Technology, Data Recovery, Cell Phones, Latest Gadgets, Game Reviews

On the Internet, you will find several Web sites promoting the use of Registry programs. These Web sites make you aware of the importance of registry maintenance and how registry programs can simplify the process. However, there is very little information available on how often you need to scan the registry.

Quite often, we hear people asking you to clean up your registry on a daily basis. However, the truth is that there are no specific set norms that control how often you need to clean your Windows Vista registry.

In fact, the frequency of registry repair and clean up activity depends on several factors. For instance, if your computer is new and you do not make any major changes to it, you may not need to perform a registry scan for a long time.

However, there are certain circumstances that require you to be more frequent in performing registry repair using the registry tool. Some of these are listed below:

• Your frequency of installing and uninstalling applications is high.
• You are an avid Web user and frequently download Web content such as audio/video files, multimedia games, and freeware/shareware programs on your computer.
• You often change system configuration and add/remove computer hardware such as monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, and memory.

Over the years, with the introduction of each new operating system, work has been done to make the registry more stable and less susceptible to errors. This is the reason why, on a Windows Vista computer, you may not have to clean up the registry as often as you did for its older counterparts. But, it is always a good practice to perform a registry scan when:

• You uninstall a big application from the system.
• You are trying to completely remove malware programs, such as virus, spyware and adware from your system.
• You experience slow computer problems.
• You start experiencing frequent system errors and your computer starts freezing up often.
• You are performing regular PC maintenance.
• 

All said and done, remember that the registry is a vital component in keeping your computer functional. This is the reason why it is important for you to be aware of various threats that may cause harm to your system and try to take measures to combat these threats. First and foremost, you must install antivirus and antispyware tools on your system and turn on their real-time protection. It is also a good practice to configure a firewall to help prevent external malicious intrusions. You must be vigilant about the Web sites you browse and the content you download to your system.


Always ensure that all this content is from a legitimate Web site and that you do not download any malicious software to your system in the process. You must also be careful while opening e-mail attachments. Never open attachments that come with unsolicited e-mails or spam emails. It is also a good practice to implement an antispam tool to block spam mails. Lastly, perform regular registry maintenance using tools such as Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter that are shipped with your Windows Vista operating system.

Hand Held Products is famous for its range of image-based data collection solutions for mobile applications, and the company has just dropped an announcement that it has equipped its Dolphin 7900 Mobile Computer with GPS technology. This upgrade makes the Dolphin 7900 the first and only industrial-grade mobile data collection solution to come with a fully integrated GPS chipset that is currently up for sale to the masses, while the rest of its competition play catch up.

The Dolphin 7900 has been specially designed and constructed for use in field sales and services, courier, utilities, government and route accounting. The integrated high-performance GPS architecture provides users with fast and accurate location-based information for navigation services, mobile asset tracking, and documentation of field service or visitation. It will feature multi-mode wireless connectivity, comprising of GSM/GPRS, wireless LAN and Bluetooth for real-time voice and data communication. When used in tandem with GPS, real-time tracking and management of field-based assets are enabled.

The Dolphin 7900 is also more than capable of reading both linear and 2D barcodes, in addition to capturing digital images and signatures thanks to the Adaptus Imaging Technology 5.0 found inside. This marriage of functions allow customers to use a single, complete and affordable solution without placing additional burden on the company that will indirectly result in support and management costs that arise from using multiple devices simultaneously. According to Senior Product Manager Scott Garmon, “The integration of GPS into the Dolphin 7900 enables enterprises to run new applications that can increase productivity and efficiency, while enhancing customer service. GPS opens new doors to advanced capabilities and, until now, it’s only been available in solutions with inferior durability or limited functionality. With the 7900, organizations can now deploy a comprehensive and extremely reliable solution to their workers in the field.

It was inevitable. With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 competing for the "next-gen" first place spot, both armed with Grand Theft Auto IV shipping day and date, nitpicking comparisons between each version was expected from vocal fans. Rockstar Games has commented multiple times that both versions are identical, minus a few platform specific features and Xbox 360 exclusives.

We've played both versions of GTA IV—quite a bit, actually. We've noticed a handful of differences, some of which you know, some which you may not, many of them hair-splitting. We break it down, from frame rate to controls, after the break.

Installation
The PlayStation 3 version has a mandatory 3.4 GB hard drive installation that will be the longest 7 minutes and 20 seconds of your life if you're chomping at the bit to play. It's initially an annoyance, but PS3 owners will welcome it. There is no option to install the game to an Xbox 360 hard drive.

Frame Rate
The Grand Theft Auto series has never been synonymous with a rock solid frame rate, something it generally seems to get a pass for. While GTA IV is smoother in general than it's predecessors, it can expectedly suffer during chaos. The Xbox 360 version seemed capable of achieving a smoother frame rate, peaking higher in certain circumstances, such as in confined spaces or during light traffic, but both versions seemed to regularly run at a similar clip.

