Gaming Sales Finally Decline
by Taylor Flatt on April 16th, 2009 at 7:06 pm EDT - 520 views
The gaming industry has finally seen a decrease in sales for the first time in the economic situation. While hardware sales dropped 18%, video game sales dropped 17% from $1.72 billion to $1.43 billion and software sales dropped 17% as well. This decrease is reported by the NPD while conducting their monthly studies in March. Although the situation has effected all other industries, it is no surprise that the gaming industry is one of the last to suffer. Offering recreation and infinite possibilities, it makes only sense that this would be one of the last to find their brick wall.
A NDP analyst, Anita Fraizer, had this to say about the situation,
While it might be tempting to jump to the conclusion that the sky is starting to fall on the video games industry given this month’s results, it’s important to remember that two very big things are different this year than last. First, Easter fell in March last year whereas it fell in April this year, and last March included the release of Super
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0 CommentsMicrosoft Allows Users to Remove Software
by Taylor Flatt on March 8th, 2009 at 10:41 am EDT - 5,915 views
Microsoft finally allows users to remove software that they include on your system when you buy their new Operating System, Windows 7, next year. In response to the EU’s protests and the US’s anti-trust suits they are finally allowing users to remove key programs like Internet Explorer and Media Player from their system by placing an icon in the Control Panel.
However, when you “remove” it from your system, it will remain installed but lack substinence. This is a big step forward from all the years of problems Microsoft has faced under Bill Gates regarding these issues. Now, it seems, that the new CEO will be complying more and more with international governments to eliminate such obstacles.
These new developments are gold to the ears of companies like Google and Mozilla who have been bottle necked by the bundling Microsoft has done to quell competition over the years.
Image courtesy of thetechherald.
Category: Operating Systems, Programs
Tags: anti-trust, browser, Google, Internet Explorer, Microsoft
Skip The PC Store, Custom Build Your Computer
by Bradley Wint on January 31st, 2009 at 4:24 pm EDT - 1,326 views
In these economical times, many of us are now forced to actually give a hand in trying to figure ways to cut back on spending. Some people have even gone the ridiculous lengths to sit in the dark just to save on electricity. However, I think there are many ways to save money without affecting your personal lifestyle. Simply cut down on the expenses you don’t need, focus on what you need and what makes economical sense in the long run, as well as choosing cheaper alternatives without sacrificing quality.
This leads me to talk about purchasing computers. No matter how bad times seem, we may need to purchase a new computer at some point in time, which recently happened to me. Most of us may be accustomed to just heading to the store, or visiting an online alternative and purchasing a pre-manufactured system from one of the leading developers such as Apple, Dell, HP and others. However, did you ever sit down to think how expensive this is as a homeowner? Over the last 10 years, I have purchased 4 computers (high end ones for their time period), and have spent quite a lot on it.
Category: Hardware, Reviews, Software
Tags: Building Computer, Computer, CPU, Custom Computer, economy, GPU, HDD, Mobo, Operating Systems, pc
Google Earth Pot Bust?
by Nathaniel Ed on January 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm EDT - 470 views
Apparently in Zurich, Switzerland, Swiss police were using Google’s Google Earth to find the address of a pair of farmers who were suspected of being involved in a drug ring, however, they found more about the farmers than they intended. The bust resulted in 16 arrests and 1.2 tons of marijuana confiscated [two acres worth], plus 900,000 ($775,795.19) Swiss Francs worth of valuables and cash.
I think that this is hilarious. I don’t think that having marijuana is all that bad of an offense, however it’s hilarious that the same technology that the U.S. government wants to stymie because it could compromise security, is also able to help the Swiss government. Maybe our [The United States] police force will take a hint and use this to their advantage.
Sources: MSNBC, PC World
Image courtesy of PC World.
Category: Online, Programs, Security, Software
Tags: Google, Google Earth, Switzerland
Future of Gaming – Where are we headed?
by Andreas Rothbauer on January 27th, 2009 at 9:31 pm EDT - 2,138 views
In these tough economic times when many people use the entertainment industry as an escape from the brutal reality and are looking for affordable family entertainment I thought it was time to reflect on the gaming industry and where we are going. I am sure many of you have probably grown up with the NES and other 8 bit consoles – so have I. Looking back at those days of playing the Super Marios, Zeldas and constantly blowing on the dusty cartridges to get them to work makes me miss my first gaming experiences and the epic struggle of trying to play or should I even dare say beat some of those superhard video games from the early 90s. However, I loved every minute of it and doing it with friends were some of the best times I’ve ever had.
