NVidia has introduced new high end graphics cards, the top end Quadro FX5800 has 240 CUDA parallel processing cores and 4GB of high speed shader RAM it has Displayport and dual-DVI outputs.
This isn't a cheap solution the FX5800 costs around $3,300. The lower end cards start at at £300.
NVidia offer drivers for a variety of operating systems including most varieties of Windows, 32 and 64 bit Linux, Solaris x86/64. Unfortunately no MacOS drivers, so unless Apple do something they wont go into a MacPro (which would seem a logical choice for high end cards).
2009/04/03
Virgin announce Addict tariff
Virgin's addict tariff is aimed at the mobile Internet user who needs to get their daily fix of social media sites.
£20 gives the user unlimited texts and unlimited data and 10p per minute for phone calls.
It's not quite as good as it sounds though as unlimited of course isn't unlimited as it's 1GB per month for data and 3,000 texts per month - though ignoring the data that means an SMS cost of 1.5p per text (though that's sending 100 texts per day - could be cheap for sending bulk SMS via lots of SIMs).
If a cheaper top-up tariff is chosen i.e. £15/m then there's 600 free texts and for £10/m it's 300 free texts with Internet costing 30p per day limited to 25MB.
It's also worth noting that file sharing and video or voice over Internet calls are not allowed.
Though £20 per month isn't bad for 3,000 text messages and 1GB Internet per month though there are better data deals on other networks.
£20 gives the user unlimited texts and unlimited data and 10p per minute for phone calls.
It's not quite as good as it sounds though as unlimited of course isn't unlimited as it's 1GB per month for data and 3,000 texts per month - though ignoring the data that means an SMS cost of 1.5p per text (though that's sending 100 texts per day - could be cheap for sending bulk SMS via lots of SIMs).
If a cheaper top-up tariff is chosen i.e. £15/m then there's 600 free texts and for £10/m it's 300 free texts with Internet costing 30p per day limited to 25MB.
It's also worth noting that file sharing and video or voice over Internet calls are not allowed.
Though £20 per month isn't bad for 3,000 text messages and 1GB Internet per month though there are better data deals on other networks.
Fonera v2 coming out 29th April
FON is a service that allows broadband users to share their Internet connection with other FON users (or with the general public). Registered FON users then also get access through any other FON device when they're away from their own premise.
The new Fonera v2 WiFi router has 2 LAN ports and a USB port that may be connected to any USB2.0 device or several through a hub.
The system will then share various USB devices like cameras and scanners and act a print server for connected printers. If disks are connected then these can also be shared, but there's also a bittorrent client built-in to the Fonera so that downloads can be left overnight and be ready in the morning. Disks can be traditional USB hard disks or even pen drives. If the disk contains photos these can automatically be uploaded to Flickr and other sites and videos automatically sent to YouTube.
The Fonera 2 unit will cost 49 Euros.
The new Fonera v2 WiFi router has 2 LAN ports and a USB port that may be connected to any USB2.0 device or several through a hub.
The system will then share various USB devices like cameras and scanners and act a print server for connected printers. If disks are connected then these can also be shared, but there's also a bittorrent client built-in to the Fonera so that downloads can be left overnight and be ready in the morning. Disks can be traditional USB hard disks or even pen drives. If the disk contains photos these can automatically be uploaded to Flickr and other sites and videos automatically sent to YouTube.
The Fonera 2 unit will cost 49 Euros.
Ofcom sets mobile termination rates
Ofcom has published mobile termination rates for the mobile networks
The rates below are for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
Vodafone and O2 5.40 5.09 4.71 TBC
T-Mobile and Orange 5.90 5.39 4.84 TBC
H3G 9.10 7.29 5.83 TBC
The mobile networks are having there revenues reduces severely (but this is in-line with a recent dispute with UK01 a new mobile entrant who also have a rate set which was 3.3p) but it's good for the consumer. Mobile rates have reduced significantly from a few years ago when they were charging 33p per minute.
The rates below are for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
Vodafone and O2 5.40 5.09 4.71 TBC
T-Mobile and Orange 5.90 5.39 4.84 TBC
H3G 9.10 7.29 5.83 TBC
The mobile networks are having there revenues reduces severely (but this is in-line with a recent dispute with UK01 a new mobile entrant who also have a rate set which was 3.3p) but it's good for the consumer. Mobile rates have reduced significantly from a few years ago when they were charging 33p per minute.
