Windows Shortcuts

General (applicable in most programs)

CTRL + C: Copy
CTRL + X: Cut
CTRL + V: Paste
CTRL + Z: Undo
CTRL + A: Select all

CTRL + F4: Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
CTRL + ESC: Display the Start menu.
CTRL while dragging an item: Copy the selected item.
CTRL + SHIFT while dragging an item: Create a shortcut to the selected item.
CTRL + RIGHT ARROW: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
CTRL + LEFT ARROW: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
CTRL + DOWN ARROW: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph.
CTRL + UP ARROW: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
CTRL + SHIFT with any of the arrow keys: Highlight a block of text.
SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive: Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing.

SHIFT with any of the arrow keys: Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document.
SHIFT + DELETE: To delete the selected item permanently without placing it in the Recycle Bin.
SHIFT + F10: Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.

ALT + ENTER: View the properties for the selected item.
ALT + F4: Close the active item, or quit the active program.
ALT + ENTER: Display the properties of the selected object.
ALT + SPACEBAR: Open the shortcut menu for the active window.
ALT + TAB: Switch between the open items.
ALT + ESC: Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened.
ALT + SPACEBAR: Display the System menu for the active window.
ALT + Underlined letter in a menu name: Perform the corresponding command.

F2 key: Rename the selected item.
F3 key: Search for a file or a folder.
F4 key: Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
F5 key: Update the active window.
F6 key: Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F10 key: Activate the menu bar in the active program.

RIGHT ARROW: Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
LEFT ARROW: Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.

BACKSPACE: View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC: Cancel the current task.
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC: Open Task Manager.

Dialog box

CTRL + TAB: Move forward through the tabs.
CTRL + SHIFT + TAB: Move backward through the tabs.
SHIFT + TAB: Move backward through the options.

ALT + Underlined letter: Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.

F1 key: Display Help.
F4 key: Display the items in the active list.

TAB: Move forward through the options.
ENTER: Perform the command for the active option or button.
SPACEBAR: Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Arrow keys: Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
BACKSPACE: Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Microsoft natural shortcuts

Windows Logo: Display or hide the Start menu.
Windows Logo + D: Display the desktop.
Windows Logo + M: Minimize all of the windows.
Windows Logo + SHIFT + M: Restore the minimized windows.
Windows Logo + E: Open My Computer.
Windows Logo + F: Search for a file or a folder.
Windows Logo + R: Open the Run dialog box.

Windows Explorer

END: Display the bottom of the active window.
HOME: Display the top of the active window.

NUM LOCK + Asterisk sign (*): Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder.
NUM LOCK + Plus sign ( + ): Display the contents of the selected folder.
NUM LOCK + Minus sign (-): Collapse the selected folder.

LEFT ARROW: Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder.
RIGHT ARROW: Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

F5: Refresh the current Web page.
CTRL + R: Refresh the current Web page.
CTRL + O: Open the Open dialog box.
CTRL + F: Start the Find utility.
CTRL + H: Open the History bar.
CTRL + I: Open the Favorites bar.
CTRL + B: Open the Organize Favorites dialog box.
CTRL + E: Open the Search bar.
CTRL + W: Close the current window.
CTRL + P: Open the Print dialog box.
CTRL + N: Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address

MSI Wind U100

MSI Wind U100 the $560 ultra-mobile PC from MSI has finally hit the market. With so many companies getting into the market, the competition in UMPC market is getting hotter, with increasing options for the end user.

The technical specifications of the MSI Wind U100 which measures 260 mm x 180 mm x 31 mm are:

• 10 inch display with resolution of 1024 x 600
• Intel Atom N270 Processor (1.6 GHz)
• Graphics Driver: Intel GMA 950
• 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM (Windows XP), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM (Linux) 667MHz
  
• 80 GB Hard Drive SATA
  
• SD, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro card support
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.0 (optional)
  
• Ethernet 10/100
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• 1.3 mega pixel web-camera
• OS: SUSE Linux or Windows XP
• Battery Life: 2.5 hrs 3-cell, 5.5 hrs 6-cell

It will also sport VGA port, MIC-in and Line-out port. It weighs around 1.2kg and will be available in three colours White, Pink and Black.

It will cost $399 and $549 ie Rs 17000 and Rs 24000 in terms of direct conversion for Linux and Windows XP version respectively.

