Unlocking the GeForce 6800
Some video card hacking…Firingsquad is running a story on how to unlock all 16 pipelines in nVidia’s GeForce 6800. By default the card only ships with 12 pixel pipelines enabled, but with a tool and a few mouse clicks, the card can be unlocked to run with all 16 pipes. Performance improvements are seen everywhere, so it’s a pretty nice free upgrade. These cards are currently selling for $200 online, so a 16-pipe GeForce 6800 delivers great bang for the buck. [via] Link.
If you’ve been using PCs for a while, you’re bound to have an old one you don’t use much, if at all. With 2-GHz computers available for well under $1,000, what good is an old 300-MHz Pentium II system? The answer depends on your willingness to experiment, have fun, learn, and prevent pollution. Here are ten things you can do with that old PC, starting with tasks for relatively “better” old PCs, and working our way down to the real junkers. [
If you use Roxio Toast (Lite or Titanium) to make your own CDs/DVDs from audio purchased from the iTunes music store, those days are over if you upgrade to 6.1 – “Following discussions with Apple, this version will no longer allow customers to create audio CDs, audio DVDs, or export audio to their hard drive using purchased iTunes music store content” 
Handy battery guide- Each battery has unique needs that must be met to obtain reliable service and long life. The Do and Don’t battery table summarizes these needs and advises proper handling of each battery type. Optimal handling may not always be practical in real life. Deviations from the ideal are acceptable but will lower the life expectancy of the battery to some degree. Exposure to heat may be the larger deterrent. 
