Defragmenting really speeds up Windows NT machines
Article Abstract:
Defragmentation, which moves portions of data files from non-contiguous to contiguous regions of physical disks, has long been a common means of system tuning but may soon become a mandatory standad for maintenance. One study indicates that eliminating fragmentation can more than triple disk responsiveness. Files sent to an empty disk are written in blocks or sectors to adjacent disk tracks,but after several files have been read and written the storage space is no longer adjacent. Windows and OpenVMS are particularly notorious for fragmenting files, but nearly every OS and file system has some problems. Most files today are fragmented to some degree. Windows 2000 comes with a defragmentation tool, although it must be run manually. Such disk defragmenters are adequate for individual users but not for network deployment; a truly effective tool must be scheduled to run automatically at preset intervals. Another question is which versions of Windows a defragmenter supports
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 2000
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Test and measurement
Article Abstract:
In the test and measurement industry a huge segment of high technology is moving in one direction together, an unusual situation, as connection of semiautomated and automated test and measurement systems as nodes on enterprisewide data networks picks up. Next-generation instruments are leveraging PC technology. First it was necessary to have a wide variety of smart instrumentation and measurement equipment, itself a small network in most cases. Most connect to Ethernet LANs, but there are other kinds of technology. DeviceNET or Foundation Field Bus are popular for process automation. British Telecom has some 1500 customer service workers overseeing and troubleshooting or helping customers upgrade. They must look professional, as must their equipment, so they take a laptop and virtual instruments. Data security will be extremely important to functionality in the future. Companies discussed include Fluke, National Instruments, Mitron, GenRad, Dupont Dow Elastomers
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 1999
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Apple OS X: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Article Abstract:
Apple's Mac OS X operating system is being promoted as a product that combines Apple's traditional user-friendliness with Unix's stability. In fact, OS X is mixed in quality, with powerful capabilities such as preemptive multitasking, and with drawbacks, like its surprisingly poor Aqua graphical interface.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 2001
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