TG Daily - Coax is back, Dlink introduces Coax to Ethernet home networking kit

Fountain Valley (CA) – For those of you old timers who used to deal with Coax cable and Vampire Taps, Dlink’s new Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit will bring back some painful memories.  The DXN-221 bridges existing coaxial cable wired homes with Ethernet networks and can transfer at a top speed of 175 Mbps.  The kit comes with a Coax/Ethernet switch and two Coax/Ethernet adapters that can plug onto the ends of cables or wall outlets.

Many modern homes are pre-wired with Coaxial cable and outlets for easy Cable TV installation.  Basically you call up the cable company, plug in the box and you’re ready to watch the latest episodes of Battlestar Galactica and arguing whether Baltar is actually a Cylon.  Dlink’s new box allows homeowners to easily piggy back data, movies and music signals on the cable at 800MHz to 1,500MHz.  Dlink claims this frequency band allows you to transfer files without disrupting the existing Cable TV signal.

Back view of the DXN-221

The DXN-221 kit comes with the switch and two Coax to Ethernet adapters and will be available in the third quarter for $200.  Additional adapters will be $110.  This seems a bit pricy, but the product might go well with home builders who want to provide some extra value in this technological age.  So instead of stringing Ethernet cable up to the bedroom, just plug a Coax cable into the back of the DXN-221 and then plug an adapter upstairs.  This of course assumes you already have a Coax outlet upstairs.

TG Daily - Coax is back, Dlink introduces Coax to Ethernet home networking kit

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Via pushing into laptop, desktop markets with 5 new chips

May 29, 2008 (Computerworld) After watching the giants of the chip market move into its territory, Via Technologies Inc. today began pushing back against the likes of Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. by introducing five new processors.

The five single-core chips that the company launched today have been newly designed from the ground up. Unlike specialized processors from rival chip makers, products in the Via Nano processor family are designed to run in everything from small devices to laptops and even desktops.

"What's happened is [that] Intel and AMD -- well, more specifically Intel -- have come into Via's world," said Dean McCarron, an analyst at Mercury Research Inc. "Via has been plugging away for the past 10 years with low-priced processors for small form factors. In the past few years, you've had this development of low-cost PCs and the emergence of the net book category. With the Atom processor, we're seeing Intel pushing in where Via has always been."

Now, Via is stretching out of its traditional arena and into its rivals' favorite niches -- like the laptop and desktop markets.

Nano's predecessor, the Via C7, was focused on the market for small-form-factor devices. Earlier this month, Intel officially unveiled its line of low-power, newly architected Atom processors for products in the same market -- mobile Internet devices that fall in between small laptops and smart phones in size and capability.

"We've been quite successful with the C7," said Richard Brown, a spokesman for Via. "To address a much broader market, we needed to improve performance. Nano allows us to move into the mainstream desktop space and bigger notebooks, like 12- or 13- or 15-inch screens."

Nathan Brookwood, an analyst at research firm Insight 64, said that he's "fairly impressed" with the Via new processors.

"It significantly improves upon performance compared with their earlier offering," said Brookwood. "For people who don't need the absolutely highest performance, the Via chip offers a good compromise in terms of performance and cost. This is not for somebody who is into heavy-duty gaming. It's not for somebody who spends all day working on Photshop or Adobe Premiere. But it sort of falls into the category of power-efficient chips. It's a little faster than Intel's Atom and comparable to some of the more affordable Celerons."

McCarron noted that the new Via chips are actually fairly old-school because they can drive a range of machines.

In past decades, chip makers actually produced processors that could be used everywhere. Then they started to specialize with families of chips for laptops and different families for desktops, for instance.

"The dirty little secret today is that most of the processor vendors still only sell one processor. They just do variations on voltage, cache size and test programs," said McCarron. "This is actually very normal for the processor market. You design one architecture and then apply it to different market segments. The main thing about this is that it is a brand-new architecture and it is the first one in some time that offers vastly greater performance. And that makes them more competitive against Intel and AMD."

