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News Archives for July 2010
Hardware Roundup: Thursday EditionPosted: July 1, 2010 @ time: 05:19AM
Author: Nemo
What with all the different models of video cards out these days, making a choice is harder than ever. The good thing is that there's increased competition now that NVIDIA has its GTX 400 series cards out and increased competition is good for the consumer especially when it leads to price reductions as speculated on by the Industry Dirt: Pricing Drop Incoming article in our roundup today. Also included in the video card section is a review on the PowerColor HD 5870 PCS+ graphics card (also reviewed by OCC here). In motherboards we have a pair of AMD boards along with a double dose of Corsair solid sate drives. You can find these reviews and more by following the links below.
In-Win Griffin Black Mid Tower PC Case @ Legit Reviews
Input Devices
Roccat Pyra Mouse @ Rbmods
Foxconn A88GM Deluxe (AMD 880G) Motherboard @ TweakTown
MSI 890FXA-GD70 Motherboard @ Bjorn3D
Small Form Factor
Shuttle SG41J1 Plus @ LanOC Reviews
PlayClaw - Has FRAPS' Killer Arrived? @ Techgage
Storage/Hard Drives
Corsair Force F120 120GB SandForce Solid State Drive @ TweakTown
Corsair Reactor R60 SSD Test @ Benchmark Reviews
AMD ATI Catalyst Driver Performance Comparison @ [H]ardOCP
PowerColor HD5870 PCS+ @ LanOC Reviews
NVIDIA Surround with GeForce GTX 470 Results Update @ PC Perspective
GlacialLight PalmSiren Dynamo 2 Multifunctional Flashlight @ Madshrimps
Industry Dirt: Pricing Drop Incoming @ PC Perspective
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Toshiba to Create Classmate LaptopPosted: July 1, 2010 @ time: 05:25AM
Author: Dariuas
Intel has been designing computers for education for quite awhile now. These Classmate laptops have been a template for other manufacturers to help create their own version of educational laptops. Recently Toshiba announced its intention to create a version of these laptops for Japan which will be available in August. These new Japanese educational laptops will use the design from the fourth-generation of CM laptops which were shown at the CeBIT show in Germany this past March. Making use of Intel's N450 Atom processor, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional and a 10.1 inch touch screen which will rotate similar to a tablet notebook. This new leap forward for Toshiba is in line with the Japanese government's new policy to ensure that by 2015 elementary through high school students will have digital textbooks.
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Hardware Roundup: Friday EditionPosted: July 2, 2010 @ time: 04:01AM
Author: Nemo
In a departure from the strictly computer-related reviews today's roundup includes the second flashlight review in as many days with the HIS Rechargeable Solar LED flashlight. The NVIDIA GTX 400-series video cards do tend to run a bit on the warmish side so can a less restrictive exhaust bracket lower temperatures enough to make a difference? Read the EVGA GTX 400 Series High-Flow Exhaust Bracket review to find out. We have a good mix of reviews today so be sure to take time to check them out using the links below.
XClio Blackhawk Color Full Tower Chassis @ TweakTown
EVGA GTX 400 Series High-Flow Exhaust Bracket @ Legit Reviews
Media Players
AC Ryan PlayOn!HD 1TB @ XSReviews
Choiix Power Fort Advanced @ LanOC Reviews
Gigabyte X58A-UD3R: USB 3.0, SATA 6G @ HotHardware
Music/Video Players
Creative Zen X-Fi Style 8GB MP3 and Video Player @ TweakTown
ASRock Core-100HT Intel i3-330M HTPC @ Benchmark Reviews
ASUS Xonar DX2 Sound Card @ ThinkComputers
PCPer Podcast #111 @ PC Perspective
HIS Rechargeable Solar LED Flashlight @ Bjorn3D
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Apple Post Statement About iPhone 4, AT&T Post Cute Fish VideoPosted: July 2, 2010 @ time: 04:16PM
Author: d3bruts1d
So, you have probably heard that the iPhone 4 has some reception issues. If you haven't heard about it, you can read more about it in our past coverage here, here and here. Now, more than a week after the release of the latest iPhone, Apple has finally issued an official statement concerning the reception issues. The claim made by Apple is that it is not a hardware issue, but a problem in the formula that is used to determine signal strength. The formula which Apple called "totally wrong" may result in 4 or more bars being displayed when in actuality the signal strength is as little as two bars. This factored in with normal signal degradation that occurs when holding any cell phone results in a user seeing a drop in signal that didn't exist to begin with. Signal strength (or lack thereof) can also impact how much is lost when the device is being held. Apple plans to release an update for the iPhone's operating system within the next few weeks to correct the issue.
Apple ends the announcement with a statement reminding users that if they are not happy with their iPhone 4, they have the option to return the undamaged unit within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
In related news, but not quite worth its own post, Apple's US iPhone partner has started a new ad campaign titled "Rethink Possible" - not much different from Apple's old "Think Different" campaign. The first video for AT&T's new ad series has been posted to the company's Share AT&T YouTube Channel. The video, which will also air in 3D during the World Cup as well as before select 3D films, depicts a fish and well, that is pretty much it. Yeah, I'm not really sure about the odd video myself. What do you think?
Discuss the iPhone 4 and iOS 4 in the OCC Forums.
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Microsoft Invents Obvious Tech: Allows Batteries To Be Installed Any DirectionPosted: July 2, 2010 @ time: 06:40PM
Author: d3bruts1d
Have you ever been frustrated when you put brand new batteries in a device, only to find out that it didn't work? Have a device that requires batteries, but have a hard time making out which end is + and which end is -? Microsoft, of all companies, is here to make your life easier with its newest tech: InstaLoad. Simply place the batteries in your device, and forget about which way each one should be facing. It really couldn't be any simpler, and to be honest I'm surprised that no one has come up with this before. The tech should work with most of your standard, cylindrical batteries (AA, AAA, C, D). Now if Windows and IE could "insta-load." [Mashable]
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Hardware Roundup: Weekend EditionPosted: July 3, 2010 @ time: 04:42AM
Author: Nemo
AXLE is a relative newcomer to the North American market and we're beginning to see more units being reviewed and today's roundup includes two Radeon graphics cards from the Hong Kong manufacturer, both on the budget end of the lineup. First up is the HD 5670 that replaces the reference cooler with a custom heatsink from Arctic Cooling. The second unit being reviewed is the HD 5450 (recently reviewed by OCC here) that is passively cooled and best suited for HTPC type applications. While we're talking about HTPCs, our roundup also has a review on the ASUS P7H55-D EVO motherboard (also reviewed by OCC here), a mid-range offering with onboard video options that support the integrated graphics which are found on Intel's Clarksdale processors.
Cooler Master Elite 430 Black Mid Tower Case @ ThinkComputers
Apple addresses iPhone 4 complaints: It's the software, stupid! @ PC Perspective
LapWorks iPad Recliner @ Virtual-Hideout
ASUS P7H55D-M EVO (Intel H55 Express) Motherboard @ TweakTown
Home Theater Desktops? Bah, I Say! Why notebooks are the answer @ PC Perspective
AXLE Radeon HD 5670 Video Card @ Legit Reviews
AXLE RADEON HD 5450 512MB GDDR3 Video Card @ Madshrimps
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HP Begins Palm LayoffsPosted: July 3, 2010 @ time: 07:04AM
Author: Dariuas
We recently reported on Hewlett-Packard's plan to buy Palm for $1.2 billion. With the buyout process ended it seems there are plans to clean house with some of the redundant positions within the new organization. When something like this happens, it's only logical to cut back where you can by doing away with some roles that are already in place, like administration. There has been no official communication on where these cut backs are going to come from, or how many they plan to let go.
Is this a smart move for HP and Palm? Head over to the forums to discuss.
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iTunes "Walled Garden" Breached; App Store Hacked, Accounts CompromisedPosted: July 4, 2010 @ time: 10:44AM
Author: d3bruts1d
Apple's app store looks to have been compromised this morning as a number of the top books in the app store belong to the same publisher. More importantly, a number of users in the US and UK have reported being charged for unauthorized app purchases. It is unknown right now exactly how many user accounts have been compromised, however it is strongly encouraged that all users change their iTunes account password immediately. Users have been posted to Twitter than they have been charged as much as $600, usually in block of $40-$50 purchases. While we expect Apple to refund all fraudulent charges, it doesn't make having the account hacked and funds withdrawn any better.
The report first surfaced when a couple of app developers first noticed that they had been bumped from their app store ranking, to be replaced with a mysterious publisher with no website. Now, 40+ of the top 50 "iTunes top paid books" are from the same publisher.
Rather than wait for your emailed receipt to see if you have been charged for anything, you can view your recent purchases in iTunes. For information on how to do that, see Apple Related's guide.
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Hardware Roundup: Monday EditionPosted: July 5, 2010 @ time: 04:17AM
Author: Nemo
Axle is a videocard manufacturer making inroads in the North American market and we're beginning to see more reviews surface on its products. Today's roundup includes a pair of cards which might be best suited for light gaming or HTPC applications. The first is the Axle Radeon HD 5450 (also reviewed by OCC here) followed by the Axle Geforce GT 220. One of the key features of solid state drives aside from their fast read/write speeds is the high shock tolerance which makes them ideal for applications such as notebooks and mobile devices such as the OCZ Enyo 128GB USB 3.0 portable drive.
Inpt Devices
Logitech G9x Laser Gaming Mouse @ Benchmark Reviews
ASUS U30Jc 13.3-inch Notebook @ TweakTown
Storage/Hard Drives
OCZ Enyo 128GB USB 3.0 Portable SSD @ Techgage
Axle Radeon HD 5450 @ Rbmods
Axle Geforce GT 220 Videocard @ Tweaknews
Yellowstone Blu-ray Movie @ TweakTown
