Netbooks running new Cloud OS rumored for CES

Friendly: Cars wallpapers

At CES next month, future netbooks are likely to be on hand running Cloud OS, newly introduced software from Good OS that lets users access lightweight applications like Google Apps in a browser.

Good OS, which makes the gOS used on the sub- 200 desktop PCs sold at Wal-Mart, this week announced new software known as Cloud OS that could further improve the prospects of both Linux and Windows XP as operating systems for portable PCs while dampening Vista s chances.

Cloud brings together a compressed edition of Linux with a browser built by Good for use in the netbook environment. From the browser, users can access lightweight Web applications such as Google Apps or Yahoo Mail. Cloud supports Internet media formats such as Flash for video sites like YouTube and MP3 for music downloads.

Yet Cloud OS also offers the ability to load into either Linux or Windows XP without the need for manual reboot. Users can switch from the browser environment to either Linux or XP -- or just power off -- with a single click.

The most recent version of a Good-enabled desktop PC, Evermax s Everex PC2512 gPC, is bundled with the Linux-based OpenOffice.org productivity suite,
the Skype voice over IP VoIP application, the RhythmBox music management app, the Xing audio player, and GIMP GNU Image Manipulation Program .
The PC also provides direct links to Google Docs Spreadsheets, Google Product Search, Blogger, YouTube, and Google Maps.

For under 200, the Linux-based desktop machine provides a 1.5 GHz Via C7-D processor, an 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB RAM, a DVD-ROM CD-RW drive, and stereo speakers. The memory is upgradeable to 2 GB. No monitor is included, however.

Good now plans to work with OEM partners to provide customized versions of its new Cloud OS for netbooks, according to information posted on the company s Web site. PC makers will be able to pre-load Cloud into the PC hard drive, solid state drive, or on-board flash storage, or on CD for end users to install. Multiple recovery methods using either CD or hidden partitions will also be possible.

Cloud will also be customizable to boot into a specific application, such as Skype, instead of to a Web page.

Although Good OS spokespersons were unavailable for comment at press time, netbooks featuring the new Cloud OS are rumored to be in the offing for CES next month.

As previously reported in BetaNews, research released by IDC earlier this week indicates that low-cost mini-notebooks, or netbooks, will help to buttress overall PC sales volume over the next few years.

ME s CORRECTION: In editing, we attributed Good OS to Good Technology Group, a division of Motorola; they re actually separate companies. We regret the error.
Software:
OEM SOFTWARE

ZMP releases SDK for Music Roomba

Friendly: Cars wallpapers

After being out in its homeland for nearly two years, Japanese company ZMP has released the SDK to US developers for its music robot called Miuro.

Miuro is Japanese consumer robotics company ZMP s answer to the Roomba. But instead of scuttering around to perform cursory cleanup tasks, Miuro scutters around playing music.

The robot has a built-in iPod dock and can wirelessly connect to the home network and stream Windows Media Player or iTunes content, or to a wireless router to play Internet radio stations without a PC connection. Miuro is meant to act as an ambulatory stereo system with the ability to automatically perform tasks based upon outside stimuli.

For example, using the built-in optics, Miuro can be set to wake up at sunrise, and start playing music as an alarm. As an additionally sadistic feature, you can set it to run away from you if you try to turn down the volume. Like the Roomba, it returns to its charging station when not in use, and can be assigned a daily task routine.

This demonstration of ZMP s sound-intensive robot shows that, just like every other small creature, Miuro just wants to be loved.

Currently, the Miuro is commercially available only in Japan, but ZMP has hopes of getting US companies interested. Yesterday, therefore, ZMP made the Miuro SDK available to US developers who wish to create software exploiting the robot s unique capabilities. ZMP said its initial intention is getting telecommunications companies involved, but this will no doubt stir interest in the maker community where iRobot s Roomba has become a favorite hackable platform .
Software:
OEM SOFTWARE

QuickBooks Key

Friendly: Bsplayer Pro V1.41.build.832

QuickBooks Key 8.5 build 3066 is a Password Recovery product from lostpassword.com, get 4 Stars SoftSea Rating, This software recovers passwords for QuickBooks QBW and QBA files. All you need to do to recover a password is just drag and drop your file to the software window. The software processes the file and shows you the password. The software features state-of-the-art password recovery engine, and supports QuickBooks versions 5.0 through 2003. It has online help and installation support. The license of this antivirus security software is Free Trial Software, the price is 45.00, you can free download and get a free trial before you buy. If you want to get a full or nolimited version of QuickBooks Key, you can buy this antivirus security software.
Software:
OEM SOFTWARE

