Category Archives: In the News

Tech news and opinions

Test Drive Unlimited 2 launch fails miserably – Atari’s reputation on the line

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Whilst Atari thought they had the launch of the eagerly awaited Test Drive Unlimited 2 safely in the bag, sadly they obviously didn’t prepare well enough.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 (the successor of the very popular TDU1 released in 2006) was launched earlier this week around the world. However, Atari is clearly suffering from regular server problems which are upsetting the gaming community.

All platforms (PC, Xbox 360 and PC) are currently suffering from regular server downtimes which make the game unplayable – as it relies so heavily on the internet to function.

The TDU twitter feed is currently being inundated with tweets from frustrated users – and the official forum is taking quite a battering too!

I think Atari owes a lot of frustrated users one hell of an apology!

Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2) Service Pack 1 will go public on Feb 22nd

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It has been confirmed by Microsoft that on February 22nd, 2011, the new service pack for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will go live.

The service pack has been in testing for several months, but Microsoft has previously said that it won’t really bring any new functionality (for Windows 7 at least). Microsoft admitted that the service pack is merely a combination of various updates that have already been released.

“For Windows 7, SP1 will help keep your PCs well supported by delivering ongoing updates, many of which have been made previously available through Windows Update.” – Windows Blog

Windows Server 2008 R2 users will see more fixes in the service pack and a couple of new features.

If you’re a Technet or MSDN subscriber, you can grab the update from February 16th.

Are you ready for IPv6?

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Well, now it’s official that the final few IPv4 blocks have been allocated, it poses the question are you ready for IPv6?

In a very short time, the world will be forced to move onto the new standard for IP address allocation – called IPv6. If you aren’t familiar with the IP versions, bear the following in mind.

IPv4 has the capability of issuing 4,294,967,296 addresses – which (believe it or not) has almost been exhausted. We can calculate this because IPv4 is 32-bit, meaning that we can calculate the number of IP addresses available by doing 232. The new standard, IPv6, is 128-bit. This means that IPv6 can issue approximately 3.4×1038 addresses – a very large amount of addresses.

I recently came across a very handy website that will test your connection (and your web browser) to check if you’re ready for IPv6. Some ISPs are already issuing IPv6 addresses (most aren’t, however). If you aren’t already on an IPv6 address, you probably won’t be able to connect to one as (theoretically) you can’t connect an IPv4 address to an IPv6 address.

If you want to check whether your connection is ready, try this website. It will run several tests and conclude whether you can communicate with IPv6 yet or not.

On June 8th 2011, an IPv6 world trial will run. This will mean that large websites (such as Facebook) will trial running on an IPv6 platform for 24 hours. The idea is that the world will get a general idea as to how easy the switchover will be as it becomes closer and closer.

giffgaff launches all new £25 goodybag

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This was news some time ago – I know – but I’ve been really behind on GEEK! posts lately and wanted to catch up a bit.

giffgaff, O2’s increasingly popular MVNO, has recently extended it’s range of “goodybags” available to customers to add a brand new £25 goodybag.

The network initially introduced an all-inclusive £30 goodybag with unlimited minutes, calls and texts. However, it soon became clear that this idea was a long way from profitable and was removed from the site a few months after launch.

However, giffgaff has replaced the £30 goodybag with a very competitive alternative. For £25, you get 1500 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data (which truly is unlimited providing your use of it is legitimate). That may not be unlimited, but I happen to that the offer is a decent alternative that will suit many.

This is in addition to the other goodybags giffgaff offer – ranging from £5 for unlimited texts all the way up to £25.

Vodafone reminds us that competition isn’t their middle name by reducing mobile broadband allowances with no cost reduction

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Vodafone has today taken the opportunity the opportunity to remind customers that they don’t understand the word “competition”.

They’ve made a very risky move of informing customers that as of 1st February 2011, a £15 top up will no longer grant them a 3GB allowance. Instead, for the same price, it will give them 2GB.

Vodafone claim that the reason for this change is the belief that 90% of their customers use less than 2GB in a month. They notify customers that if you want the same allowance, you’ll have to top up a bit more regularly.

Three (UK) currently offer 3GB allowance for £15 and currently have no intentions to remove this – so Vodafone may lose out to Three, who undoubtedly have better 3G coverage and faster speeds.

Customers have expressed their outrage and there are claims that several people are writing to trading standards. I happen to think it’ll be a risky move – and may cost them large amounts of customers.