Internet Explorer @ MindSay 
firefox
Most of MindSay's members use either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox to browse the Web. But this week Google has rolled out a Web browser of its own - Google Chrome - that offers a fairly different approach to surfing the Web, and it's getting a lot of good reviews, including one from yours truly (aostrow)
One of the more interesting features of Chrome is the way it prevents crashes. Each tab works independently, so if something goes wrong, only that tab closes versus the entire browser crashing. Chrome also makes much more efficient use of space, showing you more of Web pages without having to scroll. The URL bar is also different than a traditional browser - you can type in either a Web address or a search term, which, will naturally search Google. In my tests so far, all of this leads to a much faster browsing experience that also makes the Web much prettier.
As cosina pointed out, Google first announced the project through a comic they leaked to the media drawn up by famed illustrator Scott McCloud.
You can download the new browser here. Have you tried it out yet? Let us know what you think.
So..yeah. A new blog entry of entirely new content, especially for you ^_^ If you can see it, I'm also trialling out a new font as well. If it doesn't work, I won't use it again, but blah. I'm gonna try it anyway :D
Right, first things first: I've finished the small test I've had to do for the council in regards to the job which I'm applying for. I've not sent it off yet, cos I need to tell them what I'm working next Monday and Tuesday with regards to any possible interviews, but the most important thing is that it's done, which can only be a good thing. At least, I'm hoping it's a good thing, cos I would very much like to be involved in those interviews. Wish me luck etc etc etc.
Next up, and I've recently downloaded the two newest Internet browsers, which are Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Mozilla Firefox 2. It does look like, with Windows Vista around the corner, Microsoft are hell bent on removing their name from everything, and replacing it with Windows. MSN Messenger became Windows Live Messenger, MSN Hotmail got renamed to Windows Live Mail, and now Microsoft IE has been renamed to Windows IE. I personally won't be surprised if the Microsoft Office suite for Vista isn't renamed to Windows Office, but that's besides the point.
Windows Internet Explorer 7
It's felt like ages since IE6 was brought about, but here we are with the browser which will be bundled with Vista. One possible explanation as to why the Microsoft name has been dropped from this browser could be because Microsoft have been hyping the point that Windows Explorer and IE are now going to be the same program on Vista, although the truth is that they've always been the same, just with different purposes. Good one, Microsoft :P
Plus points of this browser is that Microsoft have finally taken notice of what Firefox does so well, and have added support for tabbed browsing, although there was a Windows Live toolbar that added this feature to IE6, so if you're going to use that as an excuse to upgrade, I wouldn't bother. Another feature they've shamelessly ripped off from Firefox is that you can now select which search engine you'd like to search with, via a search bar in the top right corner. However, unlike Firefox, which comes bundled with about 6 or 7 different bars, IE7 only has the one, which is, unsurprisingly, Windows Live Search. You are able to add more, though.
Strangely, the Menu Bar (which contains your File, Edit, View etc. options) is turned off by default, just like it is in Windows Media Player 11. However, the options are listed on the right of the tab bar, so it does turn out to be personal preference whether or not you want the Menu bar there or not. Still, for users who aren't well versed in computers, and just want a basic web browser, having the menu bar turned off by default is a bit, well, strange. Also, another minus point to IE7 is that, when using the Search bar, it will still add pluses inbetween multiple words. For example, to test it's functionality out, I typed Firefox 2 into the Search bar, with it set to Wikipedia, and it instead tried to find the search result of Firefox+2.
Overall, IE7 is a step up from IE6, which you would expect, what with it being the browser Vista will ship with and everything, but it does need a feature which will seperate it from Firefox and make it the browser of choice again. It could also do with recognising seperate words as being seperate words, and not filling the spaces in with symbols that other search engines don't recognise.