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Google Voice Desktop App May Never Be ReleasedPosted: July 5, 2010 @ time: 12:46PM
Author: CheeseMan42
Ever since I got a Google Voice account, I have found it extremely useful. The free text messages and number forwarding are great features. However, one thing I never imagined was a desktop client, but Google may be working on one. After purchasing Gizmo5, producer of VoIP software, it began to integrate Google Voice into the software. Tech Crunch was able to get its hands on a copy of the application and has posted a video of it in use. This service would actually be great for those travelling overseas. Google Voice doesn't work there, and using your cell phone in another country is rather expensive. Unfortunately, the people in charge at Google don't want to release it as they want to concentrate on web apps.
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Hardware Roundup: Tuesday EditionPosted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 05:09AM
Author: Nemo
We'll get things started today by checking out a pair of AMD processors from the Athlon II family. First up is the X3 445 3.1GHz chip followed by the quad-core X4 640 3.0GHz processor (also reviewed by OCC here). We also have a review of the NZXT Vulcan mATX gaming case along with several other reviews covering a nice range of products, so be sure to check them all out using the links below.
NZXT Vulcan @ Neoseeker
Arctic Cooling MX-4 Thermal Compound @ TweakTown
AMD Athlon II X3 445 3.1GHz Triple Core Processor @ Legit Reviews
AMD Athlon-II X4-640 Processor @ Benchmark Reviews
Input Devices
Razer Orochi portable gaming mouse @ LanOC Reviews
MSI H55M-ED55 LGA 1156 Micro ATX Motherboard @ PC Perspective
Operating Systems
Repairing a Broken GRUB 2 Boot-Loader on Ubuntu @ Techgage
Dell 6-Core Studio XPS 7100 System @ HotHardware
Storage/Hard Drives
AIC MiniBOD-T082 8-Bay 2.5-inch JBOD Enclosure @ TweakTown
Super Talent USB 3.0 Express Drive Flash Drive @ Tweaknews
Asus ENGTX465 (GTX-465) Voltage Tweak Edition @ Bjorn3D
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Engineer Update Coming to Team Fortress 2Posted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 10:58AM
Author: CheeseMan42
The long awaited, final class update, is coming this Thursday. The Engineer update will offer new weapons and achievements, and maybe some new maps and hats. Valve hinted at the update in a comic posted at the end of last week, which also offers some insight into the history of TF2. The first new weapon for the Engineer has been revealed, and is an upgrade to the shotgun. It provides critical hits based on how effective your sentry was. Also introduced over the weekend was the Golden Wrench, a limited item that is produced through crafting. Discuss your thoughts on the update in the forums. I'll be busy trying to get my hands on that wrench.
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Altec Lansing Debuts New Computer SpeakersPosted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 11:14AM
Author: bp9801
If you are in the market for some new computer speakers, Altec Lansing may have something for you. The company today has announced its newest speaker system, the Octane 7, and is aiming it at desktop or laptop users who desire exceptional audio. The Octane 7, or VS4621, will be replacing the VS4121 system and hopes to deliver as good or better sound as that popular system. The Octane 7s will be a 2.1 set that features a powerful 6 1/2 inch side-firing subwoofer, down-firing 3 inch mid-range speakers, and dual 1 inch micro-drivers. The whole get up arrives in a contemporay design that has a small footprint so it should be able to fit in any location you want. The speakers also feature compatibilty with MP3, CD, and DVD players so you have a large variety of sources to use them on.
The Altec Lansing Octane 7 speakers should be available now for $79.95.
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Enermax Announces New Laptop CoolerPosted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 11:28AM
Author: bp9801
Enermax has announced a new laptop cooler today, the Aeolus N14. The Aeolus N14 measures in at 220 x 270 x 45 mm and weighs 500 grams. The cooler is ergonomically designed, made of aluminum, and features honeycomb steel mesh, rubber stands, and two USB2.0 ports. There is a 140mm blue LED fan to help cool your laptop or netbook down, hence the N14 moniker. The fan will run at 850 RPM though no mention was made of the CFM. The Aeolus N14 will fit any laptop, netbook, or tablet up to 13.3 inches in size which to me makes it ideal for netbook users.
The Enermax Aeolus N14 should be available soon for £17.90.
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Firefox 4 Beta 1 Available NowPosted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 04:15PM
Author: bp9801
Firefox fans rejoice as version 4.0 is now available to download in beta form. Mozilla's Firefox 4 Beta 1 just launched today for anyone interested to download from the company's site. Users of Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X can download the beta which brings with it a slew of new features that includes WebM support. Version 4.0 brings with it an overhauled visual style, a new add-on manager, and improved privacy and crash protection among the more notable features.
For the full list of new features, check out the official feature page. Since this is a beta of version 4.0 I do recommend keeping Firefox 3.x.x installed in case any add-ons do not work.
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Palit Sponsors Fermi GiveawayPosted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 04:41PM
Author: Nemo
Palit is sponsoring a Fermi giveaway where members can qualify to win one of four video cards. Top prize consists of a Palit GTX480 graphics card. Palit is also giving away a GTX470 and a GTX465 along with a mystery prize and five complimentary prizes. The contest begins July 6 and runs through August 16th. So how do you enter? The process is simple and involves using your Facebook, Twitter or MySpace account and commenting on each site using the code phrase "I got game". For specific instructions you can visit the Palit contest page for links to each site. The contest rules state you can only enter once for each social networking site for a total of three entries. Good luck!
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Microsoft Develops Windows Phone 7 for Mobile DevicesPosted: July 6, 2010 @ time: 09:05PM
Author: Dariuas
When it comes to the development of mass market operating systems, there is no doubt Microsoft holds the belt. With the recent battlefield taking place on mobile devices, Microsoft concedes to the fact its current mobile system is not cutting it. Windows Mobile does not have the velocity of Apple's iPhone platform, or even Google's Android base. You may recall some of this information from previous news articles.
With the new push, Microsoft plans to develop Windows Phone 7, a new operating system specifically for mobile devices. Microsoft needs to bring the big guns to this fight, according to CSS Insight Analyst John Jackson.
"They have to have something out there to compete with the iPhone and Android because the future of computing is mobile. It's that simple."
Microsoft has the gaming market cornered with the Xbox 360, and with the pending release of Kinect, it would be nice to see Microsoft push their gaming style to a mobile device. While no specific details have been released, check back here as more Windows Phone 7 information becomes available.
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Hardware Roundup: Wednesday EditionPosted: July 7, 2010 @ time: 05:06AM
Author: Nemo
Solid state drives have it all over conventional drives in terms of performance and we have another review on SSDs, this time it's on the G.Skill Phoenix Pro SandForce unit. Where conventional drives excel currently is in cost/GB and today's roundup also has an article that examines the SSDs from a value perspective. Antec has its Dark Fleet full-tower chassis being reviewed along with many more which you can reach by using the included links below.
Antec Dark Fleet DF-85 Full Tower Case @ ThinkComputers
NZXT Sentry LXE Touch-Screen Fan Controller @ Techgage
GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD7 (AMD 890FX+SB850) Motherboard @ TweakTown
Razer Kabuto @ LanOC Reviews
Android 2.2 Review: A Deep, Delicious Dive Into Froyo @ HotHardware
Latest in Smartphones: Third Quarter 2010 @ TechSpot
Storage/Hard Drives
Today's solid-state drives: The value perspective @ Tech Report
G.Skill Phoenix Pro SandForce SSD Test @ Benchmark Reviews
PNY GeForce GTX 465 XLR8 Video Card @ Legit Reviews
Sapphire HD 5550 Ultimate Edition Videocard @ Tweaknews
Has ATX run its course? @ TweakTown
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Samsung Launches Two New MonitorsPosted: July 7, 2010 @ time: 12:01PM
Author: bp9801
Samsung is launching a couple of new monitors today that fit into a new LED series. The monitors will fit into the new 50 and 30 series and both feature an eco-friendly LED backlit display. The BX2350 and BX2335 both feature a 1080p resolution screen with a 2ms response time and a rather unique feature Samsung is calling Magic Return for the 50 series. If you use two screens for your desktop view, Magic Return will allow the desktop to be shifted to one monitor in case the second monitor unexpectedly shuts off. This way you won't lose any work since everything just gets moved over to the powered-on screen. Samsung did not say if this feature will work with a new 50 series and an older monitor or just two of the new series, but either way it sounds pretty interesting.
Availability should be immediate though no word on pricing was announced.
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Motorola Charm Official, Heading to T-MobilePosted: July 7, 2010 @ time: 01:56PM
Author: bp9801
It had been talked about for a few days and now Motorola has officially dropped the curtain on its latest Android device, the Charm. The Motorola Charm will be heading to T-Mobile and should be available this summer. The Charm is packing Android 2.1 with Motoblur so social networking is going to be a major selling point for this phone. The phone has a full QWERTY keyboard and a 2.8 inch touchscreen, though Motorola promises that the touchscreen will not be needed for every input because of the rear touchpad. That touchpad is dubbed the "Backtrack" and it will have a similar feature to the pad found on the back of the Motorola Backflip.
The Charm is coming with Adobe Flash Lite which will make web browsing that much nicer of an experience. On the rear of the phone is a 3 megapixel camera that uses Kodak technology which is an interesting choice but should work out just fine. There is also a second microphone on the Charm to allow for crystal clear phone calls using Motorola CrystalTalk technology.
