Posted September 3rd, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Web
Google announced Monday that it was going to release a beta of it’s Web Browser yesterday, or today once we account for the time zones. It’s not out yet, but do expect a quick review once it is. Perhaps one of the interesting things is that they actually used a comic book to introduce it which can be found here - Google Chrome Comic.
The web browser entitled Google Chrome will be open source and will take elements from Mozilla’s Gecko / Firefox, Apples Safari / Web Kit and even Internet Explorer. It will have the usual features such as tabs, and I think we can assume it will have the Google-powered phishing filter and such that come built into Mozilla Firefox, and I also expect a Google Search box. The browser is also promising faster speed, better stability and more powerful JavaScript. It will have Gears built in. It will also take a feature from Internet Explorer by utilising sandboxing for each tab which should help in the fight against malware by limiting its access to the Operating System. (although I think Internet Explorer just sandboxes the entire process, and not the individual tabs)
Now, I’m happy to see Google enter the browser space. Diversity and choice can only help the web and if done right, it won’t affect coding process for the web designers / developers with bug after bug (like IE, grr). I do however have a few concerns / comments / questions.
- Will Google’s AdSense ads target based on browsing history now? Since its open-source, I guess if this happens, someone can just strip it out and release it fairly easily. It would be a privacy policy nightmare I’m sure.
- What does this mean with the inclusion of WebKit / KHTML in Android? Will the Google Browser replace this?
- Why now? It has been rumored and denied for years now that this was / wasn’t coming. Why now suddenly? What has changed?
- Will I have the option of mapping functions to non-Google services? Since Google has products and services in several common spaces, its possible that things like the Mail button will be tied to Gmail, the search engine tied to Google, the bookmarks tied to Google notebook?, the RSS functions tied to Google Reader and so on. Can I change these? (lets disregard that I use Google for all that besides the bookmarks which I don’t use anyway, except to manage the link page in this blog where I use Delicious)
- The browser promises better memory management but is 31 processes for 30 tabs really that much better? Or, am I more likely to run out of memory? I mean a process - doesn’t that load into memory more then just the page data? I guess I don’t know what I’m talking about here - I code in PHP afterall - I don’t have to worry about this.
- Google’s pages are not exactly known for their conformance to standards, I hope the browser does a better job. Considering they are apparently using WebKit, we are probably safe there.
- Will this work under Linux? What about Mac OS X? — seems its going to be available on both platforms eventually.
I think Google is in a good position to make a dent in Internet Explorer’s market share (and any browser is a good alternative - well the main ones), due to a combination of brand recognition, that almost everyone uses Google Search at least, and resources. I’m also hoping that this doesn’t hurt Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Opera but I guess it’s inevitable that some users will switch.
Giood luck, Google! I think we’ll be holding you to the “Don’t be evil!” policy though.
Yeah, I guess that’s all I had to say. Good night!
Posted September 2nd, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: University
The assignment I talked about in my last post was handed in yesterday morning. I met the word count after hours of sitting at the PC, and I eventually found myself desiring more words in which to write within. I had to leave the report incomplete and have a shorter conclusion / recommendation section then I would have wanted. I think about 600 - 1000 more words would have allowed me to cover the topic properly but I would have been penalised for it, and well I was to tired to write more by that point anyway.
I’ve started my new subjects, Internet: Cyberanalytics and Internet: Policy, Regulation and Governance. I think Cyberanalytics would be better taken before Internet: Media Business, so if your reading this and your choosing subjects, do Cyberanalytics first. I’m sure it would help with the research report assignment.
~ Chris
Posted August 30th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: University
I’m currently working on a report tentatively entitled Feasibility of Proactive Removal of Infringing Videos for my Internet Media Business class. I’m limiting my scope to Veoh.com but most of it should be applicable to other video-sharing sites as well.
Its incredibly interesting to explore this concept of copyrighted material being uploaded to services without permission of the copyright holders, and the actions that can be taken to prevent such from occurring.
I’ll post a copy of the report once I receive marks for it.
I’ve also managed to pick up a bug while I’m doing this, not great at a time when assignments are due.
Posted August 17th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Japanese
First half of Hiragana memorised well enough. On to the second half now, I made the mistake of attempting them all at once though. Must try less at one time.
