Pardon Our Dust

Please excuse us as we change templates once again. We are rearranging, adding and cleaning up for the new year. Oh - When I say "we", I mean myself and a good friend of mine, SilentCry.
She's helping out with the posting of never ending articles. Enjoy your holidays.

The Battle of the Browsers – The History and the Future of Internet Browsers

by: Nicholas C Smith

With Internet Explorer 8 now available, can Microsoft hope to retain market dominance over fierce open source rivals such as Mozilla's Firefox or the feature packed Opera web browser. Can history give us a clue to what the future of web browsers/browsing might hold? How did Netscape Navigator go from having a dominant 89.36% market share of all web browsers in 1996 and yet only 3.76% by mid 1999?

Let us take a journey that will begin long before even the intellectual conception of Internet Explorer, that will glance at its long defeated rivals, examine the current browsers available and will end with a prediction of what the future of browsing will offer us – and which browser(s) will still be around to offer it.

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iPod Facts You Should Know

Image via WikipediaBy: Roberto Sedycias

iPod is one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. It is the best selling mp3 / mp4 player in the market today. The combination of sound quality, sleek design and unique user interface, made the iPod a hit, causing an entire industry of accessories to emerge almost overnight. Read More>>

Rumor: New Mac Mini Coming to Macworld 2009

Apple will launch an upgrade to its low-end desktop, the Mac Mini, at January's Macworld Expo in San Francisco, according to an Apple corporate employee who contacted Wired.com.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous (to keep his job), could not disclose details about the Mac Mini other than its upcoming announcement at Macworld Expo, which begins Jan. 5. That's where CEO Steve Jobs traditionally launches major products during his famous keynotes (assuming he does indeed show up).

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Best Bluetooth Headsets of 2008

In many ways, 2008 was the year of the Bluetooth headset. Thanks to new hands-free calling laws in the country, Bluetooth headsets have become the new must-have gadget accessory. Plenty of headsets have debuted as a result, and we had a busy time reviewing them this year. There was no way we could fit all our favorites in this list, but these are a select few we thought stood out from the rest.

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Blu-ray Bargains

The big knock on Blu-ray has always been cost. For too long, it was impossible to find a standalone Blu-ray player that cost less than the $400 Sony PlayStation 3, and those players were almost always inferior to Sony's game console.

Those days are over. All five of these Blu-ray players can be found online for less than $250 and some of them are nearly as good as the PS3. The pick of the litter is the Editors' Choice-winning Panasonic DMP-BD35, which is Blu-ray Profile 2.0 compatible, has onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and has excellent video quality on both Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. Read More >>

Nokia Brings Out iPhone 3G Competitor

	Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 5800 XpressMusic Smartphone (click for larger image)

With Tuesday's introduction of the 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia is finally launching a touch-screen competitor to Apple's iPhone 3G.

The 5800 has a 3.2-inch resistive touch screen and it's powered by Symbian S60, 5th edition. The user interface will be somewhat familiar to Symbian users, but the company has tweaked the UI for touch control.

By adding the benefits of touch-screen technology to S60, the world's leading smartphone interface, Nokia is taking the familiar and giving it a human touch," said Nokia VP Jo Harlow, in a statement. "We have used touch technology where it really adds value such as the contacts bar, media bar, and clever shortcuts from the home screen to menu items such as calendar, profiles, and clock." Read More>>

Obama campaign unleashes iPhone app

The official Obama ‘08 iPhone application (iTunes link) was launched this morning and is designed to help people become more directly involved in the Illinois Senator’s presidential campaign.
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Security Researcher Reveals IPhone Design Flaws

Image via CrunchBase

Apple's iPhone has two design flaws that could pose potential security problems, according to a researcher.

The first one concerns the iPhone's e-mail application, which automatically downloads images within an e-mail, said Aviv Raff, a security researcher, on Thursday.

That's problematic because the image will refer back to a server-side script when it is downloaded, indicating to the sender that the e-mail has been opened and the e-mail address is valid. The address can then be spammed. Read More>>

Philips' 3D HDTV Might Destroy Space-Time Continuum

Philips' 56-inch HD 3D display has four times the standard resolution of any TV. That's awesome. But the fact it can be watched with your own eyes without wearing silly glasses (or imposing a serious headache) is causing people to check themselves. Because they just might wreck themselves trying to figure out how it works and how to buy it. Read More>>

New MacBooks dropping plastic for aluminum

Say goodbye to the black plastic MacBook: a new aluminum one is said to be on the way.(Credit: Apple) Read More>>

CAD vs. programming…what should we teach?

