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четвер, 10 лютого 2011 р.

Iomega eGo BlackBelt Mac Edition 1TB

Last year, the Iomega eGo Mac Edition 500GB line really stood out amongst an increasingly crowded market of inexpensive portable hard drives.

However, the slick design of their products proved to be more show than substance, as their slow copy and duplication speeds didn't hold up against the rest of the competition at the time. Since then, Iomega's portable HDs have increased their data transfer speeds across the board while keeping their trademark look intact.

Iomega's eGo BlackBelt plays up its namesake right out of the box. Instead of a variety of color schemes, this model only comes in jet black, with a removable Power Grip Band wrapped around the shell of the drive. On the rear of the device, there's a single USB port complemented by two FireWire 800 ports, rather than the FireWire 400/FireWire 800 split from last year. If you're running a Mac with a FireWire 400 port, you can still use an adapter cable and a FireWire 800 port to achieve FireWire 400 speeds. Since Iomega touts the BlackBelt's new Drop Guard Xtreme feature, we put the drive through its paces in a series of stress tests. We dropped it from a seven-foot height, kicked it down a flight of stairs, and nonchalantly knocked it off our workbench more than a few times over the course of a week. After all that, the drive still worked just fine. So far, the only thing we don't recommend doing is crushing the drive--if you put too much weight (150 pounds or more) on and accidentally smash it, you'll have a problem getting the drive to stay powered up.

The safety features and rubber guard do their job quite well. Of course, if you're more concerned about being able to slip it in and out of your pocket at a moment's notice, you'll want to remove the Power Grip Band. It adds a considerable amount of girth to the BlackBelt, which is kind of thick--not nearly as small as the G-Drive Slim (Macworld rated 3.5 out of 5 mice ) or the Iomega Skin (Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice).

USB 2.0

Of course, all that safe design doesn't mean much without speed, but Iomega has also improved in that area as well. To see our complete list of benchmark test results, check here. On copy speeds alone, the BlackBelt is one of the faster portable hard drives we've tested, posting improved read/write speeds in most of our results. Fastest of the USB 2.0 tests was the drive's read speed when copying a 2GB folder, clocking in at 31.3 MBps, a record that the BlackBelt now shares with the Iomega Skin and the G-Drive Slim 320GB. All the other test results for the BlackBelt were decent, but not record-breaking. Its write speed for a 2GB folder over USB 2.0 was 35.7MBps, matching the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 500GB (Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice) and the previous Iomega eGo 500GB (Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice), lagging behind the faster G-Drive HD line in general.

Read and write speeds via USB 2.0 for our 2GB ZIP file tests were slightly better--the BlackBelt's 32.8MBps result was a hair faster than the G-Drive Mobile USB (Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice) 500GB and G-Drive Slim 320GB, but only slightly slower than the Iomega Skin 500GB. Its write test clocked in at 37.7MBps, once again lagging a few seconds behind the G-Drive HDs. Least impressive was the BlackBelt's USB 2.0 result in our Photoshop test, clocking in at 70 seconds--a mid-level score in our chart.

Source http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=61248

Read more

http://basicmac.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/basic-mac-efficacy-tips/
http://basicmactips.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/macintosh-programs-uninstallation/
http://vitaltips.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/in-order-to-speed-up-your-machine/

Intel AppUp vs Mac App Store

You may think that Apple beat the PC world to the punch when it comes to desktop app stores, with the January launch of the Mac App Store. However, Intel actually unveiled its own AppUp store last year, although you’d be forgiven for missing its less dramatic arrival.

To help raise the Intel app platform’s profile, PC World and Currys are giving away free copies of Angry Birds. As I own the lovely but limited HTC Wildfire, I’m yet to play the game, so figured now’s my chance — and when deputy editor Barry Collins looks over at my screen and sees me faffing about with furious cartoon birds, I can genuinely say it’s for a news story.

But it wasn’t to be.

Back when the Mac App Store launched, I borrowed a MacBook from a colleague, installed the store and started downloading. It was so stupidly easy I accidentally downloaded a paid-for app I didn’t even want.

