Microsoft has just released the M3 built for Windows 7, the successor to Windows Vista. The new OS is expected to enter the market by early 2010. As being a Microsoft MVP, I have been given the chance to test the OS first hand. So let us take a quick look at the Microsoft Windows 7.

Over next few weeks I shall be exploring various aspect of Windows 7 and today’s post would primarily demonstrate the hardware performance of the OS.

So far I am able to get the OS installed starting from the lowest END PC configuration to one of the highest hardware configs.

To be honest, at first glance the OS looks like a Windows Vista running with custom theme and boot screen, but as soon as you start your PC you feel there is a major improvement from Windows Vista in terms of speed.

Below are some results from Windows 7 running in different configurations with default Windows driver.

System 1 (Notebook)

System Make and model :- Toshiba Satellite L40
Processor :- Celeron M 530 / 1.73GHz / 533 FSB / 1 MB L2 (single core)
Chipset / GPU :- Intel GL960 / GMA x3100
RAM :- 1 GB DDR-II 667MHz (512×2)
HDD :- 5400 RPM 120 GB SATA

System 2 (Notebook)

System Make and model :- Lenovo 3000 N200
Processor :- Intel Dual Core T2310 / 1.46 GHz / 1 MB L2 / 533 FSB / EM64T
Chipset / GPU :- Intel GM965 / GMA x3100
RAM :- 1.50 GB DDR-II 667MHz
HDD :- 160 GB SATA 5400 RPM

System 3 (Desktop)

System Make and model :- Assembled PC
Processor :- AMD Athlon X2 4200+
Motherboard :- ASUS M2A-VM
Chipset / GPU :- AMD 690G / ATi x1250
RAM :- 2 GB DDR-II 667MHz (1×2)
HDD :- 160 GB SATA-II 7200 RPM

System 5 (Desktop)

System Make and model :- Assembled PC
Processor :- Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 / 2.4 GHz / 1066 MHz FSB / 4 MB L2 / EM64T
Motherboard :- XFX 630i 7150
Chipset / GPU :- Nvidia 630i / GeForce 7150 IGP
RAM :- 2 GB DDR-II 667MHz (2×1)
HDD :- 160 GB SATA-II 7200 RPM

System 6 (Desktop)

System Make and model :- Assembled PC
Processor :- AMD X2 4600+ / 1 MB L2
Motherboard :- Gigabyte M61PME-S2
Chipset / GPU :- Nvidia 430 / GeForce 6150 IGP
RAM :- 2 GB DDR-II 667MHz (2×1)
HDD :- 160 GB SATA-II 7200 RPM

System 7 (Desktop)

System Make and model :- Assembled PC
Processor :- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 / 2.4GHz / 8 MB L2 / 1066 Mhz FSB / EM64T
Motherboard :- ASUS P5N-E SLi
Chipset :- Nvidia 650 SLi
GPU :- XFX 8400 GS
RAM :- 4 GB DDR-II 667MHz (2×2)
HDD :- 250 GB SATA-II 7200 RPM 16MB

Here is a minor change you may notice, as Windows 7 is rating Q6600 beyond 5.9 mark which happens to be the highest possible rating under Windows Vista SP1.

By so far, I have installed the product on at-least dozen PCs with alternate configurations from all types of platform, AMD / Intel, Nvidia / ATi / Intel, Laptop / Desktop and till now it really seems to be a stable OS with no BSOD yet.

Another thing to note, though with its performance improvement over Vista, Windows 7 is not really the seventh version of Windows rather its version 6.1. Windows 2000 is version 5, where as XP is version 5.1. Just like that Windows Vista is 6.0 where as till now the built numbers suggest, it is version 6.1.

The third highest wicket taker of all time, one of the greatest servant of Indian cricket, Anil Kumble calls it a day at the end of Delhi Test match between India and Australia.

