a100wwe's blog

Mooba, the blog that makes you "moo"!

2005-12-10T20:21:00.000-05:00

Guess what? I've decided to replace a100wwe's blog with Mooba. This is a new blog that I'm making leaving behind all the ties that I have to the a100wwe franchise except the "by a100wwe" under the logo.

http://mooba.blogspot.com

Virus protection added to Gmail

2005-12-03T16:10:00.000-05:00

Google’s Gmail service as added virus scanning and removal to its feature list, the website says it works like this:

Each time you send and receive attachments, Gmail automatically scans them for viruses.
If a virus is found in an attachment you’ve received, our system will attempt to remove it, or clean the file, so you can still access the information it contains. If the virus can’t be removed from the file, you won’t be able to download it.
If a virus is found in an attachment you’re trying to send, you won’t be able to send the message until you remove the attachment.”

I have yet to be able to test it but I do wonder how effective it is, where the definitions come from, and how often they are updated.

XBOX 360 - Sold Out

2005-11-21T22:36:00.000-05:00

SOLD OUT

Well the console is not even out yet and I'm proud to announce that the XBOX 360 is SOLD OUT! We have just a few hours until the next-generation of gaming arrives, but it looks like it will be for only a select few who were able to get one. At my local Wal-Mart they sold tickets that were required to get a 360 tonight and within an hour of selling them they were all gone. So Microsoft has succeeded, the XBOX 360 is a hit.

XBOX 360 Launch Titles

2005-11-18T19:17:00.000-05:00

Amped® 32K Sports

Call of Duty® 2Activision, Inc

College Hoops® 2K62K Sports

Condemned: Criminal Origins™SEGA®

Dead or Alive® 4Tecmo®

Dead RisingCapcom

DemonikMajesco Games

FIFA 06Electronic Arts

FINAL FANTASY® XISquare/Enix

Need for Speed™ Most WantedElectronic Arts

Frame City Killer™Namco Hometeck, Inc

Full Auto™SEGA®
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™Ubisoft
GUNActivision, Inc.

NHL® 2K62K Sports

Kameo™: Elements of Power™ Microsoft Game Studios

Peter Jackson’s King Kong™Ubisoft

Madden NFL 06Electronic Arts

Ridge Racer

Perfect Dark Zero™Microsoft Game Studios

Project GothamRacing® 3Microsoft Game Studios

QUAKE™ 4Activision, Inc.

Saint's RowTHQ®

Test Drive® UnlimitedAtari®

Tony Hawk’s American WastelandActivision, Inc.

The DarknessMajesco Games

Top Spin™ 22K Sports

The Outfit™THQ®

NBA 2K62K Sports

XBOX 360 Software Compatibility List

2005-11-18T19:12:00.000-05:00

The following is the XBOX 360 Software Compatibility List for first-generation XBOX titles. This list is as complete as of 11-18-05. For the XBOX 360 to play first-generation software titles the Hard Drive is required to load the emulation software.

AirForce Delta Storm
Alias
Aliens versus Predator Extinction
All-Star Baseball 2003
Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding
Army Men: Sarge's War
Atari Anthology
ATV: Quad Power Racing 2

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
Barbarian
Barbie Horse Adventures Wild Horse Rescue
Batman Begins
Battle Engine Aquila
Battlestar Galactica
Blinx 2: Masters of Time & Space
BMX XXX
Brute Force
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts
Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures 06
Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Season
Cabela's Deer Hunt 2004 Season
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
Call of Duty: Finest Hour
Casino
Catwoman
Chicago Enforcer
Circus Maximus
Close Combat: First to Fight
Codename: Kids Next Door
Colin McRae Rally 4
Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers
Commandos 2: Men of Courage
Conflict: Desert Storm
Constantine
Crash Twinsanity
Crash Nitro Kart
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Curse: The Eye of Isis

Dark Angel
Darkwatch
Dead or Alive 3
Deathrow
Digimon Rumble Arena
Dinotopia
Drake