Compare that to today. I installed AppUp, signed up for an account, and handed over my credit card details. After clicking the “download” button, I was sent to a login page, which keeps bringing up this error:

Intel AppUp

No matter what I try, I can’t even log in, let alone download an app: the only angry bird here is me.

Read more:
http://basictips.6ra.org/
http://denisrondan.6ra.org/2011/02/03/basic-mac-efficacy-tips/

HP Redesigns the TouchSmart Consumer PC Experience

HP TouchSmart Consumer PCs offer high style and performance with reclining display for exceptional comfort

HP today unveiled its first touchscreen desktop PC which features a 60-degree reclining display, enabling users to adjust the display’s position for a comfortable user experience.

With a sleek, clean appearance, the new HP TouchSmart Consumer PC reclines from upright to almost flat, providing increased comfort for longer-term use and the freedom to position the TouchSmart Consumer PC on a kitchen counter, or anywhere the family gathers.

Ergonomic design enables users to do more and share more

From creating art projects to playing games, the new HP TouchSmart Consumer PC offers users increased range of motion, greater comfort when pointing and dragging on the display, superior viewing and an intuitive touch experience.

The TouchSmart Consumer PC features a 23-inch diagonal HD display that reclines up to 60 degrees and tilts forward up to five degrees.

The wide-angle, LED backlit LCD screen provides optimal viewing angles, even when reclined, while advanced multi-touch technology allows for an accurate response.

The TouchSmart Consumer PC’s simple one-cord setup and slim, all-in-one design save space and allow them to fit into any room or business environment. For a clean and uncluttered appearance, control features are conveniently located on the right and left sides of the display.
Intuitive software, Beats Audio for immersive, personalized entertainment

With its refined industrial design and the latest version of HP TouchSmart 4.0 software, the TouchSmart Consumer PC creates an immersive touch experience to enjoy personal and premium media, and makes it easier and more comfortable than ever to surf the web, edit photos or access social networks.

In addition to touch-optimized applications from Facebook and Twitter, as well as HP’s exclusive RecipeBox and webcam applications, users can add new applications via the TouchSmart Apps Center. The TouchSmart610 also features Beats Audio. A high-performance technology developed by HP and Beats by Dr. Dre, Beats Audio allows listeners to hear music the way the artist intended it – just as it sounds in the studio.

For the gaming enthusiast, select models of the TouchSmart Consumer PC are available with an exclusive HP touch enabled version of Ubisoft’s real-time strategy game, R.U.S.E. - which has a RRP of $49.99. Users will enjoy using multitouch navigation to deceive and manipulate enemies as they lead their nation to victory.

The TouchSmart Consumer PC also features the new HP LinkUp application, which allows users to wirelessly link a notebook PC to the TouchSmart using a home network. Accessing and viewing applications, files and content from a notebook on the TouchSmart’s large HD screen creates a more comfortable and productive experience . Changes are saved directly to the notebook so there are no file transfer hassles.
Pricing and availability

The pricing and availability of the HP TouchSmart Consumer PC will be announced on February 23, 2011 along with additional product information.

Also see

http://denisrondan.glowindia.com/
http://lovetips.6ra.org/
http://basictips.6ra.org/

Google VP tips Nokia's hand for Friday

Nokia has a big decision to announce Friday and Google VP (and former Microsoft VP) Vic Gundotra might have the inside track.

Vic Gondotra is a Google (GOOG) VP who doesn't shy away from making abrupt public statements. Last night, likely referring to Nokia's (NOK) impending February 11 announcement on whether it will go with Android or Microsoft's (MSFT) Windows Phone 7, he tweeted:

Two turkeys do not make an Eagle

Gundotra was likely in on talks with Nokia and Google on licensing Android so he's in a position to know whether or not Android was chosen to be Nokia's platform.

By itself, it would seem that he's implying that Nokia is going with Windows. But the statement has even more historical significance.