I learned some particles and about state of being which has increased my ability to create sentences. Not sure I have these ones completely memorised though.
I think I’m going through to fast. I need to slow down. I look at the amount of characters I’ll have to learn and well it seems kind of, hopeless. But I know thinking that way will only be harmful to progress.
Posted August 13th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Anime
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya has a concept that suggests that it will not be as awesome as it actually is. You’d be making a mistake if you merely avoid this anime for the sheer randomness or just plain weirdness of the plot. Its a story fuelled by the characters and a concept of which we may all be able to relate to, if we come from the right direction.
Read More
Posted August 13th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: University
Yeah, my two final assignments are due soon. I’m in for an excellent 17 days, aren’t I?
I basically have the following:
Final Web Site Design for Internet Design: Advanced
I have to code up the website I designed in my previous assignment. Not that difficult really, the main issue will be creating the imagery.
Research Report for The Internet: Internet Media Business
I have to write a 2000 word research report on a topic of my choice related to Internet Media Businesses’ that I have come across during the group assignment. I’m having difficulty choosing. At least, its not an essay.
I didn’t mention this in the blog earlier, but we finally got the group assignment in … at 2am, but we did it!
I finished The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series the other day and I have posted a review on Blissful Tears.
Posted August 12th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Japanese
Yeah, I’ve attempted this before, but never made a serious attempt. I did take Japanese in my first two years of Secondary College but I didn’t learn anything beyond the basics and dropped it once I had the chance in Year 9. The second attempt occurred in Year 12, but I was swamped in work, and among other things, suffering from a lot of sleep deprivation which resulted in me falling asleep when I got home and was supposed to be studying. The teachers hated that.
Now, I’ve been talking about learning it properly for awhile now and yesterday I decided to actually make a serious attempt at it. I’ll admit to being caught in the moment a bit, but I actually have a chance to make this work this time. I think. I hope.
Ebi-kun seems encouraging and I’m sure I’ll annoy her way to much with pointless newbie questions.
I made 16 flash cards with adjectives yesterday, and last night I found some software called Human Japanese which seems pretty good. I promptly got a hold of a copy and have been going through it. The pronunciation is a hassle, as English speakers have thousands of possible sounds that changes according to a letters placement in a word. Japanese however, I only have to pronounce around 110 or so sounds which in a way makes it simpler because I don’t have to learn to make new sounds with my mouth, but then I have a lot of habits as an English speaker that will be hard to break but will be necessary, if I am not going to sound like a total fool.
Anyway, kind of skimming the pronunciation at the moment (I’m having difficulty although I have voice samples to imitate and a wealth of description!), and I’ve progressed to the next section which is about Writing Hiragana, so I’ve made like 16 flash cards with Hiragana on them and I’m attempting to memorise them and their respective sounds. So I guess a goal with be to be able to read Hiragana and Katakana by the end of the month, and write them within 3 months. Kanji can wait, I do not look forward to those. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to slowly commit to memory common adjectives, particles and verbs as I see them as a necessity. I’ll pick nouns up as needed and hopefully eventually build a vocabulary that will allow me to guess things based on context rather then having to look them up every single time.
The eventual goal is to be fluent, but for now I’m aiming to understand TV shows without subtitles and carry on a conversation whether in Romanji or Kana.
Does anyone have any advice or tips? words of encouragement? If so, I would be appreciative. 
Posted August 6th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Site
I’m attempting to change our DNS to a different service but keep the hosting here. Assuming everything goes correctly, no downtime will be experienced. However, I am not exactly sure on the settings and thus we may experience some downtime for all Sorrowful Unfounded hosted websites.
I apologise for the inconvenience.
Edit: The change seems to have been a success. However, it may be up to 48 hours before all users see the changes.
Posted August 5th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Anime
The target of a search by the 2nd and 3rd Squads, Ichigo, Rukia and Kannogi are in hiding. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Rurichiyo has been captured by Kumoi. Deciding to go search for Rurichiyo, as soon as Ichigo and company reach the surface, they are confronted by Captain Amagai. Read More
Posted August 4th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Anime
The liberation of Japan begins, but first Lelouch must confront Suzaku in an effort to save Nunnally. Read More