I purchased a Sony Vaio around the holidays, and it runs the Vista operating system. I can't stand this OS; I have thousands of dollars' worth of software and utilities that are virtually useless on this system. My question: Is there any easy way to downgrade to Windows XP without messing up my entire computer?
Microsoft officially discontinued retail sales of XP on June 30. However, it is still widely available, including at Amazon, and judging from its Web site, odds are good that XP will work with your system. But there's a catch: In some cases, newer components aren't directly supported by XP. You may be able to download necessary drivers, but in rare cases you may not. Check the Sony Web site for your specific model.
Readers should note that Sony is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptops because of a wiring flaw that could cause overheating. For details, call 888-526-6219 or visit sony.com/support.
From : http://www.newsday.com/
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sony top brand for tech-crazy Asians: Survey
HONG KONG: Japanese electronic giant Sony is Asia's favourite brand, according to a survey of Asian shoppers released on Sunday that was dominated by consumer technology firms.
Sony replaced Finnish phone maker Nokia as the region's top brand, ahead of another Japanese electronics firm Canon and US sportswear firm Nike, according to the survey by Media magazine and market researchers TNS.
The appeal of technology across the region was highlighted by the presence in the top 20 of US firms Hewlett-Packard and Apple, South Korean giants Samsung and LG, as well as Japan's Panasonic, the survey found.
US Internet firm Google was seen as the top media and telecommunications company, while Coca-Cola was the most popular beverage, the survey found.
A total of 3,600 consumers in 10 different markets including Australia and China were interviewed for the survey.
Asia, including increasingly China, has become a key market for many of the world's leading firms in the past 10 years, with many targeting the region's gadget-mad consumers.
From : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Sony replaced Finnish phone maker Nokia as the region's top brand, ahead of another Japanese electronics firm Canon and US sportswear firm Nike, according to the survey by Media magazine and market researchers TNS.
The appeal of technology across the region was highlighted by the presence in the top 20 of US firms Hewlett-Packard and Apple, South Korean giants Samsung and LG, as well as Japan's Panasonic, the survey found.
US Internet firm Google was seen as the top media and telecommunications company, while Coca-Cola was the most popular beverage, the survey found.
A total of 3,600 consumers in 10 different markets including Australia and China were interviewed for the survey.
Asia, including increasingly China, has become a key market for many of the world's leading firms in the past 10 years, with many targeting the region's gadget-mad consumers.
From : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Review : Spore CREATURE CREATOR
Price: $49.99
Amazon.com
Create universal wonder in Spore, an exciting new simulation game that lets you develop your own personal universe. Work your way through five evolutionary phases, including Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization and Space, that offer unique challenges, thrills and goals. For example, you can start in Cell and nurture one species from a simple aquatic organism all the way until it becomes a sentient life form. Or you can jump right in and begin building tribes and civilizations on multiple planets. What you do with your universe is totally up to you.
The powerful creation tools of Spore are easy to use, allowing you to effortlessly design every aspect of your universe. Creatures, vehicles, building and even starships are all within your grasp. While Spore is a single-player game, your creations and other players' creations are automatically shared between your galaxy and theirs, offering a nearly limitless number of worlds to visit and enjoy. You can also go online to view the incredible things other players have made and can even pull those items into your universe. Spore gives you the chance to make worlds and beings that evolve, grow and delight you every step of the way.
Amazon.com
Create universal wonder in Spore, an exciting new simulation game that lets you develop your own personal universe. Work your way through five evolutionary phases, including Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization and Space, that offer unique challenges, thrills and goals. For example, you can start in Cell and nurture one species from a simple aquatic organism all the way until it becomes a sentient life form. Or you can jump right in and begin building tribes and civilizations on multiple planets. What you do with your universe is totally up to you.
The powerful creation tools of Spore are easy to use, allowing you to effortlessly design every aspect of your universe. Creatures, vehicles, building and even starships are all within your grasp. While Spore is a single-player game, your creations and other players' creations are automatically shared between your galaxy and theirs, offering a nearly limitless number of worlds to visit and enjoy. You can also go online to view the incredible things other players have made and can even pull those items into your universe. Spore gives you the chance to make worlds and beings that evolve, grow and delight you every step of the way.