2009/04/02
Breakfasst with Jeff Pulver and Paul Walsh
This morning's breakfast with Jeff Pulver and Paul Walsh was a lively affair with lots of social networking taking place.
The bacon sandwiches may not have been the best idea, but overall a good event.
The bacon sandwiches may not have been the best idea, but overall a good event.
Thunderbird - actually a reasonable email client
Reading email can be a pain. Mutt is my preferred Email client, it's text based runs on UN*X/Linux, is fast and just works and is also available from anywhere by ssh'ing into the bix where the mail is stored.
Being text based, it's really good for scanning Email and deleting the rubbish. Emails can also be read and actioned, however being text based it's not good when people send pure HTML Email or Emails with nice attachments.
Being a Linux user (Fedora Core 10 at the moment) which also acts as a mail server (and file server as well as various other things), it means the system is on all the time. Outlook is a fine Email program as is Mail.app, but they mean booting a Windows or Apple machine.
So though the Linux box was on all the time, it was only really used for reading text Email through Mutt.
Then Thunderbird was suggested, it's an Email client from the Mozilla folks and it works. It''s actually quite similar to Outlook in the way it does certain things and if you're used to Outlook it will be relatively painless to use (though setting up Email accounts may not be so easy).
Now attachments are there and can be viewed as can HTML Email (rendered through Firefox or at least its libraries).
Thunderbird is a pretty good Email client for POP3/IMAP Email accounts.
Being text based, it's really good for scanning Email and deleting the rubbish. Emails can also be read and actioned, however being text based it's not good when people send pure HTML Email or Emails with nice attachments.
Being a Linux user (Fedora Core 10 at the moment) which also acts as a mail server (and file server as well as various other things), it means the system is on all the time. Outlook is a fine Email program as is Mail.app, but they mean booting a Windows or Apple machine.
So though the Linux box was on all the time, it was only really used for reading text Email through Mutt.
Then Thunderbird was suggested, it's an Email client from the Mozilla folks and it works. It''s actually quite similar to Outlook in the way it does certain things and if you're used to Outlook it will be relatively painless to use (though setting up Email accounts may not be so easy).
Now attachments are there and can be viewed as can HTML Email (rendered through Firefox or at least its libraries).
Thunderbird is a pretty good Email client for POP3/IMAP Email accounts.
2009/04/01
IBM to buy Sun
IBM's potential purchase of Sun has been speculated recently, however it also seems various large company's procurement departments have been told to hold of making any Sun purchases and speak to IBM.
If the purchase does go ahead what will remain of Sun? Sparc will likely die (or just go over to Fujitsu completely), MySQL will drop to the wayside (or at least dropped off IBM's portfolio - they have enough of their own databases), Solaris will just go Open with little involvement from IBM if any at all.
The only thing that IBM definitely want is Java.
$6.5bn is cheap considering the prices paid for Compaq and others in recent times, but manufacturing chips - however good they are is expensive. This could be the end of an era and Sun may be disappearing over the IBM horizon.
If the purchase does go ahead what will remain of Sun? Sparc will likely die (or just go over to Fujitsu completely), MySQL will drop to the wayside (or at least dropped off IBM's portfolio - they have enough of their own databases), Solaris will just go Open with little involvement from IBM if any at all.
The only thing that IBM definitely want is Java.
$6.5bn is cheap considering the prices paid for Compaq and others in recent times, but manufacturing chips - however good they are is expensive. This could be the end of an era and Sun may be disappearing over the IBM horizon.
2009/03/26
UK01 the 6th UK network
UK01 are a new mobile operator in the UK offering localised GSM hotzones. Currently you buy a UK01 SIM (or get one for free) and buy minutes - on-line through the UK01 site or via local outlets (Pazone or epay).
The UK01 rates are very competitive, especially to non UK numbers - though UK rates are too bad, 1p per minute to a landline, 8p to a mobile and text messages cost 3p (though bundle deals are available).
