CeBIT 2003: Offtopic

It just so happened that while our editors are preparing a serious photography and serious coverage, dropped a minute to write about all the fun that observed at CeBIT 2003, our roving digital camera Casio QV-R3:) (more details about the camera). Well, now that a report is written, then delay its release is quite useless. We offer you a selection of gags CeBIT'a. Here's a funny robot strongly rotating head, went on the stand Institute Fraunhofer. With true "terminatorskim" red gleam in his eye robot collected on the pool table balls, deftly dodging the walls and obstacles. But this system will be useful to start auto-service employees. It is a kind interactive manual for disassembly of aggregates. Enough to wear special glasses and look at the engine ... Directly opposite the real nuts on the engine lid arrows will appear with instructions what to do. Just incredible. The system can recognize images and display contextual information on them. Unfortunately, for recognizing the need for special tags, the number of species is limited. But it is quite interesting. A small chip inside a soccer ball can bring a lot of good. For example, he makes camera automatically follow the flight of the ball, will help to resolve disputed issues on the subject of goals, off-sides, etc. In general, an interesting solution, only a matter of attaching the chip inside the pump the air ball. These shoes will fit perfectly for James Bond. GPS in the heel, the transmitter in the insole, the antenna laces. A cool head and warm heart. And you could leave on a typewriter F1. It is true that far and only on the screen. In general, cars in the stands stood very much: Hammer, smart, athletic. However, that in itself is not interesting. Much more interest is cars with mounted electronics, but more on that read our other materials. Once is not izgolyayutsya manufacturers of desktop PCs. Sea of ​​neon and literally sea water cooling system - is now the most squeak. How about a mouse with a booster and anti-lock system joystick? For nostalgic for the Soviet pen with a small Gagarin flying inside. A special mouse with an astronaut.Most likely released in advance of this autumn - the planned launch of China's manned spacecraft. If we are talking about the desktop, then let me introduce the latest technology - with a vertical keyboard shortcuts, and rear-view mirrors:) Oh, I do not know how it is convenient to work with this keyboard, but the sample was submitted to a completely industrial. Will likely have to taste the road and motolyubitelyam:) If not mistaken, somewhere in the mid 20 th century, spread to some extent was a musical instrument called the theremin. Bringing the hand to an antenna or remove it, it was possible to extract from the instrument sounds of different pitch. At the booth Mitsubishi was surprised to find a modern version of theremin. Probably with lots of electronics inside:) Stand firm, offering services for the destruction of computers. Joke. In fact, the company is engaged in restoration of data. The entire bench littered with burned-out components, and from the form of computer types burnt on the table from time to time brings down the thick smoke. Horror sysadmin. Venus Nokiyskaya? Or guide to action? At the airport in Hamburg, you accompany a peculiar way. From time to time the unfortunate body shake. Dropped from the pockets of money are glued to the floor (checked:)). Interested parties can download the MPEG-An excerpt from the filmed process:) Mercedes - present. Chewing gum - is unlikely. Embracing the CeBIT, as well as all the immensity, it is simply impossible, but we try. Very soon, wait for the new fotoreporeportazh from the show. This time ...:) serious authors, translation:

Comtek-2003: "PDA market we have not noticed&quot

... That's for today summed up the situation, representatives of anti-virus company that produces software Dr.Web. He also said that the version of their applications for mobile devices is planned. On the one hand, the reason why, he said, was the uselessness of an objective view of the low prevalence of devices in our market, and with another - the need to protect the initial stage (ie, mail servers, desktop synchronization, etc.).. In general, all kind person showed that the product for handheld devices from Kaspersky, which is exhibited nearby, they nestrashen. Well, time will tell, but we'd better go through the mobile expositions Week of Information Technologies - Comtek, running from 22 to 25 April 2003 at the Expocentre in Krasnaya Presnya. Is on its way to the exhibition, I was looking forward to really worthwhile spectacle with all the consequences, as a: presentation of new devices, interesting people and cars, and much more. They arose these thoughts were many handhelds from people of different status in the streets of Moscow. There were both old enough devices (eg, Casio Cassiopeia E-125 in the hands of fragile blonde) and very fresh (eg, Sony Clie PEG-NZ90 in the hands of underage youngster). My expectations have begun to dispel is on its way to Krasnopresnensky pavilions, which receives a surprisingly small group of people that did not promise a large-scale show. Benefit in the opposite direction were satisfied visitors and were carrying a treasured freebie. I inspire and went to the first pavilion - the so-called "general part of the exhibition - Personal Computing Expo". As the site says its organizers, it is a "non-specialist section" Comtek ". According to established tradition, already the largest area of ​​the pavilion" Forum "took 1C, yellow agents," which, with due diligence have implemented all of passing bags, booklets, balloons. In general, kids, scurry from stand to stand, it was as old. Among the most interesting exhibits to us in this part of the exhibition is worth noting a lot of variety of notebooks. There are both standard options and subnotebooks, which by its dimensions slightly inferior keyboard device. Exhibited in the main pavilion and public computers that are a mix of laptop and desktop. Admittedly, this device is clearly aimed at the amateur, because along with the indisputable advantages, and have one big disadvantage - a small degree of transportability due to an external power supply. To weigh the pros and cons of the visitors were invited by the wonders worked with. To my surprise, the crowd was not all happening quietly and peacefully. Pleased and exhibited at the miniature PCs.By the standard monitor, keyboard, mouse and other inalienable attributes of computer life connects very small system unit. Cimpatichno and compact. But until the CCP is far ...:) In general, the desire for a minimalist, and as a consequence of mobility is obvious. Producers 'work on the patterns' high-tech mode, which requires preference miniature full-featured devices. On a lonely stand, located away from the hustle 1C, missed a consultant. It later emerged that an official representative of the Taiwanese firm Netac, engaged in production of flash memory. Russian users and our readers, the manufacturer may know, thanks to the unique CompactFlash-card slot with a cable that connects them directly to the port USB. The cost of these cards is not much higher than usual prices, but at the same time they come for owners of handheld devices, digital cameras and iPods. Sales (in particular MakTsentr) cards are available with capacities from 32 MB to 256 MB. Also in this part of the exhibition could be seen quite a lot of mp3-player ... ... And digital cameras that have attracted the attention of onlookers ... On my visit to this "national" part of the exhibition is over.

We now turn to business

Bypassing all the primary exposure, I was saddened to learn that this "Comtek-2003" for the national Ferris ends. At the same time remain unexplored pm Exhibition - "The business part of the exhibition - Business-to-Business". It seemed to me then, should be more interesting, because "visiting this part of the exhibit is only available for registered business users, which allows qualitative changes in the composition of visitors to this part and provides an opportunity for participants in a peaceful environment to present their products and services to interested professionals and business partners "and, accordingly, the level of the technologies should be higher. Expectations were met: the people was much smaller, and new products - the exact opposite. Among the familiar players and laptops are finally revealed signs of pocket-computer life. On the stand ASUS'a flaunted PDAs MyPal A600 and A620. For obvious reasons, attracted me more than the last. A company representative is very competently answered all the tricky questions about the device, and for more information advised to apply to the English-speaking assistant, that he says will give comprehensive information in the most authentic form.After our short conversation it turned out that the novelty will be in Taipei in late July, and we at the beginning of August. About the cost of the device until, of course, still early, but, according to a representative ASUS, it should be approximately equal to the current price of 600-th model, maybe a little more. Be equipped with reflective novelty (although the annotations to the device has been written about transflective - who to believe do not know) screen and install the operating system Pocket PC 2003. Also, according to the booklet, the model will equip with Intel XScale processor 400 MHz (whether it's PXA250 or PXA255 is still unknown, but surely the heart of the new machines will be the new same processor). Intelligence handheld will consist of 64 MB RAM and 32 MB ROM. 3.5-inch diagonal screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels can display 65536 colors. There are built-in microphone and speaker, as well as optional Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Expand the capabilities of this PDA will be using the standard slot Compact Flash Type II. His weight was 141 In the general standard Pocket PC Medium class:) At the request of our hands on a novelty I refused as I did not ask, so that the subjective impressions will not be. In any case, the model is very interesting, and therefore we will wait until it arrives. Further along the way met the company's stand SanDisk, which is known primarily for its memory cards. At the exhibition visitors showed also card readers, adapters and other devices with which these sandiskovskie flash compatible. Here again, the CCP was seen of all time - Casio Cassiopeia E-125. On the remaining area was not seen anything on the handheld-computer topics, but again fell Handsome ASUS S200 - the smallest and lightest notebook in the world, who came close to these figures to the PDA keyboard, but it's worth, though, is three times more expensive. Oh, and the Russification of pen-interpreter C-Pen - where do without it ...:) On this we are interested in a miniature computer is over, but began no less curious Offtopic.

