Details are a bit scarce at this point, but Martin alerts us to the news that The Pirate Bay has apparently been sold to a public company for 60 million SEK (about $8 million US) -- at least according to a press release from the supposed buyer, Global Gaming Factory X (GGF). Apparently it's 30 million SEK/$4 million in cash and another the rest in shares in GGF. The company claims the acquisition...

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has plans to crack down on blogosphere payola with guidelines that would impose penalties on bloggers who promote products without adequate disclosure.The guidelines, expected to be released later this summer, would clarify that the FTC could pursue and penalize bloggers, as well as the companies which compensate them, for any false claims or failure to disclose...

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 will let enterprises know if they're ready for Redmond's next OS.Microsoft has released a beta version of a toolkit for businesses mulling an upgrade of their desktop systems to the Windows 7 operating system.Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit version 4.0 is designed to analyze computers and other devices on a network to determine if...

Hewlett-Packard is betting that the humble printer, like the computer and cell phone, can be transformed with the power of the Internet.The company on Monday introduced the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, the first all-in-one printer to access Internet information. The machine, which also works as a scanner, copier and fax, will connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and will...

The developers of the Blu-ray high-definition video format may have beat HD DVD on the technology, but both are losing the war for the hearts and minds of video consumers who look to cable, satellite and the Internet for video.In a new Harris Poll, the results of which were released on Friday, only 11 percent of Americans own a HD DVD player, while only 7 percent own a Blu-ray player.About 9...

The N wireless router uses draft 802.11n technology and Intelligent MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) spatial multiplexing techniques to improve speed, coverage, and the reliability of the wireless network.

N MIMO complies with the IEEE draft 802.11n specification. It increases speed, range,
reliability, and spectral efficiency for wireless networking...

The Linksys WRP400 Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports is a versatile networking solution offering advanced triple-play services prioritization in a single intelligent compact device.

Whether it’s broadband internet sharing, VoIP service, or enhanced services like multimedia gaming, streaming media, or IPTV, the innovative development of the WRP400 provides users with the Quality...

The DIR-130 can be connected to a cable or DSL line to share high-speed Internet access. It also doubles as an 8-port full-duplex 10/100 switch to connect up to eight Ethernet-enabled devices. Simply add more switches to expand your wired network. In addition, you can create a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with the DIR-130 and allow up to 25* off-site or traveling users to securely access your...

The D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router (DIR-855) is the latest addition to the Award-winning Xtreme N product family. The Duo technology in the DIR-855 supports dualband (2.4GHz & 5GHz) wireless signals at the same time. This allows you to check e-mail and browse the Internet using the 2.4GHz band while simultaneously streaming High-Definition (HD) movies and other media on the 5GHz band. The...

This Wireless G Universal Range Extender increases the coverage of your existing wireless network by retransmitting an 802.11b/g signal across a wider coverage area. Designed for easy setup operation, it works seamlessly with most routers and access points, with the push of a button. When used in access-point mode and connected to a wired router, the Range Extender adds wireless capability to an...

Supposer Wireless a/b/g/n networks (Wireless-N draft 1.0).

Convenient hardware switch to quickly change the product from a wireless router to an access...

Introduction With the popularity of wireless networks and mobile computing, an overall understanding of common security issues has become not only relevant, but very necessary for both home/SOHO users and IT professionals alike. This article is aimed at illustrating current security flaws in WEP/WPA/WPA2. Successfully cracking a wireless network assumes some basic familiarity with networking principles and terminology, as well as working with command-line tools. A basic familiarity...

This article is intended as a primer on some TCP/IP networking concepts and factors that determine an optimal TCP Receive Window.   The TCP Window  The TCP Window is the amount of outstanding data (unacknowledged by the recepient) that can remain in the network. After sending that amount of data, the sender stops and waits for acknowledgement back from the receiver that it has gotten some of it. As such, this value is probably the single most important...

Microsoft enforces a limit on half-open TCP/IP connections that is hard-coded in tcpip.sys. The maximum simultaneous half-open (incomplete) outbound TCP connection attempts per second that the system can make is intended to limit the spread of malicious viruses and worms, as well as limit the possibility of launching a DDoS attack. However, it has proven to also limit some applications using many TCP connections, such as P2P and P2PTV programs. When the OS reaches the half-open...

Windows Vista introduces a number of new features to the TCP/IP stack, including CTCP, and TCP Window Auto-Tuning. This new implementation works much better by default than previous Windows versions with broadband internet connections, and is able to adjust the RWIN value on the fly, depending on the BDP (bandwidth-delay product). This, however, introduces some problems with older routers and restricts the user from tweaking some of the TCP/IP parameters. Still, there is always some room for...

Introduction The Travel Mate 292XC is a part of the 290 Series laptops from Acer. There is a large range of models within the 290 series with different specifications, some Centrino based, and others just Pentium M. This particular model being reviewed, the LX-T3505.455, is a Celeron M 330 processor version and it is a very well priced for its specifications. This model was purchased for about $599.99 CAD and has the following specs: Processor: Intel Celeron M 330 Processor...

Introduction D-Link was founded in 1986, and since then has catered to both consumer and SOHO users. D-Link is already a well known name in the home networking market, however in the past D-Link products have been considered inferior to those of their competitors such as Linksys (Cisco) and Netgear (Bay Networks). Recently this stigma has begun to disappear with D-Link taking a large portion of the home and SOHO markets. The D-Link DI-524 is one of the company's new series of Wireless-G routers,...

Introduction Compex is an established, yet forward-thinking company in the networking, wireless and telecommunications industry. The company was founded in 1987 and focuses on designing, development and manufacturing a complete line of networking products for the home, SOHO, broadband, and WLAN market needs. The NetPassage 26G is a notable addition to the wireless wave of broadband routers that is sweeping the current home/SOHO market. It comes with a...

Netgear is well known in the networking market.  Originally a consumer-oriented subsidiary of Bay Networks, they have since been spun off to become their own company.  Some of the first consumer routers came out of Netgear, and they have been a major player in the home networking scene.  Their latest line of products sports a new sleek look, a major change of the square purple boxes for which they were known.  Personally, I was a fan of the old box, but then again, not everybody wants a...