Lee Mathews
The Pas, MB, Canada - http://
Filed under: Google, Beta, Browsers
Chrome Extensions gallery taking shape, landing page now invites devs
If you're trying to get an extension gallery for your web browser off the ground, it's important reach out to developers. After all, they're the ones who will be creating the snazzy addons you plan to showcase.
So it's not surprising to see the change which took place in the Chromium nightly build recently. When you visit your extensions page and click the link to browse the gallery, you won't see the "coming soon" puzzle piece anymore.
Instead, you'll be asked to sign in with your Google account and then whisked over to the developer dashboard. Google offers the following explanation to clarify what you're looking at:
So it's not surprising to see the change which took place in the Chromium nightly build recently. When you visit your extensions page and click the link to browse the gallery, you won't see the "coming soon" puzzle piece anymore.
Instead, you'll be asked to sign in with your Google account and then whisked over to the developer dashboard. Google offers the following explanation to clarify what you're looking at:
Are you a developer? If so, the add button will allow you to upload your project. The developer agreement offers a few words about the gallery itself:The Google Chrome Extensions gallery is currently in limited beta release to allow developers to upload their extensions. If you are a developer, you can upload your extension here. If you are looking to find and install extensions, please check back here soon!
Most of the agreement is pretty standard redistribution/liability/takedown-related policy, though it does reveal that Chrome users will be allowed to rate extensions on the Gallery site. I think we expected that, since you can do it on the Firefox add-ons site.The Gallery is a publicly available site on which Developers can publish Products for distribution and use in connection with Google Chrome. In order to publish Products on the Gallery, you must acquire and maintain a valid Google account.
The full gallery policies are available on this page in case you plan on submitting an extension.
It's apparent that the push is on - it's just a matter of time before the Chrome Extensions Gallery opens its doors to the public.
Filed under: Windows, Google, Freeware
AdSense on your desktop: Google starts embedding ads in Google Earth
by Lee Mathews Nov 23rd 2009
Everyone cringed when Microsoft announced that Office 2010 Starter would be partially ad-supported, and it looks as though advertising in desktop apps may be something we'll just have to get used to. As Amit Agarwal at Digital Inspiration found out, Google Earth is now showcasing sponsored links as you search for destinations.
While the ads aren't all that intrusive, they're still there. Unlike ads on Google's web services, you're not going to be blocking them with AdBlock Plus. In that respect the change makes perfect sense - why wouldn't Google want to deliver content-aware ads in their own applications where they can't be avoided (not as easily as installing an add-on anyway)?
Agarwal also finds the change noteworthy because Google currently doesn't allow 3rd party developers to integrate AdSense into their desktop applications. If this development signals a paradigm shift at Google, get ready for an avalanche of apps to follow suit.
Google wouldn't try anything like this with the recently-announced Chrome OS, would they? Share your thoughts in the comments!
While the ads aren't all that intrusive, they're still there. Unlike ads on Google's web services, you're not going to be blocking them with AdBlock Plus. In that respect the change makes perfect sense - why wouldn't Google want to deliver content-aware ads in their own applications where they can't be avoided (not as easily as installing an add-on anyway)?
Agarwal also finds the change noteworthy because Google currently doesn't allow 3rd party developers to integrate AdSense into their desktop applications. If this development signals a paradigm shift at Google, get ready for an avalanche of apps to follow suit.
Google wouldn't try anything like this with the recently-announced Chrome OS, would they? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware, Troubleshooting, Windows x64
Auslogics Disk Defrag buffs up, adds disk optimization in v3
by Lee Mathews Nov 20th 2009
Defragmentation (like backing up) is one of those chores I don't think about doing all that often. And I really should, since my desktop at work is a cluttered mess of downloads, screenshots, temp files, and other digital flotsam.
When Auslogics mentioned they've got a new version of their Disk Defrag tool available for download, I figured why not take it for a spin? My drive could use the TLC, after all. The app is available with an installer or as a portable app and is free for home use.
One small feature worth a mention is that Disk Defrag supports Windows 7's superbar progress indicator. You can choose to defragment your entire drive or target specific files or folders. It's also got a number of other smart features, like free space consolidation and intelligent system file placement. Disk Defrag can also be set to run automatically when your system is idle.
The installable version can also clean up your temp files prior to defragging, minimize to the system tray, run scheduled jobs, and integrate into your right-click context menu.
Tidying up my drive's 130Gb+ of disorganization took about 25 minutes. Disk Defrag also includes a new optimization feature which Auslogics recommends running once a week. It takes quite a bit longer, but if it helps keep your drive healthy and running at peak performance it's time well spent.