Egg Mania: Eggstreme Madness
ESPN MLS ExtraTime 2002
Euro 2004

F1 2001
Fable
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Fairly Odd Parents: Breakin' da Rules
FIFA Soccer 2003
FIFA Soccer 2004
FIFA STREET
FIFA World Cup 2002
Fight Night 2004
Fight Night Round 2
Ford Mustang
Ford vs. Chevy
Forza Motorsport
Freedom Fighters
Frogger Beyond
Futurama
Fuzion Frenzy
Genma Onimusha

Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde
Grabbed by the Ghoulies
Grand Theft Auto 3
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Gravity Games Bike: Street. Vert. Dirt.
Grooverider: Slot Car Thunder

Half-Life 2
Halo
Halo 2
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
He-Man: Defender of Grayskull
Hitman: Contracts
House of the Dead 3

IHRA Drag Racing Sportsman Edition
IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005

Jade Empire
James Bond 007: NightFire
Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis

Kabuki Warriors
Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
kill.switch

Legends of Wrestling
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
LOONS—The Fight for Fame

Manhunt
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2
Max Payne
Max Payne 2
Medal of Honor European Assault
Medal of Honor Frontline
Medal of Honor Rising Sun
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
MicroMachines
Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing
Monster Garage
Mortal Kombat: Deception
MTV Music Generator 3
Murakumo: Renegade Mech Pursuit
MX World Tour: Featuring Jamie Little

Namco Museum
NBA LIVE 2003
NBA LIVE 2004
Need For Speed Underground 2
NFL Blitz 2002
NFL Blitz 2003
NFL Blitz 2004
NHL 2004
NHL Hitz 2003
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden Black

Outlaw Golf 2
Outlaw Volleyball

Pariah
Phantom Crash
Pinball Hall of Fame
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition
Predator Concrete Jungle
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Pro Evolution Soccer 5
Pro Race Driver
Pump It Up: Exceed
Pure Pinball
Puyo Pop Fever

Quantum Redshift

Rayman Arena
Raze's Hell
Red Dead Revolver
Red Faction II
RedCard 2003
Robotech: Battlecry
Rocky Legends
Rogue Ops
Rugby 2005

Samurai Jack
Samurai Warriors
Scooby Doo! Night of 100 Frights
Scrapland
SEGA GT 2002
Shadow The Hedgehog
Shamu's Deep Sea Adventures
ShellShock: Nam '67
Sid Meier's Pirates!
Sneakers
Sniper Elite
Soccer Slam
Sonic Heroes
Sonic Mega Collection Plus
Speed Kings
Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy
Splat Magazine Renegade Paintball
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
SpyHunter 2
Spyro A Hero's Tail
SSX 3
Stake
Star Trek: Shattered Universe
Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Star Wars: Starfighter Special Edition
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
Street Racing Syndicate
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel without a Pulse
Super Bubble Pop
Super Monkey Ball Deluxe
SX Superstar

Tecmo Classic Arcade
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Test Drive: Eve of Destruction
Tetris Worlds
The Great Escape
The Hulk
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Simpsons Hit and Run
The Simpsons Road Rage
The Terminator Dawn of Fate
The Thing
Thief: Deadly Shadows
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
Tork: Prehistoric Punk
Toxic Grind
Ty The Tasmanian Tiger
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 3: Night of the Quinkan

Urban Freestyle Soccer

Vexx
Volvo: Drive for Life

World Series Baseball 2K3
Worms 4 Mayhem
Worms Forts: Under Siege
WWE Raw 2

XIII

Yourself!Fitness

Microsoft Live

2005-11-03T10:33:00.000-05:00

Wow, its been a while! Well anyway Microsoft has entered the era know as Web 2.0. The software giant has released (in beta) two new product line-ups known as "Live". Windows Live and Office Live create for the first time a web idenity for the products. Windows Live has a web portal, security tools, instant messenger, web-based favorites, search technologies, and the new web-based email client that was thought to replace Hotmail. Office Live will feature web-based versions of the popular Office products like Outlook.
I tried out the Windows Live Security Center and I have to say for the first try I'm impressed. They still have a long way to go but the shows how Microsoft will be even more security-centered in the coming years.

