Nightly Tech Reading - tech
(hx) 03:55 AM CET - Dec,21 2002
- Post a comment / read (1)
- DirectX 9.0 Released - Microsoft has
released the final public version (300kb
web installer ~
release notes) of the long awaited DirectX 9.0, the latest version of
their sound and graphics API for the Windows 98, Me, 2000 and XP operating
systems. Later their posted also
DirectX 9.0 Final Redistributable (31.8MB
info) and
SDK (227MB
info). "DirectX 9.0 End-User Runtime setup minimizes the download size
but requires an internet connection during setup. The DirectX 9.0 Redist is
available for download for those users that do not have an internet connection
available during installation or Setup has trouble connecting to the Microsoft
server. The DirectX 9.0 runtime cannot be uninstalled. We recommend Windows
Millennium and XP users create a "System Restore" point before installing. For
information on creating a restore point, please refer to the following
Microsoft Knowledge Base articles"
- Hollywood targets DVD-copying upstart - On Thursday, seven major
movie studios filed a countersuit in federal court in San Francisco, claiming
that 321 Studios is violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
by selling its DVD Copy Plus and DVD-Xcopy programs.
- New stem cell find cures ethical dilemma - Researchers in the
United States say
stem cells from a person's own bone marrow can be used to generate brain cells
and other nervous system cells. They say this means that when put back
into the body, the cells may be a way to treat diseases such as brain cancer
and Alzheimer's. Dr John Yu of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles
says neural stem cells are problematic in the political and ethical issues
which surround the use of embryonic and foetal stem cells in medical research.
- 2002 Christmas Wish List - Some small and large items here and
there to stuff some stockings. From rounded cables to fully modified cases,
there's bound to be something for everyone
in this
round up.
- 2002 Networking Products Holiday Shopping Guide - Time is running
out and in case your gift-giving ideas for that geek in your life are too,
Tom's Hardware's Holiday Shopping Guide will highlight some of the
products and services that they have come across that should help your special
someone get all the pieces of their network living in peace and harmony.
- HP ScanJet 3500c Scanner - The 3500C's specs are as simple as its
appearance, and present users with a 1200x1200 dpi optical resolution, 48-bit
max colour depth and a standard 8.5" x 11.7" scanning area.
The 3500C doesn't have any templates for scanning negatives, nor does it
offer a Hi-Speed USB connection like many other scanners on the market
currently do (It's important to note that HP specifies USB 2.0 support, but in
the form of USB 2.0 Basic Speed. USB 2.0 Basic Speed is in reality 12mbps like
USB 1.1, but using USB 2.0 'technology').
- DOOM Archive Back -
Lee
Killough's Doom Archive has been reopened at
John Romero's site.
- VisualRoute 7.0g -
VisualRoute (download)
delivers the functionality of key Internet "ping," "whois," and "traceroute"
tools, in a high-speed visually integrated package. VisualRoute automatically
analyzes Internet connectivity and performance problems, displaying the
results in an easy to understand table and on a world map. In addition,
VisualRoute has the unique ability to identify the geographical location of
routers, servers, and other IP devices.
- NVIDIA Cg Compiler officially released - Available now,
the first official non-beta release of the NVIDIA Cg Compiler coincides
with the release of DirectX 9.0 and the recent ratification of the OpenGL ARB
fragment program extension. Fully leveraging the programmability of the
GeForce FX GPU in both APIs, the compiler now adds further optimization and
cross-platform capability for developers creating advanced visual effects for
today's programmable GPUs from NVIDIA and other vendors.
- ATI CATALYST 3.0 - ATI have released
new Catalyst drivers today, bringing them up to version 3.0.
- New Creative Tools and Drivers -
Creative Asia have released new drivers and tools:
Creative MediaSource version 1.00.54,
Creative EAX Console version 1.00.54,
Creative Speaker Settings version 1.00.54,
Audigy 2 Driver Pack AUD2DRVL11021217 ,
Creative DVD-Audio Player version 1.00.55,
Creative SoundFont Bank Manager version 1.00.14.
|
Updated:12:40 AM CEST Jun,21
(new)
