The New Nation - Internet Edition

Microsoft to release Windows 7(6xxx)

Emil Protalinski

This past weekend, Windows 7 build 7000 leaked to torrent sites. It's not the first build of Windows 7 to leak, but it definitely is the most important one so far. You see, the first 7xxx build marks the entrance of Windows 7 into beta phase (6xxx builds were pre-beta builds). Microsoft planned to release this build to a select number of beta testers, as well as to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Unfortunately for Microsoft, and fortunately for everyone who couldn't, but wanted to, get access to the beta, this led to a leaked build. The company pulled the release off of MSDN and TechNet, and also removed the "Windows 7 Beta" entry from the next quarterly update kit for those part of the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS), which is slated to be sent out to subscribers on January 5, 2009. Thanks to Google's cache, you can see that Microsoft also referred to build 7000 as "Windows 7 Beta" on MSDN.

According to the license terms that you must accept to install build 7000, the EULAID of this release is "Win7_B.1_PRO_NRL_en-US." This further confirms that this build was meant to be Beta 1, which Microsoft is expected to release to its testers early next year (with a public beta following soon afterwards). If we were to take a page from Redmond's history book, the software giant will likely stick to its plan and give the same Beta 1 build (6.1.7000.0.081212-1400), which was compiled on December 12, 2008, at 2:00PM, to its testers, subscribers, and MDC attendees. It does not have to, and could instead give out a later build, and I would not put it past them (especially considering the compilation date).

In addition to noting that this is a pre-release version that will not be the same as the commercial version, Microsoft's EULA mentions a few interesting facts. For example, "You may install and use any number of copies of the software on your premises to design, develop and test your programs for use with the software" and "The term of this agreement will expire on August 1, 2009." Here's a section of the EULA that I think everyone who installed the build should read:

You may not

* disclose the results of any benchmark tests of the software to any third party without Microsoft's prior written approval;

* work around any technical limitations in the software;

* reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation;

* use components of the software to run applications not running on the software;

* make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement or allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation;

* publish the software for others to copy;

* rent, lease or lend the software;

* transfer the software or this agreement to any third party;

* use the Potentially Unwanted Software definitions separately from the software; or

* use the software for commercial software hosting services.

When installing build 7000, there are options for Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate, of which you can only choose Ultimate. My guess is these are leftover bits from Vista, because a) we already expect that Business is will be renamed to Professional and b) at one point you can click on "What to know before installing Windows 7" and you'll see an article detailing Windows Vista's installation, and not Windows 7's.

I'll be taking a closer look at Beta 1 (either build 7000 or a later one if Microsoft decides to change it) once I get access to it through official channels.

HP launches MediaSmart server

Stephen Wildstrom

By launching a second version of its MediaSmart Windows Home Server, Hewlett-Packard gets my award for persistence in the face of adversity. I gave the original server a favorable review when it launched in late 2007. What neither I nor HP knew at the time was that the Microsoft software contained a horrible bug that could lead to corruption of both application data and backups stored on the server, which pretty much defeated the whole idea. Even worse,it took Microsoft months to fix the problem.

With a launch like that, it's a little surprising that HP is prepared to try again. But the new version of the MediaSmart server appears to be a solid improvement on the original entrant in a market that doesn't quite exist but that could well become important.

The new version come in two models, the 750 GB ex485 for $599 and the 1 terabyte ex487 for $749. Both will be available on Jan. 5.

Like other home servers, including an assortment of Linux-based products, the MediaSmart server provides three main services: shared networked storage (including remote access via the Web), backup, and media streaming.

The new version adds three welcome improvements.

There is full Mac support, including the ability to use the server for Time Machine backups, something that cannot ordinarily be done with non-Apple network attached storage. PacketVideo's TwonkyMedia server makes it easy to stream video and other content to a variety of players, including the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3.

And for those of you who mant belts and suspenders, the MediaSmart server makes it simple to back up your backups to Amazon.com's S3 online storage service.

The MediaSmart server features both USB and eSATA connectors for the addition of external disk storage. It can handle a total of up to 9 TB.

Digital TV converter coupons in short supply

Reuters, Washington

US consumers who wait too long to request government coupons to subsidize converter boxes for the digital television transition in February may come up empty-handed, a regulator has warned.

Due to a last-minute rush of coupon requests, demand may exceed supply in the coming month, said the Department of Commerce official overseeing the subsidy program.

Rep. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who asked for the update on the digital TV transition, said Congress may need to quickly pass additional funds in early January for the coupons.

