Computing Heads for the Clouds
July 29, 2008
IBM, Yahoo!, and Google are all putting the power of cloud computing to work. Here’s a short primer on how the new technology works
Researchers seeking smarter ways to tackle the most complicated computing tasks think they’ve found the answer in a cloud—though not the kind that wafts across the sky as masses of condensed water droplets and frozen crystals. Instead, they’re turning to something called cloud computing, which aims to deliver supercomputing power over the Internet.
IBM (IBM) is the most recent company to announce plans to tap cloud computing technologies. On Nov. 15, IBM executives in
Supercomputing for the Rest of Us
Two top Internet companies recently announced similar projects. Yahoo! (YHOO) on Nov. 12 said
“All of these are examples of the frenzy around cloud computing,” says Dan Reed, a longtime supercomputing researcher who will start work as Microsoft’s (MSFT) director of Scalable & Multicore Computing on Dec. 3. Fueling that frenzy, says Reed, is the proliferation of high-speed Internet connections, cheaper and more powerful chips and disk drives, and the development of data centers that house hundreds or thousands of computers to quickly serve sophisticated software to legions of users. “None of this would have been possible a decade ago,” he adds.
Herewith, a primer on how companies—and consumers—might harness cloud computing’s power:
ReadyBoost - MS Q&A
July 27, 2008
This is an old (April, 2006) post regarding the Readyboost feature, that is available to Windows Vista users. It answers many of the questions that we’ve had about the feature. So, if any of you are interested hit the jump for more Q&A.
Q: What perf do you need on your device?
A: 2.5MB/sec throughput for 4K random reads and 1.75MB/sec throughput for 512K random writes Read more
Lotus Evora - A New beauty
July 26, 2008
ENGINE/PERFORMANCE
Mid-mounted, transverse 3.5-litre DOHC V6 VVT-i
280ps @ 6,400rpm
342Nm @ 4,700rpm
0-60mph sub 5 seconds
225g/km CO2
GEARBOX
6-speed manual
BRAKING SYSTEM
ABS
Vented cross-drilled discs (350mm front, 332mm rear)
with AP Racing 4-piston calipers
CHASSIS
Modular lightweight bonded aluminium structure
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Forged aluminium wishbone suspension
Bilstein high performance dampers
Eibach springs
STEERING
Hydraulically-assisted power steering
WHEELS/TYRES
18” alloys front (225/40 ZR18)
19” alloys rear (255/35 ZR19)
In showrooms from Summer 2009.
Final production specification may vary.
SEATING
2+2
Adjustable Recaro leather sports seats (front)
Leather seats with ISOFIX (rear)
STORAGE/BOOT
Remote release glove box
Storage bins & integrated cup holders
160-litre boot
ICE
Alpine multi-media system – 7” touch-screen
Satellite navigation
DVD
Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
iPod connectivity
CURB WEIGHT
1350kg
ORIGIN
Hand-built by Lotus (Norfolk, UK)
OTHER FEATURES
Air conditioning
Electric power-fold door mirrors
Tyre pressure monitoring
Flat-bottomed steering wheel
The Acanac Online PC Experience - Really?!?!?!?
July 26, 2008
First, let’s take a look at the company!
From their Website:
“Acanac is the sister company of Canaca.com Inc one of Canada’s Largest
webhosting companies. Acanac takes the same principles brought to you by
Canaca, great service at a great value. Acanac provides cost effective Residential
and Business phone service at an affordable price. We also offer High speed DSL
and dial up access as well.We are truly a global communications company
connecting the world for less.
Acanac’s core value is to make sure that you the customer is served with the
utmost respect and professionalism. This is the reason that we are one of
the few companies that offer a unconditional money back guarantee.
We recognize that down time is not an option for your internet access and
that you deserve crystal clear Phone Service at all times. That’s why we
have invested heavily in hardware, and facilities this ensures that you, the
client is up and running on 24 hours a day seven days a week.”
My Experience Loathing with for Acanac
The Search for a VPS Begins - July 14th, 2008
Looking for a cost-effective way of hosting multiple websites I came across a company called Acanac. They are offering a Online PC (Virtual Private Server) with the following specs:
Price - $23.95/month (12-month)
Speed - 10mbps up/10mbps down
Static IP - 1
Bandwidth - 500GB
HDD Space - 100GB
RAM - 750Mb
Root Access - Yes
OS - Centos 5
Software Included with CentOS
(Standard with any lin box)
Firefox
KTorrent
Open Office
http streaming
ftp access
File Encryption
Gftp client
Games
IM
Microsoft comes clean with 360 Price drop
July 13, 2008
By now everyone has heard that the 360 has indeed received a price drop for the 20GB model. However, Microsoft has finally come clean and has given a reason for this…
The new pricepoint, isn’t a new pricepoint! It’s MS’sway of selling off the remaining 20GB models to make room for the new 60GB sku. Expect to pay $349 for the new sku. And the 20GB is available at $299, while supplies last.
Priced at $299.00 it’s hard to resist picking one up (if you don’t have one already). Although it’s a good way to get a cheap 360 with a HDD. Just remember that 20GB just isn’t enough for live these days. With downloadable movies, arcade games, game clips and Xbox originals you’ll run through the 12GB (available for use on the 20GB) pretty quickly. It may be worth your $50 to wait until the 60GB is available.
Nvidia’s GTX 280 - Price Plunge
July 5, 2008
Launched not more than a few weeks ago, Nvidia’s GTX 280 is said to be receiving a price-drop.
Why? Well, it looks like AMD’s cheap and powerful HD 4800 has them second guessing their dominance. And there’s no better way to gain a few extra enthusiasts than by dropping the price to match the competition.
The card is said to be dipping to as low as $499. Of course, this is pure speculation but it doesn’t seem to be too far fetched.
So, if you’re considering the GTX 280 it may be in your best interest to hold off for a couple of weeks.
Like Sake - Apply for $500 loan here
July 5, 2008
Sake — usually called “rice wine” here in North America, is a non-carbonated alcoholic beverage with a similar taste to grape wine.
Kame no. 0 by Wataribune is dai ginjo sake and, at $500/720ml bottle it is probably the most expensive rice wine that we’ll ever have.
If you want to get your lips on this “luxury” item, you’ll just have to visit the San Francisco area and go to a store called True Sake.
Read more