Many of us have limited resources to teach technology courses, both in terms of available staff and computing facilities. We’ve taught a course in CAD (Computer Aided Design/Drawing/Drafting) for some time and it has always been popular with students. The instructor has extensive experience in engineering and architecture and does a great job with the course. I have to wonder, though, as a geek who also has to pay the bills, if CAD is the best use of scarce resources. Read More >>

New Lincoln penny designs unveiled

In the first change in 50 years, the penny will have four new designs, each depicting different stages of Lincoln's life.

For the first time in 50 years, the penny is getting redesigned, with four versions coming next year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, the U.S. Mint announced Monday.

While the coin will continue to depict Lincoln's likeness on the front, the reverse side will bear one of four new designs, the Mint said. Read More >>

WebbyConnect

This year's WebbyConnect Summit will be from October 22-24 at the stunning Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, in Dana Point, CA. Register Now as space will sell out fast!

For three can't-miss days, gather to exchange ideas, evaluate trends, explore the controversies, debate hot-button topics and see what's next in interactive media, entertainment and advertising, all in famous Webby style.

Rethink the idea of what a conference is and should be while sharing the vision and insights of Webby Award Winners and the Academy, and connecting with the people that matter most.

Why Attend?

Having reinvented the awards show, The Webby Awards bring its trademark flair and style to the staid world of industry conferences. WebbyConnect brings together Webby Award winners, Academy members, and leaders in fields such as entertainment, advertising, and politics for an exclusive, three-day gathering exploring and charting the future of the Internet and emerging media.

Set in beautiful Laguna Niguel, the Ritz Carlton offers breathtaking ocean views and unparalleled elegance, making WebbyConnect a unique conference experience.

Web 2.0 Expo New York

Web 2.0 Expo New York
September 16, 2008 - September 19, 2008

Web 2.0 Expo is a global annual gathering of technical, design, marketing, and business professionals who are building the next generation web. Web 2.0 Expo features the most innovative and successful Internet industry figures and companies providing attendees with examples of business models, development paradigms, and design strategies to enable mainstream businesses and new arrivals to the Web 2.0 world to take advantage of this new generation of services and opportunities. Web 2.0 Expo is co-produced by TechWeb and O'Reilly

Web 2.0 Expo is for the builders of the next generation web: designers, developers, entrepreneurs, marketers, business strategists, and venture capitalists, people who have experiences to share and a passion for learning - the hot new thing, lessons from failures, innovations and inspirations, and the practical applications of all of the above.

PhotoPlus Expo

PhotoPlus Expo - trade October 23, 2008 - October 25, 2008
Web Address: www.photoplusexpo.com/ppe/index.jsp

Designed for professionals in the photographic and imaging industries, PhotoPlus Expo showcases the latest advances in photography, both traditional and digital. Held annually at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, attendees have the opportunity to explore an inspiring array of photography, design and imaging products and services - everything from image capture and color management to retouching and storage - all from the industry's leading manufacturers.

The show also offers over 100 photography and design seminars and hands-on workshops taught by world-renowned experts with a focus on cutting-edge innovations in digital imaging products and techniques.

Google Chrome not yet on Mac

Generally I must say that all Mac OS X based browsers including Safari and the Intel optimized Firefox version are relatively slow. This is especially apparent when you run Windows XP under OS X in emulation using VMWare and try any browser, be it IE, FF or the brand spanking new Google browser Google Chrome. Windows based browsers are snappy and fast compared to a just acceptable performance on OS X. Read More or Comment>>>

The future is now: MultiTouch reveals touch-interactive LCDs

MultiTouch announced on Tuesday that the Philip K. Dick future seen in Minority Report is here. Actually, that's not true at all, but the style of computer interaction in that movie was the first thing I thought of when watching the demo of the MultiTouch Cell. Read More >>>

The five best new browser features in Google Chrome

TechRepublic has started kicking the tires on Google Chrome, the search giant’s entrance into the Web browser market. See our gallery of screen shots and our list of the five best new features that Chrome offers. Read More>>>

Blurb Photography.Book.Now

We're hosting Meet-ups in three cities around the globe. Hang out with industry peers, friends, the judges, symposia participants, and the Blurberati. And bring your books - everyone will want to see your work.

San Francisco

Awards Ceremony and Meet-up

Friday, September 19, 2008
5:30-8:30 pm (Awards: 6:30-7:15 pm)
RSVP Now

Bimbos 365 Club
1025 Columbus Avenue (at Chestnut Street)
San Francisco, CA 94133
415.474.0365
Map

London

Meet-up

Friday, October 10, 2008
5:30-8:30 pm
RSVP Now

Delfina Galleries
50 Bermondsey Street,
London SE1 3UD
+44 20 7564 2400
Map

New York

Meet-up

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
6:30-8:30 pm
RSVP Now

New Museum
235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
212.219.1222
Map

Cologne

Date to be announced.