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Acer Aspire One

Acer launched its $399 ultra portable notebook the Acer Aspire One.

The technical specifications of the Acer Aspire One which measures 9.8 inches x 6.7 inches x 1.14 inches are:

• 8.9-inch display with resolution of 1024 x 600
• Intel Atom N270 Processor (1.6 GHz)
• Graphics Driver: Intel GMA 950
• 512 MB or 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 80GB Hard Drive (XP) or 8GB Solid State Drive (Linux)
• SD, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, xD-picture card support
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
• Ethernet
• Three USB 2.0 port
• One PCI slot for WWAN
• 1.3 mega pixel camera
• OS: Linpus Linux Lite or Windows XP
  

The battery life expected is 2.5 - 5 hours for XP version and 3 - 7 hours for Linux one on 3 and 6 cell batteries respectively. It also sports a VGA port and 3.5mm audio out.

All these features at an unbelievable weight of 1 kg.
It cost $399 for Linux version and $600 for Windows version ie INR 17000 and INR 26000 respectively in terms of direct conversion.

Solid State Drive

Solid State Drive (SSD) is a Flash Drive with large amount amount of storage capacity. It has many advantages over a traditional hard drive such as
High Speed.
High Reliability.
Lower Power Consumption

Due to use of Flash memory there are no moving parts in SSD. This reduces the physical damaging of an SSD. There is no head to seek a particular location of the disk, thereby reducing seek time and increasing speed. As there are no spinning parts, the amount of electricity required, to spin the platter of hard drive is zero, saving electricity.

It also occupies less space as compared to hard-disk, making it more ideal for usage in portable devices like laptops. Apple is considering using a SSD for their MacBook Air.

Using SSD technology, a large amount of storage can be crammed into a small space. Recently Samsung launched its 2.5 inch 256 GB SSD which is 9.5 mm thick, and measures 100.3 mm x 69.85 mm. It offers a sequential read speed of 200 MB/s and sequential write speed of 160 MB/s, Samsung's 256 GB SSD is claimed to be about 2.4 times faster than a standard Hard drive. Samsung is expected to launch a 1.8 inch 256 GB SSD by the end of fourth quarter. Samsung claims that the its SSD uses only 0.9 watts in active mode. Samsung has also launched a 64 GB SSD, with speeds quite than the 256 GB version.

But above all these advantages, the price of SSD is the factor, that keeps it away from our reach. They are expected cost nearly $1000 as the technology is in early stages of development, once they get mainstream, they will cost as much as regular Hard Disk Drive.

But as of now, considering all facts, the Hybrid Hard Drive if the best option of enthusiasts, unless you have a lot of money to splurge on a SSD.

Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi)

Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera from Canon is the best of Canon's addition to the world of Digital Photography. It has high sensitivity CMOS sensor, with effective resolution of 12.20 mega pixels and total 12.40 mega pixel. It can save images both in JPEG and 14-bit Canon RAW format. It features Canon's Digic-III image processor.

The maximum file size of a picture as provided on Canon's website are

Large/Fine : Approx. 4.3MB (4272 x 2848 pixels)
Large/Normal : Approx. 2.2MB (4272 x 2848 pixels)
Medium/Fine : Approx. 2.5MB (3088 x 2056 pixels)
Medium/Normal: Approx. 1.3MB (3088 x 2056 pixels)
Small/Fine : Approx. 1.6MB (2256 x 1504 pixels)
Small/Normal : Approx. 0.8MB (2256 x 1504 pixels)

RAW : Approx. 15.3 MB (4272 x 2848 pixels)

Though actual sizes may vary,depending on settings used.

Canon EOS 450D has following support:
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speeds: 1/4000 sec. to 30 sec
Self-Timer: 10-sec or 2-sec delay or 10-sec delay with continuous shooting
Remote Control: Remote Controller RC-1/RC-5
Continuous Shooting Speed: 3.5 shots/sec
Power Saving: Automatic power turn off after 30 sec, 1, 2, 4, 8, or 15 min
Back-up Battery: Built-in secondary battery

All this at MRP $799.99 for only the camera body. You will need to pay seperately for the lens.

Hybrid Hard Drive

Hybrid Hard Drive (HHD) is a combination of the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) with a large amount of non-volatile flash memory (called as buffer memory). Its just like a Hybrid Car that can run on both batteries as well as fossil fuel as and when required for greater efficiency.

