 Pro Gamer Makes Six Figures Traveling the World to Compete
At a glance Jonathan Wendel may not seem intimidating, but meet his alter-ego "Fatal1ty" on the playing fields some of the world?s most popular shooters and you're likely to end up in a crumpled heap quivering at his feet. Having played video games since his father sat him in front on a Nintendo system at age 5; he has become known as a legend among his peers.
Since going pro in 2000 he has maintained a six figure income, although most of that is reinvested into his business ventures. He grants himself a modest $15,000.00 a year salary, which is used to cover his expenses including his monthly rent which is less than $500.00. This year alone he expects to make $200,000.00 in winnings and product sales and endorsements.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 3:52 pm
News Source : Corpus Christi Caller-Times / Associated Press
Inside Microsoft's Xbox 360
Microsoft's first try at a gaming console amounted to essentially a very affordable PC. It used standard PC components, including a mobile Intel processor (a hybrid Pentium 3/Celeron), a desktop NVIDIA chipset, a Western Digital hard drive and relatively standard PC DVD-ROM. The original Xbox was such a PC in fact that there were quite a few users that wanted to mod it simply to have a cheap PC, not even for gaming - including ourselves.
Before the Xbox was launched, Microsoft was very concerned with users thinking of the Xbox as nothing more than a PC branded as a gaming console, so it went to great lengths to reduce the association. For example, the strict ban on keyboard and mouse support, despite the fact that the console implemented the standard USB interface.
With the Xbox 360, Microsoft gained some benefits of the original Xbox success. Xbox didn't win the sales battle against Sony's PlayStation 2, but the first Xbox was strong enough to cement Microsoft's name in the world of console gaming manufacturers. For their second time around, there is less worry of the Xbox 360 being viewed as a just a PC, so Microsoft took a bolder approach.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 3:50 pm
News Source : Anandtech
Darwinia To Be Distributed via Steam
Introversion has teamed up with Valve to offer the game download via steam. Hopefully this means the unique game will find a wider audience, especially in the US, where publishers seemed strangely uninterested in the game where publishers seemed strangely uninterested in the game.
Introversion has said that Darwinia won't be available for download via its own site in future, but boxed copies could be purchased. The Steam release will appear in mid-December, in the meantime Introversion has removed the demo from its site for a month at Valve's request. Gamers who pre-order a copy of the game via Steam will get a 10 percent discount from the beginning of December.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 3:50 pm
News Source : TVG
Half-Life 2 heads to Xbox
Congratulations Xbox holders! November 16, 2004 was the initial release of Half-Life 2, and 1 year later Half-Life 2 is being released in Xbox format. Valve and its new distribution partner, Electronic Arts, have begun shipping the Xbox version of Half-Life 2 to stores, where the first copies will go on sale Wednesday.
Brief Game Story
Like its PC sibling, the Xbox Half-Life 2 continues the adventures of hazard-suit-wearin', crowbar-totin' physicist Gordon Freeman, who saved the world from an alien invasion at the end of Half-Life. Or did he? Half-Life 2 begins several years after Half-Life's Black Mesa incident, after a mysterious enemy known as the Combine has conquered the planet and installed a human puppet government to carry out its rule. Freeman begins the game in City 17, a mysterious Eastern European metropolis serving as a giant prison for its human citizens.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 3:49 pm
News Source : GameSpot
 Mozilla Firefox 1.5 RC3
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Release Candidate 3, or RC3, is now available for download. This release of the next major Firefox update is aimed at testers, extension/theme authors and Web developers. The final release of Firefox 1.5, which will be widely promoted to end-users, is scheduled for release sometime this month.
This release does not contain any major new features since RC2. There were several fixes to the new automated update system. RC2 users that want to help test software update, should wait for the automatic update to be triggered sometime in the next few days. The incremental update from RC2 to RC3 is just less than half a megabyte.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:38 pm
News Source : Neowin
Download : Mozilla Firefox 1.5 RC3
Hyperthreading hurts server performance, say developers
Intel had stated that hyperthreading's performance advantages would show once threaded software became available, but it appears that in some cases the opposite is true. Intel's Hyperthreading Technology (HT) is being blamed for server performance problems.With both SQL Server and Citrix Terminal Server installations, HT-enabled motherboards show markedly degraded performance under heavy load. Disabling HT restores expected levels, according to reports from within the IT industry.
