KENCING SEMBARANGAN: March 2008

Monday 31 March 2008

Check out the Windows Vista SP1 Gaming Performance Comparison Chart

Well, we now have the Windows Vista SP1 Gaming Performance Comparison Chart. As usual XP scores well over Vista and Vista SP1 doesn't gain much advantage over a Vista machine without SP1.

The single-GPU GeForce 8800 GTX did experience gains(though not significant) in games like Call of Duty 4 and Oblivion when we compared Windows Vista to Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 installed. Performance stayed mostly flat in most other popular games. Pairing up two 8800 GTXs for an SLI setup yielded similar results. When we compare Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 to Windows XP SP2, the GeForce 8800 GTX kept up in Call of Duty 4 and BioShock. Vista with SP1 actually took the lead in Oblivion, but it's hard to ignore XP's(as usual) victories in Crysis and Team Fortress 2. SLI performance was decidedly better under Windows XP than Windows Vista with and without SP1 in almost all of the tests.

Does this mean XP is a better gaming machine ? The truth is out there!!

How to Uninstall Windows Vista SP1 easily?

The Windows Vista SP1 RTM release came out only a few days back. But I am sure that already many of you may want to uninstall the Windows Vista SP1 - same case with uninstalling Vista.

Though Vista SP1 makes your system much more faster, stable, reliable and also add a whole host of new features too. But if due to any reason(personal preferences too) you want to uninstall SP1 and if you are doubtful regarding some questions. Then I have the uninstall procedure jotted down as an FAQ for you.

Well, How can I get rid of SP1 for good?
It's simple as ever. Goto control panel, click "Programs," then, in the next window under "Programs and Features," click "Uninstall a program."

Make sure to Click "View installed updates", then select "Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB936330)," and click "Uninstall."

How long does it take to uninstall SP1?
In normal circumstances it will take 20 to 30 minutes to uninstall the service pack. Similar to the installation procedure of SP1, the uninstall is a three-stage process. There is one reboot in the middle, then another nearer the end. If the middle restart doesn't happen automatically, however, so you have to stick around to click a button. The rest is hands-off :) .

Are there any SP1 bits left on the machine?
No, but the updates that Microsoft required prior to offering SP1 through Windows Update - dubbed "prerequisites" by Microsoft - will surely remain.

These include the January KB935509 update to BitLocker, and two others originally delivered in February - KB937287 and KB938371. As you may recall, the middle update of trio, KB937287, was reported that it had sent many users PCs into a death spiral of endless reboots. Microsoft yanked the update several days later from the automatic delivery list; users were still required to download and install it last week, however, before they were able to "see" SP1 on Windows Update.

Are there any other Microsoft-approved ways to uninstall SP1?
According to the KB948537 support document, the company says users can also roll back to a pre-SP1 state by using Vista's System Restore feature - but I really can't assure you if things go fine this route.

Microsoft spells out two options: one "offline" -- to be used if the PC isn't connected to the Internet or can't connect, perhaps because of SP1 -- and another dubbed "online." The former requires that you have your original Vista install DVD and a PC that will boot from the optical drive.

The boy Witnes up to the New York Town for Obama!

Gotham Obamans want you to Barack what your momma gave ya! Head to Sapphire Lounge on Wednesday, April 9 for the exclusive, first ever, muy caliente edition of Freedom Funk, a new Obama fundraiser that's sure to put the sheen in your fro and soul in your glow!

Fifteen dollars gets you past the bouncer and goes directly to Obama's campaign. DJ Morsy of Brooklyn's Nanachill will spin his signature blend of disco funk, while Witnes, back from his jaunt to Miami's Winter Music Conference, will get the dance floor nice with '60s soul grooves and stomping Motown beats.

We've also got drank—Bamakazee shots—that will sock it to ya all night long! Arrive early and we'll also treat you to two for one well drinks, 10-11pm.

Sound like a plan? Meet us there!

Can't make it? You can still help the Gotham Obamans reach their contribution goal.

Donate now at:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/GothamObamans

Remember to click on the meter!

Gotham Obamans present:
Freedom Funk Vol. 1

Where:
Sapphire Lounge in the Lower East Side
When:
April 9, 10-2/3am
Who:
DJ Morsy
Nanachill.com
Witnes
Quickwits.blogspot.com
Dress:
To impress.
Why:
To keep hope alive!

