Firefox 23 is available now!

Firefox 23 is available for download. The new version of the browser brings a redesigned logo which is something safe and supports the setup menu. The three options "always load images", "remove JavaScript" and "Always show tab bar" have been removed. Since the first two values by default are active, it is no longer possible to turn off the automatic loading of images and JavaScript directly. The change is justified by the fact that websites - and to satisfy many users; therefore the browser would look broken without images and JavaScript. To disable JavaScript, however, enter into the URL bar of Firefox "about: config", search for "javascript.enabled" and set the value by double clicking on "false". The sharing of content is simplified with Firefox 23: Instead of having to search each website for a Share button, you do it immediately through the Firefox Share button. Facebook has helped in the development of the social API and is the first social network where you can share links via the new button. Since the API is freely available, the usage is expected to increase more in near future. A small change takes Firefox 23 in terms of safety. The loading of "mixed-content content" is automatically blocked and difficult to man-in-the-middle attacks in which an attacker can read your traffic to a Web service. Videos can be played on websites significantly better performance in Firefox 23: clips in H.264 format to be accelerated by the graphics card by default. This is done via the Firefox DirectX Video Acceleration 2 (DXVA2) - and thus only on Windows 7 and 8 Last changes Firefox 23 also own Logo: Three years after the introduction of the last icons icon appears simpler than ever on taskbar and desktop.

Sony unveils a 3D HMD for surgeons

Sony has been around for several years, video glasses on offer with which movies and games can be viewed in 3D. The same technique will now also Surgeons can use the endoscopy, but with a heavily modified device. The 3D glass from Sony, which is intended for endoscopy, is equipped with two 720p OLED displays, which are also used in the glasses HMZ-T2 from Sony. However, medical video glasses HMM-3000MT is somewhat different. The HMM-3000MT is balanced differently, according to Sony, so the doctor can work standing up and align the head forward and down. Anyone who wants can rotate the image shown in unfavorable camera position or use a picture-in-picture function to compare multiple photographs. In addition to the 3D representation of a classical two-dimensional representation is possible, depending on what type endoscope is used. According to the manufacturer, it is also conceivable that several doctors in the operating room using data glasses. To the image processing unit which is connected to the endoscope, two glasses can be connected. In addition, among other things SDI connections DVI are available. The glasses are currently approved for medical use only in Japan, Sony said. Whether the approval is also sought for other countries, is not yet known. The video glasses HMZ-T2 had already presented in May 2012 Sony. Unlike, for example, the VR goggles Oculus Rift it does not fill the entire field of vision of the wearer.

What To Look For When Choosing a Data Center Colocation

Has maintaining your company server become a full-time job, taking you away from your other responsibilities? These days, more and more businesses are looking into data center colocation to handle their server needs. These centers offer equipment space and bandwidth for rent, and will provide the server maintenance for you. This can be particularly helpful if yours is an Internet-related business because it allows you and your IT staff to focus on actual work instead if constantly providing support. But remember: not all data centers are created equal. You need to thoroughly research the center you’re considering to make sure that they can adequately meet your server needs. Here are some things to add to your data center build checklist:

• Power: Can they guarantee an adequate power supply? This is vital to avoiding failures and downtime with your server. These days, between 8kW-10kW is required to power the average server rack. That doesn’t include power needed for the climate control and security systems. Ask for specifications on how much power the center supports, and about the performance capability of its uninterrupted power supply (UPS) should the primary power fail.
• Security: One of the more important considerations of data center colocation is how the center is equipped to handle emergencies. Are they located in an area that would easily be comprised in the event of a natural disaster, such as a flood or earthquake? Just as important are how their premises are designed to handle such an event, and what their protocols are.
• Climate Control: Learn about how their cooling system works. Does it have adequate power to keep the servers at an optimum temperature? The rule of thumb generally is that for every 100 watts a serves expends, 50 watts is required to cool it. Find out if the center has an adequate water supply for the cooling system, and how their sprinkler system works in the event of a fire.
• Load: When looking into data center colocation, many are only concerned with the center’s critical load capacity. While that is important, another load aspect that’s just as vital is how often the center will load test its generators. Failing to test at least on a quarterly basis could mean that the center will remain unaware of any generator issues until an actual failure.
• SLA compliance: While all centers will guarantee optimum output at all times, no center is immune from at the very least minor level issues. Find out the details of their service level agreement (SLA) and ask to see at least their last 5 SLA compliance reports. That will help give an accurate gauge on what their response times are and what level of transparency they offer to customers when outages occur.
• Support: Do they offer quick response for support issues? Your server can have problems at any time of the day or night, so to meet your data center colocation needs, whoever you go with needs to be equipped to handle any of those issues in a timely manner.

Choosing the right firm to handle your colocation data center is vital to your server running optimally, and, by extension, to your business’ operational effectiveness. Asking the right question when looking for your next data center will help ensure that your needs are met.
Nick specializes in the building and leasing of data centers world wide. He often blogs about this and other computer and tehcnology related topics in his spare time.