Own Offtopic

Subjects beyond the pocket-computer topics, but at the same time, notable on this show was not very much. But nevertheless ... Entire pavilion was dedicated to a variety of delicacies of domestic and not very companies that are related to aviation, china, and even microwave ovens. In general, solid Offtopic on a computer exhibition. Our defense industry goes to ... the aquarium. Miracle-waza, which is beautifully lit, shimmering, and gives off smoke. Unique choice respecting genie! Keyboard HP 100LX handheld turns into ... portable analyzer nuclear materials based on CdTe-detector. With this exhibit I had a funny story. Began photographing an achievement of national genius, I noticed that I sent to a representative of the manufacturer, which is still a moment ago, bored in the side. Came and started questioning the consultant-ukoryayusche look at me. To somehow tie the conversation I said that actually these handhelds in the world for five years or both do not produce. Caretaker of domestic intellectual property is clearly offended and communicate for some reason declined. A pity ... Suddenly, we would have to turn your Rover P3 at the portable analyzer of nuclear materials based on CdTe-detector? However, is it we have to ...:) I would not have refused such monitorchika, and you? Just creatively decorated booth.

A small exhibition of big country

It is sad, but "Comtek" from year to year, all shallow. Visitors welcome half-empty halls, nedomontirovannye stands with sleepy malevolent employees. What is it? Reluctance of manufacturers show their new products to Moscow public, or lack thereof? Of course not. Maybe then fabulous price of rent in conjunction with a low prestige of the exhibition? But it already seems to be true. While organizers do not realize that we are not Hanover, and their offspring are not CeBIT, and producers do not feel that participation in this exhibition at least pay for itself, not to mention the profits, we will not see the "Comtek" nothing worth attention. In the case of a PDA, of course, still more complicated.So fans of handheld devices is better to go to the "Pilotovku" or go to the "Savyolovsky - much more fun and profit, and money for the ticket will not take. The authors, translation:

Berlin was taken, Siberia - ahead!

