techTalk » Computers

Google releases own Web browser

electrikALIEN — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:18:12 +0000

Yes another Google post.

You never realize just how weird software names can be until an even newer one enters the market. While Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is pretty plain-jane, other Web browsers hold less conspicuous names like Opera, Firefox and now Chrome.

Yesterday Google released the Windows beta of their new Web browser, Google Chrome. Like Firefox, Camio, and Opera, Chrome is open source encouraging developers to help better the program.

Google seems to have designed Chrome with the intention of delivering the most intuitively simple user interface possible. It looks nice. For example, the URL box serves as a dynamic field meaning that simply typing a word or phrase will either complete the address you’ve already started typing or suggest search phrases at the same time. Then you only need to select which you intent and you’re off!

Under the hood is where the big difference lies when comparing Google Chrome to other Web browsers. Google has developed the browser to handle each browser tab as a separate string of programs. Meaning the content or rich media in one tab will not effect the preformance of the content in another tab. This is a pretty large step if Google can deliver on this feature seeing as one false move in any browser I’ve ever used brings the whole program crashing down.

Since Google Chrome was developed for Windows first, one can’t help wonder how secure it is. On Chrome’s information page, the only mention of internet security is a page that will come up explaining the site your are trying to visit may contain malware or will try to phish your personal information. Of course, you can by pass this page. I seriously doubt, though, that this is the browser’s only security protocol.

It’s exciting to see new things come from Google and with them the new ideas on how old things can be done.

There’s a geeky little comic book on Google’s site explaining the reasons beind Chrome and how it came about.

If you’re running Windows and interested in taking the new browser for a spin, go here. However, remember the program is in beta and is expected to be buggy. That’s why beta exists!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Goodbye XP

electrikALIEN — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:04:58 +0000

It’s official. June 30, 2008 was the day Microsoft began phasing out product sales of Window XP. The software giant will cease providing retailers with copies of Windows XP. Brand name computers will also only ship with Windows Vista pre-installed. The only computers that may continue being sold with Windows XP are ultra-cheap systems mainly used in charities.

So how does this effect you? Well if you’ve already made the switch to Vista, you ~~should~~ shouldn’t be bothered with this news. However, should you still be running XP or planning to purchase a computer with XP installed, you should consider a couple of points.

First, Microsoft won’t stop supporting Windows XP until next year. They’ve officially stated that XP will be fully and freely supported by online updates and patches until April 2009.

Secondly, Microsoft is already working diligently on the successor to Vista, dubbed Windows 7. They have stated that it should be released by late 2009, however, Microsoft is known to miss release dates by months.

And lastly, there’s no need to rush. If you’re at a point where your Windows XP computer isn’t very able to run Vista, then simply keep XP for now and plan to upgrade sometime after 2009 has passed. We should know more about what Microsoft will be doing around that time.

To read the official letter from Microsoft about the fate of XP, click here.

Via Digg.com and ZDNet.

Pixar’s first short from 1984

electrikALIEN — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:44:19 +0000

Someone has unearthed a truly remarkable piece of animation history: the first animated short connected with the now infamous PIXAR animation studio. My first reaction was “Hey this isn’t that bad.” My second, after reading the text: “Holy crap, 1984!?”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Adventures of André and Wally B. is almost 2 minutes of very technical computer animation from 1984. Animated by John Lasseter, in conjunction with Lucasfilm, who would later become a huge player in the development of PIXAR and Disney, the short is reported to have been the first use of manipulatable shapes (stretching and squishing) that gives computer animation the life needed to appear real.

With Wall-E just released and breaking the box office wide open, it’s amazing to revisit the roots of such a creative company.

Via Digg.com and Experience Project.

Apple speculation: Tablet mac?

electrikALIEN — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:06:48 +0000

The big Apple rumor going around the net right now is the possible new wireless/portable device the company may have up its sleeve.

Even with Intel Germany’s recent support of such a device and then reinterpreting those words to be more vague, something like the Apple Tablet would be possible, and to die for.

Imagination runs wild when you consider the functionality of an iPhone mixed with Mac OS on a screen double the size of the iPhone… Cool doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Remember, don’t hold your breath. None of this is official, however, Apple Rumors always seem to be able to add a little truth in with the speculation.

Via Wired.com.

Fedora 9: An OS on USB

electrikALIEN — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:13:52 +0000

It is truly amazing how our understanding of technology changes on a day to day basis.

