Olive® "Musica™" Ultimate sound system component

Why ultimate? It can can record, tag and archive music CD, Its ultra-quiet hard drive holds up to 40,000 songs, allows users to burn and copy music CDs, update their Apple® iPod™, record music from analog sources such as tuners or tape decks, and access music stored on a networked Mac or PC1. Designed for the audiophile, like me the Musica™ features Olive®’s Digital Pure Audio™ technology, which has received wide press recognition for its superb audio fidelity.

The Musica™ in brief.
• Ultra-quiet 160GB hard drive stores up to 40,000 songs.
• Record analog media such as tape or vinyl directly to the hard drive.
• Listen to a wide variety of internet radio stations or add your own.
• Access music stored on networked Mac or PC1.
• Burn or copy music CDs.
• Update your Apple® iPod™.
• Built-in 4-port Ethernet hub and wireless access point (802.11g).
• Stream music to up to 20 rooms.
• Dynamic leveling of volume (lows and peaks) so music is always audible.
• Set maximum volume output to harmonize with atmosphere.
• IBM 32-bit PowerPC handles en-/decoding of multiple audio streams
without audio degradation.
• Store music in lossless quality (AIFF, WAV, FLAC) or lossy compression (MP3, up
to 320 kBit/s).

More specs in pdf.
Olive® website.

5.1 Surround Radio in Europe

A live 5.1 surround sound digital radio broadcast was successfully demonstrated in Europe recently via DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting).

Broadcasts of digital surround radio are being presented by the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in partnership with Swedish Radio, Danish Radio, Rock Antenne Bayern, Panasonic, Audi, Bayern Digital Radio (BDR) and Bose during several events in autumn 2005. A classical music concert performed by the National Danish Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen was world’s first real-time surround broadcast of a live event via Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB).
Surround reception was also demonstrated in a car moving in the city of Copenhagen. Even under poor reception conditions the DAB Surround decoder provided full service until the basic audio codec (MPEG Layer-2) could no longer support a valid audio signal.

Additional information on DAB Surround can be found here.

The Linux Kernel 2.6.14 is out

Over at LWN.

Linus has finally released the 2.6.14 kernel. It was delayed while various problems - some of which turned out not to be real - were chased down. "But hey, the delays - even when perhaps unnecessary - got us to look at the code and fix some other bugs instead. So it's all good." A very small number of patches went in since 2.6.14-rc5. Major changes in 2.6.14 include a new version of the wireless extensions, the HostAP system (which allows a Linux system to function as a wireless access point), relayfs, the DCCP network protocol, the filesystems in user space patch, v9fs, securityfs, and more.

Read the changelog or the full changelog.

Java Desktop System Released

The OpenSolaris desktop community are proud to announce the first release of the Java Desktop System.

The Sun Java Desktop System is the award winning secure and enterprise desktop software solution that combines the best of open source innovation.

This SOURCE ONLY release is based on the open source components that make up the Sun Java Desktop System.

This release contains the major new features
* GNOME 2.10
* Firefox 1.5b
* Thunderbird 1.5b

Download here.
Release note here.

Speaker helps deaf to 'feel' music

Deaf people rejoice! If you love music there is a device that allows deaf people to "feel" music with their fingertips through an audio speaker.

Shane Kerwin's "Vibrato" invention connects to a speaker and relays the sounds of different instruments using unique vibrations for each one.
While vibrations can be felt on a regular speaker, it is impossible to distinguish the sound of each instrument.
With the Vibrato, a speaker is connected to five different finger pads. When music is played, it sends different vibrations to each of the finger pads, allowing the wearer to feel the difference between notes, rhythms and instrument combinations. Via CNN.

ATI's Radeon'R' X1800 XT Breaks 1 GHz

Via Yahoo.

Finnish over-clockers make world GPU history. An independent team of Finnish over-clockers has made world history by over-clocking a graphics processor to engine clock levels above 1 GHz. The record was set on the recently-announced Radeon® X1800 XT graphics processor from ATI Technologies Inc. Noted Finnish over-clockers Sampsa Kurri and Ville Suvanto achieved graphics engine clocks of 1.003 GHz and a memory speed of 1.881 GHz (940.50 MHz DDR (dual data-rate) memory clocks) with maximum system stability and no visual artifacts.

