Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2011 November 14

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November 14

Will tri-gate transistors be available outside Intel?

When, if ever, is Intel likely to licence out the tri-gate transistor technology it's using for Ivy Bridge? Can it potentially allow AMD and Nvidia to overcome delays they've announced this year in their 22nm die shrinks? NeonMerlin 00:18, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

AMD announced that they were experimenting with their own triple gate transistors in 2003. I doubt they will sit around and wait for Intel to hand over technology to them. As for what exactly that will do, Wikipedia is not a crystal ball. -- kainaw™ 00:31, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Comment: Intel owns and operates its own fabs; they use manufacturing technology that tends to be at least a few years ahead of their competitors. Unlike many other silicon manufacturers, Intel's process is not commoditized - even if licensed, it's unlikely you could take a top-of-the-line Intel process to any other fab in the world and expect them to build anything with it. The Media kit for the tri-gate process has more information:from the Intel Manufacturing Fact Sheet, only the Hillsboro D1D fab, and maybe a few other Intel facilities, can make these chips. Contrast this to more generic silicon macroblock processes, which are interchangeable between at least a few fab companies. Nimur (talk) 11:11, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Find on this page

Is there a browser whose "find on this page" function distinguishes letters with diacritics from letters without them, and also displays the number of occurrences of a letter on a page (without going to Internet Explorer's "more than 100 matches")? Interchangeable|talk to me 04:34, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Google Chrome displays the number of occurrences of a letter on a page. For instance, if you press Ctrl-F and type in 'e' it will show you the exact number of occurrences of 'e' on the page. I don't know of any browsers which distinguish between diacritics though. Chrome doesn't appear to. —Entropy (T/C) 17:41, 17 November 2011 (UTC)

What other laptop manufacturers allow us to choose our own parts?

Dell and Apple nickel-and-dime us too much. I need to find others this time.

(Please don't mention "Newegg" because I tried choosing my own specs to choose a laptop; gave me "0 results.")

So what other manufacturers allow me to have my own choice of parts (not something pre-made and chosen by someone else, like what I'd see at a display table at Best Buy)? Thanks, --129.130.236.178 (talk) 04:49, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

I would try [1] or [2], they're pretty reputable. User:Bodman456 | Come talk to me or ask me a question! (I don't bite ;D) 08:03, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

(Newegg is a good place to buy individual computer parts or pre-assembled laptops, but not custom laptops. --Mr.98 (talk) 17:23, 14 November 2011 (UTC))

Lenovo gives you all the customization you need. And unlike every other manufacturer, which saw the iBook back in 99 and decided to make their models look heinous too, the ThinkPad series still looks good. Nevard (talk) 00:52, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

Chrome requests plug-in

Hello. Using the Google Chrome browser, I repeatedly get the message, "An additional plug-in is required to display some elements on this page." There is also a button that says "Install plug-in," but when I click it, nothing happens except the message goes away. But as soon as I go to another page, the message comes back, again and again. Why does this warning keep showing up? — Michael J 06:19, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Does this happen with all websites or is there a common denominator (Flash, etc.)? --Ouro (blah blah) 08:01, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Do you use Skype? If so, remove the click to call extension.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:58, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Aha, you may have something, Shantavira. I only recently started using Skype. Can you elaborate? I don't know what the click to call extension is. Thank you. — Michael J 12:49, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Skype installs a browser extension which scans web page text and looks for things that might be phone numbers. It alters the text of the page to make these clickable links, which jumps you to Skype and allows it to dial those numbers. So if the following is a clickable link (that switches to Skype) then that extension is present and working: 650 555 1234 . But usually the message you're reporting is a missing or defective Adobe Flash or Adobe Shockwave plugin. (But I think Chrome comes with Flash built in now). -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 13:01, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Google Chrome automatically downloads plug-in but you may have to manually execute the install for the plug-in.
Sleigh (talk) 10:30, 19 November 2011 (UTC)

E-mail account protection

Besides choosing strong passwords and strong secret questions, and besides keeping those items of information private, what can people do to protect their e-mail accounts from hackers?
—Wavelength (talk) 06:38, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Don't disclose your e-mail address online (or if you have to, obfuscate it in some way like mike[dot]extraordinary[dash]DELETETHIS[at]server[dot]name[dot]org), and if you can - only release your e-mail address when you need to (business partners, girlfriend, mother). Or use two e-mail addresses: one for the less-important affairs (correspondence with friends) and another for important ones (girlfriend, business - and don't spread this one all too often, as I described above). --Ouro (blah blah) 07:57, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

I got another one: don't become famous or a high-level executive. Hackers won't hack your account unless they will expect to find something there to have a laugh or to make a profit. Below a certain level of real-world importance/fame you're just not big enough game to be interested in. --Ouro (blah blah) 08:06, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