Pop-In & Loading
With a huge, seamless streaming world, data must be constantly read from the disc. The PS3 version, with its required HDD install, loads missions a couple seconds faster and decreases pop-in. The Xbox 360 version can suffer from some very noticeable texture loading, as things like trees, vehicles and building signs will regularly pop-in as one tools about town. It can be distracting, especially during high speed chases, and the PS3 version isn't entirely immune from it, but it's not a game killing problem.

Graphics
The two versions are so close to identical, visually, that putting together a comparison was a challenge. Initially, it appeared that the PS3 suffered from more noticeable aliasing than its 360 counterpart, but after eyeballing the final retail copy, they appear to be on par. I noticed that the paint filter applied to cover some of the game's imperfections appeared a tiny bit muddier on the PS3 version, with night time scenes seeing more streakiness. Some of these minor complaints may be the result of our particular television settings and require the finest of fine tooth combs to assess.

Downloadable Content
The Xbox 360 version is announced to have two exclusive downloadable content packs for purchase. Details on what will be contained in those two exclusive batches of DLC are sparse, so we can't judge what they'll bring to the table, nor do we know if the PlayStation 3 version will eventually get its own DLC from Rockstar. If you're looking for more GTA IV, and you may very well be after you've completed the core game, you're going to want the 360 version.

Achievements
The Xbox 360 version has the requisite list of Achievements exclusive to the platform, creative and challenging goals that sometimes go beyond the regular gaming experience. However, as with other GTA games, stat-tracking for kills, stunt jumps, and the dozens of extras will keep completionists on the PS3 side happy.

Motion Controls
The PS3 version has optional SIXAXIS motion controls for piloting helicopters, steering boats and doing motorcycle tricks. You'll probably leave it off, just like I did.

Good Vibrations
GTA IV supports vibration in the Xbox 360 controller and the DualShock 3, so PS3 owners won't be left in the force feedback lurch.

Final Thoughts
The good news for Grand Theft Auto fans is that whatever platform you have chosen as your own, GTA IV excels on both. They are almost evenly matched, feature for feature. Gamers will have to decide which is more important to them, a slightly more technically sound experience on the PlayStation 3 or downloadable content and Xbox Live integration on the Xbox 360.

If this were a personal decision, I'd have chosen the PlayStation 3 edition, mostly based on my preference for the DualShock controller and the performance edge. However, one thing that we have yet to experience is how well the PlayStation Network will handle the online portions of GTA IV, an extremely important consideration. I place less of an emphasis on features like Achievements and Gamerscore, but appreciate how well crafted and important these features are to others.

In the end, each version stands on its own, with the only downside to the differences being that those invested in their particularly backed console will expend so much effort focusing on something far less important than the game itself.

The University of Minnesota operates a fax gateway which allows students and staff to send faxes anywhere. Even if you don't go to UMinn, you may use the service to send faxes to folks at the University and exchanges local to the campus.


The structure for e-mailing a fax is:


To: /pn=John.Doe/dd.fax=234-5678/@fax.tc.umn.edu
Put your recipient's name, with a period between the first and last names, after pn= and put the seven digit fax number after the characters dd.fax=. This name will be printed in the To: field on the fax cover page. The area code for the University of Minnesota is +1-612, so you don't need to supply an area code.


For more information, send e-mail to ccs@maroon.tc.umn.edu.


rabbit.rgm Sacramento Fax Service

This service is a feature of a Sacramento, California-based bulletin board system. You can use it to send faxes to areas that are a local call from Sacramento (that's area code +1-916) including the California State Legislature. This service is run as a hobby and is connected to the Internet via UUCP, so it can take from 12 to 24 hours for your fax to be delivered or for the help files to reach you. It does not support multiple addressing—only one fax number per message. It also does not send a cover page, so be sure to start your message with a note directing it to someone's attention. It will truncate faxes longer than two pages (that's 132 lines). To use this fax service, send e-mail:


To: faxline@rabbit.rgm.com



Subject: local (7 digit) phone number, without area code



Body:



For complete usage information, send e-mail



To: request@rabbit.rgm.com



Subject: 052
For a list of some legislators' fax numbers in the Sacramento area, send e-mail:


To: request@rabbit.rgm.com



Subject: 050
Swedish University Network

The Swedish University Computer Network (called sunet) operates a national fax service that can be used by anyone at no cost. Users in Sweden can use it to send faxes all over the world, but users outside Sweden can use it for telephone numbers anywhere within Sweden.


