Nvidia Offering 5 Million USD To Upstart GPU Ventures

NVIDIA today announced the launch of the GPU Ventures Program, a new global initiative whose aim is to identify, support and invest in early stage companies leveraging the GPU for visual and other computing applications. NVIDIA is also launching the GPU Venture Zone website, a portal to publicly showcase the innovative GPU applications being developed by its ecosystem partners.

"The GPU Ventures Program represents a huge opportunity for young ambitious companies basing their businesses around the GPU. These companies are the innovators that will fuel the continued growth of the GPU platform," said Jeff Herbst, vice president of business development at NVIDIA. "Through this program we will provide financial, marketing and other support to help start-up companies realize their full potential and we strongly encourage interested entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and others to reach out to us with their ideas."

Through the GPU Ventures Program, NVIDIA intends to evaluate companies that leverage the GPU for both consumer and professional applications in all areas such as video and image enhancement, scientific discovery, financial analysis and 3D interfaces. Investments are expected to range from $500K to $5Million, and strategic partnerships are expected to span joint marketing, joint development, product distribution and beyond.

"NVIDIA's support, through investment, strategic partnership and joint marketing, has helped us to raise additional capital and gain customer visibility much more quickly," said Sam Blackman, CEO of Elemental Technologies. "We share NVIDIA's passion for using the GPU as a parallel processor, for more than just graphics, and we actively encourage other companies interested in this exciting market to join the visual computing ecosystem."

In addition to Elemental Technologies, NVIDIA has also invested in successful start ups including Acceleware, Keyhole Corporation (acquired by Google for Google Earth), Mental Images (acquired by NVIDIA), MotionDSP and Right Hemisphere. These companies were among 60 other start-ups that met with key figures in the investment and technical community at NVIDIA's 2008 Emerging Companies Summit, due to take place again in the Fall of 2009.

"NVIDIA's first annual Emerging Companies Summit was a world class event , perhaps the best and most informative private company showcase in 2008" said Drew Lanza, general partner at Morgenthaler Ventures. "We view parallel computing on the GPU as an exciting and disruptive growth opportunity for our existing and future portfolio companies, and we applaud NVIDIA's efforts to support this ecosystem through its new GPU Ventures Program and other related initiatives."

Intel N Nvidia Sue Each Other lol

Intel and Nvidia have taken place in the agreements, which allows the development of Nvidia chipsets that support Intel processors, and Intel that allows Nvidia to use technology in their motherboards.

Everything went well until Intel filed a lawsuit against Nvidia, alleging that such agreements do not allow the construction of Nvidia chipsets for Intel processors with integrated memory controllers, ie the Nehalem CPU.

"Intel has filed a lawsuit against NVIDIA seek a declaratory of rights associated with agreements between the two companies," said the official statement from Intel. "The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that NVIDIA is not licensed to produce chipsets that are compatible with any Intel processor has integrated memory controller functionality, such as microprocessors and NVIDIA Nehalem Intel has violated the agreement Intel, claiming falsely that it is licensed. Intel has been in talks with NVIDIA for over a year trying to resolve the issue but unfortunately we lost. As a result, Intel is asking the court to resolve this dispute. "

Nvidia claims that this lawsuit does not affect the NVIDIA chipsets being shipped.

"We are confident that our license agreement, as negotiated, it applies," said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. "At the heart of this problem is that the CPU has its course and soul of the PC is moving quickly to the GPU. This is clearly an attempt to stifle innovation in order to protect the CPU business in decline."

Huang said that, given the widespread and growing adoption of innovations from NVIDIA platform, it is not surprising that Intel is now launching a dispute over a contract signed four years ago. Innovations such as ION, SLI, hybrid power, and threaten CuDa Intel's ability to control the PC platform.

Your Hard Drive

The hard drive is one of the most important components of the computer as it stores all the information and without it the computer cannot function. Without hard drives, there would be no World Wide Web, email or operating systems because they all reside on it.

There are various things that may cause a hard drive to crash. One reason is because of corrupt registry files, system files, and viruses. A virus come in different forms as emails, especially spam, spy ware, and downloads from the web and many other places. This is why it is recommended that one of the important things to do after acquiring a new PC is to install anti-virus software to prevent viral attacks and reduce chances of hard disk crashing.

A hard drive may also crash due to problems with the hardware. The hard drive contains sensitive internal components such as a magnetic disk, an actuator arm, the read/ write head and other components. For example, the read/write head hovers very close to but not touching the disk. If the actuator arm happens to break and the read/ write head touches the disk. The hard disk will be destroyed and thus, a hard disk crash has occurred. Another cause of damage could be overheating where the drive may overheat, causing various components to expand and touch other component. This may be physically experienced as sounds coming from the hard drive when the disk is spinning.

