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Microsoft

Submission + - Spyware & Backdoor In Microsoft Windows 7? (techarp.com) 1

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: The guys who leaked Microsoft's roadmaps on Windows 7 and service packs for Windows Vista and Windows XP has just leaked some shocking information — that Microsoft has spyware in Windows 7. Quote from their article :

We just learned some troubling news about the recently-released anti-hack update for Windows 7 as well as the upcoming Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1. From what we understand, this could also involve new updates for Windows Vista and Windows XP.

First of all, the new Windows 7 anti-hack update does more than just scan for anti-activation exploits. It also performs a simple heuristic-based scan of all storage media...

Comment Re:Blimey (Score 2, Interesting) 819

by Splintercat (#31102762) Attached to: Anti-Piracy Windows 7 Update Phones Home Quarterly

One of my college professors told me this:
"I left windows years ago, and ever since that day I've just found more reasons not to go back."

I switched to linux a few years back, and I feel much the same. I still boot up into windows just to play some games, but more and more I find myself playing less games and spending less money on them. I know that's not the ideal for some, but I'm pretty happy.

>
Looks like you Mac folks will probably get Starcraft 2, I'm a bit jealous.

Comment Re:So what? (Score 1) 819

by Splintercat (#31102614) Attached to: Anti-Piracy Windows 7 Update Phones Home Quarterly

Yes, it is. The trouble is that not going to the polls isn't exactly counted as a vote, is it?

Exactly.

The other trouble is the sheer amount of non-technical users who don't know better. Not to mention trying to buy a pre-built computer without windows on it. Just because you or I can build a computer from scratch doesn't mean everyone can. (DIY laptops are out there, but still not common)

I remember seeing netbooks that came in windows and linux versions. And the damnedest thing was they were two separate products (probably to hide the cost of windows) and that the windows version had better options. The hp mini mi? Anyone get a chance to look at those? You could opt for a higher resolution screen, but only on the windows model.

Does making your own machine even count as a vote?
Microsoft

Submission + - Security patch results in BSOD, stops Windows boot

Submitted by Eugen
Eugen writes: One of the updates from this month's giant Patch Tuesday is wreaking havoc on some users Windows PCs by giving them the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), according to a thread on Microsoft Answers, the company's support forum. Based on what users have found, the update in question is KB977165, which is described by Microsoft as "MS10-015: Vulnerabilities in Windows kernel could allow elevation of privilege."

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-015 goes into further detail about the flaw being patched: "The vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logged on to the system and then ran a specially crafted application. To exploit either vulnerability, an attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally. The vulnerabilities could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users." The security update is rated Important on the versions of Windows it patches: Windows 2000, Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit), and Windows 7 (32-bit).
Nintendo

Submission + - Sony may (chillze.com)

Submitted by jonasvdc
jonasvdc writes: Sony may be close to holding a ’second launch’ for the PSP Go to shore up its sales, a claimed leak indicates today. The gaming giant is supposedly unhappy with the slump in performance of the redesigned console and is gearing up for a second marketing campaign. Other steps are said on the table and are speculated by Gamervision to include a price cut from the current $250 price tag.
The Internet

Submission + - Parents 'oblivious' as one in four kids send porn

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: As more children connect to the Internet, a new study is showing that nearly of quarter of children have already sent or received email with inappropriate content. Nearly a quarter of the kids surveyed said their parents are completely oblivious to what they are doing on the Internet, while 62 percent claimed they lie to their parents about what they look at on the web. Over half delete their browsing history to parents can't discover what they've been up to.
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft looking into Windows 7 battery failures 1

Submitted by Jared
Jared writes: Microsoft says it is investigating reports of notebooks with poor battery life with Windows 7, as first reported by users on Microsoft TechNet. These users claim their batteries were working just fine under Windows XP and/or Windows Vista, and others are saying it occurs on their new Windows 7 PCs. Under Microsoft's latest operating system though, certain machines aren't doing so well, as Windows 7 spits out the following warning message: "Consider replacing your battery. There is a problem with your battery, so your computer might shut down suddenly."

The warning is normally issued after using the computer's basic input output system (BIOS) to determine whether a battery needs replacement, but in this case it appears the operating system and not the battery is the problem. These customers say their PC's battery life is noticeably lower, with some going as far as saying that it has become completely unusable after a few weeks of use. To make matters worse, others are reporting that downgrading back to an earlier version of Windows won't fix the problem.

Comment Re:Am I the only one (Score 1) 186

by Splintercat (#30769208) Attached to: Checking In On Project Natal

Motion controllers won't be that great until we have some good feedback in the system.

I've thought it would be cool to have an fps where you have something like the wiimote except you can point off screen. If your point comes over an enemy the controller could vibrate and you could shoot. Feeling like a badass for shooting without looking.
Google

Submission + - Google switching to EXT4 filesystem (digitizor.com)

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: Google is in the process of upgrading their existing EXT2 filesystem to the new and improved EXT4 filesystem. Google has benchmarked three different filesystems — XFS, EXT4 and JFS. In their benchmarking, EXT4 and XFS performed, as impressively as each other. However, in view of the easier upgrade path from EXT2 to EXT4, Google has decided to go ahead with EXT4.

Submission + - Miguel de Icaza, Microsoft MVP? (techflash.com)

Submitted by
heffel
heffel writes: "Yep, it's true. The open-source rabble-rouser who was prevented from hosting a session inside Microsoft's 2005 Professional Developer Conference has been accepted into the ranks of the company's "Most Valuable Professionals" less than five years later. He announced the news on his blog."
Technology

Submission + - Augmented Reality To Help Mechanics Fix Vehicles (singularityhub.com)

Submitted by kkleiner
kkleiner writes: ARMAR, or Augmented Reality for Maintenance and Repair, is a head mounted display unit that provides graphic overlays to assist you in making repairs. An Android phone provides an interface to control the graphics you view during the process. Published in IEEE, and recently tested with the United States Marine Corps on an armored turret, ARMAR can cut maintenance times in half by guiding users to the damaged area and displaying 3D animations to demonstrate the appropriate tools and techniques.

Submission + - How BBC R&D is laying the foundations for futu (silicon.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: With TV already leaving behind its analogue roots as programming is consumed over an ever-wider array of devices, platforms and channels, the Beeb's R&D department — charged with keeping the BBC on top of tech developments — has its work cut out for it.
Intel

Submission + - Ion-Infused Asus Eee PC 1201N First Look (hothardware.com) 1

Submitted by
MojoKid
MojoKid writes: "Atom-based netbooks have come a long way since they were first introduced. 7 and 8-inch netbooks are no longer the norm, and availability of 12-inch netbooks is on the rise. The newest member of the Asus Eee PC lineup is the Eee PC 1201N, and it really stands out in the crowd of netbook in terms of specifications. The machine features a 12.1" HD display, new dual-core Atom 330 CPU, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium, an HDMI output and
NVIDIA's Ion chipset with integrated GPU. HotHardware was able to demo the system's ability to handle more advanced benchmarks, thanks in part to the Ion GPU. It's also the first netbook they tested that could actually play older 3D titles respectably. You won't get Crysis running but lighter duty titles can be played back nicely if you tone the details down and lower the resolution. It the 1201N also played back 720p and 1080p content without stuttering, and the dual-core CPU allowed enough headroom to multitask while videos were playing."

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