Will Wikimedia “run on Sun”?

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

This article mentions the Wikimedia Foundation, one of its projects, or people related to it. Wikinews is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation.

An internal Wikimedia communiqué was leaked over the weekend. Like many e-mails, the document is a chain of forwards, replies, and attachments. The attached Portable Document Format (PDF) file was from a PowerPoint presentation, entitled “Wikimedia Foundation: Past, Present, and Future”. The presentation is watermarked confidential, do not distribute, and details the Foundation’s recent financial, technical, and traffic history, outlines near-term forecasts for all three, and makes suggestions for slightly longer horizons as well. By itself the document led to several inter-connected news stories.

Contents

  • 1 Wikimedia Foundation approaches donors
  • 2 Mediawiki technology
    • 2.1 Kaltura collaborative video
    • 2.2 Flagged revisions
  • 3 Forecasts and financials
  • 4 Sources

Evolution Of Role Of Bios}

Evolution of Role of BIOS

by

Roberto Bell

Older PC operating systems, which were developed for 16-bit CPUs, such as MS-DOS, relied on the BIOS to carry out most input/output tasks within the PC. A variety of technical reasons eventually made it inefficient for more recent operating systems written for 32-bit CPUs such as Linux and Microsoft Windows to invoke the BIOS directly. Larger, more powerful, servers and workstations using PowerPC or SPARC CPUs by several manufacturers developed a platform-independent Open Firmware (IEEE-1275), based on the Forth programming language. It is included with Sun’s SPARC computers, IBM’s RS/6000 line, and other PowerPC CHRP motherboards. Later x86-based personal computer operating systems, like Windows NT, use their own, better-performing, native drivers and also made it much easier to extend support to new hardware, while BIOS still relies on a legacy 16-bit runtime interface. As such, the BIOS was relegated to bootstrapping, at which point the operating system’s own drivers could take control of the hardware.

There are same transitions for the Apple Macintosh, where the system software depends on the Tool Box”that includes a set of drivers and other valuable routines collected in ROM depending on Motorolas 680×0 CPUs. These Apple ROMs were superseded by Open Firmware in the powerPC Macintosh, then EFI in the Intel Macintosh computers. There were a similar transitions for the Apple Macintosh, where the system software originally relied heavily on the ToolBox”a set of drivers and other useful routines stored in ROM based on Motorola’s 680×0 CPUs. These Apple ROMs were replaced by Open Firmware in the PowerPC Macintosh, then EFI in Intel Macintosh computers.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvIZWKh0KbY[/youtube]

BIOS is loaded with intricate functionalities such as ACPI. These functions cover power management, hot swapping with the inclusion of thermal management. However, BIOS limitations that cover 16bit processor mode with the availabilty of 1MB addressable space and PC AT hardware dependencies and so on are considered to be inaccessible for the previous computer platforms. Extensible Firmware Interface is a part which make the replacement of the runtime connectivity of the legacy BIOS

Brian Anderson writes on topics such as

Dell BIOS Password

,

BIOS Password

,

BIOS Password

Visit

Evolution of Role of BIOS

.

Article Source:

eArticlesOnline.com }

IEEE approves 802.11n standard after six years

Saturday, September 12, 2009

On Friday, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ratified the next generation of Wi-Fi Alliance certification known as 802.11n. The path to ratification began on September 11, 2003 with 11 major drafts of the specification over the course of six years. Even though just approved, wireless devices have been available on the the market for over two years, running on what is known as “draft n” or “pre-N”.

The 802.11n standard operates on both the 2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz frequencies. This will allow it to be backwards compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g, provided that the base station has dual radios. The speeds of 802.11n are substantially faster than that of its predecessors with a maximum theoretical throughput of 600Mbit/s.

Very few additions were made to the 802.11n draft standard over the last two years, so most if not all “draft n” hardware available on the market today is expected to be compatible with n-standard devices available in the future. In a similar process of the upgrade from “pre-G” to 802.11g, it is expected that most manufacturers of wireless hardware will release new firmware to bring all draft devices up to full standard compliance.

50 Italian parliamentarians call for global summit for “a new financial architecture”

Thursday, March 17, 2005

A letter and motion to be debated by Italian Parliament this week calls for action to address speculative bubbles and potential future financial crashes in the global economy. The motion asks for a global summit similar to the 1944 Bretton Woods United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, which gave us the IMF and World Bank.