See it in action... Windows Live (BETA)

Microsoft, Yahoo to Link up IM Networks

2005-10-11T20:27:00.000-04:00

It is being reported that Microsoft's MSN Messenger and Yahoo's Yahoo! Messenger networks will connect so users on each can communicate with one another using text and voice chat free of charge. This deal would give MSN/Yahoo 44% market share with AOL's AIM still with a massive 56%. More to come...

UPDATE (8:38PM): The announcement is expected to made on Wednesday, tomorrow. And for bragging rights, I beat CNET NEW.COM to the story by an entire three minutes!

Who can say?

2005-09-14T13:39:00.000-04:00

Who can say that government does not care for its people? Who can say that government does not try to help its people? Who can say that the government does not do enough for its people? The disaster of hurricane Katrina has caused outrage with people claiming that the government is not doing enough to help its people. I challenge that the government is doing what it can to complete its job, the preservation of its people. The government is not there to handout help to those who do not ask for it, it can only help those who want help. When people prevent the government from completing this job the only resort for the government is to do what it can for those who want the help. The scope of this disaster is one of epic Biblical proportions that this government, and few others, have ever faced. The government has made mistakes but right now we need to accept those mistakes and support the governments actions so that no other mistakes are made. The government is not the only solution though, the people affected by this need to help others. We must take responsibility and blame where blame is do, but not now, we must help others and then place blame when every life is saved.

William Rehnquist dies

2005-09-03T23:19:00.000-04:00

BREAKING NEWS:
William Rehnquist, the chief justice of the United States, has died

The Revolution, 10 Years Later

2005-08-24T11:35:00.000-04:00

It was ten years ago today that Microsoft released the operating system that revolutionized the way we live our lives, Microsoft Windows 95.

With Windows 95's Debut, Microsoft Scales Heights of Hype (Washington Post, 1995)

Google releases new Desktop Search

2005-08-23T13:50:00.000-04:00

Google has released a new version of their Google Desktop Search client dubbed Google Desktop Search Version 2 Beta, very original. Its biggest new feature is Sidebar, which is much like the feature in the next version of Windows also called Sidebar, that is if it hasn’t been dropped again like I had heard it had. Sidebar for GDS comes with several handy features like search as you type, Google News, weather, stocks, Gmail indexing, a scratch pad, and the ability to add more through plug-ins. The new version seems to add some new security features also like encryption for your index. Looking at some of the features it seems they are catching up with MSN and their own Windows Desktop Search, but they still have some work to do.

Is it just me or does it seem like Microsoft seems to be behind the curve in every thing but their MSN division? MSN seems to be popping out projects, that work, while the rest of the company is still trying to catch up. MSN seems to have their act together and can get the job done very well in less time. I think the company (Windows team) needs a field trip to the MSN division to see how work gets done and not delayed.

Xbox 360's Core Dud

2005-08-18T21:27:00.000-04:00

Microsoft recently announced that the upcoming next-generation gaming console know as the Xbox 360 will come in two editions. I posted on here shortly after they made the announcement the press brief, which included the details of each edition. That posting can be found here.

The choice of two editions at first thought to me seems confusing and pointless. I found myself hopelessly searching for answers to questions I had; like if you buy the Core package are you forced to buy a memory card to save your games, or will it have some sort of internal memory? So far it seems your forced into buying a memory card to even begin playing the games. To use the backward compatibility with the original Xbox games you have to have the Hard Drive which is $99 so it ends up being the same price as the Premium edition with less included extras. It seems to me the Core package is more just a dud product so Microsoft can still claim to be at the $299 sweet spot that we have enjoyed for years. I don’t see many gamers buying the Core package because of these downfalls. The only reason I can see buying the Core is if all you need is a DVD (which you can buy for about $49 at Walmart) player or a Media Center Extender (which runs normally about the same price as the Core system). So really the Core system is pointless to buy when the Premium version comes with so many included features for just $100 more saving you about $200 if you were to buy the Core package. All I can say is you can put me down for a Premium, now all I need to do is pay for it. What would be ideal though is if Microsoft would just give everyone and Xbox 360 for free, that would make their goal of a billion gamers a lot easier. We can only dream.

