certainly looks cheap and the $5,000 system certainly looks pricey, but appearances can’t begin to distinguish the vast differences of internal components. Our $1,250 system, for example, looks cheap because our builder picked the best-ventilated low-cost case in an effort to allocate a greater portion of his budget to advanced internal parts

Asus LS201 LCD Monitor

The Asus LS201 LCD Monitor is all set to capture your hearts with its slim and graceful style, razor sharp picture quality, purity, and atechnology that would liberate you.

The Asus LCD monitor is a serious threat to all its competitors because of its unique features and functionalities. It has a 20.1 inches flat panel TFT display with SXGA+ technology. It has controls in the front panel that shows Splendid, Up/Down, Menu and Power options. The display is also scratch proof made of sapphire crystal glass panel. The display is also wall mountable and it supports the 100 x 100 mm flat panel mount interface.

The elegant black coloured LS201 LCD monitor has an image aspect ratio of 16:9 with a maximum resolution of 1440 x 1050 pixels. The contrast ratio is 2000:1 and the image brightness is 300cd/m2. The screen response time is 5ms. The Dot Pitch/Pixel Pitch is 0.291 mm and it supports up to 16.7 million colours. The horizontal view angle is 170 degree and that of the vertical is 160 degree. The tilt angle is +20 degree and -5 degree. The maximum Sync rate is 75 Hz x 80 kHz.

The languages supported by this diligent monitor are Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Dutch and Japanese.

It uses 24 pin digital DVI and 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) VGA interfaces for video and analogue signal input. It features the Asus Splendid Video Intelligence technology, Splendid Preset mode selection with 5 options, Zero Bright Dot, and anti reflective coating. It also features the security lock slot (cable lock is sold separately).

The highly competitive LS201 is compatible with PC, Mac and other brands of operating systems. When it comes to power saving, this monitor is highly economical. It consumes just 42 watts of power when in use and 2 watts in the standby mode. It is also compliant with the EPA Energy Star.

The accessories included with this LCD monitor from Asus are the DVI and D-Sub cables. The sleek and stylish Asus LS201 LCD Mountable Monitor measures 458 mm in width, 260 mm in depth and 439 mm in height. It weighs 7 kg. The company promises the buyer with a warranty of 3 years on the service and support of this product.

General Information
Brand	Asus
Model	Asus LS201 LCD Monitor
Weight	7 Kg
Size	458 mm x 260 mm x 439 mm
Diagonal Screen size	20 Inches
Resolution	1400 x 1050 Pixels
Response time	5 ms
Colour support	16.7 Million
Image Brightness	300 cd/m2
Power consumption	42 Watts
Standby Power Consumption	2 Watts
Viewing angle	170 x 160
Warranty	3 Years
Features
Adjustable Display	Yes
Horizontal resolution	170 Degree
Vertical resolution	160 Degree
Wall mountable	Yes
Tilt adjustment	Yes
VGA connection	Yes
DVI connection	Yes
Language selection	Yes
Tilt angle	+20 Degree~-5 Degree

Belinea 2025 S1W LCD Monitor

LCD monitor is one of the very important gadgets, which helps in giving you high quality pictures. The Belinea 2025 S1W LCD Monitor is one of the new models in this section. The diagonal size of this monitor is 20.1” and it supports wide screen display. This monitor comes with a stunning response time of 5ms. An advantage of the device is that it comes with speakers integrated in it.

Major details
The new Belinea 2025 S1W 20” LCD Monitor has a display resolution of 1650 x 1080 pixels. Contrast ratio of this monitor is 1000:1. The flat panel TFT active matrix display gives you crystal clear pictures. To give you the top quality sound this has integrated stereo speakers. This model is available in silver and in black colour. Pixel pitch of the display is 0.258 mm and the colour support is up to 16.2 million colours. Maximum sync rate in vertical position is 75 Hz and in horizontal; position is 81 kHz. Video bandwidth supported is 135 MHz.Controls and adjustments of the monitor include Volume, brightness, contrast, H/V position, colour balance, colour temperature, phase, and clock. Signal input of the monitor is VGA. Image brightness of the monitor is 300cd/m2. Maximum viewing angle in the horizontal and in vertical position is 170 degree. Analogue video signal of the device is RGB. Output power of the speaker is 1 Watt.Supported interfaces of the monitor are 1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) and 1 x audio line-in. Cables included is a VGA cable of length 1.8 m and an audio cable also of the same length. This monitor is a wall mountable one and the mount interface is 100 x 100 mm. It includes a Security lock slot in it. Voltage required is AC 120/230 V. This Belinea LCD monitor has an operational power consumption of 45 Watt and a stand by consumption of 2 Watt. A warranty of 3-years is given to this unit. With dimensions of (W) 47.3 x (D) 17.8cm x (H) 39.4cm, it is very easy to be placed. The total weight of this monitor is only 5.3kg.