"Our customers were complaining about much worse performance than expected when running Citrix Terminal Server and our software on the same machine," said Peter Ibbotson, technical director of UK accounting software company Lakeview Computers. "We've had fun and games in the past when we've enabled hyperthreading for testing and we'd seen that motherboards had started to arrive with it enabled. When we disabled hyperthreading, performance went back to normal," Ibbotson added.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:37 pm
News Source : ZDNet
 VIA starts shipping PCIe-enabled P4 and K8 chipsets
VIA Technologies has begun shipments of its PCIe-enabled integrated chipsets supporting Pentium 4 and K8 platforms this quarter, albeit in small volumes, according to company sources. The sources noted that though demand for VIA?s integrated chipset, the P4M890, had been strong in October-November, ATI Technologies has recently been the major beneficiary of a tight supply of Intel?s entry-level chipsets, including the 910GL and 915GL/GV lineups.
To catch up with increasing demand, VIA plans to launch the next-generation of its PCIe-enabled P4-series integrated chipset, the P4M900, in the second quarter of next year, the sources noted, adding that the P4M900 will be built with a DX9-supporting graphics core, Delta Chrome, instead of the Uni Chrome Pro graphics core that is used in the P4M890.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:37 pm
News Source : DigiTimes
Google Print Renamed Google Book Search
Google has renamed its Google Print service to Google Book Search, according to Jen Grant, a Product Marketing Manager in a post on the company's official blog. The Google Print URL (print.google.com) now redirects to books.google.com.
So, why change the name? Grant explains that many users had misconceptions that Google Print would help them print out documents and web pages, which it of course does not. Another possible reason is the name conflicts with Google's desire to start running ads in printed publications such as magazines and newspapers.
"We think a more descriptive name will help clarify what our users can do with it: namely, search the full text of books to find ones that interest them and learn where to buy or borrow them," Grant says.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:36 pm
News Source : Forbes
 Apple iTunes Security Flaw Discovered
A critical vulnerability has been found in some versions of Apple's popular iTunes that could allow attackers to remotely take over a user's computer, according to a warning issued Thursday by a security research firm.
The discovery of this latest flaw comes days after Apple issued its iTunes 6 for Windows security update. The latest iTunes flaw, however, runs on all operating systems from Windows XP to Mac OS X, according to a security warning issued by eEye Digital Security. This flaw allows malicious hackers to launch arbitrary code remotely, which in turn can take control of a user's computer.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:34 pm
News Source : CNet
 Still 'no demand' for media-player-free Windows
A major U.K. retail store and three of the largest PC vendors worldwide still have no plans to sell the version of Microsoft Windows that does not contain its media player, five months after the version was released.
Microsoft started offering Windows XP N, a version of Windows without a bundled media player, in June of this year to comply with last year's antitrust ruling by the European Commission.
Before Windows XP N was released, the only PC vendor that said it might install the software was Fujitsu Siemens, which said it would do so on request. But Garry Owen, head of product marketing at Fujitsu Siemens Computers, said Thursday there has been no customer demand for Windows XP N.
"We haven't had customers requesting Windows XP N yet, and so as there is no demand at present, customers wanting XP N on their machine can have a PC configured with the software on a built-to-order basis from the factory," Owen said.
Lenovo said its position remains the same and demand for Windows XP N "remains low." Dell also said its position has not changed, but did not comment on the demand for XP N, advising ZDNet UK to contact Microsoft for this information.
A Microsoft representative said the software company did not have any figures on Windows XP N. "As we sell it through channels, we don't have any figures on how many users are buying it," she said, advising ZDNet UK to "speak directly to retailers or someone in the (retail) channel."
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:33 pm
News Source : news.com
Windows Live Custom Domains - Free Email Hosting
A new service was added to the Windows Live Beta family today - Windows Live Custom Domains. The basic idea is that anyone with a domain can now point their MX record to the Live servers. What that means is that users can have Microsoft's servers hosting their own domain's email accounts for free. There's a restriction of 20 email accounts per domain, with each mailbox getting 250MB of space.
