Friendly Computer Repair

First Solar opens utility-scale power plant

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:39:57 GMT

Solar module maker First Solar on Monday opened the largest photovoltaic solar power station in California, which the company plans to replicate in order to expand its utility business. - Friendly Computers

Read more below…

The plant in Blythe, Calif., which First Solar purchased from energy developer NRG, will have the capacity to generate 21 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 17,000 homes. It will supply electricity to Southern California Edison under a 20-year purchase power agreement.

It's one of a number of projects that First Solar is pursuing as it seeks to expand in the utility-scale solar business. A deal to build a 48-megawatt plant in California to supply Pacific Gas & Electric was approved last week. "The development, project finance and construction of this solar plant demonstrate First Solar's capabilities in utility scale projects," Bruce Sohn, president of First Solar, said in a statement.

First Solar's panels, which use thin film solar cells made from cadmium telluride, are considered the lowest cost solar panel in the industry. The company's relatively low cost and the technology's track record make it attractive to utilities that need to meet the California renewable energy mandate.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10419537-54.html

Time to buy a computer? Tips to make the right choice

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:40:22 GMT

You've had sound reasons for postponing the purchase of a new computer for much of 2009. The economy is in shambles. You wanted to make sure any kinks were addressed before taking the plunge on machines with new operating systems from Microsoft and Apple.
- Friendly Computers

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But months after their arrival, there've been no major blowups with Windows 7 or OS X Snow Leopard. And while your budget isn't exactly overflowing, you're finally thinking about replacing your Vista clunker or aging Mac.

Obviously, how you plan to use the machine weighs heavily on your buying decision. Hard-core gamers and video-editing junkies require more robust (and pricey) PCs than more casual users whose chores are primarily Web surfing and e-mail.

Here are other mainstream factors every PC buyer should consider:

•Windows or Macintosh. The religious war endures. I've generally preferred Macs to their Windows counterparts, but Windows 7 is a snappy, polished operating system that narrows Apple's advantage.

Macs have avoided the malware scourge that has afflicted PCs through the years. We'll see how that continues to play out over time. Meanwhile, the peripherals and accessories you connect to Macs generally just work, without the incompatibilities that have historically plagued Windows PCs. Windows 7 reduces such hassles.

You'll still pay a premium for a Mac. The entry-level MacBook laptop starts at $999; the entry-level iMac all-in-one desktop starts at $1,199. You can find decent laptop and desktop PCs for half the price, though the comparisons don't exactly represent Apples to, um, apples, partly because of the dandy multimedia iLife software suite supplied with OS X for such things as organizing photos and making movies.

In the past, some people rejected Macs out of hand because they work at companies whose software required Windows. You may no longer be in that situation. For years now, Macs have been able to run versions of Microsoft Office and other popular PC software. And Macs can recognize all the common file types, from Word documents to JPG images.

Moreover, you can rocket off to cyberspace with a Mac just as easily as you can with a PC. And if you do have to run Windows programs on a Mac periodically, you can do so through the Boot Camp program built into Snow Leopard or via a third-party program such as Parallels or VMware Fusion. You'll have to spring for a complete version of Windows to run Microsoft's operating system on a Mac.

•Chips off the old block. The brain of your computer is the processor. Most modestly priced PCs and desktops run dual-core processors from Intel and AMD, so that they can readily handle two mainstream tasks at the same time. More expensive computers have multicore chips such as Intel's i5 and i7, which are designed to handle multiple tasks faster and more efficiently.

If you're into games or video editing, you'll want a machine with graphics processors, from companies such as ATI and Nvidia. When graphics processors are "integrated," their memory may be shared. Often, a better, albeit pricier, option is to go with "discrete" graphics, in which memory isn't shared. On a laptop, discrete memory may deliver superior performance but drain the battery faster.

•Storage. Think big if you have lots of music, pictures and, especially, video files. Consider 250 gigabytes a minimum these days for a hard drive, though it's not uncommon to exceed 1 terabyte on a desktop. So-called solid-state drives are faster but more expensive and way less generous with storage.

•Memory. You can never have enough memory, especially if you plan to do intensive graphics or video editing. Mainstream desktop PCs and laptops typically come with 2 GB to 3 GB of memory, with 2 GB the minimum requirement for a state-of-the-art "64-bit" Windows 7 machine; 2 GB is also the starting point on consumer machines from Apple. But PC memory has gotten cheaper, so you won't have to pay a lot extra for 4 GB or even more.

•Netbook vs. laptop. Netbooks are light on your wallet and light on your back when you travel. They typically weigh 2 to 3 pounds and cost less than $400, sometimes a lot less if you commit to two years of data access through a wireless cellular carrier.

There are many trade-offs: cramped keyboards, modest screen sizes, limited storage and wimpy processors. Microsoft has designed a Windows 7 starter edition for netbooks, but it lacks the fancier graphics of more expensive versions of Windows 7. Netbooks also don't have CD and DVD drives. So these budget computers are really meant for Web surfing and other modest computing tasks.

•More to think about. Make sure your PC has ample USB ports for connecting peripherals. Some machines no longer include FireWire, a port for hooking up older camcorders. If that's important to you, make sure it's there. HDMI is a viable option for folks who want to hook their computers to an HDTV. An eSATA connection is an alternative way to hook up some external drives.

As part of Windows 7, Microsoft and its hardware partners are pushing multitouch on some PCs and laptops. These PCs require special touch-screens and cost more. You can use your fingertips as a mouse/keyboard alternative and to finger paint, play music or handle photos.

Whether you're a Mac maven or favor a PC, computing has evolved since the last time you were a buyer.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2009-12-17-Baig17_ST_N.htm

McDonalds to Offer Free Wi-Fi in 2010- Friendly Computers

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:38:31 GMT

In January of 2010, the 11,000 McDonald's restaurants in the United States and some in Canada with Wi-Fi service (another 3,000 locations don't have it) will stop charging customers to get access to the Internet using wireless devices. - Friendly Computers
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In January of 2010, the 11,000 McDonald's restaurants in the United States and some in Canada with Wi-Fi service (another 3,000 locations don't have it) will stop charging customers to get access to the Internet using wireless devices. What used to cost $2.95 for two hours will now come free.

McDonald's is joining chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders which have café's that used to charge for Wi-Fi and now don't. McDonald's will quickly become the largest provider of free Wi-Fi in the world. Starbucks does it as well, but only for a couple hours at a time.

The McDonald's network is run by AT&T ; the chain has had Wi-Fi for about five years, first from Wayport (which AT&T bought), and it's used not just for customer Internet access but also to run the in-store credit card terminals.

This move might make it just about impossible for any public location to be taken seriously when charging for Wi-Fi in the U.S. The few stragglers out there trying to squeeze us for cash all need to remember: we can now go down the road for a Big Mac and Fries and check our email for free. Even if we don't buy the food! Though it probably won't hurt those Big Mac sales much, either.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2357193,00.asp

Load up your open-source Google phone with powerful apps without spending a cent.

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:58:53 GMT

Friendly Computers would like to share with you the top ten easy to use free applications for Google smart phones.
Android is breaking out. With the coming of the Motorola Droid, HTC Droid Eris, Samsung Behold II, and Samsung Moment, Android has become the most-buzzed-about smartphone platform for everyone who doesn't have AT&T. And developers have been feeding the buzz, with Android Market holding about 12,000 apps when we wrote this - second in on-device app stores only to the iPhone.
As a quasi-open-source platform, Android has gotten a lot of attention from small developers, so you'll find a lot of interesting little free apps in the Android Market. What's missing, primarily, are flashy, big-name apps from big-name developers, who generally wait until they're sure a platform is going to take off to commit to it. With the success of the Droid, we think more professional-quality apps will be coming soon.
But all is not app-tastic in Android app world. There are now three different versions of Android floating around - 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 - and not all apps run on every version of the OS. Most Android phones have only about 256 MB of storage for apps, which seems to be be preventing some professional developers from putting out high-end games for Android phones.

1. Advanced Task Killer Free 1.5.1
ReChild; (no Web site)
It's surprisingly difficult to close an Android app, and after spending a few hours with your Android phone you might find it feels a bit sluggish because so many apps are running quietly in the background. So a task-killing app like this is a must; two clicks, and you've released megabytes of memory and freed up oodles of processor power. A $5 pay version adds a one-click widget and an "auto kill" function, but I find the free version perfectly good enough. ATK has a more user-friendly interface than competitor TasKiller, and it focuses on killing lagging apps rather than essential Android services.

2. AP Mobile 2.0.0
The Associated Press; www.ap.org
The AP makes great mobile news apps, and their Android app works just like all the others. You get a steady stream of constantly-updated news in every category you can think of, including local news from your city or state. You can customize your home page with categories you like, or view AP news videos. Better than the single-source newspaper apps, AP Mobile lets you choose what you want to know, and tells you what you need to know.

