It’s been just days since Microsoft released the second preview version of its flagship web browser that shocked me in disbelief, turning my negative expectations on Internet Explorer down. Now, we heard that Google just released its own browser dubbed as Chrome. For Google and its followers, it sounds like an exciting, business tool; for other browser developers, it’s less than a threat; for web developers like me, while it performs good, it’s also another piece of crap.

Why Release A New Browser?

Google’s engineers have succeeded to deliver their own web browser developed for two years, but why did Google choose to develop its own browser, considering that the current browsers are already excellent in many ways? Trust me if you set aside your beliefs, you would find that today’s current browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Opera) are already more than enough.

So why develop Chrome? Well, Google could say they mind us for this — but actually, it’s for their business. Google wants more so it needs ways to expand…and to have its own web browser is the best way. With it, Google can effortlessly tap more audience and infuse its web services to expand its market.

Google Chrome Is A “Virgin”

What are Microsoft and Mozilla have to say about Google Chrome? Well, neither of them find Chrome as a great threat for the time being. Both have expressed that Google is new to the browser market and it can’t shook their user base (yet) just like that. While Google Chrome in perception is aimed to flirt users using Internet Explorer, I definitely feel that Mozilla Firefox will suffer the greatest consequence should Google decide to halt support to Mozilla’s browser. Google Search has been the default search engine on Mozilla Firefox browser and because of that it makes Google one of their biggest source of funds. But that is not about to happen yet, Google Chrome is still like a virgin — people may find its speed hot, still it is undeniably tight-featured and inexperienced. By features alone, Google Chrome cannot stand against Firefox’s rich extensions library.

Google Wants Dominance, Empire Expansion

Like any other business, Google wants market dominance and with this goal in mind it already facing tough and tested industry giants such as Microsoft, Yahoo, among others. I particularly noticed Google battling Microsoft products even more in all possible, ethical ways. It seems to me that Google is becoming more and more like Microsoft except that it has the advantage of having the Web, which all technologies are shifting to, as its domain. Last year, we saw Google booming and acquiring heaps of other IT companies for its growing power. I have made a prediction that Google will fall this year, but with the advent of Google’s new browser that could change depending on how the people would be compelled to use it. Google could use its popular search engine as its weapon. However, it is good to note that Google Talk, Google’s own Internet messaging client, have failed to snatch the user base of Yahoo Messenger and other IMs. Google can’t have it all.

Should You Use Chrome?

Chrome by functionality and usability is pretty excellent, despite its freshness to the browser market and the fact that it’s just a preview version. Although I was awed by a faster Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 just released few weeks ago, I was even more enthralled to know that Chrome surpassed any available browsers on this planet in terms of JavaScript execution speed — and that means Chrome got muscles with it, considering that the trends of today’s web applications are shifting towards Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX). Chrome has been built above several opensource code engines that have blessed Firefox and Safari’s superb browsing performance. 

Personally, I liked the simplicity and minimalistic of Chrome’s interface. Its tabs look intuitive and futuristic. However, since it’s just beta (note: it’s version 0.2) and even if Google could still boost it a lot, the current one is still half-baked. It doesn’t have most features of today’s popular browsers have — and that sucks.

Another thing is that as a web developer, Google Chrome is again another browser platform. It’s another piece of crap where all my web pages will have to be tested to ensure compatibility. If Google plans to create its own web standards in web development and other browsers will not support it, that would definitely a pain in the butt for me and all other web developers.’

Try Google Chrome now then come back and let me know how you find it.

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 deserves the spotlight.

One day after Microsoft released IE 8 Beta 2, and after scratching the features, stability and reliability of the new Internet Explorer for 24 hours, it is clear that the Microsoft IE8 Beta 2 is an eye-opener for Microsoft and Internet Explorer pessimists like me. I’m pretty sure hardcore Firefox fans would not (or just hesitant) to believe this, but give Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 a try and you would believe how great this browser would be when its full version will be released — especially to web developers and Internet-savvy persons like me.

