Microsoft announced in a press release earlier today that all Microsoft hardware products will be fully compatible with the final retail version of the Windows 7 operating system. The hardware will make use of Windows 7 features such as Device Stage, Windows Flip or Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery.
Device Stage. Microsoft Hardware mouse and keyboard products will support Device Stage, a Windows 7 feature that gives customers quick and easy access to common tasks, including product information, registration, settings and more for popular device categories such as cell phones, cameras, printers, portable media players and input devices.
Windows Flip. Microsoft mouse and keyboard users can easily see a thumbnail preview of all open windows with the press of a button. A full-screen preview of the application will automatically display, enabling the user to better identify and select the desired application.
Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery. LifeCam users will be able to do more with photos and movies. With Movie Maker they can start a movie project with one click, and then upload video to social networking sites. Photo Gallery access will enable them to easily upload a photo that they can edit, tag and share with friends and family.
An additional feature called Taskbar Favorites was mentioned in the press release as well which will be available for Microsoft keyboard products.
the first of which is a timesaving feature called Taskbar Favorites that gives Microsoft keyboard users a smart new way to access their most frequently used programs and documents. Taskbar Favorites will map to the location of applications on the improved Windows taskbar. The applications in the taskbar can be easily rearranged just by clicking and dragging, and Taskbar Favorites will automatically adapt to the applications’ new locations.
source: Microsoft Press Release
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Intel Launches Core i7 975 Extreme Edition
Supplanting the Core i7 965 as Intel's flagship processor, the No. 1 chip maker today launches its Core i7 975 Extreme Edition. Clocked at 3.33GHz and built around the company's Nehalem architecture, the 975EE ranks as the fastest desktop processor yet available.
Built on a 45nm manufacturing processor and checking in with a 263mm2 die size, the 975EE boasts 1MB of L2 cache, 8MB of L2 "Smart" cache, a 25X clock multiplier, 6.4GT/sec QPI link frequency, and a 130W TDP. The new chip is also based on the newer (and more overclocking friendly) D0 stepping, which has just recently started showing up in newer Core i7 920 chips.
Reviews are out in full force now that the NDA has been lifted, some of which also include the Core i7 950, another new entry to the Core i7 family launched today. The i7 950 comes clocked at 3.06GHz with a 4.8GT/sec QPI speed.
Both processors are available now with street pricing in the $540-$570 (Core i7 950) and $1000-$1040 (Core i7 975 EE) ranges.
source : Paul Lilly - maximumpc.com
Built on a 45nm manufacturing processor and checking in with a 263mm2 die size, the 975EE boasts 1MB of L2 cache, 8MB of L2 "Smart" cache, a 25X clock multiplier, 6.4GT/sec QPI link frequency, and a 130W TDP. The new chip is also based on the newer (and more overclocking friendly) D0 stepping, which has just recently started showing up in newer Core i7 920 chips.
Reviews are out in full force now that the NDA has been lifted, some of which also include the Core i7 950, another new entry to the Core i7 family launched today. The i7 950 comes clocked at 3.06GHz with a 4.8GT/sec QPI speed.
Both processors are available now with street pricing in the $540-$570 (Core i7 950) and $1000-$1040 (Core i7 975 EE) ranges.
source : Paul Lilly - maximumpc.com
Tips For Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Whether you've just started out in business or taken the first step toward marketing your small business, there's a lot to learn. Whether you've hired a full-time employee or selected a partner you trust to work with to achieve your goals, you need to ensure your investment is good. To get your money's worth, maintain a healthy professional relationship, keep up momentum, and ensure a smooth process, consider the following tips.
1. Communicate your expectations and share the ideas in your head about all aspects of the project. A good partner or employee charged with managing a project will want to know what you expect, will ask questions to draw that out, help you articulate it, and make sure they understand it. Sometimes, however, it helps to be proactive in identifying and communicating what you want-and what you don't. With some introspection and honesty, you can also identify any preconceived ideas you have, especially about budget, costs, and the relationship. Sharing those upfront will allow your marketing person to help you understand what's possible, design a project scope that meets your needs, and ensures a mutually beneficial path.