So your hard disk has failed and you cannot access your information. What next?
It all depends with the kind of damage. If the damage is software-based, then data recovery software can be used to try and retrieve your information. There are some simple do-it-yourself data recovery software that can be used to retrieve your data. But if the damage is mechanical, it advisable to send the hard drive to a reputable data recovery company so that a proper diagnosis is done to try and retrieve as much information as possible. Seeking the professional advice of a data specialist could save you a lot, both financially and with regard to time.

The best rating hard drives at this time are Western Digital because of their life span and durability.

The Dell Computers - Who Are the Inventors?

Dell has grown a big company but it seems that many people who bought their products are pretty mad with them and want to buy others. Personally I bought a dell laptop and I am not satisfied and i want to through it out the window but I just gave it to my brother :D.

The invention and the history of the Dell computer is quite interesting. First of all, it was in 1984 when Michael Dell, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, created the company PC's Limited. He only had a starting capital of $1,000. So what he did was he started working out of his dorm room to build personal computers made from stock components. These computers were to be IBM compatible because that was the standard at that time. If a computer were to function with various pieces of hardware, it needed to be IMB compatible since hardware and software programs were being designed to be IBM compatible.

It is when Michael Dell figured that selling computers directly to customers to determine customer need that he dropped out of college. His family then extended him the $300,000 in expansion capital that he needed to make his business take off.

A success

It was in 1985 that the Turbo PC was developed and it sold for less than $800. It contained an Intel 8088 processor that ran at 8 MHz, which is considerably slower than the computers that we use today. Computers today are running in gigahertz, which are hundreds and even thousands of times faster than the 8 MHz processor that Michael Dell was installing in his computers at the time. But the truth is that this was the best that could be done in 1985. The technology was developing.

But there was an aspect of PC's Limited that was unique from the rest and continues to be this way today. It is the fact that customers could custom order their computers rather than buy a computer that was already assembled. This allowed individuals to receive computers at lower prices than what they could get with their competitors. This definitely worked because PC's Limited grossed $73 million in its first year of trading.

The beginning of Dell

It was in 1988 that PC's Limited became Dell. Prior to that, the company already had 11 international operations occurring, so the company was quite large. There were on site services set up to compensate for the lack of businesses acting as service centers for Dell computers. It was in 1990 that Dell attempted to sell through club houses, but had very little success with this. So it is then that Dell went right back to its direct to customer sales.

In 1996, Dell started selling computers on its website. An individual could go onto the website and custom design their computer so that it would be built to their specifications. From there, it would be shipped to the customer's home. Financing was made available so that individuals would be able to acquire their computers easily.

In 1999, Dell became the largest personal computer seller when they took over Compaq computers. Their revenue topped $25 billion in 2002. Also in 2002, Dell started selling televisions and other electronic items. They now have Dell brand printers, LCD TVs, and much more. Because of the expansion beyond computers, Dell was changed to Dell Inc. in 2003.

It is amazing that this billion dollar company started in a dorm room with $1000 in starting capital. And Michael Dell has always stood by the principles of letting individuals have the capability to design their own machine. Although there are Dell computers now sold in various retail outlets, a person can still go to the website and design the machine of their dreams. And Dell also offers a lot of assistance for individuals needing help with their computers. They offer on-site services and so much more for the computer user so that they can have the best experience possible.

Selling High Ticket Products Online

Acquiring and mastering the attributes and habits that can lead to a more powerful marketing campaign is the key to improve your high ticket sales.

1. Probe. Make time to discover the needs, expectations, and desires of your potential clients. Let them do most of the talking while you ask them questions that can get them to speak up about the things that they are looking for. Make sure that you practice active listening all throughout and that you give these people your undivided attention. You'll surely be able to make a first lasting impression if you show them that are genuinely interested in knowing where they are coming from.

2. Be a problem-solver and not a sales person. This is one of the common mistakes of online marketers particularly those who are just starting out. Instead of presenting solution to the pressing issues being faced by their target market, they focus too much on pitching their products and service. Your can get more people to work with you if you position yourself as a valuable resource. Someone who can offer buyers with compelling answers to their questions and solutions to their pressing issues.

3. Think ahead. Before you do cold calls or set up an appointment, make sure that you do your homework. Research all the possible questions that your potential clients might throw at you and get to know their common concerns about your products so you can prepare ahead of time. You must also get to know their objections and prepare rebuttals early on.

4. You are not a politician. People who are running for public office will say just about anything to win your vote. They will promise amazing things that they will not fulfill once they were elected. You don't want to be someone like that. You would want to impress your potential clients so they will do business with you. It will be better if you can promise them things that you can certain do and then offer them with something more.

