Another Overly Priced NetBook: Samsung

Once again we see the more solid technology companies begin to think that they can attach a name to a product and sell it at a significant price. This time it is Samsung.

The 12" NC-20 has some decent specs for a NetBook, but it is fairly pricey for a NoteBook.

Here are some of the specs: "A big-sized sequel to the 10-inch NC10, purported specs include an unnamed VIA U225 processor, 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, 1.3MP webcam and a weight of 3.3lbs. Slated for February (in Italy at least), the system is said to retail at $650. " [Gizmodo]

Again, $650? That's like armed robbery when I get can a modest, yet weaker model, for half that price?

Could Apple Survive Without Steve Jobs? [Apple]

Several sites and blogs are talking and speculating about the after math of Steve Jobs not attending the next MacWorld. The main point of emphasis is: Is he leaving Apple?

While speculation is likely to continue until Mr. Jobs actually confronts the issue, maybe Apple fans should focus on another, closely related topic:

What would happen to Apple should Jobs leave?

While it would be hard to compare a post-Jobs Apple to a post-Gates Microsoft, the results may be similar. The jury is still out on the post-Gates Microsoft result, but changes have been made and will continue to be made throughout the company.

Should Jobs leave Apple, would anything really change? I personally doubt it, at least for the next few years. Apple is doing very well in several markets, including music sales, the i-Line, and there various PC competitors. Apple has gained a respectable share of the computer market, "Mac’s share is now 10% worldwide and an impressive 21% in the U.S." [Apple Blog] Why mess with success? 

That level of change would only spur more interest and development in where Apple sees their strong suits. Major changes could prove counter productive to users, and could be seen as an abandonment of the Jobs legacy.

People like familiarity, and might bounce at the first site of a new "regime" making major over hauls to the product line. The only change I would recommend would be to at least attempt to compete in the lower cost PC market (not necessarily the Netbook market though).

Although Jobs is the face and major visionary behind Apple's success, whoever takes the reigns after he leaves, if he leaves, would be a fool to alter the formula to much.

How To Un-Install Inernet Explorer 8 Beta 2

If you have already fallen into the deep, dark abyss of Internet Explorer 8, here is how to get out of it.

The link to un-install IE 8.

Internet Explorer 8: Beta

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is available for your use and abuse.

Here is the link.

MacTini: The Future Of Apple [Humor]

With all of the grief that Microsoft gets, it's refreshing to see someone take a jab at Apple every once in awhile. 

The following link, goes to a video portraying "someone" giving the rundown on the new Mac-Tini.

Be sure to watch the video.

Chrome Updating Secretly, Quietly?

Has anyone noticed that you may have different copies of chrome on your PC? After reading a post on Gizmodo, about the latest "release" of Chrome not being in Beta anymore, I decided to re-download it.

After a weird sequence of events, or non-events concerning Chrome download, I navigated to the file folder where the executable is stored.

This is where I found application versions. 

It seems that the first of these versions was made on 0.4.154.29, on 12/5/08. The second, 1.0.154.36, was on 12/12/08. The Chrome executable is from 12/9/08. 

If one browses these folders (the ones with the version numbers) one will find separate setup executable and what I assume to be a version of Chrome packaged (Chrome.7z).

So if it is true, that Google is pushing more current versions of Chrome to users without them even knowing it, is that a bad thing to you? There can be a difference of opinion on this.

I tend to be of the mindset, for Chrome only right now, that this is a good thing. The user need not worry about finding another version, or upgrading whenever Google sends out their "we fixed it" e-mail. Google can push a new version to the masses without the slightest hint of anyone knowing. Though it would be nice if they told us, formally, that they had changes for Chrome coming.

My only concern would be that an application is re-building another application on your computer without your knowledge. Now while Google isn't a bad group of pirates, there are those who are. If an OS doesn't know that a new application is being built quietly and silently, without user request, to me that could leave some doors unlocked security wise.

Again, for Google to do this is to me, not an issue. It is the possibility of some malicious persons doing it as well. 

So knowing now, what you know, do you feel any different about Chrome or Google?

Web Browser Based On Race? [Race and the Internet]

When you think you have seen it all, there comes a racially specific web browser...BlackBird.

Blackbird is geared towards the African-American community and was designed for:

"Because we know the 20 million African Americans online need tools to build and foster community now more than ever.

Because we know that 85% of African Americans prefer online news and information from the Black perspective.*

Because we know that you are twice as likely to be among the first to discover new trends and use advanced technology compared to the general population.*" [BlackbirdHome.com]

I am impressed with the look and feel of the site, and the browser does look slick (in images seen.) Has anyone used this browser yet?