18 years he stood as one of the main pillar of Indian bowling attack. He gave the word spin its definition. He made it impossible for a visiting team to win tests in Indian solid.  He troubled every batsman around the world. He gave new dimension to the spin with his legspin googly, he took 637 test and 337 ODI wickets over his 18 year career of Intentional cricket. Without any argument, he was one of the very few who truly played the game with gentle man’s spirit !!

So many times he has given opportunity to shout and celebrate. So many times we have bunked schools to watch matches as we have expected to see Indian victory via Kumble. So many sleepless nights we have spent watching him tear apart the batting attack and today it feels so sad to see him leaving the field for last time.

Farewell JAMBO !!!

More Pics at Cricnext.com

With ever falling notebook prices, now days one can get a mainstream notebook at as low as (INR) Rs. 22000 / USD 350-400.

Over past few months, I have suggested model Acer 5315 to a lot of users with need of just basic office job and there is been a good amount of emails which I have received asking about my views / review on the configuration available on this segment as how good are they to run the mainstream software such as Windows Vista and playing HD movies.

So let us take a quick look at, most commonly available configuration for cheapest mainstream notebooks / laptops.

What configuration to expect in a lowest end mainstream notebook ?

Processor :- Celeron Mobile Family (Celeron M 520 / 530 / 550 / 575 / 585)
Chipset :- Intel Mobile GL960 / Intel Mobile GM965
Graphics Adapter :- Intel GMA x3100
RAM :- 1 GB DDR-II
HDD :- 80 GB to 160 GB depending on the brand and price.

Which is the notebook that I am testing ?

Today I would be taking a quick look at Toshiba L40, a very similar configuration to Acer 5315.

Product Name

Toshiba Satelite L40

Product URL

Toshiba L40 series.

Product Price

Rs. 23900/- (one may find the acer 5315 at Rs. 22100/- incl all tax)

Product Specifications

• Intel Celeron Mobile 530 @ 1.73 GHz / 533 MHz FSB / 1 MB L2
• Intel Mobile chipset GL960
• Intel GMA x3100
• 1 GB DDR-II PC5300 @ 667 MHz (512×2 dual channel mode)
• 120 GB SATA Hard Drive
• 15.1″ Widrescreen (1280×800)

Product at a glance

Test Setup

Windows XP SP3
Windows Vista x64 SP1
Windows Vista x86 SP1
Windows 7 Built M3

Nero 7.10
PC Wizard 2008
CPU Z
PhotoShop CS3
Adobe Premiere CS3
720p HD Video
1080p HD Video
VLC Player 0.9
k-Lite Codec Pack

ViewSonic VX1945wm
Krrish DVD9 / Hungama DVD9 (Movies)
Sony miniDV Handy Cam with Fireware support

Intel C2Q Q6600
Intel C2D E6600
Intel Dual Core T2310

The Intel Celeron M processor 530

There is a huge difference between the older celeron and the new 5xx series 65nm processors from Intel. The new Celeron mobile processors are made on same Core2 architecture as Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quads are.

How about running Vista ?

Along with x3100 and 1 GB DDR-II, vista gets index rating of 3.2 and runs smooth and without any hitch.

User wont feel any difference between a Core 2 processor or a Celeron 530 while working on basic vista tasks, such as browsing and printing and using MS Office (Word / PowerPoint), rest a sure Windows XP is lighting fast along with the 1GB RAM.

The processor is good enough for the up coming Windows 7 as well. I have installed the Windows 7 Built M3 (Milestone 3) and have found it to perform as good as Windows Vista it self.

This processor is not meant for heavy usage, this system config is for those who would be having basic computer application needs, and I have felt that Celeron M 530 is a great performer in terms of application such as Vista, Nero 7 DVD burning, Web browsing, EMailing (outlook), MS Office, little photoshop even with a real time AntiVirus protection turned on (I have tested with Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 / Symantec Endpoint protection).

However it would lag in terms of advance application which demands more processor power, for example video editing.

