Data Deduplication is about efficient use of storage.  With the price of storage dropping faster than the US dollar against the Euro, you may be wondering why people are so excited about data compression.  The reason for the excitement is mostly due to the possibilities that have opened up due to this combination of cheap storage, cheap WAN connectivity, and advanced compression.

Most current gen backup solutions utilize tape media to backup data.  Then tapes are sent to an off-site storage facility that is typically located within a couple of hundred miles from the site.  This makes it possible to recall tapes for data recovery and at the same time keeps the data safe in case something happens to the site.  However, the management of tape media can be an overwhelming task in a large environment and so can the cost of off-site storage.

With data deduplication, disk based backups and site-to-site data replication become affordable.  The advantages of disk based backups over tape are the elimination of the tape management overhead, a typical decrease in backup window requirements that usually reduces the backup time by 20 – 50 percent, the permanent availability of the backup data an alternate location, and possibly a reduction in the overall cost of the backup environment.

When people think of virtualization, most focus on the advantage of maximizing their hardware investment by running multiple virtual servers on a single machine.  However, with server hardware costs declining every day the real value is found on the other possibilites that virtualization opens up.

In a nutshell, virtualization makes it possible to build a virtual operating system image, and then quickly make as many copies of it as you need for both production and testing.  This makes it possible to set up a test environment in a couple of minutes instead of a couple of days.  It also makes upgrading a mission critical server a completely safe experience, since it is possible to take a snapshot of the server prior to the upgrade and then revert to that snapshot in a matter of minutes if the upgrade does not go as planned.  This is great for R & D, as well as for upgrade testing prior to pulling the trigger on the actual production system.

The other great thing about  virtualization is hardware independence.  Since the operating system is fed virtual hardware with virtual drivers, you can feel free to move a server from a workstation that was used during testing to a server for production use without having to rebuild it.  So if server X is running low on memory, you can temporarily move your virtual server to server Y while you upgrade server X and then move your virtual server back to the newly upgraded server without any concern for hardware compatibility (this holds true for most, but not all hardware that is compatible with Windows and Linux).

So if you want to greatly improve your turn around time for testing, upgrading and disaster recover, it’s time to look into virtualization.

I’m a home theater enthusiast and even with a limited budget I have managed to spend nearly $18,000 over the last 10 years on my home theater.  So what have I learned after years of research and countless thousands spent?  Well, I learned that I will never be satisfied with my system because there will always be something better in the horizon.  However, the good news is that I also learned that most people can not perceive and do not care about the insignificant flaws that my acute sense of observation manages to notice.

The Projector 

So, how do you build a $2000 HD projection home theater that will be the envy of all your friends?  Well,  you start by allocating $1000 towards the projector.  The best deals vary from day to day, so your best bet is to do your research when you are ready to buy.  Start by reading web reviews (Projectorcentral.com is a great source for reviews).  Find the best  reviewed $1000 720p or higher projector and then hunt down the best web price you can find (be careful with the cheapest web vendors…).  Keep in mind things like throw distance, light output when deciding between comparable projectors.

The Magic Screen

I’ve used alot of projection screens and read countless reviews.  I have fantasized about spending thousands of dollars on a high end Grayhawk screen, but in the end I found a truly magical screen that will mesmerize almost anyone and provide you with 106″ of bright and vivid images.  I am referring to an entry level Da Lite High Power 106″ screen (with the cheapest mounting system available by Da Lite).  Experts always talk about contrast and neutrality and it is true that expensive gray screens will provide technical improvements in those areas.  However, those screens add contrast by robbing you of precious visible brightness, whites that look really white, and colors that just fly off the screen.  High power screens work their magic by greatly enhancing the visible light output of your projector and in doing so, they create perceived (if not real) improvements in contrast, brightness and color.  So unless you own a $10,000 light canon, chances are that you will not just prefer, but be blown away by the difference that a cheap high power screen can do for your home theater.