To send a fax to Arlo Cats (wow, this cat gets around, doesn't he?) at +46-87654321 (that's international notation for Sweden, phone number 08/765 43 21) send e-mail:


To: Arlo_Cats@F087654321.fax.sunet.se
Note that you will always have to preface the phone number with the letter F, for fax. For more information, e-mail


faxmaster@fax.sunet.se
Commercial Services

The following services charge for use, but you may find they're easier to use because they cover much larger areas than any of the free services. You can pick one service and use it as a sort of "one-stop-shop" for all your e-mail-to-fax needs, without worrying whether your fax's destination is in a covered city or area code.


FAXiNET

Another fax-by-e-mail service is FAXiNET, which lets you send ASCII text or PostScript documents to fax machines worldwide. FAXiNET can currently send faxes to more than 50 countries and plans to add more. The company can also receive faxes for you, which will be delivered to you via electronic mail.


Accounts for individuals cost 75 cents per page, plus a one-time $20 activation fee. Additional services, including adding your custom logo and signature to your faxes, are available at extra cost. Corporate accounts are also available. More information is available from AnyWare Associates, FAXiNET, 32 Woodland Road, Boston, MA 02130. (617) 522-8102. E-mail: sales@awa.com


InterFax

InterFax enables you to send faxes via e-mail within the US or internationally. InterFax is a fee-based service (billed to your credit card) but, unlike the services already listed, InterFax lets you send faxes anywhere, not just select locations. As of this writing, InterFax costs $5 per month, which includes your first five fax pages. Additional pages cost 50 cents each. There is a one-time sign-up charge of $25. For further information, send e-mail to faxmaster@pan.com, or contact InterFax at PO Box 162, Skippack, PA 19474 USA. Phone: (215) 584-0300. Fax: (215)584-1038.


RadioMail

This e-mail-to-fax service lets you send faxes to just about any country you can name. Prices vary accordingly—it's much less expensive to send a fax to a "well-connected" country (like Canada and Sweden) than less-connected places like Laos and the Solomon Islands.


All fax messages are charged on a per-page basis. Faxes to the U.S. and Canada are billed at the rate of 99 cents per page. The rate for international faxes depends on the destination country: $0.99, $1.99, $3.99, or $4.99 per page.


RadioMail stands out because the service doesn't require that you have access to a telephone line—it can work using a wireless modem. To become a RadioMail subscriber, users need a wireless modem and the special RadioMail software. According to the company, "RadioMail supports DOS computers, Macintosh computers and HP Palmtops in addition to providing one-way communications on the Newton." For more information, send e-mail to radiohelp@radiomail.net.


Unigate

Unigate is another pay-for-use service that enables you to send faxes to Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. (It offers other interesting services as well, including the ability to send e-mail that turns into postal mail and the ability to receive faxes as electronic mail.)


Most of us probably don't need to send faxes to Russia, but if you do this is probably cheaper than however you're doing it now. Fax service from USA to Russia (or back) is $1.59 per page; from Russia to Canada is 1.79 per page. For more information, send e-mail to:


yuri@atmos.washington.edu
FaxLinq

This service doesn't quite fit into the e-mail-to-fax arena, but it's close enough to mention here. With FaxLinq, you may receive facsimile messages as e-mail. Your correspondents send a fax to the service's machine, which is converted to a TIFF file and sent to you in a MIME-compliant e-mail message. (You must be able to handle MIME e-mail and view TIFF files—you can't receive faxes as ASCII text.) FaxLinq is a one-way ticket: it doesn't handle e-mail-to-fax transmissions.


There is an annual subscription fee of $39, which includes 10 pages of facsimile transmission. Additional pages received cost $1 per page. FaxLinq uses deposit accounts: you must pay in advance for any faxes you expect to receive. Should a fax be received for you when your account balance is not sufficient to cover the number of pages received, you will be notified by e-mail.


For more information, e-mail info@antigone.com or write: Antigone Press, 1310 Clayton Street, Suite 15, San Francisco CA 94114.


Note: For updates on how to send faxes via e-mail, check out my FAQ called (appropriately enough), "How can I send a fax from the Internet?" This file is posted twice monthly to the Usenet newsgroups alt.internet.services, alt.online-service, alt.bbs.internet, alt.answers and news.answers. You can also receive it via electronic mail by sending e-mail in the following manner:

To: mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu

Subject: subject line is ignored

Body: send /usenet/news.answers/internet-services/fax-faq

By the way, George Pajari maintains another interesting fax FAQ list. That document is concerned with fax standards and computer-based faxing systems but does not focus on faxing from the Internet. Here are some of the topics it covers:

Can I use my * data modem to send/receive faxes?

Can my fax modem transmit data?

How can I fax PostScript or PCL documents using computer-based fax?

How can I view incoming faxes on my computer?

How can I print incoming faxes on my computer?

Can fax modems also handle data or voice calls?

What resolution are fax images?

Can I take a fax file and edit it?