The letter raises questions about the sustainability of current financial trends, based on the highly speculative nature of today’s markets. For example, according to the letter, “It is estimated that the entire financial bubble, counting all financial derivatives and all other forms of existing debt, is equal to about $400 trillion, compared to a worldwide GDP of slightly more than $40 trillion”.

Last years collapse of Italian dairy company Parmalat, with “14.3 billion euros that must still be accounted for”, is given as evidence for “a lack of effective tools and controls regarding financial operations”. Enron, which famously collapsed in November 2001 revealing faudulent accounting practices from previously respected accounting firm Arthur Andersen, is given as another example.

Oddly, the largest collapse on record, that of WorldCom, is not mentioned, though the set of examples is not purported to be exhaustive. A number of other crashes are mentioned: the LTCM fund, Argentine bonds, Cirio, and Finmatica.

The motion, linked to supporters of the Lyndon LaRouche movement, is signed by Parliamentarians Lettieri, Soro, Delbono, Tolotti, Widmann, Villani Miglietta, Rosato, Albertini, Morgando, Diana, Luigi Pepe, Damiani, Ostillio, De Brasi, Maccanico, Carbonella, Paola Mariani, Grandi, Pistone, Giovanni Bianchi, Giacco, Benvenuto, Piscitello, Camo, Realacci, Squeglia, Rocchi, Iannuzzi, Intini, Meduri, Santino Adamo Loddo, Boccia, Villari, Chianale, Siniscalchi, Sandi, Cusumano, Cennamo, Annunziata, Rotundo, Bonito, Buemi, Pennacchi, Fanfani, Tarantino, Rodeghiero, Angioni, Detomas, and Nesi.

Debate was scheduled for March 14-18.

‘Kama Sutra’ worm set to strike

Friday, February 3, 2006

Computer security experts warn that a malicious computer worm, dubbed “Kama Sutra,” is set to wreak havoc this Friday, February 3rd on Microsoft Windows computers worldwide. Kama Sutra is designed to destroy files that end in .doc, .zip and .pdf.

The Kama Sutra worm has been spreading through cyberspace since January 16, packaged in emails with subject headings such as: “give me a kiss” and “crazy illegal sex.”

When users click an email attachment, their PCs become infected with destructive, self-replicating software. The worm affects Microsoft Windows operating systems and is programmed to go to work on the third of every month, overwriting or corrupting Microsoft files and others such as Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

“This one can damage your office files, your Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and your PowerPoint presentations,” Tino Klironomos, a computer retailer, said. “(The files will be) all gone, history.”

Computer security company LURHQ reports that there may be hundreds of thousands of machines already infected with the worm, which also goes by the monikers “BlackWorm,” “CME-24,” “Blackmal,” “Mywife.E” and “Nyxem.”

To prevent the worm, Windows users should arm themselves with anti-virus software. People can also protect their PC with up-to-date anti-virus gear and firewall protection. Free anti-virus tools are available from many anti-virus organisations. These tools can detect and remove the Kama Sutra worm from an infected machine.

Experts say: “Make sure your virus definitions are up to date. Besides being careful about opening email messages and attachments, users should back up their most valuable computer files on an external device such as a CD, zip drive or DVD.”

Steve Bass at PC World says: “Stop worrying. If you update your virus program signatures regularly, and do a weekly AV scan, I don’t think you have much to worry about…”

Other advice is not to open any messages with the subject headers “crazy, illegal sex”, “give me a kiss” and “hot movie.”

The worm will not affect machines running on non-Windows operating systems such as Mac OS X or GNU/Linux.

Many security systems reported a very small amount of vandalism, even though the threats were very high.

Hot Stone Massage}

Hot Stone Massage

by

Jane Wyvern

Do you know what hot stone massage is? Ever tried taking advantage of this therapeutic marvel? If you haven’t, then read on about what this kind of massage is and what benefits it can provide for you.

Since a few years ago, the idea of using hot stone massage has become widely accepted as a great addition to the world of massages. It’s present in the healthcare industry for a good reason. In the previous four years, this type of massage has become the in-thing of spas, clinics, salons, and therapeutic centers across the globe. In today’s world, it’s considered a very effective way to conduct massage, and complements the more traditional practices.