3. Astrid 2.10.0
We Love Astrid; www.weloveastrid.com
The best to-do list app for Android, Astrid starts out super-simple with a plain list of tasks. But there's a lot of power hidden under the surface. You can tag tasks, set priorities, and assign dates and several levels of reminders. A stopwatch-style timer lets you keep track of how long you spend on each task. Astrid also syncs with RememberTheMilk.com, an online to-do list app that can bring your tasks to Google Calendar, Gmail, Twitter or your desktop.

4. Astro File Manager 2.1.0
Metago; (no Web site)
After installing a few dozen Android apps, you might find yourself running out of space. Enter Astro, probably the best all-purpose free utility for Android phones. Astro lets you back up your apps to an SD card - you can't run them from there, but you can swap apps around that you're not using. It lets you browse your phone's file system, examining and moving files. And it gives you a very detailed peek into which apps and processes are running, including listing how much memory and CPU power each process is using. Astro is a lot more complicated than a simple task-killer like ATK, but it's also far more powerful. Install both.

5. Cestos 1.2.91
ChickenBrick Studios; (no Web site)
You know what mobile games need? More real people. Cestos is a free, online, multiplayer game that's ridiculously easy. It's basically a game of marbles; aim your marbles around the board (which is pocked with obstacles, pits and bombs), shoot them, and see whose marbles fall into the pits first. But with multiple boards, a scoring system, avatars, a chat room, and various virtual prizes awarded, it quickly becomes a fun, ego-driven experience. Each game only lasts a few minutes, so it's perfect for light users; we're not talking World of Warcraft here.

6. Google Sky Map 1.2.1
Google; www.google.com/sky/skymap.html
Google Sky Map for Android can help you put a name to the stars, planets, and constellations above you. The app syncs with your phone's GPS locator to pinpoint your location and provide you with a map of the sky wherever you are. Point your Android phone up and Sky Map displays the location and name of the brightest celestial objects in that part of the sky. Getting your phone and the sky aligned can be a bit tricky, but overall this is a fun and educational app.

7. Google Voice 0.2.6
Google; www.google.com/voice
Google Voice for Android is the best way to use Google Voice on a cell phone. The app lets you make outgoing calls and SMS messages from your virtual Google Voice number, including inexpensive international calls (which begin at just two cents per minute). Google Voice for Android integrates seamlessly with the phone's built-in address book and call log for voice calls. There are other third-party apps that hook into Google Voice available for Android phones, such as the $9.99 GVDialer, which hit the market earlier this year. But Google's own native app works well and offers a near-seamless experience with the company's Web-based voice service.

8. Listen 1.0.3.1
Google; listen.googlelabs.com
Every smartphone, in my mind, needs a good podcast client, and Google's Listen is a good podcast client. Listen uses Google's search technology to help you find podcasts using terms you like, and you can subscribe to individual podcasts or even to search terms - picking up every podcast from now until eternity about Android smartphones, for instance. Listen downloads and stores podcasts, so you can play them even when you're not connected to a network. This Google Labs product is still a bit buggy, but it's a great way to get radio-style content onto your Android phone.

9. Meebo IM 21
meebo; www.meebo.com
There are two good, free, multi-platform IM programs for Android. Meebo is slightly more complete than eBuddy. Along with the usual AIM, MSN, Yahoo! Google and ICQ IM networks, Meebo also supports Facebook and MySpace IM, which is pretty neat. Social networking contacts come with photos and status messages, and you can keep multiple conversations going at once. eBuddy's interface is slicker, but you don't get to see those social networking status messages and it forces you to sign up for a special eBuddy account.

10. MySpace Mobile 1.6.2
MySpace; www.myspace.com
The free Android MySpace client gives you all the basic MySpace features, though it's unfortunately lacking both media streaming and all of those weird plug-ins that people tend to put on their pages. You can view or add your own or your friends' comments, blogs and photos, add new friends and most importantly send e-mail. (For MySpace IM, check out Meebo above.) You can always access full-on crazy MySpace pages using your Android phone's browser; this app is for quickly checking out and messaging your friends.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2356306,00.asp

Pc's Built Specifically for New Users

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:32:13 GMT

Friendly Computers came across a new computer to help keep the family connected this holiday season, even those new to computing.

A new, simplified desktop computer aimed at older people unfamiliar with PCs and the Internet has been unveiled. SimplicITy only has 6 buttons that direct users to basic tasks like email and chat. It comes preloaded with 17 video tutorials from Valerie Singleton, a television presenter.
According to government figures, there are more than 6 million people over the age of 65 who have never used the Internet.
SimplicITy produces the specialty PCs in partnership with Wessex Computers and discount-age. It takes users two weeks to receive their made-to-order computers.
SimplicITy: No Log-in Screen
Singleton was shocked by the number of older users that do not have computers. A survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics in August 2009 revealed that 6.4 million people aged 65 and older have never used the Internet.
The SimplicITy computer does not have a log-in screen when it's booted up and contains no drop-down menus. It boots directly to a front page called "square one" that contains separate clickable buttons for email, browsing the Internet, files for storing Word documents and photos, online chat and a user profile. (Source: bbc.co.uk)
Eldy.org Users Capable of Chatting with Each Other
The email system used by SimplicITy is a modified version of an Italian design called Eldy. Every SimpliciTY user with an eldy.org address will be capable of chatting with each other by using the "chat" button.
SimplicITy uses Linux, a free operating system that can be customized by users. Pricing for the SimplicITy desktop is not yet known.

Source:
http://www.infopackets.com/news/hardware/2009/20091117_simplicity_pcs_built_specifically_for_seniors_new_users.htm

Windows 7: Inside Multitouch

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:35:05 GMT

Friendly Computers have seen touch screens before, so what makes the ones supported by Windows 7 so special? Below is the inside scoop.

Touch screen technology may seem shiny and new but any analyst will tell you that it has been around for decades: ATMs, grocery store self-check kiosks, even museum exhibits. But what makes Windows 7 so exciting is that no computer operating system ever incorporated native support for multitouch before. The new breed of multitouch laptops and desktops with touch screens don't need extra downloads or plugins-- multitouch just works.

Multitouch's Predecessors

To be fair, Windows 7 is not the first operating system to support some form of touch computing. Vista offered single-touch capabilities in tablet mode, and pen input is quite common as well. But as much as Microsoft would love to paint multitouch as a natural progression in its operating systems, its Apple that was the real democratizer of multiple-input touch screens. Introducing now familiar gestures like pinching, tapping, and flicking, the iPhone and the iPod Touch, made multitouch second nature to many users. Apple followed up its mobile devices with gesture-based touchpads on its MacBook and MacBook Pro models in late 2008. Though it was a bit tough to get used to the integrated mouse button and touchpad, the ability to use gestures based on up to four fingers opened up new possibilities.

A few Windows-based "multitouch" systems have come out as well—namely the HP TouchSmart TX2 and Dell Latitude XT line of laptops, as well as the HP TouchSmart desktop PCs. These systems used built-in hardware and software solutions to accommodate two-finger touch (though they still couldn't support three- and four-finger gestures). But it wasn't until early glimpses at Windows 7 this year that we saw Microsoft itself respond to the multitouch trend.

How Multitouch Works

A few months before those MacBooks hit the scene, Microsoft announced its plans for multitouch at the All Things Digital conference in California. Unlike any of its predecessors, Windows 7 natively supports multitouch functionality in touch screens and is built to accommodate up to 10 points of contact. On the Engineering Windows 7 blog, the developers highlight all the ways the OS was tweaked to optimize it for touch. It's everything from making keys on the on-screen keyboard glow when your finger is covering the letter to improving high dpi support to make small links and buttons easier to access with touch.

Though the software is similar across platforms, the PCs we've tested use different hardware solutions. The multitouch laptops we've seen so far, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet and Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 use dual-active digitizers, meaning they have one technology for the stylus and another, called capacitive, is activated for multitouch using your fingers. Non-tablets like the Lenovo ThinkPad T400s use a capacitive touch screen only, and many more will follow this implementation (Toshiba and Acer have already announced capacitive touch panels on their mainstream laptops).

In capacitive screens, a small current of electricity runs across the surface, with circuits at the corners. Touching the screen interrupts that current. Capacitive technology only works on smaller screens, so desktops like the HP TouchSmart 600-1055 PC and Gateway One ZX6810-01 employ optical solutions. Optical sensors are set up around the screen creating a grid. The screen reacts when your finger, pen, stylus, or any other implement break one of the beams; you don't actually have to physically touch the surface to get a response.