Considering the rapid and continuous shift of computing, social and business paradigms toward the Internet, Microsoft’s flagship web browser is surprisingly abreast and aware with this. Mozilla Firefox have been long hailed for its speed, openness, adherence to web standards and increased functionality — but now, Microsoft proves us it can do the same — at least finally. For sure, there are features that they somewhat copied from other web browsers, but they are worth copying to make our Web life easier, faster and exciting.

Hard-core Firefox Fans And Microsoft Haters: Listen

Avid Firefox fans like me for years can admit that the terms “Internet Explorer” and “Microsoft” are annoyances. And Microsoft cannot blame us with that: many people were disappointed with the release of Windows Vista, and the home browser that it comes with, the Internet Explorer 7, is slow and problematic. I agree that there were problems that came with the original Vista release, but I already have forgiven Microsoft with that after they released Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which encouraged me to love Vista even more and recommend to my friends that it’s now worth upgrading from Windows XP.

I was truly doubtful that IE 8 Beta 2 would satisfy my browsing needs. But after I installed it for fun, it seemed to be beyond my expectations. For a product that comes from Microsoft, that’s “record-breaking” (LOL) and great. If you are a long-time Microsoft products hater, try playing with the new web browser and you’ll see what serious market research can do.

Less Headaches To Web Developers

Web developers completely agree with me that coding compatibility is a pain in the butt especially when dealing with Internet Explorer browsers. I’ve been patronizing Firefox for its adherence to web standards and I used it as my main browser. Why? Because the sites I developed there looked and worked the same with most of other web browsers in the market such as Safari and Opera — and Internet Explorer is not always like that. I would add so many “trys and catches” in our code just for IE, especially with JavaScript or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX). However, that assumption is about to change with Internet Explorer 8 as they finally emphasized support on web standards and interoperability. So, it means less headaches for me and that is great.

I highly encourage that you discover and try Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 by downloading and trying it. It rocked a Microsoft hard-core pessimist like me. It will rock you too. Set aside your hatred and you’ll see that Microsoft’s efforts in giving us an excellent browser to experience and work with the Web is worthy of recognition for the time being.

Learn more by visiting Microsoft’s blog post related with Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 release.

…it came with new features, new speed, new look — and it made me forget Firefox for the moment.

“Wow!” With Emphasis 

The last time I patronized Internet Explorer was when I was still using its version 5 and 6 web browser — and it was because I haven’t heard of Firefox yet. When Firefox came into the scene after that, bringing better security, faster speed and tabbed browsing, that made my Internet Explorer 7 unused (except for web development purposes where I make sure that my web pages would work well with both browsers). Internet Explorer 7 was the worst IE I’ve ever encountered and it came pre-installed with my Windows Vista. It’s slow and annoying — far behind the performance of recently released Mozilla Firefox 3, and even its version 2.

Out of curiosity amplified by the rumors I read from web development and web hosting forums, and due to the nature of my work as a web developer, I downloaded and installed Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 two months ago. I wasn’t quite impressed to it actually as it performs similarly like Internet Explorer 7 — and it was meant to be that way. Microsoft purposively released IE8 Beta 1 for web developers who want to work on their coding and make them compatible with the full version release of IE8. As one of the developers who took advantage of IE8 Beta 1, I was happy to learn that the forthcoming Internet Explorer 8 is more compliant with web standards.

When I read from Yahoo’s tech news that Internet Explorer Beta 2 is already out, I didn’t hesitate to download and install it from its homepage. It took me two reboots on my Windows Vista: first after I uninstalled Internet Explorer Beta 1 and the second one is after I installed Internet Explorer Beta 2. It took quite a portion of my time but I was patient enough for it. When I return to my desktop, I immediately ran Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 and surprise: it was able to awe me with emphasis (as in, “WOW!!!”) with its new look, its amazingly newfound rendering speed, and intelligent, whopping features. Looks like Microsoft has finally able to please me once again after all my complaints with its previous web browser versions.