Via pushing into laptop, desktop markets with 5 new chips

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The Associated Press: Obama's doctor: Democrat is in 'excellent health'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama's doctor said Thursday the presidential candidate was in excellent health at the time of his last checkup 16 months ago, but he has a family history of cancer and a big, obvious risk — a smoking habit that he's trying, again, to break.

In a one-page letter released by the campaign, Obama's longtime physician, Chicago internist Dr. David L. Scheiner, said he was summarizing 21 years of medical records, during which the Democrat suffered only minor problems such as upper respiratory infections.

But hanging over that positive assessment: Obama is a smoker who has quit but relapsed several times. Obama, 46, announced in February that he was quitting again with the aid of Nicorette gum. His doctor said only that Obama is using Nicorette "with success."

Smoking causes a list of dangerous effects, including heart disease, strokes and lung cancer — and it takes the body a long time to heal after someone quits for good. Government statistics show that 15 years after quitting, the risk of heart disease drops almost to that of a never-smoker; 10 years later, the risk of lung cancer drops by as much as half.

It wasn't clear when Scheiner had last seen Obama to verify the Nicorette use. But he said the senator's last official checkup in January 2007 found:

_Obama exercised regularly, often jogging three miles and had "no excess body fat." Actual weight wasn't disclosed.

_Excellent blood pressure, at 90 over 60. Optimal blood pressure is considered to be below 120 over 80.

_Very healthy cholesterol, with a total cholesterol of 173 (desirable is under 200); the so-called bad or LDL kind 96 (less than 100 is optimal); and the so-called good or HDL kind at 68 (desirable is over 60).

_No signs of problems on standard blood tests or a heart EKG.

Scheiner noted that Obama's mother died of ovarian cancer and his maternal grandfather died of prostate cancer.

Dr. Otis Brawley of the American Cancer Society said that family history isn't strong enough to be of concern; doctors worry if a father or uncle had prostate cancer.

But black men are at increased risk of prostate cancer overall, enough that doctors often begin prostate screening, called a PSA exam, in the 40s — even though, Brawley stressed, PSA screening hasn't actually been proven to save lives. Still, Obama's PSA last year registered a very low 0.6, meaning no sign of abnormalities.

Without worrisome symptoms today and if he's stopped smoking, "it would be very hard for medical science to predict he's going to have any disease even over the next 30 years," much less the next eight, Brawley said.

The sparse information stands in contrast to Republican candidate John McCain, 71, who last week released 1,173 pages of full medical records documenting eight years of his health — including successful treatment for melanoma — and his own doctors' conclusion that he was fit for the presidency. McCain, too, was a smoker until quitting in 1980.

The Associated Press: Obama's doctor: Democrat is in 'excellent health'

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BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Press hails China-Taiwan talks

