Gentoo Lives!

Subject: General Tech | March 1, 2006 - 12:03 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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New for 2006 is the Gentoo LiveCD.   This time the installer is GUI based, although it is still Linux, so easy installation is a relative term.  Read the review at TECHGAGE, and see if you'd like to take this distro for a spin.

"A new version of Gentoo has been released, so I am going to take a quick look at it to see what's

new. Alongside this new release, there is a LiveCD version available in which you can install

Gentoo from within a GNOME desktop.

Virtual Spring Cleaning for your PC

Subject: General Tech | February 28, 2006 - 11:43 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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The Tech Zone takes you through an easy process to clean and speed up your PC.  Call it WinRot or senility, as an OS install ages, it begins to develop idiosyncrasies and will slow down in some tasks, follow this guide and it will be running like the day you first got it.

"It seems that the longer you own your computer, the slower it gets! It isn't getting slower just

because it is older.

5.1 surround headphones ... midnight gamers best friend

Subject: General Tech | February 27, 2006 - 02:10 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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I find it hard to believe that headphones can duplicate 6 discrete channels directly into your ears.  However, TECHGAGE reviews the Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA Headset, and they have found that it can be done, within limits.  Along with very comfortable ear peices, the headphones come with a amp/equalizer that lets you switch between channel settings, from regular 2 channel to 5.1.

"Can't set up a 5.1 speaker setup, but want true surround sound?

Does playability outweigh prettification?

Subject: General Tech | February 24, 2006 - 11:42 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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The Moditory has published a review of Darwinia, a very unconventional game.  While the RTS and tech tree basis of the game will be familiar, and the graphics will take you back about 10 years, the game play is king in this game.  There is much to explore in how they have set this game up, and you can get it very easily if you use Steam.

"Gameplay is sometimes overlooked in the gaming industry. Today a lot of stress is put on graphics

and now sound.

Quantum Weirdness for your computer

Subject: General Tech | February 24, 2006 - 11:29 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Quantum Computing seems to get weirder the more is learned about it.  While the idea that a quantum computer could go arrive at an answer without hitting the intermediate steps needed for normal processing, the idea that it can answer a question not even asked is definately new.   Try Boing Boing's quick run down, and if you want to know more, there are links everywhere.

"Utilizing two coupled optical interferometers, nested within a third, Kwiat's team succeeded in

counterfactually

Win a Centurion 532 from CoolerMaster & PC Perspective - 3 days left to enter

Subject: General Tech | February 24, 2006 - 08:02 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Here's the hard part:

1. Be a member of the PC Perspective Forums - join if you are not already!


2. Send an email to cmcontest@pcper.com with your name, address, phone number and forum account name


3. Post a reply in this thread that you have sent in an email (Important, only those users who BOTH send an email and reply at least once in this thread will be ent

In honour of Turin, put your mouse on Skatez

Subject: General Tech | February 23, 2006 - 02:19 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Corepad Mouse Skatez are replacment pads for the bottom of your mouse.  Some are made specifically for the MX series of mice, and others are simply teflon strips to be applied overtop of the existing pads on other mice.  Read the review at Think Computers.

'Mice are becoming more and more expensive, and with lots more features packed into them. One

thing I noticed is that the standard feet of these so-called professional gaming mice or high-end

mice are a bit lacking.

The dangers of using your clipboard as short term memory

Subject: General Tech | February 23, 2006 - 11:56 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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The Inquirer has posted a combined clipboard and Internet Explorer vulnerablilty, and they have also posted a way to avoid the problem.  The contents of your clipboard can be grabbed, via scripting, and displayed on the web.  This little trick will only work in IE, not Firefox, and if you visit the link from the Inquirer that shows the problem, there is at least one pop-up window to greet you.

"A WARNING RECEIVED highlights what appears to be a real Explorer danger that text copied onto the

clipboar

X-Mystique is an upgradable audio card

Subject: General Tech | February 22, 2006 - 03:15 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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PenStar Systems has posted a how and why on upgrading the OPAMPS on the new X-Mystique audio card.  If you do go ahead and mod it, you may be very impressed by the quality of sound you can get from the analog outputs.

"The X-Mystique's primary claim to fame is that it is the first add-in soundcard that can encode a

Dolby Digital 5.1 signal.