The Sound

We all want speakers that sound like your sitting in the middle of a concert hall, are powerful enough to wake the neighbors, and are either big enough to intimidate a DJ or so small that people don’t even notice them.  The pursuit of aural nirvana has caused me thousands of dollars.  I’ll confess that I have spent nearly $2000 only on cables over the years and although that may not seem like much to some, it will seem crazy to others.  So what have I learned?  Same as before, most people do not perceive enough of a difference to justify an expensive system (and even if they do, they need professional help to set things up so that they can take advantage of the added fidelity).  So with only $700 dollars left, your goal is to dedicate $250 to purchase a surround receiver on sale or clearance (do some research first…).  That may not sound like much, but if you look for a clearance sale you can buy a receiver that will really satisfy your ears. Just make sure that you do not pick it based on watts or power output.  It is specially common in cheaper receivers for low quality brands to attempt to increase appeal by claiming greater watt output.  Watts do not equal quality.  A good entry level Harman Kardon with only 60 watts per channel will sound way better and may even be louder than a 100 watt Panasonic, JVC, Pioneer, or Jensen.  Some good brands to stick with at these prices are Yamah, Harman Kardon, and Denon if you can find one at this price point (these brands seem to be consistent in providing great sound quality at any price point).  Stay away from designer brands that appeal to your ego, they almost always provide really poor dollar to quality value.  This is specially true for favorites like Bose and Bang & Olufsen (greatly over hyped, over priced, and over exagerated in advertising).  Don’t believe the hype.

Next up are the speakers (dedicate approximately $550).  Now here you have some important decisions to make.  A typical surround system today has between five and nine surround speakers, but you can get great surround sound with as little as four.  My advice is if you are on a budget start with four of the best speakers you can afford and configure your receiver for a four channel surround mode.  The receiver will simulate a center front and center rear channel and that small compromise will provide you with more money to spend on the quality of your speakers instead of the quantity (you can always go back later to add the rest…).  So the drill here is the same look for clearance or really discounted sales and stay away from designer brands.  Good bets in this price range are Yamah, JBL, Klipsch, and Acustic Research (but read the reviews, always read the reviews…).

The Wires - No Monsters allowed 

Yes, I have spent a couple of thousand dollars on cable.  No, it was not really worth it.  So go out and spend your last $100 on entry level wires.  Remember to stay away from Monster and any other cable brand that promises to increase fidelity with gold plated connectors (you won’t be able to tell the differnce unless you are a professional).  Instead go to Home Depot and buy 18 – 12 gauge speaker wire on a roll.  Or better yet, order the same thing on the web and save even more.  You can also go cheap on your video and audio connectors (trust me the compromise at this price point is insignificant).

Be warned that to get the most out of your system you will have to spend time tweaking each component and experimenting with all of the available settings.  So be prepared to read all of your manuals if you want to build a truly great home theater.

If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you take some time off during your lunch break to visit your friendly neighborhood Mac store to try out the new iPhone.  Just be warned that once you’ve tried the iPhone, even the new HTC TYTN II or Touch will seem like old school toys.

If you compare the hardware specs of the iPhone to the latest offerings by HTC you may conclude that they are more advanced than the iPhone and if you judge them purely by their GPS enabled, 3 gigapixeled, 3G surfing specs, then you would be right.  However, you would be missing the whole point of the iPhone.  You see Apple didn’t invent the concept of the touch screen.  They just perfected it.  It is the software that makes the iPhone technologically superior to anything else that is either on the market or about to hit the market.  The most surprising thing about the iPhone is that there are some really simple touch features that no one ever thought about before, yet they make all the difference in the world.  For example, the ability to use your finger to scroll through a website instead of having to use vertical and horizontal scroll bars to do so.  Then there is the beautiful music player that let’s you scroll through your music library by looking at scrolling cover art that flips across the screen in 3d.

Every once in a while someone comes up with something that is revolutionary, yet at the same time you look at it and think “why didn’t anyone think of this before?”  The most important thing that the iPhone has accomplished is to bring to light the potential for touch screens and how they can be used to improve the user experience.

So although I love the specs of the latest HTC’s and I like the million and one programs that are available for them, I have to hand it to Apple for starting a new revolution and re-inventing the touch interface.

Just when you thought it was safe to call your movie collection complete, along came two new video formats that made all three hundred of those DVD’s you never watch absolutely obsolete.  After all, who wants to watch a DVD movie with only 345,000 pixels of resolution, when you can watch that movie in over 2,000,000 glorious state of the art pixels with sound that is just as stunning as the sites?

 Two million vs three hundred thousand, it sounds like an easy decision until you find out that there are two competing formats trying to capture your consumer dollars.  So in the spirit of keeping it simple, let’s look at the facts.  Blu-ray can hold 10 gigabytes more per layer than HD-DVD and according to every single expert sales man that I have encountered at major retail establishments, it is “superior” to HD-DVD in every way. This includes claims that only Blu-ray can deliver 1080p resolution vs only 1080i in HD-DVD.

