I’m writing this post to address the issue of running a piece of hardware, specifically a Rimage printer or disc publisher, that will not work with newer versions of Windows like 7 or 8. Typically these are printers like the Everest II, Everest III or PrismPlus. Or older embedded systems like 5100n, 5300n, 6100n, 7100n and 8100n.

Of course equipment manufacturers are using the end of XP support as a gold ticket to sell you new, expensive equipment. This can be frustrating and very costly if your current systems are performing just fine as-is.

Here’s how to keep using Windows XP while keeping your PC safe:

1. Stop using Internet Explorer 8 – switch to the latest Mozilla Firefox or Chrome browser.
2. Purchase a current Anti-Virus subscription from one of the big players – Most of these companies have guaranteed support through 2016.
3. Stop using Outlook Express for your email.
4. Upgrade from Office XP or Office 2003 – neither are supported anymore.
5. Remove Insecure Software and applications like Java and Flash(if you don’t need any more).
6. Disconnect the XP PC from your Network if you can. If not make sure your XP PC(s) do not have administrator rights. Only use a limited account for these XP systems.
7. Run XP on a virtual machine (but, if an application needs direct access to a piece of hardware, it may not work).

Have any questions about running disc duplicators or printers on XP? Contact us at 952-944-0083 x-22. Ask for Kevin.

Nick, Jess & Ryan posing for the camera

As part of the continuous Wellness program at Techwaredist employees are encouraged to go on a hike or walk during their lunch break. A handful of folks have grabbed spring by the horns and are feasting on natures bounty.  So far “Flip Stinksy and the Mushroomers” have bagged about five pounds of delicious Morel Mushrooms on their lunch time forays.

The season isn’t over yet so lace em up and head into the woods – nature’s bounty waits for no one.

Well the winners to this years TechFish Tournament were none other than Mr. Techware himself: Tom G. along with Steve and Joe. Utilizing Josephs uncanny ability to target both the Northern Pike and the Large mouth Bass, and Steve and Toms all around fishing prowess, they were able to handily defeat all comers.

The weekend was marked by many momentous occasions. Dan caught the biggest fish of the day, a formidable Grass Snake (pike) that was buried deep in the north woods cabbage. A new dive bar- The Friendly Inn was discovered and appreciated. Fireworks both legal and of the Wisconsin variety were ignited and libations and meat was consumed in various quantities and mediums.

A good time was had by all!

News in the form of a press release sent out by the General touts:

… another major breakthrough in the development of next generation optical storage technology. GE’s research team has successfully demonstrated a micro-holographic material that can support data recording at the same speed as Blu-ray discs. This result builds upon the April 2009 demonstration of a threshold micro-holographic storage material that can support 500 gigabytes of storage capacity in a standard DVD-size disc.

Read more about this new technology; the full press release and how GE intends to use the technology at:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/ge-holographic-storage-burns-500gb-discs-at-the-speed-of-a-blu-r/

At Techwaredist we’re keeping track of all the new technologies as they emerge and are excited to offer them to our loyal customers as soon as they are commercially viable.  Thanks for stopping by and please visit this blog again for the latest breaking news and information on the optical disc market.

Thanks to higher demand, profit margins for optical disc makers have increased so far in 2011. CD-R and DVD-r disc prices are expected to rise by 20% in the second half of this year, according to CMC Magnetics chairman Robert Wong, quoted in CENS.com

Ritek, another major optical disc maker in Taiwan, also says that disc prices have been rising this year due to rising material prices. CD-r and DVD-r disc prices are expected to rise further in the third quarter.

Wong said that many Chinese and Taiwanese optical disc makers have been withdrawing from the business, while some Japanese (JVC / Taiyo Yuden) disc makers also stopped production after the massive earthquake in March.

CMC has raised all its disc prices by an average 30% since March.

The supply shortage of CD-R discs has pushed up prices by about 40% since early this year, the first since 2009, Wong said, pointing out that the optical-disc sector has turned into a sellers’ market, a move that will benefit CMC’s future operation. “Flooding orders are filling production lines throughout the year-end. Fourth quarter operations will turn profitable.”

This is big news for CD-r and DVD-r disc manufacturers like CMC which have posted losses the past couple of years.