No word on pricing was announced at this time but expect that closer to the phone's launch.
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Borders Gets into the eBook Biz, Releases Apps for Mac, PC, iOS and AndroidPosted: July 7, 2010 @ time: 04:05PM
Author: d3bruts1d
Another book store has joined the eBook craze. Today Borders announced the launch of its own eBook store as well as eReading applications for iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad), Android, Blackberry as well as Mac and PC desktop clients. The books are published using the ePub format and/or Adobe PDF which make them accessible to a wide range of devices and gadgets. With the Borders eReader desktop and mobile apps you can:
- browse and buy eBooks at Borders.com, where you'll find over a million titles, including a generous selection of free books
- search by title, author, topic, or keyword
- make quick and easy purchases
- access your eBook Library
- download eBooks for offline reading
- enjoy automatic bookmarking, print quality resolution, smooth transitions between pages and chapters, and customized fonts and type sizes
I know a while back when I polled OCC members on eReaders, the devices weren't too popular. However with Apple, B&N, Amazon and now Borders all set to battle it out in the realm of eBooks, it may be time we take another look at the devices. [Apple Related and TalkAndroid]
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Hardware Roundup: Thursday EditionPosted: July 8, 2010 @ time: 04:35AM
Author: Nemo
You can build a fairly decent computer for $1,200 these days. For the same amount of cash you could pick up an ASUS ARES graphics card sporting dual HD 5870 GPUs running each running at a full 850MHz. Couple that with 4GB of GDDR5 memory and you've got some serious horsepower available. Also included in today's roundup are two AMD motherboards based on the 890GX and 890FX chipsets. We also picked up another review of the Cooler Master V6GT CPU cooler (also reviewed by OCC here).
Cooler Master V6GT CPU Cooler @ Benchmark Reviews
ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Motherboard @ [H]ardOCP
Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7 @ Bjorn3D
MSI GeForce GTX 465 Twin Frozr II Overclocked w/ Voltage Adjustment @ TweakTown
ASUS ARES Dual HD 5870 Review - The Ultimate Graphics Card @ PC Perspective
ASUS ARES 4GB Limited Edition Video Card @ Legit Reviews
Asus ARES HD 5970 4GB @ Neoseeker
Razer Gear Rack @ LanOC Reviews
Buying a Budget PC: DIY vs. OEM @ TechSpot
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YouTube Mobile gets a MakeoverPosted: July 8, 2010 @ time: 05:30AM
Author: d3bruts1d
Due to the increasing popularity of accessing the internet from mobile devices, YouTube has launched a revamped version of their mobile site (http://m.youtube.com). The new and improved site brings to it more features, more HTML5 video, and easier navigation. The new mobile website has been called a better experience than native YouTube apps for Android and the iPhone (Apple Related & Talk Android). So, what's new? According to Google:
- It's really fast.
- The user interface incorporates larger, more touch-friendly elements, making it easier to access videos on the go.
- It incorporates the features and functionality you've come to expect from the .com site, like search query suggestions, the options to create playlists, the ability to designate "favorite," "like" or "unlike" videos directly from your device.
- As we make improvements to Youtube.com, you'll see them quickly follow on our mobile site, unlike native apps which are not updated as frequently.
Google provided some interesting numbers in the same blog post where the mobile revamp was announced.
- YouTube video playback was up 160% in 2009 over the previous year.
- YouTube Mobile receives more than 100 million video play backs per day, that's roughly the same amount YouTube.com was getting when they were acquired by Google in 2006.
- When YouTube mobile launched in 2007 it only had about 1,000 videos.
Give the new YouTube mobile a try, and let us know what you think about it in the comments.
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G.Skill Launches 24GB 2000MHz CL8 DDR3 KitPosted: July 8, 2010 @ time: 10:12AM
Author: bp9801
G.Skill, makers of fine performance memory kits, has announced the newest addition to its staple of gaming RAM, the 24GB 2000MHz CL8 DDR3 kit. This kit packs six, 4GB sticks running at an impressive 2000MHz. Not only do they run at 2000MHz but also have a CAS Latency of 8 all while running at 1.65v. This kit is aimed at users of X58 boards who demand the most performance for their money. During the recent Computex show, G.Skill showed off this kit but running with a CL of 9. G.Skill decided to push itself just a bit harder and drop that CL down to 8 which is just mighty impressive if you ask me. This kit is already garnering attention from extreme performance users who demand the most performance and highest memory capacity from their systems.
No word on pricing or availability was announced at this time.
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Quanta Launches Record Number of Laptops in JunePosted: July 8, 2010 @ time: 12:26PM
Author: bp9801
Chances are you have never heard of Quanta before. If you use a laptop sold by HP, Dell, or Sony, then you are using a Quanta built laptop. Quanta has set a record high for shipments and revenue in June. The reason is contributed to smaller component shortages, like the new Intel Arrandale chips, and that customers placed orders in early June so that the laptops would ship out before July hit. The company expects things to slow down in July, but exactly how much did Quanta sell this past month? 4.8 million laptops that generated $3.1 billion in revenue. Staggering numbers really and it is the main reason Quanta is the number one laptop manufacturer in the world. The previous high was 4.3 million laptops sold which Quanta hit this past April. So long as Intel can keep up demand of its chips, I think Quanta will break yet another record before long.
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BFG Tech Officially Done?Posted: July 8, 2010 @ time: 09:43PM
Author: bp9801
Well, this bit of news certainly strikes a heavy chord. Early reports indicated that BFG Tech was simply shutting down its graphics card division but would keep all remaining divisions open. However, new reports seem to indicate that BFG Tech is going to simply shut down entirely. From the guys at [H]ard|OCP comes some information stating that the entire power supply division has been let go. It seems like something has gone awfully wrong with BFG Tech if the entire company is going under, but take this news with a grain of salt until official confirmation hits. If it is true, it looks like now is the perfect time to RMA that card or PSU of yours.
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Hardware Roundup: Friday EditionPosted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 04:20AM
Author: Nemo
ASUS has released a dual HD 5870 video card called the ARES with 4GB of GDDR5 memory that is a beast of a card with a whopping $1,200 price tag to go with it. What better way to house your top-end card than in a $750 Level 10 chassis from Thermaltake (also reviewed by OCC here). If your computer budget doesn't rival the annual GDP of a third-world country, then fortunately for you we have reviews on much less expensive hardware which you can check out using the links below.
Thermaltake's Level 10 enclosure @ Tech Report
Antec DF-35 Dark Fleet Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews
Prolimatech Armageddon @ Bjorn3D
Digital Photography/Video
Logitech HD C510 Webcam @ Rbmods
Biostar TA890GXB HD Micro-ATX Motherboard @ Legit Reviews
ASUS Cine5 5-Channel Speaker @ ThinkComputers
NVIDIA GTX 280 SLI 3D Surround Experience @ [H]ardOCP
Asus ARES Dual Radeon HD 5870 4GB @ HotHardware
PCPer Podcast #112 @ PC Perspective
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Dragon Age 2 Coming Next YearPosted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 12:48PM
Author: CheeseMan42
Dragon Age told the story of the Grey Warden and was a very popular RPG this past year. The sequel, Dragon Age 2, has officially been confirmed by EA and BioWare, and will be released in March 2011. In the new game, players will take control of Hawke, a new character that will provide for a new adventure. As Hawke, players will start out as a refugee, who eventually "rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age." The game will also feature updated graphics and a new combat system. Choices that the player makes will impact the outcome of the story, and the world of Dragon Age.
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Apple Issues Firmware Update, Can't Fix AntennaPosted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 01:02PM
Author: CheeseMan42
Apple is developing a firmware update to fix a problem with how the iPhone determines and displays signal strength. A problem present since the original iPhone, which has resulted in displaying up to 2 more bars than it should. Apple will issue an update using an AT&T recommended algorithm, and will finally show the correct number of bars. Gizmodo has confirmed on three separate occasions that the new fix won't help with the problem that arises when holding the phone in a certain way. This issue deals with the placement of the antenna, and the physical problem can't be fixed by a software patch. A petition has been started asking Apple to issue a proper fix or give out rubber cases to insulate the antenna from the hand. So, for now at least, users will have to avoid holding the phone in a way that will block reception.
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Netgear Introduces New Line of NAS ProductsPosted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 01:13PM
Author: CheeseMan42
Network Attached Storage, or NAS, products have become increasingly popular in recent years. People want to add storage and have it available to multiple computers, and they want it to work with minimal setup. The new ReadyNAS Ultra product line from Netgear, is designed to appeal to "hardcore digital enthusiasts." The Ultra line will feature Intel Atom processors, X-RAID2 functionality, and compatibility with TiVo. Users will be able to easily handle encoding, decoding, and streaming of HD content. Users aren't limited by location, either, and can stream to mobile devices anywhere. The inclusion of transcoding will ensure that the content will always have the right resolution for the device. The ReadyNAS Ultra comes in 2, 4, and 6 bay designs, with the 4 and 6 available immediately. The starting price of these units is $600 and $900, respectively.