All of the PC manufacturers that have put out multitouch systems so far have included Windows 7's Touch Pack, a software suite that incorporates applications that work with the Windows 7 kernel to use a multitude of different gestures. For instance, Microsoft Surface Collage lets you access and manipulate all your photos to create different designs on the screen. You can drag and drop images with one motion, resize or rotate them with two fingers, and scroll through the images available on the bottom pane using the flicking motion. Other games and applications like BlackBoard and Microsoft Surface Lagoon act like tutorials for multitouch, creating objectives that force you to perfect various gestures in order to win the games.

What's Next for Multitouch

Although the Windows 7 Touch Pack certainly has that gee whiz factor, the real question regards implementations for multitouch in the future. Will it change the user experience? And can we harness that potential to take it beyond a neat trick for games and fun apps? Clearly the onus right now is on software makers to come up with revolutionary ways to integrate multitouch and expand its possibilities. Some PC manufacturers have included programs built around multitouch, like Gateway's TouchPortal and HP's TouchSmart interface. While HP's includes extra functionality like Hulu desktop and HP games, these still don't bring much more to the table than a new way to interact with Microsoft's existing touch-based programs.

Whether its niche markets like education, health care, and engineering finding new uses for multitouch, or multitouch making its way onto new platforms like netbooks, there's no question that this interface can change the way we look at computing. The Engineering Windows 7 blog sums its effect up well. In it, Steven Sinofsky, the president of the Windows division wrote, "One of my favorite experiences recently was watching folks at a computer retailer experience one of the currently available all-in-one touch desktops and then moving to another all-in-one and continuing to interact with the screen—except the PC was not interacting back. The notion that you can touch a screen seems to be becoming second nature."

For a closer look at some of the emerging Windows 7 multitouch systems, be sure to read our full reviews.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354680,00.asp

Magic Mouse: Oh my God—it's full of capacitive sensors!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:06:36 GMT

Friendly Computers thought you would enjoy an inside view of the new Mac Magic Mouse and Screen.

iFixit

You thought iFixit was going to gut the new unibody white MacBook and call it a day? Oh no—it has vivisected Apple's new Magic Mouse to see just how the "magic" happens. The gang also went ahead and disassembled the 27" iMac that came with it, too.

The first thing that iFixit discovered is that Apple really does not want you to take the Magic Mouse apart. The whole thing is held together with some really tough glue instead of screws, or clips, or anything that might make it easier to take apart and put back together. Once apart, though, iFixit verified that the entire top surface is literally covered in capacitive touch sensors—138 in all—just as Apple promised. This is what allows the multitouch gestures to be so accurate and specific over such a small surface—though it would be nice if Apple enabled pinch-to-zoom and two-finger rotate.

Though the mouse has an aluminum base, the total aluminum content weighs just 10 grams. "That's compared to 37 grams of plastic and 47 grams of batteries," according to iFixit. "Nearly half the mouse's weight comes from the two AA batteries."

The diminutive circuit and electronic components do contribute a few grams to the overall light weight of the Magic Mouse. Part of what makes the circuit so small is a Broadcom BCM2042A4KFBGH, part of the BCM2042 family of chips that integrate keyboard and mouse controller functions with an HID profile and full Bluetooth communications stack. Broadcom brags that the chip allows wireless input devices to "approach the price points of legacy-wired mice and keyboards," but this is Apple here—paying a slight premium for a "better" mouse is par for the course. Besides, what is the standard price for a wired multitouch mouse? (Answer: there isn't one!)

Of course, after discovering all the magic Apple could stuff into a $69 mouse, though, you can hardly blame iFixit for "taking apart the iMac that came with our Magic Mouse." The new 27" iMac (the lower-end Core 2 Duo version) isn't radically different that the 24" iMac model that preceded it. However, iFixit did turn up a few interesting details.

iFixit

One nice addition is that Apple has doubled the amount of RAM slots; when stuffed with 4GB SO-DIMMs, you can have a total of 16GB of RAM. The new model also eliminates the 4mm aluminum bezel around the display glass cover—it goes all the way to the top and side edges, giving it a slightly cleaner appearance. The DisplayPort connection isn't wired up to allow the display to be powered separately when using the promised external source display functionality, though—the whole machine will have to be powered on for it to work.

A couple other notable discoveries: the power supply is 310W, the largest on any iMac; the SuperDrive is 12.5mm height, so it could be swapped for a Blu-ray drive if Apple ever gets over that bag of hurt; because the new back is all aluminum, the plastic Apple logo now serves as the only way for WiFi signals to get in and out of the iMac; and cooling the new machine requires two large heat sinks and three large, low-noise fans.

Source:http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/10/magic-mouse-oh-my-godits-full-of-capacitive-sensors.ars

Technology Fails: 8 Extreme Electronic Disasters

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:21:01 GMT

Friendly Computers would like to inform you about the eight extreme electronic disasters that seems to effect each and everyone of us.

Let's face it: Technology seems made to stop working. Screens crack, circuits short, and power supplies abruptly conk out. It's all part of the complex and confounding ecosystem of electronics.

The worst, though, is when something really is built to break--and in the most extreme way. I'm talking fiery explosions, flying components, and acid-leaking compartments, all courtesy of bugs built right into ill-fated devices.

Sound far-fetched? Hey, we've seen some crazy stuff happen over the years. Some of it is astonishing; some of it is merely annoying. But all of it is extreme--and entirely too real.

We start with some good old-fashioned spontaneous combustion.

Combustible Computers

Nothing screams "tech disaster" like a laptop on fire. Due to the intricacies of modern-day electronics, it takes only a minor manufacturing error to send your system up in flames--and not the kind generated by the jerks of online forums, either.

The most extreme example of fire-related fallout may be the massive series of recalls brought about by bad Sony batteries in 2006. Small shards of nickel made their way into the batteries' cells during production, causing numerous systems to overheat and sometimes catch fire. The recalls affected laptops sold by Dell, Hitachi, IBM, Lenovo, Toshiba, and even Apple.

By the end, a staggering 9.6 million laptop owners had been burned (figuratively speaking) by the failure, and Sony had spent nearly $430 million to replace all the defective units.

Lest you think I'm just blowing smoke up your ash, let me assure you that this danger was far from hypothetical. (Watch PC Pitstop simulate a laptop battery explosion where the temperatures soared to 1000 degrees.) A Sony-battery-powered laptop famously exploded and caught fire at the Los Angeles International Airport in 2007, and a traveler managed to catch the entire incident on tape.

Be warned: You will hear a few expletives shouted during some of the more dramatic moments. With a blast like that, I'd say they were warranted.

Fire risks have led to countless other laptop battery recalls over the years. Scientists are now working on developing a new material that could better protect the lithium ion technology and keep such short-circuiting from occurring.

Exploding iPhones

Apple's all about glitz and bang for its product launch events. Lately, however, the company has been making headlines for a different kind of spark. Reports surfaced in late July suggesting that numerous iPods and iPhones had erupted in flames and scalded their owners.

Soon after, word broke that the European Union had launched an inquiry into exploding iPods overseas. Apple reportedly claimed that some sort of improper handling led to the explosions, calling them "isolated incidents." A full investigation is currently under way.

The recent rash of complaints isn't the first time Apple's iPods and iPhones have come under fire. In March, an Ohio mother sued Apple over allegations that her 15-year-old son's iPod Touch had malfunctioned. The device, she said, exploded in the teenager's pants.

Speaking of explosions, did you hear about those new porn-star apps people are downloading?

Acid Rock

The avatar for Kurt Cobain may be making Guitar Hero headlines right now, but one year ago a far more corrosive controversy was connected to the product. Rage Wireless Guitars, a series of controllers sold for use with the game, were found to have circuit-board defects that could cause battery acid to leak outside the devices.

If you're not sure how severe of a problem that could be, just think about this: Over what area of the body do most people hold a guitar? Yeah...not the best place for a chemical burn. It actually happened to at least one person, too, according to reports filed with the manufacturer and published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

That's one disaster I'd suspect even the great Jimi Hendrix, famously fond of both acid and fiery guitar solos, wouldn't be willing to risk.

Red Ring of Death

If there were an award for the most extreme-sounding technology flaw, the red ring of death would win, hands-down. Microsoft's Xbox 360 became known for it due to a widespread hardware failure that reared its ugly head in 2007. Its signature sign: three red lights blinking at you, like a disco flashback gone horribly awry.

The lights were more than a mere nuisance: They were frequently an indication of a complete hardware failure that had rendered the system useless. The issue was severe enough to earn the Xbox 360 the branding of "least reliable gaming console in recent history" from at least one publication.

Microsoft ended up spending a reported $1 billion to extend warranties as a result of the red-tinted menace, citing an "unacceptable number of repairs" as the catalyst for its decision. The company also agreed to reimburse customers who had spent their own cash trying to get their consoles fixed.

