http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26519075

Chrome vs. IE 8: A side-by-side comparison
On first glance, both browsers are speedy, but Chrome is faster

Google knows how to lure users with the seeming simplicity of its products, even though there’s a great deal of complexity going on behind the scenes. Microsoft often makes products that seem to create more work than they should for users.

That dichotomy is evident in the companies’ Web browsers — Google’s new Chrome and Microsoft’s Windows Internet Explorer 8, both out in beta, or test, versions. (Msnbc.com is a Microsoft-NBC Universal joint venture.)

Chrome shines in its simplicity, while IE 8 brings some better functionality to an existing product.

Both have lots to offer users. Whether either is a good fit for you will depend on your needs. Just as learning a new operating system can be time-consuming, if you’re already happy with the Web browser you use, whether it’s Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari, or Opera, you don’t have to download either Chrome or IE 8, both of which are free.

However, if you like to use different Web browsers at different times, and some people do, you may want to experiment with both.

Visually, Chrome is basic, spare and efficient, an antidote to the busy, cluttered look of Internet Explorer, and the anxiety it can provoke once you get lost within its menus.

I asked Google to explain the meaning of its new browser’s name, and the explanation fit with what the product evinces.

Chrome refers to “the user interface of the browser that surrounds the Web page,” said Erin Fors of Google. “The 'chrome' is everything other than the site itself, including the address bar, toolbars, the window controls and the frame around the bottom.

“With Google Chrome, we've designed the 'chrome' to be minimal so that users are primarily experiencing the sites and Web applications they're visiting.

When you launch a Web application from a desktop shortcut in Google Chrome, the address bar and other browser controls is removed so the 'chrome' is further reduced to just the application frame.”

Chrome has almost a retro feel to it, as if this is how Web browsing should have been 10 years ago, during a (relatively) simpler time, when the Internet for the masses was still new and all about exploring interesting sites rather than having a knee-slapping night of entertainment finding the grossest videos available on YouTube.

Both are speedy; Chrome is faster
I did some initial testing of both Web browsers on a year-old ThinkPad running Windows Vista. Chrome is available for both Vista and XP; Google says versions of Chrome are in the works for the Mac and Linux operating systems.

I also use Safari on a Mac, and Firefox on both the Mac and the PC. Firefox remains my preferred browser for now on both operating systems, having proven itself as relatively stable.

I found both Chrome and Internet Explorer 8 to work quickly, although Chrome, less laden with add-ons, moves at lightning speed.

Its basic interface shows a Web address bar, back and forward buttons, a refresh button and two menus, one for tools and another to handle items such as creating new tabs, new windows and copying and pasting. (By way of comparison, to do those same functions in IE means using three different menus.)

In Internet Explorer, the Web site tabs remain located below the address bar, as they are in Firefox. Chrome puts the tabs above the address bar, giving a truer appearance of file folders in a cabinet.

I’ve never had good luck with having more than two tabs open at once in Internet Explorer before it hangs, in contrast to Firefox. Both Chrome and IE 8 seem to handle multiple tabs with no issues.

In IE 8, Microsoft has added “crash recovery” for tab crashes, so that when they do happen, the tab is restored and and the Web site reloaded as you had it. I’m happy to say I didn’t need to use crash recovery, and had six tabs open at once without incident, a record in my IE experiences.

Chrome’s home page is worth the download experience alone. It gives you a visual snapshot of your nine most-visited Web sites, making it easy to go back to them at any time. It also displays a handy list of recent bookmarks, and recently closed tabs, within easy click range on the home page.

Chrome and Internet Explorer 8 both have Web address bars that try to anticipate what you want to search for, or where you want to go, as soon as you type in a word. Chrome calls its auto-completion feature “Omnibox,” and IE 8’s is “Smart Address Bar.” Both of these worked well.

Both also have stealth surfing modes, but odds are neither will let you escape the eyes of a forensic examiner if your computer is confiscated.

Chrome’s is called “Incognito” mode, which you can slip into at any time by clicking on the same menu you use for creating a new tab. Google is quite clear about Incognito’s features.

“Browsing in Incognito mode only keeps Google Chrome from storing information about the Web sites you’ve visited. The Web sites you visit may still have records of your visit,” Google let me know before I enabled Incognito. “Any files saved to your computer will still remain on your computer.”

IE 8’s program is “InPrivate Browsing,” located in the Tools menu. InPrivate Browsing “ensures that history, temporary Internet files and cookies are not recorded on user’s PC after browsing,” according to Microsoft.

Internet Explorer 8 probably holds more excitement and interest for Web developers and IT managers than everyday Web users. Microsoft has added a lot under the hood to make IE 8 beefier in terms of security and Web development tools.

