Tech News

• The Internet Explorer 6 Countdown

  Published: Thursday, December 15, 2011 | By: Dennis

  Moving the world off Internet Explorer 6
  
  10 years ago a browser was born that changed the world and killed Netscape, its name was Internet Explorer 6. Now its 2011 an era of modern web standards so it’s time to say goodbye.
  
  Most developers have completely written off IE6 and rather than trying to adopt there websites to support the old browser they simply let it fail gracefully.  Ninjalane.com is one of those sites, but is also a site who hasn't fully embraced "all" of the modern standards as an attempt to support the 90%.
  
  It would seem that Miscrosft is trying to get the world to stop using IE6 by launching an IE countdown in hopes that the world will upgrade.  
  
  Other sites are reporting that MS will forceably upgrade computers to the latest version of IE which begs the question, if the user isn't using a genuine version of windows, and has turned off automatic updates, how are they going to get it?  On a similar notes assuming MS is going to ignore the legness of the OS, what is stopping them from installnig a time bomb with the browser to remote disable the system after a certain amount of time?  

  

  Sources
  - Microsoft Is Nuking Internet Explorer 6 With Worldwide Automatic Upgrade
  - IE 6 deep-sixed in Microsoft browser overhaul
  - The Internet Explorer 6 Countdown

  Either way this should be fun to watch.

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• MSI Radeon HD 6950 1GB Twin Frozr III Power Edition OC Review @ Hardware Canucks

  Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 | By: Dennis

  There are several things that makes MSI video cards unique and the most notable is the cooling solution comprised of elegant heatpipes and dual variable speed fans.  While the card doesn't have an external exhaust the overall cooling is exceptional.

  The most recent graphics card in MSI's quickly expanding stable doesn’t aim for the headlines but continues a longstanding tradition of offering excellent performance at a reasonable cost. Their HD 6950 Twin Frozr III 1G/OC (yes, it’s a mouthful) only goes for around $260 but should be able to play almost any game on the market at its highest detail settings and mid to high resolutions.

  HD6950 cards are the current sweet spot in the AMD lineup offering good DX11 performance with only a slight sting in the pocketbook.  Makes you wonder if these cards can be flashed to HD6970 status.

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• Asus Rampage IV Extreme @ LanOC Reviews

  Published: Monday, December 12, 2011 | By: Dennis

  It wasn't until I "really" got into overclocking that I understood why so many of the top overclockers used ASUS products.  Of course some of that is driven by sponsorships and extreme loyalty but once you remove the fanboys (and girls) from the equation you are left with board and cards that they really do perform. 

  The Asus Republic of Gamers (ROG) products encompass the top of the line where cost is rarely an object and fondling is encouraged.

  

  For X79 we have taken a look in detail at both the reference design and Asus’s professional solution. What about a model made specifically for gaming? The X79 platform is called an enthusiast platform; there are finally no limitations on bandwidth to video card, something that was an issue on 1155 motherboards.  Today we are going to take a look at Asus’s Rampage IV, their flagship motherboard designed specifically for someone who only wants the best. Will this be the end all be all motherboard? Let’s find out!

  Looking at a product from all angles can be a difficult proposition and can sometimes skip over certain details that may not be that important, even if the review is 19 pages long!  

  I'll let you be the judge.

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• Intro To The Solid State Drive - Consumer SSD Benefits

  Published: Monday, December 12, 2011 | By: Dennis

  For those of you who may not know what a SSD is, or why you do or don't need one, this article is for you.

  Laptop computers are now sporting a new option that is going to amaze most as a result of the visible speed improvement and many will never really understand why.  Some will boast of  how quick their new laptop starts while others will read the fine print to see that there is this new thing called a solid state drive which has replaced the hard drive. The latter will most likely comprise of those reading this article and wanting to know what a SSD is and how it does what it does.
  
  Our article today hopes to be the beginning of efforts to tackle many of the questions surrounding solid state drives and today’s report will examine what exactly makes the SSD so special in todays world of computing.  Follow-up reports will be added regularly to tackle the many questions the ‘new SSD enthusiast’ has about this new technology and we encourage comments and questions which will, in turn, form the direction we follow in assisting with your SSD education.

  While I can see the benefits of SSDs they are not always the best option for overclocking since high BCLK speeds tend to cause the controller to go rouge and destroy your data.  

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• HP to make WebOS an Open-Source Project

  Published: Friday, December 9, 2011 | By: Dennis

  This might be one of the most expensive Open Source projects in existence, but you know, I think it is the right move.  Not much is known about how open the source will structured one thing is for sure android might have a little competition if the project takes off.
  
