DataSagar Blog – Page 25 – Where Education meets Technology

Warren Edward Buffett – 1930

Biographies

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

Personal Details

Warren Edward Buffett : Famous American Investor – Stock Market Guru
Famous for : The successful Berkshire Hathaway Company, being one of the richest men in the world, and for being a generous philanthropist.
Buffet details : Born – August 30, 1930 Omaha, Nebraska, USA / Lives – United States of America – Omaha

Detailed Biography

Warren Buffett was born in Nebraska, Omaha USA on the 30th of August in 1930. He is one of the worlds richest men, with a fortune that is only surpassed by Bill Gates of Microsoft fame. He is considered one of the most successful investors of all time and has picked up the nickname of the “Oracle of Omaha”.

Buffett was born to Leila and Howard Buffett and was the second of three children, he being the only boy. Buffett’s father, Howard was a stockbroker and also became a member of congress. Warren Buffett showed early signs of being entrepreneurial through being involved in various business dealings as a child, including purchasing bottles of cola cheaply and selling them for a profit. He also made his first investment in the stock market when he was just 11 years old.

Buffett began studying at the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, but transferred to the University of Nebraska where he graduated. He then went on to the Columbia University to do a Masters in economics. This was where he met the influential value investor Benjamin Graham.

The young investor was very influenced by Benjamin Graham and went to work for him in his company “Graham-Newman”. It was here that Warren Buffett developed many of his stock market investing skills that have now become legendary. Graham developed a method where investors could work out the intrinsic value of a company and make intelligent investing decisions by comparing the stock price to the intrinsic value.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Berkshire Hathaway
After Graham’s retirement, Buffett returned to Omaha and began a limited investing fund partnership with a group of friends, family and associates. The “Buffett Partnerships Ltd” fund racked up amazing returns for its investors over a ten year period, with returns 10 times higher than the Dow Jones Industrial average for the same time. Buffett liquidated the fund and took control of the textile company Berkshire Hathaway.

It was a difficult time for the textile industry and Buffett eventually wound up Berkshire Hathaway’s textile activities, but kept the name for Buffett’s portfolio of companies and investments. The insurance industry was the first major area of success that Berkshire Hathaway had, with the funds used to acquire carefully selected investments each year. Major undervalued companies that Buffett took advantage of included “American Express”, “Coca-Cola” “The Washington Post” and “Gillette”. Berkshire Hathaway owns large holdings of each of the above major brand companies (more than 5% each).
Selected Berkshire subsidiary companies include:

Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry
Acme Brick Company
Buffalo NEWS, Buffalo NY
Clayton Homes
Fruit of the Loom
GEICO Direct Auto Insurance
General Re
Helzberg Diamonds
Nebraska Furniture Mart
The Pampered Chef
See’s Candies
United States Liability Insurance Group

Warren Buffett lives with his long time partner Astrid Menks in Omaha, USA. He was married to Susan Thompson up until her death from stroke in July 2004, but the couple were separated in 1977. They chose not to divorce and remained good friends and business associates. Buffett’s late wife was set to inherit much of his fortune upon his death.

Warren Buffet Gives Away his Billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Buffett is a generous philanthropist and was giving more than $USD12 million each year to the Buffett Foundation (no called the “Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation”). His largest charitable donation was to be upon his death when he had planned to give 99% of his massive fortune to the foundation.

In June 2006 Buffett announced plans to give much of his wealth away while he is still living. The majority of the Buffett billions will go to the foundation of his Bridge partner and friend of fifteen years, Bill Gates.
Read more about the Warren Buffett philanthropy plans.

Warren Buffett becomes the Richest Man in the World in 2008
Warren Buffett finally knocked Bill Gates out of first position to become the richest man in the world in 2008 on the world rich list according to the Forbes business magazine.

Lunch with Warren Buffett
Find out more about the Warren Buffett power lunch auction for charity, where the billionaire spends time with the winning bidder and seven friends at a Smith and Wollensky steakhouse restaurant in New York. The winning bid for lunch with Warren Buffett in 2008 was an impressive $2.1 million paid by Zhao Danyang of the Pureheart China Growth Investment Fund.