The Countdown Begins: Xbox 360 Launch Details!

2005-08-17T16:49:00.000-04:00

The Countdown Begins: Xbox 360 Launch Details!

Leipzig, Germany— Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming videogame platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck, today at the German Games Convention Microsoft® revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360™—the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system—for as little as $299.99 U.S. starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $399.99 U.S., giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box.

The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System—along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world's best publishers and developers—will make their debut in North America, Europe, and Japan in time for this holiday season, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region launch signifies an industry first. The Xbox 360 platform will deliver the most powerful console, the best games, the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, and amazing digital entertainment experiences never seen in console entertainment.

"The sheer entertainment value of Xbox 360 cannot be overstated," says Robbie Bach, chief Xbox® officer for Microsoft. "While the system has the muscle to power awe-inspiring graphics, audio, and online play, it's also got the intelligence to serve as a one-of-a-kind entertainment device that plays CDs, DVDs, MP3s, and digital content from an array of devices, including portable music players and digital cameras."

With its built-in Ethernet port and free Silver level of service right out of the box, Xbox 360 also connects players to Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment network. With Xbox Live, gamers can chat with friends online, build and share gamer profiles, send and receive text and voice messages, and access Xbox Live Marketplace for new content such as game demos, trailers, and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade. Subscribers to the Gold level of service will also enjoy access to online multiplayer gaming in their favorite games, as well as great promotional programs such as worldwide tournaments, the chance to play online with their favorite celebrities, and opportunities to win big prizes.

For gamers who want the ultimate experience (and the best value) right out of the box, Microsoft will offer the $399.99 U.S. Xbox 360 console. This premium edition—distinguished by signature metallic detailing on the console itself—comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would cost more than $200 if sold separately. The system includes:

Xbox 360 Console: Sexy styling that packs a punch—three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, and DVD playback right out of the box.
Xbox 360 Hard Drive: 20GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos, and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace.
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: Hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music, and games libraries as well as a range of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of battery life on two AA batteries. 3
Xbox 360 Faceplate: The removable Faceplate comes in stylish "chill" (white) and can be swapped out with custom Faceplates to reflect gamers' personalities or decor.
Xbox 360 Headset: This lets gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games on Xbox Live.
Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable: This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360 games and graphics through high-definition and standard-definition connections.
Xbox Live Silver membership: With this, gamers can chat with friends online, send and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace like demos, trailers, and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade.
A bonus Media Remote: Included for a limited time only, the integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies, and music, as well as access their Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC with a single remote.

At $299.99 U.S., the Xbox 360 Core System comes standard with what consumers need to jump right into next-generation games and media, and is fully expandable to the complete Xbox 360 experience:

Xbox 360 console: As with the premium edition, three powerful core processors pump out 720p/1080i output, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, and DVD playback right out of the box.
Xbox 360 Controller: This wired controller features an extended nine-foot cable and a comfortable, enhanced ergonomic design.
Xbox 360 Faceplate: Like no other console before, the Xbox 360 console allows customization and a removable Faceplate that comes in stylish "chill" (white), which can be swapped out with other custom Faceplates to reflect gamers' personalities or decor.
Xbox 360 Standard AV Cable: This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360, delivering great next-generation graphics and games using standard-definition connections.