The Beginnings of Hot Stone Therapy

Despite what many people believe, the concept behind hot stone massage didn’t originate in the Arizonan desert, or as part of a saint’s vision, as some massage therapists claim. In fact, the origins of this massage go back 5000 years. It was seen in ancient India with the therapeutic traditions of Ayurveda. Research indicated that this kind of therapy saw its origin in the rocks that healers collected from river beds. They would warm them using hot water or coals and then treat bodily discomfort with them. Through these ancient methods, today’s hot stone massage entered the practice of healing.

The Basics

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_XDZ4E9Ixs[/youtube]

This massage method is also referred to as la stone massage or heated stone. It is claimed that it creates a unique connection between people and nature. This idea was perhaps conceived because the process includes using basalt stones of different shapes and forms that have been heated in water. They can aid in healing different kinds of imperfections in the body.

Normally, the stones are put at key areas of the body, such as the hands or spine, while the massage therapist administers a deep massage. By the reckoning of some experts, the stones’ heat produces powerful and dramatic results when they are placed in these areas. They can alleviate the discomfort of fatigued and aching muscles. Besides this, proponents of hot stone massage contend that using warm stones can tremendously improve blood circulation and the exchange of lymph in the body.

There are many more wonders of this massage technique. It is also claimed that it can relieve sore muscles, relax the nervous system, loosen tight joints, and release energy in the body that has been blocked. Doing these things will help the body function better.

In summary, there are many advantages to improving your well-being with hot stone massage. Here they are, just to recap:

* Helps circulation

* Relieves sore muscles

* Loosens tight joints

* Relaxes the nervous system

* Lets out blocked energies

* Helps deep relaxation

Given all these advantages, it’s not surprising that this massage therapy is seen as perfect for people very sensitive to heavy pressure. It’s also considered a good technique for people afflicted by fibromyalgia. And with the relief the stones can offer for sore, tired muscles, it’s great for hiking and skiing enthusiasts.

Jane Wyvern is an established freelance writer. You can find more of her writing at

massage-wire.com

,

lasik-central.com

and

lecithinguide.com

.

Article Source:

eArticlesOnline.com

}

Truth Labs India First Independent Forensic Science Lab}

Submitted by: Sunil Kilaru

Truth Labs is Indias first independent Forensic Science Lab. Truth Labs is an NGO which was established with the objective of helping the victims of Crime and Injustice by providing Scientific Investigation and Detective services using modern Forensic tools and techniques at affordable costs with International Quality. Truth Labs was established in October 2007 by Dr. K. P. C. Gandhi, Former Inspector General of Police and Director, Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Lab. Dr. K. P. C. Gandhi was responsible for Indias leading and Model Forensic Lab at Hyderabad, the APFSL with ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 certification.

Truth Labs is guided and managed by leading luminaries from the fields of Judiciary, Administration, Police, Defence, Science and Technology, Corporate and Social Service sectors. Truth Labs has offices in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai & Chennai.

There is a huge gap between the forensic facilities available and the demand for such services to handle cases promptly and efficiently. Police, courts and other public sector bodies like banks, financial institutions who have to depend upon forensic services shall have to wait for the reports from Government Forensic Science Laboratories for several months to a few years. Currently, the assistance of Government Forensic Labs is sought only by the police or the courts. Hence, those who would prefer not choosing the judicial route are at a dead end. Individuals and Institutions desirous of settling their family matters or internal disputes within their families or companies cannot approach forensic laboratories. This is especially relevant in the cases of corporate fraud, computer fraud, document frauds, identity theft, child paternity disputes, etc. where the parties involved prefer to keep the matter confidential for fear of loss of their social reputation and public image. The presence of a private lab would increase competition in this field and ensure that the best would survive which translates into not only quality services with unbiased accurate opinions but quick quality services with dependable opinions. For the first time in India Forensic Services are available in an institutional setting under one roof in a comprehensive manner, to cater to the requirements of most of these discerning and demanding clients to deal with a wide variety of problems.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5WT2vweFRY[/youtube]

Truth Labs partners with various credible and reputable organizations like CCMB, BPR&D, UoH, NLSIU & IICT. Truth Labs has signed MOUs with various state Governments and Police Departments like Govt. of Delhi and police departments in Karnataka.