Press hails China-Taiwan talks The visit is the first by a Taiwanese leader since 1949 The agreement between China and Taiwan to restart formal talks on strengthening ties after almost a decade is broadly welcomed by the press. Newspapers and commentators feel the discussions planned in Beijing next month will lay the foundations for a more stable relationship. However, a Hong Kong commentator says there are still some doubts about long-term progress, especially on sovereignty, while one Taiwanese columnist urges that the island's politicians and business people to be wary. EDITORIAL IN BEIJING'S CHINA DAILY There's every reason to hope for the best of times in cross-Straits relations after yesterday's meeting... There should be no doubt about the political determination of both sides to promote cross-Straits relations towards a peaceful and stable path, but it takes wisdom and time to realise that goal... The proposals, which are politically far-sighted, have also fully shown Beijing's sincerity in addressing Taiwan compatriots' concerns. INTERNATIONAL HERALD LEADER CARRIED BY XINHUA NEWS AGENCY Wu Po-hsiung's mainland visit this time is indeed a 'journey of responsibility'. It is the first time a Kuomintang (KMT) chairman has taken the initiative to take concrete action to explore interaction between the two parties on both sides of the strait... Leaders of both the Communist Party and the KMT sat side by side as heads of the ruling party for the first time... Wu's visit ... should be an ideological exploration and recognition. The sooner the progress of recognition is completed, the more stable [Taiwan's] cross-strait policy will become without giving ideas like Taiwanese independence the opportunity to flourish. EDITORIAL IN TAIWAN'S UNITED DAILY As anticipated... weekend chartered flights and the passage of mainland tourists to Taiwan won Hu Jintao's approval. These are Hu's gifts to Ma Ying-jeou's government to congratulate Ma on his inauguration as president. Their significance lies not merely in the implementation of a few policies but also in the firm foundation laid in amicable relations between Taiwan and China. LI XIAN-ZHI IN HONG KONG'S MING PAO DAILY NEWS In consideration of Ma Ying-jeou's proposed 'diplomatic ceasefire', Beijing has already come up with a relatively comprehensive view that China will not take the initiative to take away the few countries with which Taiwan has diplomatic ties... NG TZE-WEI IN HONG KONG'S SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST Leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait yesterday held their first summit in more than 60 years, scoring a minor breakthrough on Taiwan's future participation in international bodies... Mr Wu confirmed that future talks... would be based on the principle of "seeking common ground and accepting differences"... In their public speeches, both Mr Hu and Mr Wu put their differences behind them. LAWRENCE CHUNG IN HONG KONG'S SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST A meeting of top-level leaders in Beijing yesterday gave a dramatic boost to long-soured relations across the Taiwan Strait, but some analysts remained doubtful that the two sides could resolve their political differences - especially over sovereignty... Pundits said that while the two sides were expected to have a friendly engagement in the short-term, it was inevitable that they would eventually touch on thorny political issues. PAUL LIN IN TAIPEI'S TAIPEI TIMES Beijing's invitation to KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung to visit China ... tells the Taiwanese that the KMT and the CCP are 'equal' but that the governments of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan are not... The purpose of these measures is to corrode Taiwan's sovereignty and diminish the status of the Taiwanese government... Taiwan's politicians and business people operating in China should be on their guard. BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Press hails China-Taiwan talks

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Judge blocks Delta's termination of Mesa contract

A federal judge Thursday blocked Delta Air Lines Inc. from terminating a regional flying contract with a subsidiary of Mesa Air Group Inc.

Mesa shares shot up almost 40 percent on the news.

Phoenix-based Mesa had warned that it would file for bankruptcy protection by July 20 and cut 700 jobs -- 14 percent of its work force -- if Delta's termination of the contract with Freedom Airlines stuck and Mesa was unable to redeploy unused aircraft.

A spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Delta said the airline was disappointed with U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper's ruling approving an injunction, and it planned to appeal.

Mesa said the contract amounts to $20 million in monthly revenue for the parent company, or about 20 percent of its total sales for 2007. Mesa has 5,000 employees overall.

"I think it is a step in the right direction -- we still have a lot of work ahead of us and we look forward to continuing to do the right thing for our partner Delta, our passengers and our people," Mesa Chief Executive Jonathan Ornstein said of the ruling Thursday. "This has been a very tough few months for us and we're happy the judge decided in our favor."

A lawyer for Delta said during a hearing in federal court in Atlanta this week that the company has the right to terminate the contract because Freedom did not maintain at least a 95 percent completion rate for three months within a six-month period.

But a Mesa lawyer said the reason Freedom fell below the minimum completion rate in October and December 2007 and February of this year was because Delta told Freedom to cancel numerous flights.

Mesa suggested it was Delta's strategy to force Freedom to not meet the necessary completion rate so it could cancel its contract with Freedom and reduce its overall domestic capacity. Delta and other major carriers have been reducing U.S. capacity because of high fuel prices.

Delta denied that it intentionally forced Mesa into the situation it found itself in.

Mesa is a major commuter carrier and operates flights as Delta Connection, US Airways Express and United Express under agreements with Delta, US Airways Group Inc. and United Airlines.

Mesa filed suit against Delta last month in an effort to prevent the company from ending its service agreements. With the injunction in place, the suit will go forward.

Mesa said it would be in serious peril without the Delta contract because Mesa would have little to no ability to redeploy the 34 regional jets it uses for Delta. US Airways and United have told Mesa they don't need the aircraft for their routes, according to Mesa.

