Weekend Open Forum: Imagining Google's own country

Google CEO Larry Page made a surprise appearance at the end of the company’s I/O opening keynote on Wednesday. Among other things, he gave an emotional speech on how technology improves our lives, calling on people to focus on "creating things that don't exist" instead of being dragged down by negativity.

At one point he even entertained the idea of “setting aside a part of the world” for unregulated experimentation. We all know how that would end up. Didn’t he play Bioshock?

I’m all dried out of Weekend Open Forum ideas so I thought why don’t I take this chance to help out a bigger cause and use your collective intelligence to figure out a few things. Where should this place be? What should it be called? Who would rule it? What sort of experiments should be run? Should people be required to give out all their personal information? Would you live there? Let your imagination run wild in the comments.

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Building a Thin Mini-ITX PC: Small and Silent Performance

While many of us are content with traditional desktop tower PCs, there are those who have been pushing for a more compact and quieter alternative.

One of the pioneers of small computing, VIA Technologies, developed the Mini-ITX form factor over a decade ago in 2001. Although VIA’s solutions were too underpowered for daily usage, over the next few years motherboard manufacturers were able to adapt more powerful AMD and Intel platforms to use along the tiny 170 × 170 mm (6.7 × 6.7 in) Mini-ITX motherboards.

Subsequently case manufacturers provided support with a range of creative Mini-ITX solutions such as the Lian Li PC-Q25, which we reviewed and awarded a couple of years ago. Considerably smaller than traditional ATX and Micro ATX computer cases, the PC-Q25 not only supported the latest Intel Core i7 processors, but it also allowed for a PCI Express x16 dual-slot graphics card. An impressive feat no matter how you measure it.

Canon EOS 550D size comparison

But what if you want to go even smaller? That's where Thin Mini-ITX motherboards come in.

Thin Mini-ITX motherboards are similar to standard Mini-ITX as they still measure 170 × 170 mm, except they are not as tall. Whereas standard Mini-ITX boards measure 35mm tall and are designed to be used with standard coolers and memory modules which can take the total height to over 50mm, the Thin Mini-ITX format dictates that no board should be taller than 20mm (25mm with I/O shield).

Yet the Thin Mini-ITX format is more than ultra-low-profile motherboards, it’s an entire ecosystem that requires new cases and memory, favoring laptop SO-DIMM modules over the standard desktop DIMMs.

The Akasa Euler case alongside HIS' Radeon HD 7970. That won't fit, of course

The idea behind the Thin Mini-ITX format, besides the obvious which is to create seriously compact computers, is also to allow for DIY all-in-ones (think of little PCs you can attach to the back of your monitor). Having that said, we don't fully intend to go the all-in-one route in this article, but are aiming to build a powerful Thin Mini-ITX system that can be used in the office or at home as a media PC.

So, to recap, this is our goal: extremely compact, powerful, and near silent operation, as in no-moving-parts silent. For less than $700 including a 256GB SSD, we believe you'll love what the final product will look like.

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8 Free to Play Games That Are Too Good to Be True

The gaming world is making a dramatic shift towards free to play games. Of course, full price retail titles still make up for a majority of releases on the PC and most other platforms, but playing a quality game without cracking your wallet open is a completely viable option nowadays.

You could argue some free games deserve to be free, as their quality or length is not quite up there with AAA releases, but there are plenty of notable exceptions. In fact, some of them are so good that it’s easy to forget the cost to play is a whopping zero dollars.

Most free video games offer at least some form of in-game purchases, designed to extend the experience and serve as a steady revenue stream for its creators. But a free to play game made right will allow players to enjoy everything it has to offer, while keeping monetary transactions completely optional.

We’ve combed through the Internet to bring you the very best PC games pushing forward the free-to-play model -- and making a good name for it, too. Check them out below:

DOTA 2

855 reviewsThe original DOTA has a rare distinction: it actually gave birth to an entire genre. MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas) did not exist before the first DOTA mod hit the scene in Warcraft 3, and now the genre is absolutely massive. Valve has since stepped in and grabbed the rights to DOTA, releasing a standalone product known as DOTA 2.

