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Blu-ray Technology

October 16, 2010 — 7:03 am

New technology is now making it possible for viewers to record and store high definition programming onto DVDs. Blu-ray Disc is one method of recording HD content onto an optical disc. A blue-laser optical disc (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4) is used. Systems that use this technology will be able to play traditional DVDs, but the goal of Blu-ray is to create an image that’s as close to the HD format as possible. The name Blu-ray comes from the blue laser that decodes and copies information to each disk. Blu-ray technology may very well revolutionize the world of high definition programming. The Blu-ray disc format offers greater potential for storage, usually 25 gigabytes, which exceeds that of a standard DVD (15 gigabytes). One single-layer Blu-ray disk can hold about four hours of high definition content. A two-layer disk can contain eight hours of HD content. Four- and eight-layer disks are now in the works. These disks would have storage capabilities of 100 and 200 gigabytes. The Blu-ray recording system utilizes a shorter wavelength for recording information than traditional CDs and DVDs, and this is part of what allows it to hold more content on a single disk.

Blu-ray has also influenced the computer industry, specifically in terms of data storage capability. A number of major companies have come out in support of Blu-ray, including Apple, Dell, Hitachi, Pioneer, and Sony. Hewlett Packard plans to market desktop computers and laptops that utilize Blu-ray technology. Sony has announced that it will introduce a Blu-ray component in PlayStation 3, which is expected to appear in November of this year. Microsoft has also said that it may add a Blu-ray component to its Xbox 360. Currently, Blu-ray is only available in Japan, but it will appear in the United States in May, in video games and a DVD system that recreates a high definition effect on a viewer’s TV.

Many movie studios have Blu-ray films planned for future release. In 2005, Sony Pictures cornered the market on the first Blu-ray feature-length movie disk, which was none other than Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Studios that support the technology include Walt Disney and Twentieth Century Fox.

Competing with Blu-ray in the area of HD storage is HD DVD. HD DVD disks have less storage capability, but they’re cheaper to produce. Other big-name companies are showing their support for this option, including Microsoft, Intel and Toshiba, as well as Universal Studios. In what may be the smartest move, some companies are backing both types of technology, ensuring that their products support both Blu-ray and HD DVD. These companies include Samsung, Paramount and Warner Brothers.

Blu-ray is facing challenges from other competitors in the HD market: the Enhanced Versatile disk, the Digital Multilayer disk, and the Holographic Versatile disk are a few alternatives to Blu-ray. But at the moment, Blu-ray has a strong lead in the HD race. Check out New Technology TV for more information.

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GPLv3 attracts 116 projects in first week

October 12, 2010 — 4:11 pm

The third version of the General Public License (GPLv3) has been adopted by 116 open source projects in its first week of operation, according to an overview compiled by software risk management firm Palamida. A further three projects have opted for the Lesser General Public Licence, which offers fewer restrictions than the regular GPLv3.
[Source: LinuxNewsBlog]

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Bingo History: Story of the Game Bingo

— 3:39 am

The origins of contemporary bingo go back to 16th century Italy, where the lottery game Lo Giuoco del Lotto dItalia was introduced. The popular chance game was introduced to North America in the late 1920s by the name of Beano. A toy salesperson of New York was responsible for changing the name of the game into Bingo and to the increase of its popularity throughout the US.

In the late 18th century, the original Italian lotto game made its way to France. Historical evidence shows that a game called Le Lotto was popular among the French high society who used to play the game in parties and social gatherings.

Le Lotto used to be played with special cards that were divided into three rows and nine columns. Each of the three columns consists of 10 numbers, while each column had five random number and four blank spaces in it. Each player had a different lotto card where he used to mark the number announced by the caller. The first player to cover one row won the game.

By the 19th century, the lotto game spread around Europe and started to serve as a didactic childrens game. In the 1850s, several educational lotto games had entered the German toys market. The lotto games purpose was to teach children how to spell words, how to multiply numbers, etc.

By 1920s, a similar version to the lotto game, known as beano was popular at county fairs throughout the US. In beano, the players placed beans on their cards to mark the called out number. The first player who completed a full row on his card, used to yell out Beano!, until one night in December 1929, when a New Yorker toys salesperson by the name of Edwin S. Lowe visited a country fair outside Jacksonville, Georgia.