The Xbox 360 console also comes ready for customization. With an array of Xbox 360 accessories, gamers can trick out their systems to suit their individual tastes and personalize their experiences. In addition to an ever-growing selection of eye-catching Faceplates ($19.99 U.S.), Xbox 360 Controllers (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S.*), and Component HD AV Cable (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S.*), the lineup includes a wealth of accessories that brings next-generation gaming entertainment to its optimum:

Xbox 360 Hard Drive: 20GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos, community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace, and more (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64 MB): Easily portable, this lets gamers save games, in-game achievements, and unique gamer profiles for quick and easy access on the go (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: The same hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming that comes with the premium edition features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music, and games libraries as well as a range of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of battery life on two AA batteries (estimated retail price $49.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit: This allows plug and play for high-performance, precision wireless gaming with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Gamers will be given ample warning when the end of battery life is nearing so they can connect the Play & Charge cable for uninterrupted play (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 rechargeable battery pack: This provides up to 25 hours of gameplay for wireless gaming fun (estimated retail price $11.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter: With this, gamers can chat with friends and play games via Xbox Live, as well as stream videos and music to Xbox 360 from a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, all without the clutter of wires (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 Headset: This heightens the Xbox Live experience by letting gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote: Sold as an accessory, this integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies, and music, as well as control a TV and their Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC with a single controller (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable (U.S. only) / Xbox 360 SCART AV Cable (Europe only): This versatile cable works for both high-definition and standard-definition TVs that use S-Video or composite video inputs. It provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S.*).
Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable: Gamers can experience high-definition gaming on flat-panel TV or VGA monitors. This cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S.*).

"With both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox 360 Core System, we're offering consumers real choice and real value," says Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for the Home Entertainment Division at Microsoft. "We’re bringing true next-generation experiences into gamers' living rooms this Christmas holiday."

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you.

The system will launch this holiday season in Europe, Japan, and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

*Actual retail price may vary.

Source: XBOX.COM

Why Macs Suck, the Video

2005-08-14T14:02:00.000-04:00

I found this video on why this guy believes the Mac sucks. It is a very funny video and I recommend you watching it. It highlights some of the problems people have with the Mac and presents them in a comedic way. (WARNING: CONTAINS OFFENSIVE MATERIAL)

http://perseus.franklins.net/whymacssuck.wmv

Odd Keywords

2005-08-13T22:13:00.000-04:00

Today I was looking at some search keywords that had been used to find my site on search engines and I found this very interesting keyword, "psychological treatment therapy diaper fetish abuse". So I decided to do search of my own to see what this would come back with and here is a link to what I found. Click here for my search

Peter Jennings Dies

2005-08-08T00:27:00.000-04:00

Peter Jennings the anchor of ABC News's World News Tonight has died at the age of 67 due to lung cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with the Jennings family.

ABC News: Peter Jennings Dies at 67

Microsoft don't bully the web!

2005-08-03T21:42:00.000-04:00

In a recent article on WindowsITPro.com by Paul Thurrott he called for a boycott of Microsoft and their Internet Explorer product. He ended his remarks on the decision by Microsoft to not make the next version of Internet Explorer completely compliant with the web standards with this:

“My advice is simple: Boycott IE. It's a cancer on the Web that must be stopped. IE isn't secure and isn't standards-compliant, which makes it unworkable both for end users and Web content creators. Because of their user bases, however, Web developers are hamstrung into developing for IE at the expense of established standards that work well in all other browsers. You can turn the tide by demanding more from Microsoft and by using a better alternative Web browser. I recommend and use Mozilla Firefox, but Apple Safari (Macintosh only) and Opera 8 are both worth considering as well.”

The standards he speaks of are ones set by separate entity than Microsoft, a company that controls the market like the juggernaut they are. Because of the undeniable control of the web Microsoft in my opinion, whether they should or not, does set the standard. How can something that over 85% of the people who use the internet day in and day out not be the standard? Just by the command of their market share Microsoft is and sets the standards.