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NTP Sues Six Companies Over Wireless E-Mail PatentsPosted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 02:27PM
Author: bp9801
Back in 2006, NTP and Research In Motion, makers of the BlackBerry, settled in court a wireless e-mail patent dispute that NTP alleged RIM violated in its BlackBerry devices. That first went into the courts in 2001 and it took five years to settle in which RIM paid NTP $612.5 million. Now, NTP has set its sights on six other companies over the same wireless e-mail patent infringement. Those six companies are Apple, Microsoft, Google, HTC, LG, and Motorola. NTP alleges that all six of them infringe on eight different patents for "delivery of electronic mail over wireless communications systems." Basically, if your cellphone notifies you of a new e-mail and allows you to read it, your cellphone is violating an NTP patent.
After its victory over RIM, NTP went on to sue AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. In those lawsuits, the US Patent and Trademark Office made a ruling that invalidated all of the patents. Last year though, the USPTO Board of Patent Appeals ruled that 67 claims in four of NTP's patents are valid which gave the company hope that the rest of its patents will also be declared valid. That hope is also enabling NTP to sue the other six companies just in case the remaining patents are validated.
Whatever will happen, it is good that NTP won that $600 million a few years ago because it looks like it will come in handy.
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ASUS Eee PC 1215N to Ship in August, Use Ion 2Posted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 02:39PM
Author: bp9801
Remember that bit of news a few months back saying how NVIDIA Ion 2 netbooks would be shipping this summer? Well, if you didn't notice, the Acer Aspire One 532G never came and the ASUS Eee PC 1201PN did ship but lacked NVIDIA's Optimus technology to switch between the discrete chip and onboard graphics. Now, ASUS is set to launch an honest to goodness Ion 2 netbook in the form of the Eee PC 1215N. That netbook will be a 12 inch model that packs a dual-core Intel Atom D525 running at 1.8GHz and NVIDIA's Optimus which makes this netbook the Ion 2 machine to get.
ASUS says the Eee PC 1215N will ship in the U.S. around August 23rd for under $500.
Complete Story
YouTube Introduces Videos in 4KPosted: July 9, 2010 @ time: 06:17PM
Author: bp9801
I do not know how many people have anything capable of displaying a 4K video, but YouTube is not going to let an opportunity pass by. During the VidCon 2010 conference today, YouTube officially launched support for videos shot in 4K to be displayed on its website. That is right, videos up to 4096x3072 resolution will now be enjoyed on YouTube. Now, there are not too many 4K camcorders or projectors in common use so this new format will only be aimed at a select market but at least they can now enjoy a video at the massive resolution. If you want to try the 4K videos out for yourself, just select the "Original" option though be warned the bandwidth pull will be excessive.
Complete Story
AMD Creates Budget Six-CorePosted: July 10, 2010 @ time: 09:02AM
Author: Dariuas
Computer processors have come a long way in such a short time, with AMD's entry into the market coming all the way back in 1996 with the K5. Move ahead 14 years, when those single core, massive processors have been replaced by 45nm dies that run at upwards of 100x faster than previous chips. Now, enter the hexa-core processor. Intel and AMD have both launched their own hexa-cores over the past year, but anyone who has considered six-cores to power their computer can attest, they are pretty expensive chips. Now, AMD has prepared the world for a conceivably cheaper hexa-core processor, the 1045T, the younger brother of the 1090T, running at 2.7GHz, 95W TDP, and with a 9MB cache. Slated for a September launch, there is no price tag available, but this six-core processor could be the cheap solution for budget builders looking for the latest technology.
Complete Story
Celeron is Here to StayPosted: July 11, 2010 @ time: 10:47AM
Author: Dariuas
Recent reports from the Taiwanese press stated that 2011 would mark the final farewell of Intel Celeron chips. The 12-year old processor was said to be removed from the lineup. However, Barry Sum, a spokesman for the company sent this rebuttal saying the report is false.
"The rumor is not true, Intel has no plan to phase out the Celeron brand in 2011. Intel Celeron processors continue to provide a low-cost computing solution for basic computing needs,"
The Celeron processor has been a staple in Intel's line up. The Celeron name has many different faces, ranging in both speed and price, anywhere from $43 each per thousand units for the two core 2.4Ghz chip, to a $100 mobile chip at 2.2GHz. Holding the trophy for being the cheapest per unit, the Celeron processor it seems will not be making its exit any time soon especially with three new chips slated to come out some time in Q3.
Complete Story
Upcoming Intel Sandy Bridge Chips to be Core i3/i5/i7 2000 SeriesPosted: July 11, 2010 @ time: 01:14PM
Author: bp9801
The upcoming Sandy Bridge chips from Intel will carry the Core i3/i5/i7 names just like the current Nehalem chips. However, to avoid confusion with the current lineup, Intel will add 2000 to the Sandy Bridge chips. In this way, a Core i7 930 will become a Core i7 2930. It sounds a little weird but it is probably the best solution out there. The Sandy Bridge chips will release in the first quarter of 2011 as dual or quad core chips with an IGP on the same chip. These first chips will be fitting into the new 1155 socket. The six and eight core chips will release later in 2011 and fit into the new 2011 socket. Hopefully Intel will keep the Core names simple this time so that the six and eight cores will be under Core i7, the quad cores under Core i5, and the dual cores under Core i3.
Final details on the Sandy Bridge chips should be out before the end of this year.
Complete Story
Hardware Roundup: Monday EditionPosted: July 12, 2010 @ time: 05:02AM
Author: Nemo
We open up the week with a brief set of articles as it looks as if most reviewers' attention was drawn to the release of the NVIDIA GTX 460 graphics cards. Taking a look at motherboards we have a pair of reviews covering X58 chipset boards from Gigabyte and ASUS. For backup and extra storage in a portable format we get a chance to check out the Seagate FreeAgent Go offering 500GB of space. Not all applications require a big power supply and for a mATX HTPC application the Seasonic SS-300TFX may be just what the doctor ordered.
Gaming on the Go: Laptop vs LAN Rig @ LanOC Reviews
Overclocking the GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD9 + Core i7-980X with LN2 by Deanzo @ TweakTown
Asus P6X58D-E @ Bjoprn3D
Power Supplies
Seasonic SS-300TFX Power Supply @ PC Perspective
Storage/Hard Drives
Seagate FreeAgent Go @ Maximum CPU
3D movies and the value of entertainment @ Tech Report
Its Complicated Blu-ray Movie @ TweakTown
Complete Story
Hardware Roundup: NVIDIA GTX 460 EditionPosted: July 12, 2010 @ time: 05:24AM
Author: Nemo
When AMD introduced its Radeon HD 5000-series cards, it made a point of filling in all the price points to ensure it had all its bases covered. NVIDIA was late to the game with its Fermi-based GTX 400-series cards and it is now slowly back filling its product lineup and today announced the GTX 460 cards with the simultaneous release of offerings from several of its OEM partners. In a nutshell the GTX 460 comes in at the $200 price point to offer mid-range gaming performance for budget-conscious users. Based on the GF104 Fermi processor it comes equipped with 336 CUDA cores and 56 texture mapping units. The architecture of the GPU has been reorganized a bit as well compared to its bigger siblings. The card is being offered in 768MB ($199) and 1GB($229) versions.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 Review - GF104 and the budget Fermi @ PC Perspective
NVIDIA GeForce GTX-460 768MB Video Card and NVIDIA GeForce GTX-460 1GB Video Card @ Benchmark Reviews
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 Debut: ZOTAC, EVGA @ HotHardware
Palit GTX 460 Sonic Platinum & Inno3D GeForce GTX 460 @ TechSpot
MSI GeForce GTX 460 768MB Cyclone Video Card and GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 460 1GB OC Video Card @ TweakTown
Nvidia's GeForce GTX 460 graphics processor @ Tech Report
Nvidia GTX-460(s) 768MB & 1GB @ Bjorn3D
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 @ [H]ardOCP
Complete Story
Consumer Reports Confirm iPhone 4 Antenna IssuesPosted: July 12, 2010 @ time: 02:57PM
Author: bp9801
It is no secret that the iPhone 4 has a reception problem when you hold it a certain way due to the antenna that encircles the phone. Apple even went on record stating that it is not a design flaw but rather a software problem in which a fix is being developed. Consumer Reports, however, contradicts Apple's statement by conducting a series of tests on several iPhone 4's and other phones offered by AT&T. Consumer Reports tested these phones in its RF chamber which simulates varying signal levels from all the major carriers and found that the iPhone 4 was the only phone to lose signal when held. CR even went to say that AT&T's network may not be the prime culprit but rather the antenna on the phone, as everyone but Apple suspected. A piece of tape that covers that bottom-left corner seems to be a simple and effective fix if you don't want to get a rubber case. Whats more is that Consumer Reports cannot and will not recommend the iPhone 4 until Apple issues a proper and free fix, even though the new version has the best screen and features compared to past models.
Complete Story
Mach Xtreme Technology Unveils MX JET PRO Series of SSDsPosted: July 12, 2010 @ time: 08:20PM
Author: bp9801
Mach Xtreme Technology has unveiled its newest series of solid state drives, the MX JET PRO series. The MX JET PRO series uses MLC NAND-based storage and a JMicron JMF616 controller to deliver fast performance at a hopefully affordable level. That JMF616 controller is a new offering from JMicron and MX Technology has worked closely with the company to deliver the best performance out of it. The controller is paired with 128MB of onboard cache to help deliver consistently fast performance for the entire life of the drive. The MX JET PRO series comes in 64, 128, and 256GB varieties with read speeds up to 270MB/second and write speeds up to 210MB/s. Each drive comes with a two year warranty which I still feel is rather light for an SSD.
No word on pricing or availability was announced at this time.
Complete Story
