Saturday, July 25, 2009
Microsoft says Windows 7 is ready for PC companies
Microsoft says Windows 7 is ready for PC companies
July 22nd, 2009 By JESSICA MINTZ , AP Technology Writer
(AP) -- Microsoft Corp. says Windows 7 is complete.
- wong chee tat :)
July 22nd, 2009 By JESSICA MINTZ , AP Technology Writer
(AP) -- Microsoft Corp. says Windows 7 is complete.
The software maker sent the final code for its next computer operating system to manufacturers Wednesday, and said it's still on track for an Oct. 22 launch.
Mike Angiulo, a general manager in the Windows group, said in an interview that getting up and running on a Windows computer will be "a lot smoother" than it was when Windows Vista launched in 2007.
At the time, Microsoft boasted about the number of programs and devices that would work with Vista, but many PC users found their existing software, printers, scanners, cameras and other hardware didn't function after the switch.
Microsoft said one reason Windows 7 should be an easier launch is that at its core, the new version is a lot like Vista. If a company updated a product to work with Vista in the last few years, it should also work with Windows 7.
Windows 7 has also progressed in an orderly way, which means outside companies have had more time to make sure their products will work. Vista was plagued by changes to Microsoft's plans, leaving partner companies scrambling to keep up.
The new operating system will launch into a much tougher climate than Vista did. PC shipments are expected to fall this year for the first time since 2001, as the economic crisis has forced businesses to slash technology spending. Microsoft built in a way for companies to run older, Windows XP programs in Windows 7, in an attempt to avoid losing those corporate customers that skipped Vista altogether because critical software wasn't compatible.
Companies that have long-term agreements to buy Microsoft software in bulk will be able to download and start installing Windows 7 in a few weeks, Microsoft said.
Then starting Oct. 22, Windows 7 will come on new PCs, and will be available for people to buy separately and install on their existing machines.
©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.- wong chee tat :)
Singapore presents air, weather monitoring stations to Jambi
Singapore presents air, weather monitoring stations to Jambi
By Hasnita Majid, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Indonesia's Jambi Province will now be able to accurately measure air quality in the area and predict if a forest fire is likely to happen.
Three air and weather monitoring stations were installed by Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) in various parts of the province – in Sengeti, Desa Arang-arang and Kota Jambi.
Sengeti has an Air and Weather Monitoring Station, Kota Jambi has an Air Quality Station, while Desa Arang-Arang has a Weather Station.
Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim officially handed over the monitoring stations to the Jambi Provincial Government on Friday morning.
The Air Quality Station measures air pollutants and will indicate whether the air quality is in the good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy or hazardous range.
The weather monitoring equipment measures wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity and radiation.
Data obtained will be used to compute the Fire Danger Rating Index, which serves to indicate the likelihood and spread of fires. This data is accessible to the Jambi Provincial authorities and the National Environment Agency in Singapore.
Developing the Fire Danger Rating Index is part of a 7-Action Programme under an Indonesia-Singapore collaboration on Jambi Province to prevent and curb land and forest fires.
Singapore has set aside S$1 million to implement the programmes, which include training Indonesian officers in reading and interpreting satellite pictures for detecting hotspots and organising workshops on Zero-Burning Practices.
The three stations cost S$400,000 to set up and will cost another S$200,000 to maintain over the next two years.
"The most important measure for us is the realisation that we have been able to deliver the air and monitoring stations... Through this collaboration, we have scaled up the capability of the Jambi officials to be able to detect and monitor.
"They can use those tools to plan ahead in terms of dealing with the fire-prone areas within this district," said Dr Yaacob.
Indonesia's State Minister for Environment, Rachmat Witoelar, said: "We have lessons learnt from here. In particular, what is highly valued by Dr Yaacob and myself is the commitment by the locals and the government. They are in a position to make a difference in this aspect."
