What is Windows Home Server?

Apple Releases OS X 10.6.8 Update

Apple

Andrew Edney

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Jun 24, 2011

0

Yesterday saw Apple release OS X 10.6.8. Is this the last update before Lion is released next month?

The update is 273.5 MB in size, so it’s not small.

Here is what the update contains:

The 10.6.8 update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

• Enhance the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac OS X Lion

• Resolve an issue that may cause Preview to unexpectedly quit

• Improve support for IPv6

• Improve VPN reliability

• Identify and remove known variants of Mac Defender

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4561.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

Hands On with Ford’s Active Park Assist – Forward with Ford 2011

Andrew Edney

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Jun 24, 2011

4

Hands On with Ford’s Active Park Assist – Forward with Ford 2011

During the Forward with Ford 2011 conference, I had a chance to get hands-on with Ford’s Active Park Assist, and it reminded me a lot of Knight Rider!

How active park assist works:

The driver activates the system by pressing an instrument panel button, which activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible parallel parking space
The system then prompts the driver to accept the system assistance to park
The steering system then takes over and steers the car into the parking space hands-free. The driver still shifts the transmission and operates the gas and brake pedals
A visual and/or audible driver interface advises the driver about the proximity of other cars, objects and people and provides instructions
While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel

Active park assist is enabled by Ford’s advanced EPAS technology. In addition to helping with parallel parking, EPAS improves fuel economy up to 5 percent, while reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing steering performance compared with traditional hydraulic power-assisted steering systems. EPAS saves fuel primarily because the steering system is powered by an electric motor connected to the vehicle’s battery, as opposed to engine-mounted hydraulic pump steering systems.

By 2012, Ford plans to fit nearly 90 percent of the Ford and Lincoln line-up with EPAS.

So on the last day of the event, we got to spend the morning on the test track, trying various vehicles and seeing technology (but more of that in a later post). I was quite intrigued with active park assist because I had heard of it before, but I hadn’t actually seen it working and I wasn’t sure just how good it would be. After all, if it went horribly wrong and I hit another car would my insurance company accept that “I didn’t do it”?

This isn’t new technology – its been around for about 2 years now, but Ford plan to have it in more vehicles and are making it better each time.

So I jumped in the car to give it a go – and you see how I did in the video below (a special thanks to Jennifer Moore of Ford for taking the video).

I have to say I was very impressed – it worked really well and by the end I felt confident enough to let the system do it’s job and park for me. It didn’t hurt that the first time I tried it I was in someone else’s car! And all the time I was humming the Knight Rider theme tune to myself in my head.

Forward with Ford 2011 – Global Design Convergence – Using 3D Modelling

Andrew Edney

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Jun 24, 2011

1

Forward with Ford 2011 – Global Design Convergence – Using 3D Modelling

During my couple of days spent in Detroit this week with Ford, I sat in a number of interesting sessions. One of which was called Global Design Convergence and included a demo of how Ford uses 3D modelling technology to design and test cars.

The room we were in for this presentation had a huge long giant screen that could be used to show the cars full size to help the whole process.

Ford have 9 studios around the world that they use for design and modelling.

The process starts off with a designer or team working on a design either on a computer, on paper, or however they like.

Then the design in made using clay.

Then computer modelling is used to help show just what it will look like inside and out.

Software called AutoDesk AutoStudio is used to help model the cars in 3D.

Microsoft Releases Windows Server Solutions Log Collector Tool

Windows Home Server

Jim McCarthy

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Jun 23, 2011

0

Microsoft Releases Windows Server Solutions Log Collector Tool

Microsoft today announced the release of a beta version of a log collection tool for Windows Home Server 2011 and SBS2011.

Have you wanted to be able to gather logs to help troubleshoot a WHS2011 problem? Well, Microsoft just issued a beta tool that does just that.