On his way back to New York, Lowe had purchased beano equipment including dried beans, a rubber numbering stamp and cardboard. At his New York home, Lowe has been hosting friendly beano games. During one game, one excited winner who had managed to complete a full row stuttered out Bingo, instead of Beano. Listening to the excited stuttering girl, Edwin S. Lowe thoughts went away. Lowe decided to develop a new game that would be called Bingo.

While Lowes Bingo game was making its first steps in the market, a Pennsylvanian priest asked Lowe to use the game for charity purpose. After a short tryout period, the priest had found out that the bingo game causes the churches to lose money. Since the variety of bingo cards was limited, each bingo game ended up in more than five winners.

In order to develop the game and to lower the probabilities of winning, Lowe approached Prof. Carl Leffler, a mathematician from Columbia University. Leffler was asked to create bigger variety of bingo cards that each of them will have unique combination of numbers. By 1930, Lowe had 6,000 bingo cards and Prof. Leffler went insane.

Since then, the popularity of the bingo game as a fundraiser continued to grow. In less than five years, about 10,000 weekly bingo games took place throughout North America. Lowes company grew to employ several thousands of employees and to occupy more than 60 presses 24 hours a day.

Now, bingo is one of the most popular chance games in the world. It is played in churches, schools, local bingo halls and land based casinos in the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world.

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Who Knew that Modern Technology would Eliminate Landlines on Campuses?

October 7, 2010 — 10:41 pm

Who Knew that Modern Technology would Eliminate Landlines on Campuses?

Montclair State University is mandating freshmen have a cell phone. This gives the school the opportunity to determine where the student is at any time. When this process began, the students were not really happy but, now, the students realize that this voluntary tracking system provides more safety. This gives the school a better way to contact students and maintain a line of communication.

Some schools are eliminating lines and jacks from their dormitories. Previously the schools were making money on these services. Since more and more students dont connect the phones, this effectively eliminated income and became a cost for initial installation.

The University of Cincinnati has a voluntary program offering all incoming freshmen a free mobile phone. The phone features the school mascot, Bearcat, on the welcome screen. Some colleges are sticking with traditional phone service. Perhaps they are worried that cellular service isnt as reliable.

In the future VOIP technology could be a viable alternative. Many colleges now have broadband access which would make this a feasible way to go.

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is expanding its housing. The new housing will be equipped with a computer network that is wireless.

While the choices are many, it appears that colleges are making use of modern technology and looking to the future to make more innovative changes.

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Best Place To Buy Macbook Cheap — Finding Hot Deals

— 9:47 am

Best Place To Buy Macbook Cheap — Finding Hot Deals

There’s no doubt in my mind that the new Apple Macbook is one of the best laptops in the market right now. Upon release, I began to scour the internet for some great cheap Macbook deals.

I’ll first teach you how to spot one yourself. This applies to any thing that you may want to purchase online.

Things to watchout for:

1) Is it in stock?

There are a lot of online dealers out there allowing you to buy the Macbook online but don’t tell you that they don’t have it stocked yet in their inventory, so it will actually take some time for you to order. Watch out for these people.

How can you tell? Always look for an authorized dealer. Authorized dealers usually post the information regarding the number of items left in their inventory. If it is a very reputable online site, then it’s a safe bet that your future Macbook is ready for shipping.

2) Bonus deals

One of the things people don’t know about is that, online dealers usually spice the item up in their online store (if they have a physical one) because they’re encouraging online orders! They have to give you a better deal otherwise they would be losing a sale to a physical store such as your local BestBuy.

If you don’t get Bonus deals out of it, then you may be better off going to the nearest dealer and actually buy your Macbook there.

3) Rebates

Ahhh Macbook cheap deals should have rebates! Mail-in rebates actually decrease the total cost of your Macbook. So instead of paying let’s say $1100, after some time you get your $100 back.
Total cost: $1000…not bad eh?

Again, if there are no rebates… go buy your Macbook somewhere else.

4) Financing Options

A good deal offers a great financing option. Low interest payments per month, 0 payments for a certain period of time, all contribute to the overall Macbook cheap deal. The great thing about financing plans is that you really don’t have to spend a big chunk of your cash at one period of time. The idea here is to spread your costs over a relatively longer period of time.

