iMac v.s. AsusTek All-in-One PC

AsusTek All-in-One PC:
 
Price: $1,719.26 at 2020pc.com (free shipping + no tax)

General
Type	Personal computer
Product Form Factor	All-in-one
Built-in Devices	Touch screen
Width	22.9 in
Depth	2 in
Height	19.5 in
Weight	28.7 lbs
Color	Black
Bundled with	3D glasses
Processor
Type	Intel Core i7 740QM / 1.73 GHz
Multi-Core Technology	Quad-Core
64-bit Computing	Yes
Installed Qty	1
Max Supported Qty	1
Mainboard
Chipset Type	Mobile Intel HM55 Express
RAM
Installed Size	8 GB / 8 GB (max)
Technology	DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Speed	1333 MHz
Form Factor	SO DIMM 204-pin
Configuration Features	4 x 2 GB
Storage Controller
Type	1 x Serial ATA - integrated
Controller Interface Type	Serial ATA-300
Storage
Hard Drive	1 x 1 TB - standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm
Optical Storage
Type	DVD-Writer / BD-ROM
Card Reader
Type	Card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards	SD Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Monitor
Monitor Type	LCD display - 3D Ready - TFT active matrix - Multi-Touch
Diagonal Size	23.6"
Max Resolution	1920 x 1080 ( Full HD )
Widescreen Display	Yes
Image Aspect Ratio	16:9
Graphics Controller
Type	Plug-in card
Graphics Processor / Vendor	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M
Video Memory	1.5 GB
Digital Video Standard	High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Multimedia Functionality
TV Tuner Type	Digital TV
Digital TV Reception	ATSC
Audio Output
Type	Sound card
Sound Output Mode	Stereo
Camera
Form Factor	Integrated
Sensor Resolution	1.3 Megapixel
Input Device
Type	Mouse, keyboard
Keyboard
Connectivity	Wireless
Mouse
Connectivity	Wireless
Audio Input
Type	Microphone
Networking
Networking	Network adapter
Wireless LAN Supported	Yes
Data Link Protocol	Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0
Compliant Standards	IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Bays Total (Free)	Internal - 3.5"
Expansion Slots Total (Free)	1 ( 0 ) x processor 4 ( 0 ) x memory - SO DIMM 204-pin
Interfaces	4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A 1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45 2 x SuperSpeed USB - 9 pin USB Type A 1 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5 mm 1 x headphones - output - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm 1 x display / video - VGA input - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) 1 x audio / video - HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A 1 x display / video - TV-in
Miscellaneous
Included Accessories	Remote control
Features	ASUS Super Hybrid Engine, ASUS SonicMaster
Power
Device Type	Power adapter
Power Provided	230 Watt
Operating System / Software
OS Provided	Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Microsoft Office Preloaded	Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC.
Environmental Standards
ENERGY STAR Qualified	Yes
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support	1 year warranty
Service & Support Details	Limited warranty - 1 year
Universal Product Identifiers
Brand	ASUSTeK COMPUTER
Part Number	ET2400XVT-B011E
GTIN	00610839324255

Advantage: USB-3

21.5-inch iMac

• $1,899.00 at Apple Store/online (free shipping, but there's sales tax)
• $100 discount for students

21.5-inch iMac

• Ships: 1-3 business days
• Part number: Z0M5

Configuration

• 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
• 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
• 1TB Serial ATA Drive
• AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB GDDR5

• Apple Magic Mouse
• Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
• Accessory Kit

Advantage: Thunderbolt connection (10 Gbps)

At the end, almost-apple-to-apple comparison (for students) is: 1799+167.11% (CA sales tax) - 1719.25 = 1966.11 - about $250 difference (that's more than the cost for 2 TB USB-3.0 external Hard Drive )

NVIDIA Legacy 96.43.xx with Linux Kernel 2.6.37 or newer

The NVIDIA driver below proven to work with Linux kernel 2.6.37:

ftp://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/96.43.19/

Just run and install the *-pkg1.run

Binary-tree test

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdarg.h>
#include <time.h>

/* 
 Helper function that allocates a new node with the given data and NULL left and right pointers. 
*/ 


typedef struct node {
 int data;
 struct node *left;
 struct node *right;
} NodeT;


