Thursday, July 31, 2008

'Spam King' Dead in Murder / Suicide

I am not a fan of spam. I try to keep things in perspective though. It is just email. I have filters that move it to my Junkmail folder without... Read More

Making Sense of it All: Heterogeneous Data Access on the .NET Framework 3.5

Making Sense of it All: Heterogeneous Data Access on the .NET Framework 3.5
dotNetConnections is delighted to announce that we have not one, but two BoF's at this years TechEd, North America conferences TechEd Developers & TechEd IT Professionals. Our topic this year, 'Making Sence of it All: Heterogeneous Data Access on the .NET Framework 3.5' should provide an broad basis so we can deal with many perspectives on how best to deal with data access on the .NET Framework. For one thing, the plethora data access options and data models that now exist should sound as warning shot for all: each data access option cannot possibly suit every need, so if you've questions and opinions on what option suits your development needs, it will be the place to be. BoF co-ordinates as follows:
  • Wednesday, June 4th @ 19h45 to 20h45
  • Wednesday, June 11th @18h30 to 19h30

Send email here or comment below if you're planning on attending, or have topics you'd like to cover...


BlackBerry Thunder due October 8th. with Rhapsody?

The BlackBerry 9500 could be coming to Verizon this October, along with an over-the-air music download store through Rhapsody.

<b>BlackBerry</b> Thunder with Rhapsody

The mid-October ballpark release for the Verizon BlackBerry Thunder has been narrowed down to the 8th., but as with any rumour, take it with a grain of salt… What’s true now might not be in two months. The same sources are also claiming that the Thunder will be packing a 3.2 megapixel camera and over-the-air Rhapsody downloads. We had heard about carrier music stores integrated with the BlackBerry 9500’s music player, and now we’ve got a name to look forward to. Rhapsody is pretty popular, second to iTunes and maybe Amazon… how many more online music outlets will plug into the BlackBerry Thunder? As for the camera, I expressed plenty of concern about its quality in last week’s podcast, so colour me relieved.

(via Fudzilla)


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The menace of Worms

It is a given in this world that every entity has two aspects - one benign, and the other malignant. This duality of functionality can be found in virtually everything. The worms are but another example of man's darker side of genius. Read More

New Way Of Storing Solar Energy Discovered

I haven't read the article yet (saving it for tomorrow) but that sounds like absolute genius! I'm currently wondering why I didn't think of this.

Eric1285

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a-squared reaches 3 million users mark!

On January 28th 2006, at 17:37:40 pm. sharp, we succeeded in reaching a new important level: 3 millions users. Comparing to last year this represents a remarkable increase of 180%. Read More

Personal Backup X5 updated, adds FTP, SFTP backups

Personal Backup X5 updated, adds FTP, SFTP backups
Intego's Personal Backup X5 has been updated to v10.5.2, adding backup to and from FTP and SFTP servers. It also adds a new interface and an improved dashboard widget for launching and monitoring backup scripts. The backup solution offers initial and automated backup options, making backups on numerous media (CD, DVD, USB key drives, external hard ...

What is ASLR?

What is ASLR?
Windows Vista includes a variety of security features not found in previous operating systems such as Windows XP. One of these features is ASLR. ASLR is like a shell game...

Palm launches new Treo on Sprint network

Palm Inc., which has been struggling to maintain its position in the hot market for "smart" phones, introduced a new Treo model Monday with Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities. Read More

What is the a-squared Online-Check and what does it do?

What is the a-squared Online-Check and what does it do?
Unlike online-virus scanners which load a module on your PC to scan the harddisk just for viruses, the a² Online-Check is a comprehensive security-check. It searches for potential security risks in your PC configuration. a² Online Check also shows you what "public information" from your PC can be accessed by anyone on the internet.

ARM gives license to mystery phone maker

Mobile chipmaker ARM has handed out a mystery architecture license for its processors, the company revealed Wednesday while discussing its latest quarterly results. The company unusually declines to say which manufacturer it may be but notes that the particular licensee is a "leading handset OEM [original equipment manufacturer]" and that the deal...
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Dump your lover directly on voice mail

New phone service Slydial makes it easier to get through life's awkward moments by sending you directly to voicemail. The old song had it right: Breaking up is hard to do. But a free new phone service called Slydial might make it easier to get through that and other awkward moments — without actually having to talk to anyone.


