Software utilities

Maybe you need to run Internet Eplorer 6 (IE6) under Vista, either for compatibility with older web applications or for web development or, if you ‘re insane, to use it instead of IE7 or Firefox (recommended choice). Well, you can download this file, directly from Microsoft, that emulates a Windows XP SP2 with IE6. There are also images with IE7 or IE8 Beta 1.

Have fun!

Hi, maybe you already know something about IE7 and quirks mode. I had problem with a wordpress theme not showing properly on IE7 (strange, isn’t it?!?! ). After googling a bit, I found out that a blank line before doctype caused IE7 to go in quirks mode and make a mess of my beautiful page. I removed it since it was just a blank line and everything went ok.

But now i have a problem, since I need to place a text before doctype (to show a waiting div, for example when you search for a hotel on expedia or similar, you see a Please wait etc… message). Now this text breaks IE7 visualization.

Do you know a way to solve this????

Here’s an interesting list of US agencies using wordpress, shown during the WordCamp 2008 in San Francisco:

• Air Force
• Army
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• Coast Guard
• Defense Intelligence Agency
• Department of Energy
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of State
• Department of Treasury
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
• Marine Corps
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
• National Reconnaissance Agency
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Navy

Now that’s something I never knew.

Apparently, if you walk through a US airport with your laptop or memory stick, it can be seized by customs (and, check it, they don’t have to give you a reason either).

That’s just great.

Can you imagine - you’re a writer or a programmer. You’re on your way to New York for a conference or maybe you’ve snagged a great 3 month contract with a firm over there. All your work is on your Mac Book and a backed-up copy’s sitting all nice and snug on your memory stick.

And customs can take them off you? Without an explanation? For any length of time they frikkin want? That’s amazing. Intrusive. Annoying. Inconvenient.

It’s apparently a procedure that’s been in place for years but only became public knowledge when a group of lobbyists demanded that the Department of Homeland Security’s policies be revealed.

I can partly understand why customs would do this. The world is a much more dangerous place these days. However, to not give an explanation is ludicrous. I’ve been to the US a few times and I’ve met some great custom folks, but I’ve also met some who were complete and utter assholes. Who’s to say they won’t abuse their power and seize your laptop just for the fun of it, ‘cos they’re having a bad day? And if that ever happens, there’s so much red tape that it’d probably take centuries to get through the complaints procedure.

So, if you’re ever travelling to the US, do bear the above in mind. As an extra caution, you might wanna back up all your important stuff online.

If it’s any comfort though, I haven’t heard a case of anyone who’s had their laptop or iPod seized. It doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, though.

Apparently, a group of ex-Google employees have gotten together to give their former employer a run for its money by setting up their very own search engine called Cuil (pronounced ‘cool’). Cuil believe that the service they offer is more efficient and that they possess at least triple the index size that Google has.

A certain IT analyst responded by saying that Cuil is not likely to keep Google awake at night.

But stranger things have happened. You just never know what Cuil is capable of especially as, being former Google employees, they have insider information – they know how Google ticks – and what makes it tick - its strengths and weaknesses (yes, I’m sure that even Google has its weak spot/s). Who’s to say Cuil can’t take some of those weaknesses, spin it on its head and turn it into a strength that propels it head and shoulders above the rest?

Cuil = David; Google = Goliath. Never say never.

I wish them luck. Google has too much power and it’s time their feathers were ruffled a little. Even if Cuil don’t succeed, I hope they at least get Google hot under the collar, leading the way for another company to possibly take it a step further in unhinging them from the top spot. It’s time someone else tried the top spot on for size.

One thing Cuil definitely has over Google is that it doesn’t hold onto personal data (unlike Google who’d love to know how many times you blinked the last time you were online).

Cuil’s design and usability is being criticised by some, but I’d like to see how Google used to look back in the day.

Regardless of how it pans out for Cuil, I admire them for having the courage to challenge Google.