If you're an average Joe, the most likely way your account would become compromised would be as a result of a worm finding its way onto your computer and using your account information to send spam for some botnet. Keep up to date- if on Windows, run a good virus scanner and scan with multiple anti-malware programs. Nevard (talk) 08:20, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

A mistake some people make: don't use your email password as a password for anything else - otherwise you're telling people your email address and password, and even if they're honest they may not be competent at securing your data. In addition to anti-virus software, a good firewall may help prevent websites from recording your keystrokes and sneakily uploading them (something like Norton Internet Security may also do this, but I'm not sure how useful it is in practice). And ensure you use SSL for accessing your email (you have this if the website has an "https://" address) - this means nobody can intercept the connection if you're in a public WiFi network; this works with gmail but not every provider[3]. --Colapeninsula (talk) 13:42, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

If a person has a particular password for a Hotmail account, should that person avoid using the same password for a Gmail account? If a Gmail employee could use the password to hack the Hotmail account, could the same employee not use the same password to hack the Gmail account?

—Wavelength (talk) 16:52, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

In case it isn't obvious from the news... Many of these "someone got my photos" hacks are not hacks of email. They are photos being taken off phones that have bluetooth enabled. It has been at least 5 years since script kiddies could easily download bluetooth pin generators and access phones. Just sit in a crowd, run the program, and wait until you have access to someone's phone. Rip the photos, email, txts, etc... and wait for the next phone to come up. No means of securing your email will stop this form of attack. The only way to stop it is to turn off bluetooth - but then the stupid thing your ear won't work. For many, that isn't worth keeping their information secure. -- kainaw™ 13:55, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

In general the transmission of passwords is not protected end-to-end from you computer to the computer that provides a website, or your mail server (although there are ways to specify this if owners of the computer at the other end feel like supporting it). This might be an issue at a public hotspot if the organization in charge of the hotspot is nefarious. It could also be a problem using a hotspot that belongs to a very technically skilled buddy who likes to play tricks on you. Jc3s5h (talk) 16:04, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

That brings up another security issue that I find many people have difficulty understanding. Assume you are staying at some Hilton hotel. They tell you that you can access their wireless Internet access for an extra $10. You refuse. In your room, you see the Hilton-Access network which is secured and you cannot access it. You also see Hilton-Free network. It is unsecured. You can access it and use it without a problem. The "problem" is that it isn't run by Hilton. It is run by a guy in a van down in the parking lot who is capturing everything you send and receive. At the same time, he is copying everything he can access from your computer. Then, a couple weeks later, you notice that someone has "hacked" your email, bank account, credit card account, etc... How could that possibly happen!? -- kainaw™ 17:53, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Some email systems such as Gmail have two-factor authentication. Enabling this greatly increases your security, since not only will someone need to know your password, but they will also need your phone. See here for details. - Akamad (talk) 01:15, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

Do laptops get cheaper after Christmas?

I need to buy one and I'm thinking in waiting till after Christmas, since I'm afraid that immediately after Christmas they'll become somehow cheaper. Intuitively, it makes sense - people will travel more and give gifts, the world needs more laptops over the holidays. Others will buy a new one for the new year. Does someone know anything about this Christmas laptop price effect? 88.8.67.30 (talk) 14:46, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

If you are shopping for "refurbished" laptops, the availability increases after the start of the school year and after Christmas. Most of them are simply opened and returned - they are not really broken and refurbished. As for price, I considered buying electronics after Christmas because I thought the rule was that everything goes on sale. After many years of disappointment, I have abandoned that rule. Things do not tend to go on sale after Christmas (except for Christmas trees and ornaments). -- kainaw™ 15:05, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

I can confirm this. I waited until after Christmas last year and in general there was a small increase in price. The January Sales had one or two end of line models discounted but that was it, -- Q Chris (talk) 15:07, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Thanks so far. Anyway, how can price of electronics increase, even slightly? I thought they only get down and down (in the sense that you get more and more for the same amount of bucks). Is that maybe a currency exchange effect? 88.8.67.30 (talk) 15:45, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

It probably was currency exchange (I'm in the UK). The cheaper for more typically works in steps as revised and new models are introduced, so there was little time for this between December and January. Also I think that so many people go and spend money and vouchers they were given as Christmas presents that the period just after Christmas is no longer a slack time needing a sale. -- Q Chris (talk) 15:55, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

And, is there another time of the year when laptops could have a higher than the typical continuous price decrease? Maybe, manufacturers tend to launch in spring or Intel releases new chips in autumn, provoking a higher drop of prices. 88.8.67.30 (talk) 16:05, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Computers (and electronics in general) do not follow automotive-style pricing. When a new model comes out, the old models don't suddenly go on sale. The general business model is to turn a set profit on investment. There is a lot of research and development investment. After the product is ready for release, the company will calculate the total cost of development and production for each unit. Then, they estimate how long it will be on the shelves for sale and at what quantity. Then, they price the units to turn a profit. Sometimes, a company will purposely hold back a future product to ensure that the total profit required from an old one is made. There are many exceptions (ie: PS3 was priced at a loss per unit when it was released). But, that is the general rule. Don't go looking for the new model to suddenly cause a price drop in the old model. -- kainaw™ 16:10, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

