US oil prices rise above $44
New York: Oil prices climbed to new highs around the world on Tuesday, rising above $44 a barrel in the United States, as global supply concerns and terrorism fears made for jittery trading at a time of strong demand. Light crude for September delivery rose 33 cents to $44.15 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, topping the previous record set on Monday of $43.82.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 58.92, or 0.6 per cent, to 10,120.24. The Nasdaq composite index fell 32.67, or 1.7 per cent, to 1,859.42, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 6.93, or 0.6 per cent, at 1,099.69. On Tuesday, the president of OPEC warned the cartel could not immediately increase output to help bring prices down which ahs added to the jitteriness of the market.
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AMD's Opteron to support server virtualisation software
San Francisco, USA: AMD has announced that VMware ESX Server, virtual infrastructure software that enables enterprises to partition, consolidate and manage systems in mission-critical environments, is qualified on AMD Opteron processor based platforms from HP and IBM. The AMD Opteron processor with Direct Connect Architecture features an integrated memory controller and Hyper Transport technology, enabling more efficient memory and I/O access, which are critical to memory-intensive virtualization. Server virtualization generates improved return on IT investments and helps reduce the total cost of computing infrastructures ownership by delivering resource consolidation, improved availability and infrastructure flexibility.

VMware recently announced its 64-bit roadmap in which support for concurrent 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines on 64-bit architectures, including AMD64, will be introduced across the VMware product line. Support for AMD64 is available on an experimental basis in VMware GSX Server and VMware Workstation, with support for both Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 and SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 64-bit host operating systems as well as for Windows Server 2003 (Beta) for 64-bit extended systems. The world's first 32-bit and 64-bit processor compatible with the x86 architecture, the AMD Opteron processor is based on AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture. Direct Connect Architecture helps eliminate the bottlenecks inherent in a front-side bus by directly connecting the processors, the memory controller and the I/O to the central processor unit to enable improved overall system performance and efficiency. AMD designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries.
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AMD offers professional design support services
San Francisco, USA: At the ongoing Linux World AMD has formally introduced its Professional Design Support Services program, available through the AMD Boston Design Center. Created to help speed a customer's design and time-to-market, the Professional Design Support Services program supports development of AMD64 processor-based products, from embedded systems and client products to high-end High Performance Computing (HPC) servers. Customers who take advantage of the subscription-based services can receive assistance from some of AMD's top engineering talent while having access to certain reference designs, Web-based issue trackers and step-by-step support in their creative process as they develop products based on AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture.

AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture is suited to enable a wide range of distinctive design points for customers. Technology companies can choose to create unique multi-processing boards based on the scalability and leading-edge performance of the AMD Opteron processor. Many companies are choosing to take advantage of the unique I/O and unprecedented bus speeds of Hyper Transport technology, while others are focusing on eliminating bridge bottlenecks and reducing system costs. As co-developers of Hyper Transport technology, the engineers at the Boston Design Center are especially qualified to help lead innovative companies to market with compelling new products. AMD64 evolves the industry-standard 32-bit x86 architecture to support the demanding 64-bit environment that will enable future generations of computer functionality and productivity.

The AMD64 architecture also enables a more secure computing environment by integrating technology that can take advantage of advanced anti-virus features in upcoming software. Hyper Transport technology is a high-speed, high-performance, point-to-point link for integrated circuits and is designed to meet the bandwidth needs of tomorrow's computing and communications platforms. HyperTransport technology helps reduce the number of buses while providing a high-performance link for PCs, workstations and servers, as well as numerous embedded applications and highly scalable multiprocessing systems. It is designed to allow chips inside of PCs, networking and communications devices to communicate with each other as much as 48 times faster than with some existing bus technologies.
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Lucasfilm launches animation outfit at Singapore
Singapore: Lucasfilm Ltd has announced that it has established Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, a digital animation studio designed to produce digital animated content, including films, television and games for global audiences. Lucasfilm has joined with a consortium of investors in Singapore, including EDB Investments Pte Ltd. and Creative Technology Ltd. Gail Currey, Vice President and General Manager of Lucasfilm Animation will lead the Singapore-based creative team. Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company.

In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production; LucasArts, a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses.

Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 59 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in Marin County, USA. Established in 1961, the Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of economic development strategies that will develop Singapore into a compelling global hub for business and investment across manufacturing and internationally traded services.
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Linare offers Professional Edition Linux
Bellevue, USA: Linare Corporation, a manufacturer of software and hardware focused on the Linux platform, has now made available the Linare Linux Professional Edition will be available to corporate and government sector customers for $40 per license. Linare Linux Professional Edition is a powerful core operating system designed for the desktop platform. The Linux platform, originally designed by Linus Torvalds, is now considered one of the world's top operating systems. Linux is revered throughout the world as a cost-efficient and user-friendly alternative.Features include a user-friendly installer, advanced User Interface with new theme, reliable Linux kernel v. 2.6, KDE 3.2.2 graphical desktop environment, Open Office, Evolution Email and other utilities. Professional edition includes one year of phone and email support.

Screenshots of the new slick interface can be viewed and downloaded at www.linare.com/screenshots.php. To purchase the $40 Linare Linux Professional Edition, corporations and government agencies can visit the Linare website at www.linare.com. In order to facilitate the companies to get a feel for the Linux Desktop Operating System, Linare offers a free evaluation copy for a limited time till the end of August 2004 and can be ordered online at www.linare.com. Linare Corporation is a manufacturer of software and hardware focused on the Linux platform. This technologically advanced operating system allows users to execute business and personal computing in a much faster, easier and cost-efficient way.
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