WHAT'S NEWS.. Read on for the latest "must know" information..
March 2006
To view the contents of a prior What's News segment see our Newsletter archives. If you have a topic suggestion send an email to vpprograms@dacs.org. Please keep in mind that it should be related to computers or electronics in general and include a brief description along with a URL that provides further details.
Description
Google upgrades desktop Software in moves that "amount to a new operating system," according to a Gartner analyst
Google Desktop 3 can collect your information and make it available to any other computer. Beware
InformationWeek
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=179102585
Google Pack is prepackaged free/fee software
Some Google’s and some from other companies
Google
http://pack.google.com/
Description
Siteadvisor
We test the Web to help keep you safe from spyware, spam, viruses and online scams – 475,000 to date
- Safe: We tested the site and didn't find any significant problems.
- Caution: Our tests revealed some issues you should know about. (Example: a site tried to change our browser defaults, or sent a lot of "non-spammy" e-mail)
- Warning: Our tests revealed some serious issues that you'll want to carefully consider before using this site at all. (Example: The site sent us lots of spammy e-mail or bundled adware with a download).
http://www.siteadvisor.com/preview/
Description:
Camino is a free native Mac OS X browser based on open-source Mozilla code and has now reached a stable 1.0 release:
The awesome visual and behavioral experience that has been central to the Macintosh philosophy
Powerful web-browsing capabilities of the Mozilla Gecko rendering engine
http://www.caminobrowser.org/
Description:
What does a failing hard drive sound like?
You can hear it here.
There is also a contest about who can create the best mix using these sounds.
From Hatachi
http://www.hitachigst.com/hddt/knowtree.nsf/cffe836ed7c12018862565b000530c74/4b1a62a50f405d0d86256756006e340c?OpenDocument
Description:
Windows Live and Windows Live Ideas
All in Beta
Many new Internet based functions such as Mail, Local, Safety Center, Favorites, Search, Expo (social network) and much more.
Office live is now offering free domain name and web hosting plus many small business applications.
http://ideas.live.com/
http://officelive.microsoft.com/
Description:
All about Skype and Skype interface products
Major VOIP player bought by eBay – 75,000,000 subscribers
Free computer to computer service – low landline price
Wireless and Bluetooth phones. Can show who is currently available online before call is made.
Dual function wireless uses VIOP and POTS.
Even a Wi-Fi version coming soon.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11078979/site/newsweek/
http://www.skype.com
Description:
Canon REALiS series projector
This new Canon projector is XGA (1024x768) and WXGA (1366 x 768)
3500 Lumens
Said to be the smallest and most affordable projector on the market (10.4 lbs and 4.5 x 8.9 x 13.2)
Will ship in May, 2006.
Cheapest model is $4K
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=131&modelid=13029
Description:
Microsoft to kill off Front Page in Office 2007 release. (By the way, it is now being called Office 2007 rather than Office 12)
It will be replaced by SharePoint Designer and Expression Web Designer
PC World
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/001460.html
Description:
Pandora
From the Music Genome Project
All music characterized by melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics ... and more - close to 400 attributes.
You select and artist or song and it plays similar songs.
You vote up or down and it refines the songs it plays for you.
You can create multiple Stations.
http://pandora.com/?cmd=tuner
Description:
Microsoft Windows Defender (Beta 2)
Free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.
Features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected.
New streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.
Uses automatic definition updates provided by Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Description:
Warning: Don't Touch That Mouse
Internet Cafe mice found to be more germ-laden than toilet doorknobs.
Hard to believe but true.
Shopping cart handles win.
InformationWeek
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=180202476
Description:
A new approach to prevent software piracy.
Apple confirmed that it has embedded poetry in places in the OS that presumably would need to be accessed to hack it, which warns against piracy. The poem reads:
“Your karma check for today: There once was a user that whined his existing OS was so blind, he’d do better to pirate an OS that ran great but found his hardware declined. Please don’t steal Mac OS! Really, that’s way uncool. (C) Apple Computer Inc.”
Leave to Apple warns software pirates.
REALTECHNEWS
http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2704
Description:
For the person who has everything.
Computers in the shape of a car.
For only $1800.
Corvette, Lexus Mercedes, Pontiac, Mustang, etc.
Can pick paint color, wheels and tires.
http://www.compucarllc.com/scripts/shopping.asp
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