CrossOver Office 5 Released

After Wine 0.9 released, CodeWeavers, Inc., the leading Windows-to-Linux software developer, today announced the release of CrossOver Office 5.0, its latest upgrade to the number one product for running Windows applications natively within the Linux operating system. CrossOver Office 5.0 now ensures reliable operation of Microsoft Office 2003 as well as vastly improved installation capabilities for most Windows applications. The most significant feature of these is a new "Bottles" feature. With this feature, separate Windows virtual machines can be created for individual Windows applications.

Wine 0.9 Released enters Beta

The Wine Project has released Wine 0.9 enters Beta.

This is release 0.9 of Wine, a free implementation of Windows on Unix. After 12 years of development, this release marks the beginning of the beta testing phase. Everybody is encouraged to try it; while there are still bugs, most applications are expected to at least install and do something useful.

Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X and Unix.

HP " Wobulation " Technology

HP " Wobulation " Technology is a ground-breaking new technology that’s creating a buzz among High Definition TV (HDTV) enthusiasts.

HP's Wobulation technology takes the original image [1] and breaks it down into two separate sub- images [2 and 3]. Your eye adds the two signals for each pixel shown in 2 and 3, yielding a close facsimile [4] to the original.Via Popular Science

HP says "Wobulation" is part of HP Visual Fidelity. I tend to disagree with the use of Fidelity in "Wobulation".

NASA's New Spaceship

High resolution images of NASA new Spaceship which will be used in going back to the moon in the next decade has been released by NASA. This Spaceship is the fusion of the best of Apollo and Space Shuttle technology.

The centerpiece of this system is a new spacecraft designed to carry four astronauts to and from the moon, support up to six crewmembers on future missions to Mars, and deliver crew and supplies to the International Space Station.

One thing I found different from the Apollo is the landing on Earth is by parachuting on dry land just like the Russian did, a splashdown is optional.

The new ship can be reused up to 10 times. After the craft parachutes to dry land (with a splashdown as a backup option), NASA can easily recover it, replace the heat shield and launch it again.

Read the rest here.
High resolution images here.

Pioneer A400 Integrated Amplifier

Last week, I talk about Audiolab 8000A integrated amplifier and its return to shops and dealers with a line-up of new hi-fi separates. Another integrated amplifier, this time Pioneer A400 pictured below.

Pioneer A400 is a no frills ‘audiophile’ amplifier that set the ‘cat among the pigeons’ when it was introduced in 1990. Hi-Fi magazines greeted it with a chorus of praise. Comparisons with amplifiers costing up to £1,000 were made, confirming that the A400 is indeed a ‘giant killer’. It won the coveted Product of the Year by the What Hi-Fi magazine – an accolade that had never before gone to a Japanese company.

This amplifier caught my attention when I saw it wayback 1992 in Singapore coz its the first Japanese amplifier I encountered without tone control only volume control and input and output selector(a minimalist amplifier). It was also the reference amplifier of shop and dealers there that I was accustomed to what we call the Brit's sound and the start of my interest in audiophile and hi-fi stereo.

Flock Developer Preview is now available.

Via Flock.

Our code couldn't wait any longer to be free!

But! This preview ain't for the faint of heart! If you're the bleeding-edge type and don't mind a few scrapes and busted knees from time to time, feel free to give it a whirl.

Opera 9.0 Technology Preview 1 for Windows

A technology preview of Opera 9.0 for windows is now available by Opera Software. Use at your own risk. Changelog and download is here.

OpenOffice.org 2.0 Is Here

OpenOffice.org 2.0 out!

OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute.

Download here
Features

Cheat Sheets for Web Designers/Developers

A lists of cheat sheets for web designers/developers. Very usefull for a newbie like me. Examples are:

• HTML/XTMHL cheat sheets
• CSS cheat sheets
• PHP cheat sheets

[Link]

Spread Firefox is Back

After being hacked twice Spread Firefox is back.

Spread Firefox is the central meeting place for the Firefox open source marketing effort. We are an authentic, creative, action oriented, and user-driven community.

Welcome back..
Also, Congratulations on winning the "Best Open Source Marketing Campaign 2005" award from Linuxuser & Developer Magazine, and Open Forum Europe.

Update: Firefox download is nearing the 100,000,000 download mark! Want to guess when? My guess is on 02:35:00 pm PDT Oct. 20, 2005. What's your guess?

2nd Update: We did it!

The 100 millionth download occurred at 10:13:40am Pacific Daylight Time today (5:13:40pm UTC) October 19, 2005. My guess is way off...

KDE 3.5 Beta 2 ("Koalition")

The KDE Project is pleased to announce the immediate availability of KDE 3.5 Beta 2, dubbed "Koalition".

Annoucement here.