In addition, the same account functions as a Passport account, and can be used to sign in to MSN Messenger, MSN Spaces etc. I'm assuming users also get access to the spiffy, new AJAX-enabled Windows Live Mail Beta service as the webmail frontend for all their accounts, although that isn't explicitly mentioned anywhere on the site. The team that's working on this also has an official blog, just like all the other Live teams do.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:31 pm
News Source : Live Custom Domains
IT workers are "worst dressed" employees
The IT industry has the worst dressed workers, according to a leading Aussie fashion guru. Somehow managing to beat off competition from the building industry, IT workers were given a telling off from Melanie Moss, who tells Aussie corporate staff what to wear.
She said that short sleeved shirts, man-made fibres and the wrong coloured socks were some of the most common fashion faux-pas in the IT industry. Moss blames the fact that the majority of IT people are not in front of customers all the time.
Help desk staff were the worst dressed, followed by those working in technology start-ups, many of whom had continued to wear T-shirts to work as a consequence of the casual web culture of the '90s.
Moss said that money should be no object when it comes to dressing well and it was not just about wearing suits. All you need is a good quality shirt with a nice print and smart slacks is often enough as long as everything co-ordinates... natural fibres were also important. Polyester doesn't wear well, and gets sweaty and whiffs a bit.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 21, 2005, 2:30 pm
News Source : The Inquirer
Daemon Tools 4
DAEMON Tools is an advanced application for multiprotection emulation. It is further development of Generic Safedisc emulator and incorporates all its features. This program allows running Backup Copies of SafeDisc (C-Dilla), Securom, Laserlock, CDCOPS, StarForce and Protect CD (and many others) protected games. Also included is a Virtual DVDROM drive (Generic DVD-ROM) enabling you to use your CD images as if they were already burned to CD!
Warning: The Daemon tools developers have included an optional 'adware' based support system with this release. Be sure to read all screens carefully when installing!
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 18, 2005, 10:49 am
News Source : Neowin
Download : Daemon Tools 4
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 RC3
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Release Candidate 3, or RC3, is now available for download. This release of the next major Firefox update is aimed at testers, extension/theme authors and Web developers. The final release of Firefox 1.5, which will be widely promoted to end-users, is scheduled for release sometime this month.
This release does not contain any major new features since RC2. There were several fixes to the new automated update system. RC2 users that want to help test software update, should wait for the automatic update to be triggered sometime in the next few days. The incremental update from RC2 to RC3 is just less than half a megabyte.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 18, 2005, 10:44 am
News Source : Neowin
Download : Firefox 1.5 RC3
 Sapphire Radeon X1800XL review
Better late than never they say, they being ATI of course. After a six month delay the Radeon X1000 series is finally upon us. This is ATI's answer to the GeForce 7 series and it is what we have been eagerly awaiting all this time. The previous generation Radeon X800/X850 products were fighting a losing battle against NVIDIA?s more up-to-date, more powerful GeForce 7 graphics cards. It would seem as though ATI has done their best to make the wait worth it by including a whole line-up of new features. This new graphics architecture features ?Shader Model 3.0 support? along with several other new and important technologies.
Rather than increase the rendering pipelines for the Radeon X1000 series, ATI has shrunk the die and gone for higher core clock frequencies. Using a 90nm TSMC process, core frequencies of over 600MHz are achievable. The Radeon X1000 series currently consists of seven graphics cards featuring price tags that range from as little as $80 through to $550.
TechSpot's review focuses on one of the more high-end X1000 graphics cards, the Radeon X1800XL. We will also throw a few cards for comparison including the competing GeForce 7800 GT and Radeon X850XT PE. Currently the 7800 GT is not only cheaper than the X1800XL, but it is also widely available. This means that it will be imperative for the Radeon X1800XL to be superior in the majority of the benchmarks, but does it?
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 18, 2005, 10:44 am
News Source : Techspot
Windows Genuine Advantage now supports Firefox
Microsoft Genuine Windows Validation process now works in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. Firefox users can manually install the Windows Genuine Advantage validation Firefox plug-in available on Microsoft's website to complete the Windows validation process.
Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage program is an online validation process that enables you to verify that your copy of Windows XP is genuine (non-pirated). You are prompted to validate your copy of Windows if you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update. The WGA Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox provides the same Windows validation as the IE ActiveX control.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 18, 2005, 10:43 am
News Source : Digital Inspiration
Download : Plug-In
Nero 6 Reloaded v6.6.0.18
Whether you?re an Expert or Standard user, Nero 6 Reloaded makes your digital media projects a breeze to complete. Enhance your creative and technical skills with multiple tools to take you beyond the ordinary rip & burn.
Create, Edit, and Burn Audio Discs
Includes unlimited High Efficiency AAC (MPEG-4) encoder, rip audio CDs to various formats, record LPs and Tapes to CDs, make a compilation of all your favorite music by mixing titles in various formats and easily record at same volume.
Capture, Edit, Author, and Burn Video
Personalize and customize moving menus, titles, and credits to DVDs: Add new content, delete content, change subtitles, preview in Real-time and playback DVD and other formats with Nero ShowTime.
Save your Data files to CD or DVD
Record, drag & drop, and automatically update files from data to disc all in one session. Create and schedule automatic complete system backups spanning several CDs or DVDs.
Make Multimedia Slideshows
Make photo and video slideshows and watch on DVD player or PC. Capture and edit your photos, add multiple background music tracks, create custom menus and captions with select time duration and transitions. View your images. browse through image directories and burn to DVD, SVCD and VCD.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 15, 2005, 2:23 pm
News Source : Neowin
Download : Nero (ftp)
Atari Launches Official Web Site For The Matrix: Path Of Neo
Atari today announced the launch of the official web site for The Matrix: Path of Neo. Located online at www.thematrixpathofneo.com, the site provides Matrix fans and gaming enthusiasts alike with an in-depth look at the upcoming game from Atari. TheMatrixPathofNeo.com offers various Matrix assets including screenshots, trailers, character profiles, news updates, fan kits as well as exclusive inside information.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 15, 2005, 2:22 pm
News Source : GamesIndustry
Half-Life 2: Aftermath delayed until 2006
In typical Valve fashion, the next addition to the Half-Life family is delayed. The fan site halflife2.net published part of an e-mail exchange it had with Doug Lombardi, director of marketing at HL2 developer Valve Software.
Valve's Director of Marketing, Doug Lombardi, spoke exclusively to Halflife2.net, giving an update on the status for the next Half-Life 2 Episode. Some of you will see this as a bad thing, and yet another missed release date for the incredibly talented group of guys working out of Valve's offices in Seattle. However, the reporter believes that if Aftermath is finished, it's currently not up to Valve's high standards.
He stated that:
"They're working very hard to finish this new episode for HL2, however, its going to take them a bit more time to get it into top shape."
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 15, 2005, 2:22 pm
News Source : TVG
Need for Speed: Most Wanted Demo
Wake up to the smell of burnt asphalt as the thrill of illicit street racing permeates the air. From the makers of the hit Need for Speed Underground series, Need for Speed Most Wanted challenges players to become the most notorious and elusive street racer.
Combining illicit street racing and tuner customization with the intensity of strategic police pursuit that surpasses any Hollywood-style chase scene, Need for Speed Most Wanted will be on every gamer's 'must-have' list this holiday season. Out-race rivals, evade cops and exploit hundreds of miles of open road as gamers make their way up the Blacklist.
To become the most wanted racer, players must build up their street cred and Rap Sheet with gripping, white knuckle, head-to-head races with the top drivers on the streets, as well as pull daring, evasive moves to out-run and out-fox the cops that patrol the open road. Players can manage their heat or utilize a number of strategic tactics to keep the cops off their tails as they leave their rivals behind to suck their exhaust fumes.
Need for Speed Most Wanted also features a variety of the hottest cars that range from tuners to super cars. You can customize your ride to race against any class of vehicles. The streets will be your playground.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: November 15, 2005, 2:19 pm
News Source : 3D Gamers
Download : Demo
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