Microsoft launches open source lab in RP

VERONICA C. SILVA, GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - Software giant Microsoft will establish an open source interoperability laboratory in the Philippines, considered as the first in the region.

In a press briefing on Thursday, officials of Microsoft Philippines and the government’s Commission on Information and Communication Technology said the laboratory will spur the development of open source technologies.

The laboratory will be located at the National Computer Center (NCC) in Quezon City but won't be operational until September. It will be open to open source and cross-platform enthusiasts, including students, professionals, companies and users groups.

“The interoperability lab is essential to the industry in that it encourages IT professionals and enthusiasts to explore the possibility of interoperable technology. This will be a good venue for them to be creative and imaginative, and to explore technology without boundaries," NCC Director General Tim Diaz de Rivera.

Microsoft has also opened other similar laboratories worldwide, particularly Brazil which is a staunch supporter of open source technology. The lab enhances Microsoft technologies to support the Open Document Format (ODF) and collaboration with non-profit open source groups, Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft also has Linux Interoperability Lab and an Open Source Software Lab located in Redmond, Washington.

“Microsoft's interoperability efforts pave the way for the development of more products that leverage on our technologies and are able to work well with other solutions," said Ken Wye Saw, Microsoft Vice-President for Sales and Marketing, Microsoft Asia Pacific.

Interoperability is a crucial issue in industry these days because of the availability of different old and new technologies that need to work together to perform equally crucial functions. -

$15,000 iPhone Diamond-Studded Leather Case for Aristocrats

You certainly won’t give in for a stupid “I am Rich” application on iPhone 3G like some moron but if you have the riches and truly in love with your iPhone 3G then this Diamond-studded leather case from designer Mathieu Cattelan of Noreve is just one of those nonessential purchases you got to make! The elegant iPhone pouch is adorned with 272 diamonds of total 6.8 karats inserted in the high quality leather. Read more...

Sony Introduces New Cyber-shot T-Series Digicams

Sony Electronics on Thursday announced two new Cyber-shot digital cameras, the DSC-T700 and the DSC-T77. The cameras retain Sony's slick T-series form factor with slim, pocket-friendly brushed aluminum bodies, sliding lens covers, and multiple color choices. The 10.3-megapixel T700 is intended to double as a high-res portable photo frame, while the entry-level T77 comes with additional automatic shooting modes.

Story continues....

Luxeed is Rainbow LED Keyboard for Hippies, Those Who Can't Afford an Optimus

The software is Windows-only, sadly, and the keyboard comes without a standard numeric keypad. That'll cost you an extra $35, and it doesn't light up. But with the main keyboard costing just $200, it's one eighth the price of Art Lebedev's funky keyboard offering. Available in black or white, with the white model having translucent keys.



Thinkgeek via Gizmodo

Couple's pumpkin sets SC record at 897 pounds

The Associated Press --

COLUMBIA, S.C. --

It's a big pumpkin.

A Lexington County couple's pumpkin has broken the state record. Frank and Tina Finders pumpkin tipped the scales at the State Farmer's Market Friday at 897 pounds. That's the equivalent of two Siberian male tigers or about 9 old truck tires.

The couple told The State newspaper they grew the vegetable organically in an Arcadia Lakes garden. They plan to sell the pumpkin, but hope to harvest the seeds and try again next year for another record.

The previous state record set in 2006 was 737 pounds. The world record was a 1,689-pound pumpkin.

Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com

HP, Intel and Yahoo study ways to make Web a utility

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Three tech giants -- Hewlett-Packard, Intel and Yahoo -- said on Tuesday they are teaming up on a research project to help turn Web services into reliable, everyday utilities.

The companies are joining forces with academic researchers in Asia, Europe and the United States to create an experimental network that lets researchers test "cloud-computing" projects -- Web-wide services that can reach billions of users at once.

continues......

Dell's Studio Hybrid PC Is Out

This may come as somewhat of a surprise for all of you Dell fans out there, but it looks like the Round Rock, Texas-based computer systems vendor will finally roll out one of its highly anticipated products. What we’re dealing with here is a new desktop computer system that has been in the news for quite some time now. In case you haven't already figured it out, we’re talking about Dell's Studio Hybrid PC, which will finally make its debut later on today.

Even more, from the looks of it, we’re not in for yet another small-size, Atom-powered desktop computer. In fact, Dell's new desktop computer system is based on some of the latest in computer technology, which means you can probably also use it to play some of your favorite games (but not all of them, since it doesn't come with discrete graphics). However, the real purpose of the Studio Hybrid PC is to provide users with the computing power of the latest PCs in a smaller, lighter and more power-efficient form factor.

Read the rest of the story

Via Softpedia.com