Dual Processor: What's This All About?

A dual core processor is a CPU with two separate cores on the same die, each with its own cache. It's the equivalent of getting two microprocessors in one.

In a single-core or traditional processor the CPU is fed strings of instructions it must order, execute, then selectively store in its cache for quick retrieval. When data outside the cache is required, it is retrieved through the system bus from random access memory (RAM) or from storage devices. Accessing these slows down performance to the maximum speed the bus, RAM or storage device will allow, which is far slower than the speed of the CPU. The situation is compounded when multi-tasking. In this case the processor must switch back and forth between two or more sets of data streams and programs. CPU resources are depleted and performance suffers.

In a dual core processor each core handles incoming data strings simultaneously to improve efficiency. Just as two heads are better than one, so are two hands. Now when one is executing the other can be accessing the system bus or executing its own code. Adding to this favorable scenario, both AMD and Intel's dual-core flagships are 64-bit.

To utilize a dual core processor, the operating system must be able to recognize multi-threading and the software must have simultaneous multi-threading technology (SMT) written into its code. SMT enables parallel multi-threading wherein the cores are served multi-threaded instructions in parallel. Without SMT the software will only recognize one core. Adobe® Photoshop® is an example of SMT-aware software. SMT is also used with multi-processor systems common to servers.

A dual core processor is different from a multi-processor system. In the latter there are two separate CPUs with their own resources. In the former, resources are shared and the cores reside on the same chip. A multi-processor system is faster than a system with a dual core processor, while a dual core system is faster than a single-core system, all else being equal.

An attractive value of dual core processors is that they do not require a new motherboard, but can be used in existing boards that feature the correct socket. For the average user the difference in performance will be most noticeable in multi-tasking until more software is SMT aware. Servers running multiple dual core processors will see an appreciable increase in performance.

Multi-core processors are the goal and as technology shrinks, there is more "real-estate" available on the die. In the fall of 2004 Bill Siu of Intel predicted that current accommodating motherboards would be here to stay until 4-core CPUs eventually force a changeover to incorporate a new memory controller that will be required for handling 4 or more cores.

Tutorial: Symbian vs. Android

Today we will talk about Mobile Phones operating system (OS). We will discuss the differences between the Symbian and the Android OS and phones. This article help you to determine what's best for you guys. Here are some information about this two popular mobile phones OS.

 

What is a Symbian Operating System?

Symbian OS is an open source operating system for mobile phones primarily used on Nokia advanced or data enabled smart phones. Symbian OS runs exclusively on ARM processors and has evolved from Psion's EPOC which was developed as a rudimentary operating system for early electronic organizers. The Psion EPOC OS was refered to EPOC16 beginning in the late 1990's to help distinguish it from the newer 32bit Operating system EPOC32, which eventually became Symbian OS. Psion software created a joint venture with several mobile hardware manufacturers, Ericsson®, Motorola®, and Nokia® called Symbian and eventually took on the name Symbian Software, renaming EPOC32 Symbian OS.

The key advantage of EPOC32 over its 16bit predecessor is the ability to multi-task, perform multiple functions at once. In newer devices, this might mean being able to surf the web using the phone and not lose your content when answering an incoming call.

Many third party manufacturers were able to license the 32bit EPOC OS for their organizers and other mobile data devices. Since the late 1990's,Symbian OS has become one of the most popular mobile device operating systems available.

Several device manufacturers from Nokia® to Sony/Ericsson® have committed to the new and open project that Symbian has announced for its mobile phone operating system, Symbian OS. Wireless carriers such as AT&T® and T-Mobile® have also pledged support for the project.

Symbian OS has also adapted to include soft features such as global positioning software (GPS) which will become as common as a camera in the very near future. Service providers and other companies could then publish location based services that interact with the GPS found in a mobile phone, appearing on the display once the user is near an application. 

In recent years, Microsoft® and Palm® have been the most discussed providers of operating system software for mobile phones, but Symbian has been powering phones for quite some time. The company announced in 2008 that the operating system would become open source very soon, allowing other vendors and even users themselves to add to the already widely established Symbian OS. The support for the much established mobile platform is far and wide, though much of the press lately has centered around Apple's iPhone® and other offerings, including the Google Android™ OS for mobile devices.

It will be interesting to see what hardware is developed for use with Symbian OS in the future to compete with phones like the iPhone® and the latest mobile devices from Palm® and Microsoft®. 

Christmas: Five W's and 1 H

by eturo

Marahil karamihan sa atin ay nagtatanong sa iba kung saan, kelan, ano, sino, bakit at paano nagkaroon ng tinatawag nating CHRISTMAS. Ang iba sa atin, nagbabasa ng mga articles sa mga books at mga sites sa Internet para makakuha ng tamag kasagutan sa tanong na ito. Sa mga pagdami-daming resources and references na ito, di na natin mawari kung sino at ano sa kanila ang may puweba dahil na rin sa mga pagkakaiba ng ideas at theories sa pinagmulan nito. Marahil kung itatanong natin kay Kuya Kim ng Matang Lawin ang tanong na ito, baka magdadalawang-isip din siyan i-surf ang Net bilang source.

So, bago ako unahan ni Kuya Kim sa pagsagot sa tanong na ito, i will give a detailed and short but informative article about this matter mula sa isang source sa Internet.

What is Christmas?

Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God, and the savior of all people. With the birth of Christ, Christianity essentially begins; thus, Christmas also celebrates the beginning of Christianity.

Though Christmas is normally celebrated on the 25th of December, strong evidence suggests that Jesus may have in fact been born in the spring. Though many Christians date Christ’s birth as the end of the "Before Christ" or BC era, most believe Christ’s birth can actually be dated to 4 BC. This is a bit ironic, since the Christian era is thought to begin with the birth of Christ, but actually begins later.

Some of the images inexorably tied with Christmas are things like shepherds in the snow, and the fierce cold of a winter night when Jesus was born. This is an unlikely scenario, though it is quite possible that the Jews participating in the census and taxation were extremely crowded in Bethlehem.

Sextus Julius Africanus, a third century Christian missionary, is believed to have first espoused the theory of Christ’s birth as December 25th. This worked well when the Romans later largely converted to Christianity because Christmas could be tied to pagan winter rituals, making it more palatable. Historical records suggest some forms of Christmas celebrations dating back to the early 4th century CE.