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Nvidia's GeForce 9 GPU trio

Nvidia's GeForce 9 GPU trio

More bang for your buck

Nvidia has taken the wraps off its latest graphics processing units (GPUs), which it claims cater for the increasing number of PC applications requiring more graphics horsepower for visuals.…


Apps: Fanurio, Jisho, Imagine Poker

Apps: Fanurio, Jisho, Imagine Poker
Fanurio 1.11 ($40) a time tracking and billing application designed for freelancers. Fanurio allows users to organize work, track time and create invoices which can be generated into a text or html file using an invoice template. The new release adds in the ability to track costs and profits as well as specify payment dates for invoices. Version 1....

Is iPhone 2.0 a Better Match for Google’s Android?

Is iPhone 2.0 a Better Match for Google’s Android?
When Google last year unveiled Android, its open-source mobile phone platform, I published an article titled, Android vs. iPhone: Will the Google Phone Be an iPhone Killer? (...)

Lightning Review: Gama-Go's Fashionable Laptop Messenger Bags

@tande04: It's a common affliction with our set these days. I just bought a timbuk2 laptop messenger for 20 bucks at marshall's... I already own an SLR / Laptop backpack and a messenger, but the timbuk2 is just plain tits.

lpranal

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T-Mobile to unleash no contract postpaid phone plans August 6

T-Mobile to unleash no contract postpaid phone plans August 6
According to web site TmoNews, … [visit site to read more]

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t-mobile logo.jpg

According to web site TmoNews, … [visit site to read more]


5 iPhone Blogs I Recommend: Which Do You Read?

Looking for some good iPhone blogs where you can read more about your favorite mobile device? (...) Read More

a-squared HiJackFree 3.0 released!

A new version of the free professional tool for Malware hunters is now available. Read More

Baking Biscuits - A Closer Look at Cookies

As well as being delicious biscuits, "Cookies" are an aspect of the computer world that is known to many people. However, very few people actually know exactly what the term means and how it functions. This is reason enough for us to examine this important and interesting topic in more detail and to explain a technological feature that forms an essential part of the Internet as we know it today. Read More

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Intel Smart SoC -- The Move to Purpose-Built Chips

Intel Smart SoC -- The Move to Purpose-Built Chips
What would you do with a billion Intel transistors nestled in our pocket? If what they said today comes true, we might have a billion transistors efficiently running a system on a chip that puts high speed computer performance and...

Laptops and Airline Travel

When the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) banned laptops from being carried on to airplanes in the wake of an attempted terrorist attack, I wrote an article detailing steps to enable... Read More

Vote for our BoFs @ TechEd 2008!

Vote for our BoFs @ TechEd 2008!
Vote for our BoF at Microsoft Tech Ed Developers and IT Professionals. We'll be attending both conferences and with your votes, we will be able to run a BoF at both events...

Vote here for Tech Ed Developers and here for Tech Ed IT Professionals ...

Check out our BoF submission below...



In this BoF, we’ll peal back the layers on data access from the .NET platform. We’ll look at the common problems facing today’s applications with a particular emphasis on applications who in a multi-faceted, heterogeneous application environment. With all the options now available, available including the Data Access Application Blocks, LINQ, Entity Framework and vanilla ADO.NET which is the one for you? Come armed with your questions, ideas and burning issues and we can promise a lively discussion!



A Year Later: 25 Things STILL Wrong With the iPhone

Nearly a year after I published my list of 25 things wrong with the iPhone, the post has grown considerably with nearly 100 readers adding comments to it. (...) Read More

Bell rolling out new colours for BlackBerry Curve and Pearl

Bell rolling out new colours for BlackBerry Curve and Pearl
The BlackBerry 8330 looks great in crimson, and the BlackBerry 8130 looks none too shabby in white or titanium.

<b>BlackBerry</b> 8130 and 8330 from Bell

I’m pretty sure this is the first BlackBerry 8330 we’ve seen in red, and it’s due to hit Bell on August 8th alongside a white and titanium BlackBerry 8130. Fresh paint jobs seem like sloppy seconds when compared to the BlackBerry Bold and eventually the BlackBerry Kickstart coming out on GSM carriers in the near future, but if Bell actually makes the GSM switch, maybe they won’t have to settle for less. Still, new paint jobs are always cool, and it’s hard to argue with that colour on the Curve. Keep an eye on the Bell online store for the fresh offers… Right now the Pearl is going for free on a three year contract, and the Curve is $149.95.

