We have recently upgraded the platform for WGS from 3210 to 3420 chipset from Intel.  This upgrade is substantial in several aspects. 

It is the first from Intel to have direct memory access resulting in a higher computational performance level and up to 16GB of ECC DDR3 memory (when 4GB modules are available). 

It takes the Nehalem generation of Xeon CPU which is equivalent to Core i7 or i5 for desktop. 

It also has IPMI remote server management capabilities on board. 

Compared with the last WGS based on 3210 chipset, the disadvantages are its rejection of Non ECC memory and desktop CPU but these are not issues for most WGS applications.  A change will happen shortly.  The new WGS will be able to take 2 models of Core i3 (wow) desktop CPU for server applications not requiring high computational performance! Also, Compucon is able to supply WGS in full tower as standard, and mid tower and 1U/2U/3U/4U/5U as options. Downgrade prices to Corei3 will come out soon.

We have been shipping NOD32 as the recommended anti-virus software since 2004. NOD32 has been proven to be stable, effective and fast as an anti-virus agent for desktops and servers.  ESET has since expanded their defence portfolio and created a Smart Security suite to protect computers against viruses, worms, Trojans, key-loggers, spyware, root kits and phishing.  In brief, ESET Smart Suite contains NOD32, Personal Firewall and Anti-Spamming.

The research company Gartner has placed this product in its Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection and this shows the respect the software has gained.  In our last CPD seminar we discussed this software and the reaction is positive.

As such we have replaced NOD32 with Smart Security as the default defence software for Compucon desktop systems with immediate effect.  The price remains the same despite the extra functions.  Also, we will inform the distributor to register you as the reseller so that you retain the renewal benefits.  Feel free to let us know of any comments you may have.

The seminar was given to Kamo High School students on 6 May 2010.  If you believe this type of extra-curriculum seminar will help your students, please check with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if one can be arranged for your school in the near future.

The first part of the seminar provides big picture associations such as analogies and differences between the computer and the human body, how the computer came about and where the computer positions in the history of our human civilization development.

The second part of the seminar has more technical depth and covers 3 major areas of how the computer extends the reach of the human body.  The 1st area is the extension of our brain power in executing repeatable activities and producing one-off creativity.  The 2nd area is the extension of human memory in terms of collective size and effectiveness of recollection.  The 3rd area is the extension of human vision with distributed eyeballs and collated sights.
 
This seminar will assist students to change the view of the computer as a mere box, associate computer technologies with daily observations and scientific developments, and will inspire some students to develop an interest in a computer or technology related career in the future.

< Feedback from a Year 13 Student after the Seminar >

The seminar was an enlightening experience that was both interesting and informative.  The spokesman TN Chan was a little hard to understand but once you get tuned into his manner of speaking, his words were true and provoked thoughts that would change my opinion of computers.  By comparing computers to people he managed to change my perspective on the use of computers and actually made me rethink how valuable computers are in this modern age.

I have actually never thought that a computer can be so similar to a person, in which we basically have the same components and structures.  For example computers and humanshave similar body parts such as a brain, blood and nerves.