IE8 Beta 2 Got The Muscles To Punch Firefox 3 Out Of The Ring

I love IE8 Beta 2′s new, clean looking tabs and completely revamped Autocomplete and Search features. Now, tab switching and web browsing is fast (even faster at times compared to Firefox 3, in fact). I was asking myself “Where did this browser got this speed? And why it wasn’t like this before?” Looks like this time, Microsoft really seriously developed this web browser to prevent any competitor from dethroning IE. And since they finally listened to people’s complaints (especially web developers), they made a very good move.

IE8 Beta 2 presents a couple of new features. A new feature called “InPrivate” lets you browse the Web without leaving any trace (no history, cookies, etc) — which is good for security and anonymous browsing (you might want to call this “porn mode” — lol ). Well, I will not try to convince you to trust Microsoft, but I think I finally do trust them because their new features just work.

IE 8 Beta 2 also features “Accelerator” which lets us discover new services; “Web Slices” which lets us slice a portion of a website so we can have up-to-date information even though we are not actually visiting that website; “SmartScreen Filter” for additional protection against deceptive and malicious websites and the Compatibility View which displays an image on the web browser’s address bar if the web page is meant for older browsers. This feature, and IE 8 Beta 2′s integrated Developer Tools really made my heart rejoice as a web developer. I’ve been looking such features before and I only found them in Firefox add-on feature. Now, Microsoft is dragging me back to their base.

…it was already able to please a long-time Microsoft Internet Explorer pessimist like me

Despite the fact that Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is still beta, and it could still offer a lot more on its full release, it was already able to please a long-time Microsoft Internet Explorer pessimist like me. Firefox had already snatched my heart for a long time, but now with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, I’m reassessing myself because I believe it now deserves love too, even from you.

Experience for yourself the latest preview version of Internet Explorer 8, and believe me it is one of the most satisfying Microsoft products I have ever known. Two thumbs up with pride. (Wow! I can’t believe I said that!)

Aspiring 3D artists and enthusiasts rejoice: thanks to Microsoft, TrueSpace software finally goes completely free for everyone. Now, you can do 3D modeling, 3D animation and 3D production without incurring any cost at all!

Although I’ve been a good fan of other professional 3D modeling and animation software such as Autodesk’s  3ds Max versions and the former renowned Maya, I would say TrueSpace has real muscles to compete  — no wonder why Microsoft decided to purchase Caligari, the developer company of TrueSpace, and have their product to work with Virtual Earth 3D and Live Search Maps. Based on my own experience, TrueSpace is easier to use and there are lots of comprehensible official and unofficial tutorials available on the Web. It is best for both students, 3D enthusiasts and professionals.

To get the software, you need to visit TrueSpace page on Caligari’s site and register. This registration is used for you to gain access to their support forums, shared spaces which are very useful for beginners, and technical support.

I have downloaded the software myself, installed it on my Windows Vista and it really rocked! The free download comes not only with the 3D modeling software, but with nifty tutorials in PDF format as well, coupled with downloadable videos.

The version that I got is Caligari TrueSpace 7.6 and you can download it using this link. If you finish any 3D rendition from using that software, send it to me and I will post it on this blog. Enjoy!

Of course, the news got me excited as I am a Vista lover myself despite the odds that were brought about by its original package. I am certain that many patient Vista users are hopeful that the service pack would deliver solutions to the major issues of the operating system and improve further significantly its overall performance. I once posted in this blog how I love Windows Vista but I also pointed out some gray areas that I wished to be improved. The service pack most likely would address them.