Office Key

Friendly: Bsplayer Pro V1.41.build.832

Office Key 8.5 build 3066 is a Password Recovery product from lostpassword.com, get 5 Stars SoftSea Rating, Office Key recovers all types of passwords for MS Office files: Access, Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Visual Basic for Applications VBA modules.
Includes full functionality of the following password recovery modules:
Access Key: MS Access databases
Excel Key: MS Excel sheets
Outlook Key: MS Outlook
PowerPoint Key: MS PowerPoint
VBA Key: VBA Projects in .doc, .xls, etc.
Word Key: MS Word documents
This is a five-in-one software that recovers passwords for MS Office files including Access, Excel, Outlook, Word and Visual Basic for Applications modules. It uses a combination of brute-force, Xieve or dictionary attacks to recover passwords.
Features:
All versions of MS Office are supported including Office 2003
Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook files from MS Office 2007 are supported
Online Mode offers instant free preview of encrypted document content. The program connects to www.Decryptum.com server to generate free preview or decrypt files. You are required to purchase Decryptum credits to decrypt files. More...
Recovers open, write reservation, form and document protection passwords for all versions of MS Word
Recovers open, write reservation, workbook and worksheet protection passwords for all versions of MS Excel
Instantly recovers range protection passwords for Excel 2003 2002
Instantly recovers MS Outlook Personal Storage Files .PST and form design passwords
Instantly recovers database passwords, user-level security accounts and passwords for all versions of MS Access
Recovers passwords to view Visual Basic for Applications VBA projects source code
Recovers Word 97-2007, Excel 97-2007 and PowerPoint 2002-2007 open passwords using a combination of Brute-Force, Xieve or Dictionary attacks
All other types of Word, Excel and Powerpoint passwords are recovered instantly
Support for additional cryptographic service providers
Support for Pocket Excel PXL files
Xieve
Passware developed Xieve optimization, which dramatically boosts Brute-Force attack speed by skipping password checks of nonsense combinations of characters. With 95 recovery rate for English words, password search speed is over 75,000,000 passwords per minute.
Limitations
Word 2007 and Excel 2007 use an industry-strength AES encryption algorithm that makes password search speed slow: 20-100 passwords per second on an average PC.
Word 97-2003 and Excel 97-2003 use an industry-strength RC4 encryption algorithm that makes instant password calculation impossible. Office Key finds the password by checking millions of passwords per minute. Brute-force attack is the slowest approach and can test all the passwords of up to 7 characters. Xieve attack is much faster and is capable of recovering passwords of up to 9 characters. Dictionary attack is the fastest method - there is no limitation on password length.
Office Key does not work with documents created with restricted permission using the Information Rights Service for Microsoft Office.
Decryptum Service
Decryptum - the first instant decryption service for password protected MS Word and Excel documents. You can preview protected file content online free of charge. Decryptum offers instant decryption - under a minute per file, regardless of file password length or complexity. Single file decryption costs US 29. Attractive volume discounts are available. The service may be purchased securely online at www.Decryptum.com The license of this antivirus security software is Free Trial Software, the price is 125.00, you can free download and get a free trial before you buy. If you want to get a full or nolimited version of Office Key, you can buy this antivirus security software.
Software:
OEM SOFTWARE

Electric Cloud Delivers Continuous Integration 2.0 to Ecli...

Friendly: Bsplayer Pro V1.41.build.832

New Version of ElectricCommander Features Preflight Builds and Tests for Scalable, Reliable Continuous Integration

Electric Cloud , the leading provider of software production management SPM solutions, today announced that a new version of its ElectricCommander SPM automation software features an integration with the Eclipse IDE Integrated Development Environment , enabling Eclipse and Java developers to make the agile best practice of continuous integration truly scalable and reliable.

ElectricCommander 3.0, available today, features preflight builds and tests accessible from the Eclipse IDE that can virtually eliminate broken builds and make continuous integration a reality for Java development shops.

Continuous integration is a well-known agile best practice that promises to speed development and improve quality, but it can actually slow development and hurt quality by introducing frequently broken builds. ElectricCommander 3.0 reduces broken builds with push-button preflight build and test functionality that catches errors early in the process, before they impact the productivity of the rest of the team. Through the Eclipse integration, ElectricCommander can deliver scalable, reliable continuous integration -- dubbed Continuous Integration 2.0 -- to Java developers.

Continuous integration is a powerful concept, but its usefulness has been limited because it just doesn t scale easily, especially under a heavy load, said Mike Maciag, Electric Cloud CEO. With software getting larger and more complex, this problem will only escalate. ElectricCommander delivers Continuous Integration 2.0 for Eclipse and Java developers with a touch of a button, enabling them to recognise the benefits of integrating early and often for faster development and better quality code.

What are preflight builds and tests ?

ElectricCommander automates and accelerates the software build-test-deploy process that follows the creation of new code, and a key new feature in ElectricCommander 3.0 is preflight builds and tests. Just as a pilot goes through a rigorous preflight check routine to ensure the plane is in top condition prior to takeoff, preflight builds and tests allow the developers themselves execute full builds and unit tests on production hardware prior to checking in their code changes. This provides feedback at the earliest possible moment and reduces the impact that an error will have on the rest of the team.