Nero 7 / Nero Vission 4 Test

I have tested the processor with Nero vission 4 (Nero 7.10) by converting a 80 mins of Xvid video file to VCD.

It takes around 34 mins to complete the conversion with Celeron Mobile 530 1.73GHz.

Where as it takes around 8 mins to complete the job with while with Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 and around 17 mins in a Intel Dual Core T2310.

It takes around 62 mins to convert a 98 min xvid file to 3GP format using ImTOO compare to 6 - 8 mins what it takes in an Intel C2Q Q6600.

The result directly suggests that this is not a processor for video editing for heavy ripping but then again , how many of us regularly do heavy conversion like this ? None of these would be a part of simple day to day computing for which this processor is made, but, if and when you do need to use these application, though a little slow but it would get your job done but with little extra time.

How about HD play back ?

Beside its own 15.1″ screen, I have used ViewSonic vx1945wm, 1440×900 external display to take output to play and test HD performance.

Straightway I find full HD is not playable, HD upto 720p is running smooth with VLC as well as windows media player but 1080p is not playable. GMA x3100 is certainly good enough to play HD as I have seen with T2310 of Lenovo 3000 N200 series hence it is evident that Cel M 530 can play upto 720p only.

Conclusion !!

Choose Celeron Mobile based notebook as a replacement for buying a desktop with the need of running basic office application and simple home entertainment. Performance of Celeron mobile on top of a GL960 chipset would never disappoint you for day to day home and office application.

Any department of Indian government, which is willing to run any “e” service, has option for some exclusive tools and services.

GOV.IN / NIC.IN are couple of those exclusive domain extensions, which are only given to official government web sites.

When Internet / online phishing is a real time threat for any Internet user, there, these extensions play a crucial role to distinguish between an official web site and a fake one to help and user to save him / her self from phishing.

Central government of India has their own setup in terms if National Informetics Centre (NIC) under Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. An IT department which is quite capable enough to develop rich and interactive web services such as Indianrail.gov.in and software applications such as, application used by TAX Department of India for any state or central department.

When you find NIC doing its job quite fine then it comes as a shock when you find some alarming facts like some of the state departments are using services from 110mb.com along their sub domain to run an official government web service.

West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education

http://wbmadrasahboard.110mb.com/

An education board under State government of West Bengal isn’t even capable enough to procure a proper hosting for them self and runs their official web site under a sub domain of a free hosting services provider.

B. R. Singh Hospital (Eastern Railways)

http://brsingh.110mb.com/

Indian railways already using NIC extensively however a major hospital under their eastern division is once again using 110mb to run their official web site. Worst, they are using Google Ads !!!

Why I am against 110mb.com ?

Many may be thinking as, hey I am using 110mb.com and they are never a bad service. Then why is Choto Cheeta going against 110mb.com ?

Matter of fact, I am not going against 110mb.com because of their service of any such. I am against it only because of below reasons.

• Exclusive Domains, .GOV.IN / .NIC.IN are only authenticate way to identify a real web site over a fake one. For example, I or any other person can use a 110mb or any such free sub domain based free hosting, or even can buy a public domain also to create a fake web site to cheat an online user to steal information of use the web service to infect their PC with Malware. These exclusive extensions are an immediate identification mark for an authenticate web site.
• Service hosted by NIC.IN gives full control over the data, as because it is a GOV web site so it is bond to have sensitive information, which is in need to stay tamper proof.
• Come on, as a gov org, you can atleast afford to remove ads !!!!

Do drop in your comments as what is your thought in this matter of using such services to run a GOV web site ?

Don’t forget to update your flash player version as Adobe have just released the Flash Player 10. Its about 2 MB in download for IE where as another 2 MB is required for alternate browsers, like Opera / Mozilla / FireFox.

So what’s new about this version ?

Well, as Adobe says, one would need to get Adobe Flash Player 10 to view the feature tour.