To end users like me, here are the major features we have to care for included in Windows Vista Service Pack 1:

• Previously-released updates, security patches, and fixes (if you missed them).
• Windows Vista kernel update from version 6.0 to 6.1 for Windows Server 2008 compatibility.
• Changes to Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) that will remove the Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) and Non-Genuine State (NGS) mode. If you’re using a genuine Windows Vista, then you don’t have to worry about this.
• Changes to Kernel Patch Protection “PatchGuard” feature. This lets antivirus products to integrate tightly to the operating system.
• Changes to Vista’s Instant Search feature. Now, third party desktop search products like Google Desktop can integrate more with Windows Vista.
• Device compatibility improvement: Windows Vista SP1 will now support over 80,000 devices than its original package support of 40,000 devices.
• File operation improvements. Microsoft says SP1 will enhance the file copy operations both local and network from 44 to 71 percent. I am definitely very happy for this.
• Increased reliability and security. Windows Vista SP1 is expected to deliver higher number of hours between disruptions. Meaning, things like non-responding applications, application hangs and crashes, and system crashes, are significantly reduced.

So, what do you think?

How Vista SP1 Will Be Distributed and When

How and when Windows Vista SP1 will be distributed is a bit confusing. What is certain is that Microsoft will deploy Service Pack 1 release starting the second or third week of March.

To those who have Windows Vista on their PCs and laptops (like me), you will be able to install the service pack in a staged manner through Windows Update. Last week, I got one of the two prerequisite updates of Windows Vista SP1 installation. Microsoft will also release standalone download installations of Vista SP1 through Microsoft Download Center on mid-March. PCs and laptops with Windows Vista SP1 pre-installed, Windows Vista SP1 for enterprise customers, and Windows Vista SP1 retail copies, will be released in the coming months after the upcoming distribution on March.

Oh well, while I’m still waiting for its release, I’ll just keep my fingers crossed. I trust Microsoft with this. How about you?

Are your ready for Vista SP1?

Braindump Exams: PMI-001 is almost as complicated as 640-816. This is why both are awarded same level of credibility and hence qualify one for 650-393. For those who want to go for 70-648, it is compulsory to write 1z0-042

Well actually, Windows Live services are not really attached to any Windows operating system, although Windows Vista may appear to be a “little bias” with the timing of the release. Windows Live constitutes some desktop but mainly web applications that are meant to extend and improve the Windows user experience. These experiences are grouped by Microsoft into three categories where Windows Live services and applications fall in: informed, connected and protected.

The first thing I scrutinized is the Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft’s instant messaging (IM) client previously known in its early versions as MSN Messenger. It is one of the services and software that belongs to the “connected” category of Windows Live. So, without further ado, here are the good, the bad, and the worst things (yes, they exist) of Microsoft’s flagship IM.

The Good

Considering its track record, Windows Live Messenger is the ultimate product of Microsoft’s IM “evolution” to date. I’ve used MSN Messenger before, though I admit that I am not an avid user of it because there are just terrible things that didn’t amuse me.

By first run, I was truly impressed by the lush implementation of Windows Vista-styled graphical user interface (GUI). It doesn’t just look simple, it’s straightforward and I considered it one of the sexiest IM clients I’ve seen this year next to the Yahoo Messenger for Vista pre-beta version. Well, not all GUI stuffs of this messenger are applaudable, you’ll find out later the shortcomings.

I was truly impressed by the lush implementation of Windows Vista-styled GUI. It doesn’t just look simple, it’s straightforward and I considered it one of the sexiest IM clients I’ve seen.

Functionality-wise, the Windows Live Messenger is supercharged. Chatting, voice and video call works great – no major complaints with that. Its interoperability with Yahoo Messenger really helped retain its user base (or even allured people who prefer to use Microsoft products). I really wish all other messengers will work with each other – but it’s unlikely to happen in the next few years.

I definitely like the Winks feature, similar to Yahoo Messenger’s audibles, but still very limited. Also, the Windows Live Spaces button in the Live messenger is worth-mentioning. Windows Live Spaces is Microsoft’s social community and blogging platform. Clicking the Live Space button will let you explore more of Windows Live features and enjoy them if you can.

Overall, I am glad that Microsoft did so much for this version. I love its messenger, and I wish I could give it 9 out of 10, but there are bad and worst things I’ve found out.