I'm going to have to ask for a citation on that, Kainaw; prices do drop pretty steadily over time on CPUs, and it's largely due to introduction of new models. Another factor that goes without saying: Sometimes prices will fluctuate for other reasons; the 2011 Thailand floods reduced hard disk production, so hard disk prices seem unlikely to drop in the near future. Comet Tuttle (talk) 19:36, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

You are stating that prices on old models drop BECAUSE of the introduction of new models. I am stating that the introduction of new models is purposely set to coincide with a drop in price of old models. If a new model is ready in 2011, but it isn't time to drop the price on the old model until 2012, the new model will be held back. For an easy-to-use example, consider the gaming consoles. Sony could easily put out a PS4 right now. They don't because it isn't time to deprecate the PS3. Microsoft could put on XBox Infinity (or whatever cute name they plan to use). They don't because it isn't time to deprecate the current XBox. Unlike the automotive industry that demands a new model every year, the electronics industry can keep a model on the market as long as they feel it is still profitable. Then, when it isn't, they put out a new model. -- kainaw™ 20:09, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Console systems are a very bad analogy for laptops. There is so much different about the console situation that it is really apples and oranges. Laptop companies can have dozens of models on the market at any given time; console makers cannot, at least not if they expect developers to provide them with games, which are necessary to sell consoles, and so on and so on. It's just a very different sort of situation. While I don't doubt that there is a development lifecycle in laptops, the fact that there are so many other options out there at any given time makes them a pretty different beast.

Anyway, I have to say I find CT's suggestion much more plausible. I'm not sure how you're saying that the company would be waiting for when the price would drop. The price doesn't just drop on its own, does it? My take on these things, just from watching the prices of Mac laptops over the years, is that it looks something like this: Apple has model A on the market for a year or two. Then they announced model B. For awhile they are both on the market and model A's price doesn't change. Then (probably when they stop producing model A), suddenly there are lots of model A's available for cheap. And then finally there are no model A's left. Now this looks more like what CT is describing than the contrary. It's clear that Apple is planning out the A/B development cycle, and basing it to some degree on what they think the market will be able to handle, but I don't think it's a case of the price dictating when the models coming out. Apple's the one setting the price. --Mr.98 (talk) 20:23, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

Yes. That is what I was explaining. In your example, Apple put out model A with a planned 2 year market. After that, they planned to drop the price. So, they hold back on model B until the planned price drop comes about. In reality, model C is already designed by the time model A hits the market, but they don't put A on the market for a week, then B on the market for a week and then C on the market... They won't get maximum profit from the effort put into each model. -- kainaw™ 20:35, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

They might be technically cheaper (and still available) immediately after Christmas, but you might easily get a really good deal due to holiday sales before Christmas. The difference will likely not be more than $50 or so regardless, so there's little point in waiting. Decide what you require, look at what the prices are like, wait for a deal or don't. ¦ Reisio (talk) 20:13, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

As a general rule, either you need a laptop, or you don't. If you need one, buy one. If you don't, save the money. I've been very happy with my latest MacBook Pro, bought 3 weeks before a model upgrade. Surprisingly, that upgrade did not affect the function of my computer in the least....  ;-). --Stephan Schulz (talk) 20:23, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

In light of the recent flooding in Thailand, it might be prudent to buy as soon as possible if you really need the laptop or wait as long as possible if you don't. ([4]) -- BenRG (talk) 04:39, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

Two questions: 1) Splitting an avi file into smaller pieces 2) Any other software for burning to a format my dvd can play?

1. I have an avi downloaded that is 2.6 GBs and every time I try to add it to the usually extremely reliable Toast Titanium to burn it to dvd it quits. I have never tried to add such a large file and I think that is the issue. So, I think if there is a way to split the avi file into two (or more) parts that will allow me to take care of the issue (note the file plays fine using my computer so I don't think the file itself is a problem, just its size). So then my question is are there any free software programs for a mac that would allow me to split this file into parts?
2. As above, I use Toast for burning to disk. My DVD player is not fancy and does not play avis, MKV's or any other computer file formats. I think it only recognizes NTSC (it will not play PAL). I was wondering if there are any programs that came with my imac5 that will convert to NTSC and burn to disks, and if not, any other free programs I might try. I do have iDVD--will that do anything? Note that I am a complete neophyte. I have learned all these formats I blithely name above as if I know something but it's just from downloading and burning stuff and seeing the formats and trying things. I have no true understanding.--108.46.103.88 (talk) 23:16, 14 November 2011 (UTC)

The best use of your time would be running a/v out from your computer to your television and setting up a media center and/or remote control system. Bare-bones: [5] [6] [7] [8] ¦ Reisio (talk) 00:51, 15 November 2011 (UTC)