Techno Page

by Harendra Alwis

Lions in sheep's clothing

The two 'chips' in nForce, namely the Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) and the Media and Communications Processor (MCP) are lions in sheep's clothing. "The nForce(tm) Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP), part of the revolutionary nForce Platform Processing Architecture, redefines system and graphics performance for the PC platform. At its core is an integrated GeForce2 GPU delivering per-pixel shading via the NVIDIA Shading Rasterizer and second-generation transform and lighting for an un-compromised 3D visual experience. In addition, the IGP features the TwinBank(tm) Memory Architecture for efficient memory processing, a Dynamic Adaptive Speculative Pre-processor(tm) (DASP) to help boost CPU performance, and the AMD(r) HyperTransport(tm); a high-performance I/O bus interface. The nForce(tm) Media and Communications Processor (MCP), part of the revolutionary nForce Platform Processing Architecture, redefines the audio and communications experience for the PC platform. The integrated Audio Processing Unit (APU) brings unprecedented 3D positional audio and Microsoft(r) DirectX(r) 8.0-compatible performance to the PC, and a Dolby(tm) Digital 5.1 encoder for truly cinematic-quality audio experiences. 

On the communications front is StreamThru(tm), an innovative technology providing an optimized pipeline enhancing networking and broadband; and the most complete suite of integrated networking and communications devices including Ethernet, HomePNA 2.0 and six USB ports. The nForce MCP also features the AMD(r) HyperTransport(tm) high-performance I/O bus interface."

NVIDIA has come up with a single driver for its system that supports all hardware and peripherals, so gone is the time when we had to hunt down a million drivers to make all the hardware run properly. As if all this is not good enough, the best thing about the nForce is the part we all like to hear, yes the price. Well, NVIDIA has not yet quoted a price for this amazing chipset, and according to the 'grape vine' it should come under $200 (roughly Rs. 18,000), but some speculate it could even be as low as $50! In order to validate this they point out the fact that those who are happy with the sound and vision of an integrated chipset might not want to cough up extra money for Nvidia's product, no matter how good the graphics are. And those hardcore users who want the extra performance they get from quality add-in boards are prepared to pay extra for that. But realistically it should be quite a bargain for under $200.

The nForce chipset is a radical new design that looks to revolutionize the industry, as well as force other chipset makers to compete at this lofty level. Currently the nForce only comes in two flavours: the low end is encompassed by the nForce 220 which features a 64 bit DDR memory path, while the high end is served by the nForce 420 which features the radical 128 bit DDR memory path. The specs and performance of these chipset far surpass anything else out there today.

Feel free to write in and share your views about nForce with the readers of Techno page. We will keep the rest to be discussed on a future date when more information about the nForce is made available.

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UNREAL II 

 - A game that will convince you to upgrade your system

There's also more variety in the mission types, which will include assault-style levels where a squad of computer-controlled teammates will help assault or defend an objective. 

Unreal II naturally takes advantage of the latest and greatest in Epic's Unreal engine technology, which lets the objects and characters in the game have much more polygonal detail compared with any other game to date, and very lifelike animation to boot. But ultimately, the game's visual quality comes down to the creative imagination that guides Legend's designers. While we saw some gorgeous outdoor scenes, by far the most impressive level took place inside an excavated alien site, which was truly sinister and surreal enough that it might have come from the mind of H.R. Gieger, whose work inspired the movie Alien and its sequels. 

The detail in the alien ship was simply amazing: Surfaces where developers would normally use detailed textures or bump mapping are now entirely made out of polygons, which gives them a much more organic look. The game's characters, such as the ship's first officer Aida, similarly benefit from high-detail treatment and look amazing. Games are always getting better looking, but once in a while, a game comes around that takes game graphics to the next level. Unreal II will be such a game. 

Considering both the game's campaign scope and its enhancements, Unreal II should be a major improvement over the original. And it's not even entirely focused on the single-player experience. Unreal II will bring new multiplayer capabilities and a new version of the Unreal map editor when it's finally released. While the game's mechanics are undoubtedly similar to those in many first-person shooters, there's plenty new about it to make Unreal II an entirely enjoyable, immersive experience. 

