I made a little tutorial that will be a little more useful once we can finally unpack this

thing. It is instructions for installing the proper usb driver for the soc (RK2918) that
powers this tablet. Also directions for flashing the partition of your choice. Also for you
hardware enthusiasts here is a link to download the official data sheet for the soc. It has a
ton of interesting info that anyone could enjoy. Shows you what this thing is really
capable of if properly modified/unlocked.

Data Sheet

On with the tutorial!

You will need the following:

Drivers (windows only)

RK29 Update Tool

First things first MAKE SURE YOUR TABLET IS TURNED OFF and the USB is
UNPLUGGED!!!!!!!!!
It is also recommended that you have at least half of your battery life remaining on the
device.
And of course I am not responsible for any decisions you make whether they lead to
bricking your device or pure profit!


DRIVER INSTALL

1) Unzip the archive with the drivers. Don't forget where you unzip to.

2) Press and hold down the "menu" button. While still holding menu, plug the usb cord
from the computer into the tablet

3) Your pc will start looking for a driver automatically. It should fail to find any, if given
the option, choose manual install.

4) If not given the option, you need to go to control panel > Device Manager

5) You should see an unknown devices in the list, right click on it

6) Choose "Update Driver Software..." and a new window will open.

7) Choose "Browse my computer for driver software" and another window will open

8) Browse to the folder you unzipped the drivers to. Select the appropriate folder for your
operating system. EX. C:\PMID700\Drivers\64bit\win7



9) Make sure to check the box next to "Include subfolders"

10) Click the "Next" button and windows should successfully install your driver

RK29 Update Tool

1) Download the tool from link above and extract the .zip file and open it.

2) Double click the "RK29Update.exe". RKAndroidTool v1.29 will run

3) If you installed the driver correctly and still connected to the pc with device power off,
the big bold message at the bottom should read "Found RKAndroid Loader Rock Usb."
Success! Your device is attached and ready to be updated!

4) The Flash tab is where you want to be. From here you can choose exactly which
Partition(s) you would like to update.

*CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUT
ION**CAUTION**CAUTION*

IF YOU CLICK THE "ERASEIDB" BUTTON YOU WILL ERASE ALL DATA
ON INTERNAL MEMORY. If you do this make sure you have a backup or something
to flash, as you will not even be able to turn on your device if you don't. I personally
found this out the hard way, luckily I did an rkdump of all device partitions and was able
to use the "RK29xxLoader(L).bin" and "parameter" files included in the
"RK29_Update_Tool" folder, as I did not have the originals or update.img.

*CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUTION**CAUT
ION**CAUTION**CAUTION*

Have fun and be careful



How To Root Nextbook Premium 7 Tablet
February 27, 2012 By Suyash 5 Comments
Rooting a device isnt that hard as most people say but rooting a device which has just
been launch or which is very obscure can be a bit daunting. In our case, its the Nextbook
Premium 7 tablet but fortunately, XDA Forum Member Dochoppy has provided us with
a root method for the tablet. This tutorial explains how you can swiftly root your
Nextbook Premium 7 tablet the easy way. Make sure you follow the steps very prudently.
If you find yourself stuck in a conundrum, feel free to comment below.
Features


This tablet sports a bright, crystal clear capacitive 7-inch touch-screen and runs Android
2.3 OS. It has built-in WiFi, a speedy 1GHz processor for all your gaming and day-to-day
needs, 4GB of built-in flash memory for storage of your media and docs, SD/MMC card
slot for up to 32 GB incase you need some extra space, Graviational sensor, Mini 2.0
USB and Flash 10.1.
Prerequisites
Before you root any tablet, it is always advisable to take a back up of your tablets
data. Backing up your contacts is easy and you can back up all your contacts to
your tablets SD Card.
To back up your applications, I recommend you to use ASTRO File Manager
which also allows cloud storage.
Make sure your tablets batter has a minimum of 60% charge.
Enable USB Debugging. To do this, go to Settings>Applications>Development
and make sure USB Debugging is checked.
Disclaimer: BlogoTech is not responsible for any damage that might be caused to your
device during this process though the possibility of any damage is negligible. Try this at
your own risk. Also note, rooting your tablet will void your warranty.


Read more: http://www.blogotechblog.com/2012/02/how-to-root-nextbook-premium-7-
tablet/#ixzz2ofWtoJz3
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution


Steps to Root Nextbook Premium 7 tablet
First of all, Download the package from here
Extract the contents of the file to any empty folder
Connect your tablet to your PC via USB cable. Turn your tablet over and with a safety


pin or something of similar size, press and hold the reset button for 2 to 3 seconds
Run the RK29update.exe file present inside the folder you extracted the contents to
Select your ROM files via the boxes containing the . and navigate to the correct
directory for the ROM you want to install
Insert each file in order according to the update tool
Clear IDB
After the Tool says OK, Select Run. This will begin to load the ROM onto your
tablet. It will go through loading and then checking the ROM install
After the ROM loads and the tool comes back with an OK, patiently wait for the
tablet to reboot. If the tablet is still connected to the PC via USB when the ROM
boots it will show the screen allowing you to select whether or not to turn on USB
storage. Press the home key and you will be given a choice of Golauncher or
Rklauncher. Select whichever you wish
Thats it! Youve successfully rooted your Nextbook Premium 7 tablet.


