A First Look at Longhorn

The next build of Longhorn is now finished and WindowsDevCenter.com has a nice first look. Longhorn is expected to ship by 2006, but I'll believe it when I see it. I'll probably be using SuSE Linux 12 as my desktop OS by that time...

Whirr bang pop chirp

Ever take you car to the mechanic and try and describe the noise it's making? Then you'll appreciate this link! Engadget has a post about Hitachi recording wav files of hard drives going bad. It's appropriately named "The gentle sounds of a dying drive." Listen, cringe, and enjoy!

Google Press Center: Zeitgeist

The Google Press Center has released the April Zeitgeist. Nice to see that Kill Bill hits #4 on the popular queries list.

Blog reading made easy

Do you follow multiple blogs, RSS feeds, and news sites on a regular basis? At times it can get overwhelming trying to stay on top of all that information. I've waited for a tool that will help organize all this information and make it easier to sort through. I read an article in Wired magazine that mentioned Bloglines.com and decided to give it a try. After using it for a day, I was completely sold on it. It effectively manages massive amounts of data and presents everything in a very readable format. If you only follow a couple of sites, the beta Kinja site is similar, but has a nicer aesthetic. I don't think Kinja could keep up with 20+ news sources, but for 4-5 Ito would be great. Both are definitely worth checking out.

Azureus has a shiny new release

Version 2.1.0.0 of Azureus was released today. It includes a ton of upgrades and some bug fixes. Download, and enjoy! If you're not familiar with Azureus, it's a java bittorrent client. There are versions available for just about every platform.

Gmail Under Fire In California

Cali. Democratic state Sen. Liz Figueroa wants Gmail to scan your email in real-time only, and not keep records or sell your information to other companies. Her bill has been approved by the Cali. senate. I'm not for sure what Sen. Figueroa is fussing about, because Gmail's privacy policy seems pretty straight forward, including the following: "We will never rent, sell or share information that personally identifies you for marketing purposes without your express permission." I don't consider a beta email system such a threat to my privacy -- I know NO email system connected to the Internet will be 100% secure and private.

Grandma's Spyware Tool

Spyware removal applications just jumped the shark. Yahoo is now offering spyware removal tools as part of their free beta toolbar. Too bad it only works for Internet Explorer. I guess anyone that still uses IE probably needs a dumbed down spyware removal tool anyway...

Cool new Mac Hardware

How do you take something as drool-worthy as the Apple Cinema Display and make it better? Easy, make it out of aluminum. Wow. If you need more pics, here are a few more.

Video Game News

Unreal Tournament 2004 is on sale for $20 today. If you don't already own it, now is the time to buy. That price is just silly! In other video game news, a web site has been set up to track the progress of the upcoming Fight Club game. Too bad it's only going to be available on the XBox and PS2.

iWon - Celebrity Gossip

NO SWEATAn assault charge has been dropped against exercise diva Richard Simmons: ",i am bloggin this entry only because i found it extermely funny...An assault charge has been dropped against exercise diva Richard Simmons, who was accused of slapping a man who made fun of him at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport last March. The "victim" — a 6-foot-2, 250-pound ultimate cage fighter named Christopher Farney — agreed to drop the misdemeanor charge under the condition that Simmons start referring to him as "Master."

Now where'd it go?

There's nothing better than combining two passions in to one successful product. Engadget (my new favorite web site) has a story about Radar Golf. You want it in your bag, you need it in your bag. Well, at least I do!

You want the truth?

You want me on your wall. You NEED me on your wall!

With new technology comes new services

If you are too lazy to rip your CD collection so you can have something to put on your iPod, then you can have LoadPod do it for you. They pick up your iPod and CD collection, and then return the CDs and a fully-loaded iPod within 5 days. Good idea, but limited: why not offer the service for all MP3 players? Thanks to MacSlash (not Slashdot, not News.com.com.com.com).

McDVD?

McDonald's has decided that it's not enough to just make you fat, now they want to help make you lazy too. Gizmodo has an article on how McDonald's is trying out in-store DVD rentals: "McDonald's grasps for relevance with a new pilot program in its Denver stores that will allow customers to rent DVDs for just $1 a day via kiosks placed in each of its 105 area stores." Now, instead of exercising, you can go home and sit on your butt for two hours after a super-sized meal. Hmm... I wonder if they'll carry a copy of Super Troopers in the kiosk for chopper_D...

Apple issues Mac OS X security patch

Apple responds to the recent reports of security vulnerabilities by issuing a new security patch. It only took one week from when the vulnerability was reported until there was a patch. I only wish other companies worked that fast (*cough* Microsoft *cough*). More commentary on this security patch can be found at the Mac Rumors Forums.

