Mozilla, Safari global usage share increases: “OneStat.com reports that the global usage share of Mozilla’s Web browsers has jumped from 2.1 pecent to 7.35 percent since May, with Firefox accounting for 4.58 percent of Mozilla’s share…”
[ Via MacMinute ]
Your laser printer will give you away: It was big news last month when a couple of researchers at Purdue announced a way to trace documents back to their original printer or photocopier, but it turns out that Xerox and most other laser printer and copier makers have been selling devices that encode serial numbers and manufacturing codes on everything they print out for years. They’ve been doing it at the behest of the US government, which uses it as a tool to fight counterfeiting, and there’s no way to disable or get around it. But if you do want to know whether or not that manifesto or threatening letter you just printed out can be traced back to you, PC World recommends shining a blue LED on the printout and grabbing a magnifying glass.
[ Via Engadget ]
PowerFilm rollable solar-powered battery charger: PowerFilm has created a roll of solar material that allows one to recharge cellphones, cars, and other rechargeable electronics with a rollable solar panel. They’re made by Iowa Thin Film Technologies and are available in three sizes with varying power outputs. The largest, at 12 x 73-inches, will put out 1.2 Amps and only weighs 1.9 pounds. Available connectors include cigarette lighter, battery chargers, and daisy chain connectors. Prices start at about $150. MMmmm. Sun juice.
[ Via engadget ]
Last night we saw National Treasure. It wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated, but I did have extremely low expectations going in. I was looking for pure shoot-em-up entertainment, and National Treasure delivered. Although, it was on the extremely tame side, it is made by Disney after-all. It’s rated PG, but could have almost been a G. It tops out at 2hrs 10min, but it didn’t feel long to me, that’s always good.
National Treasure does have a surprisingly good cast, it stars Nocholas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight, Diane Krugar, Sean Bean, Justin Bartha, and Christopher Plummer.
The story, of course, is totally unrealistic. But I expected that. If you go into this film with the understanding that you must overlook many infeasibilities in the plot, than you’ll probable enjoy it too.
iPhoto, Mac gurus on Inside Mac Radio: “The November 20th edition of the Inside Mac Radio show will feature Apple’s iPhoto senior product manager Greg Scallon, who will offer advice on how to get the most of Apple’s digital photo organization tool this holiday season. Also scheduled are Tom Negrino and Dori Smith — Mac Gurus, who will talk about what’s happening in the Mac universe. Inside Mac Radio is broadcast live in the San Francisco Bay Area on AM 1220 KNTS from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Pacific Time. It can also be heard by QuickTime webcast at the Inside Mac Radio Web site.”
[ Via MacCentral ]
Macworld UK announces MacExpo Best of Show winners: Macworld UK has announced its Best of Show awards for London’s MacExpo 2004. The 10 awards are “given to products either making their public debut at MacExpo or recently introduced and generating excitement on the show floor.” This year’s winners included: Apple’s iPod Photo and Logic Pro 7, Epson’s P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer, Keyspan’s Express Remote, Adobe Acrobat 7.0, Microsoft’s Virtual PC 7, Quark’s QuarkXPress 6.5, Hewlett-Packard’s Photosmart 375 Compact Photo Printer, Hermstedt’s Hifidelio networked audio-CD player/recorder, and Wacom’s Intuos3 graphics tablet.
[ Via MacMinute ]
So, I was at the pet store today getting some dog food for Emmitt when I came across these. They appear to be some sort of… um…. feminine product for dogs (place quiet snicker here). They also had an entire line of doggie diapers. You will never see Emmitt wearing diapers. I wouldn’t humiliate him like that.
London Apple Store photos: “Following the special media event at the Regent Street Apple Store in London, Apple has provided two promo shots of the new store…”
[ Via MacMinute ]
California’s new DMV director wants mileage tax: “As it stands, Californians pay an 18-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax, but Joan Borucki, the state’s new Department of Motor Vehicles director, says that’s not enough. Instead, she wants to tax drivers based on the miles they have driven. She hopes to fit cars with GPS devices that calculate the mileage traveled and then send citizens bills. While the gas tax would be lifted, this would level the playing field for less-efficient cars. In other words, Larry David would be charged as much to go 10 miles in his Prius as the Governator would in his Hummer. Of course, this also means that some evil agency would be able to track virtually anyone’s car at anytime. Add in the Patriot Act, and you’ve got some distressed Californians.”
[ Via Engadget ]
I own a Canon s110 digital elph, and a while back I lost my spare battery. It uses Canon’s NB-1L battery. Amazon sells that battery for $43.49. I didn’t really want to spend the money because I would prefer to upgrade my camera to the Canon SD-20. But, I decided I really shouldn’t spend the money right now on a new camera. I definitely needed a second battery though. I found these generic equivalents on Amazon. I bought two batteries at $2.87 each. I was skeptical to say the least. I figured they were probably junk, but it was a very small financial risk.
I received the new batteries, and they look identical to the Canon battery (except they don’t say Canon on them). I have to say I am pleasantly surprised at their performance. I’ve taken 20-30 shots, randomly over the last 2 days, and everything seems to be working fine. I haven’t had a low battery warning yet. I don’t know if the generic will last as long as the Canon, but how many $2.87 batteries can you buy for $43.49? I think I’ve bought my last Canon battery.