When Auslogics mentioned they've got a new version of their Disk Defrag tool available for download, I figured why not take it for a spin? My drive could use the TLC, after all. The app is available with an installer or as a portable app and is free for home use.
One small feature worth a mention is that Disk Defrag supports Windows 7's superbar progress indicator. You can choose to defragment your entire drive or target specific files or folders. It's also got a number of other smart features, like free space consolidation and intelligent system file placement. Disk Defrag can also be set to run automatically when your system is idle.The installable version can also clean up your temp files prior to defragging, minimize to the system tray, run scheduled jobs, and integrate into your right-click context menu.
Tidying up my drive's 130Gb+ of disorganization took about 25 minutes. Disk Defrag also includes a new optimization feature which Auslogics recommends running once a week. It takes quite a bit longer, but if it helps keep your drive healthy and running at peak performance it's time well spent.
Filed under: News, Mozilla, Browsers
Firefox Army clashes with IE in Central Europe, wins browser share crown
The Firefox army is hundreds of millions of soldiers strong. After successfully taking the southernmost continent on the globe, the Mozilla Militia continues to run full speed ahead across Europe. Today's battlefront: the central region.
As you can see in the header image, Firefox and IE recently crossed paths. The chart shows data gathered from nine countries - Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine - from January 1, 2007 to the present. Internet Explorer continues its downward slide, Firefox has now claimed almost 50% of the browser share in Central Europe.
As you can see in the header image, Firefox and IE recently crossed paths. The chart shows data gathered from nine countries - Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine - from January 1, 2007 to the present. Internet Explorer continues its downward slide, Firefox has now claimed almost 50% of the browser share in Central Europe.
So go ahead, EU, complain all you want about Microsoft unfairly using their influence to ensure everyone's PC is running IE. It's obviously not hurting Firefox (or Opera, for that matter).
Maybe users really are smart enough to find and install their own browser? Who'da thunk it.
[via Mozilla]
Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Social Software
Fishbowl is a kick-ass Facebook client for Windows 7
by Lee Mathews Nov 20th 2009
When Microsoft introduced us to Silverlight 4 the other day, they also demoed a slick Facebook application. It's called Fishbowl, and it's now available for download. Not only does Fishbowl provide a nice, clean display of your stream (read: free of sidebar annoyances), but it's packed with excellent features, responsive, and extremely intuitive to use.
It's also ready to add some sizzle to your Windows 7 taskbar with jumplist and Aero Peek goodness. Read on after the break!
It's also ready to add some sizzle to your Windows 7 taskbar with jumplist and Aero Peek goodness. Read on after the break!
Ask DLS: Now that you've seen Chrome OS do you still care?
So Google finally let loose with a real glimpse at Chrome OS today, unveiling it at an event in Mountain View today. It's pretty much what we've thought all along: a bootable browser with an affinity for web apps - especially Google's.
As you'd expect from a "browser OS," Google pretty much admits that Chrome OS isn't really intended for offline use. They see devices running Chrome as a ...Canonical plans to let the GIMP off his leash in Ubuntu 10.04
"Bring out the GIMP."
"GIMP's sleeping."
"On second thought, let him sleep. We're not gonna be using him anymore anyway."
You heard Zed and Maynard right. It looks as though Canonical's plans for Lucid Lynx don't include the OSS Photoshop alternative.
Prevailing sentiment seems to be that the GIMP is is considered to be a 'professional' application and not necessary for the average ...Gladinet updates to 1.4, now with added cloud backup kung-fu
by Lee Mathews
Nov 19th 2009 {2 comments}
Gladinet is an excellent way to plug your Windows desktop in to a number of cloud storage providers - like Amazon, SkyDrive, Google Docs - as well as your own FTP and WebDAV servers. They also recently added a nifty cloud-to-cloud backup feature. In the update to version 1.4, Gladinet has built in the ability to selectively back up specific file types to your remote storage. Want to make sure ...Hot on the heels of Flash 10.1, Microsoft unveils Silverlight 4 beta
Weird Wednesday: Billy Mays app awesomes up your CAPS LOCK KEY!
by Lee Mathews Nov 18th 2009 {10 comments}
John Haller is pretty well-known in software circles - he's the guy behind PoartableApps.com. What you may not have known is that he's a big Billy Mays fan. And like a lot of Billy Mays fans, John was a little misty when Billy shuffled off this mortal coil earlier this year. What better way for a coder to commemorate a fallen icon than with an awesome app? Enter BILLY MAYS CAPS LOCK! While it ...
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
