2008 July 21

http://www.answers.com/




Recent Earthquakes in Hawai`i

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai`i (“Big Island”), Hawai`i

Earthquake List for Map Hawai
`i



CURRENT MOON
New


Why I became a Gmail convert


Now it costs an extra $99 for a Dell Optiplex with Windows XP
http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/optix



Download the latest version of Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader 9
(includes Acrobat.com on Adobe AIR)
Adobe Reader

Windows XP SP2 - SP3, English

 

 



“Considered one of the most startling achievements of the 19th century, Charles Babbage's Difference Engine No. 2 has come to life 150 years later.  CNET News.com's Kara Tsuboi visits the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif., to see the machine in action and meet the men who turned Babbage's dream into a reality.”

 


Intel won't touch Vista

“ACCORDING TO A memo circulating a few weeks ago, it looks like Intel is taking a wise decision and avoiding the broken OS entirely.  Yes, Intel is not going to use Vista on its corporate machines... ever.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/06/23/intel-dumps-vista




The Future of Windows XP
by Bill Veghte, Microsoft's senior vice president of the Online Services & Windows Business group

“With the June 30, 2008, “end of sales” date for Windows XP approaching, many people have asked me
if they will still be able to get support for Windows XP.  The answer is an emphatic “yes, you will continue
to be supported.”  We recently released Service Pack 3 for Windows XP and we will continue to provide
security updates and other critical updates for Windows XP until April, 2014.”



 
Olliephonics
Olliephonics GRAND OPENING, Fri & Sat, June 27 & 28, 7 to 9 pm,
at the NEW Blue Dragon (the old Blue Dolphin) in Kawaihae, Hawaii



Professor Designs Plasma-propelled Flying Saucer

ScienceDaily (Jun. 12, 2008) — Flying saucers may soon be more fact than mere science fiction. University of Florida mechanical and aerospace engineering associate professor Subrata Roy has submitted a patent application for a circular, spinning aircraft design reminiscent of the spaceships seen in countless Hollywood films. Roy, however, calls his design a “wingless electromagnetic air vehicle,” or WEAV.



Mars lander completes first day on Red Planet

This photo provided by  NASAJPL-CaltechUniversity of Arizona shows the surface of the northern polar region of Mars from NASAs Phoenix Mars Lander on Sunday May 25 2008. (AP PhotoNASAJPL-CaltechUniversity of Arizona)

This photo provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona shows the surface of the northern polar region of Mars from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander on Sunday May 25, 2008.

(AP) -- Fresh images sent back by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander during its first full day operating in the Martian northern polar region showed most of its science instruments in good health, mission scientists said.

Phoenix lander sets up shop on Mars


NASA: 'Extreme programming' controls Mars Lander robot

Engineers send code 170 million miles through space daily in search for life on Mars




Neat Inventions

(from [TAa])



The Anti-EBay Launches

James Chong, Bob Lee and Albert Loh saw a market opportunity and they pounced on it. Close to a year ago, when eBay's core auction business was showing signs of weakness, Chong, Lee and Loh (all former Charles Schwab execs) were plotting a new commerce site that would rival eBay. They talked to hoards of eBay users, and today they've launched their baby:  Wigix (the "Want It, Got It Exchange").

Wigix aims to be everything that eBay is not.  Although it's ostensibly a commerce site, the fee structure and rating system stray from eBay conventions.  For one thing:  Wigix doesn't charge a fee for anything sold for less than $25; and it charges a flat fee of $1.50
to both the buyer and seller for anything valued between $25 and $100.

Also, Wigix isn't an auction-based system, which Chong hopes will reduce the risk of fraud. Users can use the site to keep track of all their "non-financial assets" and just like a stock market, the valuations of those goods adjust in real-time according to recent transactions.

Another major distinction between eBay and Wigix:  While eBay recently revoked feedback privileges for sellers (the company said too many sellers abused the rating system for retaliatory purposes), Wigix lets buyers and sellers rate each other after a transaction.