(via MobileInCanada)



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Sprint loses suit over early cancel fees

Sprint became the potential center of a legal precedent today in a ruling in a California court that would have the carrier pay $73 million in refunds. The decision follows a case in which former customers argued that Sprint had unfairly charged some customers early termination fees (ETF) for ending their service before the end of their respective...
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The .NET Framework catches a case of openness

The .NET Framework has developed with uncharacteristic malaise; likely diagnosis: it has come down with a surprising and puzzling case of openness.

Scot Guthrie, provides some of the fine print:

“We’ll begin by offering the source code (with source file comments included) for the .NET Base Class Libraries (System, System.IO, System.Collections, System.Configuration, System.Threading, System.Net, System.Security, System.Runtime, System.Text, etc), ASP.NET (System.Web), Windows Forms (System.Windows.Forms), ADO.NET (System.Data), XML (System.Xml), and WPF (System.Windows). We’ll then be adding more libraries in the months ahead (including WCF, Workflow, and LINQ). The source code will be released under the Microsoft Reference License (MS-RL).”

As yet, not one opinion appears to be dominating as to what this might mean. Some of my favorite examples include Fake Steve is already scoffing at the move, while assuring us all that Apple will never stoop to this. Robert Scoble is characteristically derisive in his analysis. Others believe this move is a tacit acknowledgment of Microsoft’s failure to capture the imagination of a broader developer community. Others don’t see it affecting them much, while at the extreme, the howls of delight from competing development platforms and paradigms is almost deafening…

What this means for the likes of Novell’s effort towards delivering Mono, nor has anyone commented on how this might affect newly invigorated Novell/Microsoft marriage of convenience.

Before I offer an interpretation of what this means first let me re-iterate my context:

This blog serves a number of perspectives, base on my experiences from the open source, Java community and now the .NET work development platforms – great care is taken to avoid spouting or worse still regurgitating cool aid and of bile from other sources.

Exposing the internals of the .NET Framework is I believe the tip of the ice berg. Think back to early attempts by the Java platform to adopt a more open stance and move away from the ivory tower and provide more inclusive processes for the Java community at large. I think it is safe to say that we can and should expect to see additional baby steps from Microsoft on this score. Moves such as this often have halo-affect, which spurs innovation, discussion and ingenuity that is difficult to predict but is over-all beneficial to the adoption of any platform.

An important distinction here is that Microsoft is make strides toward an more open and inclusive process. I think it’s unlikely we will ever see the equivalent of the JCP for .NET, but my hope it we will see the emergence of a community framework that will facilitate contributions and motivate people to bleed back their ideas into the platform. It is actually an implicit good develop for Java too: a move such as this may be dismissed, but I am sure there are those in the Java community who will give in to their curiosity and peal back the covers on the .NET internals …

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a-squared Anti-Malware and a-squared Free 3.5 released!

a-squared Anti-Malware and a-squared Free 3.5 released!
Two a-squared products have entered the next generation. Versions 3.5 of a-squared Anti-Malware and a-squared Free are now available. They protect your system from Trojans, Worms, Keyloggers, Dialers, Rootkits and Spyware.

a-squared News: New version a-squared Free/Personal 1.6 released!

The most important new feature of a-squared Personal is the IDS System. IDS stands for Intrusion Detection System. That means, a system which is able to detect and prevent any intrusion of malware automatically. Read More

Black market iPhones big in Russia, China

Black market iPhones big in Russia, China

Models hold the new iPhones during the first day of the release in Hong Kong. The new iPhone, which is faster because it works on third-generation (3G) data networks, went on sale in 21 countries on July 11 and will soon be available in 70 countries. But Russia is not one of them, and neither is China. In the Soviet days, Russians asked their American friends to bring blue jeans, rock records and other Western goods into the country. Today Russians can buy almost anything they want here — but they are still begging for one item: Apple Inc.'s slick iPhone.



Tuesday, July 29, 2008

District bars teacher-student texting

District bars teacher-student texting
A new school district policy in southern Mississippi prohibits teachers from texting or communicating with students through Internet social network sites such as MySpace.

BlackBerry Thunder due Oct 8 with Rhapsody?

BlackBerry Thunder due Oct 8 with Rhapsody?
The BlackBerry Thunder now has a specific release date and over-the-air music downloads, if a leak is found to be accurate. Research in Motion's first-ever touch BlackBerry is now purportedly due to launch with Verizon on October 8th and will have access to Verizon's version of RealNetworks' Rhapsody service. The feature may supply a technical ad...