UK01 are planning to offer a SIMless service soon, whereby users have to manually select the UK01 network on the phone. Normally the network doesn't recognise the EMEI and so rejects the connection, however UK01 welcome the EMEI and immediately register it. The phone then receives an SMS with the UK01 phone number (which can immediately receive calls) and tells the user how they can buy credit to make outgoing calls.
Coverage is currently limited to areas within Newham, but UK01 is planning to expand into neighbouring boroughs and even across the whole of London.
UK01 has already sold thousands of SIMs and is generating hundreds of thousands of call minutes per month, which isn't bad for a new operator - especially one that's operating in such a small area.
UK01 are definitely a network to watch, they could be extremely disruptive to the MNOs.
The UK01 rates are very competitive, especially to non UK numbers - though UK rates are too bad, 1p per minute to a landline, 8p to a mobile and text messages cost 3p (though bundle deals are available).
UK01 are planning to offer a SIMless service soon, whereby users have to manually select the UK01 network on the phone. Normally the network doesn't recognise the EMEI and so rejects the connection, however UK01 welcome the EMEI and immediately register it. The phone then receives an SMS with the UK01 phone number (which can immediately receive calls) and tells the user how they can buy credit to make outgoing calls.
Coverage is currently limited to areas within Newham, but UK01 is planning to expand into neighbouring boroughs and even across the whole of London.
UK01 has already sold thousands of SIMs and is generating hundreds of thousands of call minutes per month, which isn't bad for a new operator - especially one that's operating in such a small area.
UK01 are definitely a network to watch, they could be extremely disruptive to the MNOs.
Twitter via SMS in the UK
Vodafone have opened up their network to Twitter users, but only for Vodafone customers.
Twitter users set-up their accounts within the Devices section of their profile, then add their mobile number.
While mobile, send a tweet to 86444 and it will go to your feed.
Messages from Twitter don't cost you anything? While SMS messages to Twitter are charged at standard network rates and included in any bundles and message allowance (though the first few messages don't seem to be counted).
It's likely other UK MNOs will follow suit just to keep the status quo - though maybe this a pre-emptive strike by Vodafone to block other networks or even purchase Twitter.
Twitter users set-up their accounts within the Devices section of their profile, then add their mobile number.
While mobile, send a tweet to 86444 and it will go to your feed.
Messages from Twitter don't cost you anything? While SMS messages to Twitter are charged at standard network rates and included in any bundles and message allowance (though the first few messages don't seem to be counted).
It's likely other UK MNOs will follow suit just to keep the status quo - though maybe this a pre-emptive strike by Vodafone to block other networks or even purchase Twitter.
Ofcom 2.6GHz spectrum Auction
Though T-Mobile has dropped their intention to take Ofcom to Judicial Review, O2 have now taken Ofcom to Judicial review and are attempting to include T-Mobile's intention even though T-Mobile pulled out. This will occur in April.
It has now also been ported that there is the potential for interference to radars operating in the 2.7GHz band which include airport radar. Therefore at least initially there will need to be coordination between 2.6GHz licensees and radar operators (such as the CAA and some ship types operated by the MoD and others).
At some point in the future the radar systems will be adjusted such that interference from 2.6GHz will be minimised.
Ofcom is still intending to launch the auction as soon as the judicial review has taken place (assuming it goes there way).
It has now also been ported that there is the potential for interference to radars operating in the 2.7GHz band which include airport radar. Therefore at least initially there will need to be coordination between 2.6GHz licensees and radar operators (such as the CAA and some ship types operated by the MoD and others).
At some point in the future the radar systems will be adjusted such that interference from 2.6GHz will be minimised.
Ofcom is still intending to launch the auction as soon as the judicial review has taken place (assuming it goes there way).
2009/03/25
Economist Blames Twitter for Down Economy - Twitter Moratorium
Economist Blames Twitter for Down Economy - Twitter Moratorium
Twitter blamed for global economic downturn, stranger things have happened ...
Twitter blamed for global economic downturn, stranger things have happened ...
2009/03/23
Inkd | Our dashboard for managing your Inkd account.
Inkd | The World's First Market for Original Print Design.
Today Inkd have launched, another creation of Curios Office.
Inkd was originally known as Pressplane who have been very secretive about what they've been doing, now all is revealed.
Inkd is all about designers creating office stationary templates and being able to sell this to companies wanting their own designs, but not being able to afford (or have the resources available) of doing it by themselves. Designers upload their templates and customers download and customise them.