Here is what they have to say about the tool:

The Windows Home and Small Business Server Team is happy to announce the Windows Server Solutions Log Collector Tool for Beta testing. The Windows Server Solutions Log Collector tool captures the context of the Server of Windows Server Solutions family or computers attached to it, at close to the time when the user experiences a problem.

It might be worth it to download the tool and take it for a spin. When this goes into final release, we’ll be sure to let you know.

See The WHS Tool Here See the SBS Tool Here

D-Link Launches Amplifi Range of Home Networking Products

Digital Home

Andrew Edney

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Jun 23, 2011

0

D-Link Launches Amplifi Range of Home Networking Products

On Tuesday, D-Link announced its new Amplifi family of high-performance networking products, for managing high bandwidth HD traffic and streaming, pushing wireless signals into the farthest corners of homes and adding bandwidth over existing electrical wiring.

The Amplifi family line includes the HD Media Router 1000 with HD Fuel^® (DIR-657), Whole Home Router 1000 (DIR-645), Wi-Fi Booster with SmartBeam™ technology (DAP-1525), PowerLine AV 500 Adapter (DHP-500AV), AV Starter Kit (DHP-501), and 4-Port Gigabit Switch (DHP-540) – all aimed at optimizing the ever-increasing amount of Internet traffic in homes across the nation.

With HD Fuel to manage and prioritize high-bandwidth traffic, SmartBeam to optimize wireless signals in the farthest corners of your home, and PowerLine 500 to provide bandwidth over your existing electrical wiring, D-Link’s family of Amplifi products are not only the fastest home networking solutions on the market, they’re also some of the smartest. HD video streams, online gaming, VOIP applications, network storage drives – Amplifi has been engineered to let you do it all, all at once. Get uninterrupted connectivity to your digital universe with complete home networking solutions that are as reliable as they are state-of-the-art.

Here is the full press release:

D-Link Unleashes Amplifi™ Family of Premium,

Home Networking Solutions for Today’s Connected Homes

Optimized Routers, Boosters and PowerLine Products Offer Industry-Leading Speeds, Whole Home Coverage and Uninterrupted Connectivity for Gaming, HD and Standard Content in Sleek, Form Factors

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – JUNE 22, 2011 – D-Link today announced its Amplifi™ family of high-performance home networking solutions, designed to offer best-in-class performance for today’s demanding connected homes. Optimized for the ever-increasing amount of Internet traffic in homes across the nation, the Amplifi product line includes the HD Media Router 1000 with HD Fuel^® (DIR-657) for managing high bandwidth HD traffic and streaming, the Whole Home Router 1000 (DIR-645) and Wi-Fi Booster (DAP-1525) with exclusive SmartBeam™ technology for pushing wireless signals into the farthest corners of homes to deliver whole home coverage, and PowerLine 500 products (DHP-500AV, DHP-501AV, DHP-540) for adding bandwidth over existing electrical wiring.

“There are two main obstacles consumers typically face with today’s home networking – the need for a more powerful network to support HD streaming and signals throughout the home, and expanding Wi-Fi coverage into the farthest corners of the home, essentially having whole home coverage,” says Daniel Kelley, associate vice president of consumer marketing, D-Link North America. “D-Link has solved these issues by investing heavily in R&D, and is excited to introduce our new patented technology as part of the Amplifi line of home networking solutions.”

The Amplifi family of home networking solutions introduces all-new networking technologies optimized to enable consumers to do it all at once, with uninterrupted connectivity to their entire library of digital content:

Amplifi HD Media Router with HD Fuel^® for Premium Digital Entertainment

The Amplifi HD Media Router 1000 with HD Fuel automatically manages traffic flow and optimizes broadband connections to give priority to high-bandwidth entertainment, allowing consumers to watch streaming content on their Boxee Box by D-Link, play online video games with Xbox^® 360 or make Skype^® calls without the lags or glitches found with standard routers. In addition, the Amplifi line of HD Media Routers allows for multiple media content streams to multiple devices at the same time with uninterrupted performance, including HD video, online gaming and large media file downloads. Featuring up to 300Mbps speed, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, USB SharePort™ Plus, and an SD card slot for accessing HD media and streaming USB devices, this IPv6-ready router keeps consumers in complete control of their digital entertainment.