OCZ Unveils High-Speed, High-Density Memory ModulesPosted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 02:56AM
Author: premiumgfx
OCZ has unveiled its latest memory offering: high-speed 4GB (4096MB) memory modules for maximum performance in demanding situations. The new DDR3 sticks run at a blazing 2133MHz, enabling users such as gamers to benefit from the best of both worlds; more memory and more speed. All modules operate at 1.65V and are AMD and Intel certified to ensure compatibility. The new modules will be available in dual-channel 8GB (2x4GB) and tri-channel 12GB (3x4GB) kits, along with cooling options ranging from the high-end Reaper HPC series to the starter Platinum series catering for all users and budgets. Every module will be backed by OCZ's lifetime warranty and technical support. OCZ has not yet disclosed any word on pricing or availability of the new modules.
Complete Story
Bye-bye Blockbuster?Posted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 04:13AM
Author: premiumgfx
Blockbuster is an iconic symbol of home entertainment not only in America, but globally too. Reaching from Brazil to New Zealand the local Blockbuster store has been a mainstay in many communities. Do you have a local Blockbuster store? I'm pretty sure you do, but in New Zealand my local store closed down silently a few years ago. According to Douglas McIntyre from 24/7 Wall St., this fate may meet Blockbuster's American retail operations as soon as next year. McIntyre included Blockbuster on his list of the "10 Brands That May Disappear in 2011." We all know that Blockbuster is far from its days of former glory, with the humble physical rental store quickly being replaced by cable, satellite, the internet and mail order DVDs. Blockbuster has over 6000 retail stores, of which 3,750 are in the United States. The closure of all these stores may sound drastic, but competitor Movie Gallery is closing more than 1200 of its U.S retail outlets. With a US$65 million loss last quarter, the future of Blockbuster is not clear but what is certain is that retail stores, the heart of the business will never be the same again.
Complete Story
Hardware Roundup: Tuesday EditionPosted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 04:49AM
Author: Nemo
We'll start off at the top of the list with a pair of mid-tower cases. First up is the Fortress Series FT02 from SilverStone that has a sleek, minimalist design. The next case review covers the Aercool PGS Vs-9, a budget case with a lot of features for the price. We move next to the cooling department where we find the Zalman ZM-NC2500 PLUS notebook cooler along with the CoolIT ECO A.L.C. water cooling kit (also reviewed by OCC here). With yesterday's release of the NVIDIA GTX 460 graphics cards our roundup features several follow on reviews as well as a review on the PowerColor HD 5770 Eyefinity 5 Edition video card.
SilverStone Fortress Series FT02 Computer Case @ Tweaknews
Aerocool PGS Vs-9 Mid Tower Case @ ThinkComputers
Zalman ZM-NC2500 PLUS Notebook Cooler @ Benchmark Reviews
CoolIT ECO A.L.C. CPU Cooler @ Rbmods
Quick Review: NAVIGON 1400 GPS @ TweakTown
LANOC Breaks Down the Engie Update @ LanOC Reviews
Griffin iTrip Auto (2010 version) @ Maximum CPU
TRENDnet TEW-691GR 450Mbps Wireless Router @ TweakTown
Free Alternatives to Adobe Reader for Viewing PDFs @ Techgage
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 768MB and 1GB Video Card @ Legit Reviews
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SLI Performance Follow-up @ [H]ardOCP
PowerColor HD 5770 Eyefinity 5 Edition @ Neoseeker
Palit GeForce GTX 460 1GB Sonic Platinum Video Card @ TweakTown
Complete Story
About That Consumer Reports Article And The iPhone 4 IssuesPosted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 06:17AM
Author: d3bruts1d
Yesterday Consumer Reports stated that despite the iPhone 4 scoring higher than any other smart phone to date, they could not recommend the phone based on the current reception issues. The article appears to contradict Apple's own explanation of the iPhone 4's issues, or does it? In a new editorial, I take a closer look at the Consumer Reports' article as well as the hysteria surrounding the iPhone 4. You might just be surprised.
Complete Story
Intel Posts Best Quarterly Profits EverPosted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 01:56PM
Author: bp9801
I know all the rage these days is on tablets and smartphones but there are still plenty of people out there buying computer parts. That is never more evident then with the numbers Intel has just released for this past fiscal quarter. Intel, leading manufacturer of processors, has just had its best quarter ever with a $10.6 billion revenue that generated $2.9 billion in profit. Thats right, $2.9 billion in profit for one quarter for Intel. That profit is an increase of $445 million from last quarter and a revenue increase of $3.3 billion from last year. The majority of the recent revenue was driven by laptop and server sales as well as a 16 percent increase in Atom sales. Another thing is that the sale price of the chips went up which helped to drive up revenue since more chips at a higher price means more money for Intel.
Complete Story
Microsoft Extends Windows XP Downgrade Rights to 2020Posted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 02:51PM
Author: bp9801
Today is the day that users of Windows 2000 and Windows XP SP2 will lose official support unless they upgrade to XP SP3 or Vista/7. In a shocking move though, Microsoft has announced that users of an OEM copy of Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate can downgrade to Windows XP Professional until the year 2020. The downgrade rights would have expired early next year, possibly April 2011, but due to overwhelming usage of Windows XP by businesses, Microsoft decided to extend the rights to 2020. This only affects users of an OEM copy of Winows 7 Pro or Ultimate, that is, ones that had the OS preinstalled on their computer from a retailer. Even still, it is quite a surprising turn of events from Microsoft who originally wanted the downgrade rights to expire six months after the launch of Windows 7 so to see it extended to 2020 is just amazing. Microsoft retracted its six month plan and imposed the eighteen month one which would have expired next April.
With the downgrade rights until 2020, it is highly unlikely any hardware released then would still work with Windows XP but it is somewhat comforting to know you can downgrade for so long.
Complete Story
Google Wants to Make App Creation EasierPosted: July 13, 2010 @ time: 04:44PM
Author: CheeseMan42
Google will release a new tool on Monday designed to help make app creation for Android easier. By opening up the app creation process to those that may not have been able to create them previously, Google hopes to catch Apple in the mobile app market. The tool has been in development for over a year and has been tested by groups that would seem unlikely to be interested in developing apps. Using graphics that represent blocks of code, users are able to create a program in minimal time. Some of the programs cited could prove useful, and with a wider availability, the possibilities are endless.
Complete Story
SilverStone Announces Nitrogon CPU CoolerPosted: July 14, 2010 @ time: 03:21AM
Author: premiumgfx
SilverStone today announced the Nitrogon CPU cooler for the Intel LGA 1156 socket. The new cooler is low-profile and is designed as an entry-level heatsink replacement. The Nitrogon features a copper base and aluminum heatfins along with a 90mm cooling fan. The cooling fan can be adjusted using an onboard switch to either 1200-3000RPM or 1200-1800RPM (±10%). The cooler measures in at 93x36.5x93mm (WxHxD) and weighs a mere 310g. Although the Nitrogon bears an uncanny resemblance to the stock Intel heatsink, it is important to note that it is targeted as a replacement product for CPUs with a TDP of up to 95W. The Nitrogon NT07 series CPU cooler will be available soon for approximately US$20.
Complete Story
Thermaltake Introduces Armor A60 Mid-Tower ChassisPosted: July 14, 2010 @ time: 04:01AM
Author: premiumgfx
Thermaltake has introduced its latest chassis, the Armor A60. The Armor A60 is a mid-tower chassis and features a "world first" SideClick EasySwap HDD docking system. This system enables the user to easily hotswap 3.5" harddrives by placing it into the drive tray and sliding it into the slot until a "click" is heard. Other features include a USB 3.0, a USB 2.0 and audio connectors on the front panel, along with an eSATA connector on the top for quick connectivity. The A60 is built with cooling in mind and includes one 120mm intake fan, one 200mm and one 120mm exhaust fan respectively pre-installed for convenience. Slots allow four more fans to be installed if needed. The Armor A60 supports Micro ATX and Standard ATX motherboards, powered by a bottom-mounted ATX PS2 power supply. A removable power supply dust filter is included to help prevent dust accumulation. The chassis is finished in black both outside and inside and features a small plastic window on the side panel. The Thermaltake Armor A60 mid-tower chassis is available now for a recommended retail price of US$89.90.
Complete Story
Hardware Roundup: Wednesday EditionPosted: July 14, 2010 @ time: 05:12AM
Author: Nemo
Today's roundup features a series of motherboard reviews covering Intel's P55 and X58 chipsets and several AMD 8-series boards. The release of NVIDIA's GTX 460 cards has generated quite a bit of interest as well as the inevitable comparison against AMD's HD 5000-series cards. Speaking of which, we also turned up a review of the Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate 1GB card (also reviewed by OCC here). Not all rigs need the biggest power supply out there, but for enthusiasts running multiple high-end graphics cards things change and that's were units like the Corsair AX1200W (you can check out the OCC review here) power supply come in to play.
Nexus Disk Twin HDD Cooler @ XSReviews
Quick Review: LASER iPad Accessories Round Up @ TweakTown
ASRock P55 Deluxe3 S1156 Motherboard @ Madshrimps
AMD Socket AM3 Budget Motherboard Shootout @ TechSpot
ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard @ ThinkComputers
ASRock 880G Extreme3 (AMD 880G) Motherboard @ TweakTown
Power Supplies
Corsair AX1200 1200W Power Supply @ [H]ardOCP
Zotac's Zbox HD-ID11 barebones nettop @ Tech Report
Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headset @ Neoseeker
Storage/Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 Extended SSD Test @ Benchmark Reviews
Enthusiast Graphics Card Comparison - NVIDIA and AMD head-to-head @ PC Perspective
NVIDIA Sheds Light On Lack Of PhysX CPU Optimizations @ HotHardware
Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate 1GB @ LanOC Reviews
Complete Story