Congress ordered the switch to digital signals, effective February 17, 2009, to free up public airwaves for other uses such as for police and fire departments.

The switch will mean improved picture and sound for TV viewers, but about 15 percent of the population rely on analog-only over-the-air signals and therefore need a converter box to keep their screens from going black.

The government program doling out $40 coupons to subsidize the converter boxes is likely to reach the $1.34-billion limit of its budgetary authority in the first week of January, said Meredith Attwell Baker, acting assistant secretary for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

"Once the obligation ceiling is reached, the program will hold coupon requests until funds from unredeemed coupons become available," said Baker in the December 24 letter to Markey who chairs the House subcommittee on telecommunications and Internet matters.

"NTIA realizes that this would likely result in consumer confusion," she added. If the high demand continues at its current rate of more than 1.5 million requests per week, the agency could run out of coupons in late January.

There are about 60 models of boxes to choose from, costing between $40 and $90, before the coupon, according to Consumers Union, which produces the magazine Consumer Reports.

Markey said Baker's response was worrying. "It is becoming increasingly clear that at minimum Congress may need to quickly pass additional funding for the converter box program in early January," he said in a statement.

MP3 player guides rescuers to lost tourists

Reuters, Zurich

The light from an MP3 player saved two lost tourists from a chilly night stuck out in the snowy Swiss mountains, rescue authorities said Saturday.

The two -- a skier and snowboarder, both from France -- had got lost late in the day Friday outside marked runs near the resort of Savognin in southeast Switzerland, said Gery Baumann, spokesman for mountain rescue service Rega.

They were able to alert authorities using a mobile phone, but it then ran out of battery power, Baumann said.

"The two winter sports enthusiasts were found by the crew of the Rega helicopter shortly after midnight -- thanks to the faint light of their MP3 player," he said.

The two men had only mild hypothermia.

ICT common service centre opened

The formal launching of ICT Incubator Common Service Center held at BASIS office (BSRS Bhaban,5th floor, 12 Karwanbazar, Dhaka) on sunday 28 December 2008 4.30 pm . The Center was formally launched by the Special Assistant of the honorable Chief Advisor;Advisor of the Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism; Ministry of Industries and Ministry of Youth & Sports, Government Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Mahbub Jamil.

Among others, BASIS President Mr. Habibullah N Karim, Sr. Vice President Mr. Syed Mamnun Quader, Vice President Mr. Shameem Ahsan, Secretary General Mr. Nahid Ahmad, Director Mr. M A Mubin Khan, Chairman, BASIS Standing Committee on Infrastructure Mr. Shoeb Ahmed Masud and other Executive council members of BASIS were present on the occasion.

In his speech, BASIS President Mr. Habibullah N Karim said that, BASIS is the managing agent of the first and only ICT Incubator of the country located at BSRS Bhaban, Kawranbazar, Dhaka covering 68563 sqft of space since November 2002. The ICT Incubator houses 46 Software & ITES companies. About 1700 persons mostly software professionals serve in the Incubator companies whose export earnings stand at Tk.12 Crore.

The Chief Guest in his speech praised the role of BASIS in the development of ICT in the country. He mentioned that the caretaker government has given highest priority to ICT sector and took many initiatives through the BBF for ICT development of the country. He hoped that the govt. will continue to support the ICT initiatives in the coming days.

LG markets 3G Wi-Fi phone

Nathan Eddy

LG plans to debut a 3G-enabled mobile phone that fits on your wrist. A 1.4-inch touch screen, Text-To-Speech feature, Bluetooth capability and MP3 playback make it an instant curiosity, so why did they decide to call it the LG-GD910?

Those James Bond films from the 1970s sound sillier by the day, and not only because the plot of Moonraker makes less sense with every passing day. Gone are the days when a watch containing a radio or even a television screen was the height of technology. LG Electronics says it plans to debut a wristwatch-style, Wi-Fi-enabled phone at this January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The wristwatch-sized phone sports a 1.43-inch wide screen and is 0.56 inches thick, according to the company Web site. The phone will come equipped with touch screen capability, an MP3 player, a built-in speaker for text-to-speech and speech-to-text, a camera (for videoconferencing), 3G HSDPA and Bluetooth compatibility.

Some sources are also reporting the handset is waterproof (for underwater videoconferencing, naturally). LG is touting it as the first 3G HSDPA wristwatch phone on the market. It certainly ups the ante on Maxwell Smart's shoe phone.