Amplifi Whole Home Products with SmartBeam™ for Uninterrupted Coverage in Every Corner

The sleek new Amplifi Whole Home products with SmartBeam technology optimize home wireless network bandwidth to handle HD video streams, large media file downloads and online gaming applications for multiple devices, simultaneously anywhere in the home. SmartBeam uses six multi-directional antennas with a patented, sectorized design, to find and track individual devices, then focuses beams of bandwidth to those devices, ensuring a seamless connection anywhere in the home. D-Link’s SmartBeam products are ideal for homes or small offices where concrete walls, successive floors in multi-storied buildings, or other architectural hurdles can significantly weaken a wireless signal:

· The IPv6-ready Whole Home Router 1000 features up to 300 Mbps speed, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, advanced QoS bandwidth prioritization, SharePort™ Plus for sharing USB devices such as printers or security cameras, and 128-bit security encryption with advanced Wi-Fi Protected Setup for a secure, plug-and-play home network.

· The IPv6-ready Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster extends an existing router’s wireless signal to deliver uninterrupted coverage to up to four additional devices with no additional configuration using the Gigabit Ethernet ports – just plug and play. In addition, the Wi-Fi Booster also includes selectable 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands, SharePort Plus and Wi-Fi Protected Setup

PowerLine Products with PowerLine 500 for Access Anywhere

D-Link’s PowerLine 500 products use a building’s existing electrical wiring to deliver secure, fast connectivity to otherwise hard-to-reach places, such as a basements or attics. With the PowerLine AV 500 Adapter (DHP-500AV), PowerLine 500 Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-501AV), and the PowerLine AV 500 four-port Gigabit Switch (DHP-540), there are no cables to run, holes to drill or wireless signals to configure. Easily plug, play and transform any conventional power outlet into a fully-functioning Ethernet port and your entire home or small office into a wall-to-wall network. Optimized for home entertainment systems or online gaming, the PowerLine HomePlug AV compliant premium products 500Mbps transfer rate to support multiple streams of HD content at blazing fast speeds, while the built-in QoS engine automatically prioritizes Internet traffic, ensuring glitch-free movies and gaming while web surfing and downloads are also in progress.

Availability and Pricing

The Amplifi family of products will be available throughout D-Link’s vast network of retail and e-tail outlets in North America, including Fry’s and Micro Center, and at the company’s online store,http://www.dlinkshop.com. Detailed specifications and information are available online at amplifi.dlink.com and availability and MSRP pricing is as follows:

· HD Media Router 1000 (DIR-657) – available now for $149.99

· Wi-Fi Booster (DAP-1525) – available now for $159.99

· Whole Home Router 1000 (DIR-645) – available in August for $119.99

· DHP-500AV Adapter – available now for $99.99

· DHP-501AV Starter Kit (two adapters) – available now for $159.99

· DHP-540 Four-Port Gigabit Switch – available now for $199.99

Drive Bender Beta 4 Release v1.1.5.1 Out Now

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jun 23, 2011

2

Today saw an update to Beta 4 of Drive Bender for Windows Home Server 2011 released, taking it to version v1.1.5.1 only a couple of days after v1.1.5.0.

Here is what is included in the beta 4 update:

Release v1.1.5.1 – beta (2011-06-23)
– Bug fix: A number of minor code changes to fix potential lockup and service crashes.
– Bug fix: The un-installation routine now correctly restores service dependencies.

For more information check out the Drive Bender website

Video of Ford SYNC AppLink Controlling Pandora With Your Voice

Andrew Edney

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Jun 23, 2011

2

Video of Ford SYNC AppLink Controlling Pandora With Your Voice

One of the trend tracks I attended yesterday at the Forward with Ford 2011 conference was called Emerging Technologies. During this session Ford demonstrated Applink, which is a SYNC component and how it works with Pandora.