Now do I think this is right? The simple answer is no. But because of the commanding lead and almost impossibility of Microsoft not being the dominant force on the web for at least until the end of this decade, unless some unseen force changes that, Microsoft will be the standard. We as developers and consumers must accept this fact and live with it until we can change things. Since the majority of web users will not switch to a more “standards” compliant browser we must show Microsoft that we want the browser to conform in anyway it can to create a more open environment on the web for alternative browsers, but how can we accomplish this?

I have to say when I first saw Thurrott’s call for a boycott I thought that he was jumping the gun and making a fool of himself for making a war cry for a non-issue. Microsoft has set the standard so other browsers need to conform to those. But the more I thought about it the more I realized he was right. Microsoft does need to be more accepting of the standards that other browsers follow. Microsoft is the big bully in the playground we call the internet and they are trying to use their might of control over that playground so that others are forced to use them to use the playground and all it offers. By forcing websites to use the standards that Microsoft has set they have mad the web in some way incompatible with other browsers than the one they make. To truly experience the web the way you are meant to you are forced to use Internet Explorer because of the bullying that Microsoft has done.

Microsoft does though seem to be setting themselves up for a better browser. By at least attempting to comply with the standards they can without breaking the web into an unusable wasteland of broken sites they show that they are trying. The only question I ask is are they doing all they can without turning the internet into a wasteland? Hopefully they are and maybe with this new focus on standards compliance they can slowly transition to a more standard compliant browser that stops bullying sites into building a site for Internet Explorer and not the internet. Am I going as far as Thurrott to call for a boycott? No, but I am calling for developers to slowly transition from the old way of the internet relying on Internet Explorer and move onto the standards that have been accepted by the other browsers available. Maybe by doing this Microsoft will see they have been left behind and begin to transition Internet Explorer into a better browser.

Bush: Teach Intelligent Design (Creation)

2005-08-01T23:46:00.000-04:00

President Bush said on Monday that he believes that intelligent design should be taught alongside of evolution in public schools. He said, "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought... You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes". He would not comment on what his beliefs of our origins were.

...intelligent design says life on earth is too complex to have developed through evolution, implying that a higher power must have had a hand in creation...

Tomorrow I will try and get a more in-depth write up here on the blog.

Source: MSNBC/ AP

Is Microsoft the future of open-source?

2005-07-30T12:27:00.000-04:00

Bill Thompson has this article running on the BBC discussing a possible future for Microsoft in the open-source community. He proposes Microsoft creating a separate operating system that is based on freely distributed GNU/Linux code but is compatible with not only Linux but Windows and OS X applications as well. This could be done, according to him, in about a year if they devoted many of their resources to the development and improvement of the Linux code to a scope that would make the Microsoft version so advanced that other Linux distributions could not catch up and effectively make all other Linux versions obsolete by the time the code hit the market. He says that this could allow Microsoft to control the project and deliver updates and patches to its consumers for free in a much speedier amount of time because of all the resources and experience available at Microsoft compared to the classic open-source project. Meanwhile Microsoft slowly phases out its Windows division in favor of this new open-source OS. Microsoft would provide the OS for free but keep many of its other applications closed-source like its Office products. Before long those already running alternatives to Microsoft, like the classic-Linux, would be forced to switch to Microsoft’s version because they become outdated and incompatible with the new Microsoft controlled OS market.

“The net's core architecture moves over too, with Micrix on the DNS root servers, and even Google migrates the Googleplex's servers, simply because the support environment is better and patches are rolled out more efficiently and with fewer errors.” - Bill Thompson

The idea in theory seems like it could work and would make Microsoft the dominant player on nearly all computers and markets in the world effectively killing the competition again. If they distributed the OS in the right way I can see how they could effectively run a massive uber monopoly but avoid any and all legal actions because they wouldn’t control the OS since its freely open to the public to change in anyway they wanted to. Microsoft would control the world one PC at a time.

