Java 2 Release Candidate 1 for Linux Available
After many requests from developers for a Linux port, Sun Microsystems announced today Release Candidate 1 of its popular Java 2 Software Development Kit for Linux.
This marks Sun's first production release of the Java 2 Platform for Linux. Co-developed with Inprise, the Java 2 SDK will have all of the features of the currently shipping Standard Edition of Java 2 SDK for Solaris and Windows. Java 2 has many improvements over its predecessor
Itanium: 64-bit Processing Arrives
The first of the IA-64 processors, Itanium will bring new levels of function and processing power to work stations and servers. Previously named 'Merced', Itanium will provide users with scalability not found in other processors. In this joint effort to bring this technology to the market, Hewlett Packard has provided Intel with innovative new instruction sets while Intel has provided the architecture and processor technology.
This chip allows for total 64-bit computing while being completely backwards compatible with 32-bit processing hardware. In a presentation by John Crawford from Intel Corporation and Jerry Huck of Hewlett-Packard, the new Itanium architecture was outlined and explained. Using explicit a new architecture named EPIC (Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing) based on research and old architecture, the chip is able to process requests faster by taking the mispredictions out of computations. This next generation of technology will supercede the current RISC and CISC technologies today.
Microsoft Sponsors W2K Support Site
Microsoft will co-sponsor a new Web site http://www.Hardware-Update.com, where anyone who is installing Windows 2000 will be able to go to for support. BIOS Updates and drivers will not be directly downloaded from Hardware-Update, however links will be provided to various OEM Web sites where the correct BIOS updates and drivers will be available for successful Windows 2000 deployment.
Sponsors include Microsoft, Dell, and Compaq, along with many OEMs. OEMs will provide all of the necessary downloads to ensure Windows 2000 installs correctly and all hardware functions properly. Only drivers specific for Windows 2000 will be on the site, and there will be one page for every Company/Model/Version which they sell. These pages are maintained by the OEM, as Hardware-Update merely provides links to these sites.
Microsoft Discusses OpenGL Support
In a FAQ posted on the OpenGL Web site, Microsoft has answered many of the questions surrounding the recent whirlwind of rumors that OpenGL support was dropped from the Windows 2000 docket.
Microsoft reports that the first beta of its OpenGL project, entitled Farenheit Scene Graph (FSG), will be launched by the end of the year with the final arriving sometime in the first half of 2000. Support for such platforms as IRIX, Solaris, HP-UX, and UIX is also in the works, and should be ready a few months after the final release of FSG. Microsoft declined to comment on SGI's level of involvement in the project, and also on whether or not Linux support is in the works. Low-level 3D API (OpenGL) research is ongoing at Microsoft and will continue in the future.
More Delays for Netscape 5.0
Reports yesterday indicate that it will be another two months before the Netscape 5.0 browser will go beta. Due to unforseen delays in rewriting the code from the ground up, Netscape Communications, Inc. will not be able to release their fifth generation browser until February.
An alpha preview of the product code named "Seamonkey" by Mozilla will be available for download on December 15, officials at Mozilla stated. The actual beta is not expected to release until sometime in February. After that release, it could be anywhere from 6 months to a year before it becomes final. The Mozilla browser will be available sometime after it enters beta, however, the branded version for Netscape will require a few more months.
Enterprise Report Beta Test
Question Mark software has released Enterprise Report 2.2 for beta testing. This program is part of a software package named Perception, which helps you create and deliver tests, quizzes and surveys on Intranets or the Internet. It also aids in the assesment of various sets of data and makes comparison easy.
This software, especiallly useful for educational purposes, has multiple features which include:
Coppermine Chip Error
The apparent "erratum" in the Coppermine design which causes it to not boot the first time the power button is pressed is said to only occur in a small fraction of its chips (1-2%). Thus far, it has only been reported in testing labs, and Intel stated that the error will be completely eliminated in its next manufacturing run. Dell reported that it expects to resume filling orders and shipping its OptiPlex GX110 systems within the next day or two based on the results of more testing being done.
Telephone Number Pad Messaging
AOL recently acquired Tegic Communications, a leader in text messaging with cell phones. They now introduce an easy to use program which allows a user to type numbers on the phone pad to send a message to someone.
Tegic's software assigns numbers to certain letters such as the number 2 for A, B, and C. The program then deciphers the words trying to be sent and adds punctuation automatically.