SYNC AppLink is a free software program from Ford that works with smartphone apps to give you voice control. So for example, you could command Pandora, which is an Internet radio service, to change the station.

It is integrated into the car display.

If you are an iPhone user you have to connect via USB, where as Android and Blackberry owners can connect via Bluetooth.

It’s very cool technology which can only get better in time. More Ford car models will come with SYNC as standard (in the US). And if you are in the UK stay tuned, we should have it soon.

Take a look at this short video to see SYNC AppLink working with Pandora.

The Home Server Show 141 Out Now

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jun 23, 2011

0

Dave and the guys have just released the Home Server Show episode 141.

Here’s what Dave says about this weeks show:

It’s the podcast before the big meetup so obviously we will talk a little bit about that but we have a new podcast to introduce to you and have the host joining us on this episode. We talk news, drive extender replacements(again) and more. Thanks to our guest, Mike Howard and the his new show, jpeg2RAW.

As usual you can download and listen to the show from here.

Video of SYNC with MyFord Touch in Action at Forward With Ford 2011

Andrew Edney

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Jun 23, 2011

2

Video of SYNC with MyFord Touch in Action at Forward With Ford 2011

One of the sessions I attended today was on Emerging Technologies, and during the session I saw a live demo of SYNC with MyFord Touch.

In case you have never heard of Sync, here is how Ford describe it:

SYNC is an easy-to-use in-car connectivity system that allows you to make hands-free calls and control your music and other functions with simple voice commands.

SYNC features allow you to:

Access your phone, compatible mp3 player or USB drive with voice activated commands
Be connected directly to a 911 operator after an accident in which an airbag deploys
Generate Vehicle Health Reports that provide vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and recall information
Receive audible text messages
And, much more

I had the chance to sit in one of Fords cars that had Sync integrated, and I was shown a demo.

I was very impressed at just how well it worked.

Take a look at the demo video below:

Learn more about SYNC with MyFord Touch here

Forward With Ford 2011 – Futuring and Trend Conference

Andrew Edney

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Jun 22, 2011

1

Forward With Ford 2011 – Futuring and Trend Conference

This week sees an exclusive two day media event being hosted by Ford at their world wide headquarters in Detroit, USA, and I am lucky enough to be invited.

Here is how Ford describes the event:

Ford Futuring and Trends Conference
Ford’s Futuring and Trends Conference is an interactive immersion into how Ford’s innovations, technologies and philosophies, in alignment with top consumer influences and needs, are shaping our world of tomorrow. Several major thought leaders and experts – Malcolm Gladwell, Ed Begley Jr. and Joel Garreau, to name a few – will help shed light on how Ford’s vehicles and technologies are linked to these significant global trends.

So watch this space to hear all about it.

Drive Bender Is In The Home Stretch….

Windows Home Server

Jim McCarthy

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Jun 21, 2011

2

Today, we received word that the beta 4 of Drive Bender is out. This is expected to be the last beta version.

First, from Drive Bender’s website, some background on what Drive Bender is:

Drive Bender is state of the art storage pool technology for Microsoft Windows.

Drive Bender takes single point storage to the next level. Inspired by Microsoft’s “Windows Home Server” Drive Extender technology, Drive Bender is a product that provides the same level of functionality, and more, for all versions of the Microsoft Windows.

Now, the news!

Drive Bender beta 4 has finally landed. This is a monumental release as it represents the last major beta version. From here there will be a number of beta 4 updates (that should come quickly) and a release candidate.

The beta 4 release also signals the end of the beta program, with registration coming to a close very soon. With that in mind we would like to say a big thanks to all those that have helped in getting Drive Bender to this point.