Alpha 400: Netbook or Netjunk?

There are a lot of articles out there bashing this very low end addition to the Netbook family.  While this new comer to the race doesn't seem to offer much, it may not be as bad as it seems.

The specs aren't that much too look at, especially considering that most of the hardware was outdated 5 years ago. But there is some promise that may get over looked by some critical reviewers: Upgradable.

Technical Details

• Alpha 400 MIPS 400 MHz Ultralite 7-inch Mini Notebook General Features: Ultralite notebook
• Linux 2.4 Operating System MIPS XBurst 400 MHz 32-bit CPU 128 MB RAM 1 GB NAND Flash Storage
• 10/100 MB Ethernet interface Supports External Hard Drive up to 160 GB
• Supports SD Card up to 32 GB Xiptech application software packages (Xip office, Flash player)
• 7-inch digital panel 800 x 480 true-color - 802.11b WI-FI

When looking at the specs above, one may notice the ability to use SD cards. You can also use an external HDD via Ethernet. Although this is not a huge deal to some, it may be a big deal to others. If one is simply looking for simple word processing and or business related tasks, this tool might not be too bad.

Microsoft Clothing: MS-DOS-ome!

Several sites and blogs have been showing a few (at least one) article of the new Microsoft clothing line. 

Although some may see this as tacky or cliche, this blogger feels that this is a very good idea! I mean, how many old school DOS peoples wouldn't want this shirt above, declaring their competency in the ancient art of command line processing?

I have only seen this one MS-DOS shirt so far, but I am sure a Windows 95 throw back shirt should be next! Besides, you haven't had OS issues, till you've used Windows 95!

HP Mini Gets Decent Price Break

According to Gizmodo, the HP Mini 1000 is getting a pretty decent price cut: $40.

That's nothing to sneeze at considering it is approximately 1/4th of the Netbooks current price. Hopefully this is a new trend that may even see this poor blogger getting a new Netbook for Christmas.

Click here for the Gizmodo article.

Amazon.com Netbook Deals

A brief browsing at the Amazon.com website, searching for Netbooks turned up some decent deals.

ASUS Eee PC 2G Surf (7-Inch Display, Intel Mobile Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Galaxy Black is only $259.72. An 8GB black Eee with Linux is only $270.

That's not bad prices for older models. The prices range from mid $200 - $400's, depending on what you are looking for.

The prices aren't bad, and you can probably get some free shipping thrown in there too!

Windows 7 Beta 1 In January?

According to an article on Gizmodo, Windows 7 Beta 1 may be available to MSDN developers and the like around January 13th.

While this is not necessarily a release candidate, it definitely shows progress towards a final ship date, hopefully in Q4 of 2009.

Does anyone plan on tempting fate with the new Beta release of Windows 7?

Google Pack

One of the somewhat obscure Google products is the Google Pack. Essentially what Google Pack is, is a collection of specific software to make your computer experience better, more productive and more Google enhanced.

Some of the Pack's features are well know, such as Firefox, Adobe Reader. Some are not as well known, such as Spyware Doctor and Picasa.

Google desktop is a Windows Vista favorite, but I am not sure how well it runs on XP (theme wise.) I would say the Pack is not all that bad, but maybe a bit un-warranted given the standard collection most PC's run these days.

For the Pack and more Google products, click here.

The Next Good OS: Cloud

From the makers of the gOS comes Cloud. According to the website, "Cloud is a browser operating system that combines beautiful design with sophisticated technologies to make the PC faster, safer, and easier."[Cloud]

While the idea of running an OS via a web browser is new, it is definitely intriguing. Since the OS is not available right now, the footprint isn't know. It would be assumed that it will be small and compact compared to current OS's.

One benefit seen on this is the seemingly virtual way the OS will be run. You have to have an OS booted to run a browser, right? So if you have an OS loaded, and then you run Cloud, you are effectively running a virtual machine OS.

Here is the features list:

Feature List

• Web browser with Icon Dock Inside
• Network Manager
• Power Button
• Boot to Window XP/Vista or Linux OS
• Battery Life Indicator
• Volume Controls
• My Files & Viewers

Specifications & Requirements

• Standard x86 Processor
• 128 MB Ram
• 35 MB Storage (Can be smaller or larger)
• Preloaded in HDD/SSD of PC
• Preloaded in on board flash storage of MB
• Preloaded in CD as Windows Installer
• Cloud does not require additional hardware and is compatible with any operating system.