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Data Storage

Submission + - Up to 10% of CD-Rs fail within a few years! (techarp.com) 1

crazyeyes writes: "Here's an interesting look at how fragile CD-Rs are :

In the past, hard disk drives were small (in capacity) and costly. To make up for the lack of affordable storage, many turned to CD-Rs. As it became common to store backups and personal pictures, videos, etc. on CD-Rs, the lifespan of these discs became a concern.

According to manufacturers, CD-Rs should last for decades. Some even quoted an upper limit of 120 years based on accelerated aging tests! That sure is a long time, isn't it? But will CD-Rs really last that long?

"

Microsoft

Submission + - MS to slip IE8 into Vista and XP through OEMs (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "Microsoft says it's "optional" but they are already planning to slip Internet Explorer 8 into all Windows Vista/XP PCs by March ! MS claims that IE8 will offer better performance and security, but what about unwanted stuff like "Monetization opportunities (for OEMs)" and "These services will be used (by OEMs) to deliver brand exposure (Ads?) ... to the users."???"
Microsoft

Submission + - MS to offer FREE Windows 7 upgrade to Vista users! (techarp.com) 1

crazyeyes writes: "With Windows 7 set for release in Dec. 09 , Microsoft is getting ready with their free upgrade program, which allows Vista and XP users to switch to Windows 7 when it arrives. The folks at TechARP have consistently scored accurate scoops on Microsoft software releases. They have now revealed Microsoft's upgrade plans, schedules and even screenshots of the upgrade process ."
Microsoft

Submission + - Last minute problems with Windows Vista SP2? (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "It looks like Microsoft is facing problems with Windows Vista SP2. The final Service Pack for Vista and Server 2008 (before Windows 7 gets out) has been delayed. The folks who broke the launch details and dates of previous Service Packs for Windows XP and Windows Vista have Microsoft's latest internal schedule . Can Microsoft get it out before Windows 7 ? According to the new schedule, just barely."
Graphics

Submission + - NVIDIA GeForce To Quadro Soft-Mod Guide

babyshiori writes: The NVIDIA Quadro family of professional graphics cards are very, very expensive. But everyone knows that Quadro and GeForce graphics cards are virtually identical in hardware. Obviously, you cannot just use Quadro drivers with your GeForce graphics cards. However, there is an easy way to soft-mod (modify in software) an NVIDIA GeForce desktop graphics card into an NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics card. Tech ARP shows us just how to do it in this guide. Here's a quote from the guide :-

"It all revolves around the driver support for professional 3D applications like 3ds Max or Maya. Quadro drivers allow the Quadro to be used to accelerate the rendering operations of such professional 3D applications while GeForce drivers do not. This is the basis for the premium prices NVIDIA (and ATI) charge for their professional-grade graphics cards."
Microsoft

Submission + - Secret details on Windows XP Service Pack 3 leaked (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "These guys must have a spy in Microsoft who is leaking them info on Vista and XP service packs. The latest to be leaked are 7 pages of secret Microsoft information on the upcoming Service Pack for Windows XP . They also have leaked information on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 .

Quote from site = "We were the first to break the news on the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and the final RTM schedule of Windows XP Service Pack 3. Now, we will be the first to release the full details on Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 3, which as we know will be available for manual update on April 29, 2008. That's just a few days away!""

Intel

Submission + - Performance comparison of all Intel Core 2 CPUs (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "Intel has way too many Core 2 processor models. No one really knows if it's worth paying $100 more for a Core 2 Quad, instead of a Core 2 Duo. And when tech websites start interjecting codenames like Wolfdale, Kentsfield and Yorkfield, you know the battle is lost.

All we want is a simple guide on the REAL WORLD performance differences between the many Intel Core 2 processors. How do they perform in games like Crysis, 3D rendering software, video encoding software, etc.? Fortunately, there is such a guide — just simple comparisons of the relative performance of these CPUs. You will want to bookmark this link . It's a keeper."