Bill Gates (William Henry Gates III) – 1955

Biographies

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

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Bill Gates (William Henry Gates III) – 1955

Personal Details

Bill Gates (William Henry Gates III): Microsoft Founder

Famous for : Being the richest man in the world, a cofounder of the software company Microsoft, and for being one of the world’s most generous philanthropists.
Gates details : Born – USA October 28, 1955 Lives – United States of America

Detailed Biography

Bill Gates is one of the most influential people in the world. He is cofounder of one of the most recognized brands in the computer industry with nearly every desk top computer using at least one software program from Microsoft. According to the Forbes magazine, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and has held the number one position for many years.Gates was born and grew up in Seattle, Washington USA. His father, William H. Gates II was a Seattle attorney and his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates was a school teacher and chairperson of the United Way charity. Gates and his two sisters had a comfortable upbringing, with Gates being able to attend the exclusive secondary “Lakeside School”.

Bill Gates started studying at Harvard University in 1973 where he spent time with Paul Allen. Gates and Allen worked on a version of the programming language BASIC, that was the basis for the MITS Altair (the first microcomputer available). He did not go on to graduate from Harvard University as he left in his junior year to start what was to become the largest computer software company in the world; Microsoft Corporation.

Bill Gates and the Microsoft Corporation
“To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.” Microsoft Mission Statement
After dropping out of Harvard Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen set about revolutionizing the computer industry. Gates believed there should be a computer on every office desk and in every home.

In 1975 the company Micro-soft was formed, which was an abbreviation of microcomputer software. It soon became simply “Microsoft”® and went on to completely change the way people use computers.

Microsoft helped to make the computer easier to use with its developed and purchased software, and made it a commercial success. The success of Microsoft began with the MS-DOS computer operating system that Gates licensed to IBM. Gates also set about protecting the royalties that he could acquire from computer software by aggressively fighting against all forms of software piracy, effectively creating the retail software market that now exists today. This move was quite controversial at the time as it was the freedom of sharing that produced much innovation and advances in the newly forming software industry. But it was this stand against software piracy, that was to be central in the great commercial success that Microsoft went on to achieve.

Bill Gates retired as Microsoft CEO in 2008.

Bill Gates Criticism
With his great success in the computer software industry also came many criticisms. With his ambitious and aggressive business philosophy, Gates or his Microsoft lawyers have been in and out of courtrooms fighting legal battles almost since Microsoft began.

The Microsoft monopoly sets about completely dominating every market it enters through either acquisition, aggressive business tactics or a combination of them. Many of the largest technology companies have fought legally against the actions of Microsoft, including Apple Computer, Netscape, Opera, WordPerfect, and sun Microsystems.

Bill Gates Net Worth
With an estimated wealth of $53 billion in 2006, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and he should be starting to get used to the number spot as he has been there from the mid-ninties up until now. The famous investor Warren Buffett is gaining on Gates though with an estimated $46 billion in 2006.

Microsoft hasn’t just made Bill Gates very wealthy though. According to the Forbes business magazine in 2004 Paul Allen, Microsoft cofounder was the 5th richest man in the world with an estimated $21 billion. While Bill Gates’ long time friend and Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer was the 19th richest man in the world at $12.4 billion.

Bill Gates Philanthropy
Being the richest man in the world has also enabled Gates to create one of the world’s largest charitable foundations. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has an endowment of more than $28 billion, with donations totaling more than $1 billion every year. The foundation was formed in 2000 after merging the “Gates Learning Foundation” and “William H. Gates Foundation”. Their aim is to “bring innovations in health and learning to the global community”.

Bill Gates continues to play a very active role in the workings of the Microsoft Company, but has handed the position of CEO over to Steve Ballmer. Gates now holds the positions of “Chairman” and “Chief Software Architect”. He has started that he plans to take on fewer responsibilities at Microsoft and will eventually devote all his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In 2006, the second richest man in the world, Warren Buffett pledged to give much of his vast fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates Receives a KBE
In March 2005 William H. Gates received an “honorary” knighthood from the queen of England.