But we need to realize something, the chances of something like this happening are slim and the amount of changes that would need to be taken in the ideology of management are enormous. The thought that runs rampant through Microsoft that open-source is “evil” would have to be dropped and the transition from an closed-source to open-source development model for its largest division could either destroy the company or turn it around and be the company of choice, not necessity, once again. This change could set Microsoft back on a course that would reclaim their title as the “good guys” of technology that they lost so many years ago. They would still use the same “innovation” model that they have used for years that gave them he nickname of the “borg” because they would take GNU/Linux and assimilate its technology into their own product. I guess the future of technology at this point is a mystery, which development model will win? Will closed-source development reclaim its crown as the model of choice, will the open-source model take over becoming the defacto standard of the industry, or will some other model take flight possibly a hybrid of the two? Only time will tell.

Read the article.

Windows Vista Beta1 Released

2005-07-27T15:01:00.000-04:00

Microsoft released the first Beta of its next-generation operating system called Windows Vista, codename Longhorn. This Beta primarily focuses on the basics of the OS and it will be used to test the basic core of the OS for security, dependability, and management. Many of the features useful for end-users are missing from the Beta and are expected to be seen in Beta2, which will be released either by the end of this year or the beginning of next. Beta2 will be more widely available and released to the public while Beta1 is for developers and IT professionals and is released by invite only. More information about this Beta will be available soon and I will update you on what I learn.

This is the first Beta release of the OS and follows on the heels of the naming of the product just last week symbolizing a fresh new start for the OS that has been suffering from problems of its long development time and loss of interest in the community, this is also the earliest Microsoft has ever released the final name of a product further evidence that Microsoft wants to leave behind the "failures" associated with the Longhorn name.

Man killed in London 'unconnected' to blasts

2005-07-23T13:57:00.000-04:00

Police said Saturday that a man shot and killed on a subway car had nothing to do with an investigation into a series of bombing attacks Thursday on London's transit system.

Read more on the story on MSNBC.COM

It's official, Windows Vista

2005-07-22T09:07:00.000-04:00

As was reported last night, it's official the next version of Microsoft's Windows operating system will be called Windows Vista. Below is Microsoft's announcement video and the explanation of the name from the Windows Vista site

Watch the Windows Vista Announcement Video
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Bringing clarity to your world.
Today we live in a world of more information, more ways to communicate, more things to do. There is more you can do and even more you can discover.
Every day, millions of people around the globe rely on their Windows PC to manage their increasingly digital lives. While familiar tools for managing digital information are powerful, today's world requires more.
In today's digital world, you want the PC to adapt to you, so you can cut through the clutter and focus on what's important to you.

Introducing Windows VistaÂ
It enables a new level of confidence in your PC and in your ability to get the most out of it.
It introduces clear ways to organize and use information the way you want to use it.
It seamlessly connects you to information, people, and devices that help you get the most out of life.

Windows gets a name, Windows Vista

2005-07-21T23:09:00.000-04:00

Paul Thurrott of WindowsIT Pro is reporting that the next version of Windows codenamed Longhorn will be called Windows Vista. He says the announcement will come on Friday July 22, 2005, in a press brief that will arrive around 9:00AM. Lets look into the name to see why they would have picked that name.

Vista: Noun {C}1 - A view, especially a splendid view from a high position.2 - A possible future action or event that you can imagine.

Well it seems fitting since Longhorn’s Aero UI will provide a “beautiful” interface and will launch Windows into the future, and hopefully for Microsoft in a future that they catch up to the competition. The name sounds more like something Apple would choose than Microsoft. It doesn’t seem to fit in with the previous naming scheme that they have chosen to use since their inception years ago. I say that until I think about the name a little more and realize it follows the same scheme as Windows XP did. If you didn’t know the XP was short for eXPerience, which is what Microsoft used in the creation of that version to provide the most stable and usable version to date. Now with Vista they are showing how they have taken what they started with XP and are taking that to splendid new heights as far as you can imagine. Hopefully the name will go well with consumers, right now I’m undecided whether I like it or not. Time will tell. I will have to read over the press brief and see why Microsoft has chosen that name and maybe that will help make up my mind.

