Tech Primer

Splashtop

Splashtop is a software, which when integrated with a computer's hardware, speeds up the boot process of an operating system. Splashtop is a pre-boot environment that allows users to have access to certain applications within 8 to 9 seconds after the power button is pressed, without the need to boot the main operating system. Splashtop environment allows you to open a Web browser and surf the Web, check e-mails, watch videos on YouTube.com and also gives access to Instant Messengers (IM), and carry out VOIP calls.

Splashtop resembles the light weight operating system installed on some mobile devices allowing access to only a few applications at a time.

Working of Splashtop

Once the power button is switched on, a computer loads software called the Basic Input-Output Software also known as BIOS, stored in the flash memory. The BIOS checks for hardware drivers and loads the operating system.

The motherboard on which Splashtop is embedded on the BIOS, initiates Splashtop before the operating system is loaded and starts running. Once the splashtop is loaded less than 10 seconds, users sees a screen with a simple interface offering a handful of options, including launching the Web browser, a media player, Skype, or an instant-messaging program, or allowing Windows to boot. All the applications are stored in a flash-memory chip on the motherboard, so they can be quickly accessed, even if the hard drive fails.

Drawbacks & Advantages

There are numerous advantages of Splashtop. It boots the computer in less than 10 seconds and users can start surfing the Web or chat, watch a DVD, hear music, view images, make calls, start playing games etc. Users save time and less energy is consumed by computers. As the process does not boot the Operating System, it offers a secure web surfing environment. One can surf the Internet staying immune to any kind of attacks. It also allows people to switch off the computer more often as the booting process is quick.

One of the drawbacks of Splashtop is that it does not allow users to save any data on the local file system. It permits users to only communicate with the Web.

Developers

Device VM has launched the technology of Splashtop. Splashtop is available on hardware from Asus, manufacturer of motherboards. Currently Splashtop is based on the open-source operating system Linux and the company is making an effort to develop a Windows version as well. Splashtop is currently available for six models of PC motherboards - P5E3 Deluxe WiFi, P5E3 Premium, M3N-HT Deluxe/Mempipe, M3N-HT Deluxe/HDMI, M3N-H/HDMI, and M3N-HD/HDMI.

For further information, visit: www.splashtop.com — Garima Grover grover_garima@hotmail.com www.intellectualcritter.blogspot.com