Mobo maker builds 'powerless' processor cooling fan

I have always been a fan of Stirling engines and have made several over the years, including one that stirred a beer pot utilizing the waste heat from the brewing process. This is an overwhelmingly cool application of a venerable technology.

Jack

How open source has influenced Windows Server 2008

Sam Ramji writes on an MS "Open Source" site.

Yes, it's company propaganda. Yes, it is spun to the moon and back. It's hard to find fault with that because as far as I or anyone I know can tell, it's all true!

Not that MS has not listened to users before. They really have. And not that this is the first time MS has delivered a product straight down the alley of user desire. It is not. But surely they have never done so much in a way so responsive to user requests. I have a hunch getting to know Windows Server 2008 is going to be a LOT more enjoyable than first I thought.

Jack

Desperate Microsoft cuts Vista pricing

For those of you who have not been paying strict attention (tisk, tisk) the price cuts are for RETAIL copies, like the one of Ultimate I got stiffed on just after release. It seems too many of the "build it yourself" crowd are installing Linux.

Jack

Microsoft Lists Programs Borked by Vista SP1

The problem is that the list is obviously woefully incomplete. While I suppose some of that is Microsoft's responsibility, it seems more than a little farfetched to lay it all on them. Or much of any of it, for that matter.

It's a cinch SP 1 will break some stuff. I am unaware of that sort of major upgrade to anything not breaking some stuff. And that includes the upgrade I just did to my Linux box. (Where IS that penguin, anyway? I'm getting tired of holding this gun.) I would like a much more comprehensive listing, but it is what it is.

Jack

Geek Meet 2008

Just a reminder that Geek Meet 2008 is April 11-13 in Las Vegas, NV. If you are going to be joining us and haven't already done so, please fill out the registration form at http://geekmeet.oncomputers.info. Registration is due March 1st, if you wish to receive a T-shirt. Hotel rooms at the Microtel Inn must be booked by March 10th if you wish to receive the group rate.

The *missing* update finally released Thunderbird 2.0.0.12 arives Feb 26, 2008

Mozilla lately has been put down regarding patches that stated a fix that included 2.0.0.12 of Thunderbird, well, that missing revision has now been released. The link above takes you to the release notes for the new version.

Report: broadband policy leaves billions of dollars on table

It's like we have been saying; broadband in America kinda, well, sucks. I guess that's the only word for it. And the national policy behind broadband adoption sucks worse. Change is going to come hard, though. You can bet on that.

Jack

Critical VMware Bug Breaks 'Barrier'

This is a big one. However; because it is located in the Virtual Machine itself, we can mitigate any possible damages until it is fixed by simply running a good AV on the Windows host machine and not using the Shared Folders feature unless we run it on a removable drive that we can scan after the files are put there or accessed. At least that's what I'm told so far.

The part of VM Ware's site dealing with this has been temporarily slashdotted by folks wanting to know. I'm sure we'll be able to get clear information by the morning, but for now it's out of reach. And VM Ware has said a patch is coming within two weeks, so a temporary workaround is tolerable. That's as good a time frame as companies like Microsoft can give us when they are caught in a Zero Day situation, though everyone would like to see it sooner rather than later.

Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 02-24-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 02-24-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone!

1) First up for the week is another of those advancements in technology where I think we get the biggest bang for our buck, helping people who have problems to solve. Kind of like the exoskeleton, a few weeks back, but a little more conventional, although not much. This has to be the coolest wheel chair ever to hit the market place. It will be a wonderful future if this becomes the main stream, I do believe technology is our evolution as a species. If you are unfamiliar with this item, you should check it out. http://www.ibotnow.com

2) This item might appeal to the geek in some of you. It strikes me as an example of someone with way to much time on their hands, but I will leave it up to you. It is a musical composition using only the sounds found in windows XP, and 98, I thought it was interesting but to long. Amazing what you can accomplish during a three month bout with cabin fever, http://www.youtube.com

3) Now to answer the question, are there people out there in their garages inventing our future? Or, at least trying, using the internet in an attempt to breakthrough to the masses, well yes there are. Here is an example of a man and his son with a dream, while I do not think they are going to make it, I have to give them credit for trying. If they can get the numbers they talk about it would be most impressive, but they really need a design man, at least when it comes to curb appeal. http://www.dreamcar123.com/

4) In the do it yourself department I found this one, would be a great project for kids. It is an easy and not to complicated way to build your own world clock, for a few pennies. Looks like it works pretty well to me, although I have little need for one, as a teaching aid it might have some value. http://www.metacafe.com/

5) In the green planet department for the week how about a lamp that runs on gravity, and will last 200 years, now that is hard to beat. Very cool, check it out here. http://dvice.com