General Information
Brand	Belinea
Model	Belinea 2025 S1W LCD Monitor
Weight	5.3kg
Size	47.3 cm x 17.8 cm x 39.4 cm
Diagonal Screen size	20.1”
Resolution	1680 x 1050 pixels
Response time	5ms
Colour support	16.2 million colours
Image Brightness	300cd/m2
Power consumption	45 Watt
Standby Power Consumption	2 Watt
Viewing angle	170 degree
Warranty	3-years
Features
Response time	5ms
Horizontal resolution	1680
Vertical resolution	1050
Wall mountable	Yes
VGA connection	Yes

How Computer Viruses Work...

Like many of you, we receive numerous "virus alerts" from various sources every week. Although computer viruses are a valid concern and our intent is not to minimize the issue, the following information might set your mind at ease regarding computer virusesYour computer cannot get infected with a computer virus by the simple action of reading your E-mail. Viruses are (usually) hidden in executable programs...in other words, programs that you RUN, which include macros in Microsoft® Office documents.A good rule of thumb is NOT to open E-mail attachments that you have received from someone you do not know. It would also be prudent not to download and run programs from just ANY Internet site.Determining if the Virus is Real or a Hoax..For your peace of mind, and to put a stop to the flood of unnecessary "virus alerts" running rampant throughout the Internet community, it would be a good idea to check the validity of the virus before reacting and forwarding the "alert" on to everyone in your address book.There are some very useful sites on the Internet that will help you to determine if the virus you are being warned about is real or if it is a hoax. You can refer to one of the sites listed below, or look for other virus information sites using your favorite search engine.

Processing

If we just put information into the computer and took it out again later, computers could be much simpler. Most of the time though, we want to do something with it or change it in some way. Doing something with it is called processing, or data processing. Most of this takes place in a part called the processor, or Central Processing Unit. This is usually abbreviated to CPU.The CPU is such an important part of the computer that we often refer to a system by the type of CPU it contains. My office computer is a Pentium III but at home I have an Athlon system. Sometimes you will hear the entire computer cabinet called a CPU.To help the CPU there is another part that takes over a lot of the arithmetic. It is called the co-processor and also the Numerical Processing Unit or NPU.The smallest piece of data that a computer can process is called a bit, and each bit will be either a one or a zero. For the sake of efficiency, the computer normally deals with a minimum of 8 bits at a time, and 8 bits together is called a byte. This is an important word to remember, because in working with computers you will hear about bytes frequently, and also megabytes which is one million bytes. Megabyte is usually abbreviated MB.

The Motherboard

The biggest and most important circuit board in a computer is the motherboard. It's called the motherboard because every other part of the computer is connected to it. The CPU plugs into the motherboard, and so does the memory. And all the components that plug into the back of the case, like the keyboard and monitor, are connected from there to the motherboard. It is also called the system board.There is a set of slots near the back edge of the board for plugging in other circuit boards, called adapter cards. These plug-in slots are for things like modems, sound cards, network cards and just about any other add-on feature you can think of. There is a set of traces connecting these slots to each other. A trace goes from Pin 1 of the first slot to Pin 1 of each of the other slots, and other traces connect each of the Pin 2s, each of the Pin 3s, etc. These traces then go on to connect to the memory, CPU, disk drives and other parts of the computer.

More About Memory

RAM memory is installed in the system on little circuit boards called modules that plug into the motherboard. This makes it very convenient to add more memory by plugging in another module. Older computers used a SIMM, which stands for Single Inline Memory Module, and later ones use a DIMM or Dual Inline Memory Module. The difference is that DIMMs have different signals on each side of the module connector, and the additional signals allow more memory addresses and more data lines going in and out.The amount of memory is always is some multiple of two bytes. The most common values are 32, 64, 128, 256 or 512 megabytes.As it is used by the system, RAM is divided into base memory and extended memory. Base memory is the first megabyte, and extended memory is everything over that. The very first PCs had only base memory, and then a scheme was developed called expanded memory that tricked the computer into allowing more than 1 MB of memory. Once extended memory was developed though, expanded memory quickly became obsolete and will only be found in older computersAnother memory term you will encounter is cache memory. This refers to memory that is not on DIMMs but is either built into the CPU or connected directly to the motherboard near the CPU. It provides even faster access than RAM for the data that the CPU expects to need next. The contents of the cache will change constantly depending on what the CPU is doing.