Release v1.1.5.0 – beta (2011-06-21)
– Update: A new version of the WHS 2011 addin.
– Bug fix: WHS client backup could sometimes fail, this has been fixed.
– Bug fix: Drive balancing no longer balances Drive Bender specific files.
– Bug fix: Windows update no longer fails (permission issue fixed).
– Update: The drive merge functionality has been improved.
– Update The drive removal functionality has been improved.
– Update The drive add functionality has been improved.
– Added: Drive convert feature to convert an existing non pooled drive into a pooled drive.
– Added: Option – Smooth Stream. This is file read caching to improve file streaming performance (default = disabled).
– Added: Option – CRC file validation of duplicated files (default = enabled). Disabling this reverts to file size validation.
– Added: Option – Log level. The specifies the amount of logging taking place (default = none).
– Added: Option – Drive balancing. You can enable / disable balancing as required (default = enabled).
– Added: Option – Drive renaming. When adding a drive to the pool, it is now renamed to make its use obvious (default = enabled).
– Added: Option – Drive letter management. Allows Drive Bender to manage drive letters for drives added to, and removed from the pool (default = enabled). Note that due to a bug, this feature was disabled prior to release.
– Bug fix: Renaming and deleting files and folders should no longer fails with errors.
– Bug fix: Recycle bin support have been fixed.
– Bug fix: Remove Windows assigned mount points (i.e. drive letters) if there is a conflict with a Drive Bender mount point.
– Added: Pool recovery feature. This can recover a pool (or pools) from connect drive without any configuration information (to be uses with OS re-installs etc)
– Added: Pool configuration repair. Drive Bender now validates and repair broken configurations.
– Added: WHS running tasks and notification windows (full WHS notification integration to come).
– Known issue: Fault tolerant mode (i.e. when a drive is missing from the pool) is still not displaying duplicated files (will be fixed in the next update).
– Known issue: The WHS move folder feature throws an error (to be fixed in an update).
– Known issue: The opening of web links from the getting started tab are opening on the server, not the client.
– Known issue: Documentation incomplete.

You can download the latest version from http://www.drivebender.com/beta-download/

If you need support with Drive Bender, or have some feedback you would like to share. You can either email us at support@drivebender.com or visit the Drive Bender support site at http://support.drivebender.com

If you wish to get update information on Drive Bender’s on going development, please follow us on twitter at @drivebender

This is the next pooling add-in that I am testing, as soon as I wrap up the unprotected pool work that I am doing with Drive Harmony. Stay tuned for my testing. If you want to test it, go ahead and sign up now as the beta is closing soon.

Drive Bender Website Register for the Beta Here! Talk About This In Our Forums Here!

HomeServerShow.Com Meetup This Saturday

Jim McCarthy

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Jun 21, 2011

1

Dave McCabe, owner of the HomeServerShow.com website and podcast, is sponsoring a meetup this Saturday in Ft. Atkinson, WI. I’ll be there. How about you?

Dave is holding an event, sponsored by Drobo, at the Best Value Inn in Ft. Atkison, WI from 10am – 4pm. If you are around Chicago/Madison/Milwaukee, drop in and see the Drobo and WHS2011 demonstrations that will be set up. There will also be a live stream set up if you can’t make the meeting live. It looks like there will be about a dozen people from the HomeServerShow.com site there, and Dave is advertising locally to drive some others to come and see the display.

The meetup will be at:

Americas Best Value Inn

1225 Janesville Ave

Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538

Here’s a map image of the meeting location:

If you can make it, RSVP here. Dave is trying to keep an accurate headcount.

See you in Ft. Atkinson!

1st Annual HomeServerShow.Com Meetup RSVP In Dave’s Forums Here!! Live Stream Here If You Can’t Make the Meeting UsingWindowsHomeServer.com Calendar Link

StableBit Scanner for WHS V1 Updated to Version 1.0.3.2585

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jun 20, 2011

1

StableBit Scanner is an advanced disk surface scanner with a built in file system damage analysis system for Windows Home Server V1 and it has just been updated to version 1.0.3.2585.