2. Understand and believe in the value of what the marketing project will accomplish. Without clear, future goals and marketing projects that are investments towards achieving them, you have no way of quantifying success and so every expense can seem like an unnecessary cost. You-and you alone-must be emotionally and financially ready to promote your business or the project is not worthwhile. If your goal is "a more professional image through marketing," you must attach a value to that today. Whatever your goal is, in a best-case scenario, you feel as though you are getting a good deal and your marketing person feels they are being well compensated.
3. Be open to new ideas. The idea that you had regarding your initial project may not be the solution-or the only solution. Sometimes you will have a project in mind-something you believe you need because someone said so, your competition has it, or you read about it somewhere. By looking closely at the aforementioned goals, however, this may or may not be a professional marketer's recommendation based on your target market, product or service offering, channel structure, or any number of variables that they are trained to consider. Start discussions with the problem and you'll have a wider range of potential solutions to choose from that match your budget, your style, and your true needs.
4. Decide how the project will be managed. Most often, a marketing partner or employee was brought on to manage the project. Most of us went into business for ourselves because we are experts in our field. We know how to do something and do it well. If you are hiring a professional marketing person, chances are they can manage the project at hand (and will provide a plan or statement of work to do so) while you focus on doing what you do best. If you need to manage the project directly, however, let your prospective partners know the level of involvement you would like. This will ensure a good fit and an amicable relationship based on clear lines of who's-doing-what-by-when. (In best cases, however, the "how" is best left to your marketer. After all, that is what you're paying for!)
5. Make your project a priority. Once you've started, remain mentally committed to the project and don't lose sight of the goal. Many projects stall and have an impact on the quality of results, not to mention the bottom line. If you get busy and/or do not have the commitment level, fortitude, time, or money to invest in your marketing and/or entrepreneurial efforts appropriately, try to continue on a smaller scale or add resources to the project. For the project to run smoothly, responsiveness from all parties involved and adherence to deadlines should be expected. That said, your marketing person should be making your project a priority as well.
Like most professionals, your marketing person will be best prepared, equipped, and excited to see your project through-and you'll be pleased with the results-if you're able to establish a rapport and follow through on the tips above. When I take on a marketing project, I am just as invested in that company's or individual's success as my own because I realize that they are one and the same. I hope these tips provide food for thought and insight for you when your next project arises.
source : Tracy Diziere - ezinearticles
1. Communicate your expectations and share the ideas in your head about all aspects of the project. A good partner or employee charged with managing a project will want to know what you expect, will ask questions to draw that out, help you articulate it, and make sure they understand it. Sometimes, however, it helps to be proactive in identifying and communicating what you want-and what you don't. With some introspection and honesty, you can also identify any preconceived ideas you have, especially about budget, costs, and the relationship. Sharing those upfront will allow your marketing person to help you understand what's possible, design a project scope that meets your needs, and ensures a mutually beneficial path.
2. Understand and believe in the value of what the marketing project will accomplish. Without clear, future goals and marketing projects that are investments towards achieving them, you have no way of quantifying success and so every expense can seem like an unnecessary cost. You-and you alone-must be emotionally and financially ready to promote your business or the project is not worthwhile. If your goal is "a more professional image through marketing," you must attach a value to that today. Whatever your goal is, in a best-case scenario, you feel as though you are getting a good deal and your marketing person feels they are being well compensated.
3. Be open to new ideas. The idea that you had regarding your initial project may not be the solution-or the only solution. Sometimes you will have a project in mind-something you believe you need because someone said so, your competition has it, or you read about it somewhere. By looking closely at the aforementioned goals, however, this may or may not be a professional marketer's recommendation based on your target market, product or service offering, channel structure, or any number of variables that they are trained to consider. Start discussions with the problem and you'll have a wider range of potential solutions to choose from that match your budget, your style, and your true needs.
4. Decide how the project will be managed. Most often, a marketing partner or employee was brought on to manage the project. Most of us went into business for ourselves because we are experts in our field. We know how to do something and do it well. If you are hiring a professional marketing person, chances are they can manage the project at hand (and will provide a plan or statement of work to do so) while you focus on doing what you do best. If you need to manage the project directly, however, let your prospective partners know the level of involvement you would like. This will ensure a good fit and an amicable relationship based on clear lines of who's-doing-what-by-when. (In best cases, however, the "how" is best left to your marketer. After all, that is what you're paying for!)
