General system requirements for running Mac OS X Leopard are a Mac computer running an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512MB RAM; a DVD drive for installation; and a minimum of 9GB of free hard disk space. Internet service and .Mac service are required for some features and fees may apply. A full system requirement listing can be found at www.apple.com/macosx/techspecs/.
Learn all about Leopard and all of its new features, which are said to out rival the "wow" of Microsoft's Vista, at www.apple.com/macosx/. The site features a guided tour of all of Leopard's great new features. The tour can be viewed online or downloaded to view on your iPod.
DirectX Diagnostic Tool
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool originally was designed to help Windows users troubleshoot any DirectX-related issues. However, this tool is also an easy way to display valuable information about your computer.
To run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Start button.
2. Click on run.
3. Type dxdiag in the box and click on the OK button.
The DirectX version is located at the bottom of the System Information section of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window. In addition, there are various tabs that allow users to run tests on display, video, sound and other DirectX-related components.
However, one of the most valuable features of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool is it also provides other useful information about your system. It displays information such as your computer's name, the operating system you are running currently, your system manufacturer and model name, the BIOS name, the name of your processor, and how much memory/RAM you have installed on your system.
Net buzzz
* Microsoft has managed to score another patent protection deal with yet another Linux company. This time around, Microsoft has partnered with Turbolinux, the largest Linux distributors in Asia. The companies will work together to develop a single log-in environment and Microsoft's Live Search will be incorporated as Turbolinux's default search engine. Microsoft will provide Turbolinux with patent protection for its users. Read more at www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/oct07/10-22MSTurbolinuxrdPR.mspx.
* In other Microsoft news, the company has acquired equity stake in Facebook - a popular online social community - to the tune of a whopping $240 million. The deal will expand the current advertising deal Microsoft has with Facebook. Learn more at www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/oct07/10-24FacebookPR.mspx.
E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail-mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