But for those of us who want a fast, no-nonsense Web-browsing experience, Chrome is a terrific option. Its ease of use does take some getting used to — imagine that! — and it’s an appealing entry into the competitive Web browsing market.

**Gatto recently on 3AW went real close(without stepping over the line) to making a death threat against Hinch....Hinch chose not to press charges.

Quote:Mick Gatto target of spoof Melbourne mayoral campaign
Article from: Herald Sun
Mary Bolling

September 03, 2008 12:00am

A SPOOF campaign nominating underworld identity Mick Gatto to be Melbourne's mayor shows residents could be prepared to vote for the underworld identity.

Yarra Trams seized half a dozen "Mick for mayor" postcards from a route 86 tram on Friday.

The cards purport to be distributed by the "Committee to Elect Domenic (sic) Gatto" and to be "authorised by D Hinch".

But a Herald Sun online poll shows Gatto could win a majority at Town Hall.

Asked if they would vote for the Carlton identity, 51 per cent said they would, 41 per cent said they would not, and 7 per cent said they would be too afraid to vote.

But neither Gatto nor his 3AW critic are laughing.

"I don't know anything about it," Gatto said yesterday.

"Maybe I would (run) if they asked me, but I've never heard about it before.

"It's a joke. Why else would it have Derryn Hinch's name on it?" he said.

Hinch was also in the dark about the postcards, which ask Melburnians to send suggestions for a Gatto campaign to replace Mayor John So in November's council elections to 3AW's mailing address.

"I'd say it's somebody with a sick sense of humour. What can you say? There are some fruit loops out there," he said.

"I would just hope, if he were elected as lord mayor, he'd be an absent one."

The card, bearing a council logo with a pair of guns inserted into the image, describes Gatto's "dedication to law and order" and bears a bogus endorsement from a former policeman who was investigated in relation to a murder.

"In all the years I have known Mr Gatto, I have always found him to be a man of great honesty and integrity," it reads.

The cards also take a swipe at council, saying Gatto's "first act as lord mayor will be to reform Melbourne City Council's electoral laws in order to bring an end to the corruption that plagues them so".

Quote:Australian arrested in Thailand for lese-majeste

BANGKOK (Reuters) - An Australian writer has been arrested in Thailand and faces a lese-majeste charge for publishing a novel deemed defamatory to the country's royal family, police and the Australian embassy said on Wednesday.

An embassy official identified the man as a 41-year-old from Melbourne and police named him as Harry Nicolaides, who was unaware there was an arrest warrant out for him when he tried to fly out from Bangkok to Australia on Sunday.

"An arrest warrant was issued in March for a book he wrote in 2005 deemed defamatory to the crown prince," Police Lieutenant-Colonel Boonlert Kalayanamit told Reuters.

He has been charged with lese-majeste, a crime that can carry a 15-year jail sentence in Thailand, and was being held at a remand prison pending further interviews, Boonlert said.

Nicolaides, a regular visitor to Thailand and briefly a resident, when he taught English and wrote for Australian newspapers, had not been granted bail, police said.

Police identified the novel in question as "Verisimilitude", described in publicity dated June 2005 on the phuket-info.com website as a "trenchant commentary on the political and social life of contemporary Thailand".

Remember all the Carnac jokes on the Tonight Show, in the days of Johnny Carson

Where he would hold up a sealed envelope to his forehead, telepathically give the answer, then open the envelope to read the question.

Just so happens I have some of those stored away.

Post em if u got em :

ANSWER: Clean air, a virgin and a gas station open on Sunday.

QUESTION: Name three things you won't find in Los Angeles.

Quote:Wrestling legend Killer Kowalski dies
Article from: The Daily Telegraph



September 01, 2008 12:00am

PROFESSIONAL wrestling legend Walter "Killer" Kowalski - one of the sport's early bad men and known for his stomach clutch - has died following a heart attack. He was 81.

Kowalski died at Whidden Hospital in Everett, Massachusetts, on Saturday - 12 days after his family decided to take him off life support. He had been in critical condition since his heart attack on August 8, wife Theresa Kowalski said.

An obituary posted at Weir Mac Cuish Family Funeral Home's Web site said Kowalski began his professional career in 1947. His 6-foot-7, 275-pound frame and a brutal wrestling style soon earned him the nickname "Killer."

He became known as a villain after severing part of Yukon Eric's ear during a match in Montreal in 1954. He visited his opponent in the hospital and "the two men began laughing at how silly Eric's bandages looked. The reporter incorrectly printed that Killer was laughing at his victim and soon after, Killer quickly became wrestling's most renowned 'heel,'" according to the Web site.

