CubeDesktop imitates Compiz Fusion even more closely, costs money

Remember Compiz Fusion, the special effects plugin system from the world of GNU/Linux that brought heaps of cool shiz like cube workspaces, wobbly window movements, and raindrops? I’ve probably mentioned it somewhere before. Well thanks to the publicity Compiz Fusion gets, envious Windows users go around creating look-a-likes.

CubeDesktop seems to be the most recent addition to this plethora of clones. The website doesn’t mention it, but it imitates Compiz Fusion disturbingly closely – down to the control panel itself, with 32×32 icons found on a grid with labels on the side. It has the standard cube, as well as a Mac OS X Leopard-like workspaces display which is found in Compiz Fusion as the “expo” plugin. It also has a whole bunch of flipping and rotating workspace views, which are pretty similar to the cube apart from the fact that they look slightly different.

The software also has a “Window Exposer”, much like the one found on Compiz Fusion, except it failed to work on my computer so I will not comment further on it.

The speed is alright, although it definitely can’t compare to Compiz Fusion – yet. I had to switch off a few effects (well, actually, a lot) to make the thing run at a decent pace – and even then it would cause iTunes to momentarily freeze whenever activated. Not good.

And why am I giving free publicity to these expensive pieces of software? Because they are essentially proof-of-concepts. I mean, the creators can advertise all they want about how they “boost your productivity”, but realistically, they probably reduce your productivity. The important thing is that they prove that these effects can actually be achieved on Windows, and hopefully, after a few more release cycles, these clones will be useful enough to actually, as aforementioned, “boost your productivity”.

Annoyingly, CubeDesktop costs money – 9.95 euros, which, at the current exchange rate, is 16.8667851 Australian dollars – cheaper than DeskSpace, another cube thing, but hey, there’s always Yod’m, and then again Compiz Fusion gives it to you for free. After the jump for screenshots.

steve jobs sends pointed email to macbook pro owner, poor customer service

Recently the owner of a MacBook Pro that had suffered water damage contacted Apple to find about repair costs. When they were informed that it would cost $300 just to have his MBP looked at with no guarantee of whether or not it could even be repaired that wasn’t quite what they wanted to hear.

This [so far] nameless customer decided to email Steve jobs at sjobs@apple.com and said this:

Dear Steve Jobs,

I wanted to write and express my concern about some recent problems that I have had with Apple Care. This week, my MacBook Pro unfortunately sustained water damage. I understand this is entirely my fault but it is still something I would like to get fixed. After three or four calls I was finally able to get a straight answer. While I was happy to get a straight answer, I was not at all happy with the answer. It is very worrisome to me that the only way to get my computer fixed is to pay almost $300.00 up front with no guarantee that this will fix the problem. I was horrified to learn that their is no system to assess the problem and bill once all damage is known. I am reluctant to put money into a problem that could easily grow. I have had three Apple computers in a row. I love using them but I am not sure if my replacement will be one. I feel powerless in the situation and the whole experience has turned me off of the Apple company.

Sounds like a pretty reasonable email…nice tone of voice, the customer wasn’t blaming Apple for not making their laptops water-proof–nothing like that.

The response that this customer claims to have received was as follows:

This is what happens when your MacBook Pro sustains water damage.They are pro machines and they don’t like water. It sounds like you’re just looking for someone to get mad at other than yourself.

Steve

Is it real? As far as I know, yes it is. Poor customer service? Yes, that too.

If it is legit and is in fact from Steve, is anyone really surprised? Its not like he hasn’t acted like an ass/jerk/whatever word you’d prefer in the past and he’ll certainly do it again.

[Via CrunchGear]

ASUS Splits Into Three Companies

ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated (or Asus as they’re commonly called) has long been a favorite motherboard manufacturer for PC enthusiasts building or upgrading their own computers. Most recently they struck gold with their Eee PC line of small, inexpensive laptops.

There’s a lot more to Asus than just motherboards and tiny laptops, though, and to help build the company they have decided to split the company into three different units:

Asus will make only Asus-branded computers.

Pegatron will handle OEM, motherboards, and component manufacturing.

Unihan will handle cases, modules and other non-PC manufacturing.

Intel Drops OLPC Project

Very disappointing news that Intel has withdrawn its funding and technical contribution from the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, citing “philosophical differences”. I know the project is not perfect but the intention and vision must be applauded. Nothing on the OLPC or Intel websites about this news.

Maybe this is just a temporary glitch rather than a permanent roadblock for what is a serious effort to improve the education and prospects for some of the world’s poorest children.