Mayor and developer answer questions about new Harborplace

Intel Exec: IDF Will Answer Developers' Questions

Centering on the theme of "Stretching Boundaries, Building Relationships," Intel will home right in on its plans for multicore processing--technology that will significantly boost performance and that is slated to roll out early next year. In pushing multicore architecture, the company likely is hoping to one-up rival Advanced Micro Devices, which last week said it had successfully demonstrated a dual-core, x-86-based chip.

Frank Spindler, vice president of Intel's corporate technology group and director of industry technology programs, said the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chip maker will also announce at IDF new advances in its lineup of 64-bit Itanium processors and its plans for Hyper-Threading in additional server and workstation chips.

Spindler said Intel executives, including President and COO Paul Otellini, will talk about "performance enhancements and capability enhancements through a multiple-core direction," and that the company will provide "some indications as to how you'll see it."

IDF is expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees--mostly developers and engineers hungry for technical and strategic guidance from the chip giant--who would like to see any question marks over Intel's product road map erased.

"You won't see question marks," Spindler said. "What you'll actually see is a reinforcement of a strategy, or general strategy, that we have articulated for our product families."

Otellini did not speak at the February IDF. CEO Craig Barrett delivered a keynote address but did not mention dual-core or multicore plans--an indication of how much urgency the $30 billion chip maker places on technology it now views as vital to competing with AMD.

"They seem to drive the world," said David Bolling, president of Nor-Tech, a Burnsville, Minn.-based system builder, about Intel. "If they are coming out with it and have the engineering behind it, I think it could take off."

Still, he said, despite the efforts at boosting performance, "I think we need another application to drive the performance. People aren't really going nuts" for juiced-up performance, except in unique situations where an application requires it.

To that end, Spindler said several dozen third-party announcements are expected during IDF--and several could be from software vendors. Spindler said details were not available.

Other key items Intel plans to put under the spotlight this week:

An update on the company's push to build out high-reach WiMAX networks across the country to provide greater connectivity access to the wireless network;

Rollout of new management technology tied to Intel's processor platforms;

Demonstrations of Intel's advances in the digital home and digital office, using enhanced audio, video and graphics capabilities of its chipsets and processors;

In-depth details on the company's efforts to turn around its communications business, with particular focus on interconnect strategies beyond WiMAX, including fiber, DSL and the wired broadband network;

A look at new form factors;

And, a discussion of Intel's view of the "next-generation Internet."

The company is also expected to present more futuristic goals, including its view of the "office of the future" and the boosting of data capabilities of handhelds.

Questions and answers from the ‘Car Doctor’

Q. I am a pretty serious DIY mechanic who is thinking of moving to auto repair as a full-time job. I have seen you mention Harbor Freight tools in your column. When I am in a shop/dealership I see Snap-On and other big toolboxes and wonder how Harbor Freight hand tools and boxes stack up.

A. Snap-On tools are great, but unfortunately some entry technicians get financially over extended and end up paying $100 a week or more to the tool truck for the rest of their lives. Expensive tools do not make a good technician, and do not buy tools to show off, buy tools to do the job. You can buy different levels of professionals tool boxes, hand tools at Harbor Freight that can give you years of service. Also look for used tools. On of my co-worker’s dad shut down his shop and was selling his tools, boxes and more. I would have guessed about $10,000 worth of tools. He sold them for $2500. This was a great deal for both the experienced technician and someone getting into the business. There is a YouTuber, the Humble Mechanic and he put out a video about putting together a good starter tool set for $2500. It is worth watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1sJsCKAJew

Q. I went in for a routine oil and rotation, the mechanic at my dealer suggested a fuel injector cleaning for $200. I own a 2019 Forester with 25,500 miles. He said they normally do it at 40,000 miles but figured I do short drives, might be wise. I typically drive one or two days per week and usually short and quick stops with maybe one long drive per week. Would you say wait? How could one know if this service is truly needed (gas mileage has not changed nor has how the car drives). And would you do it at a dealer or independent shop?

A. Fuel injector cleaning cannot hurt but may not be necessary. Although the dealer may recommend it, I have never seen Subaru corporate recommend it as a preventative measure. You are better off using quality fuel (www.toptiergas.com) and if you are still concerned add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner once or twice per year.

Q. My car handles worse and bounces more after I had installed new struts. What could be wrong?

A. Since it is worse now, I would want to recheck the work, you could have a defective strut. Also, the wheel alignment may not have been corrected after the repair. New struts should have given you a more controlled ride, with less bounce. When performing the repair hopefully the shop checked the top bearing and springs to make sure they were in good shape before installing the new struts. Many shops also use complete strut assemblies that include the springs and bearings which make for a complete repair. If this was the case, it is even possible the struts were not the proper part for your car.

Q. So, if you had a choice would you buy a Honda Civic R, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf R or Hyundai Elantra N? I am looking for something small, quick, and stylish.

A. I have not driven a Volkswagen product in years, based on past experiences the Golf R was the most mature choice of these cars. The Civic R which I just evaluated, handled great, the engine was fun to run up to the “redline” the brakes were as good as the engine. The Subaru WRX, like the Golf R, has the advantage of all-wheel drive. The Hyundai Elantra N is down on power compared to some of the competitors but still performs quite well. They are all great cars, for me, the Civic R as good as it was geared to a younger driver. I feel I am too old to drive a car with a big spoiler on the rear deck. So, If I had to pick based on cars, I have evaluated the Elantra N would be my choice.

Q. Several weeks ago, my 17-year-old son, using his own money purchased a car for $4500. The car, an Audi A 4 seemed to be a good deal, but he then returned to the same seller, because it had a bad vibration. The second car, this time a BMW, turned out to have a fraudulent title as well as an odometer that had been turned back. We discovered this through a Carfax report. I was informed by both my son and his best friend that they attempted to get even some of their money back and return the car, but the seller refused. Now the seller will not even take his calls. Do you have any suggestions as to how we might proceed to rectify this issue/problem?

A. The first thing that needs to be determined is if the seller was a legitimate car dealer or someone who just buys and sells cars without a license. The seller may be someone who just “jumps” titles selling a car they purchased without re-titling it in their name. Depending on where you live, state agencies rarely get involved in private party sales. If they are a legitimate car dealer you may be able to get some help through a dealer organization or the Attorney General in your state. Odometer and title fraud are subject to both state and federal laws and can carry serious fines. At this point you may need to contact an attorney that specializes in automobile fraud.

Got a car question, email the Car Doctor for a personal reply. jpaul@aaanortheast.com