Recently, a second red-ring-like error has cropped up on some Xbox 360 systems, causing users to see a fatal error with the code "E74." Though the dreaded red lights themselves don't flash, the console is again rendered useless. Microsoft announced in April that it would offer a similar extended warranty and repair reimbursement program for anyone affected by the issue.

Melting Multimedia

We all want home theater systems that make us feel like we're inside the movies--but when your DVD player actually reproduces on-screen fire inside your home, things have probably gone too far.

Wal-Mart recalled 4.2 million Durabrand DVD players this fall after discovering that the devices could overheat and set an entertainment center aflame. The company received more than a dozen reports of overheated players, at least seven of which ended with some kind of property damage to the owner's home.

Other multimedia devices recalled due to reported fires or fire risks include DVD players by Toshiba, digital cameras by Hewlett-Packard, and speaker systems by Philips Magnavox.

Retail Viruses

Would you like a virus with that purchase? In an age when keeping up with the latest security threats can feel like a full-time job, knowing that a virus could come preloaded on brand-new technology is a real kick in the pants. Unfortunately, it's also an all too common occurrence.

In some cases an entire computer system could be the culprit. Last fall Asus announced that it had accidentally shipped a line of Eee Box PCs with preloaded viruses. A malicious file on one of the systems' hard drives would not only infect local data but also copy itself to other drives and external storage devices connected to the computer.

Viruses have been found on new digital photo frames, USB flash drives, factory-sealed hard drives--and yes, even some iPods. (Those models, it probably goes without saying, were not the "funnest ever.")

Disappearing Data

You don't need a built-in virus to leave you with a manufacturer-caused data disaster--you can also experience one of the always-popular instances of crappy-hard-drive-itis.

Plenty of people came down with the disease earlier this year when Seagate revealed that its Barracuda 7200.11 hard drives had a firmware bug that was causing widespread failures. According to user reports, the drives would die while booting up, leaving no way to access any of the data inside.

Once Seagate isolated the bug, the company offered free data-recovery services to try to make up for the mess-up. Gauging from various online discussions, though, its customers' goodwill is likely one thing the company can't recover anytime soon.

Dangerous Rides

As if Segway riders didn't already look goofy enough, a couple of apparent glitches started sending them flying through the air a few years back. The two-wheeled transporter, as the late Rodney Dangerfield might say, just can't get no respect.

The trouble started in 2003, when Segway had to recall about 6000 of its devices. In that case, the company found that riders could suddenly fall off when the vehicles' batteries ran low. Then, in 2006, a second recall targeted 23,500 more Segways; that time, the devices were found to be "unexpectedly apply[ing] reverse torque" (translation: "causing people to eat pavement").

Thankfully for Segway users, those problems are in the past. Now mall cops are back to relying on their own instincts--and, of course, the fact that they ride around on silly-looking stick machines--to look like total twits.

(Photo of a burning laptop, used as promotional art for this story: Courtesy of Secumem, Wikimedia Commons)

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/173933/technology_fails_8_extreme_electronic_disasters.html

HP's New Touch Screen Laptop and All-In-Ones Debut

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:05:15 GMT

Friendly Computers discovered the NEW touch screen HP Laptop. We thought you might be interested in today’s technology is now rising up to.

HP is taking touch to the people, with new touch screen laptop and desktop models, all featuring Windows 7 and some shipping on Oct. 22, when the new operating system is formally introduced.

The new multi-touch models include a number of applications that take advantage of the interface, including Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Recipe Box, a webcam "photo booth" application, and the HP Music Store.

HP TouchSmart tx2 -- A laptop, starting at $799, with a 12.1-inch screen that rotates 180-degrees for use as a tablet. Besides touch commands, users can write or draw on the screen with an electronic pen. Available Oct. 22.
HP TouchSmart 300 and 600 -- Are the third-generation of HP's touch-enabled desktops. The 300 has a 20-inch screen and the 600 (shown) has a 23-inch display. The 300 starts at $899 and will begin deliveries on Nov. 1, with the 600 due Oct. 22 and priced starting at $1,049. Read our review of the HP TouchSmart 600.
HP TouchSmart 9100 -- An all-in-one desktop, starting at $1,299, which includes a 23-inch touch screen. It can be used as standard touch screen PC or tasked as a map or events kiosk in an office, hotel, or other location. Deliveries begin in December.
HP LD42200tm -- A digital signage device with a 42-inch touch screen. Available in December for $2,799.

Besides touch screens, HP also introduced several business desktop and laptop computers as well as new value-oriented Compaq-branded desktops and a laptop.

The Compaq Presario CQ61z (where do they get these model numbers?) costs only $399 and features a 15.6-inch screen, after $100 instant rebate. The Compaq 500B business desktop sells for $359, while the new Compaq Presario 4010f desktop sells for $309.

My take: The laptop looks very interesting and I will consider purchasing one during my next upgrade cycle. I am not wild about reaching out to touch a desktop, although HP is pushing these models for entertainment and kitchen use, where touch makes some sense.

In the kitchen, the touch screen is meant to be used with recipes and other applications that can work entirely by touch when keyboard use isn't appropriate. Verbal directions are also provided.

The new Compaq's are a welcome addition to lowest-priced laptops and desktops. The laptop competes with netbooks on price and will win some of those battles.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/173551/hps_new_touch_screen_laptop_and_allinones_debut.html

Email Isn’t Dead- But It Is Broken

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:18:25 GMT

Friendly Computers found this article to be quite interesting. With all the websites like Twitter, Facebook and many others, this guy seems to think that are email days are over.

PCMag.com's managing editor for software, Sean Carroll, just got back from that rare place few of us can imagine these days: a two-week vacation. We got by without him, his reviews posted, and he only lost one staffer (his senior editor, Matt Murray, just took the reins at ExtremeTech.com). He returned refreshed and reenergized, only to discover an inbox box of 2,200 messages! E-mail, that revolutionary advance in human productivity, is sucking our time. E-mail is, to be blunt, broken. And it is going to take some new technologies, and some changes in human behavior, to save it.

Just this week, The Wall Street Journal, hardly a hot bed of techno-radicalism, ran a story suggesting that e-mail's days are numbered. With the advent of Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, sending a plain old e-mail seems not just dated, but ineffective. If you sent Sean Carroll an e-mail over the last two weeks, you know what I am talking about. It was once poor etiquette not to return an e-mail. Now most of us can honestly say we missed it. Personally, I get 300-400 e-mails a day, (I send about 30)—can you blame me if I missed one, especially if it is from an address I have never seen before?

Now, I should probably admit that I have mixed feelings about e-mail. One of my earliest stories at PCMag was 50 Reasons Not to Send that E-mail. I came up with a lot more than just 50. My biggest problem with e-mail, however, is that people just send too much of the stuff. It's sometimes a result of misdirected manners: I can't resist typing "thanks" and hitting Send. But most of the e-mail I receive is just useless—press releases, random story pitches, line edits on a story, press releases, obscure-newsletters-I-never-signed up-for, press releases, office joke threads. (Okay, I have chimed in on some of those, too.) Honestly, keeping a heavy finger on the Delete key can resolve a lot of these annoyances and keep your inbox free.

Let's not forget that, at its core, e-mail is a form of mail. Mail used to take three to four business days, now it takes three to four seconds. Too many people measure their importance based on how many e-mails they read, and their self-worth on how many e-mails they send. We have hit the tipping point: we can no longer read all the e-mail we create. Technology can help. And it will.—Next: The Wall Street Journal Is Right >

The Wall Street Journal is right (...gulp, did I just type that?). We are creating a new communication vocabulary, an evolving new media vernacular. Instant messaging is used for real-time cube-to-cube messages. If it is just office gossip, and I'm busy, I can ignore it. Texting is a great way to communicate point-to-point, and I can respond instantly or hours later. Best of all, you have to know my number to reach me, and I don't spread it around. Social networks like Twitter and Facebook are great for broadcast communications, and, when I have time, more direct conversations. It is impossible to call all of my old friends every week, but a few minutes here and there on Facebook, and we can keep in touch. I think there is a phone in my office as well, but I am pretty sure it just makes outbound calls.

I am currently testing a host of software tools designed to help you manage your e-mail. Xobni works with Outlook to provide context to all of your e-mail communications. When someone sends me an e-mail, Xobni shows me their most recent e-mails, social network profiles, any attachments they have sent me, and most importantly, their photo, pulled from LinkedIn. Just seeing the face of the individuals I am e-mailing is a wonder. I am also looking a Gwabbit, a small app that sucks up the signature information at the bottom of e-mails and drops it into a Contact file. I am still testing, but so far it's amazing.