BrainDump: Return to Flight - Two Years Later

2005-07-13T00:31:00.000-04:00

Image Source: NASA.GOV
A quick and unedited "dump" of my thoughts on our return to flight, written at 12:30AM so please forgive me. (I need to do this stuff earlier!)

Today we return to flight. We as a people have been grounded since the dawn of time, stuck on this rock we call Earth, and in just the past century for the first time we were able to leave and enter a world like no other before. It was the call and the innovations made in the recent past that have allowed us the leave Earth and enter space to go where no man has gone before. The early years of our race to space were full of mishaps and failures but when we got it right we got it right. We put a man in space, a man on the moon, limits to our abilities seemed to no longer exist. The limitations of man had disappeared we could now come and go as we please. The journey to space was not easy but it was something that had to be done. Space flights in the early years were exciting and new but in the more recent days we began to see space travel as not begin a big deal and the excitement ceased. Two years ago the space shuttle exploded and Americans and the world began to cry out and wanted to know what went wrong. The world shutdown for full focus on the events, the world stood still once again because of an event in space. It was a disaster that put our focus back on the space missions, we cared again, we knew we had to return to space. NASA grounded the shuttles for nearly two years to examine what went wrong and try to fix it, and today we return to space. We will no longer we stuck on the rock, we will no longer have the limitations of this planet stopping us, we will go back to where few men have gone before, we will be back in space! Good Luck and God Speed.

WeeklyRoundUp for July 8th

2005-07-08T12:01:00.000-04:00

Well this is my new WeeklyRoundUp, I thought I would wait until Friday morning to type it up and just write about what I could remember about the week but it seems I am having trouble remembering things to put in. So next week I will write them as they go and then put it all together on Friday. The WeeklyRoundUp will be a way for me to comment on the fly so you can see exactly what I'm thinking, in fact I will not even go back and proofread the text so it is as genuine as possible.

This week was for the most part a good week. I celebrated Independence Day with some friends, and was told I got somewhat gitty although I don’t remember much of it. And that I don’t remember much of it was odd since all I had was Cheerwine* and snack food, but anyway. I saw the new Tom Cruise movie “War of the Worlds”, say that ten times fast, and I thought it was a great movie although the ending leaves you with questions of how and why.

Then on Thursday I woke up to a surprise. Some man woke me up that went by the name of Tiger, said the same way as the Pooh character’s name, he wanted to know about a storm door quote that he had left. He had woken me up from a deep sleep and I was not happy right then, I couldn’t go back to sleep for a while so I turned the TV on and saw what had happened in London. I was still half a sleep so the news didn’t really hit me at that point, I knew what happened and understood it but it didn’t affect me for a while. I soon turned back over and went to sleep, when I woke up this time it hit me what had happened. Terrorist had struck in the heart of London! Many had been killed, hundreds injured, and more deaths were coming. My heart and prayers go out to the people of London and the UK, this is further evidence we need to hunt down and destroy those who strike with these cowardly acts of terror against the innocents.

I was watching a rerun of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart this morning and he had an interview with Howard Dean. I noticed something when Dean was asked what the plan was that the Democrats had that was better than the GOP’s he couldn’t answer the question. He changed the subject a little, enough you couldn’t notice, but he never actually answered the question of what the plan was. So does this mean the Democrats have no plan, just don’t know what it is, or don’t know how to say it?

I thought since I was drinking Cheerwine and its not available in most areas I would tell you what it is. It is a soft drink with as they say, “ a unique cherry taste and rich burgundy color”. L.D. Peeler first created Cheerwine in Salisbury, NC in 1917. It is one of the best drinks I have ever tasted and you haven’t lived if you’ve never had a Cheerwine. For more information on Cheerwine check out Cheerwine.com, and if you want to try some Cheerwine you can order it online here.