CyberCoyote — August 1, 2009

NEWS and NOTES
It's baked

Several OEMs have already picked up their RTM copies of Windows 7. Now they're hustling to finish the design of new PCs and laptops for the holidays. If you'd like to try Windows 7 now you can still get the release candidate download until August 20.

TECH TOPICS
from Wikipedia
Hot-rod computers

How do you build a hot-rod car? Start with a stouter engine that won't blow up at higher "RPMs". It also needs a "radical" cam to speed up intake and exhaust, and some way to push in more fuel and air — maybe 4 carbs or a "blower".

Computers are much like automobiles (the analogy is imperfect, but I can't resist). Think of the CPU as the engine. You need a fast one. You also need high-speed memory to get data in and out of the CPU fast enough. But hard drives are slower, and leave CPUs starved for fuel mixture (data).

The latest solid state drives (SSDs) are about ten times as fast as mechanical drives. That's fast enough. Plug one in to replace your slow (and failure-prone) hard drive and you'll have yourself a hot-rod computer. Just be careful how you drive it.

Computer parts poster

PCs utilize a confusing array of connectors, cables and parts — both external and internal. It's not easy to be sure what they're all for, particularly when you want to add an accessory or peripheral. The computer hardware chart at deviantART should help you sort things out.

Once you figure out what a connector is called, you can usually find all sorts of information about it by searching for the name online. For example, Tom's Hardware has good information on the DVI connector shown above. DVI connectors supply both digital and analog signals for use with either digital or analog monitors, projectors, etc.

Stumbled on at Lifehacker.

SECURITY
Don't call me; I'll call you.

Our first instinct is to escape when we're suddenly alarmed. That's why an urgent sounding phone call can trip us up, and the Internet makes it easier to leverage our haste. Brian Krebs has an example of a clever ruse to get your bank to help scam you.

ODDS and ENDS
Ballad of the Broken Guitar

Don't get mad; write a hit song.
Via Insights and Rants

Feedbags for fast food

I had one of those for my pony. Beats using your hat.

World's Toughest Fixes

I just fixed a shower drain from the top side, so I don't know about "toughest," but these (short) videos from National Geographic are fun to watch. Click the "Episodes" button, select one, and then click "Video" to get started.

Via Dudley Puryear

That's all, folks.