Then there is Google Wave, Google's attempt to combine e-mail, IM, search, collaboration software, photo management, and about a dozen other applications. Despite seeing and participating in lots of demos, Google Wave is a technology that you have to use to understand. It is like trying to explain Facebook to someone who has never logged on. We are just starting to use Wave at the office, so I will report back when I understand it better.

Given my job, I am a huge fan of technological solutions, but fixing e-mail is going to require some serious behavioral modification. We need to rethink how we use e-mail. It isn't a real-time communication tool, and shouldn't be used as one. It may seem like we can send and receive an infinite supply of e-mail, but we can't. Sending a lot of e-mail doesn't make you more productive—in fact, it makes everyone else less productive. Choose your e-mails carefully, for you own productivity and sanity. And for mine, too.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354216,00.asp

Get Windows 7 For Free As A VHD

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:53:53 GMT

Friendly Computers found a free VHD for Windows 7.

Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows related errors

Most of us made full use of the free Beta and RC editions of Windows 7 but they have since been discontinued by Microsoft. Now Microsoft are offering Windows 7 available as a free download as a VHD. This edition comes prepackaged as Windows 7 Enterprise which is what most business will be using, It will be available as a prepackaged VHD image for using with virtualization software like Virtual PC, and gives customers the opportunity to test drive Windows 7 if they haven’t already.

“This download helps you evaluate the new features of Windows 7, Windows 7 has better ways to find and manage files—like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews—to help you speed through everyday tasks. It’s designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to. With 64-bit support, you can take full advantage of the latest powerful PCs. And great features like HomeGroup, Windows Media Center, and Windows Touch make new things possible,”

However the draw back to this free copy of Windows 7 is that you can only use it in a virtual machine and not all the Windows 7 features are available in it if you use Windows Virtual PC . It doesn’t have 64 bit support and also the new Aero Features are disabled.

This edition of Windows 7 comes with a license key thats valid for 90 days, it must be activated within 10 days or else it will shut down every hour. Once you have activated Windows 7, you will have 90 days to use it and once these are up it will begin shutting down every hour similar to the RC and Beta Editions.

This trial will be available for a limited time and will only be in limited quantity . Activation will be available through 31st March 2010. You can download this VHD of Windows 7 here

Source: http://windows7news.com/2009/10/13/get-windows-7-for-free-as-a-vhd/

Sony Releases New Vaio Laptops: Cheaper Than You'd Think

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:34:48 GMT

Friendly Computers came across Sony's new Vaio laptops, which turn out to be way cheaper than you would think. Check it out, they even come with Windows 7 already included!

Sony Unveils Vaio X, Vaio CW Laptops
Ian Paul

Sony has unveiled the official specs for its super-slim Sony Vaio X series laptops, which the company was showing off last month at the IFA trade show in Berlin. The specs are pretty close to what was predicted, but there are a few surprises--including a lower-than-expected price. Sony also detailed its upcoming Vaio CW series laptops, which are less expensive than the X series.
The Sony Vaio X is sure to turn heads, with its carbon fiber body weighing in at 1.6 pounds. At only 0.55-inches thick, the new Vaio X is a little bit thinner than the recently announced Dell Latitude Z, and a lot lighter than most ultra-slim notebooks.

You will have to make some trade offs for the Vaio X's sleek chassis, though, starting with its puny 11.1-inch LED backlit screen with 1366 x 768 resolution. By comparison, the MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch diagonal screen and the Dell Latitude Z sports a whopping 16-inch display. As for the processor, Sony will only say it's a 2.0 GHz Intel chip. Early speculation said the Vaio X would come with an Atom processor, which would make the Vaio X's processor the Atom Z550, but that is only speculation.

The Vaio X ships with Windows 7, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 64GB solid-state drive, multi-touch trackpad, Memory Stick Duo and SD card slots, GPS (works in the U.S. and Canada only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth connectivity, 2 X USB 2.0 ports, and MOTION EYE Webcam. The Vaio X also comes with built-in 3G capability, which requires a Verizon wireless broadband subscription. Available colors include black and gold. The Vaio X's body is made of carbon fiber, but the top case around the trackpad and keyboard is aluminum.

Sony Vaio X pricing starts at $1300, which is much lower than Sony's claim last month that they Vaio X would be priced under $2000. The Vaio X will start shipping in November and can be found on Sonystyle.com right now.

CW Series

For something a little cheaper you can try the Sony Vaio CW on for size. This laptop runs Windows 7, and features an optional Blu-ray drive, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce dedicated graphics card, 320GB hard drive and HDMI out, which Sony says will allow you to playback high-definition content on your big screen TV. Available colors include fiery red, poppy pink, icy white, jet black and indigo purple.

The Vaio CW series starts at $780, but looking around on Sony's Website, the cheapest version I could find of the model described above started at $800. The CW Series will be available at the end of this month, likely after the Windows 7 launch on October 22.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/173338/sony_unveils_vaio_x_vaio_cw_laptops.html

Common Trouble Shooting Techniques and Strategies

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:39:28 GMT

Friendly Computers thought that you might enjoy some useful tips on daily struggle with troubleshooting your computer.

Here are five common-sense techniques and strategies to solve common computer hardware problems.

(1) Trial-and-error

Personal computers are highly modular by design. The most powerful trouble-shooting technique is to isolate the problem to a specific component by trial-and-error. Swap compatible components and see if the system still works. Try different peripherals on different machines and see if the same problem occurs. Make one change at a time.

(2) "It's the cable, s-----."

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card and sound card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" during transportation.

(3) Don't be frustrated!

Don't be afraid of computer problems. It is often the best opportunity to learn. Trouble-shooting is part of the fun of owning a computer. Imagine the satisfaction you could get by solving a problem yourself.

Of course the fun could ran out quickly once you are frustrated and have spent too much time on the same problem. If you feel frustrated, it's time to leave it for a while and go back with some new ideas or call someone who can help. Rule of thumb: You shouldn't spend more than three hours on the same problem at one time.

(4) Take notes!

Take notes of what you have done and all the error messages. You may need to use them later. For instance, when you see an unusual blue screen with an error message, copy the entire message onto a piece of paper. In many situations, that message may point to the right direction in getting the problem solved quickly.

(5) Take a look?

It's OK to open a computer case and take a look inside. There is only 5V and 12V DC voltage supplied to the components outside the power supply. Those who have never seen the inside of a computer are often amazed by how simple it looks. Of course, still always power down and unplug the power cord first.

Source: http://www.directron.com/strategy.html#caption

Upgrade to Windows 7 or Just Buy a New PC?

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:46:05 GMT

With all of the new hardware being released with Windows 7, you may be wondering if it’s better to just buy a new computer rather than upgrade your old one to the new operating system. Friendly Computers found a great article that might help you make that decision. Read more below…

October 22 is quickly approaching, and excitement over Windows 7 is at an all-time high. Manufacturers are announcing new hardware, and software companies are readying their newest apps. Users who just have to have the latest OS from Microsoft are faced with a pressing question: Do I upgrade my computer, or do I buy a new one?

This decision may seem simple, but here are a few questions to examine before you decide.

Will Windows 7 run on my computer?

If your PC is less than 5 years old, the answer is almost certainly yes. Microsoft claims that a 1GHz processer, 16GB of disk space, and 1GB of RAM are the minimum specs required, and I've even run it successfully on below spec hardware. However, for the most productive and satisfying Windows 7 experience, you'll want as fast of a computer as possible. I don't recommend running Win 7 on anything less than a dual-core CPU with 2GB of RAM.

It's also a good idea to run Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which will check to see if your hardware and software are compatible with Windows 7. I've had issues with unavailable video drivers on some laptops, so even though Windows 7 would install, the experience was sub-par. A good rule of thumb is that if you're already running Vista, Windows 7 will perform as well or better on the same hardware.

Will I get the most out of Windows 7 on my current hardware?

Though Windows 7 might run acceptably on your computer, older hardware could mean missing out on some of the new OS's best features. For instance, Windows 7 has extensive multi-touch support, and you may want a multi-touch monitor or track pad to take advantage of it.

Windows 7 is also the first Microsoft OS to include native enhancements for SSDs. Considering the performance gains of a computer with an SSD running Windows 7, this is one temptation that makes sense to users who don't have time to waste.

Will my computer support XP Mode, and do I need it?

XP Mode is a great feature of Windows 7 Professional and higher. It allows people to run applications that require Windows XP inside of a virtual machine. XP Mode relies on Windows Virtual PC, which not only has greater memory and CPU requirements, but also requires a processor capable of hardware virtualization. If you have apps that require XP you may be deeply disappointed if you assume your computer can handle XP Mode without verifying support first.

Is it time to leap to 64-bit? Will my computer support it?

