Kev’s Blog – Page 391 – Kev's Development Toolbox

March 7, 2006

Google to host online storage ‘GDrive’ service with unlimited storage?

In a recent presentation to industry analysts, one of the slides mentioned the possibility of an online storage service for users to backup their entire harddrives, with ‘infinite storage’.

The Powerpoint slides appeared on the Google site for a short time before it was noticed that the notes attached to the slides mentioned this yet unannounced service that wasn’t explicity mentioned in the slides themselves. The slides were later replaced with a PDF version of the presentation minus the presenter notes.

March 6, 2006

Thinking in Java 4th Edition now in bookstores

Thinking in Java is a classic Java book by Bruse Eckel. This is an awesome book, that goes far beyond the typical leanring Java books, because Bruce goes to some length to explain not just the how, but also the why.

If you want to get a more indepth understanding of the Java lanaguage and platform then this book is a definite ‘must read’ (however it may be too much information for someone just starting out with Java).

If you’ve come across this book before, then this 4th Edition of the book has been updated to cover Javav SE 5.0 features, and now weighs in at 1500 pages.

Previous editions of the book can be found for free electronic download on Bruce Eckle’s website, here.

Bruce was also recently interviewed on the Java Posse webcast, in which they talked about the book in some detail. The podcasts(2 parts) can be downloaded here.

March 6, 2006

Data encryption in Windows Vista

Windows Vista will include a data encryption service called ‘BitLocker Driver Encryption’, which is intended to protect personal data on a PC should be PC get stolen or fall into the wrong hands.

This is causing some concern from some governments, who are worried that this will make forensic access to PCs significantly harder. Microsoft has also stated that there are no ‘backdoors’ to get around the encryption, even for government access.

March 6, 2006

RIM settle with NTP

RIM have settled the patent infringement with patent owner NTP, for $612million. This is a one time payment to NTP, and the Blackberry service will now continue.