Coppermine Goes Dry
A glitch has been found in Intel's new "Coppermine" chips which can prevent a computer from booting when the power button is pressed. The user will have to press the power button again in order for the computer to boot up. Although no cases have been reported by end users yet, Dell completely stopped shipping its corporate desktop system Optiplex GX110 earlier today. The online catalog to view the series has been disabled on Dell's Web site as well.
The new chip made by Intel, which has been shipping since the end of October, is built on new technology making it 0.18 microns instead of the larger chips in the past. This new technology has allowed chip speeds of up to 733MHz in the Intel Coppermine line, and 750MHz (released Monday) in the AMD Athlon line. This year alone, chip speeds have jumped from 450MHz to the latest from AMD, mainly in the last few months. Coppermine chips range from 500MHz to 733MHz and have been shipped by most major computer manufacturers.
Farenheit Drops Below Zero
The Register has written up an interesting piece discussing Microsoft's decision to drop OpenGL support from Windows 2000.
According to The Register, Microsoft has stated that they will not move ahead with OpenGL support until Direct3D is running perfectly. In an e-mail two weeks ago, a senior in Microsofts Direct3D division stated:
AOL Opens the Blinds
For those of you out there using AOL's online service, the shades will soon be opened on your consumer window if you do not fill out the 'opt out' survey again. Its been one year since you filled it out the first time, but AOL has started letting its customers know that if you do not do it again, it will release information about you and your consumer habits to companies. How's that for privacy? So you better do it soon, before you get flooded with spam and other useless e-mail!
AMD Answers: Athlon 750MHz
Today marks the next step towards reaching 1GHz processing: AMD has introduced its Athlon 750MHz chip, built with the 0.18-Micron technology.
Using this production method, AMD was able to shrink the internal size of the chip, while making it faster and lowering power consumption for optimal performance. Manufactured in Austin, Texas at AMD's Fab 25, this chip runs on a 200MHz system bus while offering enhanced 3DNow! technology as well as advanced cache systems. This 200MHz bus allows speeds of 1.6GB/sec bandwidth for faster data transfer and retrieval.
MrNatural Hardware/Voodoo Prophecy Merger
eFront got word today of a new site that will be online tomorrow (Sunday, November 28) which will be a merger of the sites Voodoo Prophecy and MrNatural Hardware. This site will provide all of the features of both the original sites, as well as providing more news and reviews for computer users.
Previously located on the Gamekey/Quakefiles servers, this new site, named Natural 3DTech, can be found at http://n3dt.hardwarefiles.com. For its first review, it will feature Intel's new Celeron 533MHz, which has not yet been released to the public. Check out the site for more information on this processor, and other hardware.
Intel Set to Release Timna Next Year
With the announcement that Intel will offer its new, cheaply priced 'Timna' chip, many consumers have to wonder what this will mean for the rest of the home computing market. New PC's equipped with this chip are slated to cost under $600 USD, and will have the technology of the higher-end PC's. This is the biggest advantage for consumers who are looking for the low-cost computer that will be able to perform the functions that they are looking for.
To date, lower-end PC's are unable to compete with the new, higher-end PC's. This is because cheaper PC's are equipped with soon-to-be out of date processors and slower CD-ROM's. With 'Timna', Intel has combined a memory controller and a graphics suppliment along with newer processor technology to make the chip inexpensive. In September, the majority of computer sales was in the $600-$1000 USD price range. Also, the dropping prices with Intel's new 'Coppermine' chip and AMD's retaliation by dropping their prices shows a trend in the PC industry which is attempting to cater to the consumer cry for cheaper computing.
COMDEX 99: DiskJockey 2000 Beta Released
Clear & Simple just released DiskJockey 2000, a powerful productivity tool for Windows users. While the ease of use greatly impressed me, the program’s extensive features were most striking. It includes viewers for 230 file types, zip and unzip compression capabilities, an integrated FTP client, a jukebox, and a number of other useful attributes. Simply put, it’s the strongest file management program available.
DJ2K simplifies the process of managing a multitude of file types, a welcome change for users weary of muddling through Explorer, the default Windows manager. Built-in viewers display the contents of 230 files, regardless of whether or not users own the corresponding applications. It supports graphic file conversion into over 50 different formats, and plays all audio files in the built-in jukebox feature. Encrypting and decrypting is also easy—users set an active password and can view files without decrypting them.
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