We've finally reached the point where it's cost effective to supply a PC with more memory than 32-bit Windows can handle, and I personally suspect that Windows 7 will be the last Microsoft OS to be offered in a 32-bit version. If you find yourself performing tasks that push your computer to use more than 3GB of memory, you should be considering 64-bit Windows. People who use their computers for office apps and Web surfing don't really come close to exceeding the limits of a 32-bit OS. But if you find yourself running virtual machines, editing HD videos, and manipulating 12MP raw images, it's probably time to switch to a 64-bit OS. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you if your CPU is ready for it.

Does it make sense to sink money into my old computer?

Purchasing an upgrade to Windows 7 Professional will set you back a solid $200, while Home Premium will run you $120. That's a serious chunk of change that could otherwise be applied to a shiny new PC. Considering that a new laptop can be had for under $330 and $800 will buy you something pretty sweet, it's easy to see that $120 to $200 as a discount on a new piece of hardware which already comes with the edition of Windows 7 that you want.

There's also a bunch of newer features that a computer that's more than couple of years old may not have, such as HDMI, Blu-Ray, eSata, 802.11n, and LED backlighting.

If you've got a kid who can use your old computer for school, or if you really find yourself wishing you had an extra machine in the office, it might be best just to leave the old computer as-is and treat yourself to the latest technology. Besides, you deserve it, and our economy desperately needs your contribution.

Conversely, if your computer is relatively new and fully compatible with Windows 7, and you're happy with its features and performance, it probably makes sense just to keep it and upgrade your OS.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/172501/big_decision_upgrade_to_windows_7_or_just_buy_a_new_pc.html

BEBLOH steals your money and hides it from you

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:45:27 GMT

Friendly Computers gained information about a frightening new malware that can steal money from your bank account, and will re-write online banking pages to disguise these transactions. Read more below…

Trend Micro analysts have come across a new variant of the BEBLOH family of information stealers that goes well beyond the traditional tactic of logging keystrokes and sending it to another server for exploitation. Instead, this particular variant steals user information, uses it right away, and cleverly disguises it from users.

This particular variant, detected as TSPY_BEBLOH.AE, immediately connects to a command and control (C&C) server when it is executed. It downloads an encrypted configuration file from the said server, as seen below:

Figure 1. Captured traffic between affected system/C&C server

The configuration file contains key information, most importantly the name of the bank being targeted. If the user logs into the secure banking website of the target bank, their user name and PIN are both captured by the malware.

Instead of sending the account information to cybercriminals via e-mail or a website, however, it uses this to steal money from the account. If prompted by the central C&C server (which it contacts periodically), it transfers money from the user’s bank account to an account specified in the configuration file (The amount is also based on several parameters included in the said file; the values of these parameters are chosen to minimize the possibility of detection). Very good technical details can be read here.

Lastly, it also disguises its malicious transactions from the user. When the user attempts to view static pages that contain information such as remaining account balance(s), balance sheets, and previous transactions, the malware rewrites these pages on the fly, disguising any previous thefts from the user. Victims would not know they had been robbed unless they attempted to access the online banking site from an uninfected machine, or used separate facilities such as ATMs.

Source: http://blog.trendmicro.com/cooked-balance-sheets-bebloh-style/

Tweeting Misleading Applications

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:10:40 GMT

Link shortening is popular among users of Twitter and other social networking websites, but Friendly Computers warns you to be careful of what you click on. Since the links are indistinct, it is difficult to tell what you are clicking on until you have already clicked it. The shortened links often lead to pages containing malware or phishing scams. Read more below…

A lot can be said with 140 characters. It’s just enough to convey a point, but constricting enough to make things concise. No wonder microblogging sites such as Twitter have become so popular.

Unfortunately one of the limitations here is sharing Web pages with long URLs. In order to address this issue, URL-shortening utilities have grown in popularity on the site. Using such tools allows you to include a link well within the 140-character limit, which will redirect anyone who clicks it to the longer URL and thus the site you wanted to share.

There’s one downside here, from a security point of view—you’ll often have no idea where the link leads until you click it. Clicking any link like this is entirely a security leap of faith. Unfortunately malware authors have caught on to this and are currently distributing misleading applications using these shortened URLs. Using enticing tweets and commonly used twitter search terms, their goal is to get other users to click on their links, leading to malicious code.

Now, neither Twitter nor the URL shorting services are at fault here. This is simply another case where malicious attackers are using a neutral technology as a means to their deceptive ends. Both Twitter and the URL-shortening services are convenient technologies that we don’t see going away any time soon.

So how do you protect yourself? The good news is that both Firefox and Internet Explorer offer browser plug-ins that will check a shortened URL for you and show you the final URL before you even click on it. While this won’t tell you for sure if the link is malicious, it will at least allow you to look more carefully before clicking.

While the misleading applications currently being served up in this manner all seem look very similar today, we’re likely to see more variety in the future. If you’re running Symantec antivirus software, there’s no need to worry. The current IPS signatures will detect and block these risks from being downloaded onto your computer.

Source: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/tweeting-misleading-applications

Windows 7 PCs to go on sale early

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:33:43 GMT

Looking to get Windows 7 before everyone else? You could, if you purchase it with a new computer from a small custom PC maker. Friendly Computers has more info below…

If you've been putting off buying a new PC because you're waiting for Windows 7 to ship, you're in luck. At least one manufacturer plans to make Windows 7 PCs available to customers early, nine days to be exact, and Redmond isn't going to get in its way. In fact, Microsoft is perfectly fine with the idea. "October 12 is the date that Microsoft enables our Authorized Replicators to begin shipping Windows 7 to Microsoft OEM Authorized Distributors," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed with Ars.

"As the fulfillment process through our supply chain takes time, we begin initial product distribution in advance of General Availability. Therefore, this represents our Release To Manufacturing (RTM) process for OEMs who purchase indirectly through Distribution. So, while in theory a System Builder could get Windows 7 product pre-GA, based on supply chain analysis, the intended timing for customers to receive Windows 7 PCs from System Builders should be close to GA, October 22nd. This represents the same process Microsoft managed with past Windows releases."

According to custom computer maker Puget Systems, smaller system builders can sell Windows 7 PCs as soon as they receive the operating system's product keys, which is expected to be as early as the next day after Microsoft gives the green light. "Customers who place orders for a full personal computer system, and who select Microsoft Windows 7 as their OS of choice, will be immediately placed in queue for shipment which will begin in earnest on October 13, 2009," reads a statement on the company's website. "Orders will be placed in queue on first-come basis and Puget Systems standard shipping policies apply. Place your order early to ensure an early spot in our queue! Shipping dates are not guaranteed."

The company already has a configure webpage available for choosing the parts of a new Windows 7 PC. Puget Systems has copies of the operating system on hand to preload onto computers and configure them in advance. The second the company gets the keys, they'll enter them in and the ordered Windows 7 PCs will be ready to go. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit is set as the default choice, with a cost of $97.09 included in the final price. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit is also available for an extra $46.10 (total is $143.19) and Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit will be an additional $62.46 (total is $205.65) on top of that.

Jon Bach, president of Puget Systems, asked Microsoft for details of Windows 7's October 22 launch and was kindly informed that the date was actually October 13 for his company. After he asked for more details, he was told that the earlier date only applies to system builders that buy the operating system through distribution channels, meaning OEMS and retailers are excluded. It's a competitive edge that system builders will definitely appreciate. Some of them are unhappy with the prices they must pay Microsoft to sell the company's operating system with their products. Last week, Microsoft revealed that for a $1000 PC, OEMs pay about $50, or five percent, for Windows.

Windows 7 will officially hit general availability on October 22, 2009. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be kicking off the official Windows 7 launch at an event in New York City that day, and house parties celebrating the operating system's debut will erupt across the world.

Although select groups of tech enthusiasts have been using Windows 7 RTM on their computers for weeks, this new date would be the first time a customer could buy a new computer with the operating system preloaded and ready to go. That may not seem like a big deal to those who buy the operating system separately from the computer, but one must remember that about 95 percent of Windows copies are sold along with the accompanying hardware. While nine days early may not seem like a lot, it is for those who have been waiting on Vista's successor since the Longhorn days, and it's definitely a huge deal for the small system builders who will likely get a huge boost from the early bird deals.

Earlier this month, system builders were complaining that Microsoft had delayed the release of Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation Kits (OPKs) and did not give them a specific date by which to expect them. OPKs are designed for automating the installation and customization of Windows and other Microsoft products on multiple PCs.

Microsoft originally gave Ars two reasons for this decision. The first explained that since system builders are typically local and have less complex supply chains, they can often go to market much faster than larger OEMs. What we're learning now conflicts, however, with the second reason: "there is no effective way for Microsoft to provide those partners the product earlier and maintain the established general availability date." Either Microsoft has had a change of heart, or it was simply delaying the news of Windows 7 PCs being available early so that the announcement would have a bigger impact.

