KLUTZ Week @ Stanford Bookstore!

Dear Friends,

Help us celebrate Klutz Week at the Stanford Bookstore from August 23-30, 2009. Enjoy a 10% discount on ALL Klutz books that week (in-store only).

On Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 1-3 p.m., join us for an arts filled afternoon with your kids that includes hand art, painting rocks, stenciling, drawing, decorating, and tons of fun!

Live the Klutz Credo with us at the Stanford Bookstore: Create wonderful things, be good, have fun!

From,

Your friends at the Stanford Bookstore

Windows 7 Upgrade Chart

Microsoft has released a chart detailing how one may upgrade from their existing operating system to Windows 7. There are two types of upgrade: an In-Place Upgrade, and a Custom Install. The In-Place upgrade basically lets you keep all your programs, files, and settings from your current OS when you make the transition. The Custom Install is a fresh installation, completely wiping clean your current OS and replacing it with the new one. You will have to back up your desired files on a separate drive and restore them afterward. You also have the choice of installing it on a particular drive or partition, allowing you to "dual boot", or choose which of multiple operating systems to start up when you first turn the computer on. I assume, although I need to double check, that you may also do a custom install on the versions specified as "In-Place", but not the other way around, since it takes more provider-side work to get the "In-place" in place, as it were. More details can be found here http://windows.microsoft.com/upgrade

Reminder: Windows 7 RC downloads end Aug. 20

Hey All,
Sorry the blog has been quiet. I've been working full time at a radar systems company in Southern California, and it's been a tough schedule for the past month. It's a blast though, I'm learning a ton about the world of engineering and everything that goes into bringing a product up from the initial contract through design, reviews, testing, more reviews, system integration, and final client delivery. It's a lot more than I expected; there is so much to keep track of. I'm interning in the systems engineering department, which basically looks over all the departments: mechanical, electrical, software to make sure all the parts fit together. At one point it's a very "big picture" task, because we are keeping all the individual engineers organized, but at the same time, it is extremely detailed, especially with respect to one project I've been working on. The Interface Control Document basically details the path of every single signal going between each module in the whole product. This includes part numbers, connectors, ports, pins, wires, and any intermediate connections. I'm working with a software guy who is developing a php site that interacts with my SQL database to create an interactive, searchable, modifiable portal where engineers can search up parts or signals and see a visual diagram of the paths, for use in diagnosing problems or repairs. The client too, will get a document listing the signals coming from every major interface.
So I've been poring over block diagrams, wiring schematics, and spec requirements to parse out relevant details. Since each part is still in the works, I also have to track down individual engineers to clarify their documents or to fix errors. I now realize how important communication is when working in a group of more than say, two people, producing multimillion dollar products that are responsible for human safety.

But coming back to Lenovo, I wanted to remind everyone that Windows newest operating system, Windows 7, is offering a free download of the Release Candidate (like the next version after a Beta test) until August 20, 2009. If you have an extra computer around, or know how to create a second partition on your harddrive, you can easily install the newest Windows line. It is incredibly snappy, visually stunning, and incredibly adaptable to any peripherals, networks, and formats. Most computer manufacturers are releasing W7 specific drivers for their computers, and will probably automatically prompt you to install them.

Leave a comment if you would like a detailed post on how to create a new partition for Windows 7, giving you the choice of which operating system to boot into when you first turn the computer on.

Here is the page to download Windows 7 RC
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

ThinkPad: Rugged Right Out of the Box

Here is an enlightening video from Tom Ribble, director of ThinkPad marketing, on the ThinkPad notebooks undergoing MilSpec military standards tests for ruggedness. As proven by the tests, durability and reliability are built into the foundation of the notebook, not added on like many other competitor's "tough" notebooks.

Just In: David Hill Explains T400s

David Hill, ThinkPad Designer, explains a few of the distinguishing features of the upcoming T400s.

More details about the keyboard: Tighter key tolerances to prevent it from becoming a crumb collector (Yay, more food while working!), dedicated mute buttons for both speakers and microphone (good for VOIP), and a subtle distinguishable texture on flush TrackPad. He also says we use our Delete key an average 700 times per week, and that's why they made it bigger. I might have to start counting to see how accurate that is.

PSREF Sheets - A Great Resource

Hey, I just wanted to share a great resource for any technical Lenovo user. This is the Personal Systems Reference (PSREF) sheets. The PSREFs, "commonly called the “Dodson Sheets”, reveal comprehensive information on the features and technical specifications of Lenovo products." They have every system configuration in great detail, including all system parts, part numbers, accessories, and explanations.

Check them out here http://www.lenovo.com/psref/
Hope they are of some help!

ThinkPad T400S to be released soon!

Lenovo plans to release a new version of the ThinkPad T400 soon. Named the T400s, this notebook will, like the original, have a 14.1″ WXGA+ (1400x900) LED backlit display, with webcam. Big changes are the thin 0.83" thickness and low 3.9 lbs weight. Processor options will be a 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Intel SP9400/SP9600. For now, only Intel GMA 4500MHD Integrated Graphics will be included (no discrete graphics). 2GB of RAM will be standard, as well as a 120 GB 5400 RPM hard drive or Solid State Drive. Other components include, Gigabit Ethernet, Intel 5300 AGN, WLAN, WWAN/3G, a 5-in-1 media card reader, Fingerprint reader, and Bluetooth. It will come with Windows Vista Business 32-bit OS.

I am super excited to see this notebook in person, since I love my 14" T61, but can imagine how much better the same size will be with a thinner and more lightweight form. This will be an extraordinarily versatile computing machine, powerful yet still quite portable.

Oh, and I can't forget one of the most important changes: THE KEYBOARD!
In the Lenovo Yamamoto Thinking blog, there is a teaser post on the new design of the ThinkPad keyboard and trackpoint buttons. They explain a small (0.1mm) but definite change in the buttons above the trackpad (those meant for use during trackpoint use), and hint toward a more appropriate keyboard layout for the small nature of notebooks. I believe some or all of these changes are visible in the T400S.

Look at this close up of the T400S. Notice a larger ESC and Delete keys, as well as a leftward shift of the PrtSc, ScrLk, Pause, and Insert keys. Also check out the curved raises on the TrackPoint buttons. It is difficult, without trying it firsthand, to give an impression of what these changes will bring to the feel and performance of the keyboard/buttons, but I think the Lenovo Design team has made important decisions in striving for a better user experience.
More pictures of the T400S are here, and a great post about Tornado Chasers using the T400s, and even running it over with a huge (26,000lb) Doppler On Wheels (DOW) truck. Check it out!

I'll keep you posted on the release

Why Vista?