When you do this, you can be productive with your new Macbook, get some cash going, and actually pay for those small amounts over let’s say 6,12,18 months?

Where to find all these?

Each and every online store will have different features, different bonuses, etc. One factor to consider is buying from a very reputable website.

I consider Macmall to be the best place to buy a Macbook. When I bought my Macbook I was only able to avail of the $50 rebate but now the rebate is already at $100! What a great deal!

Final Words

The Apple Macbook is one of my best purchases yet. No viruses, no hassles, cool eyecandy, fast and reliable performance, all in one! All my pc-using friends have envied my Macbook for a lot of reasons among them of course is the design of the Macbook, simple, classy, and it doesn’t look like all the other laptops out there.

Finally, it’s a joy to bring to work. I can type all day long and not feel any eye-strain, I can be sure that my Macbook won’t crash on me when I have a big project to do and here’s a big plus:

It runs Windows. I can still play games with my friends and switch back to OS X when I want to work! If you’re still thinking twice about buying a Macbook. Don’t. Stop thinking and just buy it. You’ll never regret your purchase.

Super tip:

There’s a super tip you can take advantage of right now, I made a site/guide for free so you can purchase your Macbook with ease.

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Good Reasons To Have A Wireless Network

— 3:29 am

Having a wireless network opens up many possibilities.

Wireless networks provide an inexpensive and easy way to share a single Internet connection among several computers. This means you only need one modem, and you can add additional computers to the network just by plugging in a wireless card and turning them on. The new machines are connected to the Internet immediately.

A wireless network also lets you access files and printers from anywhere in your home. It allows you to synchronize files you have on your laptop with your home computer, and you can easily send files between computers as well. Using a wireless network to transfer files is faster than sending them via e-mail or burning them to a CD! Because printers connected to one of the computers on a network are shared by all the computers on that network, you can write documents anywhere in your home, press the print button, and collect the printed files from a printer that is connected to another computer.

If you are a game player, youve probably noticed that your games often have an option to play over a local area network or LAN. Wireless networks are LANs! This means you and your family can play these games together and dont have to be on computers that are next to each other to do so. Lets face it its more fun to play against real people, and its even more fun to play against people you know instead of strangers on the Internet. Your games will also play much faster over your LAN. Additionally, you can connect game consoles to the Internet and begin playing these games online. It is much easier to experience online play through an Xbox or PlayStation 2 that is connected to a wireless network than have to use a modem!

Wireless network connections are always on. This means you can connect to the Internet whenever you want without waiting for your modem to dial in. Laptops can be carried from room to room, and they will always have access to the Internet. Since wireless networks operate without the need to log in, you dont need to set up usernames or passwords.

The single greatest thing about a wireless network is that it is, well, wireless! The biggest reason to have a wireless network is because it eliminates the need for costly, ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over your house. You can use your computer in any room you want no more being trapped near a phone outlet or walking over that tangle of wires in your home. The cost of getting enough Ethernet cables can add up, and sometimes, you may even have to make holes in your walls to set up a wired network. If youre renting, of course, this is impossible. With a wireless network, you dont have these problems – you can even use your computer outside if you want! And if you move, there is no need to disconnect and pack up all those wires, and you no longer have to examine all the wires for damage whenever your Internet connection goes down.

You can see how having a wireless network can simplify your life.

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Progressive Scan DVD Players

October 1, 2010 — 2:18 pm

You’ve probably heard about progressive scan DVD players, but you may not know what exactly they are or why they seem to be the hot item that people want these days. To understand why this is the case, first you need to learn about the different technology that progressive scan DVD players provide. And then you’ll need to realize that at the moment, only those who have invested in HDTV or other high performance display screens or projectors will be able to take advantage of the difference.

To start with, let’s review the way that traditional motion pictures are created. In fact, the term ‘motion picture’ is rather misleading because no pictures actually move. Instead, still pictures, also called frames, are played in rapid succession so that the resulting display is changing so quickly and in such small amounts at a time that we perceive it as moving. You may have recreated this illusion in school or on your own by drawing stick figures or other pictures on a stack of paper, then flipped through the paper quickly. The figures looked like they were moving rather jerkily. But if you took the time to draw enough frames and move them quickly enough, you would see much smoother motion, like in cartoons.

