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As I learned over the summer, a lot of place virtualize their systems to reduce costs for equipment. Thus, instead of having a lot of big servers to do all of your tasks, you get a couple big servers wtih multiple operating systems running on them simultaneously due to a virtual operating system running in the background to allow a lot of systems to be on at the same time. It also allows for better tech support as it's a lot cheaper and easier to buy licenses to something like VMWare and operating systems than to buy a lot of hardware to run everything on when you already have a lot of computers. It makes things easier and faster by being able to make and boot virtual systems much faster and they are platform independent, so if people have different hardware, they can run the same virtual machines. All of these allow tech support to have a lot of operating systems and configurations available all at the same time.
Now where does all of this go when talking about VMWare 5.5 beta and what does it all mean? Well I've been using VMWare Workstation for about 6 months now to have multiple operating systems available and to test different things out. Recently, VMWare released version 5.5 of their workstation product to beta testers. I've mainly been running 64 bit operating systems, so this latest beta was of great interest as it basically added support for the 64 bit world that is rapidly growing. There was basic support for 64 bit operating systems in version 5 of Workstation, but only for people running a 64 bit operating system already, and it was not gauranteed to work. So, after getting the email about the improved support and the new beta, I decided to download it and try it out.
What can I say about it, basically it's VMWare Workstation 5. If you know how to use one, you know how to use the other as there is nothing that I can find graphically or functionally different between the two, so this is just an update release to add support for the 64 bit world. What I found was greatly improved support for 64 bit operating systems. I haven't done a whole lot of testing thus far, but every 64 bit windows operating system has configuration options built in. I'll dig into the Linux based stuff later, but I'm imagining that there will be great 64 bit support there too. Now, since I already told you that I've been running some sort of 64 bit operating system, you probably think that I've been testing all of this on a 64 bit operating system don't you? Well, here is the great part, I've been running the 64 bit "virtual" operating system in a 32 bit operating system. I am very surprised that they found a way to virtualize 64 bit operating systems on a 32 bit system, regardless of whether the hardware could support it or not. My next testing will be to see if a 32 bit only system will also be able to virtualize the 64 bit operating system.
So what all have I done so far? Basically nothing as I just found out, by accident, that you could run 64 bit operating systems in a 32 bit operating system, so testing has just begun, but it shall expand greatly over the coming weeks. I'll be testing out more than just the basic XP x64 Edition and expanding to 64 bit Linux operating systems and also Server 2003. I plan to at least look at Ubuntu 5.10, FreeBSD 6.0, Debian, Fedora Core, and possibly others if I have time and space, as there is only so much free hard drive space to run these things, which will likely be my main problem to all of my testing. So, I guess it's time to save money for more hard drives as there are free controllers in my computer that can easily be filled if the funds become available. Until then, I would suggest that people go out and sign up for the beta and test it out as running multiple systems at the same time is pretty fun.
Posted by imnuts at 11:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
So much hype has been surrounding the release of Xbox 360. The new games, the awesome highdefinition output (if you can afford the HDTV with it) and the utter beauty. It's a shame that Microsfot dropped the ball...big time. Underproduction has left hundreds if not thousands of people scrambling to find the peerfect gift for the holidays. I went to a walmart with the slim hope that I would be able to buy one. After waiting a while at the door I and about 50-60 other people were told there were only 8 Xbox 360's in the store. 8. Let me say that again....8 The toy'r'us next door was not much better. they had 9. Of course I could have gone out and preorderd a 360 months in advance, gone to best buy this morning and just picked one up. But I didn't believe it would be worth the price tag a few months ago. I didn't think microsoft would be able to put out the product they were hoping for. As we got closer to the release i realised it would be worth the investment. Unfortunately it was too late to do anything about it, and I had to wait till this morning.
But how let down are the thousands of people who did not recieve their xbox? Understocked shelves in every carrying chain have led to exploitation of ebay sales with some 360's reaching into the thousands of dollars for the core system alone.
Was this Microsofts plan? Probably not, I just don't think they wanted to admit they could'nt hit the deadline and went ahead with the launch. Now those left without their preorder or hoping to score that awesome gift for their kids are left with nothing till at least February. I am extremely dispointed in this. What was going to be a huge lunach turned into a less than stellar showing by this giant Microsoft. I hope they learn from this for future releases.
Posted by e to the x at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
It all started when Sony decided to try and do something more to combat piracy. But unfortunately, because of poor planning, ignorance, or just plain stupidity, their efforts have become one of the biggest PR nightmares ever. For a major company like this to inject dangerous software onto computers is just plain wrong on so many levels. Oh, it was in the EULA for the software - come on, how many people really take the time to read that? Granted, in today's world of spyware, malware, and adware, common sense dictates that we read the fine print, but agreeing to something that is supposed to help thwart privacy, and agreeing to something that opens huge security holes in your computer are two different things. So what does Sony do? They decide to pull the products, and then offer a tool to uncover their hidden software - but guess what, the removal tool makes it imagnitudes worse by exposing your computer to even greater untold threats. That's right, their wonderfully helpful removal software actaully installs an active X control which is left on your computer. According to security memo's, this supposedly certified little control (said sarcastically) has the side effect of allowing any web site, which uses a certain type of malicious code, unfettered access to your computer. What really scares me is the fact that Sony also makes and sells computers. If they were willing to do this to their cd's, it just makes me wonder what kind of time bombs they may have on their computers.