Read more: http://www.blogotechblog.com/2012/02/how-to-root-nextbook-premium-7-
tablet/#ixzz2ofWzY3g7
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
My first customer is damo. He sent me an image and I made him a new boot.img.
OK so here are the instructions for flashing with a new boot.img and your customized
boot screen that I put together for you!
Requirements:
1) You must already be flashed to my new ROM 1.1 period! Otherwise flashing with
these instructions will brick your device!
2) Well this is assumed but if you have already flashed my ROM using RKAndroid Tool
1.29 (RK29update.exe) then I do not need to tell you about installing drivers! YES you
need the drivers to flash
Note: the cool thing about RKAndroid Tool 1.29 (RK29update.exe) is you can flash
certain segments of your tablet and not erase anything else! This is how I can make
someone a new boot.img and they just get it FAST and FLASH it easy! You will ONLY
be flashing boot.img using my ROM kit (RK29update.exe). Since you flashed my ROM
already, you already have my ROM kit and thus the RKAndroid Tool 1.29
(RK29update.exe) and drivers installed. If not. walk away from this tutorial!
Instructions for flashing a new boot.img that I made for you:
WARNING: Regardless of how I say this will not erase anything, I really DO think you
should make a backup using Titanium Backup or your backup program of choice just in
case. DON'T complain to me if you lost data. But this process should NOT lose any of
your data, apps ,etc
1) The new boot.img I post here or PM you with a link to, will be named with your
handle here on Arctablet. Since my first customer is damo, his file is called
damo_boot.img.
Damo get your boot.img here;
http://www.helifreakswag.com/damo_boot.img
2) Download your link (like above for damo) and save it to your desktop or to somewhere


on your hard disk(s) that you know where it is.
3) Run RK29update.exe from my ROM kit.
4) It will load. UNCHECK EVERYTHING other than boot.img. Seriously this is
important if you do not want to lose your already installed aps and data! Make sure
ONLY boot.img is checked!
5) On the boot.img row in the tool, click the box that has three dots in it e.g.
6) You will get a windows search dialog. Navigate to the boot.img you downloaded from
me in step 1. In this example damo will be navigating to where he saved damo_boot.img
from my link provided.
7) Reboot your Arnova into recovery mode. I have explained how to do this in my ROM
kit. You will know if the Arnova is in recovery mode as the RK29update.exe will say at
the bottom of the screen "found RKAndroid Loader Rock USB". If you don't have this
message, as in my rom flash instructions, you will not be able to flash your boot.img!
Now the next step. DO NOT CLICK EraseIDB! If you do all your stuff is gone!
8) Make sure as I said in #4 uncheck everything other than boot.img. ONLY boot.img
should be checked in the list to flash! IF YOU LEAVE OTHER STUFF CHECKED.
YOU CAN LOOSE DATA OR BRICK! Now just click the RUN button and it will flash
a new boot.img to your Arnova.
9) Your Arnova will reboot and ENJOY! Your own custom boot screen!
OK damo, let me know how all this goes and give feedback. I think you will find how
EASY it was to flash only boot.img and instantly on the next reboot get your own custom
boot screen. Again please provide feedback.
I will want to delete your boot.img from my server later as I cannot afford the bandwidth
downloads from many might cause. Your screen is cool so maybe share it by posting an
picture


Difference Between 32 Bit & 64 Bit
Architecture
By Matthew Smith, eHow Contributor

Share

Print this article

D i f f e r e n c e B e t w e e n 3 2 B i t
Difference Between 32 Bit & 64 Bit


Architecture
If you are in the market for a new
computer , you might have noticed that there
now seem to be two different versions of Windows, known as 32-bit and 64-bit. In truth,
these different versions have existed since XP, but it is only recently that 64-bit operating
systems have become popular in laptops and desktops sold to consumers. The differences
between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems have roots in the architecture of computer
processors. Have a question? Get an answer from Online Tech Support now!


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_6516780_difference-bit-64-bit-
architecture.html#ixzz2ofmb2F9x
History
Both 32-bit and 64-bit architecture setups have been around for decades, but were
mostly used in complicated enterprise
computers like the IBM 7030
Stretch, built in 1961. 32-bit architecture was available to consumers in the 1980s,
and the Intel 386 was one example. However, Windows did not become a 32-bit
operating system until Windows 95. Windows XP was the first consumer version
of Windows to receive a 64-bit edition.
Architecture
The term "32-bit," when referring to a processor or operating system architecture,
refers to the maximum size of an integer register a processor can store. A 32-bit
architecture can store data which is 32 bits wide, while a 64-bit architecture can
store data which is 64 bits wide. 64-bit architecture can simply store more bits
than 32-bit architecture.
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Maximum RAM
The ability to store more bits means that a processor with a 64-bit architecture
can, when paired with a 64-bit operating system, address more memory than a 32-
bit architecture. A processor with a 32-bit architecture can only address four


gigabytes of memory. The same goes for a 32-bit operating system, even if you
have a 64-bit processor. The maximum memory that can be addressed with a 64-
bit architecture is 16 terabytes.
File Size
The larger number of bits that can be addressed by a 64-bit processor also
translates into the ability to store files of a larger size. For example, Windows XP
32-bit cannot make use of a hard drive which is larger than 8 terabytes and it
cannot make use of a file which is larger than 4 gigabytes. While there are few
instances where this is a problem today, some files, such as high-definition videos
, are starting to encroach on the 4-gigabyte file size limit.
Compatibility
Programs created only for a 32-bit architecture or operating system won't always
work on a 64-bit version, and vice versa. This is because the 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems store data in different ways. Most modern programs offer
compatibility for both, but attempting to run a program which was built for a 32-
bit version of Windows XP on a modern 64-bit version of Windows 7 may cause
the program to crash. Also, device drivers are not compatible between 32-bit and
64-bit versions.