5. Loosen up. You shouldn't sound pressured to make a sale each time you talk to your prospects. If you feel a bit agitated and if you make your potential clients that there is no way that you will take "no" for an answer, they will most likely to feel uncomfortable talking to you. So, loosen up and have a great time when doing your sales pitches so your prospects will feel the same.

Make Your Computer Good

Do you often become frustrated while you use the computer? Do you sometimes lose a lot of time dealing with a glitch or trying to learn how to do something? Every minute spent using a computer is supposed to be enjoyable. You will pick up computer tips, learn how to prevent some computer malfunctions and learn how to quickly solve some problems.

Do you sometimes have trouble logging into a web site you frequently use as a member even if you type in your correct username and password? A few months ago, I lost a lot of time trying to figure out why I could not log into one of my sites. Each time I clicked "Submit" after typing in my username and password, the landing screen said there was no match found for the username I entered. I used the site's live helpline to no avail.

Eventually, I asked the consultant at the computer lab I was using for help. He discovered a gap between the left edge of the username field box and my username. If there is a gap between the edge of the field box and your username or password, the web site system will think you typed in an extra character. Even if you copy and paste your username or password into a field, the gap I have discussed can be created. If you incur this error, just click your mouse into the field before the beginning of your username or password and hit "Backspace".

Do you use a flash drive to save and store documents? If you do, click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon before unplugging your device. If you have closed out every application you have used and still receive a screen message saying your generic device cannot be unplugged, shut your computer down and then unplug your device.

Have you had it with Internet Explorer crashing and causing you to restart everything you were doing on the Internet or log back into a web site? Quit using Internet Explorer and try Mozilla Firefox, which is a safer, more convenient Internet browser service.

Whenever you cannot get a web page to load after you type in the URL for a particular web site, hit the "Refresh" button once or twice. If the page still won't load, move on. Do not spend too much time trying to use a feature on a site. If a malfunction occurs on a site where you are a member, let the site's customer service department know and then go to another site or do something else.

Make your passwords short and easy to remember. If you create an account on a web site but have to wait for a password to be assigned and you receive a password that is long or hard to remember in your E-mail confirmation notice, change your password to your liking once you log into your new account the first time.

Always read a site's terms of service before filling out a form to sign up for an account. It is a hassle to fill out a form, click "Terms of Service" before you reach the "Submit" button and have to fill out the form again after you read the terms.

Reduce your time going to another site. If the site you are currently using has an extremely long link, highlight most of the link and hit "Delete" before typing in a new address.

Avoid excessive pop-up ads. Click "Tools" and activate the pop-up blocker.

Avoid tiring your arm out constantly pulling the scroll bar. Click your mouse on the screen and use the "down" arrow key to move down your page.

Do you ever use your computer speaker? To adjust the volume level, click the megaphone icon.

Speed up your Internet loading time. Use a DSL Internet service instead of a dial-up service.

Prevent glitches and power outages from destroying your work. Save your work often, especially once you finish writing a file. Hook your computer up to a surge protector.

Reduce your amount of junk mail. If unsubscribing to a particular sender does not work, click "Add to Black List".

When you want to use a CD, make sure it is properly inserted before using it. If it does not automatically pop in, touch the middle part of the CD and push it down.

I sometimes see people spend time trying to type in a number from the ten-key pad with no results. If no number appears on the screen, hit the numeric lock key.

Follow these tips to make your computer use more enjoyable!

Computer Runs Slow

A new computer in pristine condition, right from the box, will run at the full speed it was built for. Exactly how fast it runs depends on the speed of the computer chip,the amount of software you have installed and the amount of ram memory you have amongst other things.Obviously it also depends on the type of internet service you have. A dial up service is slow no matter what kind of computer you have. A broadband high speed internet service is fast and some extreme high speed services are available which are even faster.

If your computer is slowing down noticeably probably the most important thing that you need to do is to clean your registry. Registry? What is that?.

All windows computers have a registry which is a database that the operating system uses to run the computer and programs. Over time as the computer is used the registry becomes choked with fragments of programs and other data. Every time you download a program from the internet or uninstall a program there is the possibility that data fragments will be left in the registry. Over time depending on how much use the computer gets this unwanted material builds up and bloats the registry. The operating system must navigate through this material to find the entries it needs to run the machine. This can cause very slow running,freezing and occasionally crashing. This gets worse as time goes by unless it is corrected.

The registry can be cleaned manually by using the Regedit function which is installed on the machine for this purpose. However be seriously forewarned that just one error here may disable the computer to the extent that it will not run. The only thing to be done then is to reinstall the operating system. Obviously we do not want to do this and lose all material stored in the computer. There has to be a better way and yes indeed there is.