DOTA 2 is strikingly similar to its predecessor. And there’s a reason for that. People still playing DOTA years after its release in 2003 were really just looking for an updated version of the game, and that is exactly what Valve delivered.

My favorite thing about DOTA 2, besides the depth of the gameplay, is the fact that everything in the game that costs money is strictly cosmetic. All of the heroes are available without any paywalls, so realistically, there is nothing stopping anyone from enjoying DOTA 2 without ever opening their wallet.

League of Legends

8017 reviewsThe single biggest video game in the world in terms of overall player base is free. Imagine telling someone this during the old NES days and they would have not believed it, but it’s a reality in 2013. Like DOTA 2, League of Legends is a MOBA, and because it did a great deal to modernize the genre before DOTA 2 hit the market, it is substantially more popular PC gaming circles.

I am not going to debate whether League of Legends or DOTA 2 is a better MOBA. All you need to know is these are two of the deepest, most skill intensive games available on PC today, and they are completely free charge. It’s definitely a good time to be a gamer.

Like DOTA 2, League of Legends is the kind of game one can get really hooked on. The learning curve is high, and gamers can expect to have to dedicate some time studying the subtle nuances, but once you figure it out, League of Legends is an incredible experience, one that should be at least tried by all PC players.

TERA

7914 reviewsFree MMOs are not overly uncommon in today's video game landscape. In fact, it seems like World of Warcraft is about the only MMO that can continue to charge customers a subscription with any success. TERA is among those that were forced to go free, and the moment it did, I started playing it. While most MMOs tend to feature a more methodical approach to gameplay, TERA is the closest to an action RPG I've encountered.

For any player who is bored with the MMORPG formula, TERA is worth a look. It still features plenty of fetch quests and simple kill X number of Y creature missions, but the actual fighting is so good that it makes up for it completely.

Another thing that separates TERA from others in the same genre is visuals. While far too many MMOs scrape by with decent graphics, TERA goes out of its way to look as stunning as possible. For anyone bored with the same old MMO, TERA might be the perfect game.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

7914 reviewsThe Old Republic is another example of an MMO attempting to compete with World Of Warcraft in the subscription space and failing to take down the juggernaut. Bioware eventually decided to make it free-to-play, which is awesome for gamers looking to enjoy the game without breaking the bank (at first -- as many readers have pointed out, long term they really go their way to make you pay).

Because this game is from Bioware, players can expect a lot more story than is typically found in the MMO space. While not as cut scene driven as Mass Effect, Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age, it still offers a good bit of the story elements that made Bioware such a beloved developer in the game world. In addition, it’s Star Wars, so you really can’t go wrong.

Path of Exile

898 reviewsIsometric action RPGs have made something of a comeback thanks in large part to Blizzard's Diablo III. And when gamers hit a wall with the latter’s always online requirement, Path of Exile was ready to swoop in and try to steal the hearts of angry fans.

In terms of gameplay, Path of Exile is very similar to Diablo III, but it comes with one key difference: it's free. Of course, it has micro transactions, but each of them are very fair, and none break the game in the event that the player chooses not to buy into them.

For gamers who love a Diablo-like experience, and prefer not to drop $60 on it, Path of Exile is a fantastic substitute. Heck, even if you love Diablo III and just want to try something a little different, Path of Exile will most certainly scratch that itch.

Team Fortress 2

9015 reviewsValve gets mentioned twice on our list with its fantastic squad-based shooter Team Fortress 2. The original Team Fortress, another successful mod turned into a super-successful franchise, was a staple of Valve’s lineup, and gamers continued to play it for many years after its initial release. Not many shooters scratch the same itch as Team Fortress, so realistically, the only thing that could pull players away from the original was a sequel.

Team Fortress 2 offers the same quality gameplay as the first, but it does so in a much more visually polished package. A shooter of such a high quality is just not something you see often in the video game industry, especially without the cost of entry.