Utopia

Much ado about 'something'

By Tania Fernando 

Along with changing bodies, youth are experimenting with a variety of identities. Who am I, is one of the most pressing questions at that time. Relationships with parents also play a key role at this stage in their lives. A certain conflict about the appropriate degree of parental control over the adolescent is almost inevitable. 

It is only in present times that we consider the teenager to be still a child or at most a young adult. Through most of history, teenagers of both sexes were considered and treated as adults. At the age when your daughter is contemplating the latest shade of lipstick to hit the market, her great-grandmother was probably already a mother.

Psychologist Parvani Pinnawela said the important thing for parents during this time is to communicate with their children. "They should talk about the changes that are taking place. They should treat their children as friends and not be strict or indifferent towards their emotions."

She stressed the importance of starting an early dialogue, so that when the child is going through a difficult phase he or she can approach the parents and talk about the problems. "A support system is so very important," Ms. Pinnawela said.

15-year old Sarala says she is still trying to fathom the changes happening to her. "I know there are changes taking place, but I feel too shy to approach my parents about them," she said, adding that she has noticed that males in general seem to look at her differently. "It makes me uncomfortable," said a very distressed Sarala, adding that she was not sure how to behave anymore. "If I act very childish my parents tell me to grow up, but if I want to go somewhere they tell me I am too young."

Most often it is girls who suffer adolescence more than boys, as when girls start to grow into women, more and more of their experiences tend to go underground. Girls most often do not discuss routine, natural biological processes like menstrual periods and developing breasts. But shaving and gruff voices seem to be acceptable topics among the boys. 

Even the friendly neighborhood uncle could make them feel uncomfortable, because of his unwanted touching. A walk to the nearby vegetable shop to buy tomatoes for Amma turns out to be an extra alert, war-zone type minefield where older men could turn out to be the explosives.

However, parents just expect their daughters to manage somehow. Hushed conversations with other girls, secret back street chats are the sources of half information, coping strategies and support system, for these youngsters.

Avanti, a mother of a 14-year-old said, that she is so busy that she rarely finds time to even talk to her daughter. "I guess I have not paid close attention to notice that my daughter might be wanting some advice," she admits. She said she could not recall her parents sitting her down and talking to her about the facts of life. "I guess I'm just following their method and really did not notice anything," she says.

Fifteen-year-old Arun said that he has noticed changes in his 13-year-old sister and wonders what's going on. "But I don't think I can ask her. She has become more shy around me and I really don't understand that," he said, adding that he too was still trying to come to terms with the changes that are taking place in him.

Ms. Pinnawela said that the problem was that most often parents were far too rigid and hesitant in expressing their emotions. "Parents are far too judgemental. They should be flexible. They should educate the child about the hormonal changes taking place at this time," she advised. Teaching a child the facts of life and explaining that this is the time that the opposite sex would be attracted to them and they to the opposite sex and that it is not weird or wrong, is also imperative, she says.

"They should consistently tell their child that they are there for them, but at the same time maintain a balance and correct them when it is necessary." She however, stressed that the most important key was 'communication'. "It all starts with communication."

While most children felt they could not approach their parents, 13-year-old Natasha said that she had a very open relationship with her parents. "I can ask them anything and they have explained things to me and warned me to be careful," she said.

She said that with her friends most often the topic is boys, and they feel very excited about being 13. Natasha said that the only time that confusion might have arisen in her mind was when she noticed a boy looking at her, but said that she knew the difference when someone touches her in a nice way or in a different way.

Meanwhile Natasha's mother said that they have explained to her and her 17-year-old brother the facts of life. 

Society is normally sympathetic towards the hormone driven moods of pregnant women and pre-menopausal women. What the teenager is going through, is in some respects, even worse because they themselves cannot understand what is happening to their bodies. Puberty signifies a mental break from childhood and they are trying to take their first tottering steps towards adulthood. Parents should understand this difficulty and be there for them as parent, friend and support system.
What parents can do 

# Understand the teens' need for privacy and independ ence for carving out their own identity

# Treat them as a person - not an extension of you.

# Keep the lines of communication open.

# Be a friend giving advice more often that laying down the law.

# Keep a careful watch on their activities. This does not mean spying on them, but in fact, paying attention to body language, what they said, where they go and with whom.