Mozilla Firefox 2
Hm..compared to IE7, there's not a lot that can be said of Firefox 2. As the old saying goes, If it ain't broke, Don't fix it. Mozilla have opted to just deal with the basics, such as adding more security measures in, making the GUI (Graphical User Interface, for those less technically minded) a bit snazzier, and just making everything else work smoother than it did in version 1.5. The major overhauls will no doubt be included on Firefox 3, which is said to be launching next November.
That's all I can say, really. The fact that Microsoft released IE7 a couple of days before Firefox 2 shows that they're a little worried about Mozilla's relative quick growth.
All in all, if you're a bit sick and tired of Internet Explorer 6, and you're wanting to upgrade, I would recommend that you go with Firefox, because it's just all around better.
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OK, that's enough of that :P I decided to go with a themed blog entry again, so hopefully it's been somewhat useful to somebody. My next blog entry will be a proper one. Promise ^_^
-=Gavvie=-
Could The Information Superhighway Become A Toll Road?
There's a battle going on for control of the Internet, and if consumers don't watch out they're going to be playing second modem to the captains of industry.
The black hats are worn by a handful of media conglomerates who hope to build a two-tiered Internet, with the fastest tier going at premium prices. Everyone else will surf at reduced speeds, which can be the fast track to Net oblivion.
In the beginning the Internet was truly democratic -- anyone with a computer and a dial-up connection could log on and surf as fast as the equipment allowed. But the system was accessed via old-fashioned copper telephone wires that weren't capable of high-speed transmission.
No worry. In the 1990s phone and cable companies promised to re-wire America with fiber-optic cable, thus keeping pace with some European and Asian providers. All they wanted in return were tax breaks and the rate hikes to cover infrastructure outlays.
The upgrade would be massive. By one estimate the old copper-wire dial-up connection would take 82 years to download the contents of the Library of Congress. The fastest fiber connection can do the job in about 45 seconds. A cable connection is a waste of time. Watch this video.
The promises, however, turned out to be a lot of fast talk, billed as a "telecommunications muckraker.''
According to the group, TeleTruth, telephone companies received $25 billion in tax breaks while their revenues soared 128 percent in the 1990s. But they didn't build the high-speed system.
Should telecom and cable companies be able to influence what Web sites you visit? That’s a key question in the debate surrounding Net neutrality.
It’s an issue being fought over tooth and nail in Washington.
Supporters of Net neutrality say the government needs to step in and ensure that cable and telecom companies who offer Internet service provide their customers equal access to every Web site in cyberspace.
Those against the idea say the government needs to stay out of the Internet business and let the market forces, which have made the Internet a success, play out.
Sen. Ron Wyden is among those pushing for a Net neutrality policy. He says the lack of Net neutrality would turn the information superhighway into a toll road with the best access given to Web sites willing to pay top dollar.
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Response to todays top-blogs:
What are the requirments to be considered a homophobe?
Is just my mildly contrary comment enough to mark me as one? Is it really about the actual marriage?
If I go in for a colonoscopy tomorrow should I make a video of the process to offer as entertainment.
Didn't Al Franken already cover this moronic shtik with his Stuart Smally character?
Will I become # 4 if I re-post # 2?
I vote for 
misterghouliemisterghoulie
misterghoulie
Seriously, enough already!
Pablo
©2006
Check out my blogs:
http://taz.bulletproofsoul.info / may still be down, server issues / homeschool blog
http://www.bulletproofsoul.info / was up and running , needs a new template / bipolar and wordpress blog
http://tech.bulletproofsoul.info / my new techie blog
Important!
For those of you that are using the public Internet Explorer 7 Beta...
You are required urgently to download the latest Build...
Internet Explorer 7 Release Candidate is now available to download here:
Release Candidate 1 for Windows XP SP2: HERE (Validation Required)
Release Candidate 1 for Windows Server 2003: HERE
Release Candidate 1 for Windows XP x64 (x64): HERE
Release Candidate 1 for Windows XP x64 (ia64): HERE
Users of previous versions are not required to download this update.
Users of previous versions are also elligible to download Internet Explorer 7 using the above links.
If you require any further information, please reply or email me at jordanw[at]live.com
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