Google Chrome for Linux and Mac Developer release

Google Chrome for GNU / Linux and Mac has finally arrived! However it is only an early version for developers and lack features that would make it usable in production environment.

Google Chrome Logo

Missing features from early release of Linux & Mac Google Chrome are :

  • Can’t view Youtube videos
  • Missing TIFF support
  • Loads of memory leaks
  • Does not have bookmark manager
  • No Java plugin support
  • No printing
  • Problem with rendering certain websites
  • Occasional crashes and freeze up
  • and many more…

So if you are just an average user, do not download this release just yet! Instead, wait for a few months for a much more (?) BETA release to be available.

The developer channel release was made in order to elicit responses and bug reports from users to prepare for a more stable BETA release.

[Google’s original announcement]

Google Malware Warning Fucked up?

I don’t know when this thing happened exactly, but I noticed it around 10:57 pm MYT (GMT+8) when I was searching information for Yaesu VX8R handheld radio.

It seems somehow the Google Malware Warning fucked up and labels all the search result as “may harm your computer”. Funny thing is, Google labels its own website as potentially spreading malware.

Google Calendar site is spreading malware?
Google Terfakap

This incident has showed me how reliant to Google i’ve become, which made me wonder what would happen if suddenly somebody might take advantage of our dependency to Google, and do nasty things to us and to our data? By the way, Google already know what you do, who you are, and where you live.

Update: This event has been slashdotted, MAKE Magazine blog also covered the story.

Update 2: Google somehow have fixed the issue at 11:22 pm MYT (GMT +8). Let’s see what they would say about this strange phenomenon.

Update 3: Thanks to Manley, it seems Google has not fixed the issue, but rather disabled the Malware warning on its search result.

Final Update : Google issued a statement in their official blog as well as StopBadware.org

How to change Google Chrome user-agent

Changing user-agent in Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer may be an easy task for most of the people as it only requires you to change certain settings in the browser option or in the registry.

However changing Google Chrome’s user agent might not be as straight forward as it has no obvious way to alter it through the browser’s interface.

Fortunately, Digital Inspiration website has written a guide on how to change Google Chrome user-agent string, you can refer directly to their article – How to Change User Agent String in Google Chrome Browser

The Latest buzz: Google Chrome

Looks like I’m the last person to write about Chrome, the latest browser from Google. This is because I do not own a Microsoft Windows machine to test Chrome early on.

I’m sure you can find a lot of great reviews floating around the internet about the latest lightweight browser, so I will not waste your time by rehashing those information here.

Google Chrome
Chrome Application Shortcut

What actually caught my attention is the “Create Application Shortcut” found in Chrome, a functionality similar to Mozilla Prism which I’ve reviewed a while back in my blog. This would enable users to create Desktop shortcuts of their favorite Web Application without relying to external application like Prism anymore, everything can be done neatly within a single interface.

With Chrome, Javascript execution (read: ajax’ed website) felt a lot more faster while using much less memory, it looks like this new browser is going to give Mozilla a run for its money.

p/s: Eagerly waiting for Chrome to be available on GNU/Linux platforms.

Read Googlebooks Chrome Comic for more insight about Google Chrome

Awesome Web apps integration with Mozilla Prism (Google, Facebook)

Being a relatively newcomer with Desktop + Web apps application, I tried to experiment with Mozilla Prism in a newly installed Ubuntu Hardy on my sister’s laptop.

At first glance, Mozilla Prism really hits the spot. as it allows seamless integration of various web application within your computer. Prism made it easier for me to access various web application from my desktop with relative ease, as if they were local applications.

Screenshots of Prism in action

Google Reader

Google Prism

Google Docs

Google Docs in Prism

Google Facebook

Google Docs in Prism

Prism enhances web experience greatly by integrating web application into desktop environment.

How to Install Prism
From desktop, go to System->Administration->Synaptic Package Manager, and search prism. Install “prism” package together with its associated web application (called “bundles”)

Installing Mozilla Prism

Facebook and Google Groups Integrated inside Applications Menu

Installing Mozilla Prism

Beware of the Fake GMail Administrator email

GMail users, a word of warning, I’ve discovered a new phising email designed to steal your Google account password and credential.

Here’s how the email looks like.

Fake Gmail email

Fake Gmail email

Gmail users are advised not to fall into these type of scam as the scammer can use your Google account for all sort of nasty things. Please change your Google Account password as often as possible