It appears that system builders have received a blessing from Microsoft: the early availability doesn't apply to people who bought Windows Vista PCs with the right to upgrade for free to Windows 7 when it comes out, and consumers can't go to OEMs since they don't have the option of sidestepping the October 22 date. Such exclusivity doesn't typically come easy for small busineses, so they really should milk it while they can.

Source: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/windows-7-pcs-to-go-on-sale-early.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Bogus Sponsored Link Leads to FAKEAV

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:18:40 GMT

Watch out for fake sponsored links in search engines – Friendly Computers learned that they may lead to the dreaded FakeAV trojan. Read more below…

Apart from SEO poisoning, cybercriminals have found another avenue to proliferate FAKEAV malware—bogus sponsored links (sitio patrocinados in Spanish). Just recently, Trend Micro researchers were alerted to malicious search engine ads that appeared in Microsoft’s Bing and AltaVista, among others, when a user searches the string “malwarebytes.” (Malwarebytes is a free antivirus product, but of course, not a FakeAV.) Clicking the malicious URL points the user to an executable file named MalwareRemovalBot.exe-1 (detected by Trend Micro as TROJ_FAKEAV.DMZ).

Upon execution, the rogue antivirus displays false information that the system is infected with files that do not even exist.

In the past, cybercriminals employed the same tactic when it hitchhiked on Trend Micro. Some Google searches then showed banner ads that led to a fraudulent Trend Micro website.

Though the ads may not appear in all regions, all users are still strongly advised to be extra careful when clicking links in search engines. Users connected to the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network are protected from this attack as it detects and blocks all malicious URLs.

Source: http://blog.trendmicro.com/bogus-sponsored-link-leads-to-fakeav/

Seagate Ships World's Fastest Desktop Hard Drive

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:46:29 GMT

Hard drives just got 2x as fast with a new hard drive from Seagate that boasts transfer speeds of 6Gb/second. Friendly Computers has more information below…

Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX) today began global shipments of the world’s fastest, largest-capacity mainstream desktop hard drive – Barracuda® XT, a 7200RPM product featuring 2TB of storage capacity and a blazing fast Serial ATA (SATA) 6Gb/second interface. The 3.5-inch desktop drive, the industry’s first to feature a SATA 6Gb/s interface, meets the capacity demands of gaming, digital video-environments and other storage-hungry desktop computing applications while delivering the highest performance in its class.

The introduction of the Barracuda XT drive marks the shift to the next generation of desktop computing speed as Seagate doubles the storage bandwidth of current computers.

“Capacity and performance remain the defining attributes of hard drives for PC gamers, digital multimedia content developers and many other customers requiring high-end systems at home and in the office,” said Dave Mosley, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at Seagate. “Seagate is meeting these requirements with the first 7200RPM desktop hard drive to combine 2TB of storage capacity with the fastest Serial ATA interface to date.”

The Barracuda XT product, a four-platter drive featuring an areal density of 368 Gigabits per square inch, delivers the highest performance – burst speeds of up to 6 Gigabits per second – for all PC applications, maintains backward compatibility with the SATA 3Gb/second and SATA 1.5Gb/second interfaces, and uses the same cables and connectors as previous SATA generations to ease integration. The hard drive’s SATA 6Gb/s interface enables system builders using SATA 6Gb/s drive controllers to build high-performance desktop PCs, full-tilt gaming rigs, and home and small business servers, and its 64MB cache optimizes burst performance and data transfer speeds.

“Marvell is pleased to be announcing the industry’s first commercially available SATA 6Gb/s solution and working with Seagate to introduce this technology,” said Dr. Alan J. Armstrong, vice president of Marketing, Business Storage Group at Marvell. “Marvell has been working with a broad group of partners and customers to bring this solution to market. As early adopters of Marvell’s SATA 6Gb/s technology, both ASUS and GIGABYTE offer motherboards to complement SATA 6Gb/s hard drives.”

The Serial ATA 6Gb/s Solution: Barracuda XT Drives and Motherboards from ASUS and GIGABYTE

With Barracuda XT drives and SATA 6Gb/s motherboards from ASUS and Gigabyte, computer makers can build the highest-performance PCs, workstations and entry-level servers. ASUS was first to market with a SATA 6Gb/s motherboard; the company’s P7P55D Premium began shipping in August. The new GIGABYTE P55 series GA-P55-Extreme motherboards are also now shipping .

“At ASUS, we are once again at the forefront of innovation by being the first to launch a native SATA 6Gb/s interface on a motherboard,” said Joe Hsieh, corporate vice president & general manager, Motherboard Business Unit & Desktop Business Unit, ASUS. “An expansion bridge integrated into the P7P55D Premium helps achieve real SATA 6Gb/s throughput to support bandwidth-hungry applications. The ASUS solution eliminates transmission bottlenecks in current technology and ensures users truly enjoy faster data speeds and double the storage bandwidth. For other P7P55D Series models, ASUS also provides an expansion card to achieve the same results.”

“GIGABYTE has worked closely with our partners Seagate and Marvell in making the highly anticipated SATA 6Gb/s technology a reality,” said Tony Liao, associate vice president of Marketing at GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. “As the leader in motherboard innovation, GIGABYTE is always excited to bring the very latest technologies to market, and with the release of the world’s first SATA 6Gb/s hard drive from Seagate, our customers’ expectations will be blown away with double-the-bandwidth performance for lightning-fast data transfer and storage.”

Source: http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=null&vgnextoid=d190ff72f68c3210VgnVCM1000001a48090aRCRD

Sony Ericsson Unveils Motion-Activated Headphones

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:05:04 GMT

Friendly Computers found out about a neat set of headphones by Sony that can control your music and phone calls depending on whether they are in or out of your ear. Read more below…

Sony Ericsson may soon make the play button a thing of the past with its new motion-controlled earbuds. The handset-maker on Monday unveiled its MH907 headphones that allow you to play your music and answer phone calls just by inserting the buds into your ear or taking them out.

How It Works

To listen to music you simply put both earbuds in, and your music starts automatically. To pause, take out one earbud; removing both stops the music entirely. To answer the phone, do the same thing. If you're listening to music when a call comes in, you have to remove both earphones to stop the music, and then put one back in to answer a call.

Sony Ericsson says the MH907 headphones are activated by body contact, so you can't accidentally answer a phone or start your music when the headphones are in your pocket or purse.

Compatible Phones

If you were hoping to pick up a pair of these for use with your iPhone or other smartphone, you can forget it. The MH907 is only compatible with Sony Ericsson's own Fast Port-equipped phones -- Fast Port is SE's proprietary connector on the bottom of its phones. To determine which Sony Ericsson phones support Fast Port, visit Sony Ericsson's Website.

Pricing, Colors and Other Features

Sony Ericsson didn't reveal any pricing information, but rumor has it these earbuds will set you back anywhere between $55 and $60. Available colors include yellow and white or titanium chrome. Other features include a built-in microphone, FM antenna, sound-blocking (the MH907's are not noise-cancelling headphones) and stereo sound.

Sony Ericsson says the MH907 headphones will be available worldwide later this week.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/172309/sony_ericsson_unveils_motionactivated_headphones.html

Microsoft to offer cheap Windows 7 for students

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:05:07 GMT

Friendly Computers understands how tough college can be on your pocketbook, and apparently so does Microsoft. They have decided to offer Windows 7 to college students at a huge discount starting October 1. Read more below…

Microsoft plans to offer a substantial discount for college students who want to pick up a copy of Windows 7.

Starting October 1--and for a limited time--those in the U.K. will be able to preorder Windows 7 for 30 British pounds, according to a Microsoft Web site. In a Twitter posting, Microsoft said that U.S. college students will be able to get the software for $30, but the Web site it linked to does not yet have details on the offer.

"This offer is specifically designed for those students who are not planning to purchase a new PC this year but would still like to take advantage of what Windows 7 offers," a Microsoft representative said. Those who order the software will be able to download it when Windows 7 ships on October 22. Students interested in the deal need a valid college e-mail address.

Microsoft plans similar offers in Canada, Australia, Korea, Mexico, France, and Germany, though the prices will vary somewhat.

In the U.S., students can preorder their copy of Windows 7 beginning later Thursday, while those in most other countries where the deal is being offered will have to wait to order until October 22. In most markets, the offer will end on January 3, though it will run longer in some places, such as Australia, where it will be available through the end of March.

The offer was noted earlier by Microsoft enthusiast site Neowin.net.

This is the latest deal from Microsoft, which earlier offered a preorder offer the let users buy the upgrade version of Windows 7 Home Premium for $49. That deal ended July 11 for those in the U.S. Microsoft is also offering a "family pack" option.