Tech Ed Day 1: Coming out party for ADO.NET Entity Framework

Tech Ed Day 1: Coming out party for ADO.NET Entity Framework
At this years Tech Ed - Developers, I think it is fair to say that this is the coming out part of the ADO.NET Entity Framework, and with good reason too. From the early days when I participated in numerous all day sessions in Building 35, Microsoft HQ, it is very gratifying to see so many of the concepts we were introduced to move from the white board notions to become tangible component of the .NET Framework. Bring on the GA release of this SP!

The insert to the left, courtesy of the Redmond Developer news does a nice job of breaking out the major features of the .NET Framework 3.5 Sp1, of the the ADO.NET Entity Framework is probably the leading feature. Described, I think accurately as the 'data-driven' release, I can already report than I have a number of good conversations with attendees who are looking to find out more about this technology.

Hungry for more ? If you are attending Tech Ed Devleopers, there are a few excellent venues that I'd recommend you make some time for. Thx to Elisa Flasko at Microsoft doing most of the hardwork for me:

  • June 4th 2:45pm-4:00pm TCD2B Using LINQ, the ADO.NET Entity Framework and ADO.NET Data Services with third party databases by David Sceppa

  • June 5th 10:15am-11:30am T7D80 Advanced Entity Framework: Take Charge of Object Services by Julie Lerman

  • June 5th Noon-12:45pm TAC34 ADO.NET Data Services Deep Dive by Mike Flasko

You can see more of Elisa's excellent recommendations here.

Of course, I've talked about my BoF before on Wednesday night which is already generated some great interest, but we are also exhibiting through out the week, where we have some very unique give-aways (you won't be disappointed!) and of course I'll be happy to talk about how DataDirect Technologies plans to support the ADO.NET Entity Framework. Come see us at booth 1232 in the exhibition hall.


My HostGator Server Crashed - Lost Articles & Comments

Just wanted to mention that because of a server failure at my web host, HostGator, I’ve lost my two latest articles: 5 iPhone Blogs I Recommend and the April Fools joke I posted yesterday, BREAKING: FCC to Issue iPhone Ban in the US — Yes, it was a joke, no need to panic! (...) Read More

Review: Myvu Crystal 701 Personal Media Viewer

Even though the screen is small, I enjoy watching video on my iPhone and iPod Touch. No, it will never match the experience of watching a movie on a 50 inch hi-definition LCD, but it is more than merely functional- it is a pleasant experience. I’ve had my eye on Myvu’s various offerings for some [...]

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cimg4839 Review: Myvu Crystal 701 Personal Media Viewer

Even though the screen is small, I enjoy watching video on my iPhone and iPod Touch. No, it will never match the experience of watching a movie on a 50 inch hi-definition LCD, but it is more than merely functional- it is a pleasant experience. I’ve had my eye on Myvu’s various offerings for some time, watching carefully as each new one was released. I have wondered if they really worked.  And, assuming they did work, wondered whether the experience of watching video through Myvu would be that much better than viewing on my iPhone.

So, when the opportunity to try out the Myvu Crystal arose (thanks Judie) I jumped at it.

Do they live up the hype? Read on to find out.

… [visit site to read more]

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Microsoft demos multi-touch Sphere

Microsoft demos multi-touch Sphere
Microsoft today provided a promised demo of Sphere, its next-generation multi-touch device. The device expands on the lessons learned from the Surface table and shows how future electronics could apply complex finger input to curved surfaces. In addition to altering the picture to ensure it displays properly on the ball-shaped screen, Microsoft h...

Intel Chairman Craig Barrett on Intel's 40th Anniversary

Sure, these processor would be great for powering traffic lights. You mean they want to use our chips to make Taxi meters? Imagine, those where conversations inside Intel back in the 1970s, in the years after making the world’s first... Read More

China readies Blu-Ray competitor

China readies Blu-Ray competitor

People's techromancers revive HD-DVD

Some Chinese consumer electronics companies are good and tired of signing royalty checks to foreigners for a new generation of high definition optical discs, but are they too late to make a change?…


Worm.Win32.Sober.L Alert!

Worm.Win32.Sober.L Alert!
A new variant of the Sober worm is spreading fast. As with its predecessors, Sober.L spreads as an email attachment in emails which are sent to all email addresses found on the victim's harddisk. Even if the executable file is packed in a .ZIP file, many users open the file and activate the worm this way.

Compelling Conversations: North American Carrier Competition, 4G and GSM vs. CDMA

Compelling Conversations: North American Carrier Competition, 4G and GSM vs. CDMA
BlackBerry Cool Douglas gets in a heated debated with Fake Ted Rogers about North American carrier competition, 4G and CDMA vs. GSM. Join in the debate!