Mesa shares rose 20 cents to 70 cents Thursday, while Delta shares rose 49 cents, or 8.7 percent, to $6.14.

Judge blocks Delta's termination of Mesa contract

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Unhappy travelers cost airlines $9 billion in revenue: survey - MarketWatch

In a survey of 1,003 travelers by the Travel Industry Association, more than half said they were fed up with flight delays and blamed airlines for the deteriorating state of U.S. air travel. They also prefer to stay home, or take alternative transportation such as a bus, train or car.

"Many travelers believe their time is not respected and it is leading them to avoid a significant number of trips," said Allan Rivlin, a partner at Peter D. Hart Research Associates, which helped sponsor the survey. "Inefficient security screening and flight cancellations and delays are air travelers' top frustrations."

The TIA estimates that more than a quarter of U.S. air travelers cancel about two trips a year to avoid dealing with security, delays and cancellations. That translates into a loss of about 41 million passenger tickets at an average roundtrip price of $700.

When lost revenue for hotels, restaurants and taxes are factored in, flight delays are costing the U.S. economy about $26.5 billion, the survey showed.

'Many travelers believe their time is not respected and it is leading them to avoid a significant number of trips.' — Allan Rivlin, Peter D. Hart Research Associates

"With rising fuel prices already weighing heavily on American pocketbooks, we need to find ways to encourage Americans to continue their business and leisure travel," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of TIA. "Unfortunately, just the opposite appears to be happening."

Of those polled, about 62% said they think air travel in the U.S. was getting worse. About 70% of frequent flyers, or those taking at least three trips a year, thought air travel was getting worse.

Getting tarred in all this are the airlines. Despite concerns of a U.S. recession, Americans are still flying in record numbers, and domestic passenger growth in February increased by almost 2%.

That means there are more planes in the air, causing congestion at major hubs. Not helping is a growing business jet industry and an antiquated, ground-based radar system that analysts say force aircraft to fly with large buffer zones.

Airlines are also getting clobbered by skyrocketing jet fuel costs, and so far airfare has not kept pace. To make up for it, network carriers are finding new revenue sources by charging for checked baggage or premium seats, or eliminating in-flight snacks.

Though carriers still aren't covering their fuel costs, many passengers see the charges as petty, raising overall frustration with the industry.

However, the TIA survey also showed that travelers did think that airline safety and security are improving.

Unhappy travelers cost airlines $9 billion in revenue: survey - MarketWatch

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Former Ernst & Young partner charged in NYC - Forbes.com

NEW YORK -

A former Ernst & Young partner and an investment banker were charged with insider trading Thursday in an indictment unsealed in Manhattan.

James Gansman, 48, the former partner, and Donna Murdoch, 44, the investment banker, were charged in U.S. District Court with conspiracy to commit securities fraud and 11 counts of securities fraud.

They are accused of joining a scheme to trade illegally on seven separate potential merger and acquisition transactions that involved clients of Ernst & Young.

Prosecutors said Gansman, of Manhattan, provided tips, and Murdoch, of Malvern, Pa., used them to trade securities in personal accounts, earning more than $390,000 in profits.

Authorities say the illegal trades occurred between May 2006 and December 2007, when Murdoch was working as a consultant and an investment banking managing director at a broker-dealer and investment and financial services company.

Prosecutors say Gansman and Murdoch communicated hundreds of times with telephone and text messages during periods when illegal trades were occurring.

Gansman was arrested Thursday; Murdoch is expected to surrender sometime next week.

"Mr. Gansman did not participate in any wrongful conduct whatsoever," said his lawyer, Barry Bohrer. "He did not trade a single share nor make a penny on the basis of inside information and was not aware that anyone had done so."

Murdoch's lawyer, Barry Pollack, said the charges relate solely to trading in his client's personal account and have nothing to do with her job at a small investment banking firm in Philadelphia.

"We have had a number of conversations with the government and are very disappointed they have chosen to proceed in the face of what we believe is substantial evidence she did not engage in any insider trading," Pollack said.

If convicted, the defendants could face as much as 25 years in prison and more than $5 million in fines.

Former Ernst & Young partner charged in NYC - Forbes.com

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