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_6516780_difference-bit-64-bit-
architecture.html#ixzz2ofmjYDwG

Computer architecture refers to a number of similar ideas within the computer science
and technology fields. On a software level, it refers to the assembly language systems that
connect the various parts of the computers hardware into a single functioning system.
When dealing with hardware, it applies equally to the methods of creating and utilizing
hardware and the process of constructing computer components. Each of these definitions
describes a similar process the idea of starting with a non-functioning computer
system and making it functional , but they all look at the process from a different
standpoint.

The software version of computer architecture is likely the most difficult for a non-
technical person to understand. A computer system is performing thousands of tasks at
any given time that have nothing to do with what the user is doing. These tasks form the
basis of the computers systems. It may be moving information from short-term to long-
term memory or checking the time against a scheduled task to see if it is time for
activation.

All of these computer architecture functions rely on machine code to understand how the
different parts of the machine are connected. This code creates a basic blueprint of the
computers hardware that higher-functioning programs use to access things like processor
time and memory addresses. This machine code blueprint defines the structure of the
system from the softwares point of view.



The first hardware version of computer architecture is the form used to create the
software blueprint. This form of architecture centers on the way various parts of the
machine will send and receive data in order to work together. For example, if a memory
module wants information formatted in a specific way, it is important that the processor
sends it in that format so the data can be stored. If the various parts of the computer
cannot communicate with one another, the system wont work.

The other hardware version of computer architecture focuses on single pieces of
hardware. This method requires designers to look at an individual piece and determine
how it will function. Nearly every piece of computer hardware contains a complex series
of instructions for manipulating data, receiving instructions and issuing commands. All of
this takes place within the hardware, requiring a fully-realized language and command
system. In essence, each hardware piece operates like a very specialized computer.

Since each of these definitions talks about a different facet of computer architecture, they
all end up fitting together nicely. First, a designer looks at the individual pieces of the
hardware and determines how they work. Next, the pieces are put together to form a
hardware system. Lastly, the machine code is used to connect those systems together in
such a way that programs can interact with the hardware.


What Is ARM Architecture?


ARM architecture refers to an instruction set architecture (ISA) that United Kingdom-
based semiconductor manufacturer ARM Holdings, plc. develops. The technology is best
known for its application on processors, or central processing units (CPUs), with low
power consumption, or great energy efficiency. Also, it is designed with the concept of
reduced instruction set computing (RISC), which means that it strives to optimize
processor performance by simplifying instructions for faster execution. ARM-based
CPUs in particular rely on a single-cycle execution.

English computer company Acorn Computers originated the ARM architecture in
October 1983 when it started the Acorn RISC Machine project to come up with a more
advanced processor for its business-oriented personal computers (PCs). This is mainly
because the MOS Technology 6502, an 8-bit processor popular for its comparatively low
cost, was too weak to handle certain computer features such as a graphics-based user
interface.

The Acorn Archimedes, released in 1987, was the first computer to feature an ARM-
based CPU. The second iteration, ARM2, is notable for outperforming the Intel 80286, or
iAPX 286. This was a processor from fellow semiconductor company Intel Corp. and
used on the IBM Personal Computer AT (IBM PC/AT) from International Business
Machines. The success of the ARM-based processors led to the morphing of the company


to Advanced RISC Machines Ltd. in 1990, then ARM Holdings by 1998.

ARM architecture comprises an orthogonal instruction set. Although the term orthogonal
is used for something composed of right angles, in computer terminology, it is used to
refer to a data objectin this case, an ISAthat functions without affecting others, or is
statistically independent. The ARM architecture uses 32 bits, which is the maximum data
size that it accommodates. More specifically, each processor using the instruction set has
16 32-bit registers, which are tiny storage units that provide high-speed access to data
instead of allowing the CPU to get it from somewhere else at a slower rate.

Ironically, ARM architecture was initially designed for PCs. Instead, the x86 instruction
set, which traces its origins to Intels 8086, or iAPX86, dominated the market by the end
of the 1990s. Thus, IBM PC-compatible computers, as well as Macintosh computers from
Apple, have x86 CPUs from companies such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices
(AMD).

Meanwhile, ARM shifted to smaller electronic devices, which are ideal for the
technologys simplified executions and low power consumption. By 2009, more than 90
percent of all mobile phones contained an ARM-based processor. Other devices that use
ARM architecture for their CPUs include personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable
multimedia players and calculators.


