Mandriva Linux in your pocket

Ubuntu may be the darling of Linux distributions these days, but there's something to be said for the innovation of Mandriva, too. Here's another example of that. Instead of downloading a version of this Linux operating system, you can purchase the Mandriva Flash 2008 Spring.

This 8GB flash drive allows you to boot your computer into Linux with 6GB of space free for you to store your data. It's like bringing your own computer wherever you go, except you have to leech onto someone else's hardware to do so. That's okay, we're sure every Windows user will be impressed by your 1337 g33k skillz and give you free access to their computers. They may even let you install the OS onto their hard drive (which this flash drive can do as well) after you're done impressing them with it. You can get one now for US$69 from the Mandriva Web site.

Via The Red Ferret Journal

Get to know Skype 4.0 beta

It's been a while since a major Skype release, and on Wednesday, the eBay-owned VoIP communication service will issue the first of several planned version 4.0 beta builds for Windows that are anticipated to drop over the next few months.

The biggest changes to come with Skype 4.0 beta (download) are visual and organizational. For the first time, the program contains complete prompts for running sound and Webcam checks within the program setup. After two failed tests buffered by common troubleshooting suggestions, Skype will recommend hardware--like headsets and a Webcam--to reverse incompatibility errors.


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Corsair's Flash Voyager turns mini size

I've accidentally left my thumdrives in the pocket and let them go through the laundry treatment multiple times. Sometimes they survived, other times I had to buy a new one. Either way, I had to deal with this familiar lingering bad feeling after finding the little device inside the dryer. It's like "Gosh, I couldn't believe it happened, again!" And yet, I just can't guarantee that it won't. This is why I've been very happy with Cosair's Flash Voyager series that features a water resistance and shockproof housing.

And now, the device just got a new form factor. It's is ultracompact with a size that's about one-third the original Flash Voyager. The all-new Flash Voyager Mini offers 4GB of storage and weight just 0.2 ounces (about as heavy as a piece of gum). Like other Flash Voyager flash drives, the Mini is covered in rubber and is water- and shock-resistant.
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Western Digital releases My Book Mirror

Western Digital has added a new member to its My Book line of external hard drives. The My Book Mirror Edition is a USB-only, dual-drive unit with RAID 1 redundancy. The 1TB model costs US$290, and the 2TB model costs US$550. With your data mirrored on both drives, your total storage space is half the stated capacity. The My Book Mirror can be configured with RAID 0, should you want to make use of the full capacity of each drive.

The My Book Mirror's two hard drives are replaceable--no tools required. The drives feature Western Digital's GreenPower technology, which, according to the company, helps the My Book Mirror consume 33 percent less power than other dual-drive enclosures. Another bonus: these energy efficient drives don't require cooling fans, meaning the My Book Mirror should make for quiet desktop companion.

Should you have multiple PCs in need of redundant backup, it should be noted that WD's My Book World Edition II is a dual-drive NAS drive that adds only US$50 to the price of the My Book Mirror--US$600 for the 2TB model.

Via CNET Crave

Statistics show Firefox 3 spreading fast

FireFox 3 is spreading fast, claiming more than 4 percent of the share of Web browser usage less than 24 hours after its release.

According to Net Applications, which monitors browser usage at major Web sites, Firefox 3 rapidly ascended to what I'd call force-to-be-reckoned-with status, something Web designers shouldn't be ignoring. For comparison, Apple's Safari had 6.25 percent share in May, and Opera had 0.71 percent.

Undoubtedly, most Firefox 3 activity is from existing Firefox users, but it's still a notable achievement, given that software companies constantly struggle to get users to adopt the latest products.
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