Plato and Aristotle discus their favorite wireless technology

BlackBerry Cool writers have the privilege of being in constant contact with a variety of wireless industry players. Naturally, we often get in heated or hilarious discussions over recent news. We’ve decided to start posting some of the more interesting conversations, in the hopes that it will spur greater debate. Our test run is a hearty debate over the value of a CDMA carrier switching to GSM, how long until 4G becomes anything more than a ‘wet dream’ and myths about call quality. Enjoy, and please post a comment with your thoughts.

Note: My interlocutor was uncomfortable with being identified, so let’s just call him Fake Ted Rogers.

Fake Ted Rogers: Isn’t saying Bell/Telus is going to GSM kinda like saying Verizon should?
Douglas Soltys: Well, different countries mean different biz scenarios.
Fake Ted Rogers: I’d like to see what the subs are for Tel/Bel compared to Rogers. As in the states Verizon has more than AT&T.
Douglas Soltys: Some would say that Verizon is run much better than Tel/Bel.

(...)
Read the rest of Compelling Conversations: North American Carrier Competition, 4G and GSM vs. CDMA (170 words)


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Focus plus excitement: Michael Dell talks turnarounds

While avoiding trucks

Interview Despite harsh economic times, Michael Dell hasn’t been complaining. "We've been growing faster than the industry for the last three quarters," the Dell CEO told a group of Latin-American and European reporters.…

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Sprint pawning off cell towers for $670 mil

Sprint pawning off cell towers for $670 mil
TowerCo will be buying up 3,300 of Sprints towers and renting them back to the US carrier.

Cell Tower Pawn Shop

As if you needed any further indication of Sprint’s downward spiral, they’ll be selling off 3,300 of their towers for $670 million to TowerCo. As bad as that sounds, TowerCo will actually be leasing these towers back to Sprint - think of it like outsourcing all of the gritty back-end work. Of course, with someone else handling all of that, it means that Sprint won’t have to keep all the tower maintenance crew on their end anymore and will probably lose a fair number of employees that TowerCo will be replacing. What do you guys think - savvy saving on Sprint’s part?

(via Engadget)


Filed under News, Wireless Industry News | Permalink | No comment | Add to Del.icio.us or Digg


The Dialer-Problem in Detail

Dialers are small programs that change the number you normally dial to get on the internet. The new number is a premium rate number running up a huge phone bill for each call. Read More

Bell and Telus making the GSM plunge?

A report is speculating that Canadian CDMA carriers may be switching to GSM.

Rogers swimming in a GSM sea

A recent paper from UBS Investment Research is claiming that Canadian carriers Telus and Bell may be switching from CDMA to the popular GSM archietecture. It’s a big move that could cost upwards of $480 million, but when you look at the amount of exclusivity Rogers is enjoying with the iPhone, you can bet the competition won’t want to miss the next boat. This is good news for Canadian BlackBerry users, as it could mean no more waiting months on end for the CDMA versions of devices to come out. Where Bell and Telus sit on 4G remains uncertain - it’s entirely possible that they’ll skip the existing 3G HSDPA and go right to LTE.

(CBC via Engadget)


Filed under News, Wireless Industry News | Permalink | One comment | Add to Del.icio.us or Digg

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JVC pitches deeper driver in-ear 'phones

JVC pitches deeper driver in-ear 'phones

These cans will be earwax magnets

Most people know the dangers of sticking cotton buds right into their ears, but how would you feel about doing the same with a pair of headphones, even if it meant better audio clarity?…


GPS Units Help Thieves Find Jackpot

When you go out shopping, or to a baseball game, or wherever, odds are fair that you lock your car doors when you leave. You probably want to protect your... Read More

Would You Send Video Messages on Your iPhone?

With everyone wondering what Apple will reveal about the next-generation iPhone at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, there is debate over whether the new iPhone will feature some sort of video messaging, with perhaps a video camera lens on the face of the iPhone. (...) Read More

Eco-Technology Great Debates: Webcast Now Available

Eco-Technology Great Debates: Webcast Now Available
The recorded version of the first Intel Eco-Technology debate can be viewed below. Please note that some corporate firewalls may block replay of this content. AC vs. DC Power: Note - please skip over the first five minutes of this...

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties goes gold

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties goes gold
Macsoft on Monday announced that Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties has gone "gold." The Asian Dynasties is the second expansion pack for Ensemble Studio's strategy game. The expansion brings players new playable Civilizations, units, campaigns, game modes and more. Players are now given the ability to command one of of three Asian civilizatio...