One of my most trusted security application is Kaspersky product. Since its version 5.0 it has been one of my must install application for Windows installation.

There are many users around the world who are using and trusting Kaspersky products since version 5.0, there are many users and visitors of my blog and forums / DB / UG in which I am active also have shifted to Kaspersky while influenced by my advice.

A lot of these users are bombarding me with a question that many among them do not have active Internet connection or access to Internet on certain PCs in which they are running this application.

Till Version 7.0 Kaspersky LABs were kind enough to provide off-line update option in which an user could download the update and take it to a PC without Internet access to update the application. However from version 8.0 or rather in case of 2009 products they stopped providing off-line update download at their web site.

Having said that, the application it self is still supports updating from any offline source.

How to update Kaspersky Internet Security / AntiVirus 2009 (version 8.0) off-line ?

Go to settings of the application, there at left hand side navigation panel you may find option for update.

Now at right hand side you may see the button to enter the advance settings.

Once you have clicked, it would present the update settings window in which you get an option to  browse and add an off-line update folder location (directory in hard drive or a network location).

As we can add a folder in which we can keep the off-line update and update the product from it, that brings us to the question,

How to download / where to find off-line datebase update for Kaspersky Internet Security / Antivirus 2009 (version 8.0) ?

As it is been said earlier that at present Kaspersky do not offer any option to obtain the virus database / product update from their web site for off-line updating of 2009 series products.

Hence either you may follow this below instruction to obtain the update from a system which is connected to Internet and have kaspersky product installed or you may download it from below link in which I have zipped and uploaded the update in ChotoCheeta.com.

In update settings Window, there is a TAB called Additional. Once you click it, you may see that Kaspersky LAB have given option to download and store all updates for that product in a directory which you can use to perform an off-line update for that product installed in a system which has no Internet connectivity !!!

Alternately, I am zipping the updates which are now stored in my system and I am uploading it here for those who wish to download the Kaspersky Internet Security / Antivirus 2009 (version 8.0) updates.

Download Kaspersky Internet Security / Antivirus 2009 (version 8.0) datebase updates.

Update as of November 14, 2008 -> Download from ChotoCheeta.com

Update as of November 15, 2008 -> Download from ChotoCheeta.com

Update as of November 18, 2008 -> Download from ChotoCheeta.com

Dont forget the product updates either, as you may download the product update from Kaspersky web site directly, the latest of them are, Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 version 8.0.454 and Kaspersky AntiVirus 2009 version 8.0.454

It seems from the reports of Google Adsense users that, Google adsense programs payment system is been hit by a currency conversion bug.

Many users have found their August earnings are not being converted to their respective local currency . Google is doing the conversion in USD 1 = 1 unit of respective local currency format.

For example, a person who is waiting for USD 300 in India would get Rs. 300 instead of (300 x 45) Rs. 13500/- as Google payment system is calculating USD 1 = INR 1 instead of present market value of USD 1 = INR 45.

Google explains in their Adsense help forum,

Hi all,

Please be assured that we are aware of this issue, and are working to correct it as soon as possible.

We appreciate your patience in the meantime, and will be sure to keep you updated here.
Ashley

Kolkata (Calcutta) is gearing up or its biggest event of the year. One can smell the excitement  in the city air. Shopping malls are over flowing with shoppers to complete the last minute shopping as the Durga Puja is just around the corner.

Known puja committees are now doing over time to maintain their pride and reputation of delivering mind blowing art work where as many unknown and new comers are trying their best to dislodge the reputed ones from their chair in a friendly competition.

Like every year, Team Doorer Sathi would travel and work round the clock to capture and upload the pictures of Durga Pooja 2008 !!

So lets catch Durga Pooja 2008 via eyes of DoorerSathi.com, a picture album which would get regular updates of the puja and related topics (Durga Idol / Pandals / Decorations) as the event progresses !!,

Incidentally, one may check out previous year pictures / photos at Doorer Sathi.com. Durga Puja 2007, Durga Puja 2006, Kali Puja 2007, Kali Puja 2006.