The Oakland-based company has raised "significant" funding from Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a VC firm that, incidentally, backed Skype, which was sold off to eBay.



GrisoftAVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0

now with added anti-spyware, link-scanner and
AVG Security Toolbar



Linux Replacements for Your Favorite Windows Apps


The Return of Google's WHOIS OneBox

from Google Blogoscoped by Tony Ruscoe

Last month, Philipp compiled a list of lost Google features, at the top of which was a reference to the WHOIS OneBox feature that Google added for a brief period back in January 2004.  
Well, that OneBox is now back:

By entering a search phrase like [whois google.com] you can quickly see when the domain's WHOIS record was created and when the domain will expire above the search results. 
(Somewhat ironically, it doesn't actually tell you to whom the domain belongs though.)

Google implies it's getting this information from the Domain Tools website, which is linked to from the OneBox result title too. However, it seems the data being displayed is not coming live from the WHOIS record, so Google must be caching the information somewhere.

It has been suggested in the past that Google may use this WHOIS data as part of its ranking algorithms, possibly giving weight to those domains which are registered for longer periods.

[Hat tip to Matt Cutts!]


[PRo] recommends ==> centralops.net

Free online network utilities, including traceroute, nslookup, dig, automatic whois lookup, ping, finger, & our own Domain Dossier, Email Dossier.”



Dr. Norm recommends to PRoComputing ==>

Sarcasma

(click here for larger image)
then if using Firefox, press the F11 key





Spotlight: Nobel Prize-winner Al Gore practices what he preached in his film AnInconvenient Truth, driving home the need to reduce harmful carbon emissions in our homes, cars and businesses. The former vice president and his wife, Tipper, recently refurbished their 80-year-old home in Tennessee, making some simple adjustments to increase energy efficiency. Among other changes, they installed a geothermal heating system, solar panels and a rainwater collection system, and replaced their light bulbs with compact fluorescent and diode bulbs. The renovation helped them achieve an 11 percent drop in home energy consumption at a time (in the summer) when most neighboring homes increased energy consumption by 25-30 percent.
Happy 60th birthday to environmental activist Al Gore.

Quote: "The first lesson is this: take it from me, every vote counts."Al Gore

 from ==> http://www.answers.com



Google TiSP

(short for Toilet Internet Service Provider) is a free broadband service supposedly released by Google. This service would make use of a standard toilet and sewage lines to provide free Internet connectivity at a speed of 8 Mbit/s (2 Mbit/s upload) (or up to 32 Mbit/s with a paid plan).  A user would drop a weighted end of a long, Google-supplied fiber-optic cable in their toilet and flush it.  Around 60 minutes later, the end would be recovered and connected to the Internet by a “Plumbing Hardware Dispatcher (PHD).” The user would then connect their end to a Google-supplied wireless router and run the Google-supplied installation media on a Windows XP or Vista computer (“Mac and Linux support coming soon”).  Alternatively, a user could request a professional installation, in which Google would deploy nanobots through the plumbing to complete the process.
The free service would be supported by "discreet DNA sequencing” of “personal bodily output” to display online ads that relate to culinary preferences and personal health. Google also referenced the cola-and-Mentos reaction in their FAQ: “If you're still experiencing problems, drop 8 mints into the bowl and add a 2-liter bottle of diet soda.”

Other Google-April-1st-Services




“While other wikis only support plain old text, JotSpot's wiki allows you to create
rich web-based spreadsheets, calendars, documents and photo galleries.
It's as easy as using a word processor — you don't need to know HTML.
Thousands of businesses are using JotSpot to manage projects, build an intranet, share files and stay in sync with colleagues and customers.”
.

