More Screen Space = More Productivity

A study conducted by the University of Utah, on behalf of NEC (monitor manufacturer) , revealed that "people who used two 20-inch monitors were 44 percent more productive at certain text-editing operations than people using a single 18-inch monitor." I'd normally take these studies with a grain of salt, but as New York Times contributor FARHAD MANJOO found there seems to be some merit to the findings. In my experience I've enjoyed working at my PC more since purchasing a 22" LCD and my son has equally enjoyed inheritting my 19" CRT monitor and putting it to use in a dual monitor configuration. With the cost of LCD monitors continuing to drop and their relatively small foot print on your desktop, large monitors and / or multiple monitors on your desk should be something you seriously consider if you are concerned with getting the most out of your PC and yourself.

Windows Worm Spreads To 3.5 Million PCs

A Windows worm known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido which was first discovered in October has a new viral variant that is causing concern amongst security firms. Even though Microsoft's MS08-067 patch protects users from the worm it has propegated to some 3.5 million machines worldwide.

According to Microsoft, the worm works by searching for the "services.exe" file and then becomes part of that code. It copies itself into the Windows system folder as a random dll fileand gives itself a 5-8 character name, such as piftoc.dll. The worm then modifies the Windows Registry to run the infected dll file as a service. Once up and running, it creates an HTTP (web) server, resets your machine's System Restore point (making it harder to recover from) and proceeds to download files from a malicious web site.

"There was a new variant released less than two weeks ago and that's the one causing most of the problems," Kaspersky Lab's security analyst, Eddy Willems told the BBC.

"The replication methods are quite good. It's using multiple mechanisms, including USB sticks, so if someone got an infection from one company and then takes his USB stick to another firm, it could infect that network too. It also downloads lots of content and creating new variants though this mechanism."

"Of course, the real problem is that people haven't patched their software. If people do patch their software, they should have little to worry about," he added.

Star Wars Trilogy Retold In 3:42

Here is one woman's interpretation of the Star Wars trilogy...


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

... perhaps it's best not to comment!

Jobs To Take 6 Month Medical Leave

Steve Jobs, Apple Inc.'s CEO, has told employees that he is taking a medical leave of absence until the end of June. This is a bit of a back track from a statement that he made prior to Macworld where he said that he intended to remain on the job. In yesterday's communique he wrote

"Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well," and "In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June."

The news sent Apple stock for a tumble down $8.82 to $76.51.

Gaza Fight Goes Online

Apparent supporters on both sides of the Israeli - Gaza conflict have taken to the internet to extend the fight online. "On 7 January, pro-Palestinian hackers defaced several high-profile websites, including a US Army website, and the Nato Parliamentary Assembly's website." according to the BBC. A battle has also been waged on Facebook where a group using the logo of the Jewish Internet Defence Force (JIDF) removed content from Facebook Groups and replaced it with statements supporting Israeli policy and criticising the Palestinian militant group Hamas. It seems that both sides of the battle are trying to get their messages out by any means possible.

More at BBC News.

Geeks Offered "How To Flirt" Class At German University

Germany's Potsdam University is offering a masters level course to students in the engineering department in order to teach them techniques on how to write flirtatious e-mails, impress people at social gatherings and how to cope with rejection.

"We want to prepare our students with the social skills needed to succeed both in their private life and their work life," said Hans-Joachim Allgaier, a spokesman for the institute at Potsdam University.

The course will be taken by 440 students, who when they complete the course will hopefully know how to talk with each other...

Sources: Reuters / Geeks are Sexy

Tesla Unveils New Roadster

The Tesla Roadster Sport was unveiled yesterday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Sport is the second production line vehicle for the electric car manufacturer and is said to be even zippier than the original, shaving .2 seconds off the zero to sixty mark of it's predecessor and coming in at 3.7 seconds. The Roadster Sport uses the same powertrain that will be used in the Model S, a four-door electric luxury sedan Tesla intends to start making in 2011.

Source: cnet

Tom Clancy's HAWX CG Teaser

Here comes another Tom Clancy title from Ubisoft! According to this teaser video Tom Clancy's HAWX CG is due to be released in March and if the video is any indication it's going to be very pretty!

Here are some features of the game as described by Ubisoft:

• ENHANCED REALITY SYSTEM (E.R.S.): E.R.S. is in-game technology that helps turn novice aviators into elite pilots of the future. The Enhanced Reality System is the core of the HAWX flight experience: aircraft interception trajectories, incoming missile detection, anti-crash system, damage assessment, tactical map, and weapons trajectory control. E.R.S. also allows players to issue orders to their squadron and other units, making this system as iconic to HAWX as the Cross-Com system is to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter®!
  
  
• ASSISTANCE MODE : Players can ease into their flight missions and gain a level of comfort with the use of the assistance mode. Once employed, players can take full advantage of their technological support through the E.R.S and gain maximum piloting security. If the situation calls for the player to unleash the full potential of the aircraft, the assistance mode can be switched off and all safety features will be deactivated. This comes with increased risks, but allows the player advanced dogfighting maneuvers and stunning third-person views.
  
  
• REVOLUTIONARY MULTIPLAYER: For the first time ever in the air-combat genre, players will be able to experience the entire solo campaign with seamless JUMP IN/JUMP OUT functionality. In PVP mode, players can challenge each other in intense dog-fighting sessions and find out who's the top gun. Winning players are rewarded with experience points and money to unlock more weapons.
  
  
• REALISM AND TECHNOLOGY : Players have the opportunity to take the throttle of over 50 famous aircrafts, and take them over real world locations & cities in photo-realistic environments created with the best commercial satellite data on the civilian market.

LG Introduces Wristwatch Cell Phone At CES

If you are old enough to remember Dick Tracy then you are probably the customer that LG is going after with it's latest gadget, the watch-phone. Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) yesterday, LG chief technology officer Woo Paik says "This is something you expect to see in a 007 movie," With no price point being announced, speculation is that the watch-phone will likely be a luxury device aimed at older, wealthier buyers. The phone works on GSM networks and is capable of detecting it's users voice within 25 centimetres.

Source: CBC News.

Apple Offers DRM Free Music At A Premium

Apple is now promising High-quality, DRM-free music via it's new iTunes Plus offering. "With iTunes Plus, you get high-quality, 256-Kbps AAC encoding. All free of burn limits and digital rights management (DRM)." The company says that millions of tracks are available from all four major music labels and thousands of independent artists. The new scheme also allows you to upgrade your existing iTunes purchases to iTunes Plus "Just pay the 30¢ per song upgrade price. (Music video upgrades are 60¢ and entire albums can be upgraded for 30 percent of the album price.)" Check out what else is new in iTunes 8 here.