Television is recorded in the same type of frames. Then it’s broken down to be transmitted in a signal. When the signal is received by your television, it is reassembled in sections, or stripes. These stripes are reassembled in two different sets, from top to bottom and left to right across your television screen. To explain this concept more clearly, imagine window blinds that are partly open. The actual blind pieces are one set of stripes and the space between the stripes represents the second half of stripes. In a TV transmission, the stripes of set one are laid in before the second set is laid in. This is called an interlaced display. Although it sounds like it would take some time, all of this happens in the fraction of a second 60 of the fields or stripes are displayed per second.

DVD players and DVDs have used this same technology because of the fact that TVs displayed pictures this way. But with the advent of digital and high definition television projectors, display technology has changed, leading the way for DVD technology to change as well. These high performance TVs and projector screens receive and display signals in full progressive frames instead of stripes. And 60 full frames are displayed per second. Meaning even more detail can be included in the same amount of time, resulting in pictures with less flicker or picture distortions. Progressive scan DVD players work by sending DVD signals in the same progressive format.

However, progressive scan DVD players only make a difference if they have both the source material that can be scanned into progressive signals and the display screen that can receive progressive signals. Older DVDs were most likely not recorded with progressive signals. Newer ones will have the capability, though. But as mentioned before, you have to have a television that can receive progressive signals. HDTV televisions can, and so can CRT or LCD monitors.

If you have the right kind of television, a progressive scan DVD player, and a DVD that was produced in the last 5 years or so, you can test to see if you can tell an improvement. Just switch the DVD playing setup from progressive to normal as you watch the film. Look at the outline of things, and the details of the background elements. You may just experience home video with a clarity and sharpness like never before.

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A Profile Will Be More Tasteful With MySpace Backgrounds

— 10:44 am

Since MySpace is one of the most visited sites on the Internet, there are many users who offer designs of various sorts to be added to the profiles. They will design and allow free upload of MySpace backgrounds, so that the entire profile looks more tasteful. All this is going to take a short while, and this is going to be done without any technical knowledge either.

It only requires the member to log into his MySpace account, and then open the page where he desires to upload the background. The MySpace backgrounds will come with simple codes, which anyone can follow. They just need to copy paste the code onto the page where they want the background to be seen. Backgrounds can be used with either images or texts.

It is all up to the wish of the members. For example, for the blog part of the profile, a member might want a background that is related to the blog topics. They could then begin to pick one of the theme related MySpace backgrounds. There could be tennis fans, and they could be blogging on their profiles, thus they should be able to find a background with a tennis theme.

Users may apply any sort of theme, and the resources available on the internet for the MySpace backgrounds are really amazing. There are so many sites dedicated to backgrounds, and there is so much variety that it would seem as if one is unable to choose from any of them. Being able to express yourself is also a part of these backgrounds.

You can use any kind of background, and you can make sure that it fits with the profile. Any part of the profile needs attention, and you can use the right backgrounds for the necessary parts. Members might not have to look too hard either, as there would be plenty of themes to choose from. The applications of the backgrounds are extremely easy, and they would be the use of a simple code.

All profiles will look more tasteful if these various MySpace backgrounds are used. This is because there will be so many visitors to the site, and it would only make sense to make the site more appealing. This would also bring many creative ideas to the users. They can showcase their thoughts, and can also entertain themselves by decorating their profiles as and when they want.

It is also important to know that these backgrounds may be changed any time. Even if one has time to change it every week, it can be done. The member has to understand is the use of the codes, and how they have to be applied to the particular page. This is very easy, and no experience is needed to apply these codes. It can be done by even those who are new to MySpace.

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Free Desktop Freebies Get them now

September 30, 2010 — 6:23 pm

Are you looking for some free desktop freebies?

The Internet is hampered with free things and desktop freebies are no exception to it. Today one can find number of sites through which you can get free desktop freebies for your computer. All these freebies are easily downloadable on your computer. A proper search can help you download freebies that are totally safe and virus free. All you need to do is relax and select the best of desktop freebies for your PC.

