Wow, leave it up to Google to publically announce the release of its new Web Browser program: Chrome the day before it is released. That’s right! Google will release Google Chrome, a Googlified version of a tabbed web browser based on Firefox 3 and Apple’s WebKit. Not surprisingly, Google decided to announce its release by publishing a 38 pages long comic book featuring techies discussing about the feature of the new Google Chrome.

Here’s some point-to-point features of this new Google Chrome browser software:

• Open Source
• Tabs located above the address URL bar, not below it
• URL auto-completion feature called ‘Omnibox.’
• Super “Incognito Windows” where any browsing that occurs will never be logged and will remain private
• Phishing defender
• Auto web-application launch feature without the need of a URL based application address.

Now, Firefox 3, Opera, and Safari are all great web browsers applications. (Actually, most tech-savvy people would no doubt prefer Firefox.) But come on… this is Google we’re talking about. Just the title “Google Browser” will make you dance in your chair and well, OMG. Like I said, leave it up to Google to sparkle us with wonder.

A fresh take on the browser [Official Google Blog]
Google Chrome Comic Book [Google Books]
Google Chrome, Google’s Browser Project [Google Blogoscoped]

After six months of development since the first Toolchain Uploaded from October 2007 and 6 Alpha releases with various Betas, Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron has finally been released today. And as is, the Tech Savvy community is obviously excited. However, don’t get too jumpy now. Besides some security and software updates, not much (besides small technical differences) can be found between Hardy and the 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon. However, as it always is in the Open Source community, upgrading is important. And with Ubuntu’s built in package handler and updater, this has and still is easier than ever.

To Update from within Ubuntu:

Goto System -> Administration -> Update Manager

Install any necessary updates.

Once you see the “New distribution release ‘8.04′ is available” message, click the Upgrade button.
It might take some time for Ubuntu to organize the process needed, download the files, and go through the update installation process. Just follow the instructions and be patient.

~Cheers to Open Source and a Linux for Humans

Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron Release Schedule [Ubuntu Wiki]

Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron Features [from Ubuntu.com]

Like its name, FileZ is a file management program for the Palm OS that goes beyond just processing data. It has a supercharged data management system with functionalities including:

• Edit with full access to all Internal and External Memory Card files
• View detailed System Information
• View, Delete, and Export/Backup data from the Palm OS Preference Database (PrefDB)
• Edit, Copy, Move, Delete, Send data and files from one source to another
• A customizable interface with Color Coding

As many Palm OS users have experienced before, corruption error and crashes may occur from improperly deleted Preference Database entries after uninstalls. With FileZ, the creator IDs of all the databases are listed and therefore can be used to search for Orphaned Databases, those without creator IDs. When such entries are deleted, the chances for database corruption and error is greatly reduced. In one sense, FileZ is like an Explorer/Registry Editor for the Palm OS. Best of all, FileZ is Free!

FileZ [SourceForge.net]