Macromedia to test Linux support

Macromedia will begin experimenting with Linux support, releasing versions of its development tools that work with the open-source operating system, a company executive said on Thursday. I just hope they don't their port product activation scheme as well. Under their current activation scheme, you'd have to buy 3 separate copies of the software if you have a Mac, PC, and a Linux box. Normally you'd be entitled to run it on a work computer and a home computer, but unfortunately both computers have to have the same operating system. This makes me hope NVU will get better. It's already Linux native!

Color iPod?

Engadget (thanks for the link chopper_d) is reporting that the next iteration of the iPod will have a color screen. That may not sound like much, but if it opens the door for pictures and movies, it may be a really big deal. Also, as long as I'm reporting Mac news, Macslash has a link to an article about the possibility of Macs switching to the Intel architecture.

1.0 is getting closer!

The 1.0 branch has been created for Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird. You don't have to understand branches, trees, and CVS (oh my) to get that Firefox 1.0 is getting closer and closer! I've been using the nightly builds of Firefox for a while now and 0.9 will rock when it's released. It will be a feature-complete release, leaving only bug fixes for the 1.0 release.

'24' MOVES TO MONDAY NIGHT

"'24' MOVES TO MONDAY NIGHT; STRONG COMPETITION FOR RAW Another show changing nights.

You have to be kidding me

As further proof that there are bigger geeks than us in the world, you can now search Google using the Klingon language.

Polite spyware?

The Google Blog has a new post about their guidelines to help curb spyware problems. It's worth a read. Personally, I'll skip over the polite guidelines and head straight to the Spybot Search & Destroy web site. That pretty much takes care of all the nasties out there. Also, giving Internet Explorer the boot and switching to a real browser like Firefox is a huge help.

Exchange for everyone (not using Outlook Web Access)

Novell has released their Connector for Microsoft Exchange product under the GPL. This software allows open-sourced mail & personal information managers to interface with an Exchange server. Lets see some development for Thunderbird and iCal to use the Connector. Of course, maybe I'll be worried less about the connector when our Exchange system admin finally gets permission to bring us up to Exchange 2003 (and Outlook Web Access 2003, which works pretty damn good in browsers other than IE).

Google Windows 2004?

The New York Times is reporting that Google is planning to release a desktop search tool. The article says this is a direct challenge to Microsoft for control of the desktop computer. I think that's a little silly, but I do think the utility could steal some of Longhorn's thunder. I would absolutely use a tool like this on my desktop. Now, if only Google could devise a search tool for the papers on my desk...

Fedora Core 2 is ready!

Fedora Core 2 is finished. If you're not familiar with Fedora, the web site describes it in the following way: "The Fedora Project is a Red-Hat-sponsored and community-supported open source project. It is also a proving ground for new technology that may eventually make its way into Red Hat products. It is not a supported product of Red Hat, Inc." If you're interested, download (or torrent) and enjoy!

Yee-Haw! Mac News Roundup

A bunch of interesting Mac news released yesterday and today. First, a pair of flaws can be used to place malicious software on OS X; of course, Apple does not talk about security issues, which irks some. Apple is planning to slow the pace of major OS system releases a bit. Also, Apple has released an SDK for iTunes, which allows third-party music players to support the AAC file format. Thanks to the Slashdot and the News(.com)^2.

Google tests waters with terabyte e-mail limit

CNet reports "Google just escalated the e-mail storage arms race by a factor of 1,000." Right now, the VP's at Hotmail and Yahoo mail are swearing loudly and in the direction of Google HQ. Even I'll admit that I don't need a terabyte of e-mail storage, but I can't fault Google for trying. I wonder if Yahoo still thinks their shiny new 100MB free accounts look good. Side note: how much do you think a terabyte GMail account would go for on eBay?

Quentin, please pass the parmesan cheese.

Only Quentin could make a spaghetti biker film and have a chance at making it good. Good to see he's getting back to work already - I just wish it was on Kill Bill Vol. 3!

And T'Pol will be ordered to wear more Starfleet-standard bikinis

Trekkies can breath again, as UPN has decided to renew Enterprise for one more season. The show will be moved to Friday nights too. I'm glad that it will continue, but even if I had UPN, I wouldn't be sitting down on Fridays to watch it. Dammit Jim, I'm a father, not a lonely nerd.

Talk about unnecessary...

The Bourne Supremacy? Please tell me they didn't make this movie. The tag line is "They should have left him alone." How 'bout leaving the sequal alone instead?

Samsung to unveil satellite TV for phones

There's no way this doesn't cause cancer.

Can you hear me now?

Techdirt:Man Angry At Mobile Phone Service, Starts Throwing Phones. He goes in to the store, rips his shirt off, puts safety goggles on, and proceeds to trash the store. Settle down Mr. Perala, I think they hear you now.

Marc Perkel Rantz: It's the same chair !!!! OMFG !!

