Echo Binary

There are several software updates during my “hibernation” in the past 2 weeks that I failed to know soon. Here they are: Azureus 2.4.0.2, µTorrent 1.5 and WordPress 2.0.2.

First, I still use Azureus even though I use µTorrent most of the time. I downloaded it just now to test whether it is still using so much CPU and memory, and yes it is. µTorrent 1.5 was released earlier and I was still using version 1.4 until yesterday. As usual µTorrent lives up to its famous features — low footprint and efficiency. It now has an “easter egg”. Go to Help -> About and press T to find out. Finally, I updated my blog script recently. It’s a critical release update so I didn’t waste any time when I read it today.

I hope I didn’t miss more updates.

Btw, this is the easter egg of µTorrent if you don’t believe…

So rumors were true after all. Google just acquired MeasureMap which I have blogged about several times. I was surprised when I read the news. It’s still in private beta and yet Google bought it. For several weeks MeasureMap had several glitches and bugs. I had experienced a fair share of trouble with it lately. It’s in alpha stage anyway. Regardless, it’s an interesting acquisition because Google had previously acquired Urchin, which track website statatics as well. Later on it was called Google Analytics. Having MeasureMap and Analytics, Google have a complete arsenal to gather lots of data on blog traffic.

Now that MeasureMap joined forces with Google I hope that the web app will improve in performance and speed. I’m also excited about the new features that might come out soon. I’m sure that most beta testers are eagerly anticipating the effects of this acquisition. Congratulations to MeasureMap team!

Links:
MeasureMap
Google Blog: Here comes Measure Map
TechCrunch: Google Buys MeasureMap
Technorati Tags: Measure+map, Measuremap, Google, analytics, blog+traffic

I attended the launch of Windows Server 2003 R2 yesterday at Makati Shangri-La Hotel. I was able to arrive at the venue just on time. I thought I was late already because it was 8:40 AM when I arrived. Microsoft Philippines had given away portfolio bag, ballpen, quick notes and magazines for every attendees. When the event started, I was surprised that there is a special number by the Philippine Wushu Team. I was surprised that they had given this even so much preparation even if R2 is just a minor release of Windows Server. Actually even though it’s just a minor release R2 has some interesting new features that made it more than just a service pack. So it’s not a service pack but it’s not a major release hence it was called release 2 because it is a release update. That’s what I understand from what I saw in the presentation.

Before Windows Server 2003, it’s hard to predict when will Microsoft release its server OS. However starting in Windows Server 2003 Microsoft reorganized the server product line so that every four years Microsoft will ship a major Windows Server release. Two years after each major release, an R2 (release 2) version will be released. Windows Server 2003 R2 is the first R2 release.

In R2, there are 5 main improvements: Simplified Branch Server Management, Improved Identity and Access Management, Reduced Storage Management Costs, Rich Web Platform, Cost Effective Server Virtualization, and Seamless UNIX/Windows Integration.

What caught my attention is the virtualization feature in Windows Server 2003 R2. You can run 4 instances of Windows Server 2003 on top of your installation of Windows Server 2003. You also get 4 additional licenses to run virtual copies of Windows Server 2003 so you get 5 license in total. This is great way to maximize your resources. And you can also virtualize Linux in Windows Server 2003. No matter what flavor of Linux, the speaker said that Microsoft would support them in case you encounter problems to get them running.

To find out more information about Windows Server 2003 R2, visit the links below.

Links:
Microsoft Philippines: Windows Servers
What’s New in Windows Server 2003 R2
Technorati Tags: Windows+Server+2003, Philippines

While most Windows fanboys are anticipating Windows Vista, the Linux camp had been doing some great innovation in Linux desktop environment.

Novell has demonstrated XGL and Compiz, the new window manager/composition manager for Linux. It can do variety of effects including true transparent, wobbling windows, 3D cube desktop switching and other cool effects that is first seen in Linux. I was impressed when I saw the video. It’s like an imitation of Vista and OS X’s graphical effects combined with a twist. The wobbling window effect is quite original but I don’t see any advantage using it. Even the 3D cube desktop switching is fabulous but not really needed in your day to day computing. I would normally turn off these features even though they are eye candies.

Novell Linux Desktop (NLD) 10 will be able to play videos and MP3 music files, exchange music and photos with iPod and digital cameras right out of the box. It will use Gnome (view the recent mock ups here).

Most hardcore Linux users won’t be delighted by these cool graphical enhancements in Linux; however, it’s a step forward to make use of hardware acceleration to make Linux desktops more usable for beginners.

Links:
Novell Linux Desktop 10 videos
Novell.com: Novell Raises the Bar for the Linux Desktop
PCWorld.com: Novell Shows Off Linux Desktop 10
Linuxedge.com: Novell Linux Desktop Demonstration Videos
Technorati Tags: Novell, Linux, XGL, Compiz, Gnome

There’s another Adobe roadshow scheduled in Manila on 7th of April 2006, just a day after the Production Studio Roadshow.

Adobe Acrobat 3D can publish, share, review, and mark up 3D designs in Intelligent Documents. It’s designed for engineering and technical professionals in manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace and industrial machinery as well as the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) market.

The Acrobat 3D roadshow would begin with an overview of the new Acrobat 3D followed by a short cofee / tea break and finally, an actual collaborative workflow demo of Acrobat 3D. This sounds very interesting because these kind of tools for collaboration and 3D presentation is very new in the Philippine market today, as far as I know. I’m not sure if the industry in the Philippines will embrace this kind of tools for their projects. It is something to look forward to.

The venue for the event is yet to be announced but you may already register in the event. If you work in one of the aforementioned industry you should check out what’s in store for you.

Links:
Adobe Acrobat 3D
Manila Roadshow: Register now! (April 7, 2006)
Technorati Tags: Adobe, Acrobat+3D, roadshow, Manila, Philippines