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Turn off those lights! Or else
Politicians already exercise the (unconstitutional) power to tell us what we can drink, what we can smoke, how much we should earn, what many products should cost and much more.
Now, they want to tell us what kind of light bulb we should be "allowed" to use in the privacy of our own homes.Details

subset: commoncrawl


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You don't need to explain your reasons not to solve this puzzle.
Resistance is futile.Regardless, you would do yourself a favor to get used to
.NET; Sooner or later you will have no choice, so why deprive yourself of cool toys that (unfortunately) use it now?
Oh my god, you're right! It does look like he wrote this application in
The fact that it's kind of cool is only a ruse in his more diabolical agenda of making your life miserable for five or so minutes. The fact that we are compelled to install it by means I don't quite understand yet only makes the situation worse. If only we had a choice whether or not we wanted to play with a 5-dimensional Rubik's Cube!
Personally, I think that if you're as outraged as I am, since you're obviously so much smarter then me, you should rewrite his application in a morally superior language. The kink in this fool's plan is that he seems to have forgotten to patent the application (but be careful, it could be another trick!), which leaves the door open for anyone to simply rewrite it!
Please start working on it right away, as this outrage must not go unanswered!
No doubt, they just pulled it apart and put it back together with all the blocks in the correct orientation. Saw my kid sister do that with the 3-D version.the full 5D puzzle has already been solved by 3 people.
Wait! You mean you actually looked at five sides of the cube, and
The problem with that is if you take apart and reassemble a 4D or 5D Rubik's Cube, you also turn the universe inside-out.
You should read Diaspora [wikipedia.org] by Greg Egan.
To us, they look like white mice.
You see, they really were very clever hyper-intelligent, pan-dimensional beings.
I noticed in the 4D model that elements disappear and reappear with each move. What's up with that?
If there were 4 spatial dimensions, the distance would be calculated by
sqrt(x^2+y^2+z^2 + v^2)
taking v as the displacement in the 4th dimension.
The Rubik's cube programs work by projecting 4 or 5 dimensions onto a 2 dimensional plane (your screen), basically in the same way that perspective is used to project 3D pictures onto 2D planes.
So the 4th and 5th dimension aren't mathematically or conceptually different to the familiar 3 dimensions. The only difference is that we cannot comprehend them.
Both of these guys who wrote this are my co-workers at my day job. They're both really brilliant guys. IIRC Roice has actually solved a 3D cube behind his back before...
Anyway - it is actually an interesting piece of work. The original cube itself is also very nice. One must recognize that even the original cube does actually contain more than one solution. If you replace the stickers on an original cube with 6 different images then you will reduce the number of solutions to one single. The catch is that the center piece can on an original cube have four different positions that all are correct. This means that the or
Things equal to nothing else are equal to each other.


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Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 12:00am
Beautiful black and white photographs by Henry Berry will be on display from May 2 to May 30 in the Oak Park Public Library Art Gallery. A reception for the artist will be Saturday, May 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. The gallery is open seven days a week during regular Library hours.
Henry Berrys distinctive style of photography comes from his mastery of the fine art of black and white photography and a deep personal connection with his subject matter. Although his photography is influenced by such artists as Walker Evans, Ansel Adams, Alfred Stiglitz, and Clarence John Laughlin, he has developed his own unique style.
For more information, see www.henryberryphotography.com.
Event Type:
Adult & Teen Services


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Take Stock of America
Text Size
Take Stock of America
Investment Strategy Group
Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management
January 2010
It seems that a day doesn't go by without some commentary about the rise of the East, particularly China, and the fall of the West, particularly the United States of America. Many market observers are quick to point out that the financial crisis and deep recession of 2008-09 have dealt a fatal blow to US hegemony. They note that the US budget deficit will burden the US economy and that the descent of the US will be expedited by the unwillingness of the politicians in Washington to make the tough decisions to cut government spending. Thus, they say, the US's dominating influence ends, and that of China begins. China's centrally managed governing process will be effective in maintaining high growth rates, the argument goes, which will cause China to become the largest world economy sometime in the next 20 or so years.
China may well experience impressive growth over the next several decades – in fact, we expect it to. But that growth, in our opinion, will not come at the expense of the US. Our view is based on two premises. The first states that the US economy will recover along the path of past recoveries. The second premise is driven by a rigorous assessment of the various factors that, in combination, have accounted for the unique success and dominance of the US over the last century. A careful review of the data has led us to conclude that these factors are all intact; and in fact, no one country is even close to approaching the US on this range of factors.
So, again, this crisis has not dealt a fatal blow to US hegemony. It is worth remembering Alexis de Tocqueville's insight from almost 200 years ago. His words still ring true: The US has ample economic wherewithal, political might and prosperity factors to repair her current faults.
Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management regularly publishes insight and commentary on investment and wealth management topics for our clients. To pursue a conversation on this topic, please contact a private wealth advisor .
The Investment Strategy Group is a part of the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs and is not a part of the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research (GIR) Department. The views and opinions expressed by the Investment Strategy Group may differ from the views and opinions expressed by GIR or other departments or divisions of Goldman Sachs.


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More networking opportunities ahead
Today is Networking at Noon at the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club. Please call our Port Charlotte office at 941‑627-2222 to see if seats are still available. Bring plenty of business cards to hand out and have your 30-second elevator speech ready to go so you can tell the more than 50 chamber members who attend all about your business.
Please join us next Wednesday for our Third Wednesday Coffee. County Administrator Ray Sandrock will give a "state of the county" presentation. The Coffee, which runs from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda, is another great way to interact with members. State Insurance Agency, Brian Chapman Jr., is the Coffee sponsor.


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Want to remind yourself or a friend about this program? Fill out this simple form and klru will email you a reminder on the day that it will air.
Tomato Festival
series: P. Allen Smith's Garden To Table
air date: 6/02/13 3:30 PM
P. Allen Smith is having a Tomato Festival in the garden! At the height of tomato season, Chef Josh Smith who makes a delicious tomato gazpacho and explains how to properly cook heritage poultry joins Allen. There's also a tomato tasting happening in Allen's one-acre vegetable garden where guests sample heirloom tomatoes and vote on their favorite. Allen decorates the tables for this festival using you guessed it, tomatoes!
WARNING: Email reminders for this program have already been sent out. Your reminder may not reach the intended address in time for this program's airing.
Back to TV Schedule


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Though the win was outside of league play, and didn't help Francis Lewis (6-0 in the PSAL) it was still quite a statement for the current top ranked team in the PSAL. Francis Lewis defeated neighborhood rival St. Francis Prep, the best team in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens, 25-14, 25-22, at the Lady Patriots Volleyball Invitational in Fresh Meadows.
Next up for Francis Lewis, as it continues to stay on a roll this week, is RFK, on Monday, and Harris on Wednesday.


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With his dramatic victory in Tuesday's election, President Obama must now pivot quickly to address three urgent foreign policy issues that may go a long way to determine the success of his second-term agenda. By any objective standard, Obama produced a successful international record during the past four years. He brought us out of Iraq, took the fight to Al Qaeda, resurrected our global credibility, and charted a new policy to sustain American power in Asia.
But there is no rest for the weary in international politics. Obama now faces a sea of strategic challenges from ongoing terrorist threats to climate change, the European debt crisis, a rogue regime in North Korea, and the uncertain path of the Arab revolutions.
Three big crises, however, will not wait much beyond inauguration day. The most important is, by far, the economy. America's power abroad has always depended on our economic health at home. We won't be able to afford our first-rate armed forces and Foreign Service without a revived economy.
The president's major challenge is to convince the Republican leadership to agree on a compromise tax and budget package and thereby avoid the dreaded fiscal cliff. If he can do so in the next six weeks, it will put not just our economy but also our international policy and reputation back in solid shape. If he cannot, it will raise increased doubts internationally about the capacity of our political system to make even the most elementary decisions about our economic future.
This is critical for our international leadership and credibility. Great powers rise and fall on their economic foundations. We are no different. That is another reason why the stakes are so high for the budget showdown ahead.
Afghanistan is a second critical challenge. It was striking that the fate of our 11-year war effort — the longest in American history — was barely discussed during the marathon campaign. The president intends to withdraw the bulk of our 68,000 troops in just over a year. But he has some tough decisions to make before that happens. Will he choose to leave a residual force of a few thousand troops in the country to be available to strike at the many terrorist groups on the Afghan-Pakistan border that still threaten us?
Many leaders in both parties prefer to leave lock, stock, and barrel. But that risks undermining an Afghan government that might well collapse without our active military support. An even tougher decision is to decide whether to negotiate with the Taliban to end the fighting. It will be a bitter pill to talk with the leadership that harbored Osama bin Laden but may be the surest and quickest way to bring our troops home.
Finally, the president will need to make key decisions about the turbulent and increasingly unstable Middle East. With 30,000 Syrians dead in a vicious civil war that has no end in sight, the United States must find a way to work with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others to provide more effective support to the rebel factions fighting the Assad government. There are real risks in arming the rebels and launching a more aggressive effort to isolate President Bashar Assad. But the risk of inaction may even be greater — the war could spread to Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, and destabilize the entire region.
Another urgent Middle East issue is Iran's nuclear threat. With sanctions finally starting to bite hard, this may be the time for Obama to agree to direct negotiations with Iran for the first time in three decades. He will have a brief window in the first half of 2013 and is right to give diplomacy and negotiations a real try before contemplating the use of force.
Obama has an opportunity to become a transformational president in foreign policy. He urged Americans, in his acceptance speech, to "move with confidence beyond this time of war." He is poised to lead us past the 9/11 decade to rebuild American strength overseas and restore a hopeful and positive American leadership in the world. He has the advantage of a country much more united on foreign policy than domestic. But he will have to turn first to the burning issues of the economy, Afghanistan, and the Middle East in the weeks ahead.Nicholas Burns is a professor of the practice of diplomacy and international politics at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. His column appears regularly in the Globe.