Finally, the plans for my hoverboard have arrived

Subject: General Tech | February 22, 2006 - 12:05 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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So, you are tired of hearing about the fact that you never go outside, and never do anything more physical than cart a laptop to a LAN party?  Well, thanks to the watchful members of MAKE:Blog, there is something outswide worth doing!   A link has appeared with a shopping list and instructions on how to build your own hoverboard.  Sorry, the leafblower is not included.

"If you watched this week's show, you'll have seen that Jason succeeded in building a fully

working Hove

VIA Announces VIA Vinyl(TM) VT1708 High Definition Audio Codec, Delivering Premium Performance Audio

Subject: General Tech | February 22, 2006 - 11:11 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Taipei, Taiwan, 22 February 2006 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today announced the VIA Vinyl VT1708 High Definition (HD) Audio Codec with premium quality and features for expanding PC audio requirements.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />

Someone has to go first to disprove the rumours

Subject: General Tech | February 21, 2006 - 12:01 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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PC Mechanic has posted a top 4 list of common PC Myths and Misconceptions.  They are quite funny and, believe it or not, quite common.  If you have fallen prey to any of them, take heart, because somebody had to lead the way, and discover if SATA worked or not.  That's life on the bleeding edge, more often than not.

"The internet is a great medium for getting information and help on all sorts of subjects.

The 8 Horsemen of Vista

Subject: General Tech | February 20, 2006 - 11:50 AM | Jonathan Hung
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engadget is reporting 8 flavours of Windows Vista. It appears Microsoft is sticking with their "Home-Professional-Enterprise" product model. I'm curious to see what the feature difference is for the "Vista Home Premium" and the "Vista Business" boxes. I hear "Vista Ultimate" comes with a posse.

"Wow, ok, Bill, since you're reading this and all, we've got to tell you a little something about product branding.

7.1 THX speakers to go with your 7.1 soundcard

Subject: General Tech | February 17, 2006 - 05:15 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Don't let those extra 2 channels got to waste, pick up a 7.1 speaker system, like Creative Labs GigaWorks S750.  Laptop Gamers has posted a review.

"This THX certified speaker system delivers an unbelievable gaming experience when combined with a

7.1 sound card such as the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS.

Tune into the next Half Life 2 for the exciting conclusion

Subject: General Tech | February 17, 2006 - 02:49 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Ars Technica reports on a change of plans for Valve.   Half Life 2 may have several sequels, that appear like TV series, and are downloadable via Steam.  While probably not as long as a normal game, hopefully there will be many of them.

"The Half-Life franchise is moving to an episodic release schedule according to comments from

Valve's Doug Lombardi. Lombardi has revealed that Half-Life 2: Aftermath has been renamed to

Half-Life 2: Episode One.

Media player flaw already exploitable

Subject: General Tech | February 17, 2006 - 02:37 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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The media player flaw that Microsoft patched on Tuesday already has 2 proof of concept attacks according to CNet.  That makes it very likely that exploits are already roaming around in the wild.  Patch 'em if you got 'em.

"The "proof-of-concept" exploits that take advantage of a flaw in the media player were posted on

the Web over the past couple of days.

WolfKing Warrior attacks, WASD trembles

Subject: General Tech | February 16, 2006 - 01:08 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Can the WolfKing's Warrior, a very round keyboard-like device, with 52 keys and a few extra buttons, add something to your FPS experience?  ExtremeTech has a review of this odd device, and they even seem to like it.  Maybe you can finally abandon your normal keyboard while gaming.

"That was until we came across the Wolf Claw Type II keyboard from a small company in Singapore

last summer. To a normal keyboard, the Wolf Claw added a dedicated WASD-friendly gaming area to

the left.

Will MIT be the one to finally provide us with flying cars

Subject: General Tech | February 16, 2006 - 12:05 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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CNet reports on an MIT project that might soon provide us with a commercially available flying SUV.  The folding wings they propose are not terribly new, the technology has been fully tested on fighter jets.  Even better they are hoping to get a vehicle that get 30 miles a gallon in the air, and about 30-40 miles per gallon on the ground.  It will carry just over 400 pounds, and hit 120 miles per hour in the air.

"Terrafugia, a start-