In 2005, when Siemens and BenQ were forming an ill-fated alliance to take on Nokia in Europe, Nokia's then executive vice president and general manager of multimedia at Nokia, Anssi Vanjoki, said the following at a Nokia Connection event:

"The integration of the handset units of the two companies is equivalent to one big problem meeting another, Vanjoki commented on the Siemens-BenQ deal, while answering questions fielded by reporters on the sidelines of Nokia Connection 2005 (June 13-15). The effect of the merger deal should be limited because "two turkeys together won't make an eagle," Vanjoki asserted.

Vanjoki left Nokia one day before Nokia World this year in an apparent disagreement with the way the company was heading.

By the way, I could be entirely wrong. Vic Gundotra could be a disciple of Ben Franklin, who would wholeheartedly disagree with the assertion that eagles are better than turkeys.

Read also
http://vernysen.edublogs.org/2011/02/04/tips-to-make-the-system-perform-better/
http://basictweakspc.blog.com/2011/02/03/widows-xp-the-most-beneficial-with-tweaks/
http://basictweaks.blog.com/2011/02/03/windows-7-tweaks/

Top 9 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer

Over time, the speed of computers with Microsoft Windows can decrease. This appears as the system taking more time to respond to a user’s actions like opening files, folders, surfing the Internet and other tasks. However, there are things you can do to speed up your computer.

The following is a list of ways you can improve your computer's performance. These steps are intended to be used in order. The key is to do the simplest and least invasive thing first until your system starts responding better.
Golden Rule: Do No Harm

If you want to improve the speed of your computer, that’s great. However, above all, do no harm and beyond the scope of this Windows forum, ask for help from those you know if you get in over your head. Remember: you have time. You can stop most processes I discuss without causing harm. Caution and common sense go a long way when working with computers; problems are often much easier to fix than they appear.
Steps to Speed Up Your Computer’s Performance
1. Make Sure Your Hardware is Sufficient

Above and beyond everything you can do with software to optimize the function of your computer, making sure you have the proper hardware to support Windows is critical.
2. Clean Your Desktop

Is your Windows Desktop dotted with files? Have you noticed that your computer has been running slower and slower? Do you see the hard drive light often flashing while you wait for the computer to respond to an action? There are steps you can take to fix it. Read this article.
3. Scan Your Windows System for Errors

An operating system is a collection of files that perform different functions. It is possible, over time, that one or more of these system files has changed or become corrupted. If this happens, the speed of your system may decrease. By using a utility called “System File Checking”, it will inspect these files and correct any problem it finds.
4. Scan for Viruses, Spyware and Adware

Every Windows computer is vulnerable to viruses. Viruses are nasty little programs that cause both major and minor problems for users.

Spyware and Adware are programs created by companies to find out more information about customers, so they can better market products to them. Usually these programs are not created for malicious purposes. Spyware and Adware can load into computer memory and slow it down.

Periodically scanning and removal of Viruses, Spyware and Adware is a great way to improve computer performance.
5. Uninstall Unused Programs

Over time, you may have accumulated programs on your computer that you do not use. When a program is installed, it creates connections between the program and the operating system. Even if you don’t use these programs, they can slow down your system. If you have the original program’s installation disk or file, removing programs will free up space on your computer and may speed up your system's performance.
6. Adjust Visual Effects for Better Performance

Windows provides a number of interesting visual effects including animated windows and fading menus. If you do not have enough operating memory (see above number 1), these effects can slow down your computer. Adjusting or reducing visual effects can make a difference.

To speed up Vista computers in particular you can disable features and function that are not used. For more information, read "How to Speed Up Windows Vista."
7. Don’t Automatically Start Programs

Programs use operating memory (RAM, also called system resources). Unless you always use these programs, you can keep them from loading at Windows startup and speed both the booting of your computer and its performance.
8. Defragment Your Hard Drive (After you have tried everything else)

The more information and programs you have on your computer, the more it is likely that Windows has placed parts of the same file in different locations on your hard drive. It may do this for hundreds of files and programs, depending on how much space is available. Defragmenting the hard drive places all information for each file in one place. The result can be a faster computer experience.