SPORE CREATURE CREATOR
Finally all that hard work creating the perfect being can be put to good use. Import creatures that you created with the Spore Creature Creator and watch them live, breath and thrive in the full version of Spore.TAKE YOUR SPORE ONLINE
While Spore is a single player game, your creations and other players’ creations are automatically shared between your galaxy and theirs, providing a limitless number of worlds to explore and play within. Internet Connection Required.Minimum System Requirements
- This game will not run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems (PowerMac)
- PC Minimum - Windows XP/Vista
- 6 GB Hard Drive Space
- 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
- 768 MB RAM
- 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0
- Mac Minimum - Mac OS X 10.5.3 Leopard or higher
- 4.7GB Hard Drive Space
- Intel Core Duo Processor
- 1024 MB RAM
- ATI X1600 or NVidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM, or Intel Integrated GMA X3100
Aucton : CANON EOS Rebel XSi 450D New Digital Camera 4 lens 12gb
price : US $927.00
CANON EOS Rebel XSi 450D New Digital Camera 4 lens 12gb
Description
The
new Canon's EOS Rebel XSi (a.k.a 450D) combines point-and-shoot ease
with high-end attributes from Canon's professional models: An improved
autofocus sensor, enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion, an advanced Live View
function and the proprietary DIGIC III image processor, all offer an
unprecedented photo quality at an unparalleled easiness.
Included in the manufacturer box
Canon XSi camera body (a.k.a 450D), with 1 year Canon USA limited warranty
LP-E5 Battery Pack
LC-E5 Battery Charger
IFC-200U USB Interface Cable
VC-100 Video Cable
Ef Eyecup
EW-100DBIII Wide Neck Strap
EOS Digital Solution Disk and Instruction Manuals on CD-ROM
"Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet
Product Highlights
New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
Large 3.0-inch Live View LCD screen
High Speed 3.5 fps continuous shooting
Fast 9-point AF system and AF during Live View
Compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards
Technical Specifications
Sensor: 12.2 Megapixel
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848
Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card
Formats: JPEG / RAW
Focus Modes: Manual focus / One-shot AF / AI Focus AF / AI Servo AF
Focusing Range: EV -0.5-18 (at 73°F/23°C, ISO 100)
LCD Monitor: 3.0-inches
LCD Pixels: 230,000 pixels
Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec. to 1/60 sec.
Shutter Speed: X-sync at 1/200 sec.
Light Metering Method: Evaluative
Light Metering Method: Partial metering
Physical Dimensions (HxWxD): 3.8 x 5.1 x 2.4" (98 x 129 x 62 mm)
Weight: 16.8 oz. (475g)
CANON EOS Rebel XSi 450D New Digital Camera 4 lens 12gb
Auction : Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera 3 Nikon Lens +4GB Kit NEW
price: US $1,028.00
Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera 3 Nikon Lens +4GB Kit NEW
Items Included with
the Nikon D80:
* Nikon D80 DSLR Camera Body
* EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
* MH-18a Quick Charger
* EG-D2Audio Video Cable
* UC-E4USB Cable
* Strap
* Body cap
* DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
* DK-21Rubber Eyecup
* BM-7 LCD monitor cover
* Accessory shoe cover
Items Included with
The KIT:
* Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX
* Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor
* Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor
* Titanium .45x Wide Angle Lens
* 5 Piece HIGH Resolution Filter Kit
* 4GB Secure Digital Memory Card
* USB Secure Digital Card Reader
* Digital Flash for SLR Cameras
* Heavy Duty Aluminum Hard Case
* Deluxe All Weather Proof Carrying Case
* Deluxe Video & Photo Tripod
* Table Top Tripod
* Professional 3 Pc. Lens Cleaning Kit
Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera 3 Nikon Lens +4GB Kit NEW
Nokia E71 exclusive to Fido in Canada?
A rumour is going round the net that the Canadians are about to see the full QWERTY keyboard equipped Nokia E71 hit exclusively via Fido.
It seems strange that the Nokia E71 should be exclusive to Fido as we all know Fido is Rogers Wireless’ owned MVNO which is primarily targeted at the younger generation.
Yes there are other options to grab the Nokia E71 unlocked, but if you want instant savings on your purchase then you will need to pick up the Nokia E71 through Fido and sign on for their service.
Source – mobilesyrup via intomobile
Metal Slug 7 Coming Soon To Nintendo DS [screens + trailer]
Who doesn't love a pixel-crisp, highly detailed, side-scrolling shooter? If there's one series you can count for a side-scrolling combat fix, it's Metal Slug. Unless you are in the hardcore crowd of the Metal Slug saga, it's hard to keep with all the versions and what's going on in each of them. From the NEO GEO to Xbox LIVE Arcade to Wii, there's been quite a few to select from. Well shoot first, ask questions later. Ignition Entertainment is going to be packing some heat into your hands with the Nintendo DS release of Metal Slug 7 this November and it's looking as sharp, detailed and over the top as ever.
See 6 screenshots here.
Watch a video trailer of it below.
A summary of Metal Slug 7: "Players will join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they prepare to take on Modern's Forces across 7 new missions that will bring them from Garbage Island to the Fortress of Ruins and beyond. Aside from featuring 7 brand new and fully detailed missions and six playable characters, Metal Slug 7 will also feature a host of new weapons, colossal new bosses, new Slugs to pilot and new gameplay modes for added replay value."
