Echo Binary

Last Saturday, µTorrent 1.6 was released and the best thing since sliced bread… just got even better.

The new version features improved download and upload speeds. It also handles BitComet peers better than the previous versions. This tiny bit torrent client now features revamped intelligent configurable disk caching system which actually protects your hard drive. This new feature may increase resource utility when enabled but the increase is minimal. With disk caching feature on, I normally get around 13MB memory usage but when the downloads are finished and when the caching is not needed, µTorrent maintains a very low footprint of 7MB which is comparable to early versions of µTorrent.

µTorrent 1.6 also has an auto shutdown feature. This is useful to leechers but not really useful to bit torrent seeders. After all you won’t need to turn off your computer after downloading because you want to upload, upload and upload to increase your share ratio.

Over all I’m glad that µTorrent 1.6 lives up to the µTorrent’s trademark: it’s still very small and resource friendly. Even with the disk caching system on it didn’t have a significant degration on performance. Actually, I didn’t notice the difference on performance when the disk cache is on and off. All I know is that it saves my hard drive so I just enable it.

Two thumbs up to Ludde and company.

Links:
µTorrent official website: http://www.utorrent.com
Technorati Tags: BitTorrent, µTorrent, utorrent, torrent

SMART WiFi gets a new name — SMART Bro. Smart Comunications Inc. has unveiled on April 21, 2006 in their press release that its fixed wireless broadband will be now called SMART Bro - Amazing Wireless Broadband.

I don’t know what’s the reaction of current SMART WiFi subscribers about this news; however, what I’m sure about is that there are still complains about SMART broadband service. Some reported that the increasing number of subscribers in SMART broadband services had adverse effects on its service quality. Lately, SMART started improving its network facilities by installing upgraded routers (not new?). The network backbone was also upgraded up to a capacity of 10 Gbps but the exact number of core backbones is unknown. Let us hope they have added redundant WAN links in between core backbones to avoid frequent disconnections and limited connectivities.

It’s also a relief that Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) will stop rebranding the same wireless internet service. From now on, PLDT will be reselling SMART Bro in place of myDSL-W instead. That’s practical and more consumers-friendly because getting rid of the 2 annoying brands (SMART WiFi and PLDT myDSL-Wireless), the consumer won’t be confused about the true meaning of DSL and Wifi anymore. At last, PLDT and SMART heard the voice of IT professionals and stopped playing with the hype of WiFi and DSL branding.

If rebranding this old service will bring about changes, let’s hope for the best and wish every SMART Bro subscribers the best of luck.

DISCLAIMER: I’m NOT affiliated with SMART and/or PLDT at all.

Btw, are you aware that there’s Smart bro (not the wireless broadband service). It’s a tabbed browser from Mind Vision Software… eeerrrr?

Links:
Go to SMART Bro official website
Smart: SMART WiFi is now SMART Bro
Technorati Tags: Smart+Bro, Smart+WiFi, PLDT, MyDSL

Java in Manila is finally set on Apri 25, 2006 at Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La Hotel from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The event features Java™ EE, Java™ SE, strategy design and practices, Java™ IDEs, Java™ and .NET interoperability, Solaris, and more! For the complete agenda, visit this link.

Java enthusiasts can also join the coding challenge where participants can win prizes. And here’s more, all delegates will get discount vouchers on Java certification exams, More than 50% discount on Java & Solaris training through Sun’s accredited training centers, Java sport shirt and a change to win cool prizes such as Java 2-in-1 Jackets, iPod Shuffle, USB thumbdrives and more!

Links:
Java in Manila
Technorati Tags: Philippines, Manila, Java, J2SE, J2EE

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