Sign up to get email updates as more details are confirmed.

Sony announces three all-in-one desktops

At a home theater show this week Sony announced three new all-in-one desktops along with a slew A/V receivers, LCD TVs and projectors, and Blu-ray players. All three AIOs offer Blu-ray drives, and the higher-end models offer rewritable BD drives.

The entry-level VAIO JS series has a 20.1-inch display, optional Blu-ray player, comes in three different colors, and will start at around $1,000. Sony hasn’t announced detailed specs for this model yet. Read More>>>

Adobe MAX 2008

Adobe MAX 2008
November 16-19
San Francisco, CA

Register now for MAX 2008, an event unlike any other. Its unique combination of education, interaction, and genuine fun continues to attract a larger, more exciting audience every year. The intensive training and extraordinary networking opportunities will give you a competitive edge. And you’ll not only expand your current skills, chances are you’ll discover something unexpected and new that really ignites your passion. Join us. Learn More>>>

Event highlights

MAX 2008 offers over 200 unique sessions and 50 labs in its Envision, Design, and Develop tracks, including special sessions for educational institutions focused on teaching web and interactive design, RIA technologies, and application development. Attendees interested in additional intensive training are encouraged to also register for one of the 11 full-day pre-event labs offered on Sunday (additional fees apply). The most popular MAX sessions fill very early, so be sure to register today to secure seats in your preferred sessions.

Some exciting sessions this year include:

• Adobe Roadmap: Video
• Adobe Roadmap: Web Experiences
• Aligning Higher Education with RIA Trends and Opportunities
• Building Your First Rich Internet Application with Flex 3
• Getting Started with ActionScript 3.0
• High-Performance ColdFusion
• How to Build a Mobile Business
• Maximizing Your Web Workflow
• Photoshop Essentials: New Features You Need to Know
• Using Adobe AIR as a Tool in Universities
• Using Adobe Flash to Bridge the Designer/Developer Barrier in
Education
• Video Basics: Video Production for the Web

First Look: 2Go Classmate PC laptop

TechRepublic has been examining ultraportable PCs throughout this year and the 2GoPC is the latest one. This Classmate PC laptopis an ultraportable with a twist -- it is designed for the children market. Read More>>>

Loaded: Google's new Chrome

Search giant launches its own browser.

Dell’s netbook arrives this week

Dell will announce its netbook, the Mini Inspiron 910, tomorrow, according to a story in today’s WSJ. The new netbook had been expected any day, but the details came to light after a partner, Box.net, a provider of online storage, sent an e-mail to the newspaper touting its work with Dell. Read More>>>

The all-new CNET is here!

CNET, the leading technology media site in the world, now makes it easier to find the trusted news, product reviews, downloads and videos that you care about. We spent months talking to users, tweaking and testing to improve CNET for our most important audience -- you. Visit the all-new CNET See what's new in quick tour

Note from Vdricra - I like the new face lift. It's more organized, well thought out and balanced.
Overall it looks more sophisticated. It was so bland before - I didn't even notice it needed work.

Chrome: Google's shiny new browser

The latest attack in the browser wars comes from an unexpected combatant: Google, and its new browser called Chrome. This open-source browser, built on the same engine that powers Safari and Android, sports a super-fast JavaScript rendering, and takes tabs to the next level. Get Chrome from Download.com. Read more

Thinking of Nabbing an iPhone Today? Wait.

Reports are flooding in from Gizmodo (which posted that clever Apple meets Armageddon phrase), TechCrunch, the IDG News Service and pretty much any other iPhone-manic news outlet that stalwart Apple fans who rushed to buy their new iPhone today are left holding beautifully designed bricks that can't be activated. Read More>>

Amid ugly job picture, tech related employment holds up

The U.S. economy lost 62,000 jobs in June for the sixth straight month of employment losses with an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent, but underneath the technology sector is holding up well, according to Labor Department statistics. Read More>>>

Dungeons and Desktops

"Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-playing Games chronicles the rise and fall of the Computer RPG industry, from Akalabeth to Zelda and everything in between. While the bulk of the book is devoted to the genre's "Golden Age" in the late '80s and early '90s, author Matt Barton explores the entire history of CRPGs, from their origins in the mid '70s to the very recent past. While not entirely comprehensive, the book covers not only the major players and award-winners, but also dozens of obscure "also-rans" as well as notable games in related genres."
Keep reading for the rest of Michael's review.