Submission + - BBC News - Minister Ed Vaizey backs 'two-speed' in (bbc.co.uk)
gasmanpopey writes: "I'll have me a large pipe of internet please"
Is the Line-in Jack On the Verge of Extinction? 411
SlashD0tter writes "Many older sound cards were shipped with line-out, microphone-in, and a line-in jacks. For years I've used such a line-in jack on an old Windows 2000 dinosaur desktop that I bought in 2000 (600 Mhz PIII) to capture the stereo audio signal from an old Technics receiver. I've used this arrangement to recover the audio from a slew of old vinyl LPs and even a few cassettes using some simple audio manipulating software from a small shop in Australia. I've noticed only recently, unfortunately, that all of the four laptops I've bought since then have omitted a line-in jack, forcing me to continue keeping this old desktop on life support. I've looked around for USB sound cards that include a line-in jack, but I haven't been too impressed by the selection. Is the line-in jack doomed to extinction, possibly due to lobbying from vested interests, or are there better thinking-outside-the-box alternatives available?"
Submission + - Google plans open source OS release
gasmanpopey writes: "http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8139711.stm
BBC news is reporting that Google are planning on releasing an open source OS (which, i'm sure will come as a surprise to nobody). The article is somewhat vague but the wording implies that the OS will be web based. From TFA:
"We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Google's engineering director Linus Upson. Both men said that "the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web" and that this OS is "our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be". To that end, the search giant said the new OS would go back to basics. "We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates."
BBC news is reporting that Google are planning on releasing an open source OS (which, i'm sure will come as a surprise to nobody). The article is somewhat vague but the wording implies that the OS will be web based. From TFA:
"We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Google's engineering director Linus Upson. Both men said that "the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web" and that this OS is "our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be". To that end, the search giant said the new OS would go back to basics. "We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates."
Submission + - Windows 7 Pricing Information Unveiled
An anonymous reader writes: With Windows 7 shipping October 22nd, the only thing left on everyone's mind is how much does Windows 7 cost? Microsoft has not officially unveiled its pricing information for Windows 7 but some pricing details have emerged from Best Buy that almost look too good to be true. Any computer bought from Best Buy running Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate will qualify for the free Windows 7 update on October 22nd. Best Buy will also be preselling Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade and it will go for $49.99 and Windows 7 Professional Upgrade will go for only $99.99. This offer will be available for 16 days through July 11th, 2009. You will receive your upgrade on October 22nd.
Submission + - Ballmer Threatens to Pull Out of U.S. 2
theodp writes: "Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is threatening to move Microsoft employees offshore if Congress enacts President Obama's plans to curb tax avoidance by U.S. corporations. 'It makes U.S. jobs more expensive,' complained billionaire Ballmer. 'We're better off taking lots of people and moving them out of the U.S. as opposed to keeping them inside the U.S.' According to 2006 reports, Microsoft transferred $16 billion in assets to secretive Dublin subsidiaries to shave billions off its U.S. tax bill. 'Corporate tax is part of the overall advantage of doing business in Ireland,' acknowledged Ballmer in 2005. 'It would be disingenuous to say otherwise.' Tax havens, tax havens, tax havens!"
Submission + - 'Gay bomb' scoops Ig Nobel award (bbc.co.uk)
gasmanpopey writes: "Pioneering research into a "gay bomb" that makes enemy troops "sexually irresistible" to each other has scooped one of this year's Ig Nobel Prizes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7026150.stm"
Submission + - Largest telescope plans unveiled (bbc.co.uk)
gasmanpopey writes: "Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire is to become the headquarters of a global plan to co-ordinate the next generation of radio telescopes...."