On the eve of celebrating the Day of Russia, the evening of 11 June, Hewlett-Packard has honored the winners - the foremost dealers - in the next stage of the Club Champions of HP ". The ceremonial meeting this time took place in the pompous restaurant "Grand Opera", receiving guests and entertaining Baron Munchausen with the charming Baroness aka Actors Theatre of "Satyricon" Gregory Siyatvinda and Angelina Varganova. Naturally, this event was not without company MakTsentr, which invariably involved in the initiatives of the manufacturer's most popular in Russia handheld computers. However, tell you more about what the "Champions Club HP" and his meeting ... At one time in order to stimulate sales, PR-managers of the Moscow office HP decided to organize a capitalistic competition between resellers. The mechanism of the event was essentially borrowed from the Soviet ideology, changed only the titles and dates: the reporting period (Five) were the rounds, a program which had to meet or exceed over 4 months old. Labour blast working on a plan of organizers, rewarded financially. It is curious that it was not without ideological inspiration. Each stage of the program (they passed only four) was ideologically furnished. At this time the fifth round of the battle for customers, which participated MakTsentr, held under the slogan: "Arise, great country!" Best sellers, according to a plan of HP, will be three. Each of them will win at his level - a complex, medium or light on the amount of points. For every sold under the program iPAQ H38xx series to be allocated 2 points. For every iPAQ H39xx series or iPAQ H5400 - 4 points each. Take the prize in a light means "to win Battle of Kursk," or, to put it literally, a digital photo studio (camera and printer from HP), on average - a guerrilla war or a TFT-monitor HP (18 "), in the complex - the Great Patriotic or two trips to Prague . The fifth round of the marketing program to support and develop value-added resellers, "Champions Club HP" was held in nine product categories, each of which had three levels of difficulty. prize places were taken by 33 participants. MacCentre Company, as in the previous stage, again won first place at the sophisticated level in the category "Handheld PCs" and was awarded a trip for two in romantic Prague. Thus, the "Berlin took" all three companies, which indicates that as yet about the narrow range of merchants engaged in handheld computers in the Russian market. Battle of Kursk won the Moscow-based company Lightnet Complex, and the names of heroes of the guerrilla war, as expected, remained unknown:))) None of the companies participating in the initiative, did not take the required number of points. Few of the awards ceremony. At this time in the best traditions of social events were entertainers, dressed in costumes of Peter the Great. As befitting manner, they invited the ladies and gentlemen of the prizes, and to train eager to get his due does not become a boring spectacle, in between dance teams waltzed to the sounds of ringing those times, which corresponded to the nomination. Of the awardees as usually required a few words, and the director MakTsentr Dmitry Havzhu turned into the hall, expressed his appreciation to HP and urged the audience "to participate actively in the program and develop the market of handheld computers, as competition stimulates growth, and passive zavoevyvanie first places slows development. In general, the testing of copper pipes MakTsentr seem too went for five. Let's hope that the appeal has been heard:) In the next round of the Club Champions HP ", which has already begun, the category PDAs will be a" deep forest "with a wild boar on the easy level, wolves - on average, and brown bears - the kings of the taiga animals - on the complex.More is coming ...:) authors, translation:

