Mac versus Windows versus Linux

Is Windows XP set to call off in 2008? Are we seeing the retirement of Windows XP this year? Our observation shows that new PC systems are now offered with bundled Windows Vista. This may be Microsoft’s clever route to tumble down XP and make way for its latest operating system though it is initially perceived as too heavy and beefy. Even so, Windows will continue to enjoy the lion’s share in the PC operating system market as users largely remain skeptical of Mac and Linux.

Strengthening its hold on Mac users with the release of the Mac OS X Leopard alongside with what is seen as stable and dependable Tiger, the New Year brings Apple to gain more ground over the Windows commune. As iPod and iPhone’s circle of light draws users to shift to Mac computers, Apple’s market share on consumer products over Microsoft will keep on stepping up.

With Ubuntu’s creative efforts in building the path into PCs, the desktop Linux is slowly being recognized in the mainstream. The integration of Linux-based operating system on Asus EeePCs has created a buzz that you need not to be a tech nerd to have fun with such a difficult OS.

Multi-brain CPUs sprout like wildfire

Last year, leading chipmakers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have introduced powerful dual core processors to mainstream PCs, which has essentially become the blueprint for all their multi-brains on single silicon chips. In 2008, quad-core processors with low-power consumption will be sprouting like wildfire.

Home PCs evolve to Servers

Terrabyte content explosion will continue to expand in 2008. Massive storage devices will become a hotter category pick for photos, music, and video files. The home PC will eventually evolve as “catch-all server” that will literally connect to TVs and other media devices.

Web-based apps draw users to go online

With a vast number of new web-based applications featured impressive functions that practically match the most used PC software, recent developments in online apps have provided users with a new landscape on locally installed programs on the PC. As online access become faster and easier, users are now turning away from the usual local PC applications to the Internet to do their computing tasks right on the web browser.

Adobe unleashes CS3 in Manila

Enhancing world-class Filipino creativity
Adobe Systems' country manager for South East Asia Raymond Lee explains how Filipino creative and design professionals, who are among the most creative in the region, can benefit from the newly-released Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium and Master Collection at a roadshow in Manila last October 2. The industry's most comprehensive collection of integrated cross-platform post-production software tools would help video professionals deliver stunning results for film, broadcast, DVD, Web and mobile devices. Adobe Production Premium integrates time-saving workflow technologies with the milestone releases of Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional, Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, Adobe Encore CS3, Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, Adobe Illustrator CS3, Adobe Flash CS3 Professional and Adobe Soundbooth CS3, which can also be purchased as stand-alone applications.

Innovista, Netgear announce partnership

Innovista Technologies Inc. recently announced its partnership with NetGear in a media briefing in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. NetGear is a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products since 1996 with a goal of becoming be the preferred customer-driven provider of innovative networking solutions for small businesses and homes.

Innovista is a Philippine distributor of major PC systems, peripherals, and networking brands including the NetGear line of products.

Adopt individual, not collective, takeback scheme, IT firms told

This article was originally posted on the Cyberpress web site the organization's Greent I.T. forum in November 2007. Cyberpress, also known as the I.T. Journalists Association of the Philippines is an organization of I.T. reporters in the country established in 1996.

Precisely because they know what substance they put into their own products, local subsidiaries of IT companies were urged by an environmental group to assume the responsibility of getting their junk products individually and not rely on the government’s effort to gather them on a collective basis.

At the recent CyberPress Forum held at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City, Greenpeace Philippines said tech firms such as PC and mobile phone makers have the moral, if not legal, obligation to recover and recycle their electrical and electronic wastes.

Representatives of IT companies who took part in the conference did not make an issue with the proposal, with top executives of computer producers Lenovo and IBM saying they would suggest to their headquarters to implement an individual takeback scheme in the country.

For its part, Board of Investment director Domingo Bagaporo said the government recognizes the merits of the suggestion and will thus consider it as the trade department winds up its cellphone waste collection and recycling program. The pilot project, which has Glorietta, Greenhills, and SM Megamall as collection points, will run up to December 31.

Beau Baconguis, toxic tech waste campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines, said a “takeback" policy is one of the crucial criteria that the group uses in rating the environmental-friendliness of a technology company.

In the recent quarterly issue of the Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics, game consoles came out as the least environment-friendly electronic gadgets because of its lack of takeback policy. The report, first launched in August 2006 and rates PC and mobile phone manufacturers on their environmental practices, was expanded to include gaming consoles and television sets.

Video game market leader Nintendo lands at the bottom of the ranking guide with a score of zero out of a possible 10 points, followed by TV manufacturer Philips (2.0), and Microsoft (2.7). The global games consoles sector is the fastest growing sector of the electronics industry and is dominated by only three companies, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft.

The new edition of the quarterly guide also shows important changes at the top of the ranking. Sony Ericsson has now taken the top spot, followed by Samsung, and Sony. Nokia, which has held the top spot since June 2007, has slid down to number nine, and, along with Motorola has been given penalty points.

During the forum, it appeared that the Philippines does not have a definitive law or clear-cut policy governing e-waste and recycling of electronic products.

IT stalwart Gus Lagman commented that the country does not even have a junkyard where harmful components of technology products can be processed safely.

The head of Sun Microsystems Philippines, another tech vendor, noted that although the government has embarked on some initiatives in addressing e-waste, a lot more needs to be done in terms of keeping the pressure on electronic companies to observe proper waste disposal and recycling.

Sun, along with EMC Philippines, revealed that they have the studied these environmental issues early on and have implemented energy-saving features that can maximize power resources.