Cisco Web Ex mini Version for Video conferences

Free version now available for small businesses up to 3 per meeting

This ideal for anyone that has a small business and needs to online meetings with clients across the world

https://signup.webex.com/webexmeetings/basic.html?TrackID=1029919

New Intel Ivy Bridge Processor

Intel has finally released the new 3rd generation series of Intel Core processors. This 3rd generation of the Intel Core processors brings many new features and improvements over the earlier 2nd generation of processors. In this article, I am going to point out some of these exciting features that every computer enthusiast ought to know.

What is the name of the new processor series from Intel?

Ivy Bridge is the codename of Intel’s new processor family. Ivy Bridge supersedes the earlier Sandy Bridge processor family. While Sandy Bridge is considered as the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family, Ivy Bridge is the 3rd generation of the Intel Core processors.

What is the main difference between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge?

The main difference is the the process architecture. Ivy Bridge uses the 22 nm architecture while Sandy Bridge uses 32 nm architecture. This means that Ivy Bridge can pack more electronic components in a smaller area, giving better power efficiency and performance.

Intel has also introduced a new 3D transistor technology in the Ivy Bridge processors. They are also called tri-gate transistors. According to Intel, this new architectural design would result in Ivy Bridge providing better performance while consuming significantly less power compared to an equivalent Sandy Bridge processor.

How much faster are the Ivy Bridge processors?

Intel has not yet released all the Ivy Bridge processors. At the time of writing this article, only the high-end i7 and i5 processors have been released. The base clock frequency of these processors ranges from 2.8 GHz (for Core i5-3450S) to 3.5 GHz(for Core i7-3770K). Later this year more affordable entry-level i5 and i3 processors would be released.

What other notable features are present in Ivy Bridge?

1.       HD graphics – Ivy Bridge processors have in-built GPU chip inside them. The GPU supports DirectX 11 (Sandy Bridge supports version 10.1), OpenGL 3.1 (Sandy Bridge supports version 3.0). Ivy Bridge processors have the Intel HD4000/HD2500 GPU chips. This means that you do not need an add-on graphics card.

2.      QuickSync Video – This feature is introduced in the Intel 3rd generation processors. It uses dedicated media processing to make video creation and conversion faster and easier. Whether you want to create DVDs, create, convert and edit 3D/2D videos, upload to your favorite social networking sites – everything is done in a jiffy.

3.      WiDi 3.0 – Wireless Display technology allows you to stream media content to a multitude of of your WiFi connected display devices. You can share a 1080p 60FPS video using WiDi.

4.      Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 – Using the Turbo boost technology, you can make your Ivy Bridge processors run faster than their base frequency. For example, a 3.5GHz iCore i7 can be made to run at 3.9 GHz for some time.

Do I need a new socket or motherboard for Ivy Bridge processors?

Not necessarily. The Ivy Bridge processors use the same LGA1155 socket that is used by the Sandy Bridge processors. This means that you can fit a new Ivy Bridge processor in your older 2nd generation motherboard.

But by using your new Ivy Bridge processor in an older 2nd generation motherboard/socket, you will not be able to use all the new features introduced in Ivy Bridge. For example, Ivy Bridge has inbuilt USB 3.0 and PCIe 3.0 support which will not work with older boards. So it is suggested that you invest in a new motherboard to get the maximum performance from your new processor. If you are going to buy a new motherboard, then you should know that the 3rd generation Core i7, Core i5 and Core i3 processors are best matched with the Intel Z77, H77 and H61 chipset boards respectively.

What kind of RAM is supported by the Ivy Bridge?

Ivy Bridge processors support the standard DDR3 RAM modules of up to 1600 MHz frequency.

How many cores do the Ivy Bridge processors have?

All the presently released processors are quad-core processors., i.e., they all have four cores. Some of the processors also support eight threads. Although threads are not physical cores but they work like your processor’s simulated cores. This is possible through the Intel Hyper Threading technology which lets multiple threads run on each of the cores of a processor.

There is a speculation that the entry-level Core i3 Ivy Bridge processors, which would be released later this year, will have only two cores.

What’s the difference between i3, i5, and i7?

What different types of the Ivy Bridge processors are available?

There are many types of processors in the Ivy Bridge family. The type is indicated by putting a suffix to the CPU model name. The following list explains these suffixes -

§ K – Unlocked, ready to be overclocked.

§ S – Performance optimized. Low power consumption.

§ T – Power optimized. Ultra low power consumption.

§ M – Mobile processors for mobile devices.

§ Q – Quad core processors.

Windows 7 and Vista god Mode

Here's a great "trick" that will allows you to have ALL the options to control your PC with Windows 7 in one folder.

NOTE: People are also reporting that this works in 32-bit Vista, but NOT 64-bit Vista.

1.	Open Windows Explorer and create a new folder Create the folder anywhere. For ease of use, I created mine in the Root directory/folder.  NOTE: Creating the folder on the Desktop might or might not work. The feedback seems to vary, so you'll just have to experiment with it.
2.	Rename the folder by pasting the name below exactly as it appears: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} NOTE: You can name it whatever you want (within reason), I just use "GodMode" in this example.
3.	Enjoy! Start enjoy your all-in-one folder to control virtually every aspect of Windows 7. I'm still having fun going through and seeing all the stuff I didn't know was in Windows 7! ;-)

Conclusion

According to different feedback I've received, this is working in Vista and Windows 7. I tried XP and it does not appear to work there, so it appears to be something with the newer OSs only..

Windows 8 Start Menu

Yes the start menu has disappeared in Windows 8/  to make way for the METRO interface.
The metro interface is hard to get used to for those of us that have been used to the start menu since windows 95.  It is a step towards simplifying and unifying.

What do  I mean by this it will  be a cross platform OS the first if it kind it will work on Cell phones, Tablets and PC's simplifying the user experience

The START MENU is not lost thanks to Star Dock here is the link to get the program refered to as Start 8
http://www.stardock.com/products/start

Features

• - Adds a “Start” menu to the Windows 8 taskbar
• - Enables quick access and searching of your installed applications
• - Adds Run... option via right-click menu
• - Adds Shutdown... option via right-click menu
• - Choose a custom Start button image