Customers are charged for the templates and designers get a cut of the fee. The more designers that sign-up and upload templates, the more customers will be attracted to the site. All uploaded work is checked by Inkd staff to ensure its quality and meets Inkd's guidelines.
Curious Office launched a successful site for artists/photographers called ImageKind which was sold to Cafe Press.
Kelly Smith is the brains behind Curious Office/ImageKind and Pressplane/Inkd.
Hopefully Inkd will be another successful venture.
Today Inkd have launched, another creation of Curios Office.
Inkd was originally known as Pressplane who have been very secretive about what they've been doing, now all is revealed.
Inkd is all about designers creating office stationary templates and being able to sell this to companies wanting their own designs, but not being able to afford (or have the resources available) of doing it by themselves. Designers upload their templates and customers download and customise them.
Customers are charged for the templates and designers get a cut of the fee. The more designers that sign-up and upload templates, the more customers will be attracted to the site. All uploaded work is checked by Inkd staff to ensure its quality and meets Inkd's guidelines.
Curious Office launched a successful site for artists/photographers called ImageKind which was sold to Cafe Press.
Kelly Smith is the brains behind Curious Office/ImageKind and Pressplane/Inkd.
Hopefully Inkd will be another successful venture.
2009/03/21
The OpenBTS Project
The OpenBTS Project
Great project for an open source GSM basestation.
There's a few legal issues (and lack of spectrum, well usable spectrum anyway) but this could be the solution for rural areas or networks in non 1st world countries. There could also be an interest for some of the low power guard band operators who won licenses in the UK.
It currently uses Asterisk as intelligence for the "back-end".
This project should be supported.
Great project for an open source GSM basestation.
There's a few legal issues (and lack of spectrum, well usable spectrum anyway) but this could be the solution for rural areas or networks in non 1st world countries. There could also be an interest for some of the low power guard band operators who won licenses in the UK.
It currently uses Asterisk as intelligence for the "back-end".
This project should be supported.
2009/03/09
Proposed variation to BT’s Undertakings under the Enterprise Act 2002 related to Fibre-to-the-Cabinet | Ofcom
Proposed variation to BT’s Undertakings under the Enterprise Act 2002 related to Fibre-to-the-Cabinet | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation (which closes on the 17th of Apr 2009) on changing BT's Undertakings such that they can provide Fibre-to-the=Street Cabinet (FTTC). They are proposing to allow BT Openreach to run the infrastructure.
FTTC will require a massive investment (somewhere around £15bn) to fibre the whole of the UK and BT need to ensure they get a return on investment so Ofcom are allowing them certain monopolistic practices such that BT can start the roll-out. Ofcom will monitor the situation.
Ofcom is holding a consultation (which closes on the 17th of Apr 2009) on changing BT's Undertakings such that they can provide Fibre-to-the=Street Cabinet (FTTC). They are proposing to allow BT Openreach to run the infrastructure.
FTTC will require a massive investment (somewhere around £15bn) to fibre the whole of the UK and BT need to ensure they get a return on investment so Ofcom are allowing them certain monopolistic practices such that BT can start the roll-out. Ofcom will monitor the situation.
2009/03/06
2009/03/03
Twitter news - not always good
It was with great sadness that I learnt about the death of Rob Williams of Dolphin Music. I did not know the man himself, but knew he was part of a skiing party in Verbier. It seems he got separated from his group and died overnight.
His colleagues had tried to locate him using Twitter, iPhone GPS and other technologies to no avail. His colleague Jason Tavaria was rescued by Verbier's Mountain Rescue patrol (though it is not known if the any Web 2.0 technology helped save him).
What is surprising is how quickly the story came to light as members of the group Tweeted their concerns.
Again condolences to the family/friends and colleagues of Rob.
His colleagues had tried to locate him using Twitter, iPhone GPS and other technologies to no avail. His colleague Jason Tavaria was rescued by Verbier's Mountain Rescue patrol (though it is not known if the any Web 2.0 technology helped save him).
What is surprising is how quickly the story came to light as members of the group Tweeted their concerns.
Again condolences to the family/friends and colleagues of Rob.