If there’s one thing Valve is known for, it’s building goodwill from its customers, and free games like DOTA 2 and Team Fortress 2 are glaring examples of why Valve has such a dedicated following. Anyone who’s never tried TF2 really should. The level of refinement rivals anything you’d see from a $60 game, and other than some optional in-app purchases, there’s no part with your hard earned cash to enjoy it.

You Have To Win The Game

Platformers were the most popular genre in the old days, and with the rise of indie games, it has seen a bit of a resurgence. Titles like Super Meat Boy and VVVVVV really brought the genre to the forefront, and since then, plenty of awesome new platformers have exploded onto the scene. Gamers looking for a slick alternative in this space should take a look at You Have To Win The Game.

You Have To Win The Game is an example of a free indie release done right. It offers the challenging old school gameplay of the NES days, with a modern twist. And when I say it is challenging, I mean it's brutal. At the same time, it offers a certain level of satisfaction that most modern games just don't deliver.

PlanetSide 2

865 reviewsMassively-multiplayer first-person shooter PlanetSide 2 is an astonishing accomplishment for a free-to-play game that was meant to be just that from its inception. PlanetSide 2 is highly regarded for its vast environments and level of polish, but most importantly because during its massive scale battles it doesn't make you feel like you're missing out if you're relying on stock equipment.

Bonus Games

Frog Fractions

944 reviewsWhile most of the items listed here are what would be considered more graphically intense, “AAA” type games, Frog Fractions deserves mention, in spite of it being just a simple browser-based flash experience. What appears to be a simple math game that does nothing in the way of actually teaching is really so much more.

I will not spoil how and where Frog Fractions evolves, but I will say when you play this game, think about directions in which you can move the frog. You will discover an entire new world. Don’t be deterred by what Frog Fractions seems to be, instead, take the time to find out what it really is, and you will be thoroughly impressed.

Black Mesa

It's easy to forget Black Mesa is technically a Half-Life mod, however it's so extensive and so good that many (including ourselves) consider it to be a proper full game on its own right. The game reintroduces players as Doctor Gordon Freeman in his journey through the Black Mesa Research Facility, along with the original cast of memorable characters and environments seen in Half-Life.

And... there's a ton more

This list can’t possibly be all encompassing of course, and there are many more free PC games available that deserve mention. Releases like Runescape, Heroes of Newerth, World of Tanks, Tribes: Ascend,Blacklight: Retribution, Warframe and the recently opened Neverwinter, among many others. But they couldn’t all make the cut.

Are there some games you feel we should have mentioned but failed to? What has been your overall experience with free PC games as a whole? Hit the comments section and sound off.

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Renowned tech executive Jon Rubinstein joins Qualcomm's board

Former Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein has joined Qualcomm’s board of directors. The tech executive, who most recently served as senior vice president of product innovation for HP, brings more than 30 years of experience to the table, Qualcomm said in a press release on the matter.

Rubinstein previously worked with Apple to help create the original iPod and served as senior vice president of hardware engineering. From there, he moved on to Palm as executive chairman in 2007 and took over as CEO in June 2001. While there, he tried to help the company reinvent itself with webOS and the Palm Pre line of smartphones. Unable to get the job done, Palm eventually folded and was picked up by HP in 2010.

It was here that Rubinstein and company tried once again to make webOS successful with the HP TouchPad but it just wasn’t meant to be. The CEO at the time, Leo Apotheker, was dead set on turning HP into a services company and thus, didn’t put enough resources behind the mobile operating system. As such, it was pulled from the market after just a few months. Rubinstein left the company in January 2012.

Rubinstein currently serves on Amazon’s board but with Qualcomm, he will be adding years of experience in the mobile sector to a company that builds the chips that power them. His expertise will no doubt go a long way to helping mold Qualcomm’s strategy moving forward.

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Government lab admits to running "quantum internet" for years

A government-owned lab in Los Alamos claims it has been running a "quantum internet" for more than two years, MIT Technology Review reports. Researchers worked around the traditional difficulties of interlinking quantum-based networks by creating something of a classical-quantum network hybrid.