Kowalski later became famous for various moves, including a stomach vice grip called the Killer Clutch. He retired in 1977, a year after he and Big John Studd captured the WWF Tag Team Championship as The Executioners.

He went on to open a wrestling school in Malden, where he trained many current stars including WWE's Triple H.

Quote:PM to have absolute control; PAD to go on protesting despite state of emergency; more people join protest at Government House, pro-government protesters disperse, 24 schools in 3 districts closed

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

Reasoning that some groups of people caused disturbances in Bangkok that affect the peace and security, Samak announced the enforcement of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations in Bangkok.

The prime minister's order also appointed the army chief to be in charge of enforcing the emergency decree in Bangkok.

Thai PBS reported that the announcement exempted the enforcement paragraph 1 of Article 9 which prohibit people from leaving their houses, meaning people can still go t work.

The state of emergency prohibits gathering of more than five people.

The state of emergency authorises the authorities to evict people from any place or prohibit them from entering a place.

The state of emergency also prohibits news publicity in a way that terrifies the public.

The state of emergency also allows the authorities to detain suspects for seven days and would prohibit people from making illegal entries into government offices.

Pro-government protesters dispersed soon after learning about the emergency situation announcement.

But the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy said the protest would continue at Government House.

Thai PBS reporter reported from the scene that more people came out to join the rally Tuesday morning.

Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the state of emergency would allow the prime minister to have absolute control.

Sathit said it seemed that the government foresaw the violence and state of emergency. He said the prime minster and People Power MPs indicated the violence would take place when they spoke during a debate on the political crisis Sunday night.

Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niampradit said the people should stay calm and the government would take only necessary actions.

It was announced on TVs that 24 schools in three districts of Bangkok would be closed indefinitely.

Quote: State of emergency declared in Bangkok

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured.

State and private broadcasting stations declared the state of emergency at 7am

Quote:A doctor confirmed on Tuesday that a man was killed and dozens were injured in the clash between pro-and anti-government protesters near the Government House.

Dr Petchpong Kamjornkitjakarn of Erawan Rescue Centre identified the first victim was Narongsak Kohtaisong. He died from wounds caused by impact of blunt object.

One of the injured was shot at chest while another has gunshot wounds, the doctor said.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals including Wajira, Hua Chiew and Rama Dhibodi.

Quote:Anti-riot soldiers arrive to help police handle the clash

Anti-riot soldiers arrived at clash site at about 3pm to assist the police who had been sandwiched between pro- and anti-government protesters.

Army Commander in Cheif Gen Anupong Paojinda ordered the deployment.

Quote:Army, police chiefs say state of emergency not warranted yet


Both Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Phatcharawat Wongsuwan said Tuesday that the situation has not yet warranted an announcement of state of emergency.

The two gave call-in interviews to Thai PBS channel.

The Nation

Quote:PAD take away official documents senior official

The People's Alliance for Democracy seized all the documents involving hiring, procurement and purchase of government projects kept inside the Government, PM's Office Permanent Secretary Chulayuth Hiranyawasit said Monday.

He added that the officials from his agency went into the Government House to bring some documents out so that they can continue working. They found that those documents had been taken by the PAD.

TheNation

Manchester City have agreed a takeover deal with the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (Adug), the club has confirmed.

"Manchester City can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Abu Dhabi United Group (Adug) and Manchester City Football Club Limited," a club statement read. "A period of due diligence for all parties, including the FA Premier League, has now been entered."

Thaksin Shinawatra, who will remain at the club as honorary president without any administrative responsibilities, agreed the deal last night to sell the club to Adug, who will be represented on the new City board by Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim. "We will release details later, but this is a great event for both the club and Abu Dhabi," said Al-Fahim, the chief executive of Hydra Properties. "Our goal is very simple: to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League, and to begin with to finish in the top four this season."

According to Arabian Business, negotiations between City and Adug began three weeks ago and were completed last night at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Dubai. Al-Fahim said that Adug will clear any club debts and pending payments, and provide money to bring in some of the world's best players. He also hopes that in turn the deal will make Abu Dhabi more prominent in the world of sport and economics.

"We in Abu Dhabi United Company for Development and Investment are keen to develop ways to provide support and care for various sports activities to help build and develop a new generation of young State, which represents the real wealth and the future of this nation and the cornerstone for building the future of our civilisation," he said.

"As embodied in our mission to open new horizons in all kinds of sports, it will enable them to enjoy healthy body and mind, thanks to the lessons we have learned from the wise leadership in Abu Dhabi.

"We will adopt marketing plans that reflect positively on the club and the company from investments in all sectors of television marketing and purchasing of the stars players, as well as development of infrastructure facilities at the club."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/...feed=sport