Google Sites


 

55 Ways to Have Fun With Google

 


Three low-cost Linux PCs

 

“The Linutop is a small Linux PC. Of course, if you think the Mac Mini is small,
then perhaps the words, incredibly miniscule are closer to the mark.  Running a
customised version of xubuntu Linux, this little box could replace
your desktop for most common tasks, including what you're doing right now.
 And if this wasn't impressive enough in a box slightly larger than a Nintendo DS,
the Linutop does it all drawing a maximum of 5 watts -
That's less than an energy-saver light bulb!

Read full review...

 

 

At http://www.linutop.com/ single quanty is ~$41o USD + ~$88 USD shipping

 



I'd Suggest Linux--But...
Dec 9, 2007
by Paul Murphy
“The most persistent complaint you hear about Linux from the
wintel community is that it's for geeks -- and that the geeks involved
so rejoice in their geekiness that it's off-putting to the sensible majority represented
by who ever happens to be speaking. “This used to be true for a minority of those involved with Linux--as witness the widespread use of the intentional, compiler stopping, minor error in the distributed source to frighten off the unwashed...”

Complete Story




Linux PC Hits Shelves At Wal-Mart For $199

OUT OF [ONLINE] STOCK at WalMart.com as of 2008 June: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614

  • 1.5 GHz Via Technologies C7-D processor Delivers energy-saving performance

  • 512 MB of DDR2 system memory Offers good performance & is expandable to 2 GB

  • 80 GB hard disk drive Provides space for documents, games, photos and music

  • DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive — play DVDs, burn CDs for entertainment & data backup

  • 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Connects to a local area network & broadband Internet

  • An alternative OS for the masses
    A Linux build that fully integrates Google.  In the words of the developers,
    “Our idea is to be a simple, user friendly, beautiful desktop for normal people.
    Out of the box, just works!   We're creating an OS ecosystem that is complete.
    We come with all the software you need to browse the web, email, instant message... play movies, music, and connect to iPods... create and edit documents,
    spreadsheets, presentations, databases, images ... out of the box.
    Plug and play!  We recommend Google for just about everything... Gmail,
    Gtalk, Calendar, Maps, Docs and spreadsheets, and more.  We'd like to
    welcome you to the idea that Google already is your operating system.”
    gOS enables you to use the supplied OpenOffice.org 2.3 software suite.





EeePC
ASUS Showcases Expanded Eee PC Family of PCs

EeePC 900 specs:

  • 225 × 165 × 35 mm (WxDxH) and weighing around 1 kg
  • Celeron CPU as the Eee PC 700, BUT running at its full 900 MHz, 1 GB RAM
  • 8.9-inch 1024×600 LCD
  • three USB ports, 1.3 megapixel webcam, microphone, speakers
  • multi-touch trackpad that allow two-finger scrolling & zooming via a "pinch" gesture
  • 10/100 Mbit Ethernet (Attansic L2), 802.11b/802.11g wireless LAN mini PCI-E card
  • The Linux version is named the EeePC 900 and comes with a 20 GB SSD
  • Windows XP version is named the EeePC 900 Win and has a 12 GB SSD
  • in US for $549 on May 12, 2008

 




Lenovo X-300


• under three lbs.
• Integrated DVD burner – Hard to find in such a thin system
• Extended-life batteries – Get up to 10 hours unplugged
• Easy connectivity – Advanced wireless options
Gigabit Ethernet Convenience – hardwire NIC
• three USB ports, microphone/headphone ports and more
• 64GB Solid State storage
• with MS Windows – NOT non-standard: Mac'n'Crap OS X



Apple introduces MacBook Air—a thin notebook

.16 to .76" thick
3 lb.
13.3" LED-backlit widescreen display
2GB of memory
80GB 1.8-inch hard drive [option larger]
1.6 GHz [or 1.8] Intel “Merom” Core 2 Duo CPU
802.11n Wi-Fi
one USB port
“integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery.” [“five hour”]
actually ~ three hours
[User canNOT change/remove battery—optional external battery]
Starting at just $1,799
NO CD [option using USB]
NO DVD [option using USB]
NO Ethernet port [option using USB]


Computerworld FAQ

 

“60 Minutes” 2 December
“Nicholas Negroponte has a simple idea which could change the world.
The founder of MIT's legendary Media Lab wants to provide low-cost laptop
computers to as many children as possible in every developing nation.
The ambitious project is called "One Laptop per Child" but Negroponte finds
himself facing an unexpected challenge. Lesley Stahl has the story.”