  

  Dec. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Hewlett-Packard Co. will turn its WebOS software into an open-source project, aiming to get outside developers to embrace the struggling operating system it acquired in last year’s $1.2 billion purchase of Palm Inc.
  
  WebOS will be offered under an open-source license, meaning developers and hardware manufacturers can tinker with it and bring their own versions to market, the Palo Alto, California- based company said today in a statement. Hewlett-Packard said it will remain active in developing and supporting WebOS.
  

  Sadly I missed out on getting a TouchPad when they were offered up on uber sale and won't be taking advantage of the ebay refurb sales but I would say if you can get one, you should.

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• NL: Review Block - HDD Cases and Mice

  Published: Friday, December 9, 2011 | By: Garrett

  Hard Drives
  - Seagate Momentus XT 750GB Hybrid Drive @ PCStats
  - OCZ RevoDrive 3 PCI-Express SSD @ OCIA
  - OCZ Octane 512GB Indilinx SSD @ Legit Reviews
  - Samsung 830 SATA III 6Gbps 128GB SSD Review @ XSReviews
  - Silicon Power Diamond D05 750GB USB 3.0 @ techPowerUp
  - Silicon Power Velox V30 60 GB SSD @ techPowerUp
  - ADATA S510 120GB Solid State Drive @Kitguru

  Cases
  - NZXT Tempest 410 Elite @ PureOverclock
  - Antec SOLO II Mid-Tower Chassis Review @ Techgage
  - Cooler Master Storm Trooper Full Tower Case Review @ Legit Reviews

  Mice
  - Razer Deathadder Transformers Edition @ LanOC Reviews
  - Steelseries Diablo III Gaming Mouse @ Funky Kit

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• Microsoft confirms Windows 8 public beta slated for February 2012 launch @ Slash Gear

  Published: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 | By: Garrett

  Ready for a (hopefully) more stable taste of next version of Windows?  Looks like we get a chance in a few months! 

  Microsoft has just confirmed that the public beta release of Windows 8 will come in February of 2012, a date that was danced around tentatively, and which we covered previously. At this rate, it’s looking pretty good for Microsoft in terms of hitting its development milestones for their tablet-ready new operating system. Now they just have to gear up in hopes of reaching their projected sales, whatever that might be, and which probably will be announced in the near future by the technology giant.

  While I am excited that a new version is around the corner, I am still getting used to Windows 7.  But the idea of an OS that covers multiple platforms might be worth the early upgrade.

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• NL: Review Block - Motherboards and more motherboards

  Published: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 | By: Dennis

  Motherboards
  - ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe Motherboard Review @ OCIA
  - BIOSTAR TA990FXE AMD 990FX Motherboard Review @ Legit Reviews
  - ECS A990FXM-A Socket AM3+ @ techPowerUp
  - Charts: 8 Socket 2011 Boards - ASUS Rampage IV Formula Performance-Update @ ocaholic
  - ASUS Rampage IV Extreme Motherboard @ Bjorn3D
  - ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional @ PureOverclock

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• Gigabyte X79 UD7 review @ Guru3D

  Published: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 | By: Dennis

  What is orange and black and difficult to find?  Yep you guessed it the Gigabyte X79 UD7 motherboard designed for the enthusiast in all of us.
  
  

  Gigabyte X79 UD7Gigabyte as well launched several X79 motherboards like the G1.asassin, the UD3, UD5 and sure .. the UD7. That last one we'll be looking at today. A very complete motherboard I must say, with all kinds of gadgets and fresh looks.
  
  You will see four PCI Express x16 slots, the rest of the expansion options available in the X79-UD7 include three PCIe x1 slots, four SATA 3Gbps ports, as well as a good six SATA 6Gbps ports. The rear I/O bracket shows a pair of USB 3.0 ports and 7.1-channel audio with digital S/PDIF out, but also a special OC button, a CMOS reset switch and much more.
  

  Be sure to check out our preview article featuring the X79 UD7.

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• Thermaltake Overseer RX-I @ techPowerUp

  Published: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 | By: Dennis

  New case from Thermaltake based on a case familar to us, the Thermaltake Chaser MK-I.

  The Thermaltake Overseer RX-I is positioned just below the Chaser chassis. It costs slightly less, is slightly smaller, but still has a very similar feature set. We take a close look if there is more to it than meets the eye or if the Overseer RX-I offers the same price/performance value as its bigger counterpart.

  Not sure why they added a window but to each their own.

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