The Fiery Source » Hands On

Ubuntu Pocket Guide Available for Free

Bob — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:46:41 +0000

Many of you have seriously considered making the switch to Ubuntu or have already done so. One of the problems with switching operating systems is knowing what to do or where to get it and how things are done. Linux is an awesome OS and rules most of the server world. But it can be intimidating if you have never used it.

Keir Thomas, a noted Linux author who wrote Ubuntu Kung Fu also wrote a book just for this occasion, it’s called Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference, which is designed to get the Nobie up to speed ASAP. The pocket guide is about 5.25 x 8 inches and 166 pages, it’s available for $14.94 from Amazon. You can also get an almost identical free version in PDF format here.

The book is well written and assumes you know absolutely nothing about Linux. It starts you off with installing Ubuntu onto your PC, then teaches you how to configure your hardware. This pocket guide teaches you all sorts of tricks and tips to running Ubuntu in the most efficient manner possible. Kier was also nice enough to provides you with a glossary of terms, it gives a full run-down of Ubuntu’s file manager, configuring the firewall, installing antivirus, encrypting sensitive data and command-line.

This pocket sized book is the most helpful book on Ubuntu I have read thus far, It really features EVERYTHING you need to know about Ubuntu for the beginner and for experienced users like myself. If you have been a hard core Windows user and want to make the switch or test Ubuntu, I highly recommend getting the book weather it’s in the paperback or PDF version.

Motorola Cliq Review Roundup

Bob — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:32:14 +0000

The Motorola Cliq was announced in September, it is Motorola’s latest Android handset which runs Motorola’s custom UI, MOTOBLUR, it sports a 3.1 inch HVGA display with a resolution of 320 x 480.

The new phone features a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus, Geo Tagging and a range of imaging editing tools, a slide out Qwerty keyboard, GSM, 2G, WiFi, EDGE and GPRS connectivity.

This phone has has a nice design with a brilliant display with easy-to-use controls and a convenient slide out keyboard, the Motorola Cliq gives a big boost to the Android operating system.

My only problem with the Cliq is it lacks a file manager, and a camera flash. However, we have not had the chance to review this phone but fellow tech and gadget sites have managed to get their paws on the new Motorola Cliq, check out the review links below to see what they had to say about it.

With the Cliq, Moto does Android proud - Cnet

Motorola Cliq Review – Gizmodo

Motorola Cliq Review – Engadget

Hands On with the Motorola Cliq – PCMAG

Motorola CLIQ and MOTOBLUR review – Slash Gear

HP TouchSmart 9100 Multitouch All-In-One Desktop

Bob — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:32:06 +0000

HP has been pushing its TouchSmart series of multitouch-capable all-in-one PCs for at least three product generations, and with the second generation came a business-oriented model.

HP has added a new all-in-one PC to their ranks with the launch of the HP Touchsmart 9100 All-In-One PC. The system boasts a 23inch Full HD multitouch display, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the choice of either NVIDIA GeForce G200 integrated graphics or a dedicated GeForce GT230 Graphics card.

Other features include up to 8GB of RAM , 500GB hard drive or a 64GB SSD, a combination Blu-ray drive, Windows 7 32-Bit or Windows 7 64-bit.

TouchSmart 9100 Specifications:

* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T6570 @ 2.1GHz (2MB L2, 800MHz FSB) or P7570 @ 2.26GHz (3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
* Memory: up to 8GB DDR3
* Display: 23-inch 1920×1080 glass multitouch screen with integrated webcam and dual microphones
* Operating system: Windows 7 Home Professional 32 and 64-bit
* Hard drive: 250GB to 500GB SATA @ 7200 or optional 64GB SSD
* Optical drive: SuperMulti DVD+/-RW with LightScribe or Blu-ray combo drive
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 200 (integrated) or GT230M (discrete)
* Networking: Gigabit Ethernet
* Audio: Integrated HD audio and built-in stereo speakers
* Inputs: 5 USB2.0 (2 front, 3 back), FireWire, audio in and out
* Optional TV tuner with IR blaster and additional audio and video inputs
* Dimensions: 22.8 x 2.8 x 17.6 inches (WxDxH)
* Weight: 9.2 lbs
* Warranty: One year limited hardware parts and labor with on-site, next business day service

The HP Touchsmart 9100 will go on sale in December for $1,299.