What is the ARM architecture in Laymans Terms
Anonymous
August 14, 2011
ARM is 32 bit, but it mostly differs from other processors like Intel by the fact that it has
such a small instruction set meaning fewer steps the processor has to work through to
get form point A to point B for any operation.
Usually a smaller instruction set would mean much more limited functionality, but the
designers of ARM also designed the way data gets stored and transferred from register to
register during calculations in such a way that the processor operates far more efficiently.
Fewer instructions equal less power demand which makes it an ideal processor for those
applications where there isnt a very large power source.
I dont know if any of that is laymen enough I hope it makes a little bit of sense. Its
difficult to explain the concept of instructions and registers without recommending a
course in microprocessors! Thanks for asking such a great question.
0 votes
Zombie
August 15, 2011
Thank you Sir(rdube02) the answer is as sweet and precise it could be for a layman like
me..:)


0 votes
Anonymous
August 15, 2011
To put something in laymans terms is basically 64bits would blow some limitations of
current 32bits ARM processors such as better ability to run other operating systems under
your current system. Most manufacturers of servers and a 64-bit architecture would be
much more suitable for this purpose (potentially faster, larger addressable memory space,
etc.). Additional forms of multiply instructions with accumulation into a 64-bit
result.Load Register instructions can load a 64-bit doubleword, a 32-bit word, a 16-bit
halfword, or an 8-bit byte from memory into a register or registers.
ARM has several classes of Multiply instruction:Normal 32-bit x 32-bit, bottom 32-bit
resultLong 32-bit x 32-bit, 64-bit resultHalfword 16-bit x 16-bit, 32-bit resultWord
halfword 32-bit x 16-bit, top 32-bit result
Window manager
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Layers of the graphical user interface

Typical elements of a window. The window decoration is either drawn by the window
manager (X11) or by the client (Weston). The drawing of the content is the task of the
client.



Under X11, when the window manager is not running, the window decorations are
missing. Under Weston clients can draws their own window decorations
A window manager is system software that controls the placement and appearance of
windows within a windowing system in a graphical user interface.[1] Most window
managers are designed to help provide a desktop environment. They work in conjunction
with the underlying graphical system that provides required functionalitysupport for
graphics hardware, pointing devices, and a keyboard, and are often written and created
using a widget toolkit.[2]
Few window managers are designed with a clear distinction between the windowing
system and the window manager. Every graphical user interface based on a windows
metaphor has some form of window management. In practice, the elements of this
functionality vary greatly.[3] Elements usually associated with window managers allow
the user to open, close, minimize, maximize, move, resize, and keep track of running
windows, including window decorators. Many window managers also come with various
utilities and features: e.g. docks, task bars, program launchers, desktop icons, and
wallpaper.
Contents
[hide]
1 X window managers
2 Microsoft Windows
3 Types of window managers
3.1 Compositing window managers
3.2 Stacking window managers
3.3 Tiling window manager
3.4 Dynamic window manager
4 Features and facilities of window managers
5 History
6 See also
7 References
X window managers[edit]
Main article: X window manager
On systems using the X window system, there is a clear distinction between the window
manager and the windowing system. Strictly speaking, an X window manager does not
directly interact with video hardware, mice, or keyboards that is the responsibility of the
display server.
Users of the X Window System have the ability to easily use many different window


managers Metacity, used in GNOME, and KWin, used in KDE Plasma Workspaces,
and many others. Since many window managers are modular, people can use others, such
as Compiz (a 3D compositing window manager), which replaces the window manager.
Sawfish and awesome on the other hand are extensible window managers offering
exacting window control. Components of different window managers can even be mixed
and matched; for example, the window decorations from KWin can be used with the
desktop and dock components of GNOME.
X window managers also have the ability to re-parent applications, meaning that, while
initially all applications are adopted by the root window (essentially the whole screen), an
application started within the root window can be adopted by (i.e., put inside of) another
window. Window managers under the X window system adopt applications from the root
window and re-parent them to window decorations (for example, adding a title bar). Re-
parenting can also be used to add the contents of one window to another. For example, a
flash player application can be re-parented to a browser window, and can appear to the
user as supposedly being part of that program. Re-parenting window managers can
therefore arrange one or more programs into the same window, and can easily combine
tiling and stacking in various ways.
Further information: Re-parenting window manager
Microsoft Windows[edit]

Microsoft Windows has provided an integrated stacking window manager since Windows
2.0; Windows Vista introduced the compositing Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) as
an optional hardware-accelerated alternative. In Windows, the role of the window
manager is tightly coupled with the kernel's graphical subsystems and is largely non-
replaceable, although third-party utilities can be used to simulate a Tiling window
manager on top of such systems.
Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) is used by default in modern Windows systems to
provide a panel and file manager, along with many functions of a window manager;
aspects of Windows can be modified through the provided configuration utilities,
modifying the Windows registry or with 3rd party tools, such as WindowBlinds or
Resource Hacker.
The Windows window manager can also act as an X window manager through Cygwin/X
in multiwindow mode (and, possibly, other X window implementations).
Note that Microsoft and X Window System use different terms to describe similar
concepts. For example, there is no specific word for window manager functionality in
Windows (shell is sometimes used in this context, but its sense is fuzzy).
Types of window managers[edit]
Window managers are often divided into three or more classes, which describe how
windows are drawn and updated.
Compositing window managers[edit]
Main article: Compositing window manager
Compositing window managers let all windows be created and drawn separately and then
put together and displayed in various 2D and 3D environments. The most advanced
compositing window managers allow for a great deal of variety in interface look and feel,
This section requires expansion. (August 2011)


