TeknologikL

Move over Internet Explorer and Firefox, a new opponent has entered the ring. Google has unveiled their own internet browser, dubbed Chrome, in an attempt to leverage market share away from Microsoft.

Previously we discussed the new features in the latest upgrade of Firefox, but no one expected Google's Chrome to be released to the public as soon as it did. There was actually a mixup in Google's marketing department that sent a 38-page comic book promoting the new browser to European media outlets before they planned. After the comic book quickly spread, the next day Google sent out a press release to announce the new browser and released a beta version to the public ahead of plan.

Reasons for Chrome
Part of the reason Google wanted to enter the web browser market is due to the fact that they have come to rely on other web browsers to push users to their site by building Google functionality into the browser. By having their own web browsing software, Google could ensure that users are directed towards their search engine instead of another. An interesting note is that even though Microsoft has their own search engine, by default they use Google's search for fear of more monopoly concerns.

In an even grander scope, Google is taking on Windows itself. In the future, Google envisions almost all applications being run right from your browser. By using open source coding for the browser, it should make it much easier for developers to create Chrome-based applications.

Here are some of the cool features you'll find in Chrome:

Most Visited Pages
The first new feature you'll find is your "Most Visited Pages" window, which automatically brings up thumbnails of the sites you frequent. This is definitely a cool feature, but can be a bit misleading as the thumbnail shows what the page looked like last time you visited. The preview isn't updated with any new content unless you click on it, so don't dump your RSS aggregator yet.

Visual History
After pressing Control+H to open up your browsing history you can do a search in your history. Results are not only displayed by date visited, but also show a thumbnail of matching pages – which can make finding the correct page easier if you have a lot of search results.

V8
One of the best features of Chrome is one that you probably won't even notice. It has a new JavaScript virtual machine called V8, which compiles JavaScript code directly into machine code instead of using an interpreter like most other virtual machines. This will make web applications coded in Java blazingly fast.

Multiple JavaScript Processes
Chrome is the first browser to run each JavaScript program on a separate process. By doing this, if a site you are on crashes, you won't lose whatever you have opened in other windows or tabs. This can be a big timesaver and takes Firefox's Restore Session feature a step further by not even ending your session in the first place.

Task Manager
While in Chrome, press Shift+Escape to bring up Chrome's task manger; it is very similar to the Windows Task Manager that you are used to. You can monitor each webpage's memory and CPU usage. You can also use the task manger to close a site that has crashed without closing all open sites.

Memory Usage
Along the lines of the task manager function, you can also type "about:memory" into the address bar to monitor memory usage not only in Chrome but all other open browsers as well.

Final Thoughts
Being a web developer, the biggest concern I have with Chrome, and all the other new browsers popping up, is it can be a nightmare to code pages for. Web pages can show up differently in different browsers, and designers must test their pages in all browsers ensure compatibility.

Overall, I agree with most of the other reviews I've read that weren't blown away by the new browser, but you must remember this is the first public beta version. You can bet that improvements are forthcoming; and knowing Google, they won't rest until they've built the most functional browser on the planet.

Have you had a chance to test out Chrome yet? What are your first impressions?

Fully functional for almost all modern operating systems, the Wacom Bamboo tablet is a great companion for note-takers and picture-drawers of all ages. This sleek, black tablet computer has a majestic exterior that screams expensive; but in fact, this device is very reasonably priced.

Nothing could mask the joy I felt as I opened the fancily-packed tablet. This was my first time using or owning a tablet! It was incredibly easy to install the USB driver by using the disc that comes with the Wacom Bamboo. There were even tutorials that explained how to use the tablet properly. As a proper engineer-in-training, of course, I disregarded the tutorials and dove right in.

Using OneNote (Microsoft Office 2007), I practiced my doodling abilities on the Wacom tablet. Soon after realizing that I had none, I started using the tablet to do my homework. Eventually, I got used to the tablet's dimensions and how they relate to the screen. When it comes to the tablet, just practicing writing and using different functions of the software dramatically improved my handwriting.

The Wacom Bamboo even comes with a touch-sensitive scrolling and zoom feature above the tablet's writing area. I was especially amused that along with the writing point on the pen (which comes with the tablet), when turned around and pressed to the tablet, it acted as an eraser. The pen also has buttons on the side that act as buttons on a mouse. I must admit, however, that these buttons can get in the way when I was trying to write.