Intel cuts PC boot time

Want to speed up boot time fo your PC? There is a technology coming..

Intel is showing off a future technology called Robson that could cut that annoying boot-up time.
With Robson, a PC pulls data and applications off an add-in flash memory card and Intel software, rather than the PC's hard drive. Flash reacts more quickly than hard drives, thus cutting down the time it takes to launch an application.

Read the rest here.

Year 2038 problem?

Another computer programming problem?

The Year 2000 problem is understood by most people these days because of the large amount of media attention it received.

Most programs written in the C programming language are relatively immune to the Y2K problem, but suffer instead from the Year 2038 problem. This problem arises because most C programs use a library of routines called the standard time library (time.h). This library establishes a standard 4-byte format for the storage of time values, and also provides a number of functions for converting, displaying and calculating time values.

Read the rest here.

The Return of the Audiolab

One of the UK's most recognisable hi-fi brands "Audiolab" of the 1980s and '90s is to return in shops and dealers with a line-up of new hi-fi separates. Audiolab was founded by Philip Swift and Derek Scotland in 1983. The first product was the 8000A integrated amplifier, pictured below:


It was billed as the "ultimate amplifier" by one of UK's hi-fi magazine during that time. It became the reference amplifier of hi-fi magazine in their reviews. It was during the '90s when I was in Singapore that hi-fi and audiophile is the craze of audio and hi-fi fanatics that Audiolab made it's name. It became the reference amplifier of dealers and shops in Singapore. But, late 90's the hi-fi craze faded, replaced by vcd's, dvd, a/v amplifiers and home theaters. I know there are still hi-fi geeks and audiophiles out there, just like me.. Welcome back Audiolab.

Open Source Xara Xtreme

My favorite Os (Linux) is going to have another vector graphics (drawing and illustration) program.

Xara is pleased to announce that it intends to make its flagship graphics product, Xara X (in its latest and greatest incarnation, Xara Xtreme), Open Source. Xara is also working to bring it to the Linux and Mac platforms.

Xara X is the world's fastest and we believe the most versatile graphics software. It's primarily a vector graphics (drawing and illustration) program but is one of the new generation of cross-over products that handles photos and drawings with equal ease. Xara X is also renowned for its slick, easy-to-use and easy-to-learn approach.

Link

Adobe Acrobat 7.0.5 Update:
To users of Adobe Acrobat, Adobe has released a comulative patch for Acrobat Reader, Standard and Professional Editions. This includes all the patches from 7.0.1 to 7.0.3 and the patch can be downloaded here.

Mandriva 2006 Release

It has been almost 3 years since I stopped using Mandrake now Mandriva. It is the most up to date Linux distro and easiest to install. Now comes the latest release, Mandriva 2006:

In accordance with its commitment to empowering users worldwide with the most innovative Linux operating system, Mandriva today released Mandriva 2006. The new version of the company's flagship product merges pioneer technologies from Conectiva and Lycoris, as well as spanning for the first time a one-year release cycle.
Mandriva 2006 offers the ultimate in Linux for a wide array of computing requirements, such as office, multimedia, Internet and servers. It is the only Linux distribution to provide the official support for Intel® Centrino? mobile technology and to offer a complete integration of Skype?, the Global Internet Communications Company, which makes it possible for anyone worldwide to make free high-quality phone calls via the Internet. Other key features include desktop search, interactive firewall and auto-install server functionality.
Mandriva 2006 is available in three editions: Discovery/Lx (for the Linux beginner), PowerPack (for the advanced computer user) and PowerPack+ (for SOHO users). Mandriva Club members and Mandriva official contributors can already download the software. Mandriva 2006 is now available for pre-order at the Mandriva Store (http://store.mandriva.com).

Read the annoucement here:

KDE 3.4.3 Released

After Ubuntu, another annoucement, this time from the KDE Project:

The KDE Project today announced the immediate availability of KDE 3.4.3, a maintenance release for the latest generation of the most advanced and powerful free desktop for GNU/Linux and other UNIXes. KDE 3.4.3 ships with a basic desktop and fifteen other packages (PIM, administration, network, edutainment, utilities, multimedia, games, artwork, web development and more). KDE's award-winning tools and applications are available in 51 languages.

So, what are you waiting for, download here.

Ubuntu 5.10 Released

As I said in the previous post:

The Ubuntu team is proud to announce Ubuntu 5.10. This is the official Ubuntu 5.10 release, and includes installation CDs, live CDs, and combination DVDs for three architectures.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for your desktop or server, with a fast and easy install, regular releases, a tight selection of excellent packages installed by default, every other package you can imagine available from the network, a commitment to security updates for 18 months after each release and professional technical support from many companies around the world.