NodeT* NewNode(int data);
void BTreeLog(const char *fmt, ...);

typedef int (*BTreeCompFunc)(NodeT* node, void *data);

NodeT* BTreeNewNode(int data) 
{ 
 NodeT* node = (NodeT*)malloc(sizeof(NodeT));    // "new" is like "malloc" 
 node->data = data; 
 node->left = NULL; 
 node->right = NULL;
 BTreeLog("BTreeNewNode: new node=0x%X, data=%d\n", node, data);
    return(node); 
} 
     

void BTreeLog(const char *fmt, ...)
{
#ifdef __ENABLE_LOG__  
 char buf[256];
 va_list ap;
 int n;
 
 va_start(ap, fmt);
 n = vsnprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), fmt, ap);
 printf("%s", buf);
 va_end(ap);
#endif 
}


int BTreeCompare(NodeT* node, void *data)
{
 if (*((int*)data) < node->data)
  return -1;
 if (*((int*)data) > node->data)
  return 1;
 return 0;
}  
/* 
  Give a binary search tree and a number, BTreeInserts a new node 
  with the given number in the correct place in the tree. 
  Returns the new root pointer which the caller should 
  then use (the standard trick to avoid using reference 
  parameters). 
*/ 

NodeT* BTreeInsert(NodeT* node, int data, BTreeCompFunc comp)
{ 
 // 1. If the tree is empty, return a new, single node 
 if (NULL == node) 
 { 
  BTreeLog("New Entry: %d\n", data);
  return BTreeNewNode(data); 
    } 
 else { 
  // 2. Otherwise, recur down the tree 
     if (comp(node, &data) == -1) {
   /*BTreeLog("BTreeInsert: left; data=%d, node=0x%X, left=0x%X, right=0x%X\n", 
       data, node, node->left, node->right);
   */    
   node->left = BTreeInsert(node->left, data, comp); 
  } 
  else {
   /* 
   BTreeLog("BTreeInsert: right; data=%d, node=0x%X, left=0x%X, right=0x%X\n", 
       data, node, node->left, node->right);
   */    
   node->right = BTreeInsert(node->right, data, comp);
  } 
 }
 return(node); // return the (unchanged) node pointer 
}


void BTreeDeleteAll(NodeT* pNode)
{
 if (pNode)
 {
  if (pNode->left)
  {
   BTreeDeleteAll(pNode->left);
  } 
  if (pNode->right)
  {
   BTreeDeleteAll(pNode->right);
  } 
  BTreeLog("BTreeDeleteAll: pNode=0x%X, data=%d\n", pNode, pNode->data);
  free(pNode);
  //pNode->left = NULL;
  //pNode->right = NULL;
 }
}

NodeT *BTreeSearch(NodeT* pNode, int data, BTreeCompFunc comp)
{
 int cmp; 
 if (pNode) {
  cmp = comp(pNode, &data); 
  if (cmp == 0)
   return pNode;
  else 
  if (cmp == -1)
  {
   /* data < pnode->data */
   pNode = BTreeSearch(pNode->left, data, comp); 
  }
  else {
   pNode = BTreeSearch(pNode->right, data, comp);
  } 
 }
 //BTreeLog("Comp...\n");
 return pNode;
}


int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
 NodeT* root = NULL;
 NodeT* node;
 unsigned int n,i;
 int data1, data2;
 unsigned int count;

 srand(time(NULL));
 BTreeLog("BTree demo\n");
 n = rand() % 100;
 root = BTreeInsert(root, n, BTreeCompare);
 data2 = 4750;
 n = 10000000;
 for (i=0, count=0; i<n; i++)
 {
  data1 = rand()%n;
  /* insert unique entry */
  if (BTreeSearch(root, data1, BTreeCompare) == NULL) {
   BTreeInsert(root, data1, BTreeCompare);
   count++;
  } 
 }
 BTreeInsert(root, data2, BTreeCompare);
 printf("Just inserted %d entries into Binary-tree\n", count+1);
 node = BTreeSearch(root, data2, BTreeCompare);
 printf("\n\n\n\n");
 if (node) {
  printf("!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Found node=0x%X for data=%d\n", node, data2);
 }
 printf("\n\n\n\n");
 BTreeDeleteAll(root);
}

Linux Init

LINUX INIT
--------------
This is the mother of all other userspace's processes.