ElectricCommander 3.0 makes preflight builds truly push-button and easy for Eclipse developers to complete right from their IDE. It runs a clean source snapshot, overlays developer changes, and executes production build and test procedures across all targets, allowing developers the opportunity to commit only if they are successful. The ElectricCommander integration with Eclipse lets Java developers run self-service builds and preferably some tests, such as JUnit tests, across production-class machines, all before code check-in.

ElectricCommander supports Java or C development, with Ant or any another build utility. It features native, pinpoint reporting support for JUnit, NUnit, NCover, Javadoc, and other Java development tools.

ElectricCommander 3.0 is available immediately. For more information about Electric Cloud s solutions, please go to www.electric-cloud.com.


Software:
OEM SOFTWARE

Lexmark launches dedicated programme to promote colour laser...

Friendly: Bsplayer Pro V1.41.build.832

Until December 31, Lexmark will be running a dedicated series of initiatives designed to promote the responsible use of colour laser printing in business.

The scheme is designed to show business users how they can make the most of Lexmark s high-quality, reliable colour laser range. Lexmark now offers business users a free three-year guarantee on its high-end colour laser products, as an additional incentive to switch to Lexmark laser colour printers.

The promotion is also supported by a new dedicated website www.printless.co.uk to help high-end colour laser users make the most of their technology while printing less and saving more.

The new website is designed to help business users and partners understand the impact of their printing on the environment, and offers tips on how to print more efficiently and reduce consumable waste.

For resellers that are members of its Channel Value Programme, Lexmark is providing the opportunity to grow margins and improve customer service with additional offers. As a key initiative in its Channel Value Programme, partners will continue to benefit from a dedicated Extranet, offering quick and easy access to a range of tools from product guides and brochures to promotional collateral and key selling arguments.

The initiative will be supported in sixteen countries by dedicated press, web and radio advertising, as well as new collateral available for download online.

Marcus Harvey, channel sales director at Lexmark UK, explained: Our colour laser products are well known for their reliability and output quality this dedicated programme is set to reinforce the specifics of how to print less and save more in colour to business users. It s not just about buying the right hardware, it s an ongoing effort to work efficiently, underpinned by our Print Less, Save More message.

At the same time, Lexmark is dedicated to helping our channel partners offer the best added value printing solutions for their business customers, so that they can become the preferred business partners of their customers, Harvey added.

Printer models eligible as part of the scheme are the Lexmark C780 Series, C782 Series, C935 Series, X782e, X940e and X945e.

Software:
OEM SOFTWARE

New Google tools sift and sort search results

Friendly: Cheaper By The Dozen 2 DVD-RIP

There s new information this week concerning Google SearchWiki, an experimental feature that allows users to annotate, rank, amend and rearrange search results, and to see how other people have modified theirs.

The feature is for the moment available to a relatively small subset of users, randomly selected, and could disappear as quickly as it turned up. In fact, it bears some resemblance to a brief experiment in November 2007, in which users could give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to individual results, and to earlier tests that allowed for re-ordering, adding and removing lists from one s own results.

The FAQ for the feature notes that the results remain as you ve changed them; whenever you re logged into your Google account and run the same search again, you ll see the results as you ve tweaked them. That s potentially handy for researchers who rely on search but have specific annotation needs, or who wish that the wonderful but obscure page they know about wasn t one they have to dig for, as one sometimes does with regular search returns.

Blogger Justin Hileman is among the Google users who found himself with access; in his testing, he noted that at least in the testing phase, everyone s edits are searchable. It s unclear whether that would be a feature should the current testing lead to a widely launched feature.

If, on the other hand, you re looking for something useful on more than only Google s turf -- or if you d like to try something that s available to anyone, immediately -- take a look at SurfCanyon -- a plug-in for IE and Firefox that does, as the company puts it, real-time personalization of search results.

Semantic-Web search has been the Next Big Thing since about the time the word big was invented. SurfCanyon s approach is to sit above the Big 3 search sites Google, Yahoo, Microsoft Live Search and, when a user executes a search, to quickly parse what the user appears to be seeking and deliver up additional nested results from pages further down in the search stack. SurfCanyon says that the program digs down for dozens of page -- much farther than most mortals will comb through returns. The plug-in can also sift through Craigslist.

The results are cleanly presented, and the recent addition of categories within results helps users to understand what the plug-in thinks you re seeking. Some of the searches we tried during testing delivered somewhat peculiar results -- an ego-surf moment handed back three of the wrong Angela Gunns, a mistake Google oddly enough never seems to make though one might bet the other Angelas feel differently about that . Overall, though, results were intriguingly focused, and in a research situation SurfCanyon excels at winnowing the less-than-helpful.
Software:
OEM SOFTWARE