Gates was bestowed with the KBE Order (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services in reducing poverty and improving health in the developing countries of the world.
After the privately held ceremony in Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Gates commented on the recognition..
“I am humbled and delighted. I am particularly pleased that this honor helps recognize the real heroes our foundation (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) supports to improve health in poor countries. Their incredible work is helping ensure that one day all people, no matter where they are born, will have the same opportunity for a healthy life, and I’m grateful to share this honor with them.”The KBE Order of the British Empire is the second highest Order given out, but it is only an honorary knighthood as only citizens that are British or a part of the Commonwealth receive the full Order. This means that Gates does not become Sir Bill Gates.

Bill Gates lives near Lake Washington with his wife Melinda French Gates and their three children. Interests of Gates include reading, golf and playing bridge.

Source: http://www.woopidoo.com

Major features of windows 8 release preview

Microsoft

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

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Major features of windows 8 release preview

The official release of Windows 8 is getting closer and closer, but should consumers be excited for the new operating system? Sure Windows 8 may be the boldest move that Microsoft has ever made with their desktop operating system, but does that make it good? Let’s check out some of the top features of Windows 8 and you can decide for yourself.

1) Metro interface

The biggest and most noticeable change by far has to be the introduction of the Metro interface design that consumers first saw with Windows Phone 7. In fact, the Metro design is a bold move by Microsoft to incorporate the design across all of their user interfaces from phones, Xbox, and PCs.

The Metro interface is centered around flat, colorful tiles that update with live information, similar to what we’ve seen with Windows Phone 7. Windows 8 is Microsoft taking tablet interfaces very seriously while still trying to please desktop and laptop users. There are a ton of gestures for laptops and especially tablets.

2) Cloud integration

Microsoft is taking cues from both Apple and Android with its heavy emphasis on cloud storage and seamless sync with their Microsoft Live service, SkyDrive, and even Facebook. When you first log in to your Windows 8 computer, all of your contacts, calendars, and mail accounts will be synced automatically, allowing users to use their computers right out of the box.

3) Features for both novice and advanced users

Many of the design changes in Windows 8 are made to make the operating system easier to use for newbies, but many power users are worried that the whole operating system will be overly simplified.

While the Metro interface is targeted toward tablet users and novices, the backbone of Windows 8 is still filled with features that power users will find useful.

For example, when you first fire up Task Manager, it can be shocking to see such a spartan view. You can end tasks and that’s about it. Click on the ‘More details’ button and everything changes. The Windows task manager is more powerful than ever, giving power users more information about processes, performance, and running services.

4) File History

Microsoft has really taken a hint from Apple with the introduction of File History. Apple’s OS X introduced Time Machineand more recently, Versions, where changes to documents are automatically save and multiple versions of a file can be accessed. It’s like having a mini Time Machine within apps like Word and Text Edit. File History works much the same way as Versions by allowing access to previous versions of documents. There are options to change how often revisions are saved and how many versions to keep. Users can use an external drive or cloud storage like Microsoft SkyDrive to house these versions.

5) Multitasking with Metro apps

While Metro apps look beautiful and work well with tablets, their purpose seems to diminish while using Windows 8’s desktop mode like a traditional PC. Fortunately, you can have a blend of both Metro and the standard desktop UI by multitasking with Metro applications.

While using the desktop interface, you can hover your mouse over the top left to activate the recently used apps list. Right clicking on one of them will give you the option to close or snap the program to the left or right. This allows you to throw up a Metro app on the side of the screen for persistent notifications and interaction. For example, you can have the weather app sit on the side while working to see how the weather changes.

6) Better multi-monitor support

One of the more subtle features that Windows 8 Consumer Preview introduced is better multi-monitor support. This is great for the power user who uses more than one monitor for their workflow. Each monitor will feature a taskbar, something that was suspiciously missing from Windows 7. This makes keeping track of where your program windows are much easier. Each monitor’s resolution, orientation, and personalization can be change independently of one another.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview has shown us just how polished Windows 8 has become. The final product is just weeks away from shipping and Microsoft has shown a lot of thought and more importantly, how many risks its willing to take to capture some of the tablet market share from Apple. Still, there are a lot of quirks that I will be covering in a feature post.