The 1080p-only-on Blu-ray myth got started because the first gen HD-DVD players only pushed out 1080i, but subsequent players quickly corrected that feature omission.  Not that it mattered all that much, since both 1080i and 1080p deliver the same amount of pixels to the screen.  In fact, nearly every professional review performed up to this point has concluded there are only a small handfull of player/TV conbinations that actually show any improvement and even when ther is an improvement most experts agree that it takes an expert to notice the difference.

So which format is better?  Well, here’s a couple of facts to help you decide:

• 60% of all Blu-ray titles are published in 25gig single layer format, the other 40% are 50gig disks.
• Nearly all current HD-DVD movies are published in 30gig dual layer disks, and 51gig disks have been approved for production as of 09/07.
• Professional video reviews have shown equal performance on current models of both formats (the first gen model comparisons gave the edge to $500 Toshiba HD-DVD players over $1000 Blu-ray players).
• According to news leaks the cheapest HD-DVD player this holiday season will cost $200 (news leaked on the web by a Walmart employee), but the cheapest Blu-ray player will cost $400 (the upcoming entry level PS3).
• Based on a random review of approximately 50 Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies, the menu and user interaction of Blu-ray disks is almost identical to DVD.  However, HD-DVD menus are greatly enhanced over standard DVD and some even include web interaction and download.
• Both formats have approximately 350 published titles each.
• HD-DVD studio support: Paramount, Studio Canal, Universal, Warner, the Weinstein Company, DreamWorks Animation
• Blu-ray studio support: Sony Pictures (including MGM/Columbia TriStar), Disney (including Touchstone, Miramax), Fox, Warner, Lions Gate

According to PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

Bryan Singer has inked a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to direct and produce a sequel to “Superman Returns,” with Legendary Pictures expected to co-finance.
Pic is tentatively intended for release in summer 2009, although the studio stressed that there’s not even a script or budget yet.

Sequel is apparently at the very beginning of the development process and, as with any other project, there are any number of factors that must be addressed before it is greenlit.
Pact with Singer signals that Warners isn’t ready to walk away from the iconic franchise — or Singer –even though “Superman Returns,” while grossing more than $390 million worldwide, wasn’t the performer studio had hoped for.

Warners and Legendary say they will still turn a profit from “Superman Returns,” with Singer inking his deal just as the film crossed $200 million at the domestic box office.
Insiders say Warners and Legendary are sure to insist that the sequel’s production budget comes in under $200 million.

“Superman Returns” fell under endless scrutiny for its production budget, which the studio puts at $209 million after tax rebates and incentives. The number is much higher when factoring in more than $40 million in development costs — “Superman Returns” was in the works for years –even though those costs were previously absorbed.
Critically, “Superman Returns” was disparaged for lacking in action. Singer has said he would address this concern in the follow-up.

In terms of casting, Warners has an option on “Superman Returns” star Brandon Routh.
Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris penned the script for “Superman Returns” based on a story they created with Singer. It’s not clear whether Dougherty and Harris will return for the sequel.

Legendary’s involvement is key for the studio. Under the co-financing and co-production deal between the two, Legendary puts up half the money for films on which it’s partnering.

Legendary is Warners’ partner on the revived “Batman” franchise as well.

Digital music is great but isn’t it a pity you can’t transfer your old records on to your computer? Well guess what? You can! That’s right vinyl lovers, thanks to the ingenious USB Turntable you can put all your LPs, 12″s and singles straight into your digital library.

Simply plug this chic little turntable into the nearest USB port, fire up the idiot-proof Audacity software and start converting your collection. Forget about clumsy adaptors, special drivers and mismatched software. It’s easier than, er…well, it’s easier than putting a record on!

Just think of all that lovely vinyl you’ve got languishing in the loft. Fair enough, some of it should probably stay hidden (no, we don’t know why we bought Bruce Willis’s Return of Bruno LP either), but even if it’s just for the sake of nostalgia, hearing all the records you grew up listening to makes for a fantastic trip down memory lane. And if you’re one of those trendy DJs (we’re talking Carl Cox, not Pat Sharpe) who likes mixing it on the decks with vinyl you can put all your bangin’ anthems on to your PC for transfer to CD or MP3.