For anyone who has been following or has had the stomach to watch the video here is some food for thought. This guys makes some real valid points on how this whole thing could be a fake, after the initial shock of what I was seeing I too thought something was off, after reading this you will have to admit, there are a lot of inconsistencies with the beheading video.Marc Perkel Rantz: It's the same chair !!!! OMFG !! Their are only a few benign pics to support his argument nothing disgusting or sick.

You can view the actual video by going to Consumption Junction, What's Your Dysfunction? While it is disturbing if it is a fake perpetrated by the CIA or something that is even more disturbing...

Yikes!

Careful with that password, Eugene.

And the madness continues!

Another day, another upgrade. There's a new version of Adium X available. Download, and enjoy!

Way too little, a little too late.

Yahoo boosts free e-mail storage to 100MB. *yawn* I have 10 times that with my shiny new Gmail account. In all honesty, I think 100MB for a free acount is plenty (it's twice as large as my work account)! But if Google is going to set the bar at 1GB, Yahoo is going to have to find a better way to win over customers.

Meeces to Pieces

TechTV reviewed Ultimate Gaming Mouses last night. I like that they tested with the mouse pad I use (Ratzpadz). Worth a read if you're in to Unreal Tournament 2004 like most of the people that post on this blog.

Not for the Weak at Heart-

The beheading of the American civilian (Nicholas Berg) in Iraq not a pretty side of humanity.
Can we just drop the F'n bomb already. It is time to turn the middle east into a Parking lot and bring our boys home.

Fair use?

Congress mulls revisions to DMCA "Congress has taken a step toward revising the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which has attracted extensive criticism over the past six years." It's sad that it will take an act of congress to restore fair use rights that have been on the books since the days of 8-tracks. What's even more sad is that this bill won't pass. There will be too much opposition from the RIAA funded politicians. *sigh*

Google to sell banner ads

There goes the internet. CNet reports "Search giant Google plans for the first time to sell ads that include images". If I see picture ads show up in my GMail account, I'm getting rid of it. Maybe. Possibly? Who am I kidding, it's a frigging GIG of e-mail goodness!

Chat Woes for OS X

Instant Messaging on my OS X laptop has been uncomfortable. As much as I love the simplicity of iChat it leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the area of file transferring. Cross-platform IM clients may be functional, but lack usability. On a desperate serch, I stumbled across Adium X. It is not something unknown to Stupid Users staff -- IceBurrg and chopper_D both have experienced the pains of constant updates and crashing. Despite the developer's constant update push, its still better than using iChat.

FireWireless specified

MacSlash is reporting that the specification for wireless IEEE 1394 -- a.k.a. FireWire -- has been approved. From what little chat I've read, this specification is going to benefit entertainement centers by transferring lots of data over a short range. Just let me get a FireWireless card for my Media Center Mac.

Alienware Home Theater? *drool*

Alienware announces digital home entertainment system. More detailed information can be found at the Alienware page. *drool*

Shiny new Spybot!

Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3 was released today! It's so new that the Spybot home page still lists 1.2 as the current version! 1.3 has a nice first time walkthrough that helps you update and immunize yuor system. This is a MUST download!

Sony to launch iPod rival Time to get you Mac guys all riled up....

Berman Talks Enterprise Future: "Star Trek: Enterprise executive producer Rick Berman told the official Star Trek Communicator magazine that he's confident UPN will pick up the ratings-challenged series for a fourth season" Finally, a show I like that doesn't get cancelled. At least until next year.

Sci Fi Wire reports that "Todd McFarlane plans to produce a new TV version of Spawn, his late-'90s HBO animated series". I guess the movie was so bad that a spinoff TV series was inevitable. I used to be a big fan of the Spawn comics, but I can't imagine them translating to TV. Everything good would be censored! This is so going to suck...

Microsoft Updates Sasser Cleanup Tool. It now includes an activex applet (Internet Explorer required, of course) to check for and remove Sasser. If you want something to remove viruses that's a little more full-featured try McAfee's Stinger. Download, clean, and enjoy!

IBM tries to eclipse .Net with open source. As long as I'm in a M$ bashing mood, this seemed like a good post. Especially since it pushes open source technologies.

Microsoft to end Wi-Fi product line. Good! My advice to M$? Stick to the areas you thrive in: overcharging customers, writing unsecure code, and facilitating the spread of viruses.

If you haven't noticed (and judging by the amount of posting lately you haven't) Stupid Users has a whole new look. Blogger has gone through a complete overhaul and there are a bunch of new features and templates available. I figured as long as no one was paying attention I'd change things up a bit.

Mozilla Thunderbird 0.6 Released Scott MacGregor writes: 'Thunderbird 0.6 has taken flight! Some of the more prominent features include a new Windows installer, Pinstripe theme for Mac OS X, new artwork, improved junk mail controls, new mail notification in the system dock for Mac OS X, server-wide news filters and a slew of other new features.'

Download, and enjoy!