Is there a standard program interface (API) for fax communications?

How can I share my single phone line with voice, fax, data, and so on?

You can grab a copy from the Usenet groups comp.dcom.fax, alt.fax, or news.answers. It's also available via FTP at rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/fax-faq/*

The most (in)famous fax-from-the-Internet service is the brainchild of Carl Malamud (the creator of Internet Talk Radio) and Marshall Rose. They're doing research on how to integrate special-purpose devices, like facsimile printers, into the fabric of the Internet.


The official name for this project is "an experiment in remote printing", or TPC.INT. The experiment is a good hack, enabling Internet users to easily send faxes via electronic mail. It works simply enough—send electronic mail to a special address, and soon after (if your recipient's fax machine is in a covered area) out comes a freshly-minted fax. After the deed is done, you will receive electronic mail telling you if your fax was successfully sent or not.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: What does TPC stand for? Go rent the film The President's Analyst, Paramount Pictures, 1967.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A variety of companies, institutions and citizens linked to the Internet have joined the experiment by linking a computer and fax modem to the Net. When an organization joins the remote-fax service, it specifies which areas it is willing to send faxes to. In most cases, an organization will allow faxes to be sent to any machine that is a local call from its fax server.


As a result, with just a smattering of organizations participating, you can't send a fax just anywhere. When you send an e-mail fax message, you (naturally) must include the phone number of the recipient's fax machine. The TPC.INT server looks at the phone number and decides if any participating fax machines cover the area to which you want to send a fax. If so, your message is routed to the appropriate machine for "faxation." Otherwise, you will receive electronic mail with the disappointing news that your fax couldn't be delivered.


Although the service is free, the service's creators are investigating ways to help the organizations recover the cost of sending faxes. So far, this has been primarily through little advertisements—sponsorship messages touting the good name of the organization operating the fax node—on the title page of the resulting fax.


To send a fax by e-mail, send this message:


To: remote-printer.info@phone_number.iddd.tpc.int
where info contains information for the cover page. In info, / is turned into a line break and _ is turned into a space. For example, the address:


To: remote-printer.Arlo_Cats/Room_123@12025551212.iddd.tpc.int
Would send a fax to +1-202-555-1212 with the cover page:


Please deliver this facsimile to:



Arlo Cats



Room 123

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: There's another way to address faxes which works more reliably sometimes. In this format, the phone number is backwards and the numbers are separated by periods. It looks ugly, but it works:

To: remote-printer.Arlo_Cats/Room_123@2.1.2.1.5.5.5.2.0.2.1.tpc.int

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a FAQ about the TPC.INT service, send electronic mail (any subject line and message body will do) to tpc-faq@town.hall.org. For a list of the areas where faxing is currently available with the service, e-mail tpc-coverage@town.hall.org.


There is also a mailing list for discussion of the service. To subscribe, send e-mail to tpc-rp-request@aarnet.edu.au. Administrative questions about the project should be directed to the following:


tpc-admin@town.hall.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: There is also a World Wide Web page that serves as a central location for information about the TPC.INT fax service. If your Web browser can display forms, you can even fill out a form and send a fax interactively. Use your favorite Web browser to connect to http://linux1.balliol.ox.ac.uk/fax/faxsend.html

If you want to know the gory technical and implementation details of the TPC.INT experiment, there are three RFCs you might want to read:

RFC 1530 covers the general principles and policies of the experiment.

RFC 1529 covers administrative policies

RFC 1528 covers technical procedures for implementation

Here's an abbreviated list (as of this writing) of the places you can fax using the TPC.INT service. Many times, the entire country or area code is not covered, so check the current coverage list for a complete breakdown. You can get a complete and current list by sending e-mail (any subject line, any message body) to the following:

tpc-coverage@town.hall.org

Outside the United States and Canada

Australia (+61)
Denmark (+45)
Germany (+49)
Japan (+81)
Korea (+82)
New Zealand (+64)
Portugal (+351): Lisbon (+351-1)
Sweden (+46)
United Kingdom (+44):

Canada and the United States (+1)

+1-202: Washington, D.C. (except Congress)
+1-212: New York
+1-301: Maryland
+1-310: California
+1-313: Michigan
+1-317: Indiana
+1-408: Sunnyvale, California
+1-410: Maryland
+1-412: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
+1-415: San Francisco, California
+1-416: Toronto
+1-508: Massachusetts
+1-510: Central California
+1-516: New York
+1-608: Wisconsin
+1-613: Massachusetts
+1-617: Massachusetts
+1-703; Virginia
+1-714: Irvine, California
+1-718: New York
+1-800: Toll-free calls
+1-813: Tampa
+1-818: California
+1-819: Quebec, Canada
+1-905: Markham, Canada
+1-909: California
+1-917: New York, New York
+1-919: North Carolina