fat

Deleting locked files

There are a couple of situations where files on drives may be locked, which will prevent them from being directly removed. As such, even though you have them in the trash and choose the option to empty the trash, the files will stay around and give an error that the files are locked.… Read more

Photo: PS3 'Fat' vs. PS3 Slim

Simple file recovery

iUndelete is an easy-to-use utility that allows users to recover deleted documents. Although it won't work miracles, users stand a good chance of recovering lost data with this program.

The program's interface is simple and intuitive, allowing us to get started right away. For testing purposes, we created a Word document and deleted it. We hadn't emptied our Recycle Bin in a while either, so we did that, too. Then we clicked the Scan button and the program went to work. It quickly returned a list of the deleted files it had found, organized in a tree … Read more

Linux community codes around Microsoft's FAT patents

Ever since Microsoft dropped its bombshell on Linux, claiming that the open-source operating system violates 235 of its patents, the Linux community has responded with a cogent counterargument: "If we're, in fact, infringing, point out the infringements and we'll simply code around your patents."

With Microsoft's lawsuit against GPS device manufacturer TomTom, Microsoft gave the community what it wanted, which has now resulted in the Linux community coding around Microsoft's two FAT file-system patent claims against Linux.

Two down, 233 more to go?

In 2008, Microsoft filed suit against TomTom for patent infringement related … Read more

Cryptic messages

Just as its name suggests, DataRecovery aims to recovery files that had been deleted, including compressed and encrypted files. It also claims to wipe files so that they cannot be recovered. However, we were not impressed by its unintuitive, amateurish user interface.

The user interface offers very little direction with its vague commands. It consists of three commands--Scan, Wipe, and Recover. There are no other settings or configurations. We selected a hard drive and clicked the Scan button. The program did scan our computer very quickly, but a window popped up that was difficult to decipher. It had something to … Read more

Cut the fat with OXO separator

I make traditional chicken soup with matzah balls every Friday night for my family. I've tried going with easier soups that come from mixes or boxes, and the result is nothing short of an uprising. So every Friday morning, I find myself hovering over the stove, spooning off the fat as it bubbles to the top of the pot.

The OXO Fat Separator is a nice solution for my soup--and it works on gravies and sauces as well. It's easy to use: Pour the soup into the separator. The liquid settles to the bottom, and the fat rises … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 944: Natali needs a zombie team

We're not talking about a team of dancing zombies; we mean a team of friends to form her Zombie Preparedness task force. Because it is Zombie Preparedness Day. We also bring it with some open-source good news for DVR builders, and the Linux folks talking tough to Microsoft.

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 944

Time Warner rationale for bandwidth caps doesn’t add up http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/04/get-ready-for-metered-broadband-texas.ars

Verizon promises 4G wireless for rural America http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_7-10209933-51.html

MPAA: Box office up, but 'sober epic' underway in home video … Read more

Webware Radar: FatWallet gets redesign, coupon search

FatWallet.com, a company that provides online coupons and exclusive offers from retailers, announced the launch of a new site design Wednesday. Along with a new navigation tool, the site has added Coupon Search, which allows users to find valid coupons from retailers worldwide. According to the company, the redesign will also give users more chances to "share" and "subscribe" to the site via e-mail, social bookmarking, and RSS feeds. The site's new design is live now.

Spark Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in Internet and new-media companies, including Twitter and Boxee, announced … Read more

TomTom fights back, but not over Linux

TomTom, sued earlier by Microsoft for patent infringement related to GPS technology and TomTom's implementation of Microsoft's FAT, or file allocation table, technology in Linux, is fighting back. Unfortunately, its countersuit relates to four of its GPS patents that it claims Microsoft infringes, not the Linux patents that have the open-source community up in arms.

Neither side, in other words, is backing down. Despite my earlier concern that TomTom couldn't afford to fight Microsoft's allegations, it looks as if TomTom has found both the money and the will to fight.

I just wish that it were … Read more