Posted by jrfree1 at 01:16 PM | Comments (0)
Whenever a crime is committed we all expect justice to take place almost instantly, mostly those directly effected by the crime. there is also this setup mind that only criminals commit crimes, and that justifies our outright revange.
Max was very excited when the police told him that the ''killer of his only son has been caught. he did not bother to ask one simple question anybody could have asked even after loosing entire family. of course, who could blame the poor guy for wanting justice for his dead son, even though that would not have change anything.
what he did not know too is that justice is not a straight forward thing, it is not about reading his {the criminal} right to him. actually to get justice out of justice we need much more than that. the police always comes first, then the court, the lawyer and the much loved jury. the police, who mostly do the job very well and have our trust and support. the police who swear by the constitution to uphold the law, and the court, the right place to go when in need of justice. you see, my problem is that while these four bodies are different from each other and most of the time are at each others necks. they work together always either to pronounce justice or make sure it never happens.
max never thought that the police will do just anything to give him much prayed justice. he never knew while the police was making sure this ''criminal'' pays for what he supposedly did another fulltime criminal is getting his deal worked so that he never get death panelity. criminals always get the best from the police, court, lawyers and of course, the jury. simple because they know how to beat the law, always know their rights and the court always makes sure they get it. after which the police, the DA and defense lawyer congratulate each other for a job well done.
the one time we congratulate each is when everybody come out winners. the only looser is the guy who gotten thrown into jail {if he is lucky} only to be found innocent 15-20 years later. even though max have read about many of these cases, he never had second thought about the poor guy's right to defend himself. no money for a hot shot lawyer. that he does not have the experience with the police and the justice system. max never believed that the police do SOMETIMES supress evidence that could have exnorate this criminal suspect. it is easier and most convinient to do, trusting the justice system with justice, while you sit as a spectator in a footbal match. that is of course the last and the only place to be if your seek revange with help of justice, victims have right to take revange through justice system, and the police is tthere always to do their job. i will save you from this boring and pointless thoughts of mine, however, you must know what i am trying to say even though it seems miles away.
Jan is a child molester, he admited having doing things to kids, he was seen in the vicinity of a cime. a crime whereby a molested child was brutally murdered. he admited to the police that he was there, like many others. people usually come/go to the parks, this is why they are build -right?, so the only crime Jan commited so far is being at this park. the only eyewitness police could find was his obscure relationships with small footers. then, there was DNA evidence that clearly would have set Jan free, but it was not brought up in the house of justice. The victims family have waited so long to hear that there is a suspect and that he has already confessed to the crime. so Jan's arrest was big news, the family can now take up the pieces and move on with their lives. since such case does not take years to decide, Jan was sentenced to 20 years and his PRODEO lawyer, the family and the DA huged and kissed for justice carried out. hoped that every other things would stay the same or just go away, but just when it looked like they lived happily ever after, four years seem a long time to most people at least. this other guy appeared confessing the killing and few others. one, he lived few blocks from the crime scene, two, he is on top of the list of local police record of carrier criminals, three, eyewitness gave thorough description of him but those facts were not enough to deter the police from consciously subdueing evidence that could have save Jan 4 years in prison.
Posted by michaels at 08:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hey all, guess I better get myself in here and see what its all about. Never thought I could use this as I don't lead an adventurous or exciting life, altho a very happy and contented life.
My name is JoAnn and I'm an Officer at Pro. I will take this opportunity to give a big bouquet to John Derrick for starting Pronetworks and giving us all a added dimension to our days. John your dedication, intelligence has seen us grow by leaps and bounds. Thank you for all you've done for all of us.
I believe at this time we also have the most dedicated group of staff members you could ever hope for.Bouquets to all of you, for all you do in a professional manner.
On a personal note, the biggest thing happening in my life at the moment is trying to keep my fat cat Holly on a diet of 223 kc per day! Trying to find different foods she likes, that show the kcalories is a pita. She can not lose more than <1lb/ mo. Its been 3 mo and only 1.5 lb. I think I have to stop giving her treats and whipping cream eh?
Posted by joann at 05:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
For over a year now, I have been working with Windows Vista fka Longhorn, and I have watched it progress from a shaky Alpha Version, to a much more full featured OS. Granted, it still has a way to go, and there have been many changes along the way, but it promises to be the wave of the future. Microsoft has bombarded us over the past few months with 3 releases of Vista - Beta 1, and then the September and October CTP's. With the latest release we finally see a glimpse of the new Windows Media Player, some of the more advanced security features, and some great new tools to help manage the OS. So, what does this mean to the average user? Hopefully it will mean a more stable and secure OS environment, an OS that will allow us to immerse ourselves in the digital world - having access to rich media content, news on demand, easier access to the files we need, and a better sense of security while online.
For those who have not yet had access to the early builds of Vista, don't worry, the Beta 2 Public release is on its way. I have enjoyed playing with Vista, learning about the new things, seeing what tweaks work and what don't. Everyone wants to see the new 'eye candy', the transparency, the cool 3D effects. They are cool, but behind them is hidden something much greater. In the years to come we will see a whole new generation of applications that go far beyond anything that we use now. Already there are applications beginning to spring up that are based upon Vista. PROnetworks own VistaTweakPro application, which is a great utility to tweak the Windows Vista experience, is a prime example. As with any release of an OS, there will always be those of us who want it to do more, to figure out how to use the hidden features, and from that desire will spring a new world of applications and tweaks.
The next year holds a lot of promise, along with some sure surprises from Microsoft, and I for one can't wait to see what the final product is going to be like!
Posted by jrfree1 at 10:17 AM | Comments (1)
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