and for the presence of advanced 2D and 3D visual effects.
Stacking window managers[edit]
Main article: Stacking window manager
All window managers that have overlapping windows and are not compositing window
managers are stacking window managers, although it is possible that not all use the same
methods. Stacking window managers allow windows to overlap by drawing background
windows first, which is referred to as painter's algorithm. Changes sometimes require that
all windows be re-stacked or repainted, which usually involves redrawing every window.
However, to bring a background window to the front usually only requires that one
window be redrawn, since background windows may have bits of other windows painted
over them, effectively erasing the areas that are covered.
Tiling window manager[edit]
Main article: Tiling window manager
Tiling window managers paint all windows on-screen by placing them side by side or
above and below each other, so that no window ever covers another. Microsoft Windows
1.0 used tiling, and a variety of tiling window managers for X are available.
Dynamic window manager[edit]
Main article: Dynamic window manager
Dynamic window managers can dynamically switch between tiling or floating window
layout. A variety of dynamic window managers for X are available.
Features and facilities of window managers[edit]
Autohide
An autohide facility enables menubars to disappear when the pointer is moved away
from the edge of the screen.
Borders
A border is a window decoration component provided by some window managers,
that appears around the active window. Some window managers may also display a
border around background windows.
Context Menu
Some window managers provide a context menu that appears when an alternative
click event is applied to a desktop component.
Desktop Wallpaper
Some window managers provide a desktop wallpaper facility that displays a
background picture in the root window.
Focus Stealing
Focus stealing is a facility some window managers provide. It allows an application
not in focus to suddenly gain focus and steal user input intended for the previously
focused application.
Iconification
An iconification facility lets users minimize running applications to a desktop icon or
taskpanel icon.
Joined Windows
Some window managers provide a joined windows facility that lets user join
application window frames together.


Keyboard Equivalents
Some window managers provide keyboard equivalents that enables the keyboard to
replicate mouse functionality.
Menubar
A menubar provides the facility to launch programs via a menu and may contain
additional facilities including a start button, a taskbar, and a system tray.
Menu Panel
A menu panel a component of some window managers that provides the facility to
launch programs using a menu. A menu panel is similar to a menubar, but appears as
a floating panel, rather than a horizontal or vertical bar.
The menu panel may contain additional facilities including a start button, a task panel,
and a system tray.
Mouse focus
The mouse focus model determines how the pointing device affects the input focus
within the window manager. The focus model determine which component of the
graphical user interface is currently selected to receive input as the pointer is moved
around the screen.
Mouse warping
Mouse warping is a facility that centres the pointer on the current application as it is
made active.
Multiple Desktops
A window manager may provide a multiple desktops facility. This enables switching
between several root window desktops. This prevents clutter of the root window,
because applications can run on different desktops.
Pager
Some window managers provide a pager tool that provides the facility to switch
between multiple desktops. The pager may appear as an onscreen window or as a
gadget in the taskbar or taskpanel.
Plugins
Some window managers have a modular construction that enables plug-in modules to
provide features as required.
Rollup
A rollup facility enables windows to appear as just a titlebar on the desktop.
Root Menu
Some window managers provide a root menu, which appears when the root window
or desktop background is touched.
Shortcuts
Some window managers provide a shortcut facility that lets users place icons on the
root window that access specific programs or facilities.
Tabbed Windows
Some window managers provide a tabbed windows facility that groups applications
together in common frames.
Task Switching
The window manager may provide various task switching facilities that let the user
change the currently focused application, including:


Changing the mouse focus using a pointing device
Keyboard task switching facilities (for example, by pressing Alt-Tab)
Clicking on the task in a taskbar or taskpanel
Taskbar
Some window managers provide a taskbar that shows running applications. The
taskbar may show all applications that are running including those that have been
minimized, and may provide the facility to switch focus between them. The taskbar
may be incorporated into a menubar on some window managers.
Task Panel
A task panel is similar to a taskbar, but appears as a floating panel, rather than a
horizontal or vertical bar.
Start Button
A start button is a desktop widget that provides a menu of programs that can be
launched. The start button is typically placed on a menubar at the bottom of the
screen.
Notification Area
A Notification Area is used to display icons for system and program features that have
no desktop window. It contains mainly icons to indicate status information and
notifications such as arrival of a new mail message. Some systems may also show a
clock in the Notification Area.
Title Bars
A titlebar is a window decoration component some window managers provide at the
top of each window. The titlebar is typically used to display the name of the
application, or the name of the open document, and may provide title bar buttons for
minimizing, maximizing, closing or rolling up of application windows.
Title Bar Buttons
Title bar buttons are included in the titlebar of some window managers, and provide
the facility to minimize, maximize, rollup or close application windows. Some
window managers may display the titlebar buttons in the taskbar or task panel, rather
than in a titlebar.
Virtual Desktop
A virtual desktop (also called a scrolling desktop) is a facility some window managers
provided that lets the desktop be larger than the actual screen
History[edit]
Main article: History of the graphical user interface
In the 1970s, the Xerox Alto became the first computer shipped with a working WIMP
GUI. It used a stacking window manager that allowed overlapping windows.[4] While it
is unclear if Microsoft Windows contains designs copied from Apple's Mac OS, it is clear
that neither was the first to produce a GUI using stacking windows. In the early 1980s,
the Xerox Star, successor to the Alto, used tiling for most main application windows, and
used overlapping only for dialogue boxes, removing most of the need for stacking.[5]
GEM 1.1 was a window manager that supported the desktop metaphor, and used stacking,
allowing all windows to overlap. It was released in the early 1980s.[6] GEM is famous
for having been included as the main GUI used on the Atari ST, which ran Atari TOS,
and was also a popular GUI for MS-DOS prior to the widespread use of Microsoft


