mmarkholt's Profile

The World Bank's first API offers 114 indicators from key data sources and 12,000 development photos (see all sources). We are releasing this API because we believe this information can be mapped, visualized and mashed up in an unlimited number of ways that will help develop a better understanding of trends and patterns around key development issues.

According to preliminary data from NPD, Apple reportedly achieved 14 percent of the U.S. retail PC market share in February 2008, up from 9% just a year ago. This represents 60 percent unit growth and 67 percent revenue growth year-over-year.

Mac Notebook sales were up 64% year-over-year and Mac Desktops up 55% year-over-year, with strong sales of the MacBook Air this February.

Unfortunately, historic NPD data is not publicly available. Previous reports of Apple marketshare have been gathered with very different methods so are not directly comparable. The trend, however, is consistent with reports of Apple's growing popularity.

In 2001, Apple launched their retail store initiative with the slogan "5% down, 95% to go", referring to market share.

Mac News
According to preliminary data from NPD, Apple reportedly achieved 14 percent of the U.S. retail PC market share in February 2008, up from 9% just a year ago. This represents 60 percent unit growth and 67 percent revenue growth year-over-year.

Mac Notebook sales were up 64% year-over-year and Mac Desktops up 55% year-over-year, with strong sales of the MacBook Air this February.

Unfortunately, historic NPD data is not publicly available. Previous reports of Apple marketshare have been gathered with very different methods so are not directly comparable. The trend, however, is consistent with reports of Apple's growing popularity.

In 2001, Apple launched their retail store initiative with the slogan "5% down, 95% to go", referring to market share.

The low-cost system uses minimalist hardware and a free distribution of Linux to cut back on cost, but not quite to the $99 originally expected.

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The so-called $99 PC that manufacturer Shuttle hyped up back in February finally began shipping on Monday, but not for the originally cited price point many expected. The stripped-down KPC, which ditches Windows in favor of Linux to save on cost, now sells for $199, the same cost as Everex’s similar gPC.

In its most basic form, the KPC runs an Intel Celeron processor clocked at 1.8GHz alongside 512MB of RAM and an integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics accelerator. It also offers an 80GB hard drive and high-def 5.1 channel surround. The processor, memory and drive size can all be upgraded by ordering a customized KPC – although only the prebuilt $199 versions hit availability Monday.

Shuttle chose Foresight Linux to stand in for Windows on the machine, a version of Linux that brands itself a user-focused distribution with no need for a Linux background. Much like gOS, the Linux distribution used by Everex, it includes a host of free software including OpenOffice, Firefox, Pidgin, as well as an open-source movie player, music player, and photo organizer.

The KPC also features a front panel like a photo frame, allowing users to customize the look of the box by adding their own graphics under the plastic.

The first KPCs will be available through Newegg, although Everex’s link to buy the product from the site has not yet gone live at the time of writing.

Mumboe provides online applications that let you manage business agreements from a secure, central location.

The following are the specs listed for the KB9260:

* Processor -- AT91SAM9260 200MHz; ARM926EJ-S with Java acceleration and DSP instruction extensions; independent 16KB instruction and 16KB data caches
* Memory -- 32/64MB SDRAM; 8MB boot flash; 256MB to 2GB NAND flash
* Networking -- 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
* USB -- 1 x USB 2.0 host port
* Serial -- 3 x channels including debug serial
* I/O -- 35 x GPIO, max; 4 x analog input ADC channels
* Other features -- 4 x programmable clocks; 3 x timer/counter/PWM channels
* Power -- Power over Ethernet (PoE), on-board voltage regulator, or external power supply; RoHS compliant
* Dimensions -- 3.1 x 3.1 inches (case 3.1 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches)

VXL Instruments has introduced an "entry-level" thin client device that runs Linux. The Itona TC 2331-LI operates fanlessly, uses a 1GHz Via C7 processor, supports touchscreen monitors with up to 1680 x 1050 resolution, and uses only 11 watts of power, says VXL.

(Click here for a larger view of Itona's TC 2331-LI)

The TC 2331-LI's client software includes Microsoft's RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) version 5.5, Citrix's ICA (Independent Computing Architecture) client version 10, "Unix connectivity" software, and terminal emulation software from Ericom. Thus, it can connect to Windows, Citrix, and Unix servers, as well as to legacy mainframes and minicomputers, according to the company. The thin client runs VXL's Gio Linux distribution, but VXL has also announced the TC 2341-CE, using identical hardware, but running Windows CE instead of Linux.

Remote management, configuration, and complete image upgrades are possible via the included XLmanage software, VXL says. The device can be activated remotely via a wake-on-LAN feature, and can boot from its own flash memory, or over the network via PXE (preboot execution environment).

The convection-cooled, 9 x 8.4 x 2 inch system uses a 1GHz Via C7 processor, with 256MB of DDR2 DRAM and 32MB of flash. It has ample PC-style expansion capabilities, with a 10/100 Ethernet port, four USB 2.0 ports (two front, two rear), a serial port, a parallel port, plus PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports.

Equipped with a VGA output, the TC 2331-LI supports screen resolutions up to 1680 x 1050 pixels. It also supports touch screen monitors manufactured by Elo, according to VXL.

Features and specifications listed by VXL for the TC 2331-LI include:

* Processor -- 1GHz Via C7
* Memory -- 256MB DDR2 DRAM, 32MB flash
* Display -- VGA output supports resolutions up to 1680 x 1050 pixels
* Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet port, optional USB-based wireless adaptor
* Other I/O:
o 4 x USB 2.0 (2 front, 2 rear

# Our mission with ØMQ ("ZeroMQ") is to build the fastest messaging ever. The way to get performance is to optimise the whole software and hardware stack together. So, we are developing ØMQ closely with major hardware firms.
# ØMQ is already very fast. We're getting 25μsec end-to-end latencies and 2.6 million messages per second today.
# ØMQ is completely free GPL-licensed software written in C++.

The TIOBE Programming Community index gives an indication of the popularity of programming languages. The index is updated once a month. The ratings are based on the world-wide availability of skilled engineers, courses and third party vendors. The popular search engines Google, MSN, Yahoo!, and YouTube are used to calculate the ratings. Observe that the TIOBE index is not about the best programming language or the language in which most lines of code have been written.

The index can be used to check whether your programming skills are still up to date or to make a strategic decision about what programming language should be adopted when starting to build a new software system. The definition of the TIOBE index can be found here.