Featuring adjustable gain, anti-skating control and high-speed vinyl recording function, the belt-driven USB Turntable can also be connected to any home stereo with CD or auxiliary inputs. This means you can spin your records through your regular system when you’re not converting them. You can even don a big pair of tinted glasses and pretend you’re Simon Bates. If you want.

Whether it’s Whitesnake, Wham, Spandau or some ancient disc belonging to your dad, the USB Turntable can convert it. And it doesn’t matter what speed the records in question are – this Turntable can handle both 33s and 45s. So why not forget about buying any new music for a while and rediscover your vinyl. All right? Not ‘arf!

After the Civil War action of the last three issues, the Heroes for Hire don’t have a second to catch their breath as Ricadonna, the criminal mastermind and prolific enemy of Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, escapes from prison in Heroes for Hire #4.
  Ricadonna, last seen slicing her way through Wing and Knight, (literally, as Ricadonna sliced off Misty’s bionic arm) is back and ready to get her revenge on the entire Heroes for Hire. Up first: the team’s most mysterious member Tarantula is targeted for death!

Plus, Shang Chi leads an investigation into Skrull organ transplants and the mysterious corporation behind them. But has the Master of Kung Fu gotten in over his head?
  Adam White of Comiccritique.com calls Heroes for Hire,

pretty much everything I hoped it would be, providing laughs, thrills, mystery, and martial arts…Regardless of what genres or series you like, definitely check out Heroes for Hire because you’ll get a kick out of it no matter what.

  For more action, explosions, and kung-fu than should legally be allowed in one comic book, check out Heroes for Hire #4.

HEROES FOR HIRE #4 (SEP062116)  Written by JUSTIN GRAY & JIMMY PALMIOTTI

  Art by FRANCIS PORTELLA & TOM PALMER

  Cover by WILLIAM TUCCI

  32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

  FOC – 11/2, On-Sale – 11/22/2006

Red Giant Software Is Now Exclusive Publisher of Trapcode Products Worldwide

San Francisco, CA, November 1, 2006 – Red Giant Software, publisher of a line of professional digital video tools, including Magic Bullet and Knoll Light Factory today announced a new partnership with Trapcode, a motion graphics and visual effects plug-in developer based in Sweden.

Effective today Red Giant Software will be the exclusive publisher of all seven Trapcode products worldwide. All sales, support and marketing for end users, resellers and distributors will be handled directly by Red Giant Software. Products will continue to be available for purchase at http://www.trapcode.com as well as http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/.

Using its engineering expertise, Red Giant Software plans to offer Trapcode’s popular Adobe After Effects plug-ins on a wider range of host applications like Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid AVX. Also, beginning in spring 2007 re-engineered Trapcode products will be available for purchase as a product box or via software download, meeting the needs of both resellers and end users.

Visit http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/trapcodepress.html for a list of frequently asked questions.

Red Giant is the ideal match for Trapcode, as they already publish highly esteemed software such as The Orphanage’s Magic Bullet and Knoll Light Factory. The Trapcode suite will fit perfectly within the Red Giant Software line-up; delivering a wide range of useful tools for animators and editors,

said Peder Norrby, Owner of Trapcode.

This partnership of joining core company strengths, allows Norrby to do what he does best; make new tools and Red Giant focus on what we do best; expand the potential market and provide the highest level of support,

said Andrew Little, Co-Founder of Red Giant Software.

All current versions of the seven Trapcode products can be purchased from http://www.trapcode.com or http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/. Updated versions of the Trapcode products are scheduled to ship in spring of 2007.

About Trapcode  Trapcode makes software for visual effects and motion graphics. The focus is on creating robust, user friendly, affordable, and versatile products. Trapcode has seven products: Shine, 3D Stroke, Sound Keys, Starglow, Lux, Particular, and Echospace. All plug-ins support After Effects.

Trapcode is a privately held Aktiebolag (AB) based in Sweden. Founded and operated by Peder Norrby.

About Red Giant Software  Red Giant Software LLC (http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/) is a San Francisco-based company that develops and distributes professional tools for digital video production. Products are available as plug-ins for popular video editing and effects applications including Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and other compatible applications such as Apple Final Cut Pro. The products are based on production-proven technology developed by visual effects veterans.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

My name is Mauricio Arze.  I am a Fort Hays State University student.  This is my first weblog site.