Metal Slug 7 is set for a November 18, 2008 release for $29.99 MSRP. Pre-order here
Check out more of Metal Slug 7 here at the official website. Read up on the series there, check out the characters in the DS release, and watch for some illustrations coming soon.
From : http://www.gamingbits.com/
Reggie and Miyamoto Club Nintendo interview
Reggie and Miyamoto were both interviewed in the latest issue of Club Nintendo, the official Latin American Nintendo magazine.
The first question was about the Wii MotionPlus and whether it will be compatible with the next Zelda title. Miyamoto simply responded by stating a Zelda and Pikmin game are both in development for the Wii but didn't mention anything about Wii MotionPlus.
Next up was Wii peripherals, Miyamoto stated the Wii had enough already and wont be getting many anymore. The final question for Miyamoto involved the Wii storage issue, Mr.Nintendo stated they'll be making an announcement in the near future revealing a solution.
It was now Reggie's turn to be interviewed where he was first asked about core gamers. Reggie stated Animal Crossing: City Folk is actually a hardcore game along with Grand Theft Auto: China Town Wars. The Wii storage issue was once again brought up and Reggie revealed no hard drives will be involved but a solution will be developed.
When asked about Microsoft's new avatar system the Regginator said "copying is a way of flattering, so we’re very flattered.” The interview finished off with whether we'll soon see a new DS module, Reggie replied that new modules are created when sales are down, not up.
From : http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/
The first question was about the Wii MotionPlus and whether it will be compatible with the next Zelda title. Miyamoto simply responded by stating a Zelda and Pikmin game are both in development for the Wii but didn't mention anything about Wii MotionPlus.
Next up was Wii peripherals, Miyamoto stated the Wii had enough already and wont be getting many anymore. The final question for Miyamoto involved the Wii storage issue, Mr.Nintendo stated they'll be making an announcement in the near future revealing a solution.
It was now Reggie's turn to be interviewed where he was first asked about core gamers. Reggie stated Animal Crossing: City Folk is actually a hardcore game along with Grand Theft Auto: China Town Wars. The Wii storage issue was once again brought up and Reggie revealed no hard drives will be involved but a solution will be developed.
When asked about Microsoft's new avatar system the Regginator said "copying is a way of flattering, so we’re very flattered.” The interview finished off with whether we'll soon see a new DS module, Reggie replied that new modules are created when sales are down, not up.
From : http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/
HP: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Vista
if your plan is to strong-arm customers into offering your products
exclusively, you had better give them something people want to buy.
With Microsoft and Windows Vista, such is not the case, and
Hewlett-Packard isn't taking it lying down.
HP, the world's number one PC supplier in terms of volume sales,
appears to be leading a new anti-Vista revolution, of a sort. In an
interesting article yesterday in BusinessWeek, Aaron Ricadela reports
about "HP's 'End Run' Around Windows," and what a team inside the company is doing to improve the appeal of Vista by making it easier to use.
Known inside HP as the "Customer Experience Group," the team is
developing technology that will allow users to access their digital
photos and movies, as well as other common features using a
touch-sensitive screen. In the article, Ricadela quotes Phil McKinney,
chief technology officer in HP's personal systems group: "Our customers
are looking for insanely simple technology where they don't have to
fight with the technology to get the task done." Could he mean that
Vista isn't insanely simple to use? "For us, it's about innovating on
top of Vista." So it would appear.
This would not be the first time HP sought to improve Microsoft's user
interface. The company through the 1990s included software that ran on
top of the Windows versions of the day and presented a super-simplified
interface to which the user could launch their applications with
buttons. The term "topware" comes to mind for this type of software;
maybe someone could help me out with that.
And a Windows succession of sorts has been attempted before. Also back
in the mid-1990s, when Linux started coming into wide prominence,
companies like Dell and Gateway wanted to start offering a Linux option
on their server-level systems. Microsoft balked, threatening to cut off
the supply of Windows licenses to those companies if they didn't halt
the practice. Unethical, yes. But effective. There's also news that
Linux is at the heart of an new HP operating system strategy. Would
Microsoft dare such a tactic today?
From : http://www.daniweb.com/
exclusively, you had better give them something people want to buy.
With Microsoft and Windows Vista, such is not the case, and
Hewlett-Packard isn't taking it lying down.
HP, the world's number one PC supplier in terms of volume sales,
appears to be leading a new anti-Vista revolution, of a sort. In an
interesting article yesterday in BusinessWeek, Aaron Ricadela reports
about "HP's 'End Run' Around Windows," and what a team inside the company is doing to improve the appeal of Vista by making it easier to use.
Known inside HP as the "Customer Experience Group," the team is
developing technology that will allow users to access their digital
photos and movies, as well as other common features using a
touch-sensitive screen. In the article, Ricadela quotes Phil McKinney,
chief technology officer in HP's personal systems group: "Our customers
are looking for insanely simple technology where they don't have to
fight with the technology to get the task done." Could he mean that
Vista isn't insanely simple to use? "For us, it's about innovating on
top of Vista." So it would appear.