Important Note: Before you even try this, backup all your work onto a different computer, hard drive, CD or disk. Also, you should only do this if you have a reliable source of power for your computer. Doing this when there is a brown out or power problem in the neighborhood, is not a good idea. If a computer turns off while it is defragmenting a drive, it will create more problems than not defragmenting it in the first place.
9. Reinstall the Operating System and Programs

If you have done all the above steps and your computer does not become more responsive, you might consider reinstalling the operating system and programs. This is a scorched earth option - basically you backup all your data and user settings, wipe your hard drive clean and re-install the operating system with your original disks. Next, install all your favorite programs and restore all your data and user settings.

The nice thing about doing this is that you essentially have a new computer, free of years worth of software and registry changes, additions and errors that can turn a fast rabbit of a Windows computer into a slow turtle. The bad thing about this choice is that it takes time and planning to do it correctly. If your PC is 3 to 4 years old and continues to run slower than it did when you purchased it, this might be the only action that will make a significant difference.
Sourse: http://windows.about.com/od/maintainandfix/a/8ways2speedup.htm

Suggested Reading
http://pcidea.ispace.in.th/
http://www.pcspeed.iblogger.org/
http://www.nowpc.totalh.com/

WinMate, Windows System Optimizer

System optimizers, know one know all, or so they say. While it is true that the majority of system optimizers offer a similar feature set, it is the little things that often make a difference. WinMate is a free Windows system optimizer that runs an optimization scan on startup.

The scan assesses settings and features of the operating system and installed application, displaying an overall score and information about issues that have been found afterwards.

Issues are divided into danger items, recommended fixes and safe security items.

winmate

Action buttons are displayed next to issues to fix them directly. The program lacks explanations and it is not always clear why something is rated dangerous or unoptimized.

The program will scan for junk files and user traces, Internet Explorer security settings, shared resources and other issues.

The diagnostic module is only one of the features of WinMate. The menu in the left sidebar and tabs lead to additional modules. It is for instance possible to run a Registry cleaner, duplicate file scan or junk file cleaner individually.

Other features include:

* Internet Explorer plugin manager, Internet Explorer repair, url blocker and LSP repair
* System optimizer with Registry tweaks that optimize the system, startup and services manager
* A program uninstaller (without cleanup module to find leftovers)
* Internet Explorer favorites and driver backup
* File wiper, network shared manager, disk immunue to disable autorun and links to Windows system tools like the disk management console or the Directx diagnostic tool.

windows system optimizer

WinMate combines system optimization with security hardening of the system. That alone makes it interesting. The program lacks explanations on the other hand, and it is obvious that the developer’s native language is not English.

Also take a look
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_optimizer
http://www.mactips.22web.net/index.php?p=1_3_Contact
http://www.mactips.22web.net/

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 arrives on 22 February

Microsoft's Windows communications manager, Brandon LeBlanc, has made a short statement over on the Windows Team Blog, announcing that the first service pack for Windows 7 will be freely available to the masses on 22 February. The update will be available via Microsoft's Download Center and Windows Update.

The final releases (RTM) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (SP1) have already been officially handed over to Microsoft's OEM partners. On 16 February, the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 service packs will be available for MSDN and TechNet subscribers, as well as Volume License customers.

The standalone service pack weighs in at about 500MB for 64-bit versions of the OS and, like most previous Windows service packs, includes all previous updates. However, the download is smaller if you update using Windows Update, as you'll already have the previous updates and the rest of the service pack only includes minor updates and tweaks to the operating system.

The most noteworthy fix for Windows 7 is improved HDMI audio, after some users reported that HDMI audio devices can be lost after system reboots. There have also been some tweaks to certain behaviours of the operating system, such as the way in which it restores previous folders at log-on.

According to the official notes on SP1, 'Prior to SP1, previous folders would be restored in a cascaded position based on the location of the most recently active folder. That behavior changes in SP1 so that all folders are restored to their previous positions.' Windows Server 2008 R2 users also get a feature called Microsoft RemoteFX, which offers a new set of tools for remote user environments.

Read also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7
http://www.basicpc.iranihast.co.cc/
http://pcbasic.2kool4u.net/
http://win7tips.66ghz.com/