Softool 2003: 1C, pocketGPS and not only

This autumn gave a start to the regular annual information technology exhibition Softool 2003. Pavilion № 69 All-Russia Exhibition Centre at 14 times the exposure completed more than 270 companies from Russia and abroad. The current exhibition, unfortunately, has maintained its "accounting" focus, which is observed over the past few years. Most participants offered mainly software to automate trading. But the general rule is pleasant exceptions ...:) You still have a few days until Saturday (October 4) to have time to visit the exhibition. Fortunately, access to the site of action can comfortably:) From the main entrance OCE constantly ply cute mini-train, embellished with symbols of the largest participants Softool 2003, driving up everyone directly to the exhibition hall. Although these are not the autumn warm weather with pleasure you can walk. So, we're inside. Outwardly, everything is still in the best traditions Softula: the same - the same place. Rigor and reliability managers and representatives of the firms - the major visitors - from time to time "diluted" vivid characters who offer to proceed at a given stand. As before, the dominant Softool'e yellow - the color of the national brand companies 1C, which, incidentally, this year's first appearance as an official sponsor of the event. Traditional giant balloons with company logo dangle as the square in front of the pavilion and inside the exhibition. The highlight of the booth design software giant became national mock attack aircraft during the Second World War, a life-size, which has spread its wings over the bench, symbolizing either the aggressive marketing policy, or simply attracting visitors. Exposure without a doubt be called the largest and most representative at the exhibition. Of the largest foreign participants highlighted, as it should be, Microsoft. Near the main entrance to the pavilion the company has arranged an unusual attraction. Several artists during the exhibition will be working very hard and pencils over cartoons of all comers. Pictures will be made naturally on paper with firm symbolics. The bright-eyed caricaturist draw, I should say a lot of visitors. In the depths of Pavilion Microsoft has built a whole town named after himself - Microsoft Business Solutions. As in every city it has its own streets, each of which demonstrates one of the activities of a monopolist. Traveling through this miniature high-tech capital, you can stumble upon interesting sights. It is curious that one of the stands in a solid wooden frame hangs a Kalashnikov, who represents the reliability and quality of products Microsoft. As in previous years, the exhibition is rather poor at the exposition devoted to portable equipment. Developers so far very little attention paid to this class of devices. The first came across the stand of "Horizon", offering the same name software to develop geographic information systems. Software, to a greater extent focused on desktop PCs, offering a fairly rich. Particularly surprised by the function of constructing three-dimensional landscape maps on which you can look from a height of bird flight. " I am a representation of terrain reminded computer games from the category of aircraft simulators. Virtual camera smoothly hovers above the ground, change direction and altitude. Beautifully, in fact. Unfortunately, a pocket version of "Horizon" is devoid of interesting features. According to the developers, the power of modern PDAs are not yet able to provide fast rendering of complex surfaces and must be limited to conventional two-dimensional maps. To demonstrate the existing capabilities of the mobile version of the system on the bench iPAQ'e was presented Highly detailed map of the city, on which, according to a consultant, you can quickly pave the optimal route between two points and are generally pretty easy to navigate. Another booth was a place where the CCP is owned by RELEX. However, this real estate development company, unfortunately, has no ready-made solutions based on handheld platforms, but only offers database development tools for systems at various levels. On the bench Asus'e was installed a little program for the rapid collection of data, allowing them to synchronize with the server. The company representatives explained that the CPC are not the main focus, and develop for them being only when necessary. The only place on the exhibition devoted exclusively to handheld computers, has become as usual stand "MakTsentr. Visitors here can see the huge pocket supercomputer, which demonstrates the capabilities of the operating system as well as various presentations. The windows shows a large number of models of PDAs, which include most "fresh" news. So, here you can "feel» high-end handheld iPAQ h5550, had just arrived in Russia Mitac Mio 558 - one of the potential competitors popular now, iPAQ h2210, model-based operating system Linux, as well as all the latest hits Palm, Sony and others " Gates "PDA market. With the second family of PDA supplemented in October one of the most extraordinary machines of the season - Sony Slie UX50. in a separate window can contemplate communicators based Pocket PC. Very thoroughly presented and accessories for portable equipment latest series Pocket Nature. The consultants can get detailed information on their compatibility with different models of handheld devices. Fans of "miniatures" are acquainted with the ultracompact USB-drive i-Tiny produced by Pretec. On the size of these babies a little more pyatirublevoy coins, but this does not affect the functionality and data storage. The most striking exhibit not only stand, but also, perhaps, the exhibition has become a miniature car SMZ with the established system PocketGPS. This gorgeous red convertible, represent the domestic navigation system based on PDA, leaves no one indifferent:) During the exhibition stand will be held presentation of new product opportunities. Everybody can make a trial race on the territory of VVC in a special PocketGPS-Mobile, and personally make sure as a handheld navigator. Here, the "MakTsentr, a prototype of Russia's first car navigation system based on on-board computer Carman I. An adapted version of the program PocketGPS Pro allows you to conveniently operate with a card, carry GPS-tracking, has built a base of addresses and much more. In addition, the computer can work as a radio, TV, CD / DVD player is equipped with a series of built-in games, and many others. Generally, the device is very interesting and worthy of attention. Information on all events taking place at the booth of "MakTsentr" can be found at the site HPCru, on Softool 2003. The exhibition will run until October 4, so hurry to see everything with my own eyes on stand D07!:) The authors, translation:

"The skazheny Patsyuk" was ... a girl!

I take this opportunity has presented a noble part in the Game Development Conference 2005 and the opportunity to organize its own stand, the team Absolutist together with "MakTsentr and site HPCru decided to make this past weekend fun contest with fun prizes -" The skazheny Patsyuk. Here's how it was ... On the first day, no time to really settle down and place your stand, our volunteers have earned the "fullest". Bluetooth, connected to the base PC, for the first hour caught dozens of "colleagues", and, with names that we are just "crying". There was also "Chocolate Bunny", and "Masyanya, although mostly attended by more prosaic options. In our opinion the most creative nickname was - jp6F96u24M (confess we could not resist and was awarded the owner a small Krysko:)

Went "hot" megakonkursnaya ...

