More 3Com Exclusive Beta Tests
3Com Beta Test Services sent word over that a pair of new products are currently starting beta testing. The 3Com Transcend Network Supervisor beta improves an already existing product with a new user interface and added features. With this software you can monitor your small to medium-sized network and detect stress levels.
The second test, 3Com's Network Performance Manager and LAN Agent (formerly known as Dynamic Access) is also a network monitoring tool that gives users easy access to business critical information.
Sega Halting Dreamcast Production?
Rumors are flying all over the place in regards to the latest buzz that Sega is halting production of its Dreamcast gaming console. The struggling gaming company has been losing market share and money on the console, and according to the Reuters report, its shares jumped 15% in lieu of the possible production stoppage. Sega will instead focus on software development in general, and possibly for other consoles including the PlayStation2 and Gameboy Advance.
Dreamcast marketshare is expected to decline even further when Microsoft unveils the X-Box, and PlayStation2 prices drop. Lets not forget Nintendo's GameCube either, which could push the Dreamcast into bringing up the rear of the console market.
Intel Dropping Prices Again
Once again making room for its new line of processors, chipzilla Intel is said to be slashing prices on existing processors as much as 40%. The price on the P4 1.5GHz chip will fall almost $200 to $644, along with slashes up to 30% in the mobile processor category. The price drops come as Intel continues to wage war against AMD for the reign of the PC market. The PIII 1GHz processor will drop a dramatic 43% to $268 accordin to sources at ZDNet. For the rest of the pricing, read Spooner's article over at ZDNet.
Attention X-Desk Users! Major Problem Possible
The X-Desk Software sent notice late last night that a potential major problem with uninstalling the software has cropped up in certain systems. Only affecting full uninstalls of the software in very complex circumstances, the bug could potentially erase other files on the same drive in which X-Desk is installed. Currently the company can offer no "precise" explanation for the error, but has developed a workaround.
The creators stress not to attempt to uninstall the program for the next 24-48 hours, but if you must, then there is something you can do. To avoid the glitch, simply DO NOT use any uninstall feature from Windows, such as the link in the start menu, or the control panel option. All you need to do is delete the contents of the folder and check later for said links.
Whispers in the Wind: Playstation 3
Gamespot reports today that Sony has already begun discussing possibilities and hopes for its next console venture, the PlayStation 3. According to the report, Sony Senior Vice President of R&D Shinichi Okomoto touted during a keynote recently that the company has already begun research on the console, shooting for a system 1,000 times more powerful than its predecessor, the PlayStation 2.
Ken Kutaragi, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, told reporters that he already has specific plans to develop new advanced graphics processors for the console.
Translate Your PDA
Paragon Software is reportedly set to begin providing owners of Handspring Visors with software to translate the Visor interface into one of twelve European languages currently supported. According to the ZDNet news brief, the new software will be based on the existing PiLoc 2.0 software, and will begin shipping on devices in the end of January. Currently the software will be able to translate from English into Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Turkish and Ukrainian.
Newest Version of MySQL Locked and Loaded
After nearly two years without a stable upgrade, MySQL Version 3.23 has officially been declared stable by developers. New features in the latest release include full-text searching, and replication between a master and many slaves and several new table handlers that support large files and transactions by using the Berkeley DB library, available from Sleepy Cat software. Michael Widenius, chief MySQL developer reports that future upgrades will only contain bug fixes and the like as he focuses his attention on MySQL 4.0. Download MySQL 3.23 from MySQL.com.
YooZee Browser - Just Better
At least, that is what the Web site is saying about this alpha product. YooZee is a Web browser based on Internet Explorer, with some really nice added features. Fully skinnable, YooZee also offers netizens advanced search in favorites, and the ability to completely customize and adapt the look and feel according to the user preferences. It utilizes the Internet Explorer 5.5 engine for enhanced speed and Web experience pleasure. The browser is currently registered at 0.1 alpha, and can be downloaded here.
MarketMarks.com - Find Out Before You Shop
A new Web site has hit the net that could potentially make your online shopping experience better and easier. MarketMarks.com is a site where users can go rate different eCommerce sites and "Leave Your Mark" with reviews and comments. It has a great user interface, and is easy to understand and navigate around the site. Dubbed "The Online Shoppers Best Friend," MarketMarks.com has potential to be a really great stop on the Web before you buy that item from some place you've never heard of. For more information visit MarketMarks.com.
GlobalSCAPE Delivers Beta 1 of CuteFTP Pro
The guys over at GlobalSCAPE sent word that they have officially released the first beta of CuteFTP Pro. As many of you may have read back from November, the product was shown to BetaNews at Fall Internet World, and it looked to be very promising. Right now the feature-list for the program is quite impressive, giving users abilities not seen in CuteFTP or many other FTP programs out there.
Completely redesigned, CuteFTP Pro gives users multiple concurrent session abilities, multi-part transfers to increase download speed, and SSL or SSH2 secure transfers. Also in the new software comes site-to-site transfer functionality, scheduling, and offline browsing, to name a few more. All of the features of this exciting new product could not be listed in this article.
Whistler Security Cracked
As many BetaNews readers have said in the past, it seems that extra security thrown into Windows Whistler has been cracked, and easily, you might add. British site The Register is reporting that sources told them the security measures are easy to get around, and should cause no problem for those who would like to have the upcoming OS without actually paying for it.
According to the article Whistler security works as follows. Code on the CD partners with a specific code generator that develops a code specific to the system configuration to create another code which is sent to Microsoft via the phone or the Web. Once MS receives that code, another code is sent back to you as the user, which is entered into the system, and the software is unlocked.
To .Net or Not To .Net - That is the Question
While Microsoft continues on its warpath to a complete .Net strategy transformation with its upcoming Visual Studio .Net, many developers are not going quietly into the night and raging against the softwares progress. Not even in its second beta release, which is scheduled for this spring, VS.Net seems to be lacking its promised killer abilities thus far.
While it might not be fair to judge the software based on its first beta, many developers are doing just that, according to the News.com report.
AOL Closing Entertaindom Site
AOL reports today that it will be closing Time Warner's Entertaindom network as of February 1st. Sources close to the news told ZDNet that the operations will relocate into the larger Warner Brothers Online site. The Warner Bros. spokesperson told reporters "We're looking at what makes sense for the long term." Another source told ZDNet the cutback could be signs of future plans for "massive layoffs, cutting really deep through Warner and Time Warner." For more information read over at ZDNet.
Portable Devices Are Cooling Down - Thanks to IsoSkin
Breakthrough technology in portable device cooling will achieve great things, according to the report on ZDNet. The new "skin" will allow manufacturers to shrink the size of such devices without compromising any battery life. The San Francisco-based company Novel Concepts has developed what it dubs "IsoSkin" wherein two pieces of plastic are separated by just 500 microns, but vaccuum filled with a coolant (most likely water) to relocate heat away from the processor to cooler parts of the device. The patents for the technology were obtained recently, and a prototype is expected within the year, devices hitting retail store shelves in two. For more information read over at ZDNet.
eBay Upping Seller Prices
Associated Press is reporting today that popular online auction site eBay is upping its prices users will have to pay to post their goods online. Beginning the last day of January (the 31st), users posting items up to $10 will pay a nickel more, or 30 cents; and users selling items between $10 and $20 will pay a nickel more, or 55 cents. The biggest jump comes in the $200+ listing, jumping $1.30 from $2 to cost $3.30 USD. It has been four years since the company raised rates, and with the volume of business eBay does, a nickel or two probably helps more than you think.
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