Windows. As a result of a lawsuit by Apple, GEM was forced to remove the stacking
capabilities, making it a tiling window manager.[7]
Mac OS was one of the earliest commercially successful examples of a GUI that used a
sort of stacking window management via QuickDraw. Currently OS X uses a somewhat
more advanced window manager that has supported compositing since Mac OS X 10.0,
and was updated in Mac OS X 10.2 to support hardware accelerated compositing via the
Quartz Compositor.[8]
During the mid-1980s, Amiga OS contained an early example of a compositing window
manager called Intuition (one of the low-level libraries of AmigaOS, which was present
in Amiga system ROMs), capable of recognizing which windows or portions of them
were covered, and which windows were in the foreground and fully visible, so it could
draw only parts of the screen that required refresh. Additionally, Intuition supported
compositing. Applications could first request a region of memory outside the current
display region for use as bitmap. The Amiga windowing system would then use a series
of bit blits using the system's hardware blitter to build a composite of these applications'
bitmaps, along with buttons and sliders, in display memory, without requiring these
applications to redraw any of their bitmaps.
Intuition also anticipated the choices of the user by recognizing the position of the pointer
floating over other elements of the screen (title bars of windows, their close and resizing
gadgets, whole icons), and thus it was capable of granting nearly a zero-wait state
experience to the use of the Workbench window manager.
Noteworthy to mention is the fact that Workbench was the only window manager that
eventually inspired an entire family of descendant and successors: Ambient in MorphOS,
Zune/Wanderer in AROS, Workbench NG (New Generation in AmigaOS 4.0 and 4.1.
Workbench 4.1 was enhanced by 2D vector interface powered by Cairo libraries, and
presenting a modern Porter-Duff 3D based Compositing Engine.
In 1988, Presentation Manager became the default shell in OS/2, which, in its first
version, only used a command line interface (CLI). IBM and Microsoft designed OS/2 as
a successor to DOS and Windows for DOS. After the success of the Windows 3.10,
however, Microsoft abandoned the project in favor of Windows. After that, the Microsoft
project for a future OS/2 version 3 became Windows NT, and IBM made a complete
redesign of the shell of OS/2, substituting the Presentation Manager of OS/2 1.x for the
object-oriented Workplace Shell that made its debut in the OS/2 2.0.[9]



Layers of the graphical user interface





Typical elements of a window. The window decoration is either drawn by the window
manager (X11) or by the client (Weston). The drawing of the content is the task of the


client.




Under X11, when the window manager is not running, the window decorations are
missing. Under Weston clients can draws their own window decorations
Question: What exactly is "bittorrent" sharing?

Answer: Bittorrent networking is the most popular form of modern P2P (peer-to-
peer) file sharing. Since 2006, bittorrent sharing has been the primary means for users to
trade software, music, movies, and digital books online. Torrents are very unpopular with
the MPAA, the RIAA, and other copyright authorities, but are much beloved by millions
of college and university students around the planet.

Bittorrents (also known as "torrents") work by downloading small bits of files from many
different web sources at the same time. Torrent downloading is extremely easy to use, and
outside of a few torrent search providers, torrents themselves are free of user fees.

Torrent networking debuted in 2001. A Python-language programmer, Bram Cohen,
created the technology with the intent to share it with everyone. And indeed, its
popularity has taken off since 2005. The torrent community has now grown to millions of
users worldwide in 2009. Because torrents strive to screen out dummy and corrupt files,
are mostly free of adware/spyware, and achieve amazing download speeds, torrent
popularity is still growing fast. By straight gigabytes of bandwidth used, bittorrent
networking is the most popular activity on the Internet today.

How are torrents special? How is the torrent community different from Kazaa and
other networks?



Answer: Like the other file-sharing networks (Kazaa, Limewire (now defunct), Gnutella,
eDonkey, and Shareaza) Bittorrent's primary purpose is to distribute large media files to
private users. Unlike most P2P networks, however, torrents stand out for 5 major
reasons:
Torrent networking is NOT a publish-subscribe model like Kazaa; instead, torrents
are true Peer-to-Peer networking where the users themselves do the actual file
serving.
Torrents enforce 99% quality control by filtering out corrupted and dummy files,
ensuring that downloads contain only what they claim to contain. There is still
some abuse of the system, but if you use a community torrent searcher like
www.isohunt.com, users will warn you when a torrent is a fake or dummy file.
Torrents actively encourage users to share ("seed") their complete files, while
simultaneously penalizing users who "leech".
Torrents can achieve download speeds over 1.5 megabits per second.
Torrent code is open-source, advertising-free, and adware/spyware-free. This means
that no single person profits from torrent success.
Definition of a torrent file
Torrent files are files under the umbrella of an extremely popular peer to peer file
distribution system called BitTorrent. BitTorrent is commonly used for transferring large
files within a large network of people with extremely fast download speeds. BitTorrent
technology was originally developed by Bram Cohen, who came up with the protocols
needed to share very large files quickly with a large group of people no matter where they
were located.
Do I need special software to download torrent files?
Yes, you do! In order to download torrents, you have to have a torrent client. A torrent
client is a simple software program that manages your torrent downloads and uploads.
You can find the best torrent clients on the Web by reading this article titled How to Find
Torrent Clients.
Where can I find torrent files?
Here are a few places on the Web where you can find torrent files:
Torrent Sites: There are thousands of BitTorrent sites on the Web, but not all are
safe, easy to use, or reputable. Find out where the good BitTorrent sites are.
Find a Torrent Search Engine: BitTorrent search engines are able to scour the
Web for torrent files in a wide variety of places, making it simple for you to find
what you're looking for.
Official Legal Disclaimer for Torrent Files
You need to know that while searching for torrents and P2P sharing technology is legal,
that many of the files that you will come across on the Web are actually copyrighted.
Copyright law in the United States and other countries (excluding Canada) puts these
torrent files and downloading these torrent files at risk for legal action, including
lawsuits. Make sure you are familiar with your local copyright laws before downloading
any files.






