Power8

Power8: Windows 8 Classic Start Menu Power8 is a free open source Windows 8 start menu alternative that will bring back the Windows 7 classic style start menu with program search option. Power8 start menu for Windows 8 ensures easy access to the installed software, while also offering users the possibility to pin the apps they use most frequently (to launch them faster in the future). The advance Start Menu search option can search your PC using Windows search engine and the Internet. You will be able to search keywords in Power8: Windows 8 Classic Start Menu and get result form Google, Wikipedia and other custom search engine. Power8 is not only an app designed to revive the Start Menu for Windows 8 PCs, it also provides options for launching the screensaver, locking the computer, restarting or shutting it down. Download free Power8 for Windows 8. Requires: .NET Framework 4.0 or 4.5 Power8 file size 555KB. Power8 Website Windows 8 Classic Start Menu Related: Launchy : Open App Quickly Windows 8 Internet Speed Test Windows 8 Start Screen Alternative Customize Windows 8 Start Screen Tiles Windows 8 Start Screen Background Customizer

Problem How to determine what processor core the server is using as well as additional information. Symptom How to determine SMT setting Resolving The Problem On a Power8 server with v7r1 defaults to SMT4 and with v7r2 defaults to SMT8QWCCHGPRThe API can be used to set the maximum number of secondary threads per processor to be used by the OS.The default value is "0", which allows the system to determine the maximum. This can be be overriden withanother value, such as '1' (SMT2), '3' (SMT 4), or '7' (SMT 8).When the value is '0', IBM i uses SMT2 for P5 / P6, SMT4 for P7, SMT4 for P8 in v7r1, and SMT8 for P8 in v7r2.Excerpt from IBM i and Power8 article:Processor maximum SMT level when processor multitasking is enabled, switching among the thread contexts availablefor the partition IPL can be accomplished using the change processor multitasking information API, QWCCHGPR.The QWCCHGPR API changes are effective immediately and persist across a partition IPL.The QWCCHGPR API takes a single parameter, the maximum number of secondary threads per processor:0 -- No maximum is selected. The system uses the default number of secondary threads as determined by the operating system.1-255 -- The system might use up to the number of secondary threads specified.The QWCCHGPR API might be called from a command line.** NOTE ** Setting the maximum number of secondary threads does not establish the processor threading context directly. The maximum value will be accepted regardless of the processor threading contexts supported by the underlying hardware and the operating system will apply the configured maximum to the system.On a Power8 processor-based system, if a maximum value is specified by the QWCCHGPR API, the operating system tries to establish the maximum thread context supported and subject to the maximum specified by the QWCCHGPR API. In other words, if the QWCCHGPR API sets the maximum number of secondary threads to a value that is not supported by the hardware, the operating system sets the thread context to the maximum supported by the hardware that meets the specified value.Examples:CALL QWCCHGPR 7 changes to SMT 8CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'00000000') /* No maximum */ CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'00000001') /* SMT2 context */ CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'00000002') /* SMT2 context */ CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'00000003') /* SMT4 context */ CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'00000004') /* SMT4 context */ CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'00000007') /* SMT8 context */ CALL PGM(QWCCHGPR) PARM(X'000000FF') /* SMT8 context */ The maximum number of secondary threads can be obtained from the retrieve processor multitasking information API (QWCRRTVPR). Note that the value returned is the maximum number of secondary threads configured.To check the current setting, need to write a program .. reference: [{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB68","label":"Power HW"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU070","label":"IBM Infrastructure"},"Product":{"code":"SWG60","label":"IBM i"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m0z0000000CH0AAM","label":"Internal LIC and Partitions"}],"ARM Case Number":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF012","label":"IBM i"}],"Version":"7.3.0;7.4.0;7.5.0"}]

Menu if you don’t want to fiddle around with a wide array of settings (and you fancy plain designs).ProsZero configuration Start Screen replacement utilityOffers Windows 7-like Start Menu layoutConsPlain and simple design with jaggy edgesDoesn’t feature any customization optionsNo profile picture supportUnable to search for Modern UI appsDownload Spesoft Windows 8 Start MenuPower8Another handsome alternative that may rule your Windows 8 desktop is Power8. The former lacks customizability, but Power8 overwhelms in this regard, at least to a certain degree. For instance, you may modify the Start Orb with a custom image and specify Aspect Ratio, toggle Auto Start, Block Metro features etc. It puts a lot of emphasis on shortcuts. Therefore, you can easily access power options like Shutdown, Restart, Sleep, Hibernate, without hovering over any Power sub-menu. What’s more, it allows you to pin shortcuts to the Start Menu. Read our detailed review.ProsStart Orb can be replaced with a custom Start Orb imageQuick access to power optionsShortcuts for frequently used items and applicationsPortable (no installation required)ConsNot much of an eye candySearch function doesn’t support Modern UI appsDownload Power8Start Menu X is the only application we found that boasts resizing options. You can scale its size both vertically and horizontally, as well as scale the font size of menus and applications. It even allows you to choose among a multitude of skins and Start Orbs, where the latter lets you choose among Angry Birds, Apple, Windows 7 and Windows 8 buttons. Additionally, you can add custom menus and application shortcuts. Apart from Free version, Start Menu X also has Pro variant, which contains a few extra settings.ProsAbility to scale menu size.Custom skin packs and start buttons.Automatically disables Start Tile and overrides Win key behavior.Search feature to quickly find Modern UI appsConsDoesn’t offer System Power options including Shutdown, Restart, Sleep and HibernateInability to change Win key behaviorDownload Start Menu XSo it’s no surprise that there are a sheer number of Start Screen replacement apps at your disposal, each boasting its own set of features and options. Classic Shell and Pokki may win the show when it comes to aesthetics and personalization, but the rest in our list don’t disappoint either. Free free to share your opinion in the comments below.