November 20th, 2009

Chrome OS - The good, the bad and the ugly, and how it fits in with Windows, Mac and Linux

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 5:34 am

Categories: Hardware, Software

Tags: Google Inc., Apple Macintosh, Operating System, Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

After yesterday’s Google Chrome OS announcement I’ve had a little time to think about Google’s vision for the OS and how it fits in with Windows, Mac and Linux.

The Good

There’s a lot I like about Chrome OS because it sound different enough and radical enough to maybe get people thinking a little differently about what an OS is and how it relates, how to secure it, how it interacts with the hardware and how the user interacts with the it. Certainly the way that Google plans to make Chrome OS speedier and more secure shows that there’s been a lot of out of the box thinking going on.

Note: What was interesting at yesterday’s announcement was that during the Q&A session at the end how many of the tech press questions and comments seemed to want to drag the project back from being radical and make it into what we already have,

For example, take changes to the boot sequence …

… verified boot …

… and how easy it is to re-image the OS following malware or corruption …

There’s also tight integration with Google’s massive array of online apps. Now, depending on how you view Google this can either be a good thing or a very bad thing. However, it’s hard to deny that a machine where all your data and settings are synced to the cloud for both storage and security is a very interesting way to mitigate data and system loss disasters. The idea that your data isn’t tied to a particular system is interesting, and the idea that all local data is encrypted is also very interesting.

I also like the fact that Google has made the project truly open source and is allowing outside developer involvement. Actually, I think it’s been done at exactly the right time too - some of the framework has been put in place, but now the project can evolve. It’ll be interesting to see where it goes.

The Bad, the ugly –>

November 19th, 2009

Google Chrome OS announcement

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 10:09 am

Categories: Software

Tags: Google Inc., Operating System, Google Chrome, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Highlights from the Google Chrome OS announcement today.

• No launch, beta or devices today (contrary to what was being reported on some outlets)
• Chrome OS a year away
• Project goes fully open-sourced today
• Just over a year since Chrome browser launch - 40 million regular users
• 39x faster JavaScript compared to IE8
• Over past year, Chrome browser updated 19 times
• Chrome browser for Mac and Linux coming, as are extensions
• Google want Chrome OS to access GPU, have better access to system resources
• Perfect storm of converging trends - Netbook growth, cloud, laptop and netbook becoming more like phones, phones becoming smarter, overall increase in mobility
• Google Chrome OS focuses on three things - Speed (”fast like a TV”), Simplicity, Security
• On Chrome OS, every app is a web app, simple to use, easy to maintain
• All data on Chrome OS is in the cloud
• “If I lose my Chrome OS machine, I should be able to go out and buy another and be up and running in minutes …” No local data
• Cold reboot demo - to logon screen in 7 sec, full OS in another 3 sec
• Chrome OS looks like Chrome browser
• Applications can be pinned as favorite applications “tabs”
  
• All data stored in the cloud in Google Docs
• Streaming music from YouTube
  
• Google OS make good entertainment platform
• Reading ebooks
  
• Microsoft has been working on a killer app for Chrome OS … Office Web App ;)
  
• “Want computers to be delightful and work”
• Looking through USB flash drive:
  
• All Chrome OS storage based on solid state drives
• Speed improvements based on following changed:
  
• Verified boot to improve security:
  
• Reboot to recover - reimaging on the fly:
  
• Security for an Internet age
  
  
• User data on machine is always encrypted and always synced to the cloud - local data is just a cache
• “Not another OS, but choice for users”
• Google working with OEMs to come up with reference hardware (SSDs, WiFi cards … etc …)
• Target time frame - end of 2010, for Holiday market
• Google want larger netbooks with larger keyboards, touchpads etc
• Chrome OS not downloadable - will have to buy a Chrome OS device … hmmm
• Developers can get Chrome OS running on a netbook today - ”You need a screwdriver”
• Flash works, YouTube works …
• Here’s a video for you:
  
• Expect to have prices in the price range people are used to today …
• Google Chrome OS device will be a web-based “companion” device
• There will be some things the device will not do
• Everything that works in Chrome browser, works in Chrome OS (codecs etc)
• “A lot of what you see in Chrome OS will make its way into Chrome”
• Initially focused on netbook form-factor devices, in future could run on laptops and desktops
• Will Chrome OS run on non-Intel (x86) platforms such as ARM? - Yes
• Printers - “We’re taking an innovative approach, more next year. Yes, Chrome OS will print”

The announcement is now winding down (Q&A) so a few personal thoughts:

• Chrome OS sounds interesting but the device reference platform means that unless hardware vendors unify netbook platforms, it’s not a real competitor for Microsoft/Apple
• Chrome OS is definitly aimed at people who are deeply rooted in Google web apps …
• I like the security model, and the cloud-based data and settings system is a nice idea, especially for people who lose/break devices regularly
• Biggest hurdle I see - connectivity, and how the device will work when not hooked to the web

Thoughts?