The buttons on the pen also have the ability to scroll up and down on the page you're working on, so you can imagine the difficulty of trying to write as the page moves. If you don't know what this is like, try having someone (who doesn't mind you yelling at them) move a paper while you try to take notes on it. It is nearly impossible to write neatly, much less write on that page. Fortunately, the Wacom Bamboo tablet makes writing notes (and drawing) painlessly easy (after some quality practice).

Resources:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823100045

Firefox users who haven't yet moved to version 3.0 will be getting a popup in the coming days asking them to upgrade. Although Firefox 3 was released over two months ago, only now is Mozilla sending out an upgrade message to its users. This might have something to do with the sheer number of users who have gone directly to Mozilla's website to get the new software. Officially released on June 17^th, 2008, Firefox 3.0 set a record for the most browser downloads in a single day, recording over 8 million copies downloaded in the first 24 hours after release.

With recent surveys showing Firefox's browser market share holding at over 19%, it still lags far behind Microsoft's 73% , but is at more than triple any other browsers. Within technical communities, Firefox usage is at over at 40%.

As with any new software version, coders and hackers started plugging away at Firefox's defenses trying to find holes, bugs or flaws in the new release. These hackers usually look for ways to crash the browser or spur an attack on your system. Mozilla has already issued two patches for the new version with more sure to follow.

New Features
Here are a few of features improved for the latest release of Firefox:

• Smart Location Bar - When typing into the address bar, it now not only brings up recent URL's but also searches the titles of those pages and your bookmarks. I wasn't totally psyched about it searching the text of the URL titles but that behavior can be changed in the About:Config settings.
• Download Manager - Improved download manager now lets you pause and resume downloads
• Password Manager - The improved password manager now asks you if you want to save your password only after you are logged into the site to make sure you are saving the correct login information
• Smart Bookmarks - Firefox now has one-click bookmarking and smart bookmarks which are dynamic bookmarks that update based on your browsing habits of regularly visited sites.
• Improved Overall Performance - Sure, these other features are all well and good but the real reason to be using the newest version of Firefox is its performance over other browsers. Recent tests have shown is it the most efficient browser to date with the latest version of Internet Explorer being the biggest system hog.

About:Config - Have it Your Way
Since way back in version 0.9 you could bring up a long list of advanced configuration settings by typing About:Config into Firefox's address bar. Within the About:Config dialog box users can control how the browser reacts in a much broader way than the regular Tools -> Options drop down. Be careful with your tinkering and make sure to backup your profile before making any major changes.

Firefox 3 has added even more options to the About:Config screen. Check this link for some popular tweaks to these settings.

Add-Ons
Firefox 3.0 has an improved Add-on Manager but one downside is not all of the add-ons are currently compatible with the new version. Most of my add-ons upgraded themselves and work seamlessly such as Google Toolbar, Colorful Tabs, IE Tab and IE View. My PAYPAL plug-in was my only installed add-on that doesn't currently work. I'm sure any other incompatible add-ons will be updated by their developer shortly.

Mozilla recently had an "Extend Firefox" competition and announced the winners with the best free Add-ons. Here is a list of winners from the competition.

TraceMonkey
Firefox developers are currently working on a project called TraceMonkey which is said to double or triple the operating speed of the browser by redefining the JavaScript support for the browser. A test release of TraceMonkey should be available by the end of 2008.

Has anyone out there run into any problems with the new version of Firefox? What are your favorite new features? Feel free to share any setting tweaks or favorite add-ons with the rest of us, as well.

Resources:
Firefox 3 Breaks Records, Then Itself
Firefox 3.1 "three times faster" than predecessor

Everyone has a cell phone now-a-days, and along with the cell phone comes all types of extra features and add-ons that the cell phone companies are constantly trying to up-sell you. Let's take a look at one of the biggest sellers, ringtones.

Many people won't spend the money for a ringtone, and I don't blame them. However, there are millions of people who do purchase ringtones – sometimes even every week. I just opened up my VZW Tones (Verizon's ringtone service), and they are trying to charge me $2.99 (USD) a ringtone. Those prices are a complete rip-off considering you can buy a whole song for 99 cents online.