Nvidia GeForce GTX280

Nvidia's new graphics chip, the GeForce GTX280, is the latest in what's felt like a steady stream of new high-end GPUs this year, most from Nvidia. And true to Nvidia's recent marketing push, the GTX280 not only includes powerful 3D graphics capabilities, but it's also one of the first consumer graphics cards that can take over certain application processing tasks. Like most high-end 3D cards, the GTX280 (reviewed here on the Asus ENGTX280) is expensive at $650, which is about $50 more than we're used to for the fastest single-chip 3D card on the market. For that price, you get a measurable if not revolutionary performance edge. And while we're intrigued by the idea of GPU-based application processing, that capability still needs the software to catch up before it's truly useful. At the very least, wait until ATI's next-generation cards come to light next week before making a purchase. If you're interested in the GTX280 for application processing, we'd also suggest holding off until the software emerges. Just keep in mind that by the time we do see such applications, Nvidia's next expensive 3D card will be that much closer. There's actually quite a bit to talk about with the GTX280. In addition to the 3D and application processing, Nvidia has built-in support for its newly acquired PhysX physics processing software framework. It's also a part of Nvidia's HybridPower ecosystem, which has implications for system power consumption.The biggest competitor to the GTX280, at least for now, is Nvidia's GeForce 9800GX2. That card, released only three months ago, uses two 9800 chips on a single graphics card, and sells for about $600. The GeForce GTX280 is designed to replace it. Because the GTX280 is a single chip card, one of its advantages is that you don't need to worry about how well a game can take advantage of a two-chip card, like the 9800GX2, or a traditional multicard set up.What's most important is that the GTX280 comes in faster than the 9800GX2 on actual game tests. The 3DMark 2006 and 3DMark Vantage scores are interesting, but as synthetic benchmarks, they don't exactly represent real world gameplay. We're most impressed by the Crysis results. The GTX280 still can't hit the hallowed ground of 60 frames per second we like to see in our shooters, but it makes a significant leap over the 9800GX2. You will still experience some chop if you dial Crysis all the way up, but at 1,280x1,024-pixel resolution at high quality, you should get fairly smooth gameplay.

SEAGATE HARD DISK

Seagate® Barracuda® desktop drives deliver superior performance, reliability and value for all your application needs—from mainstream PCs to performance PCs, gaming PCs, workstations, desktop RAID and personal external storage devices.Now available in capacities up to 1 TB, Barracuda desktop drives have proven to be the most widely used and trusted desktop hard drive in the world.Barracuda desktop drives are available with SATA or ATA interfaces.Key Features and Benefits Capacities from 80 GB to 1 TB Perpendicular recording technology ATA or Serial ATA interfaces Wide range of cacheoptions, from 2 MB to 32 MB Fast performance Superb reliability Eco-friendly power levels 5-year limited warranty

Intel® Board D945GCPE

The Intel® Desktop Board D945GCPE Essential Series offers a cost-efficient integrated graphics solution for the budget conscious user.This board is built with affordability and flexibility in mind, and supports Intel® Core™2 Duo processors, Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core processors, Intel® Pentium® D processors, Intel® Pentium® 4 processors, Intel® Celeron® 400 Sequence processors, and Intel® Celeron® D processors up to 1066/800 MHz system bus in the LGA775 package. Other features include dual-channel DDR2 667/533 MHz SDRAM, Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Intel® GMA 950), integrated 10/100 Network Connection, Intel® High Definition Audio (4 channel audio) and up to eight USB 2.0 ports.

INTEL CORE 2 EXTREME

Whether it's gaming, digital photography, or video editing, today's high-impact entertainment demands breakthrough technology. Now with a new version based on Intel's cutting edge 45nm technology utilizing hafnium-infused circuitry to deliver even greater performance and power efficiency.When more is better-with four processing cores the Intel Core 2 Extreme processor delivers unrivaled¹ performance for the latest, greatest generation of multi-threaded games and multimedia apps.Now with a new version based on Intel's cutting edge 45nm technology utilizing hafnium-infused circuitry to deliver even greater performance and power efficiency. The Intel® Core™2 Extreme processor QX9770 running at 3.2 GHz delivers the best possible experience for today's most demanding users.12 MB of total L2 cache1600 MHz front side bus

Windows Vista Extremes

When you want to have it all, including the ability to shift smoothly between the worlds of play and productivity, there's Windows Vista Ultimate. You'll never have to worry about having the most advanced capabilities—they're all here. This edition of Windows Vista offers an advanced, business-focused infrastructure, mobile productivity, and a premium home digital entertainment experience, all in a single offering.Specifically, Windows Vista Ultimate offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. It also offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features. And Windows Vista Ultimate has all of the new security and data protection features that help take Windows Vista to a whole new level of dependability.In addition, Windows Vista Ultimate includes support for all of the new mobility features in Windows Vista, including Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, Windows SideShow, Windows Mobility Center, and other new, advanced mobility features.

