Alphasat: to start in-orbit tests

Good news for the UK and some Satellite broadband suppliers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23570959

AMD opens new SoC design centre

AMD opens new SoC design centre

Dvorak keyboards

Hmmm,

I got talking to a colleague about RSI today. We covered mice first of all. I'm a big fan of the un-ambidextrous Logitech mice where my thumb can easily rest on the side.

Then we moved onto keyboards. I don't think I've found the best keyboard yet. I use a Logitech G510 / Apple MacBook Pro and a standard dell keyboard mainly. None of which are perfect.

The Logitech keys feel a bit soft. The Mac a bit flaky for gaming and the work one is OK for typing but a bit uncomfortable.

We then we got onto different input methods... Swype (Android phone app where you don't need to raise your fingers) would be great on say a tablet sized keyboard.

I've never tried a Dvorak keyboard and that was mentioned. From a quick Google search it doesn't look like there are many good options at all. Are there? I couldn't see any 'gaming' ones or an Apple one.. It does sound like something worth trying though as the logic seems sound. place the most often used keys closer together so you fingers have to travel less.

Let me know in the comments what you use / would recommend!

NowTV by Sky unboxing

For £10 it's a bloody good deal.  I don't  even think you can get a HDMI cable from Maplins for that!

 

A 720p iPlayer box essentially for me. I have Sky and multiroom so won't need to pay for the NowTV content. It only has WiFi connectivity so make sure its located within a decent signal range from the router. The quality is pretty good and had no issues on a 20Mbps DSL connection two rooms away.Its worth noting I could say easily take it to a mates, pay £10 and watch sprots events with a day pass etc. That might come in handy!

Microsoft reveals Xbox One reputation system

Bullying the bully?

Microsoft reveals Xbox One reputation system

Nokia blames Microsoft for poor Windows Phone app selection- The Inquirer

Good to see someone trying to give them a kick up the ass. I'm not going back until there is a decent rotation lock and the high end Nokia phones don't kamikaze them selves at the sight of a bit of dust near the ear piece.  

Nokia blames Microsoft for poor Windows Phone app selection- The Inquirer

Microsoft must rename Skydrive following legal battle with BSkyB- The Inquirer

Remember that Kickstarter Skydog router that I talked about a while back... I bet thats next...

Microsoft must rename Skydrive following legal battle with BSkyB- The Inquirer

BT - the next OTT provider thanks to 4G - The Full Spectrum

Very interesting. Do BT have something like Vodafone's SureSignal in a USB form to connect their routers to customers local mobile phones.

FON doesn't really work well in my opinion but if the range was good on these add ons and BT was to give them out free or dead cheap they could build a pretty big (although patchy) 4G network pretty fast. Combine that with a spectrum sharing agreement with another 4G supplier and there are some interesting concepts to explore for all parties involved!

BT - the next OTT provider thanks to 4G - The Full Spectrum

Panasonic first with mass-produced ReRAM computer

See Bit-tech.net for the story:
Panasonic first with mass-produced ReRAM computer

UK the 'number 1 target' of online gangsters in 25 countries - e-crime report

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/30/ecrime_report_home_affairs_cmte/

BT Retail to split to help differentiate between business and consumer

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5959-bt-retail-to-split-to-help-differentiate-between-business-and-consumer.html

Cisco Packet Tracer 6.0.1

I'm a little behind with this. With Cisco's whole move to the new NetSpace portal it looks like there was a new version of Packet Tracer. 6.0.1 offers new features but has the same look and feel to it.

Straight from the FAQ:

Packet Tracer 6.0.1 is a major release that includes the following functionality:

● Supports IOS 15.2 and its licensing methodology
● Enhanced IPv6 support
● Supports new devices such as ISR 1941, ISR 2901, ISR 2911, terminal server interface, and servers with 2 network interface cards
● Supports Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and ACL sequence numbers
● Provides new capability with PT LAN and WAN Multiuser Servers to create multiuser games and activities
● Provides new capability with PT Bridge to connect real network equipment to Packet Tracer environment

Its disappointing to see they have missed OS X once more, it can't be a world away from the Ubuntu install. I haven't tried it on Ubuntu yet but I wonder if you still need to install the dependencies that come with programs like Wine in order for it to work still or if they have started including them like they should!

Comments or thoughts? Leave them below!

Ofcom Clears UK 800MHz Airwaves for Launch of 4G Mobile Broadband

Title and link has all the information really. 

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2013/07/ofcom-clears-uk-800mhz-airwaves-for-launch-of-4g-mobile-broadband.html

My first proper mod. Shuttle 120mm fan.

So I've began modding a 120mm fan into the top of my Shuttle XPC. The hole is a bit rough as it was trickier and louder than I expected with a Dremel, but with a metal file it shouldn't take too long to sort out. Trying to find some U-channel rubber for the edging in the UK is a pain also! I also have a minimal black circular grill to allow maximum air flow and hopefully avoid anything falling into the fan. 

The only down side to this mod is I lose a hard drive bay in the top of the shuttle. With three in there its not a massive loss, especially since I got a HP mini server for use as a NAS.

Next I have a 80mm side fan to do. That is going to make getting the case on and off a bit tricky though as its tight for space inside. I really need an in-take fan though as I have a lot of exhaust fans. 

Plantronics Backbeat Go2

These look like they could be a nice replacement for my old broken Sony HBH-IS800's 

http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/backbeat-go-2