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!

If you’re as excited about the new World of Warcraft expansion Wrath of the Lich King as I am, then you may be already clinging to Web sites giving out morsels of information on the beta testing. You may have gone as far as signing up for the beta via worldofwarcraft.com and anxiously await a little surprise e-mail inviting you to the continent of Northrend… again like me.

Be wary, however. The only way to get into beta is to sign up through your account at the official Web site and then receive an e-mail with a beta key and directions. Don’t be fooled by other sites and videos that would lead you to beleive they have a secret way to access the beta. Every one of these tricky sites will ask for your World of Warcraft log-in information and maybe your security question’s answer.

The fact is they are simply fishing the information out of gullible WoW patrons in order to comprimise your account’s riches somewhere in the future.

Be patient, if you’re not accepted into beta, which is generally more of a job than a gaming experience, you’ll soon be seeing new lands. Blizzard hasn’t commented on an actual release date, but since the game is in beta phase, I’d expect it to be out by the end of the year.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, will be starting Monday, July 14. E3 is among the largest of video game expos that happen here in the United States and is traditionally the launch pad for new game titles to be revealed and other exciting announcements.

Usually all the big boys come to play at E3 including Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, along with countless software developers and publishers.

This year, Gametrailers.com has teamed up with E3 to bring tons of the information from the show floor via video to consumers not invited to the show. Sadly, since E3 2006, the show has slimmed down considerably to better serve the gaming media.

Things I’m looking forward to hearing about this year are:

• Little Big Planet (PS3)
• Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)
• Gears of War 2 (XBox 360)
• New Wario Game (Wii)
• Secret Nintendo game (Wii)
• Anything new on the MMO front especially WarHammer Online
• Decisions from Microsoft about a Blu-ray addon to the 360

Of course, anything exciting I just can’t hold back, I’ll try to post here. With the PS3 maturing and the 360 already in it’s prime, this looks like it might be a very good year for gamers.

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!?”

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.

Blizzard made some pretty huge announcements at this year’s World Wide Invitational in Paris. The biggest of which was Diablo III, which gamers have been waiting for a very long time to hear any news of a sequel. Videos can be found here.

More importantly to myself is all the new updates to World of Warcraft and even more news on the new expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. If you’re a WoW head like I am, there’s so much content to take in, it’s almost overwhelming. Best place I’ve found to view everything nicely packaged is MMO-Champion.com.

Starcraft II is still in development. Sadly there were no release dates announced, but Blizzard says to expect Wrath of the Lich King by the end of 2008.

I received a clever email this morning that would love to have me infect my computer with a virus.

The email suggests that the Chinese government is purposefully covering up the number of victims effected in the recent natural distasters in China. The email includes a link to a Web page which states:

A new powerful disaster just occurred in China. The most deadly, 9 magnitude, earthquake took away million of lives in the heart of China, Beijing. Rapidly growing panic paralyzed life of Chinese capital. 2008 Olympic Games are under the threat of failure. Click on the video to see the details of this terrible disaster and choose either “Open” or “Run”. 

The video below it is actually just an image. Clicking on it will prompt you to download a file named beijing.exe — a virus meant to undermine your computer turning it into a spamming machine.

If you receive this email, do not visit the site. Invisible code uses vulnerbilities in unique ways and can download the virus into your system just by visiting.

In case you’re wondering, the screen shot above was taken on a non Windows computer.

This morning, Mozilla released the mass market ready version of its Firefox 3.0.

Firefox 3.0 has been in beta for a very long time it seems. I’ve downloaded many different iterations of the program, following its progression. Like many millions of online surfers, I marked the end of beta today in favor of the final release of the best web browser I’ve ever used.

Since this is a forum where I encourage non-techies to take a gander, I’ll explain why this is such a big deal.

First off, a Web browser is a program in which you use to view web pages, like the one you’re using now to read this. Secondly, there are many, many different browser available for download and some have better features than others.

But the most important thing you should know is that some browsers are safer for your computer than others.

Mozilla Firefox has always been touted as a very safe Web browser. Using a browser like Internet Explorer — default browser on any Windows PC — can be very dangerous for your computer since it has many vulnerabilities. Personally, if you’re using Internet Explorer as your primary Web browser, the best advice I can give you is to stop.