[Link]

Ubuntu launches "The Fridge"

Welcome to... The Fridge!

Conceived at UbuntuDownUnder,The Fridge is an information hub for the Ubuntu community, bringing together news, grassroots marketing, advocacy, team collaboration, and great original content.

Just like the family fridge at home, this is where we - the Ubuntu family - can put our best work on display for everyone to see… along with the requisite jokes, reminders, invitations, news clippings, photos and everything else! We’re starting out small, but have some good plans for filling the shelves. Read on to find out about upcoming features, and where to send your suggestions.

So when you’ve got something cool and fresh that you’re just itching to tell the Ubuntu community, you know what to do… Stick it on The Fridge!

Link:

Also from Ubuntu:
Ubuntu 5.10 Final Release
Start: 2005-10-13 00:00
Timezone: Etc/GMT

KOffice 1.4.2 Released by the KDE Project

From the KOffice Project:

The KDE Project today announced the release of KOffice 1.4.2 for Linux and Unix operating systems. Support for the OpenDocument format, recently adopted by Massachusetts state in the USA, has been greatly improved, especially in KWord, KSpread and KPresenter. Karbon, a vector-based drawing program, has also seen a lot of development lately, and many fixes have gone into it.

You can read the annoucement here:

Firefox Tweak Guide

I am an avid Firefox fan. I have used Firefox since it was introduced. One of it's advantages is the ability of it's user to customize and tweak it.

Her comes Firefox Tweak Guide:

Whether you're a first-time user or a veteran, this Firefox Tweak Guide brings together all the major tips, tricks and tweaks for Firefox. From the basic to the advanced, the following 11 pages of information are sure to enhance your Firefox experience. Most of all you can rest assured that the guide is not written by a raving Firefox fanboy - it's a true objective TweakGuides tweak guide, and not a gushing ad for a free web browser.

Read the tweak here:

All About Deskstop

From the Gnome community, a flurry of releases:

BetterDeskstop.org

Better Desktop is a project dedicated to sharing usability data with Linux developers. Over the past year, we have conducted many usability tests on different parts of the KDE and GNOME desktops. We created this site to serve as a place where developers can watch videos of these tests. Here you will find over 200 videos of people using Mozilla Firefox, Evolution, Open Office, Banshee, F-Spot and other applications.
Better Desktop is sponsored by Novell. It is part of the OpenSUSE project.

Tango Desktop Project

The Tango Desktop Project exists to create a consistent user experience for free and Open Source software with graphical user interfaces.

Tango Desktop initiative aims to provide:
* A specified default native look.
* A subsystem to help standardize toolkits on a common look and feel.
* A complete, standard set of application, mimetype, and stock icons to build upon a style guide.
* Cross-desktop humane interface guidelines.

It takes 2 to Tango..

On Hi-Fi Stereo and Audio/Video

Occasionally, I will be blogging about Hi-Fi Stereo and Audio/Video since this is my primary interest before computer. I have more than 10 years of experience in the field of consumer electronics servicing and repair and have worked from various manufacturers such as Philips, Sony and Pioneer. I will be blogging about the latest audio/video products or some tips and experiences I encountered during those times.

Simaudio Moon Rock Monoblock Power Amplifier:

While surfing, I came across this mono block amplifier which caught my attention. This monoblock is a massive cube embedded in a solid slab of granite resting on elastomer feet. The specifications is impressive and the price is $37,000/pair. Warranty: 10 years, transferable.

This fully balanced differential mono-block amplifier produces a high-current output signal to a maximum continuous rating of 1000 watts into 8 ohms and 2000 watts into 4 ohms, easily capable of driving virtually any loudspeaker. Using 32 bipolar output devices in conjunction with internal electronic component matching to exceptionally low tolerances, the ROCK pushes the boundaries of solid-state amplifier design. With a very strong emphasis on form and finish, this amplifier includes a customized 2 inch thick solid granite base, weighing in at over 120 lbs., and an anodized top cover.

[Simaudio]

Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5 Beta 2 Released

Via mozillaZine:
Scott MacGregor writes: "Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5 Beta 2 is now available for download. This is the last beta release of the next major Thunderbird update and is aimed at testers, and extension/theme authors. The final release of Thunderbird 1.5, which will be widely promoted to end-users, is scheduled for later this year along with Firefox 1.5."