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Donors' gifts enrich lives at Culver Millers
When beloved, life-long Culver businessman and community servant Bill Snyder died last year, his family knew they wanted to do something to thank the staff and administration at Miller's Merry manor nursing home in Culver not only for all they did for Snyder, but for all they do in general. Recently that appreciation manifested itself tangibly in a large, brand-new, flat-screen television for use in Millers' dining room, something which will benefit all residents as well as staff.
"It's hard work," said Snyder's daughter, Lynda Hershberger, of the work of Millers' staff, on hand as the TV was installed and started up for the first time. "They do a great job with loving, tender care."
The gift was given in the name of Snyder's (adult) children: Mike Snyder, Dr. Susan Snyder, and Lynda Hershberger, following his stay at Millers between May and December of last year.
"We're very appreciative of the outpouring of support from this family," said Millers Administrator Greg Fassett. "This is a nice gift for the residents to utilize when dining, and we can use it for movie showings as well."
Already in use at the facility is a gift from Culver's Janet Kline, in honor or her late mother, Margaret Zwecker, who passed away at nearly 100 years old last June after eight and a half years there. Kline and her family said that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Millers.
"When mom died," says Kline, "all the money went to Millers to purchase a vitals monitor for the nursing staff to use.
"All the people (on staff) were so good to her. There was so much caring and concern from the people who work here...it's a great place."
Fassett says the monitor "really benefits our resident population," and added his own praise for the Millers staff.
"I've worked 32 years in this profession. This staff is one of the most compassionate group of people I've worked with. It's not just a job to them."


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The Effie Lee Morris Children's Literature Lecture features thought-provoking conversations with today's top authors and illustrators of books for children. This annual series offers the book-loving public an opportunity to enrich their understanding of how writers and artists create great works for young readers. Funded by The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco chapter of the Women's National Book Association.
Previous guest speakers and programs
2017 Gary Soto
Too Much of a Good Thing: The Many Genres of Gary Soto
2016 Christian Robinson
You Are Here: Finding Yourself in Picture Books
2015 Chris Raschka
Remembering Books
2014 Yuyi Morales
Creating Children's Books: An Immigrant's Story
2013 Eve Bunting
Picture Books That Can't Be Written: Social Issues in Children's Literature
2012 Jerry Pinkney
A Sense of Place Real and Imagined
2011 Gerald McDermott
Tricksters: Gerald McDermott and the Art of the Folktale
2010 Ashley Wolff
Sunrise/Sunset: Exploring the Many Cycles of Life in Picture Books
2009 Pat Mora
The Zing of Writing
2008 Patricia McKissack
Storytelling, the Heart of Literacy
2007 Javaka Steptoe
On the creation of Swan Lake, the classic story retold by Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
2006 Tomie dePaola
What Haven't I Done Yet
2005 Pamela Munoz Ryan
Dreams, Discoveries and Daring Women
2004 Nikki Grimes
Does the World Really Need Another Book
2003 Daniel and Robert D. San Souci
Creative Collaboration with the Picture Book : An Inside View
2002 Milly Lee
Hay Choy: A Feast for Readers
2001 Thacher Hurd
Art Dogs and Alligators: Bringing Books to Life
2000 Alma Flor Ada
One Life, Many Voices: An Author's Journey
1999 Ashley Bryan
Deep Like the Rivers : African Tales, Black American Poetry and Spirituals
1998 Laurence Yep
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Godzilla: Talking About Children's Literature
1997 A Celebration of Children's Literature- Featuring treasures from the Effie Lee Morris Historical and Research Collection of Children's Literature


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Never miss a deal, always be up to date -
The most important events and product news
with the MUSIC STORE Newsletters!
The Hohner Special 20 Classic D is a harmonica, in the D Tuning, with 20 Reeds. Big comfort and great tone, this harmonica comes with a durable plastic comb with mouthpiece for more playing comfort, and recessed reed plates affixed with screws. The stable construction and full sound make the Special 20 Classic one of the most popular Richter-models. Airtight, loud and reliable. Available in all major keys and in a special country or major 7th tuning!
The main features of the Hohner Special 20 Classic D include:
Every month we are giving away a shopping voucher among all submitted reviewers worth 500 EURO!
Congratulations to the winner of December: Michael Rauser, Heilbronn (DE)
The winner from the previous month (November): Martin Reinert, Siegburg (DE)
You can rate this product if you like. By rating this product you will be automatically entered into our monthly shopping voucher giveaway!


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Tim Thomasen wrote:FreeCandy44 wrote:Little Debbie isn't all that bad.
Nutty bars and oatmeal cream pies are very good, I will say that.
I used to work for a guy, 60 year old guy, always lived in the east (New York area)...this guy is a pop culture machine, dealt in old magazines/newspapers/paper products and sports merch. You ask this guy who starred in a movie from the 1930's, he'd tell you. You ask him who grounded into a double play to end the 1924 World Series, he'd tell you. This guy could probably play the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game with anyone about anything.
Never had nor had ever heard of an Oatmeal Creme Pie...nor had his 30-something year old son, who is less in tune with the world, but marginally in tune with its seedy underbelly and sweets...
I thought it was absolute crazy talk...everyone knows what those things are, right? And they're quite delicious, might I add!


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January 2014
Angela Mwanza, MBA '00
A Global Journey to Wall Street
By Sherrie Negrea
It's a career she finds "somewhat surreal," since Mwanza was born in Zambia, one of the poorest countries in the world. Though her father, Jacob Mwanza, PhD '73, who became Governor of the Central Bank of Zambia, grew up in a village with no electricity or running water, Angela Mwanza had a different type of childhood and was sent to boarding school in Zimbabwe at the age of 13. "I was very lucky because I was provided access to good schools," she says.
Her educational journey took her to Germany, where she earned a master's degree in linguistics at the University of Konstanz and hoped to become an interpreter for the United Nations. But after working for a group of clothing brands in Germany, the world of business opened up for her, and she enrolled at Johnson to pursue her MBA in 1998. That's where a classmate suggested another option: 'Angela, with your accent, you should be a private banker,'" Mwanza recalls. "I guess she felt that my British-like accent made me sound sophisticated."
After graduating, Mwanza followed her classmate's advice and began her career at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, moving from there to work at Fleet and then at Lehman Brothers. In 2008, she joined UBS Private Wealth Management, and along with her business partner, Bonnie Richards, she formed the Richards & Mwanza Group, leading a team that works with 42 families of substantial wealth.
Mwanza begins her days with an early morning run of up to eight miles (she has already completed five marathons and climbed Mt Kilimanjaro), is at her desk by 8 a.m., and spends the next 12 hours managing her clients' investments, helping them to achieve their philanthropic goals, advising them on sustainable investing, and mentoring their children on career choices. Many of her clients are self-made entrepreneurs who generated their wealth by building companies and selling them.
"I don't look like your typical private banker on Wall Street," Mwanza says. "But my clients seem to get my story. They realize that for me to get to where I am, I had to work harder than most people."
While Wall Street is far removed from the villages of Southern Africa, Mwanza has not forgotten her roots. After her sister Juliet and Juliet's year-old son died from AIDS in Zambia, Mwanza became involved in several charitable foundations that do work in developing nations in Africa and elsewhere. She serves as vice chair for reproductive health for the MDG Health Alliance, which creates partnerships to help attain the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. She also serves on the boards of Grassroot Soccer, which leverages the popularity of soccer to prevent the spread of HIV/ AIDS, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, which supports causes ranging from environmental conservation to medical research. She was also a founding member of the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council, which focuses on innovative solutions for global problems.
A 2007 recipient of the Wilbur Parker Distinguished Alumni Award, Mwanza also serves on Johnson's Advisory Council and on the Entrepreneurship@Cornell Advisory Council.
Mwanza's volunteer work not only fulfills her passion to make a difference, but also helps her to more effectively advise her clients on how they might want to achieve impact based on their values and goals. "For people who have built and sold companies, once they have provided for their families, the next chapter is often to leverage their wealth for the greater good," she says. "That can be just as an important an achievement as their investment goals, and for some clients it is even more important."