You've probably seen websites offering free ringtones if you enter some of your personal information. I haven't tried them but they seem highly suspicious to me. Try it at your own risk.

The thing that wireless providers don't advertise to you is that you can make your own ringtones for free, and distribute them to all of your friends as well.

Get an MP3 of the Song
The first thing you need to get started is an audio clip of the song on your computer. As of now, I can not advise anyone to buy music from iTunes due to the DRM infested nature of the files. Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a copy protection scheme on many mp3s that limit the number of times a song can be copied and burned to disc, eventually locking you out of a song that you purchased. Currently, only songs from record label EMI are offered DRM-free from iTunes. If you must buy mp3s, I suggest Amazon MP3 or Rhapsody's mp3 store. Don't forget that with a microphone you can create your own ringtones too.

Use a Wave Editor
After you have the mp3, you need a wave editor program. I usually use Nero Wave Editor, which comes bundled with the Nero disc burning software. There are also many freeware programs you can get to edit your mp3, such as Audacity. You'll also need to install the Lame MP3 encoder (also free). After opening the mp3 in the wave editor, you can select and cut off part of the song until you are left with what you would like for your ringtone. Just save the file as a new mp3 and your ringtone is ready. The only thing left to do is transfer it to your cell phone.

Transfer Ringtone to your Phone
I recommend getting a MicroSD card for your phone, which lets you hold pretty much an unlimited amount of ringtones, wallpapers, games, and even full songs. A MicroSD card also makes it a synch to get new media on your phone by simply plugging it via an adapter into your computer.

If you don't have a memory card you can still send the ringtone to phone with a SMS message sent from your regular email program.

Each provider has a different SMS address for your phone here some examples from popular carriers in the United States.

Verizon - phonenumber@vzwpix.com
ATT - phonenumber@mobile.att.net
T-Mobile - phonenumber@tmomail.net
Sprint - phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Nextel – phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com

If you provider isn't listed, send a picture message from your phone to your email address and you can get your SMS address.

Depending on your carrier and cell phone model, there are varying size limits for the ringtone files. I ran into issues when the MP3 was over 700K on my LG enV2 from Verizon.

Free Ringtones For All
So next time you consider giving $4 to AT&T for that hot new ringtone, think about saving yourself some money by creating your own - while giving yourself a broader selection to chose from.

Do you (or anyone on your plan) pay for ringtones? Have you tried creating your own? If you're having trouble creating one or just too lazy... post in the comments and I'll make one for you.

Heavy enough to feel solid in your hands, but not so heavy that you feel like you're carrying a brick in your pocket, the Sansa e260 packs a punch in less than three cubic inches. With a sleek exterior and bright, colorful screen, this MP3 player is an extremely attractive companion for any occasion.

But this SanDisk MP3 player is more than just a random beauty. Its versatility makes life sweeter by letting you record audio, listen to FM/AM stations, and play music and videos in one easy-to-use device. And even though the groovy tunes that come as standard defaults on the player are real toe-tappers, they are exceptionally easy to remove should you want to do so.

As soon as I plugged in ear buds and pressed play, I didn't want to stop listening to the music on this SanDisk device. Thanks to the long battery life, I didn't have to! During my ten-hour workday, I listen to my MP3 player more than 95% of the time - with no problems. During that time, it ends up using less than half the battery life by the end of the day.

The SanDisk Sansa e260 also comes with a USB charger that makes it easy and convenient to charge and add music files, since you can do both simultaneously. It is a slight inconvenience that you can't listen to music while the MP3 player is charging, but at that point you can just listen to music on your computer.

I just so happened to get my hands on a 4.0-GB refurbished model for $40. If you want more memory, it supports Micro SD cards. The Sansa e260 also supports multiple video formats, such as: MPEG4, WMV, AVI, ASF, MOV and VOB. It requires Windows XP to run and easily syncs up to the standard Windows Media Player.

Although a brand new Sansa e260 would cost more, it's worth every penny. With multiple functionalities delivered with both clarity and effectiveness, the Sansa e260 left me in blissful awe. The price, the memory space, the multiple functions and the long, rechargeable battery life make this MP3 player the best that I have ever had the pleasure of owning.