$15 MINIMUM donations taken at the door.
NO RSVP
21+ ONLY
Bamakazee shots all night!

Watch Out - Tomorrow's April Fool's Day

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to remind you that tomorrow is 1st April, 2008 - incidentally the April Fools Day. So watch out for any suspicious calls / mails / messages that you may receive from your near and dear ones. It could also be your colleagues or even your boss!!

Hope you do remember, that even the big corporates love to play the fool on 1st April - especially Google. This is what it did last year April Fool from Google :: This year we have the Gmail Paper and Google TiSP. So we can expect something this year too!!

The day is such that April Fool hoaxes sometimes makes people doubt real news stories released on 1 April.

All de Best!!

Cheers!!
Jason

The Complete Keyboard :: Call it the All-in-One PC

I always prefer using light weight keyboard, but if a keyboard be equiped a full PC may that be over weight, I would still like to use that. Just check this out and tell me what do you feel about this really cool innovation!!

Simply place it on your desktop, plug in a monitor and you are done - my gosh!

This new generation All-in-One PC in a keyboard not only takes up far less desktop space, but also puts an Intel® Core™ 2 Quad CPU with all its features and performance at your fingertips. The new ZPC-GX31™ is a true innovation packing so much power, performance and compatibility inside a normal size keyboard. With features such as Dual Display capabilities, 4GB of DDR2/667MHz RAM, 1Gb LAN and DVI interface you now have a complete personal computer that takes up no more space than a typical keyboard.

Cybernet All-in-One PC keyboard

Limited Edition Pink Windows Vista!

What's so obvious with Pink and Japan. Well, we had toys, mobiles, candies, bags and a whole lot of stuff available in pink in Japan. Now you have a Vista in Pink!!

As a special promotion for the Japanese market we now have an upgrade version of Windows Vista Home Premium and best is that it is bundled with a year’s subscription of Windows Live OneCare and a copy of a Vista tips and tricks book. If that deal isn’t sweet enough, then you better know it comes in a pink box with little flower petals plastered all over. Imagine checking out of the electronic store with a copy of Crysis in one hand, and this in the other. Look out for the image below.

Pink Vista

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Windows Vista SP1 Toilet Paper - It's really available now

The Japanese are simply hyping Vista SP1 release. I was just surprised to find that a roll of toilet paper printed with highlighted features is already available in Japan. You kind of have to feel a little bad for Vista -- it just keeps getting crapped on these days. Now available in a Toilet Paper Near You - so if the flush doesn't work, do you blame in on Vista then.

Also for some trivia now - If there is one place in the world that any gadget-electronic freak should go to, that is Akihabara district in Tokyo. Numerous stores bring on fascinating number of products, often first in the world. There are also products which are not so usual, nor you can find them in retail or e-tail in any other part of the world.

Some exclusive images below:

[Click on Image to Enlarge]

Sunday 30 March 2008

Why is an investment in gold a good inflation investment?

An Investment in Gold is a Good Inflation Investment ONLY if the Return on your Investment is higher than the Inflation in the same period of time. If you invest in gold and lose 20% of your money in a year and that year the inflation in your country was 2% then your investment in gold was not a good inflation investment.

if you don't know what is Inflation - well, Inflation is an increase in the general level of prices of a given kind in a given currency. Inflation is measured by taking a "basket" of goods, and comparing the prices at two intervals, and adjusting for changes in the intrinsic basket. Gold is not a currency anymore and the Gold Standard is no longer used in any nation, having been replaced completely by fiat currency. Gold Prices are determined only by the market and the price goes down if everybody is selling and the prices go up if everybody is buying. I don't believe there is a relation between Gold and Inflation but I could be mistaken.

It may be good to some investors to invest in Gold now but this does not mean you should invest in Gold. Monex Deposit Company (MDC) is a 30 year old US based company. It allows you to purchase gold or other precious metals for immediate personal delivery or arrange for convenient and safe storage at an independent bank or depository.

Allocate not more than 10-15% of your portfolio to gold. "The timing to buy gold is not important. What's important is how much you allocate. According to me, only 10-15% of your portfolio should be allocated to gold. If you already have that much, do not spend your money on gold anymore."