This would not be the first time HP sought to improve Microsoft's user
interface. The company through the 1990s included software that ran on
top of the Windows versions of the day and presented a super-simplified
interface to which the user could launch their applications with
buttons. The term "topware" comes to mind for this type of software;
maybe someone could help me out with that.
And a Windows succession of sorts has been attempted before. Also back
in the mid-1990s, when Linux started coming into wide prominence,
companies like Dell and Gateway wanted to start offering a Linux option
on their server-level systems. Microsoft balked, threatening to cut off
the supply of Windows licenses to those companies if they didn't halt
the practice. Unethical, yes. But effective. There's also news that
Linux is at the heart of an new HP operating system strategy. Would
Microsoft dare such a tactic today?
From : http://www.daniweb.com/
Microsoft's Renewed Vista Strategy
It is eighteen months since Windows Vista was launched with the
slogan "The 'Wow' starts now." Far from wowing users, however, Vista
left them cold. They were unhappy with its speed, with compatibility
issues and with what seemed like gratuitous changes to well known
functions.
All through 2007 and into 2008 the beat-up
continued and Microsoft's rivals, most notably Apple with its engaging
comparison advertising, made hay with little effective response from
Redmond. Microsoft, a company once renowned for its marketing and for
swift PR responses to even the mildest slight, seemed to have lost its
mojo.
As the months went by, critics wondered aloud when
Microsoft would begin to respond to Vista's critics -- and to those
pesky Apple ads.
Slowly, off the back of Service Pack 1, a
response has emerged. In June, Ben Green became the man charged with
changing perceptions of Vista in New Zealand. At the same time,
Microsoft wrote directly to its top corporate customers worldwide,
including a handful in New Zealand, to clarify its position and its
plans for Vista.
Microsoft then undertook the strange "Mojave
experiment," in which 140 people were exposed to a ten-minute demo of a
"new" operating system. They loved it. And then the truth was revealed:
the new system was Windows Vista.
Some are picking Mojave to
feature in that new advertising campaign, a campaign we now know will
be fronted by Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates himself. It is said the
campaign will push a message along the lines of "Windows, not walls,"
in an apparent reference to Apple's increasingly closed ecosystem.
Meanwhile,
much of the noise out of Seattle is now about Vista's successor,
Windows 7, leading some to suggest it's all over for Vista and even
Microsoft has moved on. And doesn't that pull the rug from under Green
and his efforts to shift perceptions of Vista?
Not so, Green
says. Microsoft has learned from its Vista experience and one of the
things it has learned is to shorten the time between operating system
releases -- hence the noise about Windows 7. Shorter cycles will also
mean users won't be exposed to huge changes when they upgrade, he says.
Another
reason why Microsoft is talking about Windows 7 is that it is engaging
much more with the Windows "ecosystem" over the development of the new
operating system, including independent software vendors to preempt
future compatibility problems.
"Backward compatibility is important," Green says. Windows 7 will have the same security model as Vista to minimize disruption.
Green
defends the Mojave experiment as well, saying it underlines that there
is a gap between the perception and reality of Windows Vista. Green
says 70% of businesses using Vista report that it delivers productivity
improvements.
Green also shrugs off reports that a
significant number of users are choosing to downgrade to Windows XP,
saying the ability to do so is part of Windows' value proposition.
"It's not a loophole," he says. "Some organizations run a mixed operating system environment and others don't."
On the other hand, Green says, statistics from auction site Trade Me show that 20% of all people using the site are using Vista.
He
says as technology changes the benefits and risk of staying with XP
also change. Users need to look at factors such as the growing demand
for mobility, improved security and total cost of ownership.
Green
says it will take up to four years for the older PCs that aren't
suitable for a Vista upgrade to work their way out of New Zealand
businesses. To ease the pain of transition, Microsoft is delivering
tools and technologies to help support those mixed environments,
something Green acknowledges requires skill.
"We're
continuing to communicate the value proposition as clearly as we can
and to give IT professionals the skills and technologies they need to
run and to innovate on Windows," he says.
From : http://www.pcworld.com/
Amazon to Sell OLPC in November, Including Dual-Boot XP Model
From November you'll be able to buy the OLPC in its classic "buy one for the price of two" offer from Amazon, which should be a smoother way of distributing the device than when the OLPC was originally on sale from the source. This new Give 1 Get 1 program will also cover the Windows XP version, now that Microsoft have finalised it, as well as the Sugar OS version. One thing remains unknown: pricing. The previous G1G1 program went to US residents for US$398, but maybe this time it'll be a little closer to the fabled US$100 price tag.
[Electronista and BBC]
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