Another great feature Firefox has always employed is simply ease of use. With tabbed browsing, highly customizable interfaces, and more features you can shake a stick at, Firefox can easily become a comfy program you can rely on.

In celebration of release day, Mozilla is also trying to break online records for most downloaded file on first available day.

As always, Firefox 3.0 is available for Windows PCs, Macs, and Linux machines.

I’m guessing every new wireless technology has to deal with the irrational fears of people.

WiFi signals are everywhere now. Many restaurants, coffee shops, libraries and even city government buildings offer WiFi “hotspots” for public use. Using a WiFi compatable device, users can access E-mail and the internet.

Santa Fe city council is addressing such fears from citizens claiming allergies to WiFi signals. Some are claiming lingering chest pains and headaches from coming in contact with a WiFi signal. They asked the city to remove WiFi hotspots from public areas citing discrimination for those with “WiFi disabilities.”

Wired’s Gadget Lab points out that television and radio signals are much more powerful and obtrusive than WiFi, which has a very limited range.

The video included on the main article’s page is hilarious. The main focus is on a gentleman who drives a “shielded car” and carries a WiFi detector on his person. One look makes me wonder if he’s more worried about his health or if WiFi signals are causing problems with his alien detection devices.

Via Wired.com and  KO.com, New Mexico.

I came across this story via Gamepolitics.com in which a New Zealand man of the name Tim Reid and a friend, both recently bailed mind you, decided to celebrate new found freedom with a road trip to New Plymouth. An officer saw them speeding and gave chase until Reid crashed his car.

Reid escaped on foot, but his buddy remained and was being questioned by the officer. Reid came back from behind the officer, pushed him down on the ground and assaulted him. Reid then took the patrol car, only after his buddy knocked the officer unconscious.

The two were chased through a road block, destroying the tires and were finally captured.

Here’s where this gets interesting. Reid’s lawyer, at Mr. Reid’s trial in May this year, announced to the court that Mr. Reid had begun smoking pot at the age of 5, been abused both sexual and physically as a child, had been arrested under many violent accounts, and even now was a drug and alchohol abuser.

The guy leads a very sad life.

But the kicker is Reid also plays Grand Theft Auto. Holy Wanted Level Batman! According to the article, Reid’s lawyer placed the man’s actions heavily on the game saying the game encouraged Reid’s delinquency and is to blame for his actions that night.

There’s no denying the guy needs to be sentenced to jail. The guy needs reform as well. But to let a video game rule so heavily on a court proceeding when other more pressing issues are at hand degrades the seriousness of this man’s crime(s).

First, I want to know if he is mentally stable. I don’t deny he had a rough childhood, but I’m assuming that childhood has had much more of an impact on his life than the digitized forms causing havock in a digitized world.

Secondly, seeing as he had just been released from jail, how is it that he absorbed himself in a GTA game so thouroughly that he was able to play as much as he claimed? I know many jails include recreation time in which some employ video games as an option, but time like that is often structured.

Reading this story with all of it’s givings, I’m left with the conclusion that Reid’s lawyer should have stuck a finger at the court room and proclaimed, “Real life made him do it!” That is if anything needs to be blamed at all. I’m of the opinion, no matter your actions, you should deal with the consequences.

Ok. I’ll admit it. I’m a smoker. And like many smokers, I enjoy the act of smoking, but I dislike the effects it can have on my health.

So when I was browsing Wired.com’s gadget blog and saw the electronic cigarette made by NJOY, I wanted to know more.

Apparently electronic cigarettes have been in development for quite sometime. I won’t go into the technology of it, but the idea is — instead of using fire to burn tobacco (and nicotine!) for you to inhale, the device atomizes a liquid solution containing nicotine and tobacco flavorings and the vapor is then inhaled. The entire process very closely resembles a real “smoke.”

NJOY ships cigarette and cigar style devices. The cartridges come in a variety of flavors and strengths including Menthol and strawberry.

Seeing the product in action is pretty amazing since it resembles all the psychological actions of smoking, but none of the lung-destroying tar and chemicals of a cigarette.

On NJOY’s Web site, the company points out that the devices are not meant to be used as a stop-smoking solution, as in “kicking the habit.” However, the FAQs they present are a pretty interesting read.