For the last few days and at various times during the last few weeks, months and years I have been working on a new version of OSNN and today I think it has reached the stage where it is ready to replace the old system.

We have been using Virtuanews since around 2002, but the project is pretty much dead which could well have opened it up to security issues and such, but in a shallower and yet more important sense was leaving it behind in the direction the web is moving.

Today we switch to vBadvanced, a system that is more tightly integrated with vBulletin which we have been using on the forums for nearly 8 years, this allows us to more easily keep the style up to date, moderate new posts in a single area. There is so much more as well, but I am pretty hyped up at the moment as I was really looking forward to getting this online.

There is of course, still work to be done and I have a todo list that just seems to keep getting longer as I spot things that need work! The most obvious is the lack of logo! But yes, its coming!

Thanks to the team and the elite members for helping me test the site out and please enjoy the new OSNN as it continues to evolve, let me know what bugs you find and what you think of it!

Thanks to LordofLA on IRC for letting me know that NVIDIA have released a new set of WHQL drivers for your downloading pleasure. The drivers are for GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200-series desktop GPUs and ION GPUs.

New in Release 190.38
- Adds support for OpenGL 3.1
- Adds support for CUDA 2.3 for improved performance in GPU Computing applications. See CUDA Zone for more details.
- Adds a new user-controlled power management setting for GeForce 9-series and later graphics cards (cards must already support more than one power state). This option allows users to set a performance level for each DirectX or OpenGL application.
- Includes several new control panel features and numerous bug fixes. More information can be found in the release documentation.

Existing Support:
- Supports Microsoft’s new DirectX Compute API on Windows 7.
- Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology* on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL,including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
- Installs PhysX System Software version 9.09.0428.
- Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. Use one card for graphics and dedicate a different card for PhysX processing for game-changing physical effects.
- Supports GeForce Plus Power Pack #3. Download these FREE PhysX and CUDA applications now!
- Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.

Click to expand...

So far, feedback suggests that these drivers are pretty good.

:software: Download: NVIDIA GeForce/ION Driver Release 190.38
:source: News Source: NVIDIA Homepage

Major Nelson has updated his blog to announce that the Xbox Live Update Preview Program will be launching soon and you can sign up to try to grab a spot over on Windows Connect.

I am happy to announce that we’re doing an Xbox 360 System Update Preview program for our next release, and the opportunity to sign up is now available. Much like we did last year, you’ll need to visit the Microsoft Connect site from this link and sign in with your Windows LIVE ID that is connected to your Xbox LIVE Gamertag.

Once you do that, you need to fill out the "Xbox LIVE Update Preview Sign Up" survey in order to be considered for receiving the Preview System Update. We're asking a few questions about where you live, your home network, ISP connection and a few other pieces of information. We are looking for a good cross-section of our members in order to get the best feedback we can.

The Xbox team will then review all of the applications and if you’re selected we’ll send you an email notifying you of your acceptance in the program. A couple of points before you head off to register:

• We’re looking for multiple thousands of participants, so your chances of making it in are good
• This opportunity is open to all Xbox LIVE Members in regions where Xbox LIVE is available.
• Just completing the survey does not automatically get you access to the Preview Program. We’ll be making final selections from the completed surveys and send you an email if you are selected.
• While both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up, Priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.

If you are accepted, you'll hear from us in about a week. Make sure your information on Connect is updated so we can email you if you are accepted. Also, I’ll be sure to updated/edit if the program fills up.

Click to expand...

The update won't quite be as large as the one last year, but does bring enchancements to watching movies, getting games on demand and customising your avatar. There are many other minor enchancements as well so it will be well worth having once it is available.

:source: News Source: Major Nelson

Lexar Media, a leading global provider of memory products for digital media, today announced its revved-up line of Crucial solid-state drive (SSD) products – the fastest, highest capacity Crucial SSDs to date. The most dramatic change in this new generation of Crucial SSDs is the blazing-fast read and write speeds.

The flagship 256GB Crucial M225 SSD screams at an impressive 250MB/sec read speed and a 200MB/sec write speed. The new Crucial SSDs enhance system performance by improving operating system boot and application load times. They also utilize a SATA 2.0 (3Gb/s) interface and feature MLC NAND flash components housed in an industry standard 2.5-inch drive enclosure, making a Crucial M225 SSD easy to install.

“By upgrading their system with a solid-state drive, mobile computer users will enjoy a faster, more rugged system with storage built for mobility. The fact that SSDs don’t have any moving parts makes Crucial solid-state drives quieter, cooler, and more durable than traditional hard drives,” said Robert Wheadon, Lexar Media’s senior worldwide product marketing manager.

:source: News Source: Businesswire

Microsoft and Apple, along with a handful of other tech companies, find themselves strange bedfellows after being sued by a small company over a touch-screen patent.

The lawsuit, originally filed on July 15 in Texas Eastern District Court, alleges that Apple’s iPod, Microsoft’s Zune and other media-playing devices all use touch-screen technology invented by Tsera.

Microsoft and Apple are finding themselves the target of a small technology company named Tsera, which is alleging that both the Zune and iPod, along with several other devices, violate its touch-screen patent.

Nor are they the only companies in the cross-hairs; Tsera is seeking damages from 23 tech entities in total, including Bang & Olufsen, LG Electronics, Philips Electronics North America and Mach Speed Technologies. None of the defendants has issued a statement on the matter.

The lawsuit, originally filed on July 15 in Texas Eastern District Court, alleges that Microsoft’s Zune, along with Apple’s iPod and a host of other mass-market media players, violate a touch-screen patent filed by Tsera’s representatives in October 2003.

:source: News Source: eWeek