Posted 11/05/09 at 08:18:07 AM by Paul Lilly

Already feeling bored with Ubuntu and thnk you're ready to start experimenting with other Linux distros? You may want to consider Mandriva Linux 2010.0, which was just released on Wednesday.

Mandriva 2010.0, or "Adelie" if you prefer to use its codename, promises to be snappier than previous versions, including faster boot times. It's built around the Linux 2.6.31 kernel, which means improved hardware support as well, and the feature-list unrolls from there. Just a sampling of these include improved parental controls, easier WiFi setup, easier partitioning with Ext4 now being used as the default file system, a new security framework, better virtualization, and more.

Some helpful links:

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Posted 11/03/09 at 11:15:54 AM by Paul Lilly

We can think of several reasons to invest in Windows 7. It's faster than Vista and more secure than XP. The new taskbar rocks. UAC is much less intrusive than it was in Vista. And did we mention it's fast? But if you're still not convinced Windows 7 should be your next OS, consider that you could be helping the economy rebound, according to research firm IDC.

Take this however you will, but according to a report in the Boston Globe, Microsoft hired the research firm to conduct a study of the ripple effect of the Windows 7 launch. During the course of its research, IDC found that U.S.-based companies could hire some 25,000 extra works to cope with the Windows 7 launch.

"There is a bounce effect based on the introduction of Windows 7," Said Amie White, vice president for global research at IDC.

In addition to creating jobs, IDC also estimates that technology companies across the nation stand to sell an extra $110 billion in Windows 7-related products and services through the end of 2010. This will have a trickle down effect as these same companies pump $41 billion to develop, sell, and support new products for Win 7 users, the Boston Globe reports.

Sounds Utopian.

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Posted 11/03/09 at 09:00:54 AM by Paul Lilly

Want to get in Mother Nature's good graces and maybe save a buck or two while doing so? Combine Samsung's memory chips with Microsoft's operating system. That's the message in a nutshell the two companies will work together to promote.

"There is not doubt that the combination of Windows 7 and 40nm DDR3 in new PCs will make users very happy," said Dong-Soo Jun, executive senior vice president of memory marketing at Samsung Electronics. "If you opt for 4GB of memory in a Windows 7-based system, over typical 2GB-based systems used today, you'll see an increase in performance, while using less power thanks to the efficiency of Samsung's 40nm DDR3 DRAM."

If this all sounds a little bit hokey, you may just have to get used to it. Depending on how this marketing campaign plays out, Samsung suggested it might further collaborate with Microsoft on more green IT efforts on a global scale.

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Posted 11/02/09 at 12:45:29 PM by Paul Lilly

This one's sure to ruffle a few feathers, but according to the latest data from Net Applications, the launch of Windows 7 hasn't done anything to slow down Mac's record rise in market share.

Of course, we're only talking about a 5.27 percent of the OS market, which doesn't come anywhere close to Windows, which dominates the scene with a 92.52 percent share. Still, Mac fans will be quick to point out that Mac OS X still managed to reach a new hgh, and did so amid a heavy marketing campaign for Windows 7 accompanied by temporary deep discounts.

If you've been watching Apple's Mac vs PC ads, then you've seen Apple encouraging consumers to use the launch of Windows 7 as an excuse to switch to Mac. After all, if you're going to upgrade anyway, you might as well make the transition, Apple argues. And that's what Electronista believes is going on.

We're not so sure we agree, and while we'll concede that the numbers might not be what we were expecting, it's far too early to tell what impact Windows 7 or Mac OS X will have on the ongoing OS wars.

Hit the jump and tell us how you interpret the numbers.

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Posted 11/02/09 at 08:07:24 AM by Paul Lilly

National computer repair outfit Rescuecom admits "there are some compelling reasons for both business and home users to move to Windows 7, but is also cautioning Windows users not to be in such a rush to upgrade until the dust settles (and bugs are squashed).

"Transferring all their data, their digital life essentially, is one of the most common, most troubling issues that users have," said Josh Kaplan, president of Rescuecom. "Even if you're doing an in-place [upgrade], if you don't have a proper backup, you're still at risk. Without the proper preparation, moving ot a new OS is risky for anybody."

According to Kaplan, putting off an upgrade until a later date sports several advantages. Drivers will inevitably mature as more computers are designed for Windows 7, and upcoming patches will help ensure a safer upgrade. But those weren't the only reasons Kaplans says Windows users should sit tight.

"Given the economy, is that really a necessary expense right?," Kaplan questions when referring to the price of Windows 7.

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Posted 10/30/09 at 08:05:01 AM by Paul Lilly

Outside of Apple, you'd have to search far and wide to find someone not stoked about the release of Windows 7, or just take a visit to CyberLink's headquarters. The multimedia software maker pulls in most of its money from bundling PowerDVD and other apps with new PC purchases, and according to company chairman Jau Huang, Microsoft's snappy OS doesn't necessarily require consumers to replace their current systems.

Some analysts have noted that netbooks in 2010 should shoot up by 30 percent from 2009, but this too is of little consolation to CyberLink. Barring any major overhauls to existing platforms, netbooks typically are not equipped with video and audio functions necessary for CyberLink's software, Huang said.

So where does that leave CyberLink? Perhaps scrambling to make a buck in the smartphone market. Huang said there may be some business opportunities in the mobile phone market as new handsets come equipped with video and audio editing software.

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Posted 10/28/09 at 12:20:07 PM by Paul Lilly

If we're to believe the hype (and it's awfully convincing), Motorola's upcoming Droid smartphone could be the first handset to truly challenge Apple's iPhone. We'll find out soon enough, as Verizon today confirmed Droid will arrive next Friday, November 6, for $199 with a 2-year contract and $100 mail-in-rebate.

"This is an exciting announcement for Verizon Wireless, as the Droid by Motorola is the first device that we are bringing to market under our ground-breaking strategic partnership with Google," said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "Droid by Motorola gives customers a lifestyle device with access to more than 12,000 applications that will help them stay in touch, up to date and entertained, using the best 3G network in the country."

 Built around the all new Android 2.0 (Eclair) platform, the slim (0.5 inches thick) smartphone has a lot going for it, including a 3.7-inch, 854x480 capacitive touchscreen, a built-in 5MP camera, DVD-quality video recording, a TI OMAP 3430 processor based on ARM's Cortex-A8 architecture and capable of racing along at up to 600MHz, Microsoft Exchange support, HTML5 support, and a bunch more, all of which will be heavily marketed.

"The marketing campaign that will support the launch of the Droid will be the largest in our history. We're going to put significant energy behind this product," said John Stratton, Verizon's chief marketing officer.

If Droid lives up the hype, the marketing may take care of itself.

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Posted 10/27/09 at 02:30:07 PM by Paul Lilly

Hot on the heels of Windows 7's recent release, VMware today has made available its Workstation 7 desktop virtualization software with a handful of new features for software development and testing.

The new version supports both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and works with features in the Windows 7 interface, such as Flip 3D and Aero Peek. And according to VMware, installing Windows 7 on a virtual machine is easier than on a physical PC.

Several improvements were made in the latest release, which VMware claims will help developers, QA engineers, sales professionals, and IT admins cut back on hardware costs, as well as save time and resources by streamlining tasks. This includes new IDE integrations for SpringSource Tools Suite and Eclipse IDE for Java & C/C++, the ability to run up to four virtual CPUs and 32GB of RAM dedicated to each virtual machine, and improved 3D graphics capabilities with DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3 and OpenGL 2.1 support.

Workstation is available now direct from from VMware for $189, or $99 if upgrading from a previous version.

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