If the physical surface scanner finds unreadable sectors, the on-disk file system aware scanner maps the physical sector damage onto the file system metadata and tells you what on-disk data structures got damaged.

StableBit Scanner tells you what you really want to know. It tells you which files got damaged as a result of disk surface damage.

Version 1.0.3.2585 includes the following changes:

Manual config switch to turn off WMI SMART permanently.
If WMI locks up retrieving SMART, do now spawn addional threads.
Added ability to create user dump files from the new Support tab in settings for ALPHA and BETA versions.
Added config option for maximum number of trace lines to log on error report.
Fixed rare access violation in native code handler.
Fixed insane bytes per sector value on one particular USB enclosure (based on auto error report).
Fixed omni-store tree node delete.

StableBit Scanner costs $24.95 or you can download a one month trial.

Learn more from the StableBit website

Review of the NUU MiniKey Case and Keyboard for the Apple iPhone 4

Andrew Edney

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Jun 19, 2011

0

Review of the NUU MiniKey Case and Keyboard for the Apple iPhone 4

Have you ever wished you had a portable keyboard for your iPhone 4? Well now you can with the NUU MiniKey, which is a case and a keyboard all rolled into one.

Who are NUU?

From their website:

NUU is a quality driven consumer products brand, dedicated to delivering innovative and functional products that are integrated into all aspects of our consumers lives. Our commitment to making significant strides in the areas of research and design, combined with our use of quality materials, means that we can deliver truly unique Smart phone accessories to our valued consumers.

The NUU MiniKey

Tired of typos when using your iPhone 4 on-screen keyboard? Type faster and more accurately with the NUU MiniKey. Whether you’re texting, e-mailing or blogging, the NUU MiniKey is a great alternative to using the on-screen keyboard. Simply snap your
iPhone 4 in the case, slide the keyboard out and type away!

The NUU MiniKey conserves battery life by breaking the BT connection to the
keyboard when it is left idle for ten minutes. When idle simply slide out the keyboard to wake the NUU MiniKey and reconnect the devices.

The MiniKey has its own separate power source, so it won’t drain your iPhone
battery! The built-in rechargeable battery connects with an included micro-USB cable. A status LED shows you when the keyboard is charging or low on power.

The MiniKey’s case features a series of carefully-positioned metal springs that
connect your iPhone antenna to the case’s metal backing, allowing it to become one with the antenna. This connection compensates for the reduction in signal strength so common to other products on the market. The springs are flexible and will not scratch your iPhone casing.

BENEFITS OF USING THE NUU MiniKey

QWERTY Keyboard – Enjoy greater typing speed and accuracy than you could from using the on-screen keyboard. Perfect for blogging and e-mailing, or if you just prefer something
tactile on which to type.

Larger Screen Area – By eliminating the need for the on-screen keyboard, the NUU MiniKey allows for the screen’s viewable area to double while typing.

Navigation Keys – The navigation keys allow you to locate a particular spot on your composition with greater ease than you would by using the touch-screen. Use these with the Command and shift keys for even greater keyboard functionality.

Function Key Symbols– Stop looking through keyboard screens for the symbol you want! The MiniKey has a range of common symbols which can be typed quickly and easily at a
press of the function keys.

Features

Brilliant Backlight – The backlit keyboard makes typing in poorly-lit areas a breeze. The backlight may be toggled on or off to suit your own preference.

Keyboard Shortcuts – Quickly and easily edit text on your iPhone 4 with shortcuts such as Command + C to copy, Command + V to paste, Command Z to undo.

Convenient Toggle Button – Toggle button allows for smooth switching between the physical QWERTY MiniKey and the on-screen keyboard.

Product Specifications

• Compatible with iPhone 4
• 42 key slide out keyboard with backlight
• Broadcom Chipset (Bluetooth V2.0 Compliance)
• Battery
– Charges in 3-4 hours with Micro-USB cable
– Li-Polymer (380mAh)