I have just changed the blog layout into 3 columns from the default 2 columns. I felt this is the time to expand in order to cater for the seemingly rapid growth of my blog. :D

Some changes in the newly designed layout are as follows:-

• 1. One more column on the left.
• 2. New header picture, which is more suitable to the title of the blog.
• 3. New background, some say the old background was dull. So… :)
• 4. New navigation bar design.

I did not change the space of the content in the middle, simply because the content is the soul of this blog. I can sacrifice the space on both sidebars, but not the content area. Of course there was a compromise on the gaps in between all columns, when I took out those wasted spaces and formed the 3rd column on the left. This attempt of redesigning will avoid the situation when the old sidebar becomes too long if I decided to add in more contents in the sidebar sooner or later.

By the way, I will be glad to make it a template if anyone of you request for it. Probably, I will have free time to do it end of this month, after my semester exam. I need some time to clean up my codes, as this is just a beta version of my new design. :)

In the future, I will put in some videos for viewing online and downloading too. Stay tuned !!

Feel free to drop me a message or two, feedbacks or anything are most welcomed. :)

Since the launch of WinXP x64 last Month, peripherals manufacturers, like Logitech, are taking moves into 64bit too. Logitech said Thursday, May 5, 2005, that all of its mice and keyboards will operate at a basic level within Microsoft’s new 64bit OS.

“We are currently working with our OEM customers to ensure that our products requiring drivers are updated. Many of our OEM products are plug-and-play, as they are supported natively in the operating system, and do not require updates. To meet the needs of the early-adopter PC gaming market, Logitech has worked for several months to develop and test updated drivers for Logitech PC gamepads, steering wheels and joysticks. These updates are now available at www.logitech.com/downloads.”

New drivers will be needed for some peripherals in order to be supported in 64bit environment. Besides, more features and functionalities will be expected in 64bit-enabled peripherals, like button customization and configurations.

“Logitech’s consumer mice and keyboards currently have plug-and-play functionality if used today with a 64-bit system, as supported natively by the Windows operating systems,” Brinks wrote. “Logitech SetPoint software will be updated and available online beginning in June, giving our mouse and keyboard customers added levels of customization and button configuration. Also, we are in the process of updating drivers for many of our webcams so they can operate on 64-bit systems.

Heads up, owners of 64bit PCs that going to upgrade to WinXPx64. If you’re contemplating upgrading your machine to Windows x64, using Microsoft’s tempting “Technology Advancement Program”, which is, basically, a $12 upgrade from XP to x64, you could end up violating your PC’s warranty.

In fact, when you agree on Microsoft’s conditions to get the upgrade, you agree that your PC’s warranty will be voided. In a sense, this is nothing new: PC warranties are often voided in theory if you make any changes to your system. (A show of hands, please: How many of you have never made a single change to your computer?) And according to the eWeek story, different vendors have varying policies on whether they object to the x64 upgrade or not. But it certainly looks as if it’s worth checking in with your manufacturer before you give Microsoft your twelve bucks.

Anyway, clone 64bit PC owners like me, will not be affected, because we are the one warranting the system. :D

[Source]

After 4 months of the launch of Google Video Beta in January 2005, Yahoo on Thursday, May 5, 2005, is releasing a finalized version of its video search engine, after five months of testing.

Google introduced a program in which independent and professional video producers can upload their shows into Google Video. Now, Yahoo said that it will allow video creators to send links of their content via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) for inclusion in its database.

Google has alreadt got new liaisons with TV programmers, including the Discovery Channel and CNN, so that people can find still images and text of their shows in Google’s index. Yahoo will also announce alliances with CBS News, MTV, Reuters and others to include their video clips within its searchable database as well.

[Source]

The price of LCD monitor is predicted to rise in the second quarter of 2005, according to source.

That follows carnage for the manufacturers for the last 10 months or so, when prices for panels fell to a point where they were almost being sold at cost.

It’s the 17-inch LCD monitors that the manufacturers are pinning their hopes on, with prices showing a rise in April and expected to rise further during this and next month.

The distribution channel has been awash with monitors for nearly a year, and that’s led some PC makers to bundle smaller monitors with systems.

However, there now appears to be a shortness of supply of 17-inch screens, although whether may be a combination of throttling of supply as well as somewhat increased demand because of increased PC sales.

[Source]

Microsoft have releashed a Word document regarding the enhancements and changes they have done to their newly launched 64bit Windows XP Professional over over Windows XP Professional SP2.

The enhancements of 64bit Windows XP Professional include the following:-

• Data Execution Prevention (DEP) – 64bit enabled users should know this. It is basically an enhanced security that enforced by both hardware and software to protect against malicious code exploits.
• Files and Settings Transfer Wizard – Help previous Windows-based computer users to migrate their files to WinXP Pro x64.
• Internet Protocol security (IPsec) – Ensure private, secure communications over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
• Outlook Express – Surprisingly in WinXP Pro x64, spell checking is not supported in Outlook Express.
• Remote Assistance – No Voice Session (VoIP), in other words, voice conversations is not supported. No escalation using e-mail in Remote Assistance too.
• Remote Desktop – Unicode keyboard input support, Client-side time-zone redirection, GDI+ rendering primitives support, FIPS encryption support, Fallback printer driver and Auto-reconnect.
• Search Companion – Well, again spell checking is not supported. :-?
• Windows Installer – This will help you in installing applications.
• Windows Media Player – Windows Media Player 10 (WMP10) is installed. Microsoft claimed that WMP10 is the most secure version of Windows Media Player and it has been updated to work with the other security enhancements contained in WinXP Pro x64. Please be aware that this WMP10, handles licenses differently than previous WMP.

Those bolded are the enhancements that interest me.
Thinking of installing it to my dust-collecting harddisk.

For more detailed information you can either download the document from here, or visit the source.