Internet Explorer 7 Beta 3

Released June 29, 2006 to the general public, Microsoft is finally modernizing its browser to compete with the infamous Mozilla Firefox that has taken a huge 5% of IE's share. I occasionally peruse the techy websites to keep up with the latest releases and happened to stumble upon this. I quickly downloaded and installed it on my laptop. Seems quite user friendly, but remember that if your going to give it a try, it is still a Beta so if you run into problems.... not my fault! I listed some of the new nifty features below. Skim through it if your bored. =P

P.S. You can only install it if you have an authentic version of Windows XP w/ Sp2

New Interface
Say goodbye to bulky toolbars. Internet Explorer 7 has a new interface that shows more of each webpage you visit. The streamlined toolbar makes it easier to add websites to your Favorites, search the web, clear your history, and access the other tasks and tools you use most.

Tabbed Browsing
Whether you're searching the web, comparing prices, or just staying on top of your favorite topic, Internet Explorer 7 lets you view many different websites at one time — all within one organized window.

Search
Internet Explorer 7 brings your favorite web search providers to you. With the built-in search box, you can search the web at any time without having to open a search provider page. You can display search results in a separate tab, and then open the results in other tabs to quickly compare sites and find the information you want

Security Internet
Explorer 7 helps keep your information safe by alerting you to potential phishing sites — sites that look legitimate but actually are designed to capture your personal information. It's also easier to see which sites provide secure data exchange, so you can shop and bank online with confidence.

RSS Feeds
Don't waste time checking many different sites and blogs for updates. Just select the sites or topics you care about and Internet Explorer 7 delivers all the new headlines and updates to your Favorites Center.

Paris as a Giant Emu

Full size Payphone.. only $334.95!

It comes as quite a surprise to me that there are those individuals out there that still utilize the standard payphone. I was at Borders bookstore the other day and there was a payphone right next to the restroom practically identical to the one in the picture, lo and behold a dude was actually using it to make a phone call!

In this era of technological advances, practically EVERYONE has a cell phone from young spoiled brats to old senile grandparents. Modern cell phones have such versatility, encompassing a plethora of built in features. Not only is it a ordinary phone, mobiles now have digital camera's, internet access, games, mp3 players, and I think newest ones even have digital camcorders.. the list goes on.

Essentially the quintessence of this rambling is to emphasize the necessity of keeping up with the times. Change is inevitable, just as you carry your keys and wallet around everywhere, the cell phone is now an indispensable item whose status is now equivalent to that of the key/wallet.

These old school payphones are cool looking though, you can buy your very own full size payphone for $334.95 and it holds $175 in coins!

Violent Games = First Amendment Protection?

I recently read a article in a gaming magazine that discussed the possibility of regulating "violent" video games in order to prevent exposure of such acts to wrongfully influence young teenage minds. Grant Theft Auto was explicitly targeted due to its violent and sexual content where players would be rewarded with cash for various illegal and immoral actions: a frequently cited example is a player carjacking a car, picking up a prostitute, having "sex" (restores health up to 125%), killing her, and then stealing her money.

The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech in most forms unless it falls within a few of the specific exceptions such as being considered obscene. The Lion & Lamb Project filed an Amicus brief citing that extreme violence is a form of obscenity and like sexual obscenity, it should not be marketed to children A three prong test must be satisfied for something to be considered obscene and therefore unprotected speech under the First Amendment:

1) The material must appeal to the prurient interest.
2) The material must be patently offensive under the law prohibiting obscenity.
3) Taken as a whole, the material must lack serious redeeming artistic, literary, political or scientific value.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit struck down a ordinance that attempted to regulate video games based on their content stating "depictions of violence cannot fall within the legal definition of obscenity for either minors or adults."

If violent games were actually regulated with the same intensity as pornography, it would be shocking for a young child to have either obtain permission or secretly sneak into a back room of Best Buy or Fry's Electronics in order to purchase a fictional "violent" game. The main objective of playing games is to pass time as a form of entertainment, but more importantly to develop phenomenal hand eye coordination for those future professionals that would utilize this essential forte. (brain surgeons, dentists, and pretty much anyone that types on a keyboard =P'')

There is very minimal proof of any type of correlation between increases in aggressive behavior among adolescents that play these games. If that were the case, numerous television shows/movies would have to be even more heavily censored, clearly restricting and undermining First Amendment protections.

Frivolous lawsuit abound... parents trying to blame corporate America for not raising their own children correctly and supervising their wrongful actions. Blame everyone but yourself =P

Look Alike?