Update :- Sep 29, 2008

Rain works over time with the help of on going Low pressure which also makes the artist to work hard to complete the idols of Goddess Durga for the Puja, which is now just 6 nights away !!!

Update :- September 30, 2008

Dakshineswar Kali Temple overflows with pilgrims on the eve of Mahalaya as Hindu pilgrims offer holy water of river Ganges to their ancestors.

Kolkata waits eagerly for Ma Durga to arrive, perhaps so does this Asura too?

Update :- October 02, 2008

Holiday shoppers turns to indoor shopping malls as rain spoils the mood out side (pic in below).

Markets are jam-packed because of shopping session. More pictures at Album page 2.

Update :- October 04, 2008

Just a day left before the biggest event of the year, but rain shows no mercy on Puja organizers as they try to keep the idols of goddess Durga safe and dry as she travels towards the pandals.

Santosh Mitra Square pandal decoration reflecting the failed project of TATA Nano in West Bengal. More pictures here at Page 3.

Update :- October 05, 2008.

Idol of Goddess Durga at College Square. More pictures here.

Sweet music of traditional “DHAK” signals the beginning of the good times as Puja holiday session have began. more pictures here.

Update :- October 06, 2008

Goddess Durga at Lake Town (More pics here)

Wonderful wooden decoration at a pandal at Barasat.

Devi “Bodhon” of Shasthi at Barrackpur.

Update :- October 08, 2008

The Pandal decoration of Chalta Bagan Lohapatty, Kolkata, is made of steel-wires (More pictures at page 7)

Idol of Ma Durga of Labani Block Durga Puja, Salt Lake, Kolkata
(More snaps at page 6)

Kumari Puja

Stunning art work is at display at a pandal of  (BJ Block) Salt Lake, Kolkata

Keep visting DoorerSathi.com Album for more pictures of ongoing work at various puja locations.

Yes, that’s a computer motherboard (Intel 845GVSR)
with a processor (Socket 478 Intel P-IV 1.8 GHz) attached to it.

It is expected that one may assume this is an abundant computer at some abundant warehouse or such, but matter of fact is, this is a PC which runs in an AC room.

The PC all of a sudden started to power-down it self in middle of work and trouble shooting immediately lead us to the fact of overheating. While all fans running at full capacity, the only culprit left was dust and as we removed the processor fan and heat-sink, this was what we saw in side !!

Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE) is just 3MB in size but does a wonderful job to make great panoramic images.

Download -> Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE)

What is Microsoft ICE ?

Microsoft Image Composite Editor is an advanced panoramic image stitcher. You shoot a set of overlapping photographs of a scene from a single location, and Image Composite Editor creates a high-resolution panorama incorporating all your images at full resolution.

Lets give it a test

Recently I have gone to Bangalore for some work and I have taken few overlapped images of Bangalore Airport with my Nikon s51c. There are 5 separate images which I have taken while standing still at a same place.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

As you take a look at these images, you may notice the camera rotation in every image, however still all these images needs to be stitched together to give us a panoramic impression.

Though the software says “Advance” but as you launch the software, you would find a very simple and easy to navigate interface.

So as it says, all I need to do is drag and drop the images inside the work pane. Once I have added those  5 above shown images, this is the output which I get.

Only thing which is now left is saving the image after cropping it to leave out the choppy edges. There is an option given called “Automatic Crop” which does the job nicely and makes the image ready for export !!!

The Stitched Image

Intelligence of the software can be seen on a closer look to the stitched image while in extreme zoom. As for example in this below section, which is a zoom-in section of the stitched image, you may see the software has sacrificed the floor matching, in order to make sure the car is matched properly, while joining image 3 and image 4.

Microsoft ICE can definitely be an answer to the question, How to make beautiful panoramic images. Ohh, one more thing, this is a free software by the way !!!