Quantum mechanics exposes the whacky underpinnings upon which our reality appears based. It's a seeminglyunintuitive realm where sub-atomic particles behave like waves, particles simultaneously exist in two or more places and mutually exclusive outcomes can all be proven mathematically true.

Quantum computers have long-been heralded as the ultimate problem solver: a machine capable of solving problems by analyzing many, many, many possibilities at once. Even though quantum computing is likely a ways off, some quantum mechanical phenomena like quantum dots already have to be taken into account when designing a modern microprocessor.

When applied to networking though, quantum principles promise an inherently secure mode of communication, one which (theoretically) cannot be eavesdropped, tampered with or otherwise observed except by its target recipient. Quantum networks exploit naturally-occurring features seemingly baked into the fabric of our universe -- quantum entanglement, probability and observation principles -- to prevent tampering. Any attempts to alter or even observe transmissions sent over a quantum network should alter its contents, tipping off detection mechanisms attuned to such changes.

Above: Infamous double-slit experiment reveals the crazy nature of quantum mechanics

Although this innate inability to observe data during transmission is great in terms of security, it has proved challenging for researchers. Traditional routers must "observe" data packets in order to route the flow of traffic across networks. This act "dirties" the data, either scrambling it or making it insecure before it reaches its final destination.

To work around this issue, researchers developed a method of converting quantum data into classical data... and then back again into its quantum counterpart. By crafting a hub-and-spoke network model, the "spokes" transmit quantum information while a central hub receives it, converts it and re-transmits it once again as packets of the quantum-kind.

The upshot of Los Alamos' design is its relative simplicity. However, there are two glaring limitations.

First, the hub-and-spoke network model itself is a problem. This brand of network topology is not easily scaled, so deploying this solution as a global quantum Internet would be inefficient at best, intractable at worst.

The second shortcoming is diminished security. While the data packets traveling along the network's spokes are protected by the magic of quantum theory, data transcoded at the central hub is not. As a result, the hub's security determines the trustworthiness of the entire network. This detail defeats the "perfect" security promised by a purely quantum network.

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YouTube's Trends Map lets you see what the rest of the country is watching

Google has announced a new trends map for YouTube that will make it a whole lot easier to spot videos that are currently popular on the site. Although only covering the U.S. at the moment, in a blog post announcing the new feature Google asked users to stay tuned for updates, suggesting it might roll out for other areas in the future.

The map can be filtered by gender and age profiles, as well as total number of shares and views, with scrollable bars showing the number of regions in which a video has claimed the top spot. The new feature is actually an extension of Google's existing YouTube Trends dashboard, which also lets users search for popular videos using similar criteria, though not overlaid on a map.

For example, when filtering males aged between 13 and 17, a sketch from Family Guy - The Morgue from "Save The Clam" tops the trending list based on number of shares, while making a similar search for the 55-64 age group shows True Blood's season six teaser trailer is trending. The latter is also currently the most popular video when taking into consideration all age groups and genders.

You can take a look at what videos are trending in your area at the YouTube Trends Map site here.

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Senate overwhelmingly votes in favor of Internet sales tax bill

Members of the US Senate approved a bill on Monday that would allow states to charge sales tax on purchases made over the Internet. The Marketplace Fairness Act received 69 votes in favor versus just 27 votes against. Riding a wave of support from President Obama, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Marketplace Fairness Act aims to overturn a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1996 which said out-of-state retailers typically don’t have to collect sales tax online unless they have a heavy business presence in the state the sale is made in. This is how a number of retailers on the web get away with not charging sales tax – an unfair advantage according to members of the Marketplace Fairness Coalition.

Retailers like Best Buy, Macy’s and Wal-Mart are all in favor of the bill as they feel it would help to level the playing field. Those against the bill see it as little more than a multibillion-dollar tax hike against American consumers.

Others like eBay CEO John Donahoe argue that the proposed changes would create an unreasonable burden for small business owners. Just last month, the executive sent an email to eBay members urging them to contact their representatives to let them know they were against the bill. Donahoe noted in the message that the legislation treats eBay users the same as big multimillion-dollar online retailers like Amazon (a company that supports the bill’s passage).

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