So Simple - Just Like Boiling an Egg
Mix Chemicals Into Included Glass Lined Tank, and place on stove top or hot plate.
Includes Thermometer
The Ideal Way to Plate Small Parts - Easily - Economically - Quickly
No Batteries, Rectifiers or Other Power Sources Required
Cyanide Free No Fumes
Plates Many Metals - All Steels, Irons, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Lead Free Solders, and
Nickel Alloys.
Even & Uniform Layer, Inside Tubes, Corners etc.
No Anode Shadow!
No Disposal Problems - Drain Safe After Treatment (included)
Mid Phosphorous 5%-9%

- Photos courtesy of 97svtvert. Plated with Caswell Standard Electroless Nickel Kit
When electroless plating, you may not plate any item that has a surface area exceeding the
maximum load of the bath. The maximum load is 30 sq. in./quart of plating bath. Refer to
the table below
After making up the initial solution, each kit can be replenished with the included
replenisher chemical, to a maximum of 10 times. After 10 times, the bath must be
disposed and a fresh bath made. Based on the size of the kit, each kit will plate a certain
amount of surface area. Refer to the table below. Replenishment chemicals can be
purchased separately.
Kit
Size
Maximum Load (largest size
part)
Approx Total Surface Area Available @
0.0005"
Mini 75 sq in. 132 sq in.
Stand
ard
150 sq in. 264 sq in.



Electroless nickel plating requires no anodes, power supply or electrical connection of
any kind. The process simply entails mixing together some solutions, heating them to just
off the boil, and then immersing the part to be plated. An auto catalytic electrochemical
reaction takes place and the nickel is evenly deposited all over the part being plated. The
thickness of the plate will depend on the duration of immersion. To stop the reaction,
remove the part from the solution.
Like all plating, the brightness of the plate depends on the brightness of the part before
plating. The brighter the shine initially, the brighter the shine after plating. Numerous
variations of the final finish are achieved by changing the surface preparation.

Electroless nickel plating is not new; it has many applications in industry. Because the
system plates evenly over all areas of the part, even down tubes and holes, it is frequently
used to plate firearms and small hand tools. For the motorcycle restoration enthusiast,
electroless nickel is a great tool for evenly plating the air cooling fins on many engine
blocks, particularly older Indians & Harleys.

Electroless nickel plates at an approx. rate of 1 mil (1/1000") per hour. Indoor decorative
applications will need approx. 0.25 mil or 15 min. of plating. General outdoor items
(hand tools, hand guns) should receive 0.5 mils or 30 min. Items requiring high corrosion
resistance should receive 1 mils or 60 min.
As the baths are used, nickel depletes from the solution. You will need to replenish this
periodically, using our unique method of calculating the nickel loss. Additions to the
solution may be made with small quantities of Part A & Part C.
This system will NOT plate pot metal. Plate with Flash Copper first. This system will
plate aluminum if the metal is primed with Zincate first.
Mini Kit (Makes 5 Pints) Contains:
2 x 4 Qt Glass Lined Tank (8" diam x 6" high)
Thermometer
Mist Control Balls
Electroless Nickel Concentrate - part A 8 oz
Electroless Nickel /Krome Concentrate - part B 12 oz
Electroless Nickel/Krome Concentrate - part C 8 oz
END Plate out disposal concentrate 4 oz
2lb SP Degreaser
2 Steel Plate Out Pads
The Caswell Plating Manual
Free Technical Support
Electroless Nickel Plating Tutorial
Introduction
Delux
e
300 sq in. 528 sq in.
Jumb
o
600 sq in. 1056 sq in.


Electroless Nickel Plating can be a simple and effective way of applying a nickel plate
over steel, iron, copper, brass, zincated aluminum and copper alloys.
Electroless Nickel is applied by heating the nickel bath to 195F, and then immersing the
part to be plated into the bath for 15-60 minutes, depending on the desired thickness. No
rectifiers or DC power are required - an autocatalytic reaction takes place that applies the
nickel coating.
The tricky part about electroless plating is that you must keep at least 80% of the nickel in
the plating solution at all times. Letting the amount of nickel get below 80% will cause
the bath to crash, rendering it useless. Commercial platers have full time chemists on
hand to monitor and make additions to their large and expensive nickel tanks. On our
small scale, this is not possible, so we monitor this using a balance sheet, like a
checkbook register.
Plating Copper and Copper Alloys
Parts made from copper and copper alloys need to be in contact with a piece of steel, in
the solution, for approximately 5 minutes so that the autocatalytic reaction will start.
Once the reaction starts (part will start to gas), you can remove the steel. Some customers
prefer to hang these parts into the solution from a piece of steel wire.
Nickel Credits
Nickel credits are a term we use to keep track of the nickel level in the tank.
Depending on the volume of plating solution, you start out with a number of credits. In
our mini kit (5 pint), you have 1800 credits to start.)
Credits are used when you plate a part. To calculate credits used, you multiply the surface
area in inches by the time you are plating.
The time you are plating, determines the plating thickness. 30 minutes of plating time
give a coating that is 1/2 mil thick (0.0005")
Let's practice a few calculations:
Example 1
You have a part that is 5"x5" square, and flat, that you need to plate. That's 25 square
inches per side, or 50 square inches total.
You want 0.0005" of nickel plating on the part, requiring a 30 minute plating time.
You will use 50 x 30 = 1500 nickel credits
Example 2
You have a cube shaped part that is 3"x3"x3". That's 54 square inches in area.
You want 1 mil of thickness, requiring 60 minutes plating time.
You will use 54 x 60 = 3240 nickel credits
Ok, so we understand how credits are used, but how are they replenished in the plating
system?
Replenishment
In our Standard Electroless Nickel Kit (10 pint bath), we start out with 3600 nickel
credits. This is based on the volume of chemicals in the tank. A kit twice the size would
have twice the credits to start.
Using Example 1 above, we would use 1500 nickel credits during plating, so 3600-1500
= 2100 nickel credits left after plating. Easy, right?
BUT - we MUST remember that at no time can the amount of nickel credits in the bath