The flash memory in a HHD starts at a minimum of 128 MB. HHD with 256 MB buffer capacity have been developed. A prototype of HHD with 1GB buffer has also been developed. The buffer memory of HDD ranges between 2 - 16 GB. HDD with 32 MB buffer have been developed though.

Hybrid Hard Drive definitely offers better performance and lower power consumption as compared to any other HDD. Because they make use of Flash memory the data that is frequently used is stored in the Flash memory of the HHD. This reduces the time required to fetch data from the particular area of the disk. Also as Flash memory has no moving parts, the possibility of reducing the life of your hard drive due to long uses is greatly reduced.

Hard Drive usage apart from reducing power consumption, increasing life of your hard disk, reduce also the boot-up time your computer, by caching the data required by computer for next boot-up. The most significant increase in speed will be while resuming from hibernation mode. The data to resume from from hibernation mode will be stored into the buffer memory of HHD, and due to high speed of Flash Memory, it will be loaded very fast in the RAM. The difference of resuming from 'Standby' and 'Hibernation' mode may vanish, thereby making Operating System manufacturers completely do away with standby mode, and use only hibernation mode.

From the point of view of prices, Hybrid Hard Disk is definitely going to cost more than the Hard Disk Drive of same capacity. But thinking of all the advantages they offer over HDD, they are definitely worth it. Also Solid State Drive, which are much superior than either of these are very expensive. Using a Hybrid Hard Drive, will definitely be a much greener alternative to the Hard Disk Drive.

Intel Atom Processor

Intel has developed a new processor 'Atom', with very low power requirements in the sub 3 watt range, and also while supporting a highest frequency of up to 1.86GHz. Manufactured using the new hafnium-infused 45nm high-k silicon technology, Intel Atom processors pack an astounding 47 million transistors on a single chip measuring less than 25mm², making them Intel's smallest and lowest power processors. This processor has been mainly focussed towards latest Mobile Internet Devices.

Some features of the Atom Processor are:

• Single-core processor for mobile devices offering enhanced performance

• On die, primary 32-kB instructions cache and 24-kB write-back data cache

• Hyper-Threading Technology 2-threads

• On die 512-kB, 8-way L2 cache

• Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)

• Thermal management support

• Intel® Deep Power-Down Technology

• L2 Dynamic Cache Sizing

• Advanced power management features including Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology

The technologies used by Intel for Atom Processor are:


High Performance Technology

• Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology: Provides performance & support for multi threaded applications enabling increased performance and system responsiveness in multitasking environments by enabling the processor to execute two instruction threads in parallel.

• Intel® Virtualization Technology: It is a set of hardware enhancements on the Intel® Atom processor series providing the flexibility to run dual operating systems and applications in independent partitions.

• Intel® Digital Media Boost: Enhanced Performance on Floating Point intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3D & 2D modeling, Video Editing, Digital Music, Digital Photography & Gaming

• Intel® Smart Cache: Smarter, more efficient cache & bus design thus offering even more efficient data sharing, providing enhanced performance, responsiveness and power savings.

• Power Optimized Front Side Bus: 533MHz FSB provides increased data bandwidth as compared to prior generations (400MHz) for faster data transfer.

• Enhanced Data Prefetcher: Efficient speculation and loading into L2 cache of data likely to be requested by processor.

Low Power Capabilities

• Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® Technology: Allows for better match of performance to application demand.

• Deep Power Down Technology with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Dynamic Cache Sizing saves power by turning off Cache ways that have had data saved in memory. This power saving feature enables 80-100mW idle power and 160-220mW average power for the processor.

• Low Thermal Design Power: Lower thermal design power enables thinner, lighter MID devices as it reduces the cooling requirements.

• Mobile Voltage Positioning: Dynamically lowers voltage based on processor activity to lower thermal design power.

• Enhanced Deeper Sleep: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU

Ultra Small Form Factor CPU Package

The new lead free, halogen free Micro-Flip Chip package (13x14mm) is 85% smaller than a notebook processor (35x35mm)


The Power requirement for the Atom Processor are

Power Requirement (W)	Lower Frequency	Higher Frequency
0.65 W	600MHz	0.8GHz
2 W	600MHz	1.1GHz
2 W	800MHz	1.33GHz
2 W	800MHz	1.6GHz
2.4 W	800MHz	1.86GHz