Today, video games take on a new but just as important of a role in our lives as adults. As mentioned before, money is hard to come by in this day and age and many people don’t even have jobs anymore. Still, families are seeking entertainment and the unlikely suspect of a video game console has stepped up to deliver just that. What was once a geeky and negatively looked upon activity has spread into nearly every living room and TV show in the United States and even the entire world – newly elevated to pop-culture: the Nintendo Wii.
Category: Games, Graphic Cards, Online, Operating Systems, Programs, Reviews, Security
Tags: Future of Gaming, Gaming in the Cloud, Nintendo Wii, PS4, Steam Cloud, Xbox 720
GTA Update Breaks Mods
by Chris Willhite on January 25th, 2009 at 11:49 am EDT - 364 views
A new GTA IV update released apparently breaks ASI support which allows users to load in custom mods or scripts. The memory offsets that the new patch did also break compatibility with the mods themselves.
Fortunately there are some workarounds to get you’re mods loaded, however, all of the exsisting mods need to be updated to work with the new game version before you can load them in.
Here is a list of workarounds to get your mods loaded, courtesy of GTA4HQ.
Don’t worry about waiting long for the new mods either, a new version of aru’s C++ Script Hook should get modders updating your favorite mods pretty soon.
Source and more information: GTAHQ.net
Image courtesy of Rockstar Studios
Mac Gets New Virus
by Chris Willhite on January 22nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm EDT - 1,018 views
On Thursday Intego, a security software company for Mac OS, sent out a warning to everyone about a new trojan horse virus that is spreading around the internet. Currently the trojan is only found in pirated versions of Apple’s iWork ‘09 software.
The new trojan has been named OS-X.Trojan.iServices and what it does is installs when you install iWork ‘09. On earlier versions of Mac OSX (10.5.1 and earlier) there is no password prompt but on newer versions it asks for the root pass to install. If the user puts in the password and allows the trojan to install then it has complete read write and excecute permissions in root which means it can do anything to your system that it wants. It also has the ability to reach out to other infected macs and even download other components after infection.
How to Extend Windows 7 Trial
by Nathaniel Ed on January 19th, 2009 at 6:41 pm EDT - 1,168 views
If you weren’t one of the fortunate 2.5 million who were able to get into the full beta test, everyone else has access to a thirty day free trial, provided that you have Vista to run it. A Windows internal mechansm, however, allows this trial to be quadrupled, allowing Windows 7 beta access for 120 days.
How do I do it?
You have to run the “cmd.exe” program, which, according to PC Games Hardware ”can be found by typing “cmd” into the Windows search, as an administrator.” Then you must type “slmgr.vbs -rearm” into the command prompt. Once you restart your computer, the trial for Windows 7 will restart at thirty days. This neat trick can be redone 3 times, for a total of 4 trial resets.
I think that it’s good that this was found. If you’re busy like I am, thirty days is barely enough to try out an entire operating system. I hope this extra time is put to good use by giving Microsoft good feedback about how to make Windows 7 a better OS.
Source: PCGH
Picture courtesy of PC Games Hardware.
Category: Operating Systems
Tags: beta, hack, Microsoft, Operating Systems, trial, Windows 7
Microsoft Releases MED-V Beta
by Taylor Flatt on January 19th, 2009 at 3:06 pm EDT - 893 views
Microsoft has released another beta that runs a legacy program which essentially allows you to run Windows XP and 2000 apps on Vista without the need of migration or testing. The beta, called MED-V, creates a virtual PC of the legacy version of Windows that you would like inside Vista. The whole project is said to be completed by at least second quarter.
If you are looking to give this new technology a try, you can download it here, but don’t forget to register or you won’t be able to take part!
This seems like some technology that should have been developed along with the release of Vista or shortly thereafter. However, it seems quite pointless to release it now with Windows 7 coming next year. Maybe they should begin developing technology for Windows 7 instead of the soon-to-be-obsolete Vista.
Category: Operating Systems, Programs
Tags: Kidaro, MED-V, Microsoft, technology
Microsoft Stalked By EU
by Taylor Flatt on January 18th, 2009 at 1:26 pm EDT - 264 views
Microsoft has just been notified this Thursday that they will be required to appear in court due to the fact that they have been violating antitrust laws passed down by the EU.
However, this is not the first time the EU has pursued Microsoft and ask for money. Years ago, the EU fined Microsoft 1.35 billion because they were overcharging software manufactures. I’m not surprised one bit that the EU is seeking out more money from their best friend Microsoft. Microsoft also released a lengthy statement saying they are going to comply with EU’s regulations,