Present any "Skazhenyh Patsukov" or other projects we could not. Three days from morning till evening on the bench were "javelin". The fight waged mostly on the three "poster" devices: Tapwave Zodiac, Sony Clie NX70 and Asus MyPal. Basic PC served as a transmission link for those wishing to download a toy on your smartphone or PDA. Those who had mobile phones, he immediately went to our WAP, WAP and who has not been set, consult with volunteers on the settings. By the end of each day, volunteer-systems analyst with cries of "I hate the CCP!" With such fury tore the blue "tooth" of the PC, we started thinking about buying a duplicate (well, Bluetooth stand). However, without loss did not pass. On the third day of the show had to change the card reader - the poor fellow quite ceased to understand card and transfer over Bluetooth has become a terrible problem because of the incredible list of devices, caught them. According to our calculations, only at the exhibition game download more than one hundred people. Funny situation and with devices that have been in the hands of users. Our colleagues in Peru (game developers) were mainly represented by PDA Pocket PC (with a clear lead of HP). As for school, they have dominated N-gage (both the first and the second), the audience is mostly older nursed with smartphones Nokia (6600 and later models), has pleased his popularity and the Siemens SX1, as well as Motorola x200. However, for the holders of the latter have not found lace for the connection, so the games uploaded only those who carried a strategically important cable - sorry, the model is not bad, but the "tooth" to it did not stop. The stand was a scene of battle. On one side of the barrier arranged volunteers, on the other - the inflamed passion players, and behind them - the curiosity and queue up to play. It was very hot and thirsty, but the volunteers were standing (or sitting) with firmness. Dry lips, they explained to newcomers how to play, how to download, the terms of competition, and also struggled with SDshkami, CFkami and other exotic types of media.

"That's it! Well, come on down! Oh, you rat!"

Visitors vengeance tried to "shake up" or that the rat to throw on the cherished 500 KLP (rat paw) and get the simple prize of a small Krysko. Some of the most eagerly gave up after 5-10 minutes, while others steadfastly engaged in drills and went with prizes. The fastest participant who managed to stand right on the swing arm to the promised 500, did it for 16 minutes (though later, after receiving the prize, he confessed that he knows the game well and owns throwing techniques).Some participants of the conference (to do with a device), the first two days came to train, but on the third day, reached the "premium" 500. Others simply pumped his game to a flash drive or device and periodically appears on the stand in order to learn the intermediate results. There were also curiosities. One of the dads who came to the conference with a little girl of six, led her to our booth, stuck her little hands poster CPC, asked the volunteers how to play and disappeared for a good half an hour (if not more). During this time, girl, intently sniffing, arm swung at 105 KLP (for which he was awarded a well deserved prize). Nevertheless, already holding the coveted prize in hand, asked the girl "still play" and went on to coach in the mouse.

That there were so many rats first ...

Not without lung linings. Organizers of the conference during the second and third days were not allowed regular visitors to the stands, so the prize giving we set the input of our volunteers, who conducted the participants to stand. Many thanks to the exhibition organizers for the opportunity! Despite the fact that the call was enough to melt your mouse (or crawl) right before our eyes. By the third day they can be seen on the other stands, in the hands, belts, badges and insignia of participants and guests.

And there hang rare heroes who survived the invasion by the end of the second day ...

Mouse out of the competition was awarded a famous Russian science-fiction writer Sergey Lukyanenko (which, as it turned out, collects mice). Cult for many of the author himself came to the stand, intrigued by the fact that as the day it is considering impenetrable crowd of people, and where it is all beautiful girls, volunteers from other companies appeared mini-rat, proudly hanging in their buttonholes and belts.

And the world cracked in half ... the dark street ... the Rat Patrol!

And finally, on April 3, at 15 am Moscow time has passed solemn rewarding players. First-place prize of a brand new palm Tungsten E and a big pink Krysko with a phenomenal result in 20,388 KLP won fragile pretty girl. His arm is trained for two weeks, taking, as we have learned from her boyfriend of his PDA. The young man behind the courageous patience was also awarded a large soft rats, but, judging by the severity of his face, was ready to tear us for the fact that because of this venture it for two weeks, lost not only his favorite toys - PDA, but also attention girls.

Our winner of the victim and her companion: the loss of PDAs for two weeks - is you do not joke!

Second place was shared - a student and police officer. And the party with a great result came after the ceremony, so he got the disc and a small Krysko (the last of the nest egg). About T-shirt Remember, as agreed, contact us and we will give it to you.