Octopus Overlords

Max Peck wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:35 am 3D Xpoint memory: Faster-than-flash storage unveiled

A new kind of memory technology is going into production, which is up to 1,000 times faster than the Nand flash storage used in memory cards and computers' solid state drives (SSDs). The innovation is called 3D XPoint, and is the invention of Intel and Micron. The two US companies predict a wide range of benefits, from speeding up scientific research to making more elaborate video games.

OK. Let's go back to basics - why does it have that weird name?
It refers to the fact the technology is made up of a 3D structure featuring layers of wires. On each layer, the wires run in parallel to each other, but at right-angles to those on the layer below. In between each layer are vertical sub-microscopic columns, which connect the points at which the wires criss-cross. Each of these columns contains:

• a "memory cell", which can store a single bit of data. This represents either a one or a zero in binary code
• a "selector", which allows a specific memory cell to be read or rewritten. Access is controlled by varying the amount of voltage it receives via the wires

Today Intel launched its next phase of Optane based products with the release of the Optane 900P SSD Series. This series marks the second release of Optane technologies for consumer and the first that is more like a traditional SSD, the Optane Memory functioned more like a caching device. Intel will also be working with the developers of the MMORPG, Star Citizen, to include a free copy of the game and come DLC.

Back in July of 2015, Intel and Micron announced their partnership on a new type of NAND technology that they initially named 3D XPoint (pronounced cross point). The new technology promised several things including a big boost in performance. About a month later Intel announced that their version of 3D XPoint would be called Optane. Intel has since slowly dripped out a few products including the Optane Memory for consumers and the Optane DC P4800X for data centers. Today marks the first time consumers can get their hands on a fully sized SSD, up to 480GB.

The 900P Series offers several of the benefits one should expect with Optane technology: high performance (up to 2.5GB/s and 550K IOPS), low latency (< 10μs), and high endurance (8760 TBW). The new series has several use cases including engineering workloads, media creation (specifically game development), and gaming. On the gaming side and tying in with the promotion with Star Citizen, Intel states that users will see improved loading times, smooth game play, and high resolution textures and meshes (assuming the gaming rig has the proper graphical abilities).

The Optane 900P SSD Series is available now with MSRP of $599 for the 480GB and $389 for the 280GB.

Sudy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 2:50 pm Don't people on Craiglist think their 4:3 15" LCD from 2002 is worth $75?

gilraen wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 3:51 pm

Sudy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 2:50 pm Don't people on Craiglist think their 4:3 15" LCD from 2002 is worth $75?

I still have one of those, HPL15xx-something. No one will ever want it, otherwise I would have given it away by now - it just feels wrong throwing out (even recycling) something that still works fine.

Apple has said it is working to fix a serious bug within its Mac operating system.

The flaw in MacOS High Sierra - the most recent version - makes it possible to gain entry to the machine without a password, and also have access to powerful administrator rights.

“We are working on a software update to address this issue,” Apple said in a statement.

The bug was discovered by Turkish developer Lemi Ergin.

He found that by entering the username "root", leaving the password field blank, and hitting "enter" a few times, he would be granted unrestricted access to the target machine.

Mr Ergin faced criticism for apparently not following responsible disclosure guidelines typically observed by security professionals.

Those guidelines instruct security experts to notify companies of flaws in their products, giving them a reasonable amount of time to fix the flaw before going public.

Mr Ergin did not respond to those claims when asked on Twitter, and the BBC was unable to reach him on Tuesday.

Apple would not confirm or deny whether it knew about the flaw beforehand.

However, a member of Apple's support forums had posted details of the flaw more than two weeks ago, though the message appears to suggest the vulnerability could be a useful feature for troubleshooting rather than a critical security threat.

gameoverman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:34 pm I bought an SSD almost exactly two years ago, post Xmas 2015, and noticed yesterday it went from 100% life remaining to 99% life remaining. This worries me. At this rate I'll hit 80% in about 40 years. WTF? I paid good money for this SSD, I don't think it's too much to ask for something that lasts.