Rudy Kennedy: Holocaust survivor, scientist and campaigner | Times Online Obituary
Rudy Kennedy: Holocaust survivor, scientist and campaigner | Times Online Obituary
My father's obituary in The Times, he was a fantastic person and is missed.
My father's obituary in The Times, he was a fantastic person and is missed.
2009/02/28
Review of the 070 personal numbering range | Ofcom
Review of the 070 personal numbering range | Ofcom
Ofcom has published a review on the 070 numbering range known as Personal Numbering Services (PNS).
In 2005 there were a large number of complaints about PNS due to abuse by number holders (mainly scams to mobile numbers). Ofcom originally wanted to migrate 070 numbers to an 06 range, but this was decided again due to confusing and that systems such as alarm systems utilised 070 numbers.
070 were put under regulatory control from PhonepayPlus (formally ICSTIS) and measures such as delayed payments to number holders has significantly reduced the number of consumer complaints.
Ofcom will support and monitor the enforcement program by PhonepayPlus (who have made 10 adjudications and fines totalling £625,000 since May 2008.
Communications providers will have to publish their 070 tariffs prominently and make them easy to understand for consumers.
PNS providers who sub-allocated numbers to other operators will have to carry out due diligence of the sub-allocation operator.
Though this is a step in the right direction, it would have been beneficial to end-users to move the number range so 07 was only used by mobile operators - but it would have been a logistical nightmare to move alarm systems and other services out of the 070 number range.
Ofcom has published a review on the 070 numbering range known as Personal Numbering Services (PNS).
In 2005 there were a large number of complaints about PNS due to abuse by number holders (mainly scams to mobile numbers). Ofcom originally wanted to migrate 070 numbers to an 06 range, but this was decided again due to confusing and that systems such as alarm systems utilised 070 numbers.
070 were put under regulatory control from PhonepayPlus (formally ICSTIS) and measures such as delayed payments to number holders has significantly reduced the number of consumer complaints.
Ofcom will support and monitor the enforcement program by PhonepayPlus (who have made 10 adjudications and fines totalling £625,000 since May 2008.
Communications providers will have to publish their 070 tariffs prominently and make them easy to understand for consumers.
PNS providers who sub-allocated numbers to other operators will have to carry out due diligence of the sub-allocation operator.
Though this is a step in the right direction, it would have been beneficial to end-users to move the number range so 07 was only used by mobile operators - but it would have been a logistical nightmare to move alarm systems and other services out of the 070 number range.
2009/02/27
Fund it Frog - Go shopping in a good cause!
Fund it Frog - Go shopping in a good cause!
Fund it frog are referral site, they have affiliate deals with various shopping sites and by shopping with those sites, they pass on a fee back to Fund it Frog who then pass on half to the charities involved.
This way the user isn't paying anything extra, the affiliate shopping site is just paying a referral fee which helps a good cause.
Anyone Internet shopping should have a look at Fund it Frog, it doesn't cost them anything - but just by shopping (which they'd do anyway) they give money to charity.
It's all so simple that it should work, good luck to the Fund it Frog team!!!
Fund it frog are referral site, they have affiliate deals with various shopping sites and by shopping with those sites, they pass on a fee back to Fund it Frog who then pass on half to the charities involved.
This way the user isn't paying anything extra, the affiliate shopping site is just paying a referral fee which helps a good cause.
Anyone Internet shopping should have a look at Fund it Frog, it doesn't cost them anything - but just by shopping (which they'd do anyway) they give money to charity.
It's all so simple that it should work, good luck to the Fund it Frog team!!!
2009/02/21
Harmonised European numbers for services of social value: Allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom
Harmonised European numbers for services of social value: Allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom
Ofcom under direction from the European Commission is planning to allocate he number range starting 116 followed by 3 digits.
The first 116 numbers to be reserved by the Commission are 116000 for hotlines for missing children, 116111 for child helplines and 116123 for emotional support helplines.
Ofcom has to amend the national numbering plan and hopes to make them available in Sep 2009.
Ofcom under direction from the European Commission is planning to allocate he number range starting 116 followed by 3 digits.
The first 116 numbers to be reserved by the Commission are 116000 for hotlines for missing children, 116111 for child helplines and 116123 for emotional support helplines.
Ofcom has to amend the national numbering plan and hopes to make them available in Sep 2009.
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