Source: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10355710-12.html

Top 15 Ways to Extend Your Laptop’s Battery Life

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:33:45 GMT

Friendly Computers understands how obnoxious it can be when you are in the middle of working on a project on your laptop and when you get that dreaded “Low battery” warning. Here are a slew of tips to make your battery last as long as possible…

Laptops tend to lose their charm quickly when you’re constantly looking for the nearest power outlet to charge up. How do you keep your battery going for as long as possible? Here are 15 easy ways to do so.

1. Defrag regularly - The faster your hard drive does its work – less demand you are going to put on the hard drive and your battery. Make your hard drive as efficient as possible by defragging it regularly. (but not while it’s on battery of course!) Mac OSX is better built to handle fragmentation so it may not be very applicable for Apple systems.

2. Dim your screen – Most laptops come with the ability to dim your laptop screen. Some even come with ways to modify CPU and cooling performance. Cut them down to the lowest level you can tolerate to squeeze out some extra battery juice.

3. Cut down on programs running in the background. Itunes, Desktop Search, etc. All these add to the CPU load and cut down battery life. Shut down everything that isn’t crucial when you’re on battery.

4. Cut down external devices – USB devices (including your mouse) & WiFi drain down your laptop battery. Remove or shut them down when not in use. It goes without saying that charging other devices (like your iPod) with your laptop when on battery is a surefire way of quickly wiping out the charge on your laptop battery.

5. Add more RAM - This will allow you to process more with the memory your laptop has, rather than relying on virtual memory. Virtual memory results in hard drive use, and is much less power efficient. Note that adding more RAM will consume more energy, so this is most applicable if you do need to run memory intensive programs which actually require heavy usage of virtual memory.

6. Run off a hard drive rather than CD/DVD - As power consuming as hard drives are, CD and DVD drives are worse. Even having one in the drive can be power consuming. They spin, taking power, even when they?re not actively being used. Wherever possible, try to run on virtual drives using programs like Alcohol 120% rather than optical ones.

7. Keep the battery contacts clean: Clean your battery’s metal contacts every couple of months with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. This keeps the transfer of power from your battery more efficient.

8. Take care of your battery – Exercise the Battery. Do not leave a charged battery dormant for long periods of time. Once charged, you should at least use the battery at least once every two to three weeks. Also, do not let a Li-On battery completely discharge. (Discharing is only for older batteries with memory effects)

9. Hibernate not standby – Although placing a laptop in standby mode saves some power and you can instantly resume where you left off, it doesn’t save anywhere as much power as the hibernate function does. Hibernating a PC will actually save your PC’s state as it is, and completely shut itself down.

10. Keep operating temperature down - Your laptop operates more efficiently when it’s cooler. Clean out your air vents with a cloth or keyboard cleaner, or refer to some extra tips by LapTopMag.com.

11. Set up and optimize your power options – Go to ‘Power Options’ in your windows control panel and set it up so that power usage is optimized (Select the ‘max battery’ for maximum effect).

12. Don’t multitask – Do one thing at a time when you’re on battery. Rather than working on a spreadsheet, letting your email client run in the background and listening to your latest set of MP3’s, set your mind to one thing only. If you don’t you’ll only drain out your batteries before anything gets completed!

13. Go easy on the PC demands – The more you demand from your PC. Passive activities like email and word processing consume much less power than gaming or playing a DVD. If you’ve got a single battery charge – pick your priorities wisely.

14. Get yourself a more efficient laptop - Laptops are getting more and more efficient in nature to the point where some manufacturers are talking about all day long batteries. Picking up a newer more efficient laptop to replace an aging one is usually a quick fix.

15. Prevent the Memory Effect - If you’re using a very old laptop, you’ll want to prevent the ‘memory effect’ – Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries (which most laptops have) which do not suffer from the memory effect.

Source: http://www.friedbeef.com/top-15-ways-to-extend-your-laptop-battery-life/

Bing Launches Visual Search

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:47:10 GMT

Microsoft’s Bing search engine just received a major upgrade with a new Visual Search feature. Visual Search allows you to search for items by category and picture, rather than text. Friendly Computers found more information about the new search feature, which you can read below…

Text search can only take you so far. Sometimes, you know exactly what something looks like, but you just can’t remember the name. A new Bing feature called Visual Search will come in very handy in such cases.

Looking like something coming from Apple’s labs, Visual Search presents you with a grid of images, making it easy to find exactly what you need without having to know its exact name.

It works great when, for example, you’re shopping for gadgets or looking for a famous person whose name you just cannot remember. You can also start by browsing; for example, the Visual Search lets you visualize MLB players, after which you can filter them out by their earnings and various game stats.
The feature is powered by Silverlight, and the content for Visual Search is provided by several sources, one of them being MSN. The transitions look quite cool; I’d prefer a black over white background, but that’s a matter of personal preference. The layout may look too busy at first, with 50 images shown in the grid, but it’s actually not that hard for the brain to find the right image when you know what you’re looking for.

You’ve got to hand it to Microsoft, after switching from Live Search to Bing (and doing relatively well with it), they’ve been steadily introducing new features, focusing on the ones that their biggest competitor – Google – is lacking. Visual Search might not revolutionize search and make users suddenly start switching from Google to Bing, but it’s another piece of the puzzle that makes Bing competitive in the search game.

You can check this new feature out at Bing.com/visualsearch.

Source: http://mashable.com/2009/09/14/bing-visual-search/

Acer's Congo-based 11.6-inch Ferrari One: finally, a netbook with speed

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:15:39 GMT

The size and portability of netbooks really comes in handy, but they are notoriously slow. Friendly Computers just found out about a new netbook from Acer that promises to bring some speed to the netbook world. Read more below…

We've seen a couple of netbooks that we'd actually consider to be mildly quick, but given that locating an Ion-based netbook is about as easy as entering North Korea with a US passport, we haven't had much of a chance to really love on 'em. Today, Acer is extending its boutique Ferrari lineup with the Ferrari One, an 11.6-inch machine that is among the first to rely on AMD's newly announced Congo platform. Packed within the chassis is a dual-core 1.2GHz Athlon X2 L310 CPU, ATI's Radeon 3200 graphics, an XPG port for connecting an external graphics solution, a 1,366 x 768 panel, WiFi, Bluetooth, optional WWAN and a 6-cell battery. You'll also notice AMD Vision and Windows 7 badges alongside the obligatory prancing pony, but you can bet you'll be paying dearly for this when it ships on (surprise, surprise) October 22nd. How dearly? Try £435 ($724), or roughly the cost of a single lug nut on an F430.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/acers-11-6-inch-ferrari-one-finally-a-netbook-with-speed/

iTunes 9 Improves Syncing, Network Sharing, More

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:45:53 GMT

Friendly Computers just found out that a new version of popular media player iTunes has been released, and it comes with a slew of new features including media sharing, ringtones, and more. Read more below…

Windows/Mac OS X: The biggest software announcement at today's Apple event comes in the form of iTunes 9, the newest release of the popular desktop media player.

It's a solid update containing a few features that we'd be really excited about if only they were just a little bit better (see Home Sharing, for example).

Worthwhile/notable features in the new release include:

Home Sharing: You can now copy songs across authorized computers on your home network with the new Home Sharing feature. (You can even select a view to show only items that aren't already in your library.) It's nice to see iTunes add this feature, but it's still a far cry from the full-on library sharing that we've been dying to see for years on home networks (and that we've done our best to accomplish on our own). You know, one library you can play, add to, and edit from any computer on your home network.

Improved Syncing: When you're syncing to your devices, iTunes 9 offers more fine-grained control for syncing music by genre or artist, straight from the Music tab of the sync dialog. It also boasts better syncing of Photos (using iPhoto's Events and People identification) and Movies.

Better App Management: If you're syncing apps to your device through iTunes, iTunes 9 adds the ability to organize your synced apps on your iPhone pages from your desktop. Photo via Gizmodo.

iTunes LP: Apple has introduced their new music format called iTunes LP. The new format intends to take digital music to a new world of multimedia integration, including videos, liner notes, credits, and more. Think of it sort of like the music version of DVDs with special features.

iTunes Extras: Well, if iTunes LP is sort of like a DVD with special features, iTunes Extras is exactly like it. Now when you buy a movie from the iTunes store, you also get some special features, including cast interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, photo galleries, etc.

Genius Mixes: Using the Genius feature introduced in iTunes 8.1, Genius mixes plays songs from your library that it thinks go well together. This doesn't seem like much of a tweak on what's already there, though I will say that Genius recommendations have improved a lot since the feature was first launched.

Ringtones: iTunes 9 now sells 30,000 ringtones for $1.29—though we'd suggest saving yourself the cash and just making your own (in Windows; in OS X).

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5355669/itunes-9-improves-syncing-network-sharing-more