Ethernet: How high can it go?
So, who could possibly need pipes that move traffic at 100 billion bits per second? Let's start with bandwidth busters, such as YouTube, which streams video to millions of on-demand viewers. Throw in the world's busiest Internet exchanges. Add in government labs and large corporate data centers, and pretty soon you've got a groundswell. That is why the IEEE created the Higher Speed Ethernet Study Group and charged it with developing standards that will take Ethernet beyond pokey old 10G. Click here for more.
High tech helps solve mystery of ancient calculator
Results of a high-tech research project to be released this week promise to finally unravel much of the remaining mystery of a 2,000-year-old astronomical calculator. Since its discovery in 1902, the Antikythera Mechanism - with its intricate and baffling system of about 30 geared wheels - has been an enigma. Our knowledge of its functions has increased as computer-based imaging, analysis and X-ray technologies have evolved. During the last 50 years, researchers have identified various astronomical and calendar functions, including gears that mimic the movement of the sun and moon. Click here for more.
Round 2: Testing Firefox 2 against IE 7
While our initial review of Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2 focused on cataloging their new features, this follow-up test put the new browsers through an extensive range of trials. These tests, of development standards conformance and page performance, were designed to show that browser choice can affect greatly how well users access Web content. Click here for full results.
E-commerce companies report a busy weekend
The 2006 holiday shopping period got off to a strong start over the weekend, according to several e-commerce operators. Click here for more.
Outsourcers squeeze customers with virtualized pricing
A number of outsourcing providers are still charging customers per physical server in a virtualized environment, squeezing customers for additional revenue. Click here for more.
Buzzblog: In China, fake tech products look so real the real ones look fake
Fake electronic goods are so convincing in China - and reach consumers earlier than do their authentic counterparts - that some buyers are left believing the real thing is the fraud. The U.S. has a similar if less severe problem, muddled by differences between black market and gray market goods. Click here for more.
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