Google Reader

Watch out, bloglines. Check out Google Reader!!!

Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Beta 2 Released

Via mozillaZine:
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Beta 2 is now available for download. Also known as the 1.8 Beta 5 milestone, this is the last beta release of the next major Firefox update and is aimed at testers, extension/theme authors and Web developers. The final release of Firefox 1.5, which will be widely promoted to end-users, is scheduled for later this year.

I think, I will stay with Deer Park Alpha 2, for the past week I have not encountered any crash and only minor problem from the Software Update. I love it..

SUSE 10.0 OSS Released

Via Slashdot:
"Today, Novell released SuSE 10.0 OSS for download. Product highlights include kernel 2.6.13, gcc 4.0.2, glibc 2.3.5, improved boot times and Xen 3. Torrents are available for the i386, ppc and x86_64 versions. The downloadable OSS edition lacks some packages for licensing reasons of which some, like Java, can be installed via package repository."

Hacking OpenSUSE:
When you're done installing OpenSUSE 10.0, your desktop system is not complete. You still need support for Java programs, MP3 audio files, and browser plugins for Macromedia Flash, Adobe Acrobat, RealPlayer, and Windows Media Video. You may also want to add support for playing DVD videos on your computer. Here's how to effectively make the open source version of OpenSUSE 10.0 into SUSE Linux 10.0.

Gnome 2.12.1 Released

Via Gnomedeskstop:
The first point release of the stable 2.12.x series of Gnome has been
released. This release includes the latest bugfixes and other
improvements such as updated translations and is the first in a series
of point releases.

How to Pour a Perfect Beer

Since it is October, the month of Oktobefest an invention for beer lovers like me.
Via Popular Science:
A new beer-tap design incorporates the science of suds to deliver perfect pours round after round..

Invented by Matt Younkle, and made by Chicago-based Laminar Technologies’s TurboTap (turbotap.com), a 4.5-inch-long stainless-steel nozzle that attaches to standard beer faucets and pours a beer twice as fast as existing taps.

Dropline GNOME 2.12.0 released

Via Dropline:
After several weeks of testing, the latest version of dropline GNOME is finally available. This release sees updates to virtually every package, and is our first release built specifically for Slackware 10.2. We would like to thank all of the testers that helped in the development of this release. We couldn't do it without you!
dropline GNOME is a version of the GNOME Desktop that has been tweaked for Slackware Linux systems. It is available in Slackware's standard .tgz package format and requires Slackware 10.1 or higher.

Anyway, I use Fedora Core..

CEATEC JAPAN 2005

CEATEC JAPAN 2005 opened yesterday at Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Center), 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba, Japan. CEATEC JAPAN (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) is the largest international exhibition in Asia for the technology and electronics sectors, including the fields of imaging, information, and communications. Here, you will experience all the recent trends in IT and electronics, from technologies that showcase futuristic lifestyles to products that will be on store shelves during the upcoming winter and holiday season. CEATEC JAPAN was launched in the year 2000, and it is usually held on the 1st or 2nd week of October.

HP to ship Netscape browser on new PCs

Via Cnet:
In a move that harks back to the browser wars, Hewlett-Packard plans to ship Netscape's Web browser on new consumer PCs and notebooks starting early next year.

Also, the Netscape Mail has been redesigned, its has a new UI and its look good. My primary email is Netscape since 1998, but I think it will be replaced sooner by Gmail..

CSS Galleries & Showcases

Since, I am talking about CSS Reboot in the previous post, I would like to highlight other sites showcasing CSS sites. Here they are:

• CSS Zen Garden
• CSS Vault
• CSS Beauty
• CSS Import
• Stylegala
• Unmatchedstyle
• css thesis
• CSS Mania
• CSS Design
• CSS Drive
• CSS Tableless Web Site
• Web Standards Awards

There are still many sites out there but some are in other languages. So check it out... "The Beauty in CSS Design"

CSS Reboot Fall 2005

Today, the countdown says there are just over 30 days left and 667 rebooters until November 1st for the CSS Reboot Fall 2005. CSS Reboot is a community event for web professionals. November 1st, 2005 at 12:00 GMT Rebooters from all over the world will launch their web standards-based redesigns (or designs) simultaneously, bringing traffic, interest and a little respect to their sites. There are no prizes or arbitrary winners, just great exposure and the knowledge that we all participated in something great. Also, the deadline for sign-up is October 15, 2005, so what are you waiting for fellow web designers..
I'm already a rebooter, so check OnyoZine on November 1st.