Some of desktop freebies that can be downloaded free are:

a) Free Desktop Screensavers: Get a mixture of freebie screensavers that can be easily downloaded on your PC. You can find a list of screensavers including 3-D style screensavers, cartoons, sports, movies, fantasy, nature, cars, and the list goes on. All these screensavers can give a new realistic look to your computer. At the time of downloading any screensaver you will be notified about the time the screensaver will take to load. Find a site which is easy to navigate and ensures good quality screensavers.

b) Free Desktop Wallpapers: Today one can download different varieties of wallpapers for their computer. You can find a list of wallpapers including digital wallpaper, free terminator 3 wallpaper and freeloader wallpapers. You can also download digital wallpapers which include 3D and abstract wallpapers, animals wallpapers, people wallpapers, theme wallpapers, nature wallpapers and many more. Get digital car wallpapers in two screen resolution sizes including 1024×768 and 800×600. You can also download free cool wallpapers, which include images of celebrities, models, animations and so on.

c) Free Desktop themes: Today one can find different varieties of desktop themes for your computer. You can download desktop themes like actors, actresses, models, TV shows, TV personalities and so on.

d) Free Fun Buddy Icon: Desktop freebies also include fun buddy icons. You can choose from thousands of custom icons and use them in your AOL, Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger chat programs. Once you download fun buddy icons in your computer you will notice an addition to your Internet explorer toolbar.

e) Free Smiley: Looking for some cool smiley to express your feelings while chatting. Today one can find number of sites that provide free smiley of different emotions and style. All you have to do is just choose from a wide list of smiley. You can find animated smiley, cute smiley, fixed smiley, fixed non smiley, picture smiley, animated non smiley, board smiley, Unclassified funny smiley and lots more.

f) Free Cursor: Are you bored using the same cursors installed in your computers. Get free cursors for your computer through different desktop freebies sites. You can download autumn cursors, Christmas cursors, 3D Cursors, Angels Cursors, Beach Cursors, Cars Cursors, Funny Cursors, Cute Cursors, Golf Cursors, Food Cursors and lots more.

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The Internet Phone Is All A Buzz Among Technology Buffs

September 29, 2010 — 2:55 pm

The Internet Phone Is All A Buzz Among Technology Buffs

Years ago, a telephone was dialed manually and it featured a handset that we used to talk to our friends and family. While that telephone still exists today, the internet phone is changing the way people talk – literally. An internet phone is a process by which voices are routed via the internet for, what is often, considerably less than the cost of a conventional telephone.

An internet phone can process incoming calls, audio and video conferences, etc. In addition, the internet phone can be used anywhere that has the capability of connecting to the internet, including on a vacation. In fact, the internet phone allows individuals to travel worldwide and still be able to make or receive phone calls.

Even with all of its benefits and the many advancements of technology, the internet phone does have a few drawbacks. For example, quality challenges are sometimes present as there may be delays or scratches in the connection. While conventional telephones are connected to reliable telephone company lines, internet phone users do not have the same advantage. Power failure does not necessarily affect conventional phones, but where an internet phone uses a modem to connect calls, a power failure could result in the loss of a connection. The only exception may be if the individual has a notebook computer and operates his/her internet phone via battery backup on their computer.

Another drawback to the use of an internet phone is the difficulty in routing emergency calls. In fact, some locations may result in an impossible connection to an emergency call center. There are plans in place, however, to correct the problem by implementing the technology that would allow successful emergency calls. The security of internet phone calls may also be in question as the majority of calls are not supported by encryption. This makes it easier for anyone to overhear or gain access to the conversation, even without permission or the knowledge of the talking parties.

As the popularity of the internet phone continues to grow, the creators will continue to implement improvements that will keep their customers chatting. When the internet began years ago, nobody could have envisioned a day where faxes, phone calls and mail would be exchanged via the world wide web. Today, all of that has changed. Where there once was only postage fees for mail, e-mail is now free. Where there once was fax paper and toner, there are now ways to deliver faxes directly to an e-mail box. And, where there once was dialing a phone, there is now dialing into an internet connection and video conferencing. As the internet expands with each passing day, the internet phone is sure to grow with it.

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