Where to find it?
In the util-linux package (to be found at ftp.*.kernel.org) for simpleinit or in the sysvinit package for SysV init.

Probably also in [sunsite|metalab].unc.edu or ftp.debian.org


Title: sysvinit and utilities
Version: 2.78
Entered-Date: 11FEB2000
Description: This is the Linux System V init.
                The source package has the debian build files included.
                This version can be compiled with glibc 2.0.6 and up.
Author: miquels@cistron.nl (Miquel van Smoorenburg)
Primary-Site: sunsite.unc.edu /pub/Linux/system/daemons/init
                109K sysvinit-2.78.tar.gz
Alternate-Site: ftp.cistron.nl /pub/people/miquels/software
                109K sysvinit-2.78.tar.gz
Alternate-Site: ftp.debian.org /debian/dists/potato/main/source/base
                108K sysvinit_2.78-X.tar.gz
Copying-Policy: GPL
Keywords: init shutdown halt reboot
End


ftp.debian.org:/debian/dists/potato/main/source/base/sysvinit_2.78-2.tar.gz

https://build.opensuse.org/package/files?package=sysvinit&project=YaST%3AWeb

Some properties:

#define VT_MASTER "/dev/tty0"         /* Virtual console master */
#define CONSOLE "/dev/console"     /* Logical system console */
#define SECURETTY "/etc/securetty"     /* List of root terminals */
#define SDALLOW "/etc/shutdown.allow" /* Users allowed to shutdown */
#define INITTAB "/etc/inittab"     /* Location of inittab */
#define INIT "/sbin/init"     /* Location of init itself. */
#define NOLOGIN "/etc/nologin"     /* Stop user logging in. */
#define FASTBOOT "/fastboot"         /* Enable fast boot. */
#define FORCEFSCK "/forcefsck"     /* Force fsck on boot */
#define SDPID "/var/run/shutdown.pid" /* PID of shutdown program */
#define SHELL "/bin/sh"         /* Default shell */
#define SULOGIN "/sbin/sulogin"     /* Sulogin */
#define INITSCRIPT "/etc/initscript"     /* Initscript. */
#define PWRSTAT_OLD "/etc/powerstatus"     /* COMPAT: SIGPWR reason (OK/BAD) */
#define PWRSTAT "/var/run/powerstatus" /* COMPAT: SIGPWR reason (OK/BAD) */

#if 0
#define INITLVL "/etc/initrunlvl"     /* COMPAT: New runlevel */
#define INITLVL2 "/var/log/initrunlvl" /* COMPAT: New runlevel */
                            /* Note: INITLVL2 definition needs INITLVL */
#define HALTSCRIPT1 "/etc/init.d/halt"     /* Called by "fast" shutdown */
#define HALTSCRIPT2 "/etc/rc.d/rc.0"     /* Called by "fast" shutdown */
#define REBOOTSCRIPT1 "/etc/init.d/reboot" /* Ditto. */
#define REBOOTSCRIPT2 "/etc/rc.d/rc.6" /* Ditto. */



- It exits if UID is != 0 (root)
- It exits if PID != 1 (the first process in Kernel's userspace)
- It check command-line args:
    "single", "-s"      : dfl_level is set to 'S'
    "-a", "auto"        : set environment "AUTOBOOT=YES"
    "-b", "emergency"   : emerg_shell = 1
    "-z"                : ignore -z xxxx
    any of [0-9],[sS]   : dfl_level is set accordingly to that level

