Finally! A Mid-ranged GeForce 8 Series Card

Nvidia 8600GTS

Nvidia plans to release 3 new mid-range card under the 8 series. Namely, GeForce 8600GTS, 8600GT and 8500GT. Basically the 8600GTS will lead the trio followed by 8600GT and then 8500GT.

The budget-priced trio feature full support for DirectX 10 features including pixel and vertex shader model 4.0. NVIDIA has yet to reveal the amount of shaders or shader clocks though. Nevertheless, the trio supports NVIDIA SLI and PureVideo technologies.

At the top of the mid-range lineup is the GeForce 8600GTS. The G84-based graphics core clocks in at 675 MHz. NVIDIA pairs the GeForce 8600GTS with 256MB of GDDR3 memory clocked at 1000 MHz. The memory interfaces with the GPU via a 128-bit bus. NVIDIA estimates total board power consumption at around 71-watts.

NVIDIA’s GeForce 8600GT is not as performance oriented as the 8600GTS. The GeForce 8600GT GPU clocks in at a more conservative 540 MHz. The memory configuration has more flexibility, letting manufacturers decide between 256MB or 128MB of GDDR3 memory. NVIDIA specifies the memory clock at 700 MHz. The GeForce 8600GT shares the same 128-bit memory interface as the 8600GTS. NVIDIA rates the maximum board power consumption at 43-watts – 28-watts less than the 8600GTS.

NVIDIA has revealed very little information on the GeForce 8500GT besides support for GDDR3 and DDR2 memory. It supports dual dual-link DVI, VGA and TV outputs as well.

Expect NVIDIA to pull the wraps off its GeForce 8600GTS, 8600GT and 8500GT next quarter in time to take on AMD’s upcoming RV630 and RV610.

Pulled from DailyTech.com

Forget Vista, go Vienna!

Microsoft has announced that they are now coming up with a new OS after Vista. Called Windows Vienna, it is said to be totally revolutionary. Evvery Windows now has been merely an upgrade of older code libraries which happens to be the source of all the security flaws.

Since the old code libraries sucks resources and are vulnerable, Microsoft claims that the new Vienna will be coded from scratch. Windows Vienna will represent the start of a different generation of operating systems, bringing in new concepts and support for new types of hardware, along with a better security and a modular approach, which will allow future versions of Windows to be built more easily on Windows Vienna's engine.

For added security, Vienna will feature a new concept called a sandbox. All non-managed code will run in a sandboxed environment where access to the "outside world" is restricted by the operating system. Access to raw sockets will be disabled from within the sandbox, as will direct access to the file system, hardware abstraction layer (HAL), and complete memory addressing. All access to outside applications, files, and protocols will be regulated by the operating system, and any malicious activity will be (theoretically) halted immediately. If this approach is successful, it bodes very well for security and safety, as it is virtually impossible for a malicious application to cause any damage to the system if it is locked inside a metaphorical 'glass box.' As well, this sand boxed environment will be able to adapt itself to the code base it was written for. This will alleviate most problems that arise from back compatibility when a new operating system is made.

There have been other rumours where there may be some significant change as to how we use Windows now. For all we know, they may eliminate the idea of taskbar and startmenu all together. All we can do is wait till it comes out.

From my own opinion, Vista is a mediator for Vienna and XP. I believe that Vista is out because of DX10 and because of the ongoing development of graphics card. Thus it was hastily made to suck money. Buy Vista or no DX10! This will only make Vista another flop like the Windows ME. My recommendations is to try to sit out and wait for Vienna. If you really have to, get Vista after SP1 is out. The Service Pack 1 for Vista is scheduled to be out at the end of this year. Windows Vienna however is scheduled to be out around 2009/2010.

BBC and YouTube Partnership

BBC and YouTube has entered in a partnership to offer to Internet users BBC content through YouTube. According to the press release, YouTube will create branded BBC “Channels” on YouTube. BBC and YouTube will offer from the BBC clips of new shows and specially commissioned promotional content linked to popular series such as Doctor Who and Life on Mars.

Also another channel will be an entertainment Channel called “BBC Worldwide” showing clips from material such as Top Gear, Spooks and a range of factual programmes. The Channel will include a limited amount of advertising.

Here are the links to watch those BBC content on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/BBCWorldwide
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=BBC