November 10th, 2009

Seven great (and free!) applications for Windows 7

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:57 am

Categories: Software, Windows 7

Tags: Mozilla Firefox, PC, Antivirus, Operating System, Disc, Microsoft Corp., 7-zip, Tool, VLC Player, VLC Media Player

An OS isn’t much without software to take advantage of it. If you’ve just got yourself a copy of Windows 7 (by paying full price for it or by being canny) then you’ll be looking for cool, useful, and above all, compatible software to install. Look for further!

Here’s a top 7 list of what I consider to be Windows 7 “must have” software. Not only are these applications compatible with Microsoft’s newest OS, but there’s also all free!

Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox

Regular readers will know that Firefox isn’t my personal favorite browser (it’s Google Chrome) but that doesn’t prevent me from wholeheartedly recommending Firefox to others.

Why? Because it’s a darn good browser. It’s fast, it’s robust, it’s reliable and if it doesn’t do something you want it to do, chances are there’s an add-on for that. 

And what better time to recommend Firefox, given that this month sees it celebrate its fifth birthday!

>> Learn more <<

Media Player: VideoLAN VLC Player

There’s nothing more annoying than coming across a video of sound file and not being able to play it without messing about with codecs. Rather than stick with the built-in Windows Media Player I prefer to download and install something a little more versatile, like VLC Player.

VLC media player is a highly portable media player capable of reading most audio and video formats (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, MPEG-1, mp3, ogg, aac …) as well as DVDs, Audio CDs VCDs, plus it offers support for  a variety of streaming protocols.

VLC Player is a great bit of kit that I can’t recommend highly enough.

>> Learn more <<

Email Client: Mozilla Thunderbird

Windows 7 doesn’t come with a built-in email client. Microsoft does make available a free email client called Windows Live Mail, which you have to download. But since you’re having to download an application, you might as well download something more versatile.

Thunderbird, by the makers of Firefox, is a fully-featured desktop email client that offers a whole raft of tools to help you control your inbox.

>> Learn more <<

Next –>

October 15th, 2009

How would you fix the browser ballot for European Windows users?

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 2:34 pm

Categories: Software

Tags: Apple Safari, Ballot, Microsoft Windows, Web Browser, Web Browsers, Internet, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

It seems that Mozilla isn’t happy with the ballot screen that Microsoft proposed to the European Commission (EC) as a way to ensure more browser choice on Windows PCs.

Jenny Boriss, a Firefox user experience designer, believes that Microsoft’s ballot screen is unfair.

A ballot is simply not a good way to create more “user choice” on the web. While literally giving users a choice, the ballot is unlikely to let users make an informed choice. A user simply can’t choose a browser that’s “right for them” based on a logo and a couple sentences. Side-by-side comparison works for items with easily comparable traits, like price or size or length of time. But browsing experience is just that: an experience. No one can rate experiences they’ve never had.

Initially, Microsoft had chosen to list browsers based on market share. This was considered unfair so Microsoft changes this and listed the browsers in alphabetical order by name of the company that creates them.

So, what’s wrong with this method? According to Boriss, lots: Read the rest of this entry »

October 13th, 2009

Time to ditch Windows for online banking and shopping [UPDATED]

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 9:59 am

Categories: Security, Software

Tags: Bank, CD, Online Banking, USB, Microsoft Windows, Phishing, Banking, Cyberthreats, Financial Services, Operating Systems

It’s time to ditch Windows for online banking and shopping.

There, I’ve said it.

Last week, FBI Director Robert Mueller told an audience in San Francisco how he nearly fell for a bank phishing email. As a result of this Mueller now doesn’t do any banking on line.

Then Washington Post “Security Fix” columnist Brian Krebs advises businesses not to carry out online banking on Windows-based machines and to use a Linux-based LiveCD.

I’m going one step further, and suggest that no one use Windows for either banking or online shopping. Period.

So, am I saying this to be controversial? No. Am I attacking Windows or Microsoft? Am I trying to start a flame war? No.

So why am I saying this? Simply because I believe that the Read the rest of this entry »

October 12th, 2009

Has the Snow Leopard bug hosed your data?

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 2:57 pm

Categories: Apple, Software

Tags: Guest Account, Bug, Details, Data Deletion, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

The Apple support forum contains numerous references to a Snow Leopard bug that result in the deletion of all of the user account data.

Details are vague on this bug, but there seems to be two conditions that need to be met:

• Users have to have upgraded from Mac OS X 10.6 (Leopard) to 10.6 (Snow Leopard) with the Guest account active.
• The data deletion seems to occur when users log into the Guest account and then log back into their own account.

