Posted on November 6th, 2007 in Technology by Axel Night
It’s been a while since Axel posted anything to you loving masses. So, here’s a quick run down of everything that matters in tech.
Microsoft fires chief information officer, no one seems to care
 |
Stuart L. Scott, who made a quick move up from turning wrenches 20 years prior, to work with GE, all the way up to a chief management position in the world’s largest software company, has been released from Microsoft "after an investigation for violation of company policies." No one could say what exactly Stuart did for Microsoft, and no one is willing to say just what he did wrong.
This comes almost exactly two years after assuming the position. The event is scattered across the news, despite the fact that no one knows a damn thing about it. Since no one asks, we think no one actually cares. Well, no one except his wife and seven children.
- Microsoft Chief Information Exec Fired – The Sydney Morning Herald
- Scott Stuart’s Biography on Microsoft
One Laptop Per Child begins production
 |
The two-year long project to develop a $100 laptop for developing countries has finally begun production of their XO units this month. There was some controversy in the past months, as the target cost slowly doubled, but it has stopped there, and the laptops will soon be available. Uruguay and Mongolia have already confirmed preorders.
These little green and white computers look more like a toy from Playskool, than a real laptop. Don’t expect powerhouses, either. At only 433 MHz with 256 MB of RAM, they aren’t going to be running the new Team Fortress. They are, however, extremely durable, with a 1 Gig flash inside, rather than an expensive and fragile hard drive. A custom Linux variant runs the system, along with special WiFi enabled learning software, for instant networking and web access. The 7.5" screen and power supply are somewhat more cutting edge.
The screen can be switched into a reflective, monochrome mode that allows the screen to be fully readable in direct sunlight. The battery clocks at about 6 hours runtime with the system running at full capacity, and with more idle tasks, can last into the days. If the battery should go down, the "OLPC Yo-Yo" gives a pull-cord method of recharging in the field, (or for children living in areas without electricity). With a minimum of 2,000 cycles between battery replacement, compared to the current 500, what seems like an outdated unit at first quickly proves its longevity.
If you’re looking to get your mitts on one in the States or Canada, you can, while doing some good as well. Starting Novermber 12th, you can purchase one for $399. This goes towards a unit for yourself, and buying some under-privileged child their own as well. When funds allow, AbG will be buying one, so we can promote the cause, and so I can give everyone a closer look. Hell, who am I kidding, I just want to show up at a business meeting with this thing.
Manhunt 2 saturates media, people pretend to be surprised
Rockstar Games is in the headlines again. No more than a week after release, hackers have already had at Manhunt 2, and soccer moms are already crying wolf. In order to dodge an AO (Adults Only) rating, Rockstar filtered down the gore slightly on their new title, just before launch. Users with the PSP version, and an illegally modded PSP can remove this filter, and bathe in the worse than M rated blood-fest. People are acting surprised, and this only further proves that, statistically, at least 5% of all United States mothers suffered from repeated, blunt trauma to the head as a child, and thus have no long term memory. The good news is this means they’ve already forgotten about the other 47 gore-stuffed games on little Jimmy’s shelf, and they’ll shut up about this one in a few weeks.
Linux programmer accused of murder
Hans Reiser, developer of the "best damn file system ever," ReiserFS, is being accused of killing his wife, and is scheduled to go to trial on Tuesday. Linux users, further proving their lack of ability to relate to human beings, are worried about how this will effect the fate of the file system’s newest version. Opinions vary on whether the arrest is the cause of its decline in popularity, or if it was already on its way out. None the less, Hans has sold his software company to fund his defense, and its fate is pretty well sealed.
That’s everything I gave a damn about, so nothing else could possibly be important. Until next time, Night’s out.