The Bad

Way back on MSN Messenger, the first thing I sought was the public chat rooms but with no luck. It’s one of the great features other IM (like Yahoo Messenger) are having. Though it’s also the feature that spammers and bots are enticed to attack, making messaging clients the “vector” of trojans and viruses, along with other vulnerabilities, I believe that it is a good venue to show off Microsoft’s muscles in the IM department. If anyone knows that this functionality is present, could anyone tell me please?

The ugliest thing I’ve seen in this souped up IM client are the smileys. It’s crazy – I expected that they’ve gone through the evolution but it is so disappointing to see that they are still ancient-looking. I really wondered why they didn’t change that much. Microsoft seems to be very proud of their emoticons that fail to truly exhibit serious facial expressions. People may find it difficult to express themselves using them.

Microsoft seems to be very proud of their emoticons that fail to truly exhibit serious facial expressions. People may find it difficult to express themselves using them.

I remember that I’ve lost interest in using MSN Messenger before because of the terrible emoticons, and it seems today (though many of my other complaints were addressed now), my major rant is still unchanged. Smileys still look like they were drawn by a grade three kid – they don’t amuse the adults at all. Yahoo Messenger and Skype smileys are still a lot better. Windows Live Messenger definitely has the worst smileys I’ve ever seen on an IM client.

The Expectations

If Microsoft will be successful to acquire Yahoo in their recent $42 billion bid, we would expect giant changes not only to the Windows and Yahoo messengers, but the ways we interact and market in the Web itself. It would be a big, great change. However, if that happens, I wish Microsoft would copy YM’s emoticons and make it a standard on both messengers, including other missing features. It will definitely please many people (and me).

While I’m excited with the current events involving companies who are attempting to topple down Google’s Web leadership, as a normal Web user, I guess I’ll just take a deep breath and wait for the new benefits the changes would bring.

Last year and until now, Google actively wipes out the PageRank (PR) of many blogs and websites they believed to have involved to link farms and other schemes designed to “artificially” inflate PageRank. PageRank is Google’s view on how important a web page is, thus favoring more important pages in their top Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Many observations reveal in totality that most penalized sites are those who joined networks offering paid reviews or links. For bloggers, PageRank is significant because many ad network companies (major source of blog revenues), begin to follow Google’s standards. Higher PRs somehow contribute to the continuous existence of most blog sites in the Internet.

This year, most bloggers started with a different perspective. They begin to take advantage and favor services believed to be “top Google alternatives” which, in their view, are less obtrusive to their ideals, more flexible, and more lucrative. It indicates a healthy competition and preludes another possibly more intense search engine and online advertising war this year.

My Personal Standpoint

In my personal standpoint, though I know I am quite a fan of Google services, I share sentiment with other bloggers that Google’s dominance could be an imminent but indirect threat; they impose policies and indirect guidelines associated with the usage of their services, or in relation thereof, that rather inhibit bloggers to be able to benefit from the Web as much as before. Google is giving free services to the masses but isn’t it their strategy to bait our hearts toward their products? This is debatable and I know there are many positive and negative points of view for this. However, for many bloggers, they view that the moves of Google imply that it tries to become the “Microsoft of the Web.” Well, in fact, I suspect one day Google and Microsoft will come to a head-to-head bout in creating their own standards with all people under them. Fortunately, we got alternatives to Google and they are fighting for themselves and for us.

I believe that Google will continue to be in the top ranks in 2008. There are many factors supporting this assumption. One of these, for instance, is Google’s reaction (and to least extent, Yahoo and Microsoft) with the depreciation of the US dollar. Google has safety nets that would ease hurt from the dollar crunch as other US-based companies are feeling. In the second quarter of 2007, Google’s financial report reflected that 48% percent of their income comes outside of the United States. Another point is Google’s acquisition of companies in 2007. If they are able to prove in 2008 that they did a wise move, these innovating companies under their control will push their business further.

In conclusion, like what bloggers predicted, Google might reach its plateau in 2008. Unless they make a good turnaround, its downfall will begin at least to most bloggers’ hearts. This should never be underestimated: bloggers are very influential people and they can badly damage a company’s reputation if they move together towards a similar direction.