Apple is so far silent on this matter, but a temporary workaround to protect your data (if it’s not already been hosed) is to disable the Guest account.

Oh, and keep your backups handy …

Any readers affected by this bug?

October 7th, 2009

Time for Palm to give up the iTunes sync nonsense!

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 2:19 pm

Categories: Software

Tags: Palm Inc., Apple Inc., Apple iTunes, ID, Digital Music, Digital Media, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Palm’s latest webOS 1.2.1 for the Pre handset restored a feature which allowed Pre users to sync media with iTunes. While on the face of it this seems like a good idea and one that empowers users, ultimately it’s not and it threatens to plunge us into ”driver hell.” It’s time for Palm to give up the iTunes sync nonsense.

Apple aren’t happy with Palm, and have asked them to disable the feature, and the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) have said that Palm is potentially violating its USB-IF Membership Agreement by making the Pre handset look like an Apple device.

So how does this hack work? Basically Palm is using Apple’s USB-IF vendor ID. Plug a Palm Pre to a computer and it identifies itself as follows:

USB Product ID: 0×1209
USB Vendor ID: 0×05ac (Apple, Inc)
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

This revelation worried the USB-IF enough to Read the rest of this entry »

October 5th, 2009

Adobe Flash for all smartphones ... except iPhone

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 3:08 am

Categories: Apple, Security, Software

Tags: Apple iPhone, Adobe Systems Inc., Smart Phone, Macromedia Flash Player, Smart Phones, Cellular Phones, Handhelds, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Hardware

Today Adobe has unveiled Flash Player 10.1 for smartphones, netbooks, PCs along with other Internet-connected devices. The only glaring exception … no iPhone support.

Flash support on smartphones isn’t new, but until now, smartphone users have had to use Flash Lite. Problem is, there’s always been a huge gulf between Flash Player and Flash Lite, which has meant that compatibility has been patchy at best.

Flash Player 10.1 will introduce a number of mobile-friendly features such as support for multi-touch, gestures, and accelerometers. Also, Adobe claims that Flash Player 10.1 is more energy efficient.

A public beta of Flash Player 10.1 is expected to be made available for Windows Mobile, Palm webOS and desktop operating systems including Windows, Macintosh and Linux later this year. Public betas for the Google Android and Symbian OS are expected see light early in 2010. If you’re a BlackBerry owner, well, Adobe and RIM are working to bring you a compatible Flash Player.

What about iPhone owners? Well, you’re out of luck as there’s nothing for you to see here. Move alone …

But is that such a bad thing? After all, Flash Player is an absolute security nightmare on desktop PCs, and requiring endless updates. I’m not sure how thrilled I’d be to be faced with Flash Player updates on my smartphone every time I was to go browsing. If I’m paying per MB, on on a dodgy connection (and chances are that one, if not both of these factors will come into play), I’d be even more upset. I know that the modern web relies heavily on Flash, but this announcement worries me because it’s creating a huge tech monoculture that’s ripe for attack. Unless Adobe is planning on beefing up security, this could be one of the worst things to happen to smartphone users.

Maybe iPhone users are being spared more than they are being left out …

Thoughts?

October 1st, 2009

Google Chrome update doesn't remove older, vulnerable version

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:51 am

Categories: Security, Software

Tags: Google Inc., Google Chrome, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, Web Browsers, Security, Operating Systems, Software, Internet

When you receive an update, you naturally expect that update to remove old code from your system, especially where that code is vulnerable.It seems that the latest release of Google Chrome broke this simple rule.

The latest Google Chrome 3.0.195.24 update plugs up a vulnerability that allowed attackers to run code within the browser’s sandbox. However, installing the latest update keeps the old code on the system.

I’ve duplicated this behavior on Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems. Seems like Google needs to roll out another update to fix this problem.

(Thanks to F-Secure for the heads-up)

September 30th, 2009

UPDATED: Why is Mozilla getting involved in the IE/Chrome Frame debate?

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 4:12 pm

Categories: Software, Thoughts

Tags: Google Inc., Web Browser, Google Chrome, Mozilla Corp., Web Browsers, Internet, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Mozilla vice president Mike Shaver has criticized Google’s Chrome Frame, claiming it renders many of Internet Explorer’s features “less effective”. I have one question: Why is Mozilla getting caught up in the whole IE/Chrome Frame debate?

On his blog, Shaver is highly critical of Google Chrome Frame.

“Users who wish to render sites with Chrome can already use Chrome, of course, and should … Running Chrome Frame within IE makes many of the browser application’s features non-functional, or less effective. These include private browsing mode or their other security controls, features like accelerators or add-ons that operate on the content area, or even accessibility support.”

There’s only one reason that I can come up with as to why Mozilla are so anti Chrome Frame - because Read the rest of this entry »