While running an Operation System on a removable drive is nothing new, promising that an OS will run directly from a 2.0 Gb USB key is pretty spectacular.

Enter Fedora 9, the latest release of an open source, linux-based operating system. Fedora 9 has been designed to run as light-weight as possible with little need for hard-drive space. This enables the OS to be very portable; able to be run from virtually any computer with the correct processor for your build of Fedora.

The system promises to run on all Intel Macs, PPC Macs and Windows machines, but you should know what you’re doing before messing with disk partitions, dual-booting, and the like. Sadly I cannot test the portability myself, as the installers do not work on a Mac. It’s a PC world…

Via digg.com.

Microhoo, Microsoft walks away

electrikALIEN — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:36:45 +0000

You may not have heard about the acquisition story of the year (so far), so let me give you an update, in my favorite “laymanese” languages.

Back in late January, mega-corporation and software giant Microsoft placed a bid to buy everything Yahoo!, the online search company dealing in many facets of the online communities existing today. The bid was priced at $44.6 billion (huzzah!) and Microsoft patiently waited for Yahoo! to bite.

Yahoo! didn’t. In reply, Yahoo! said it was worth more, estimating a $5 billion inscrease for the company’s worth. Microsoft gawked and held fast to it’s original bid.

After several weeks of analysts puring over the possible merger, Yahoo! defiantly shouted “No!” again and again at Microsoft.

So this month Microsoft finally backed off from the deal, withdrawing it’s bid. However, many in the tech news industry speculate Microsoft may still take more hostile actions to aquire Yahoo! any way possible.

In my opinion, if Microsoft were to aquire Yahoo! and it’s retained brands such as Flickr, Yahoo! Mail, Geocities, etc., Microsoft will have its hands in many more properties than it can handle at this point. Microsoft seems to be losing focus in every one of its properties and failing to perfect the ones the company relies upon to survive. Windows Vista is a very good example of this, and yet Microsoft would rather dabble in the venues of online advertising, search and community than improve upon its best franchise.

Block City? No! Curcuitbuster!

electrikALIEN — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:16:50 +0000

Reportedly, back in February, Blockbuster, mega corporation of movie and game rentals, quietly approached the Circuit City big dogs about a buyout in which Blockbuster would purchase the whole of Circuit City for a sum of $1 billion. Apparently Blockbuster wants to do more than just video rentals now.

Circuit City hasn’t given them a reply and now Blockbuster is making it well known that it seeks to own the electronics retail chain.

This only two months after Microsoft bid for Yahoo!…

Via Wired.

Video in new perspectives

electrikALIEN — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:14:19 +0000

There haven’t been many times were something online makes me consider how cool all of this technological (not a word) stuff is.

Today, however, my jaw dropped and I rushed to my blog.

Immersive Media, an innovative digital video company, has developed the 360° video camera. That in itself is cool, but not jaw dropping. The camera uses technology that combines 11 video streams into a panoramic sphere.

Here’s the really cool part…

They have developed a Flash video player that allows you to control your degree of view WHILE the video plays. Automatically, I was impressed and skeptic. What if I miss the subject matter while I’m looking where I shouldn’t? But I quickly put that to rest as I was seeing everything happening in a way I’ve never dreamed before.

Now I can’t contain the excitement as I imagine the possibilities apart from web commerce. I can geek out about how cool it would be to watch a truly cinematic masterpiece in full 360° motion.

So yeah… Go to the website. Watch the videoes… well watch and interact… while you’re watching. Visit the company’s website to see more.

Yes. I geeked out.

Dell releases “rugged” laptop

electrikALIEN — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:41:41 +0000

While the story I found via digg.com speculates this bulky laptop, released by Dell, is meant to compete with the MacBook Air, I did a little research of my own. Dell sells a business line of more rugged and durable laptops meant to be ultra portable. Dell has dubbed this line as Latitude. With a price tag almost hitting $4000, I’m not surprised this isn’t on Dell’s front page.

Via digg.com.

Dell allies with Blizzard

electrikALIEN — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:32:23 +0000

Last week Dell launched a new page announcing a new secret project developed with the help of Blizzard, the creator of the vastly popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) game World of Warcraft. The page’s theme even pulls graphics and art from World of Warcraft.

The project lacks any details, but there is a sign up page to be notified when Dell officially announces what it is. Meanwhile, there are 3 free high-resolution desktop backgrounds available for download and 3 more become unlocked when you sign up.