New HTML and DOM Standards Compliance in IE8 Beta 1

Posted on April 11, 2008, under Web Dev/Tech.

The IEBlog lists new HTML and DOM standards compliance ehancements in IE8 Beta 1. If you mess with JavaScript or the DOM at all, this is good stuff to keep aware of.  I’m a little removed from this level of web development as compared to my old role, but I know I would have been pretty excited overall with the enhancements that IE8 brings to the development arena. Hopefully it doesn’t take years to get adopted by IE users once released. :)

Apple pushes insecure web browser on computers

Posted on March 31, 2008, under Current Events, Web Dev/Tech, security.

Apple pushes Safari on Windows via iTunes updater (posted 3/21)

Apple has started offering Windows users its Safari 3.1 Web browser through the same online updater it utilizes for iTunes and the QuickTime video player.

Not just offering, but pushing. As in you must manually un-check the install or ignore it, or Safari will be installed the next time you run the updater to bring your iTunes up to the next release.

MacBook Air hacked in security contest (posted 3/27)

A team of security researchers has won $10,000 for hacking a MacBook Air in two minutes using an undisclosed Safari vulnerability.

Bad decision, Apple. I don’t want that accidentally pushed out on my machines, or any of the family members I help support.

If you want to prevent this from happening on your machine when you run the Apple updater, make sure the Safari option is checked, and then in the top menu, select “Tools > Ignore selected updates”.

Freedom Never Cries

Posted on March 25, 2008, under Entertainment.

Five for Fighting sings about a flag:

The man behind the counter is Fred Ferguson, a Medal of Honor recipient.

h/t: Hugh Hewitt

Energy Efficient Bulbs??

Posted on March 13, 2008, under General.

Holy Melted MercuryCheck your bulbs if you use ‘em. I found brown tinting on two others. Don’t know what to make of that yet, but I will be calling the customer service number on them. Holy cow.

Microsoft WorldWide Telescope

Posted on March 7, 2008, under Current Events, Web Dev/Tech.

Coming soon

FeedDemon and other NewsGator RSS clients now Free!

Posted on January 9, 2008, under Current Events, Web Dev/Tech.

NewsGator and Nick Bradbury (primary developer behind FeedDemon, TopStyle, HomeSite) announced today that their line of RSS clients, including the stellar FeedDemon, are now free! That is awesome!

I have been using FeedDemon as my primary RSS aggregator for over a year, and have loved it. Very quick, responsive, and a nice interface to read and manage feeds. I also subscribe to the (not free) NewsGator Online service to sync my feeds and clippings across 2 FeedDemon clients and the NewsGator Online client. Makes it very easy to stay on top of a lot of information.

Here are the available NewsGator RSS clients that are now free:

They also posted some FAQs to address how this change fits their business model and isn’t NewsGator dumping their the RSS clients.

Update: Turns out they are making their synchronization service available for free as well - cool!

Hiding Wireless SSIDs

Posted on December 20, 2007, under security.

Myth vs Reality. Hi Jeff! :)

Honda demos ‘linked’ humaniod robots

Posted on December 11, 2007, under Current Events, Entertainment.

Incredible! Seems like the basics are mostly worked out. I wonder what the models in 5 years will be like.

Outlook 2007 Gadgets for Windows Sidebar

Posted on November 30, 2007, under Web Dev/Tech.

Always visible tasks and appointments. Sweet.

Ex-Syrian Woman Debates the Qualities of Islam on Al Jazeera

Posted on November 14, 2007, under Current Events.

Somehow I missed this very interesting exchange on Al Jazeera back in 2006:

I know people currently serving in the military. The negative aspects she describes are among the reasons these people volunteered to serve in the current war on terror, to protect us here and to help our global neighbors obtain freedom from oppression. I’m very thankful to be born in the land of the free, and thankful for those who sacrifice to protect it!