Several companies make registry cleaner applications available for download on the internet. These programs will backup your registry then clean all unwanted material out. When finished which takes only a few minutes the machine will run like new again with a registry in good condition.

There are a number of these registry repair utilities available from several companies. Most of them will first offer you a free online scan of your registry to determine if there is in fact a problem there. You can look at the results of the scan and decide if you want to pay a reasonable fee for the program to clean your registry. We certainly recommend this rather than trying to do it yourself unless you really know what should and should not be in the registry.

The Ultimate Laptop to Replace a Desktop: What We Want

What would the ultimate full-size laptop need to include to convince you to ditch your desktop for good? Our dual-screen laptop concept merges some of the best tech from Apple, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Toshiba, and others, along with some old-fashioned "if only" whimsy. Read on for the full parts list, and let us know what you think.

Image rendered for PC World by Brian Christie Design (click through for larger image).

TWIN, SLIDING SCREENS: These bright, glossy-coated, OLED wide screens support hover and
HP TouchSmart PC-style multitouch input; plus full high-def. The left display slides across and closes over the right screen to pack down. Tilt and swivel adjustments are also possible. Back in the real world: Lenovo just announced its ThinkPad W700ds laptop, a desktop replacement with a 17-inch primary display, plus a 10.6-inch secondary screen.

KEYBOARD AND TOUCH SCREEN: An Optimus Maximus-style keyboard (each key has programmable OLED displays; pictured) is paired with an Apple-inspired full-width, multitouch, pressure-sensitive glass screen for the touchpad, widgets, and more. The keyboard and screen can also be removed to sit on your desk or even swap positions.

INSIDE: Intel's mobile Core i7 CPUs should hit in early 2009; its next-gen "Calpella" platform is expected by year's end.

DUAL WEBCAMS: Able to support multiparty, HD-capable video chat, and optimized for low-light situations.

SPEAKERS: Harman/Kardon stereo speakers with underside subwoofer--like those found in Toshiba's Qosmio notebooks. We'd also take the SLI graphics, HDMI port and S/PDIF interface from recent Qosmio models, such as the X305.

BLU-RAY SLOT DRIVE: Able to burn BD-R and BD-RE discs at 8X;supports DVD±RW, too.
Related Links

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Previously: Building the Perfect Smart Phone
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Top 5 Full Size Power Laptops
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Top 10 All-Purpose Laptops

Next: The Ultimate Ultra-Portable Laptop

So, what did we miss in our full-size laptop design? Brainstorm with us below. While you're at it, we'd love to hear your ideas for your dream lightweight laptop. That's next on our list.

Would you want it to be inexpensive like a Netbook, yet elegantly designed like a business-class ultra-portable? Would it boast a Gobi chip for wireless data (able to switch between EVDO and UMTS/HSPA); what about dual-screens like the One Laptop Per Child concept design (pictured)?

Virtual Server

There are many types of servers; everything from email servers, web servers and proxy servers to wow private server and backup servers. Virtual Servers are a hybrid of a dedicated server; one that is stand-alone and is usually used for one high traffic website, and a shared hosting type where many websites are hosted on one platform. In essence it is a single machine or server that pretends to be many by having the ability to run various operating systems and separate server software and configurations for each of many different sites but sharing the hardware resources such as processor, memory and hard drives.

There are many advantages to using virtual servers vs. shared hosting or dedicated servers. In a shared hosting setup, if the server software becomes corrupt or if one particular host site becomes corrupt it can knock all of the other hosted sites offline ..thus it is not as reliable as if you have a single dedicated server hosting your site. One advantage, however, is that it is the most cost effective of the server setups due to the shared hardware resources.

On the other hand, the scalability of a dedicated server can cause problems if expansion is necessary. In this case the site would need to be offline unless it were ported to a completely different server and while more reliable than a shared hosting setup it is also considerably more expensive.

A virtual private server (VPS) is a mix between a dedicated server and a shared hosting account. The physical server is divided into many virtual servers each running completely independent from one another. If one of the virtual servers goes down, the others on the physical server are not affected.

The VPS concept allows the client to run a complete server installation with guaranteed resources (RAM, memory, disk space, etc.) while at the same time sharing the physical server. This reduces the cost for the client. If you need a complete server installation with the option to "scale", a VPS account is for you.

A Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS) is a mix between a dedicated server and a virtual private server. It is designed with one physical server, and one virtual privates server only. This means you get the advantages of a VPS (scalability) with the advantages of a dedicated server (100% resource usage). If you need a complete server installation with the option to scale and have heavy resource requirements then a VDS account is appropriate.