5. Make your project a priority. Once you've started, remain mentally committed to the project and don't lose sight of the goal. Many projects stall and have an impact on the quality of results, not to mention the bottom line. If you get busy and/or do not have the commitment level, fortitude, time, or money to invest in your marketing and/or entrepreneurial efforts appropriately, try to continue on a smaller scale or add resources to the project. For the project to run smoothly, responsiveness from all parties involved and adherence to deadlines should be expected. That said, your marketing person should be making your project a priority as well.
Like most professionals, your marketing person will be best prepared, equipped, and excited to see your project through-and you'll be pleased with the results-if you're able to establish a rapport and follow through on the tips above. When I take on a marketing project, I am just as invested in that company's or individual's success as my own because I realize that they are one and the same. I hope these tips provide food for thought and insight for you when your next project arises.
source : Tracy Diziere - ezinearticles
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tips to Get Pawn Loans
In recent times, men are highly interested to invest money on gold. The value of gold has highly increased after the recession and has chances of further increase in the coming days. For this reason, investment on gold is considered to be a wise investment. These days, for the increasing value of gold, many jewelers are also interested to purchase gold from individuals. A person who needs cash can sell the gold he has with him. When a person wants to sell gold then he should search for the best buyer who would provide him the best price.
To get the best price for gold a person needs to shop around for sometime. Prices of gold vary from one jeweler to other. One should take the quotes from different jewelers and compare them to know who provides the best price. Gold jewelry is always precious for the owners and one should always be careful while he sells the jewelries. The money earned from a gold jewelry can help a person solve a severe crisis situation.
There are many people who do not want to sell the gold that they have. In that case, a person can take a pawn loan. One can give the gold as a security for the loan and can take back the gold after the loan is responsible. To get the best pawn loan from the gold one need to check the websites, which offer this type of loan. Some of the best pawn loan services have experts who can help in providing the maximum loan for the gold. A person can opt for a loan online. This is an easy procedure. One can earn fast cash from the loan and use it to meet the requirements.
The experts have suggested checking the authenticity of the site, before taking a loan. All the sites in the Internet are not authentic and can cheat a person. Experts have recommended taking loan from the services, which are regulated by the government. This would ensure a person legal protection for his collateral loans. As a person would take a secured loan, he would have to pay lower rate of interest than the unsecured loan. This will help him save the money and repay the loan faster.
A person can take any amount of pawn loan depending on his requirement. But he needs to have the collateral for the security deposit of the loan. Generally, the gold loans or other pawn loans are taken for a short period of time. One generally pays back the loan as early as possible and get back his jewelries or other valuables. A person should pay the interests to avoid penalties. Before accepting a loan, a person should go through the terms and conditions carefully.
source : Bill Aitken - ezinearticles
To get the best price for gold a person needs to shop around for sometime. Prices of gold vary from one jeweler to other. One should take the quotes from different jewelers and compare them to know who provides the best price. Gold jewelry is always precious for the owners and one should always be careful while he sells the jewelries. The money earned from a gold jewelry can help a person solve a severe crisis situation.
There are many people who do not want to sell the gold that they have. In that case, a person can take a pawn loan. One can give the gold as a security for the loan and can take back the gold after the loan is responsible. To get the best pawn loan from the gold one need to check the websites, which offer this type of loan. Some of the best pawn loan services have experts who can help in providing the maximum loan for the gold. A person can opt for a loan online. This is an easy procedure. One can earn fast cash from the loan and use it to meet the requirements.
The experts have suggested checking the authenticity of the site, before taking a loan. All the sites in the Internet are not authentic and can cheat a person. Experts have recommended taking loan from the services, which are regulated by the government. This would ensure a person legal protection for his collateral loans. As a person would take a secured loan, he would have to pay lower rate of interest than the unsecured loan. This will help him save the money and repay the loan faster.
A person can take any amount of pawn loan depending on his requirement. But he needs to have the collateral for the security deposit of the loan. Generally, the gold loans or other pawn loans are taken for a short period of time. One generally pays back the loan as early as possible and get back his jewelries or other valuables. A person should pay the interests to avoid penalties. Before accepting a loan, a person should go through the terms and conditions carefully.
source : Bill Aitken - ezinearticles