Intel joined A4WP on Wireless Charging!

Recently Intel had indicated that he had joined with Samsung and Qualcomm in the A4WP, one of three consortia manufacturers who develop featured wireless charging. The arrival of Intel is likely to weigh in the balance strong, and then Intel may indeed push its partners from the PC world to join. Even though the wireless charging is already present in terminals like the Nexus 4 at Google or the Lumia 820 and Nokia 920, the fact remains that it is still in status at least embryo. Indeed, every manufacturer wants to develop their own technology. Today, three consortia exist: the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), Power Matters Alliance (PMA) and the Alliance For Wireless Power (A4WP). Each of the three has many members, as can be seen below. Popular Brands are present in two or three associations the example for it is LG or Samsung.
 WPC: 143 members
 PMA: 84 members
A4WP: 48 members

The first one works around the "Qi" technology, found for example on Nokia Lumia, but also on the Nexus 4 LG / Google. The second is developing the "Power 2.0". But both use the same principle while being incompatible that is charging by induction. The third one: The "Wireless Power Transfer" to charge multiple devices in parallel. Now Intel has in its ranks, goes a step further as it is a matter of charging operating induction and magnetic resonance. This technology has the soft name "Wireless Power Transfer" and permits charging several terminals simultaneously. But it is also about spreading more power: Max 20 W side of the transmitter, 6 W for the receiver. Intel had already demonstrated this principle at the last IDF in San Francisco where a Smartphone can be recharged wirelessly. But also a security software layer was necessary and operator Bluetooth, to avoid any phone starts approaching the principle of charging. The arrival of Intel, Will it make a difference? We are not so sure.

So far Intel has not given the direction he wishes to take, but the demonstrations so far during his IDF showed to where he is planning to go. We have to wait and see, whether his arrival in the A4WP will weigh in the balance or not. The giant Santa Clara often accustomed us to take time to impose his ideas. We remember the Ultrabook, the WiDi or before that Wi-Fi this was truly democratized when the demands made in its Centrino mobile stamped. In addition, Intel may well invite the many partners who gravitate around him to join him, which might have some weight in the balance. But we can also see the advance of the Wireless Power Consortium, which already has nearly 235 certified as a real leader to follow under the leadership of Nokia products. Ultimately, the technology seems much simpler and allows fewer things that developed by Intel and its partners.

Sony Vaio Pro 11

The Sony Vaio Pro 11 notebook with Intel's Haswell CPU has many good features. Nearly 4 years after the Vaio X, a lightweight netbook with Atom processor lame, Sony has now introduced the Vaio Ultra Pro 11, which is a book that is similar to light and compact as the old netbook. The difference is Vaio Pro 11 is one of the Ultrabooks. It own faster Haswell processor in the housing with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD holds. The whole thing packs into a Sony only 866 grams and 18.5 mm thin lightweight Ultrabook casing with an 11.6-inch display with full HD. Unfortunately, the display reflects strong but with touch controlled touch with your ten fingers. With the high resolution, the meeting of the controls on the desktop, however, is very difficult. It is recommended to adjust the DPI settings. The Windows 8 gestures are supported on the touchpad. The user can switch between applications so also here. However, this leads to frequent malfunctions. Who attaches at the edge of a mouse movement and wants to move the mouse triggers the gesture, but not a mouse. Sony Vaio Pro offers pleasant additional functions that are not obvious in light notebooks. The keyboard is illuminated, for example, and on the bottom is a connector for a spare battery available. Without the additional battery power is sufficient for light work for about 6-7 hours scarce. Under high load, this reduces to 2 hours. A docking station does not support the Sony Vaio Pro. The SDXC card slot is not immediately visible. Sony has incorporated it under the touchpad. Since early 2013, Sony is the only manufacturer to equip nearly all classes of devices with NFC. Also the Vaio Pro has the interface. This makes many things possible, for example, a comfortable Bluetooth speaker pair by this kind is held to the touchpad. With USB 3.0, dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, the notebook is also equipped with modern facilities. Even our low energy mouse we were able to run without the dongle.

Business users may miss but a native VGA connector for presentations. An adapter is provided. The network jack is missing in the Vaio Pro also. Again, help from an adapter. This acts as a wireless router. The router configures itself automatically even on request. On-the-go use, the router even offers multiple SSIDs. For general use the Vaio Pro is fast enough. The SSD in the new m.2 format is pretty lame when writing. Who has a fast USB 3.0 flash drive, have to wait for the SSD with larger data transfers. With its low weight and modern equipment to Sony Vaio 11 Pro is very good for users in transit. The router is a clever idea. Actually, we only miss a cellular modem and the reflective touch screen does not match the claim of a notebook for professionals. The case is actually very well made too flexible in some places. The user can press around the touchpad buttons from below. Sony also installed a very old version of Java with numerous dangerous security vulnerabilities. The drivers are also not as stable as we would wish it. If you invest a bit of work, despite the weaknesses get a good notebook that weighs only a little more than a tablet with keyboard.