pkaeding - Slashdot User

Submission + - What's Wrong With A Windows Subscription Model (osweekly.com)

Submitted by

synony

on Tuesday July 31, 2007 @06:36AM

synony writes: "What if Microsoft switched its business model from licensing to a subscription model with Windows? Would it be a feasible model? Brandon Watts doesn't think so. He concludes, "Finally, a lot of people are using Windows right now simply because they have it on their computer. If their usage of Windows expired at the end of some sort of a subscription, then you can count on the fact that they'd be more inclined to examine other operating system options rather than signing on to another usage period of a desktop experience that they may not even be pleased with. Also, if Windows technically expires, then what happens to all of the data? Will the computer just become a useless box unless Linux or an older version of Windows is installed on it, or will the installed version just continue to run as is? As you can see, a lot of questions still have to be answered, and we won't fully know what to expect until that final version of Windows 7 is released."

Submission + - U Delaware breaks solar power efficiency record (renewableenergyaccess.com) 1

Submitted by

mdsolar

on Tuesday July 31, 2007 @02:43AM

mdsolar writes: "Renewable Energy Access is reporting that a consortium led by researchers at the University of Delaware has achieved 42.8% efficiency with a silicon solar cell. The method uses lower concentration (factor of 20 magnification) than the previous record holder Boeing-Spectrolab made cell (40.7% efficiency) so that it may have a broader range of applications since tolerances for pointing the device will be larger. They are now partnering with DuPont to build engineering and manufacturing prototypes under DARPA's Very High Efficiency Solar Cell program which supports work towards achieving 50% efficiency. It is expected that these cells can help improve the military battery logistics pipeline, providing "soldiers with more power at reduced weight." They expect to be in production in 2010. On a roof, such cells would require less than half the surface area to produce the same amount of power as today's standard solar panels. This might leave room for panels to power plugin hybrids for cases where roof area is too limited to do this with standard panels."

Submission + - Sun Acquires Java-based Mobile Phone OS

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 12, 2007 @06:18PM

An anonymous reader writes: Sun Microsystems announced today that it is acquiring the assets of SavaJe Technologies and will reveal further details at its JavaOne conference next month. SavaJe's claim to fame is its Java-based embedded operating system, which was shown running in a mobile phone at JavaOne last May. SavaJe touts its Java-based mobile phone OS as being built from the kernel up for Java, but not 'Java on bare metal,' since a small multi-tasking, multi-threaded kernel manages the hardware resources and sits below the JVM. The deal could potentially place Sun — whose Java technology resides in hundreds of millions of mobile phones already — squarely in competition with the major mobile phone OS players: Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Linux.

Submission + - Replicate NASA's Kepler Mission in LEGO

Submitted by

superdan2k

on Thursday April 12, 2007 @06:05PM

superdan2k writes: "NASA's showing it's geeky side in what has to be their most clever piece of youth outreach ever. At the Kepler Mission Page is the most brilliant educator's tool ever — a way to replicate the mission, using a computer, a desk lamp, and everygeek's favorite toy: LEGO. The sub-page goes so far as to provide detailed instructions (PDF format) on how to build an four-planet orrery. Insanely cool!"

Submission + - Apple Pushed Leopard to October

Submitted by

trogdor8667

on Thursday April 12, 2007 @06:00PM

trogdor8667 writes: "Apple has officially pushed Leopard back to October, according to their website, also confirmed by Yahoo!. They have announced that the beta will be available in June for developers however."

Submission + - Word 2007 crashes aren't a bug, they're a feature

Submitted by Awksjaw on Thursday April 12, 2007 @05:46PM

Awksjaw writes: The Word 2007 bugs pegged as security vulnerabilities by an Israeli researcher are nothing of the sort, Microsoft Corp. said today. Instead, the application crashes reported as flaws are actually by design.

Submission + - New google maps features

Submitted by

Meltir

on Monday April 09, 2007 @07:27AM

Meltir writes: "Despite the fact that for some of us (not living in the US) google maps has only been a map, a set of new features has been added that make the service a full featured guidebook.
Before you could barely find the correct city, let alone a specific street.
A new tab has recently appeared on the search page, allowing you to create sets of your favorite places, find an (almost) reasonable route from one place to another, and create your own paths.
This data can be made public, or kept private.
Considering that some of the less popular cities in the world have had the search function lacking in many aspects — me, and many of my friends consider this the sole feature that wins our hearts.
Now... where would you like to go today ?"

Submission + - Ipod stops bullet in Iraq

Submitted by

Tarraq

on Monday April 09, 2007 @04:17AM

Tarraq writes: "The Danish newspaper Politiken reports (in Danish) of a flickr picture set, showing an Ipod that stopped a bullet in Iraq. Apparently the ipod was the last bit that stopped the bullet from penetrating the armour. Pictures here and further discussion here. This is probaly one situation where an HDD is better that flash memory. :)"

Slashdot Top Deals