Upgrades

Submission + - First Counterfeit Intel Chips. Now DFI Mobos. (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "The crazy Chinese have done it again. First they made counterfeit Intel boxed processors . Now they are counterfeiting DFI motherboards ! What's next? Counterfeit BMWs??? Here's a quote from the report :

The detail to the packaging, documentation and the motherboard printing really makes you wonder if the people responsible for this have only limited their activities to DFI motherboards. It's quite possible that there are fake ASUS or Gigabyte motherboards in the market as well."
"

Microsoft

Submission + - Ray Tracing To Debut in DirectX 11 (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "This is breaking news. Microsoft has not only decided to support ray tracing in DirectX 11 but they will also be basing it on Intel's x86 ray tracing technology and get this... it will be out by the end of the year!

In this article, we will examine what ray tracing is all about and why it would be superior to the current raster-based technology. As for performance, well, let Intel dazzle you with some numbers. Here's a quote from the article :-

"You need not worry about your old raster-based DirectX 10 or older games or graphics cards. DirectX 11 will continue to support rasterization. It just includes support for ray-tracing as well. There will be two DirectX 11 modes, based on support by the application and the hardware."
"

AMD

Submission + - AMD NDA Scandal (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "Just two weeks ago, a Thai journalist walked out of the hush-hush (AMD event in Singapore over a controversial NDA that required him to "send any stories to the vendor before his newspaper can publish it".

AMD categorically denied it happened, but today, we not only have proof that it happened, we also have the sordid details of the entire affair. Here's a quote from the editorial :-

"First off, the non-disclosure agreement covered everything confidential said or written over the next two years on the product, and had a duration of five years, during which anything published or used in marketing would have to receive written approval from AMD before it could be used. Worse, at the end of the five years, all copies of the information made would have to be returned to the chipmaker."
"

AMD

Submission + - Intel 45 nm Processors To Hit The Market Soon

DKC writes: Tech ARP's anonymous source claimed that Intel is merely waiting for AMD to release their Barcelona processors before they clobber them with their 45nm die-shrinked processors. In fact, Intel is already producing these 45 nm processors at one of their fabs in Arizona. Let's see if the source turns out to be true. Just about 3 months left before the end of 2007 and 3 more weeks before Barcelona is launched. AMD and Intel are in for a long and tough battle ahead, an interesting one though.
AMD

Submission + - AMD Quad-Core Opteron (Barcelona) Tech Report (techarp.com)

crazyeyes writes: "AMD has been very tardy with the Barcelona. Countless AMD fans have eagerly waited for the new processor. Now that AMD is finally set to launch the Barcelona next month, are you ready for it? As the day draws closer, we take a look at the new Barcelona processor to hit the market — the upcoming quad-core AMD Opteron. Is there more to it than just its four processing cores? Will it be the Intel-killer that AMD promised long ago? Read on and find out. Here's a quote from the article :-

"AMD is in the same boat as ATI. Delays after delays of their long-awaited Barcelona core not only ensured the dominance of their rival, Intel, in the desktop processor market, it also ensured that Intel would be the only choice for those who want a quad-core processor. Although that wait will end in August, 2007 when the Barcelona is finally launched, it remains to be seen if AMD's new processor will be able to inflict serious damage to Intel's dominance."
"

Software

Submission + - Which is the best data compressor in the world?

crazyeyes writes: "We all use some kind of data compression software but do you know what is the best data compressor in the world? This amazing article has detailed test results that compare 11 of the most common data compressors with 8 different filetypes.

The author covers 7-zip, ARJ32, bzip2, gzip, SBC Archiver, Squeez, StuffIt, WinAce, WinRAR, WinRK, WinZip and tests using 8 filesets — Audio Files (WAV), Audio Files (MP3), Documents, E-Books, Movies (DivX), Movies (MPEG), Pictures (PSD) and Pictures (JPEG). He tests them at different settings and even includes the aggregated results.

This is easily the best article I've seen on data compression. If you want to know if the data compression software you use is good enough, read this article and compare its performance against the other compressors. You will be surprised with the results. Slashdotters will enjoy arguing over them!"

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