Dyson Bladeless Fan is here

Bob — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:03:27 +0000

Dyson the creator of the well know vacuum cleaner has just launched the worlds first bladeless fan. Actually it’s not the worlds first bladeless fan like all the other Technology and Gadget blogs are saying.

It design almost appears to the average person as a fan that has no internal moving parts at all. As a matter of fact this technology is nothing new. There has been copious blowers around for years that have no moving blades at all. The Dyson fan uses an impeller at the base to get the air moving, then a well designed exit ramp inducts more air thus moving a larger volume to cool you with.

The Dyson fan does have some PROS, cleaning it is easy because it has no blades that you can see or a grille. We all know you have to keep the blades of a fan clean of dust or you will disrupt the air volume the fan can jettison. Plus it is safe for small children as there is no turning blades exposed to get their little fingers.

The benefits of this tech are that there are no nasty blades to get fingers caught up in, but also that there’s no “buffeting” — that on-off gush of air caused by fan blades unceremoniously chopping up the air into inelegant segments.

“We realised that this inducement, or amplification, effect could be further enhanced by passing airflow over a ramp,” says Dyson. “And of course this was the point where the idea of a bladeless fan became a real possibility. Here was a way to create turbulent-free air and finally do away with blades.”

How it works: inducement and entrainment

Air is drawn into the base of the machine. The air is forced up into the loop amplifier and accelerated through the 1.3mm annular aperture, creating a jet of air that hugs the airfoil- shaped ramp. While exiting the loop amplifier, the jet pulls air from behind the fan into the airflow (inducement). At the same time, the surrounding air from the front and sides of the machine are forced into the air stream (entrainment), amplifying it 15 times. The result is a constant uninterrupted flow of cooling air.

Unfortunately, the price is an issue here: $300 for the 10-inch model, $330 for the 12-inch, and these bladeless fans won’t offer any more volume of air than a normal fan of same size.

We added a video for those interested in learning how such a fan works plus the Press Release below

James Dyson introduces the bladeless fan. No blades. No buffeting.

James Dyson, who for the past 30 years has continuously revolutionized the vacuum cleaner his attention to addressing the everyday fan. As a result, he has designed the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan, which has no blades, but instead uses a unique technology to multiply air 15 industry through unprecedented advancements in airflow engineering, has turned times, expelling 119 gallons of smooth and uninterrupted air every second.

Until today, conventional electric fans have gone largely unchanged. The fundamental problem has remained the same for more than 125 years; the blades chop the air creating an uneven airflow and unpleasant buffeting.

Dyson’s fluid dynamics engineers spent four years running hundreds of simulations to precisely measure and optimize the machine’s aperture and airfoil-shaped ramp before perfecting Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology. Air fluctuations were mapped with Laser Doppler Anemometry, helping measure control the machine’s airflow.

“We realised that this inducement, or amplification, effect could be further enhanced by passing airflow over a ramp,” says Dyson. “And of course this was the point where the idea of a bladeless fan became a real possibility. Here was a way to create turbulent-free air and finally do away with blades.”

How it works: inducement and entrainment

Air is drawn into the base of the machine. The air is forced up into the loop amplifier and accelerated through the 1.3mm annular aperture, creating a jet of air that hugs the airfoil- shaped ramp. While exiting the loop amplifier, the jet pulls air from behind the fan into the airflow (inducement). At the same time, the surrounding air from the front and sides of the machine are forced into the air stream (entrainment), amplifying it 15 times. The result is a constant uninterrupted flow of cooling air.

The Dyson Air MultiplierTMfan is powered by an energy efficient brushless motor and air speed can be precisely adjusted with a dimmer switch. Conventional fans are wired to run at just two or three settings.

No blades mean no need for a grille and it’s safe and simple to clean.

And because its motor is at its base, the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan can be tilted with a touch, unlike a conventional top-heavy fan, which needs to be positioned with two hands and can topple easily.

The Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan is available in two 10-inch models: blue & iron and silver & white with an MSRP of $299.99. A 12-inch model is available in silver & iron with an MSRP of $329.99. All three machines are available at The Conran Shop (NY), Luminaire (Chicago/Miami) and Twentieth (LA). To learn more about the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan visit www.dyson.com.

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