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Super Gamedev Weekend/2012
This page is part of the Department of Games. It also consists of..
Gaming Jour Fixe - Tabletoppers - Game Development - Super Gamedev Weekend - Global Game Jam - Ludum Dare - PyWeek
The Super Gamedev Weekend returns. 48 hours and some more to satisfy your game creation needs!
Why compete in game jams, and why are there never too many?
Because quantity will lead you to quality
- Start: Fri, 2012-12-14 18:00
- End: Sun 2012-12-16 22:00
- Location: Metalab Vienna (mostly Hauptraum, sometimes Bibliothek - see below)
- Orga: hop, thp
- Friday evening in the library (Hacker Equality Workshop at the Hauptraum during that time)
- Saturday evening in the library (Zamenhof-Tag 2012 at the Hauptraum during that time)
Not in Vienna? how about Linz where TomK32 is seeding the Danubian Super Gamedev Weekend
Rough Schedule
- Friday evening: Gathering in the library, brainstorming + topic voting, etc...
- Saturday: Hack, hack, hack
- Saturday evening: Gathering in the library, status updates, presentations, demos, etc...
- Sunday: Hack, hack, hack
- Sunday evening: Demo time, together w/ PyUGAT
Hopefully we can squeeze in some workshops in the weekends before the SGDW12 for those who want to improve their skills or learn game programming.
Games / Participants
SGDW happens on the same weekend as Ludum Dare, so post your games there. If you want to share the code of your game with others, why not ask for access to our metalab Github account?
- Koffer (kelvan, sepal, thp)
- Hipster Bandit (kelvan, thp)
- Collateral Damage (anlumo, Christoph)
- elle and the spooky arrow (ben, peter)


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Cairo, April 8, 8 P.M. – I have been able to gather a few more particulars from Island No. 10. Four hundred and seventy-eight prisoners, including seventeen officers, seventy pieces of artillery, a large amount of ammunition, muskets and small arms, were captured on the Island. It is said our mortar shells proved very destructive; wherever they struck and exploded, great execution was made in the earth.
It is reported that the Confederates had become perfectly demoralized; in many cases entire regiments would refuse to obey orders – Much ill feeling prevailed among the officers, and none, including the soldiers, had any confidence in their commanding officer.
No further information has been obtained in reference to the number of prisoners captured on the Tennessee shore, and it will be impossible to get anything further before morning.
Much excitement prevails here over the news of the battle at Pittsburgh. It is regarded as most fortunate that Gen. Buel [sic] came up as he did, with one Division to reinforce Gen. Grant. It evidently was the expectation of Beauregard to fight the battle before Gen. Buel [sic] cold form a junction with Gen. Grant.
We hope to get further particulars to-morrow.
At one o'clock, last night a boat came to the flag ship with a messenger carrying a letter from the commanding officer at Island No. 10 to Flag Officer Foote, proposing capitulation for the surrender of the Island. Flag Officer Foote replied that he would accept no other terms than an unconditional surrender. At one o'clock this morning the enemy surrendered unconditionally to Com. Foote. Several transports, and it is supposed one or two gunboats, the celebrated floating battery, cannon, ammunition and stores have thus fallen into our hands. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the Flag Officer and the gallant officers under his command for this brilliant achievement in capturing the Gibraltar of the Mississippi river, without the loss of a single life. We have no information at this time as to details, but it is supposed that most of the rebel troops on the Tennessee shore have effected their escape. It is supposed they commenced leaving soon after the Carondolet [sic] succeeded in turning their batteries, as that destroyed all hope of their maintaining their position. Fleet Captain Hannock, who has achieved wonders in fitting out and repairing gunboats and transports, and furnishing supplies to the fleet, has reason to believe that our mortars did terrible execution among the rebels. It is reported that Gen. Pope had 18,000 troops across the river from New Madrid last night ready to march and bag the enemy, but is believed that he was too late.
Boats commenced running to New Madrid to day. The river has fallen four feet within the last two days, greatly facilitating the operations of Gen. Pope opposite New Madrid.
Hon. Jesse Dubois is here in route for the upper Tennessee.
Hon. Emerson Etheridge has telegraphed to three hundred citizens of Bourbon county, Tennessee, driven out by the rebel troops, to come down and return with him. They will probably leave to-morrow.
Reliable reports from Jeff. Thompson a week ago place him in the swamps, some eighty miles from here, with a few hundred marauders. Several men who have heretofore been in his army from the vicinity of Charleston, eight miles from in, in Missouri, have petitioned Gen. Strong for privilege to take the oath and return to their allegiance. The General authorized the County Clerk, a good Union man, to take and administer the oath.
Dr. Simpson, of the Medical Department leaves this evening for the Tennessee with two large hospital boats most completely fitted out under direction of J. E. Yeatman, Esq., of the St. Louis Sanitary Commission. They contain 800 beds for the wounded. The hospitals here have accommodations for 1,400.
Dispatches from New Madrid have been received.
The Gunboats Carondelet and Pittsburg, yesterday morning shelled and silenced the batteries on the opposite shore when Gen. Pope ordered the troops across. It was effected without loss.
The rebels fled towards Lisbon sinking several of their transports, among others the Grampus.
The floating battery of the rebels, mounting ten guns, drifted down last night, and is aground near Point Pleasant. It will be recovered with its armament.
The Belle West covered Gen. Paine in the advance on the batteries.
Gen. Pope at once took the Pittsburg and Carondelet, and with a part of his army, turned to and attacked the enemy this morning, and took 2,000 prisoners, mostly from the Arkansas and Louisiana. He will probably get as many more before night.
The rebels fled to the swamps in great sonsternation.
The Victory is complete and decisive. Great Quantities of stores, cannon and ammunition have fallen into our hands. All their baggage and supplies are taken.
Gen. McCall, of the rebel adjutant Generals department, is a prisoner.
The country between New Madrid and island No. 10, on the east side of the river, is being secured by our troops. Many prisoners will doubtless be taken there.
Gen. Bissell, with his transports is ordered down to Tipton by Gen. Pope, which is twelve miles below New Madrid, to bring cannon and other property up to New Madrid.
Division of our army are pursuing the fleeing rebels in all direction. Their entire force at and about Island No. 10, is either taken prisoners or utterly routed and demoralized.
Hon. Emerson Etheridge has just arrived from Paducah. To him the news of our success is especially gratifying. His residence is thirty-five miles south east of Hickman. Gen. Strong will send an escort with him to his home to insure his safety. Thousand of his former friends will greet his arrival with glorious welcome.
– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
By Telegraph. Particulars of the Surrender at Island No. 10.
Cairo, April 8, 8 P.M. – I have been able to gather a few more particulars from Island No. 10. Four hundred and seventy-eight prisoners, including seventeen officers, seventy pieces of artillery, a large amount of ammunition, muskets and small arms, were captured on the Island. It is said our mortar shells proved very destructive; wherever they struck and exploded, great execution was made in the earth.


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Braintree man arrested on outstanding warrant
BOSTON — A Braintree man faces charges after he allegedly lied about being a member of the military to get a free ride on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
Christopher Keefe, 28, tried to avoid paying the fare at the Massachusetts Avenue subway station Tuesday evening by claiming he was an active member of the military, according to MBTA police.
When asked by MBTA police officers for his military identification, they determined he was not in the military.
Keefe was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Quincy District Court for assault and battery on an elderly person.


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The Juneau-Douglas High School girl's soccer team is heading south; not in the negative connotation, but as in California south with warm weather and hard competition.
JDHS will play schools from Granite Bay, Franklin and Vacaville, Calf., this weekend in preseason matches.
Smart, well coached and athletic, even with the graduation of three-time all state tournament selection Sarah Tarver, the Crimson Bears return a talent-laden team that will focus on the attack.
"We lost a few kids to graduation but we also have a large senior class back," JDHS coach Matthew Dusenberry said. "Sure it is tough to lose a Division-I player like Tarver, but we had a lot of kids waiting in the wings who got minutes last year."
Graduates Tarver (Northern Arizona), Aubrey Briscoe (Peninsula College), Kelsey Blacks (North Idaho College) and Pia Wahto (Pacific Lutheran) are playing or training with their college teams. Sarah Donohoe (U of Portland) is on her college rowing team. Lia Domke (Canada), Melissa Skan (MIT), and Daffodil Alinson (Washington State) Caitlin DeRocher (Boise St) and May Suson (WSU) are focusing on academics.
While that roll call seems impressive, it is even more incredible to think of the number of seniors the Crimson Bears have reloaded with and how that states to the soccer programs in the capital city.
JDHS has represented southeast well at the state soccer championships, finishing third or higher the past nine seasons. The team placed second in 2009, and third in 2010. The Crimson Bears finished with a 15-5-2 record last year and placed third at the state venue, winning the GPA (grade point average) award with a 3.77.
Tarver, Solana Ashe and Dorothy Brent were all tournament selections last season; Ashe, a midfielder, and Brent, a four-year starter, return although Brent will miss most of the season with a personal medical issue that requires time away from Juneau. Brent's uniform number 16, a number she wore in youth leagues, will not be issued to another player.
"They are a strong group of girls that can achieve anything," Brent said of her teammates. "And if Matt (coach Dusenberry) would let them open up a can of whoop-(---) I believe that they would be unstoppable."
Ashe has also been a starter the past three seasons and will be a leader on the pitch.
Other returning seniors include Rebekah Badilla (forward, midfield), Sidney Browning (midfield), Kiera Clark (midfield), Cassidy Davenport (defender, forward), Anna Gregovich (defender), Chrish Newell (midfield), Marlena Sloss (midfield), and Krista Thomson (defender).
Sloss and Gregovich are returning starters as is sophomore Bekka Ord (forward). Badilla and Newell played in the state championships last season. Browning traveled to California with the team last season and returns at full strength after an ankle injury limited playing time.
Ord and classmates Katie McKeown (midfield), Cheyenne Siverly (goal keeper), Mali Tamone (goal keeper, midfield), and Eliza Walker (midfield, defender) and freshman Tessa Smith (midfield, defender) will also join the seniors in California.
"We should still be in good shape this year," Dusenberry said. "Every year you have to look at who you have and try to play to their strengths. We have made an adjustment to the formation we used last year for this year. Now we are just working through what it means to play that way."
The current experience of the JDHS girls is in the offensive attack. They are lacking experience in the back line and at goalkeeper, but not talent. Siverly and Tamone will be able to be more comfortable in that position as the season progresses.
The Crimson Bears will be asking players to step into positions that they did not necessarily play in past seasons.
As for spring soccer in California the trip serves a purpose. Soccer in Anchorage and Fairbanks has fields still covered in snow and the Washington State girl's season ends in the fall. California offers an affordable advance travel purchase and the strongest high school soccer competition in the nation. Last year's opponent Davis was ranked third in the nation.
"Granite Falls will be great competition," Dusenberry said. "We played them two years ago and it ended in a tie. Davis was just a great side and it is good to expose the girls to something a little quicker and a bit faster than what we are used to."