# Different parenting styles for both boys and girls. But it's important to remember that neither is inher- ently superior or inferior, they are just different.

Would you leave mother Lanka?

Anushka (20), a student: "If I got the opportunity I would go abroad to study but I would always come back."

Angie (18), a student: "When the country suffers, I think we should suffer with it. I don't want to leave, no matter what happens. Even if I go, I'd come back so that I can make at least a little difference for my country." 

Chandana (26): "I would never leave as this is my motherland. I can make a future for myself here, but the economy is a major problem." 

Dinukshe (21), a student from Kandy: "There is absolutely no scope for my line of work here so, if I was given the opportunity, I would go abroad and never return. Our country will never change and there is no future here for us." 

Saraya, (25), a musician from Kandy: "I'd never feel at home in a foreign country so I'd always come back. I've become immune to the situation in the country _ it doesn't affect me anymore. I wouldn't leave because of it."

Mumtaz (26), lecturer: "A few years ago, I would have said that I'd never go abroad but, now I'm having second thoughts. I might go if I got a chance. If the situation improves though I'd stay." 

Coomerene (21), a student: "I'm presently studying in India because the Universities here are not very reliable at the moment. I hope to return for my MA though. There's no place like home any day."

Mahir (18), a student: "If I go, I wouldn't return. There is no future here for us so there is no use coming back."

Prasantha (22): "The country is good but, the people are ruining it." 

Roshika (19): a student: "I would go because the political situation in our country is pathetic."

Manish (21), a student: "If I got the chance, I'd go and not return. Life is much easier abroad and there is no hope left here."

Kanchana Caldera (19) a CIMA student: "Depends on the country and if it is a good degree for my specific field. If Sri Lanka's economy gets worse than it is now, I'd prefer to stay abroad. I'd compare the opportunities here and abroad and then decide. The war does not affect me."

Nuzha Dilshad (19), CIM student: "Yes, I don't mind going abroad to live, even work and study. I'd come back but not to live here permanently. Definitely the war and the economy are affecting my decision." 

Mignon (20), trainee travel assistant: "I would like to go abroad but only if I could take my parents along. The war does affect me."

Nilusha (19): "No matter what the economic situation or war, I won't go."

Menaka (21), a journalist: "It's so hard living here in this country, but yet at the end of the day I'm satisfied with what I have. I've been abroad for many years and I always felt alienated in some other land. Here we all speak the same language, eat the same food and walk the same path. We know we belong here. So I'll never leave even if I had the chance."

Dilshan (24): "It's pretty absurd to run away from a problem."

Thanuka (21): "I would like to go abroad to earn some money because the present situation in the country is bad. After I get qualified I might return. Our country can't offer us anything to suit our ideas and qualifications."

Erandi (20): "Life is easier abroad and since we have limited opportunities here, one might as well go but, I'd like to come back and settle down here someday."

Trewin (19), student: " I won't leave as it's my country. I just hope the war ends soon."

Radika (20) and Nilika (20), students: "We want to go abroad for our higher studies as there is no future for us here. We don't think this problem will ever end."

Rashad (21): "I won't leave, Sri Lanka's our motherland. If we chicken out and run away, there's no point."

Nipuna (20), Lakmal (20) Lalin (20) and Madusha (20): "We would definitely go abroad as there are no good job opportunities here and the salaries are low. The direction our country is heading is not good for the youth. The ethnic crisis doesn't affect us much, but either we have to change or the country has to."

Erandi (15) and Shehara (16): "The problem's pretty serious at the moment. It's a beautiful country and we'd love to live here but, the odds are against us."

Roshan (19) and Praveen (19):"The country's going to the dogs, there is no progress. It will never progress as long as corrupt politicians are making a living out of it."

Dilesh (21): "I won't leave my country and I don't want to leave it at any cost."

So there you have it. Opinions are divided between those who are disheartened and fed up with the state of our motherland and those who feel they'll never leave, no matter what. Perhaps it's time we all turned the searchlight inward. Where indeed do we stand? 

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