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202805268

Onr Laptop per Child Foundation

http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/

 


standby
and sleep mode: unused appliances, and chargers
that stay plugged in, waste your electricity and money (story)





“Updating a program is usually a good thing, but in some cases its not.  That is what we're here for! There have been several instances where a new release of a program is not always the better choice, due to several factors.

First,your computer may not be able to handle the new program.  Another issue may be spyware.  Spyware is the new thing many companies have adapted, which reports information back to the companies, as well as possibly providing an additional income source for the companies by displaying something such as a pop-up ad on your computer.  This is a very large deciding factor in program version choice, because many people are beginning to catch on to these detrimental business practices. Whatever the reason is for wanting an old version, we're here to help!”

http://old-versions.net/




“ATTENTION FREEBIE FANS
- Google has just opened a new
service called Share Stuff,
which, as the name sort of gives away,
lets users share their stuff with trusted others.

That means you can post stories you like, images, videos, bookmarks and such like. Think of it as a cross between a personal web page, Delicious and Digg.

I’m not a big fan of those sites but somehow this one is quite appealing
and worth having a look at if you want your opinions
of what’s hot to be in the virtual shop window.

Try it if you like. It’s gratis anyway”




RECYCLE FOR THE RANCH

Recycle Inkjet · Reduce Pollution · Raise Funds

Ink Jet Printer Cartridge Recycling Program

Most of us have inkjet printers at home or work.
 Next time, when you have an empty cartridge, don’t throw it away.
 Recycle it and the Sanctuary will be paid up to
$4.00 for each cartridge with a print head.
Pre-paid and addressed baggies can be mailed directly to your home
so you can mail the ink cartridges to the recycler.

Yes, Mail me some baggies!



procomputing.org & a secret domain are hosted by ==>



Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary
Kona, Hawaii
Dr. Ann Goody, Curator
www.threeringranch.org
(Dr. Norm Goody originally used MS FrontPage, now Dreamweaver)


Updates


PRoComputing -->CATS (updated  2008  APR 15 )

PRoComputing -->MAPS (resurrected, updated  2006  DEC  02 )

PRoComputing -->TOOLS (updated  2008  JUN  17 )

PRoComputing -->TECH STUFF (updated  2008  JUN 17 )

PRoComputing -->BASICS (updated  2006  OCT 13 )

PRoComputing -->VISTA (updated  2007  MAR 13)

PRoComputing -->AVIATION (updated  2008  JUN 15)

PRoComputing -->4th (updated  2007  JUL  12)

PRoComputing -->REFERENCES (updated  2007  APR  16)

PRoComputing -->POS (updated  2008  JULY 05 )

PRoComputing Internet -->QUOTES (updated  2007  DEC 16)

PRoComputing Internet -->ARCHIVE (updated  2008  JUN 8)

PRoComputing Compuker --> HUMOR (updated  2007  DEC 25)

PRoComputing Compuker --> MOVIES (updated  2007  DEC 25)


 


Thank you to the WWII Veterans

 


GRISOFT once again received the VB100% Award by independent malware advisor,
Virus Bulletin, in June 2006.   AVG Anti-Virus proved itself by detecting all in the Wild
viruses, while generating no false positives, during both on-demand and
on-access scanning in Virus Bulletin's comparative tests.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1


email PRoComputing







Free add-on's
                 

 
 






BrixNet's TestYourVoIP” is up

http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com/

Cost of the
War in Iraq

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