Spectrum Headset

Technology and internet blog

Archive for category Technology

How To Build A Computer

Sep 4

Posted by admin in Technology | No Comments

So you’ve finally decided to venture into the world of home-built computers. But where do you start? It’s not as confusing as it sounds – building your own computer is actually very simple, and can be quite fun. All it takes is a little patience, and cooperation. Within a few hours, you’ll have a fully functional machine.

To start out, make sure you have all of the proper parts laid out. It is highly recommended that you work with latex gloves, to avoid natural oils on your skin and fingers coming in contact with the hardware. You should also stay grounded at all times (do not stand on a surface that could generate static electricity, such as a carpet or a rug). To stay grounded, start by touching a solid surface – the easiest way is to rest your hand on your computer case. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,

‘Unbreakable’ encryption unveiled

Oct 9

Posted by admin in Technology | No Comments

Perfect secrecy has come a step closer with the launch of the world’s first computer network protected by unbreakable quantum encryption at a scientific conference in Vienna.

The network connects six locations across Vienna and in the nearby town of St Poelten, using 200 km of standard commercial fibre optic cables.

Quantum cryptography is completely different from the kinds of security schemes used on computer networks today.

These are typically based on complex mathematical procedures which are extremely hard for outsiders to crack, but not impossible given sufficient computing resources or time.

But quantum systems use the laws of quantum theory, which have been shown to be inherently unbreakable. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,

Bill Gates stepping down from Microsoft job

Jun 27

Posted by admin in Technology | No Comments

The chairman of Microsoft and one of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates, is stepping down from his job running the world’s largest software company.

Mr Gates, who made his fortune through developing software for the personal computer, plans to devote his time to charity work.

As a teenager Bill Gates had a vision of a personal computer on every desk in every home.

He says he caught sight of the future and based his career on what he saw.

Now 52, he still has boyish looks, but he is no longer the world’s richest man. He has been overtaken by the investor Warren Buffett and the Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim.

But Mr Gates’ fortune is at the root of his decision to leave his day job and concentrate on his charitable organisation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

He will remain as Microsoft’s chairman and work on special technology projects, but according to Mr Gates, great wealth brings great responsibility and his future work will include finding new vaccines and financing projects in the developing world.

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7476720.stm

Tags: ,

Experts unveil ‘cloak of silence’

Jun 13

Posted by admin in Technology | No Comments

Being woken in the dead of night by noisy neighbours blasting out music could soon be a thing of the past.

Scientists have shown off the blueprint for “acoustic cloaks“, which could make objects impervious to sound waves.

The technology, outlined in the New Journal of Physics, could be used to build sound-proof homes, advanced concert halls or stealth warships.

Scientists have previously demonstrated devices that cloak objects from microwaves, making them “invisible”.

“The mathematics behind cloaking has been known for several years,” said Professor John Pendry of Imperial College London, UK, an expert in cloaking.

“What hasn’t been available for sound is the sort of materials you need to build a cloak out of.”

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7450321.stm

Tags: , , , , ,

IBM aims to cool chips with water

Jun 8

Posted by admin in Technology | No Comments

A network of tiny pipes of water could be used to cool next-generation PC chips, researchers at IBM have said.

Scientists at the firm have shown off a prototype device layered with thousands of “hair-width” cooling arteries.

They believe it could be a solution to the increasing amount of heat pumped out by chips as they become smaller and more densely packed with components.

The technology was demonstrated in IBM’s 3D chips, where circuits are stacked one on top of the other.

Laying chips vertically, instead of side by side, reduces the distance data has to travel , enhancing performance and saving critical space. Read the rest of this entry »

Paypal to block ‘unsafe browsers’

Apr 18

Posted by admin in Technology | No Comments

Web payment firm Paypal has said it will block “unsafe browsers” from using its service as part of wider anti-phishing efforts.

Customers will first be warned that a browser is unsafe but could then be blocked if they continue using it.

Paypal said it was “an alarming fact that there is a significant set of users who use very old and vulnerable browsers such as Internet Explorer 4″.

Phishing attacks trick users into handing over sensitive data.

Paypal said some users were still using Internet Explorer 3 , released more than 10 years ago. It lacks many of the security and safety features needed to protect users from phishing and other online attacks. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , ,