3
Apr

General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article

Brendan Eich's Short Stint as Mozilla CEO Comes to an Abrupt End

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 01:35 PM PDT

Brendan EichMozilla co-founder was pressured to resign due to his support of an anti-gay marriage law

After barely more than a week on the job, Brendan Eich has made the decision to resign as Chief Executive Officer of Mozilla, and is giving up his seat on the board as well. Eich was named CEO on March 24, 2014, which immediately drew the ire of several employees and members of the LGBT community over his support of California's anti-gay marriage law, otherwise famously known as Proposition 8.

This has been a topic of controversy ever since Eich in 2008 donated $1,000 in support of the ballot measure to ban gay marriage, though it came under greater scrutiny when he was named CEO of Mozilla last week. Between then and up to today's surprise announcement Eich held firm in multiple interviews with various members of the press that he would not resign, nor would he speak about his personal beliefs, which he said weren't relevant to the job.

Something changed his mind, and according to a blog post by Mozilla's Executive Chairwoman Mitchell Baker, Eich made the voluntary decision "for Mozilla and our community." Baker also used the opportunity to apologize.

"Mozilla prides itself on being held to a different standard and, this past week, we didn't live up to it. We know why people are hurt and angry, and they are right: it's because we haven't stayed true to ourselves," Mitchell explained. "We didn't act like you'd expect Mozilla to act. We didn't move fast enough to engage with people once the controversy started. We're sorry. We must do better."

Eich, who's resume includes the creation of the JavaScript scripting language, and Baker have worked together for over 15 years. In an interview with Recode, Baker acknowledges that it's a tough situation due to Eich's founding status and contribution over the years, but that "making sure others continue to join and support Mozilla's efforts is even more important." Baker also stated that despite pressure coming in from all sides, it was Brendan's decision to step down.

"What's next for Mozilla's leadership is still being discussed. We want to be open about where we are in deciding the future of the organization and will have more information next week," Baker added.

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Epic Games Provides Details on Unreal Engine 4.1 Update

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 01:18 PM PDT

Elemental demo screenshotLinux and SteamOS support incoming

Epic Games has posted preview notes on its upcoming 4.1 update for the Unreal Engine 4. The pending update has a plethora of new features, assets, new platform supports, and a ton of fixes and improvements to the game engine. 

One new feature of 4.1 is that it will have initial support for Linux and SteamOS platforms. This will allow developers to run and package games for both platforms once the update goes live. For those who were impressed with Epic's Elemental demo that was shown back in 2012, the company also plans to release the Elemental assets to coincide with the update's rollout for free to all subscribers from the Marketplace.

Update 4.1 will also have two new project templates, for C++ and Blueprint, which will demonstrate flying and rolling character movement. Among the other features there is an Asset Deletion Assistant, an Undo History Window, and even a new Translation Editor to edit translation for strings in a game's code and assets.

For a full list of all the new features, fixes, and improvements, be sure to visit the official website. 

Last month, at GDC, Epic Games announced a $19-per-month plan that would provide developers full access to the engine and its assets. Those who use the engine to develop a game would also agree to pay 5 percent back to the company for the gross revenue of any commercial products built with UE4.

The Unreal Engine 4.1 update will be released later this month. 

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Eurocom's 13.3-inch M4 Laptop Packs a 3200x1800 Display, Maxwell Graphics

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:40 AM PDT

Eurocom M4Eurocom claims the M4 is the most powerful ultraportable on the planet

Put the kids to bed because Eurocom's M4 just might scare the children. Based on the specs, it certainly should scare any Ultrabooks that happen to wander by. According to Eurocom, the M4 is the world's most powerful ultraportable, a claim it makes based on its combination of up to an Intel Core i7 4940XM Extreme processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M (Maxwell) graphics.

The real highlight of the show might be the display. This thing touts a 13.3-inch panel with a 3200x1800 (QHD+) resolution. In doing so, users should have a plenty of on-screen real-estate to play around while maintaining an ultraportable form factor that measures 13.2 inches (W) by 9.98 inches (D) by 1.28 inches (H) and weighs 4.4 pounds.

Pricing actually starts at around a grand for a more subdued configuration, though the M4 is configurable well beyond the budget of most pedestrians, including multiple 1TB solid state drive options (there are two mSATA slots and a regular SATA slot).

You can configure and pick up your own (or window shop) on Eurocom's website.

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Digital Storm Launches Four Gaming Laptops Running GeForce GTX 800M Series Graphics

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:12 AM PDT

Digital Storm LaptopsOne lucky gamer will receive a free Krypton laptop valued at $1,478

If it's a laptop for gaming that you're after, boutique system builder Digital Storm has four new pixel-pushing models to choose from, including the 15.6-inch Javelin and Lance, and 17.3-inch Krypton and Behemoth. All four models sport Nvidia's recently introduced GeForce GTX 800M Series graphics, and to kick off the launch of these new machines, Digital Storm is giving away a Krypton.

We'll start with the contest. To enter, Digital Storm requires that you Tweet or Instagram a photo of your "ramshackeled laptop" using the hastag #DSThrowbackContest. Out of the photos it receives, Digital Storm will choose the most broken down and decrepit laptop and give the owner a Krypton.

As for the four laptop models now available, pricing starts at $1,196 for the Javelin, $1,430 for the Lance, $1,478 for the Krypton, and $2,289 for the Behemoth, the last of which comes standard with an Intel Core i7 4810MQ processor, 16GB of DDR3-1600 RAM, 128GB solid state drive, 750GB hard drive, Nvidia GTX 880M graphics, DVD burner, Wireless-N, and Windows 8.1.

Depending on your budget, you can add various upgrades, including SLI graphics and multiple drives in a RAID array. You can check out all the models and options on Digital Storm's website.

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Newegg Daily Deals: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit, Kingston SSDNow V300 240GB SSD, and More!

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 09:39 AM PDT

Windows 8.1 Screenienewegg logo

Top Deal:

It only took a mass of bull horns and the collective cries of power users far and wide, but dare we say that Microsoft finally got the message? It sure seems that way -- Windows 8.1 is improving on the Desktop side and is about to get a major update that will make things better than ever, the timing of which will come just as support for Windows XP comes to a screeching halt. Coincidence? We think not. Regardless, if you find the upcoming intriguing, then check out today's top deal for Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit for $125 with free shipping (normally $140 - use coupon code: [EMCPFPG22]).

Other Deals:

Toshiba Canvio Slim II 1TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive for $60 with free shipping (normally $70 - use coupon code: [EMCYTZT58934])

ViewSonic VA2342-LED Black 23-inch 5ms Widescreen LED Backlight LED Monitor for $130 with free shipping (normally $140 - use coupon code: [EMCYTZT58929])

Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240G 2.5-inch 240GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive for $110 with free shipping

MSI Gaming N760 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 760 2GB 256-Bit 3.0 SLI Support Video Card for $230 with free shipping (normally $260 - use coupon code: [EMCPFPG26]; additional $10 Mail-in rebate)

AOC Introduces a Full HD 1080p 24-inch Gaming Monitor with 144Hz Refresh Rate

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 08:41 AM PDT

AOC g2460pquA monitor for gamers

AOC has put a target on gamers with its new 24-inch monitor (G2460PQU) that offers a fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time to ensure lag-free and smooth gaming. It sports a Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution, has four USB 2.0 ports (including a fast charging port), and ample connectivity options that include VGA, Dual Link DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs.

It also features seven different display modes: 17-inch Pillar Box (5:4), 19-inch Pillar Box (5:4), 19-inch Widescreen (16:10), 21.5pinch Widescreen (16:9), 22-inch Widescreen (16:10), 23-inch Widescreen (16:9), and 24-inch Widescreen (16:9).

There are built-in speakers, a cable management hook on the back of the stand, and support for tilt, pivot, and height adjustability. And though it's intended for gaming, the monitor can be used in either landscape or portrait mode, the latter of which can be useful for reading long documents, surfing the web, or working with certain images.

Street pricing for the G2460PQU varies by vendor; the cheapest we've seen it is $293 at Amazon -- a bit pricey for a non-IPS panel.

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Microsoft is Bringing Back the Start Menu and Catering to Mouse and Keyboard Users

Posted: 03 Apr 2014 07:28 AM PDT

Windows 8.1 Start MenuThis is what Windows 8 should have been all along

Straight to the point, Microsoft is bringing back the Start menu to Windows via an upcoming update to Windows 8.1. Along with everything else that will be introduced, we feel like Brennan from Step Brothers after he and Dale received pirate hats, dirty magazines, and crossbows - "You guys finally came to your sense and got us something cool!" And yes, despite all the criticism up to this point, Windows 8.1 finally has a shot at being a cool OS.

To anyone who's been paying attention, Windows 8/8.1 has been steadily getting better over time, though it hasn't been able to get over the hump where it's widely accepted as a worthy replacement for Windows 7, or even XP if you're a legacy holdout. Part of the reason why is Microsoft's stubbornness to alter its vision. For example, Microsoft already brought back the Start button, but stubbornly refused to include the Start menu. It's thereto toggle between Desktop and Metro, the latter of which is of little interest to power users, and offer up a few right-click shortcuts.

In a video promoting the upcoming update, Joe Belfior, VP of Windows, finally acknowledges what we suspected all along. He says, "Lots of Windows 8.1 users are spending most of their time on the desktop." He also acknowledges the importance of the taskbar to users who don't have a touchscreen.

Microsoft needed to make these epiphanies, and now that it has -- or at least admitted to knowing them -- Windows 8.1 is only going to get better. The forthcoming update goes beyond the return of the Start menu and focuses on mouse and keyboard input. You'll be able to pin Windows Store apps to the taskbar, and likewise it will be easy to switch between or close them with your mouse.

"We've made it so your mouse works more consistently anywhere in Windows. If you move your mouse to the top of the screen when using a Windows Store app, you will see the familiar Close and Minimize buttons. And as I mentioned above, when you move your mouse to the bottom of the screen in a Windows Store app, the taskbar comes up," Microsoft explains in a blog post.

There's a lot more you can do with the mouse, both on the Desktop and the Start screen. You can right-click on app tiles for a context menu, select multiple tiles at once, and much more.

In short, Windows 8.1 is transforming into what Windows 8 should have been at launch. For users who want the touch experience, it's there and it works magnificently. And for users who care about the traditional Desktop interface, you can boot directly to the Desktop and manipulate the OS like you're used to doing.

The "Windows 8.1 Update" is available now for MSDN subscribers. For everyone else, Microsoft will start rolling it out for free to Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 customers via Windows Update on Tuesday, April 8th.

Update

Well, this stinks. Apparently Microsoft is indeed bringing back the Start menu that power users have demanded, just not with the Windows 8.1 Update 1 scheduled for April 8th -- according to TechCrunch, it will be introduced in a future update of Windows 8.1, which means you won't have to wait until Windows 9, but you don't have wait longer than next week.

On the plus side, the forthcoming update will introduce several other enhancements, including the expanded mouse and keyboard functionality.

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Posted by Shri Krishna

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