|
|
Advertisement:
|
|
OCAU News |
Hopefully I won't have to put this news post together twice, like I did this morning.
Chainbolt (who is practically our man in Japan) wrote to tell us that GeForce3 prices have dropped in Japan - the GainWard CardExpert GeForce3 card can now be had for 41,000 Yen, or around USD$330. Hopefully that means world-wide drops in GeForce3 prices are on the way...
Zanthius sent us news of yet another distributed computing project being run over the Internet - this one is called "United Devices" - it's a bit similar to the Folding@HOME project apparently, they're modelling the interaction between molecules and proteins in the hope of finding new drugs to fight cancer. Like so many of the recent medically-based distributed computing projects, I think it's definately worth the processor time. Anyway, you can check it out here.
Dmitri sent in a link to a rather amusing video clip - of someone repeatedly punching an Intel balloon out the back somewhere at Computex 2001 in Taipei. It runs for 15 seconds, and may be a bit of a download if you're on dial-up (or Telstra cable I guess, though for a different reason). Here it is here.
OCWorkBench have a picture of one of the new Intel Tualatin P3 processors (sitting beside a regular Coppermine P3, for comparison). You can check it out here, on their main page.
Via Hardware are hosting the latest BIOS for the Abit KT7 motherboard - version 3C apparently. You can get it by going to their KT7 FAQ. They also have an article covering their visit to the VIA factory in Taiwan.
Not to be outdone on the factory-tour scene, Tweaktown got to go on tour inside the ABit factory while they were in Taipei.
Rambus (if no-one else) are confident that they're here to stay. They've released a roadmap of their future direction, up until 2005 at least. Electic Tech have the details.
PlanetHardware have posted an Athon Overclocking Guide, covering both Slot-A and Socket-A versions. Thanks to ArSoNiSt for letting us know about this one.
FutureLooks have had a look at a rather interested Internet project. Called "Open Cola", it is an open-source project which will attempt to provide a truly open, combined, collaborative, communicative, commerce community, which is scaleable, speedy, secure, simple and searchable. Yes, I know that was a big sentence - but if you check the story, there's lots more where that came from. It's a really interesting (in my opinion, anyway) idea, and I'd really like to see it work.
EXHardware (and also MegaBaz) raised an interesting point. Check out this site, and then check the EXHardware site. Now, as you can see, the layout is rather similar - not that similarity between websites is a sin - but when you also consider that the same JavaScript being used to present the date, identical META keywords, etc, EXHardware think it's going a bit far. I'll leave it up to you to decide if they have a point...
Finally, what appears to be a nail in the coffin for those people complaining about Telstra's recent change to their AUP (adding the 3GB/month limit). Reaper sent in a response he received from the TIO, or Telecommunications Ombudsman...
"Re: Telstra AUP Enquiry
Thank you for your recent e-mail about Telstra's planned changes to its Freedom Plan 'Acceptable Use Policy' (AUP).
The TIO has received a large number of complaints about Telstra's recent decision to change its AUP by imposing a limit of 3 gigabytes per month for Internet users signed up to the Big Pond "Freedom Plan".
The TIO has reviewed the current contract for this plan and formed the view that Telstra's action has so far been in accordance with its terms and conditions (specifically Clauses 10.3 and 10.4). Telstra has provided customers with adequate notification of the changes, and is allowing customers unhappy with the changes to leave the contract without financial penalty.
The TIO's jurisdiction gives it the power to investigate complaints where a company is deemed to have breached its terms and conditions. The TIO is not, however, empowered to investigate matters relating to the setting of policy or to the setting of the terms and conditions of a contract - these are commercial decision taken by the company.
Given this, the TIO will not be pursuing complaints about this matter with Telstra; however, all individual complaints are being recorded.
Allegations of false advertising or misleading practices are matters
investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which administers the Trade Practices Act 1974. Should your complaint raise issues under the Trade Practices Act, you may wish to consider contacting the ACCC. However, the TIO has received advice from the ACCC that it considers that the changes to the AUP will increase the clarity of Telstra's terms and conditions and will therefore be of assistance to consumers.
The TIO believes that although the changes are currently causing confusion and dissatisfaction, greater clarity to the AUP will help overcome some of the difficulties faced by consumers in interpreting what it considered was an uncertain AUP.
People wishing to cancel their contract have been asked to e-mail Telstra Big Pond at aupquery@bigpond.net.au before 18 June 2001 with the following information:
- Account number
- Name of account holder
- A brief sentence stating that you do not accept changes to the AUP and wish to cancel the service
- An alternative e-mail address or contact details for use after 18 June 2001
If you happen to experience difficulties being released from the contract, the TIO can investigate. Also, if you believe that Telstra is not acting in accordance with its new AUP (once it becomes effective), the TIO would be able to look into your complaint.
I hope this clarifies the TIO's role and jurisdiction in relation to this matter. Please refer to the TIO's website for any updates on this issue.
Sincerely,
John Pinnock
OMBUDSMAN"
This release is also available on the TIO's website, here.
I'm sure a lot of you are thinking "damn" (or something along those lines anyway) right about now... :(
Reviews:
[H]ard|OCP have had a look at the MSI K7 Master motherboard. Based on the AMD 760 chipset, they give it a good looking over to see just how well it performs. They've also had a look at the Gainward CardExpert GeForce3 video card.
The OverClock Intelligence Agency (otherwise known as OCIA) have taken a look at some Cold Cathode Lighting for lighting the inside of your PC (for display purposes).
HotHardware have reviewed the D-Link FDE-910 Network In A Box kit.
Lost Universe have had a look at the fUnc Industries Surface sUrface 1030 - a fancy, and from what I've heard, rather decent, mousemat.
Return to OCAU's News Page
|
|
Advertisement:
All original content copyright James Rolfe.
All rights reserved. No reproduction allowed without written permission.
|
Advertisement:
|
|
|
