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Comment Re:Best case for IP reform (Score 1) 476

Fundamentally expensive. High voltage, low speed, large cache. Old manufacturing process. Not dual core (just multiple die per chip). The current ia64 implementation doesn't seem to lend itself to easy speed increases, given that the top speed is just 1.66ghz, and that after 6 years of development.

I could go on, but really, Itanium isn't an option unless Intel had nothing else, including the Atom. They could ramp the Atom up a lot faster.

In the extremely hypothetical world of x86 mutually assured destruction, where no one can build any x86 variant, I'd expect IBM's power chips to come out on top, at least in the short term. Linux already runs on them, and Apple/Windows has recently run on them. Be a pain to switch, but possible.

Operating Systems

Submission + - Dell refunds preinstalled Vista on UK laptop

White-middleclass-neobourgeois writes: HOWTO: not purchase Microsoft products

Dell will not supply a laptop without an operating system installed according to the online tech. This may differ for the business offers.
The OS' supplied are flavours of Microsoft Vista, ergo a laptop must be purchased with Microsoft Windows Vista preinstalled.

So I purchased a laptop. When I turned it on a EULA agreement presented itself (and the computer refused to turn off). On reading the enclosed small print I realised that I could either downgrade to a version of XP or return the discs unused and delete the software unused. So I sent the following to Dell:

Dear Dell,

I do not accept the terms of the Windows Vista Home Premium EULA and accordingly have deleted the software from the computer.
Consequently I am NOT opening or breaking the seal on the Software packet(s), installing or downloading the Software, or using the Software that has been preloaded or is embedded in my product.
In keeping with the Dell Software Licence Agreement information I am seeking to return the relevant Software items (disks, written materials and packaging) and have deleted all preloaded or embedded Software.
If there is embedded Software resident on the system which is either impossible to remove, or which is not detectable by current partitioning tools, this will not constitute a breach of trust.
I wish to be refunded the value of the returned Software, namely:

619-10906 English — Vista Home Premium
630-11001 English — Microsoft Works 8.0
640-10395 English — Adobe Reader 7.0.8
640-10535 Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI
640-10537 Corel Snapfire Starter Edition
640-10551 Dell Support 3.2.2 — Vista Only

as stated in the Microsoft EULA "Instead contact the manufacturer or installer to determine their return policy for a refund or credit"

I have documented the deletion process and can send evidence that the entire hard drive has been reformatted and repartitioned to the best of my knowledge using a Mandriva Linux operating system.

Yours sincerely,
White-middleclass-postbourgeois-male

I have received a telephone call stating that I will be receiving £45 and do not have to return the discs, and a confirmation e-mail as follows:

Dear White-middleclass-postbourgeois-male,

Thank you for contacting Dell Online Customer Care.

Further to my call this afternoon, I have arranged for a refund under
04023527871.

Please be advised that we would not be arranging for a collection of the CDs and
hence you don't have to return them.

As agreed I will update you on the same on Thursday.

Meanwhile, if you have any further queries in this regards , please do not
hesitate to reply to this e-mail , I will be glad to assist you.

I have also logged the conversation with the following details:-
Case Number: 51966 —

I would like to let you know that I will own this case until the closure and
keep you updated on the progress.

Dell truly values and acts on all customers feedback. If you have any comments,
suggestions or feedback, please feel free to contact my manager XXXX at
XXXX@Dell.com Thank you

Kind Regards,
XXXX
UKI Customer Support Expert

The scoop? well no, maybe a HOWTO
Games

Feed Xbox 360 scratching discs? Maybe, says Microsoft (engadget.com)

Filed under: Gaming, Storage

So far the Xbox 360 has had its fair share of hardware problems, both large and small, and while Microsoft has dealt with most of these challenges by extending warranties and offering up free fixes, it usually takes its own sweet time to come around, which seems to be the case here. After completely ignoring a minor public outcry over what appeared to be a problem with a decent number of the 360s produced in December 2006 -- where a missing part in the drive caused the Xbox to scratch the disc it was reading -- Microsoft is finally confessing that there might actually be a problem and promising to look into it. This statement comes after Dutch TV show "Kassa" gave the movement some PR and ran its own tests on the 360, proving it to be the scratching culprit. Microsoft's still pretty wishy-washy about the whole thing: "We are not able to respond in detail on the results. It is possible that scratches on discs originate from frequent use. However, we have no indication that the results of the tests from Kassa are a large scale problem." But at least now Microsoft is willing to hear out customer complaints on the matter, and recommends that affected users contact support to deal with the issue. We're not quite sure what kind of pyrotechnics it'll take for Microsoft to actually run its own tests on these things, but at least things are moving in the right direction.

[Via gadgetzone.nl]

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Music

Submission + - Return of the Vinyl Album

bulled writes: NPR ran a story this morning about the comeback of Vinyl. They highlighted a turntable with a USB interface and speculated on the possible reasons for the resurgence. They mentioned sound quality and lack of DRM as possible causes. Sound quality can and will be debated but the second reason should get the response, "Duh."

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