Source: http://softonic.com

Apple Maps Beta vs Google Navigation

Tech-News and Updates

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

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After trying out Apple’s Maps app in the iOS 6 beta, I wasn’t able to test the built-in turn-by-turn navigation in an office setting. I decided to test Apple Maps’ turn-by-turn directions against Google Navigation during a recent drive.

In iOS 5, the Google-supported Maps app doesn’t contain turn-by-turn navigation so Apple is playing catch up with its upcoming release. Maps in iOS 6 could become a contender against Google Navigation because both will be first party applications.

This is an impression of Apple Maps’ directions because iOS 6 is still in beta and aspects of the app could change before the official launch.

Here’s how each app fared during its turn-by-turn test.

Setup

I used an iPhone 4S, with the iOS 6 beta running AT&T’s 4G network, against a HTC Thunderbolt with stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Since the Android phone is normally running on Verizon’s 4G LTE network, I switched the connection to 3G to get a comparable signal between devices.

I also installed My Data Manager to estimate data usage during the test. I drove from Berkeley, CA to Millbrae, CA, resulting in a 23.6 mile drive through San Francisco.

It’s an easy drive on the highway, but includes on-ramps, exits, and merging highways. This drive also allowed both apps to pull data without encountering interference from buildings.

Result

Apple Maps navigation works, kind of. The app showed directions simplistically, but Siri quickly became annoying and I had to mute the sound. It also crashed if the iPhone was placed in landscape mode (which is likely a bug).

I think the most irritating part of Apple Maps is the actual directions. The billboard sign placed at the top of the screen covered too much of the screen. The perspective of the map also didn’t allow you to see very far ahead. Google Navigation’s perspective displayed from a lower angle so it was possible to see a wide area along with the suggested route.

Maps also didn’t let you explore upcoming areas like Google Navigation. The screen was locked into directions, and swiping the screen didn’t do anything to fix that. Sometimes it was helpful to see upcoming roads, but maybe Apple disabled the option for safety.

I’m sure that Apple wanted you to allow Siri to give audio directions, but audio notifications were delayed. I’m used to being given a heads up at least a couple miles before an exit, but Apple Maps notified me about a mile before I was supposed leave the freeway. On a busy road, this doesn’t give you a lot of time to switch lanes.

Google Navigation pointed out almost every street and also upcoming turns. Apple Maps didn’t give a lot of warning overall. The crowdsourced traffic that Apple announced also doesn’t currently function so it wasn’t possible to layer traffic in the map.

The app contained the simplicity that I mentioned in my original impression of Maps. There’s not yet enough information available for locations outside of San Francisco though. It was also strange to see Apple Maps point out different businesses at random times.

With 3D toggled, the driving map looked interesting, but there’s still a lack of information on things like streets or points of reference.

Apple Maps also didn’t take traffic into consideration with the estimated time of arrival. It gave an estimated time, but when I was stuck in traffic, it kept the original time, while Google Navigation gave a different estimate.

Apple Maps impressed with the smoothness of the animation as the GPS kept track of my car when driving the suggested route. Google Navigation kept a good pace too, but occasionally played location catch-up.

Maps did have problems with rerouting, suggesting new turns after I had passed them. Google Navigation also encounters this problem from time to time however.

After I arrived in Millbrae, I opened My Data Manager and found that both iOS and Android used about 6 MB of data during the drive. Google Navigator presented more information and used the same amount of data as Apple.

If Apple adds more visual information like street names and smaller details, will extra detail consume more data? It’s hard to tell right now, but with standard data plans, every MB counts.

Apple Maps is simple

Apple Maps reminded me of receiving directions from a friend.

It was simple and didn’t present a lot of distractions, focusing on a point A to point B approach. I do think the app was a little too simple for the consumer. Even considering people who use standalone GPS devices, Apple Maps still should have included more relevant driving information like street names.

I assume that Apple Maps will always be streamlined and only show more information when manually searched. Apple Maps was decent as a turn-by turn service in beta, but I think most people will simply end up using the app because it’s included on later devices.

My original thought was Apple Maps could deliver a more useful experience with Siri and TomTom, but I didn’t find that in my hands-on.

Alternative for BitTorrent | UseNet

Tips and Tricks

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

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One of the big draws of BitTorrent is that there are few barriers to entry, not least because it’s free to use. There are other downloading options of course, Usenet being one, but it can be a complex and relatively expensive option. However, thanks to a new service, anyone can enjoy simplified newsgroup downloading using just a web browser. Best of all, it’s completely free of charge.

It’s a battle that’s been running in some people’s minds for the last decade. What’s better for downloading – BitTorrent or Usenet? You can choose whatever you like.

Regular Usenet providers require a user to run a software client in order to grab content via NZB files (think .torrent files for Usenet), but with UsenetStorm the whole thing is done through a simple web interface.

Additionally, even when traditional companies offer a free Usenet trial they still require users to register their credit cards, a huge problem for those who don’t have one. UsenetStorm’s basic service is completely free, no strings.

“The only restriction for free users is 500mb per NZB file and download speeds are capped at 5mbit. Usage is unlimited to everyone without registration,” William adds.

What this means is if you want to download a release from Usenet that’s bigger than 500mb, each NZB file you create will need to link to a maximum of 500mb of files. You can, however, make as many as you like.

Basic Tutorial – Making an NZB file and downloading content.

For this you’ll need a suitable Usenet search engine – NZBIndex.nl or Binsearch.info will do just fine. The latter is less cluttered but the former shows the size of each file to download, useful when keeping within the 500mb limit of UsenetStorm.

So, we searched Binsearch for ‘Dan Bull’ and came across his Mass Effect release, shown below.

As you can see, we’ve ticked the box to say that’s the collection of files we want to download. Next, simply click the ‘Create NZB’ button on the site and Binsearch will send you an .NZB file which, like a .torrent file, ‘points’ to the data we want to download, in this case Dan’s music.

Now, we head back to UsenetStorm. Click ‘Choose File’ and browse to the hard drive location containing the .NZB file sent to us by Binsearch.

Then, simply click ‘Download’ and UsenetStorm will grab the files you want from Usenet and store them on its own servers.

When the big button appears saying “Go To Download” – click it – and then click the final ‘Download’ button.

UsenetStorm will then send you the files you asked for, all wrapped up in a single ZIP file which you’ll need to unpack. And that’s it. If you want any more files, simply head back to the first step and repeat.

While the technicalities of PAR files are outside the scope of this article, advanced Usenet users might be interested to know that they are all handled on the UsenetStorm servers. On the other hand, those new to Usenet can be relieved that with UsenetStorm PAR files aren’t needed.

On the privacy front and in addition to all the usual newsgroup security, the only information gathered for unrestricted UsenetStorm premium accounts is an email address and heavily encrypted password. IP addresses are not stored and SSL downloads will come along in the near future.

Overall, UsenetStorm offers a very nice service for people to test out Usenet for free to see if it’s for them. More experienced users might feel more at home getting their hands dirty with a standard Usenet provider and tools like SABnzbd, but for ease of use this is difficult to beat.

Source : torrentfreak.com

Incompatible Software i found in windows 8 release preview

Microsoft

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

0

Incompatible Software i found in windows 8 release preview

Adobe Flash Player 10 10.3.181.26 (crashes in Chromium)
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology Intel Corporation 10.1.0.1008 (drivers can’t install)
Microsoft Games for Windows – LIVE Redistributable Microsoft Corporation 3.5.88.0 & Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace 3.5.50.0 & Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant 6.500.3165.0 (crashes on exit)
NVIDIA Graphics Driver 275.50 NVIDIA Corporation (aero doesn’t work)
Sandboxie 3.56 (64-bit) (drivers can’t install)
Unlocker 1.9.1-x64 (drivers can’t install)
Norton Ghost 15
Windows Phone SDK Emulator
Notepad

How do I find out which version of a software program I have installed on my computer ?

Microsoft

datasagar

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June 24, 2012

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To find out which version of a program is installed on your computer:

If you’re running Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

Click Start , click Control Panel, click Programs, click Programs and Features, and then click the name of the program.
In the Details Pane at the bottom of the window, view the product version.

If you’re running Windows XP:

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
Click the name of the program and then on the Click here for support information link.

Note: If the Details Pane is hidden, click Organize , click Layout , and then select Details Pane.

Windows 8 Tablet | Scratch the Surface

Microsoft

datasagar

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June 23, 2012

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Microsoft’s entry into the tablet market might not be great news for either its partners or Windows Phone manufacturers, but it gives business users some very interesting new options.

For the device makers, or OEMs, Surface could pose a real challenge. If Microsoft throws its considerable marketing weight behind Surface, manufacturers such as Dell and HP will find themselves trying to compete on specifications and price, with their main competitor also owning the software technology for their tablets.

Specifications

The Windows 8 Pro model will be powered by an Intel Ivy Bridge processor, giving the device a performance to rival an Ultrabook’s. The chassis will have a built-in microSDXC slot, USB 3.0 port, mini DisplayPort connector, as well as 2×2 MIMO antennaes for wireless connectivity. Microsoft will offer a choice of 64GB or 128GB of internal storage.

The Windows RT model will run on an ARM-based NVIDIA Tegra chip, with either 32GB or 64GB of storage available. Integrated features will include a microSD slot, micro HD connector, 2×2 MIMO antennae, but these devices will support USB 2.0 initially.

The specifications suggest the Windows 8 Pro tablet will go head-to-head with the MacBook Air range and the Windows RT device aims to provide an alternative to the iPad.

The new devices is available in both Intel and ARM-powered versions, and Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro models, although pricing and availability has not yet been confirmed.

Features

ARM, AMD and Intel tablets : Windows 8 supports on ARM, AMD, Intel processors. Microsoft is to design Windows 8 with support to on tablets with all these processors.

THIN AND LIGHT TABLETS : Windows 8 is expecting to release their new OS through thin and light tablets. Nokia, Samsung, Dell, Asus etc., are capable of building thin and light tablets. In this way, Windows 8 can take iPad and Android tablet in the form factor and weight.

BUSINESS TABLETS : Microsoft Windows 8 tablets will be more business friendly than iPad and Android tablets. Because, there will be Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, OneNote and much more. The New York Times say that Microsoft believes that there is a huge business for business tablets.

TABLET DIVERSITY : Microsoft has signed with a lot of tech makers. Therefore, these tablets will differ in size, quality, shape, price and others. Diversity has been the major success of Android tablets. Microsoft is also implementing that technique to get a variety of tablets.

WINDOWS STORE : App store for Microsoft is known as Windows Store. The upcoming Windows Store will raise a challenge to both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Windows Store will list apps, games, programs required for windows 8 including laptops, desktops and notebooks. Less number of apps in windows phone was a major problem. In Windows 8, they had rectified this problem by following as set Google as a third party open source app maker which will be listed on the Windows Store. Therefore, Windows 8’s new Windows Store will be enriched with a large number of apps. Moreover, Windows 8 is expected with countless pre-installed apps which will contain solutions for camera, SkyDrive, people, photos, messaging, mail, calendar, video, music and much more.

METRO STYLE APPS AND START MENU : Metro style will be a unique thing for windows 8 tablets. Microsoft’s metro style apps, start screen and icons will be also there in the PC version of Windows 8. “Fast, fluid and dynamic, the experience has been transformed while keeping the power, flexibility and connectivity of Windows intact,” Julie Larson-Green, Microsoft’s head of Windows Experience says of the new Metro interface of Windows 8.

Microsoft has added some nifty features to Surface. The integrated kickstand will allow the devices to be place on a desk without having to connect them to a keyboard. This will make it particularly useful to business users, as the tablet can be used alongside another device on a desk.

Source: http://www.itpro.co.uk