get below 80% of their initial level, or the bath will crash. 80% of the original 3600 =
2880 credits.
So, if we plated this part for the entire 30 minutes, the bath would have crashed and
would be useless.
So, how can we plate this part? Simple.....we must add replenisher during the plating.
Using Example 1 above, we know that we will use 2100 nickel credits during the 30
minute plating time.
We know that we must replenish after we use up 80% of the original credits (80% of
3600 = 720)
We know that credits are calculated as time x area.
We can work out that if the part is 50 square inches, we will lose 720 credits after 14
minutes. (720/50=14.4)
Therefore, we must add replenisher every 14 minutes to bring the bath back up to it's
original level. (To replenish 720 credits, we add 1floz of part A and 2floz of part
C)
We will need to do this every 14 minutes, so during a 30 minute plating cycle, you
will replenish twice.
Ok, let's try with Example 2:
In a Standard Electroless Nickel Kit we start with 3600 credits.
Your part is 54 square inches in area.
How many credits will you use during the entire plating time of 60 minutes?
At what credit level do you need to replenish?
After how many minutes should you replenish?
How many times?
Answers:
60 mins x 54 sq in = 3240 credits
80% of the beginning 3600 = 720 credits
720 credits, divided by 54 sq inches = 13.3 minutes (13 is ok)
3240 credits used / 720 credits each time = 4.5. If you replenish 4 times, once every
13 minutes, you'll have added 2880 credits out of the 3240 used, so at the end, add
half a replensiher to give you back the balance of 360 credits.
Maximum Load
Another consideration when electroless plating is Maximum Load. A certain volume of
electroless plating solution can only plate a part that is a certain area or less. Parts bigger
cause the autocatalytic reaction to fail.
In the mini 5 pint kit, the max load is 75 sq inches. If your part is bigger than that, you'll
need a larger volume of plating solution to plate it.

Plating Solution
Volume
Max Load
5 pint 75 sq in
10 pint 150 sq in
20 pint 300 sq in
40 pint 600 sq in


Making Up The Bath
Electroless Nickel Kits come with two enamel tanks. One for the electroless plating
solution and one for the degreaser. Both are placed on a hotplate, stovetop, BBQ grill etc
and heated to 195F (glass thermometer included)
To mix the degreaser, add 1 lb of powder to 2 gallons of distilled water and stir.
Adjust these ratios for smaller kits.
To mix the electroless solution, mix the chemicals using the ratio:
1floz Part A, 3floz Part B, 16floz distilled water (Makes 1.25 pints)
ie. for a 5 pint kit (5 pints / 1.25 pints = 4 batches), so 4floz Part A, 12floz Part B and
64floz distilled water
DO NOT ADD Part C or the END solution. Part C is used to replenish. END is used
to make the kit drain safe for disposal.
Add the entire bag of plastic balls. These help retain heat in the tank and reduce
evaporation.
The Plating Process
Ok, so now that we've understood the nickel credits and how to ensure your electroless
nickel kit won't be ruined during plating, it's time to plate a real part.
The look of your plated part is completely dependant on the look of your part before it's
plated. A shiny part will be shiny when plated. A dull part will be dull when plated. This
can be useful if you require a matte, or butler nickel. Just scotchbrite or bead blast the
part, then plate it.
Assuming you want a shiny plated part, the steps are as follows:
Buff and polish the part to a high shine
Degrease the part in the SP Degreaser and do a waterbreak test. If the part fails the
test, clean again until it passes.
Calculate the number of credits you'll use and mix up your replenisher beforehand, so
it's ready.
Check Max Load - is your part too large?
Heat the plating solution to 195F. Check the temperature with your thermometer and
adjust your heat source so temp is maintained.
Check for copper alloy - hang from a piece of steel if required.
Hang the part into the plating bath
Replenish if required during the plating cycle.
Conclusion
Electroless plating can be highly convenient because of the elimination of a power source,
and very useful if you need to plate inside tubes, into heavily recessed areas, or when you
have hundreds of small parts to plate (they can be dumped into a basket instead of having
to be hung from wires), but a thourough understanding of the replenishment process is
required.
Because of the "approximate" nature of our replenishment process (both area and times
are approximate), the system has a maximum replenishment cycle of ten replenishes. At
this stage, the credit level becomes unreliable. Because of this, Caswell Electroless
Systems are is not suitable for larger operations where the monetary loss should a bath
crash would be considerable. In these situations, industrial suppliers and nickel level


titration calcuations should be sought.