Sunil Kilaru is an Entrepreneur based out of Bangalore. Sunil Kilaru runs an IT Products & Services Company – PRIMUS and Real Estate Company PRIME Living. Mr. Sunil Kilaru supports Truth Labs in his private capacity and also Truth Labs IT needs with his IT Organization PRIMUS.

Prior to getting into Management, Sunil was an IT Architect for Hitachi Consulting. At Hitachi, he was a Technical Project Manager for Hitachis Oracle Practice. His responsibilities included implementing Onsite/Offshore Oracle ERP solutions for Hitachis Clients like Haggar Clothing, AECOM, IHOP, Tekelec, etc. Prior to that Sunil was a Senior Consultant for the Technology group at Whittman-Hart, Inc. He has extensive experience in designing, building, developing and integrating various Web/ERP/Client-Server based applications for the fortune 500 clients of Whittman-Hart. Sunil was the first employee of Whittman-Hart Dallas office before it grew into a 10,000 strong consulting firm. Sunil helped the Dallas office of Whittman-Hart in getting a good client base with his extensive contacts during the initial phase. Sunil was involved in designing and developing IT solutions for client’s like American Airlines, i2, 3M, InterVoice, Silicon Graphics, Aimco, Westin Resorts, and Warrantech.

Sunil has an MBA in IT & Finance from The University of Dallas, M.S in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Nagarjuna University.

Sunil is involved in various NGOs like Truth Labs, Crime Stoppers India and Genome Foundation.

About the Author: Sunil Kilaru is the Managing Director of PRIMUS Global Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Under the Leadership of Sunil, PRIMUS executed various Commercial and Residential Real Estate Ventures in Bangalore and Hyderabad. For more detail visit

primusglobal.com

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1907719&ca=Self+Help }

Ontario Votes 2007: Interview with Libertarian candidate Zork Hun, Parkdale-High Park

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Zork Hun is running for the Libertarian party in the Ontario provincial election, in the Parkdale-High Park riding. Wikinews’ Nick Moreau interviewed him regarding his values, his experience, and his campaign.

Stay tuned for further interviews; every candidate from every party is eligible, and will be contacted. Expect interviews from Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party members, Ontario Greens, as well as members from the Family Coalition, Freedom, Communist, Libertarian, and Confederation of Regions parties, as well as independents.

Read Santa Clara marks tenth anniversary

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Santa Clara, California, USA. The adult literacy program Read Santa Clara marked its tenth anniversary today with a gathering of program participants, staff, and supporters from the community. Read Santa Clara trains volunteer tutors and matches them with adult learners who wish to build their literacy skills.

In the presentation, program staff and supporters reviewed the program’s history and growth, honored long-time participants, and looked toward the future.

Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan spoke at the gathering, noting, “Read Santa Clara joins people who need to learn with people who need to teach, and what a powerful combination that is.” She added, “I think adult literacy is so important.”

Program coordinators estimate that tutors volunteered some 5000 hours last year. City Manager Jennifer Sparacino estimates, “That’s worth about $100,000 per year in volunteer time.”

Learners also spoke about what Read Santa Clara meant to them. Raymond Moreno said, “I hope it stays for another ten, twenty, thirty years, because we need it.” Juan Velasquez said, “My life has changed a lot…I did many things I could not have done without help.” And Ike Moore said, “To be able to express myself…What a gift!”

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.
This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

Canada’s Etobicoke—Lakeshore (Ward 5) city council candidates speak

This exclusive interview features first-hand journalism by a Wikinews reporter. See the collaboration page for more details.

Monday, October 30, 2006

On November 13, Torontonians will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward’s councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto’s ridings is Etobicoke—Lakeshore (Ward 5). Two candidates responded to Wikinews’ requests for an interview. This ward’s candidates include John Chiappetta, Joseph Mignone, Peter Milczyn (incumbent), Arthur Roszak, and Bojidar Tchernev.

Interviewed are newcomer Joseph Mignone, and incumbent Peter Milczyn. Click on either of their names to read their responses.

For more information on the election, read Toronto municipal election, 2006.