Network Cable Color Codings

Network color coding is very important thing in doing a network cable connections. Network Color coding are used to specify the kind of connection are you going to do or what devices are going to connect. There are three common Network connections that are using a color coding in order to connect those Hardware and Devices. These are the connections from PC to another PC, the connections from PC to HUB, And the connections from Router to any Devices. These three connections are using different types of color settings of a network cable according to its standard cable color settings of the devices that are going to connect.In doing the Network Cable Color Coding you must have these Equipments:Cat5 Network Cable - These is a network wire cable with eight different colors inside the shield of the cable. It is used to connect those devices.RG45 - it is attached in the both ends of the network cable wire and it is the used to connect the two devices with both RG45 ports. Example, from PC to PC with both LAN Cards.
Crimping tools - Used to Cut the cable wire and to compress the RJ45 so the Cat5 wire will attached to the RG45.Local Area Network (LAN) Tester - It is used to test the network cable wire connectivity speed and in order you to know that your crimped cable wire is working.

Personal computer

A personal computer (PC) is any general-purpose computer whose original sales price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by a end user, with no intervening computer operator.

Today a PC may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer or a tablet computer. The most common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, while the most common microprocessors are x86-compatible CPUs, ARM architecture CPUs and PowerPC CPUs. Software applications for personal computers include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, games, and myriad of personal productivity and special-purpose software. Modern personal computers often have high-speed or dial-up connections to the Internet, allowing access to the World Wide Web and a wide range of other resources. A PC may be a home computer, or may be found in an office, often connected to a local area network. The distinguishing characteristics are that the computer is primarily used,interactively, by one person at a time. This is in contrast to the batch processing or time-sharing models which allowed large expensive systems to be used by many people, usually at the same time, or large data processing systems which required a full-time staff to operate efficiently.While early PC owners usually had to write their own programs to do anything useful with the machines, today's users have access to a wide range of commercial and non-commercial software which is easily installed.

Lenovo ThinkVision L1900P LCD Monitor

19 in (483 mm) viewable image size The Lenovo L1900p monitor offers a thin frame design that complements the ThinkStation, ThinkCentre, and ThinkPad systems. With Light Booster technology, mercury content is reduced by 50% and power consumption by 30%. The incorporated ThinkVantage design enhances usability for an intuitive and easy to use monitor. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) rates the ThinkVision L1900p in the Gold category making it one of the most environmentally friendly monitors available today(1). The Lenovo ThinkVision L1900p enables you to be environmentally friendly without compromising performance. The L1900p includes attachment for optional the ThinkVision Soundbar(sold separately). It is available in business black. (1) As rated byttp://www.epeat.net

IBM ThinkCentre S50 (PZBA5UK) PC Desktop

The ThinkCentre S50 desktops feature a tool-free chassis design, which simplifies and enhances usability. Encased in a durable steel chassis, components inside the machine, such as the hard disk and memory, can easily be removed by the customer, making the PC serviceable and upgradeable, helping to limit the downtime and cost associated with on-site support. Cable routing is bundled out of the way for easy access to components and cable ends and user touch points are colored blue to be easily identified by the user. ThinkCentre S50 desktops also feature an innovative "caddy" that surrounds the hard disk drive, locking it into place without the use of tools or screws. Rubber bumpers on the caddy decrease vibration and deliver quieter operation. Other mechanical improvements have been made to the overall design of the ThinkCentre PCs, including improved airflow and reduced noise.

New Intel and AMD Motherboard

DFI, the worldwide renowned motherboard manufacturer, is about to introduce two new products designed to support the latest AMD and Intel technologies. The AMD-based mobo will be equipped with the 790GX + SB750 chipset combo, while the Intel-based motherboard will run with Intel's P45 and ICH10R chipsets. Both products are expected to provide support for high-end desktop computer systems and will be part of the company's JR series.DFI is known for its high-end desktop motherboards, which perform especially well when it comes to overclocking � so we should expect its latest products to follow the same recipe.
The Intel-based JR P45-T2RS is built on a Micro-ATX PCB and will allow users to benefit from the latest Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme processors. The Northbridge, Southbridge and PWM is cooled down by a fanless heatsink for optimum noise-free performance. With the four memory DIMMs, users can go as high as 8GB of DDR2 memory, while the 2 PCIe graphics slots will provide support for high-end graphics. There are 6 SATA 3G ports that are compatible with RAID 5 configurations.