With the dry season expected to be worsened by El Nino this year, Jambi authorities said with accurate information on forest fire risk, they can now send out an alert, advising the public not to discard their cigarette butts carelessly or start an open fire, which may set off an inferno.
- CNA/yb/so
- wong chee tat :)
By Hasnita Majid, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Indonesia's Jambi Province will now be able to accurately measure air quality in the area and predict if a forest fire is likely to happen.
Three air and weather monitoring stations were installed by Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) in various parts of the province – in Sengeti, Desa Arang-arang and Kota Jambi.
Sengeti has an Air and Weather Monitoring Station, Kota Jambi has an Air Quality Station, while Desa Arang-Arang has a Weather Station.
Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim officially handed over the monitoring stations to the Jambi Provincial Government on Friday morning.
The Air Quality Station measures air pollutants and will indicate whether the air quality is in the good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy or hazardous range.
The weather monitoring equipment measures wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity and radiation.
Data obtained will be used to compute the Fire Danger Rating Index, which serves to indicate the likelihood and spread of fires. This data is accessible to the Jambi Provincial authorities and the National Environment Agency in Singapore.
Developing the Fire Danger Rating Index is part of a 7-Action Programme under an Indonesia-Singapore collaboration on Jambi Province to prevent and curb land and forest fires.
Singapore has set aside S$1 million to implement the programmes, which include training Indonesian officers in reading and interpreting satellite pictures for detecting hotspots and organising workshops on Zero-Burning Practices.
The three stations cost S$400,000 to set up and will cost another S$200,000 to maintain over the next two years.
"The most important measure for us is the realisation that we have been able to deliver the air and monitoring stations... Through this collaboration, we have scaled up the capability of the Jambi officials to be able to detect and monitor.
"They can use those tools to plan ahead in terms of dealing with the fire-prone areas within this district," said Dr Yaacob.
Indonesia's State Minister for Environment, Rachmat Witoelar, said: "We have lessons learnt from here. In particular, what is highly valued by Dr Yaacob and myself is the commitment by the locals and the government. They are in a position to make a difference in this aspect."
With the dry season expected to be worsened by El Nino this year, Jambi authorities said with accurate information on forest fire risk, they can now send out an alert, advising the public not to discard their cigarette butts carelessly or start an open fire, which may set off an inferno.
- CNA/yb/so
- wong chee tat :)
Weather Outlook: 16 - 31 July 2009
REVIEW 1 - 14 July 2009
During the first two weeks of July 2009, about three quarters of Singapore experienced above average rainfall. The highest rainfall of 130 mm to 150 mm (80% to 105% above average) fell over the City and Kallang areas. Rainfall was lowest over the Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang areas where 40 mm to 60 mm (20% to 45% below average) of rain was recorded.
Note: I can't access the information last few days, maybe they have change the links or migrate their servers.
- wong chee tat :)
During the first two weeks of July 2009, about three quarters of Singapore experienced above average rainfall. The highest rainfall of 130 mm to 150 mm (80% to 105% above average) fell over the City and Kallang areas. Rainfall was lowest over the Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang areas where 40 mm to 60 mm (20% to 45% below average) of rain was recorded.
Weather Outlook: 16 - 31 July 2009
- For the next fortnight, the region should continue to experience Southwest Monsoon conditions. The low-level winds over Singapore are expected to blow predominantly from the southeast or southwest.
- During the fortnight, showers with thunder are expected on 4 to 5 days between the morning and early afternoon. In addition, showers with thunder accompanied with occasional gusty winds due to “Sumatra” squalls are likely on 2 to 3 days in the pre-dawn and early morning.
- As periods of consecutive dry days are common in the region during the Southwest Monsoon season, Singapore could experience slightly hazy conditions on a few days. Rainfall for July 2009 is likely to be above average for most parts of Singapore.
Note: I can't access the information last few days, maybe they have change the links or migrate their servers.
- wong chee tat :)
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