- set default environment PATH to "/sbin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/bin"
- say "@(#) init version 2.89  DATE 26-Mar-2010  miquels@cistron.nl booting" into syslog
- spawn/fork to emergency shell if emerg_shell == 1
- read inittab and configure setting based on the settings stored in INITTAB

init.c: main() ---> setproctitle()
    |
    |
    V
init_main() ----------------------------> read_inittab()
 |  |   |
 |  |   |
 |  |   V
 |  |   init_reboot(BMAGIC_SOFT)
 |  |
 |  |
 |  V
 | ioctl(f, KDSIGACCEPT, SIGWINCH): tell kernel SIGACCEPT
 |
 +---> set a bunch of signals' flags
 |
 +----> console_init(), open /dev/CONSOLE (or otherwise if specified in env "CONSOLE") for O_RDONLY
 |
 +----> console_stty() : Set terminal settings to reasonable defaults
 |
 +----> set default environment PATH to "/sbin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/bin"
 |
 loop forever by doing this stuf:
    1) boot transitions
    2) Read from the init FIFO by calling check_init_fifo():
        2.1) try to create /dev/initctl if not present.
        2.2) If /dev/initctl is open, stat the file to see if it is still the _same_ inode
        2.3) try to open /dev/initctl
        2.4) Read data from the pipe, return on EINTR
        2.5) console_init
        2.6) process requests (e.g., runlevel change request, power fail request, set env)

    3) check the 'failing' flags
    4) process any signal:
        4.1) SIGPWR event/signal
        4.2) SIGINT
        4.3) SIGWINCH
        4.4) SIGALRM
        4.5) SIGCHLD
        4.6) SIGHUP
    5) See whether we need to start up (again)




BOOT TRANSITION FSM
--------------------



        '#' (SYSINIT) --+-----> '*' (BOOT) ------> (NORMAL)
                        |              ^
                        |              |
           newlevel=='S'|              | !did_boot && newlevel != 'S'
                        |              |
                        +-----> 'S' (INIT)
                                       ^
                                       |
                                       |
                                   start here

Interactive map of Linux kernel

Interactive map of Linux kernel

Are We Ready with e-Magazine?

Today Apple's Steve Jobs announced the subscription service for magazine subscription is now supported.  The similar service has been available in Amazon for its Kindle for sometime.  But regardless the availability, Dol we really want to read magazines on an electronic gadget?

Here's my experience using different e-readers, both on PC, iPhone, iPad and Kindle.  First of all, reading magazines on iPad has the most interesting experience because its bigger footprint than iPhone and interactivity thru its touch screen.  For the easiness to our eyes, Kindle prevails, but with no color as its main downside.  Reading on PC's monitor is also a good experience, except it's too bulky to carry notebook during travel, let alone reading on desktop.

Another aspect we need to pay attention is the cost of subscription (and yes, this is really a turnoff, at least for me).  For example, I subscribe to Reader's Digest for about $2 a year, while on Amazon they charge about $2 per edition (one magazine a year, so total subscription is about $20).  A paper TIME magazine subscription, through Ad subsidy, only charge me about $15/year.  Amazon charges about $2 per magazine.  I bet Apple will charge about the same.  It's so non-sense and doesn't make sense! Both Apple, Amazon and the publishers want to rip us off and trick us to pay so much for less!  Publishing an e-Magazine costs almost nothing (99.9% of the cost is from the operational costs including the editors/writers, unlike paper-based magazines where they have to print it and distribute it).

Another issue with e-Magazine is the magazines we already one are unsharable, unless they are DRM-free.  With paper magazine, we can lend the magazine to friends and let them read free-of-charge and as long as we let them borrow it.  Some e-book readers have this borrow-a-book feature, but it is still limited and not convenience to use.  Also, format compatibility is a big issue right now, at least between Amazon's AZW and others' EPUB (iBook uses EPUB as well as Nook and other majority of e-readers). If we buy a magazine from Amazon, it cannot be read on iPad, unless we install Kindle-for-iPad/iPhone application for it.

The only benefit of subscribing to e-Magazine right now is that it reduces clutters of magazines.  A Kindle can store thousands of magazines (depends on the content.  If the magazine has alot of pictures, the size will be bigger), iPad can even store much more.

So, the bottom line is that we're (or at least me) not ready to migrate to read e-magazine yet.  Maybe some people can take some advantages of reading an e-magazine, but for most people it is not cost-effective yet.  Once it's become so ubiquitous and ads are everywhere in the e-magazines to offset the cost, perhaps it's the time we shall migrate to this environment-friendly magazine.  Oh, don't forget also by reading paper e-magazine, we support many people's live too, from workers at printing facilities, paper companies, newstand guys to truck drivers!