Custom PC Blog

Coltan Information, History and Uses in Electronics

I have had several questions from readers asking “What is Coltan”? The reason people have asked this is in regards to the article I wrote talking about the use of Coltan in the Sony Playstation.

So I wanted to follow-up with a brief article that answers some of these questions.

Coltan is the name of a metallic ore called “columbite-tantalite”. Two key minerals can be extracted from Coltan. These minerals are niobium and tantalum. Tantalum is used in the production of many types of consumer electronics ranging from cell phones, dvd players, computers and even the Sony Playstation.

Tantalum is used for the production of capacitors for high performance electronics that need to be reliable and compact. Tantalum is produced in countries throughout the world, with less than 1% of total production coming from the Congo region in Africa. (This information goes against claims of civil wars fueled by the mining of Coltan in the Congo.)

For a great article with detailed information on Coltan and Tantalum production checkout the wikipedia entry that goes into depth on the mining, production, uses and geo-political concerns surrounding the production of this mineral.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltan

Users Trying to Download Chrome Will Need to Wait a Little Longer

Looking for Chrome, Google’s new web browser? Unfortunately users will have to wait just a little bit longer before they can get their hands on the beta of this new software. On September 1st. Google made an early announcement that the new software would be available for download (as a beta) in 100 countries on Tuesday September, 2nd.

For awhile Google had a “Chrome” landing page setup for users who were interested in the software, but this page is currently down and redirects users to the main Google homepage.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Chrome it is a new web browser developed by Google who has worked closely in the past with Mozilla on the development of FireFox. What this new software means for the relations between Google and Mozilla is anyone’s guess but it is just another sign of Googles evolution into the world of software.

For more information on the release of Chrome and the technical details on the software checkout the TechCrunch article here:

No Joke: Google Introduces The Chrome Browser With A Cartoon

Concerns from Customers Have Delayed the Pending Deadline

In a recent article on Information Week, Microsoft has announced that it will no longer make Windows XP available to large computer makers, such as Dell, Lenovo, or Hewlett-Packard, or to software retailers.

This did not come as much of a shock, since most businesses in the computer industry have been watching Microsoft bump back the cut off date from the original December 2007 deadline.

Since the Windows XP cutoff was first announced, Microsoft has had to readjust its deadline several times to address concerns from users over quality issues with the new Windows Vista operating system.

While this deadline will affect larger manufacturers like Dell and Lenovo, many white box system builders will be able to offer Windows XP until 2009 – 2010.

The main question that is posed from all the feedback Microsoft has received from its customers is “why are people so against this move to Vista?”

In almost any industry, consumers are usually excited to adopt the latest and greatest technology. Whether it’s for a status symbol or merely to be on the cutting edge, you will find the majority of people embrace this type of change.

I think this highlights aspects of Microsoft’s aging business model that continues to frustrate customers, and cause consumers to look for other means of software for their systems.

Click here to read the entire Information Week Article

Editor’s Note: With all the concerns surrounding the upgrade to Windows Vista what are you planning to do for your next operating system. While some may plan to upgrade to Windows Vista or purchase the Vista “downgrade”, others are planning to wait for the 2010 release of Windows 7 or switch over to another operating system altogether. What are your thoughts on the issue?