Acid test for web browsers

Have you heard of the acid test for web browsers? There is a web site,http://acid3.acidtests.org/ that tests on how well a web browser conforms to web standards. I tried it out for the web browsers that I have on my PC. This includes Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. The results are shown in the picture. Chrome got the best score with 79 out of 100. Safari was next, then Firefox. Internet Explorer was so messed up that you could not even read the score. I would say that is a zero.

Anyway an article on Macnn.com says that the Apple Safari browser is now the first browser to have passed this test. Congrats. LINK

I just find it funny that the most used browser is the least conforming browser. Makes you wonder. By the way, I know I should have tested this on a Mac but I am in between upgrades now. Just couldn't wait for the Intel based Macs when I made my purchase.

How much longer ...

How much longer do you think Apple can lock an iPod or iPhone by preventing upgrade of the memory size. Flash memory has become so cheap it seems almost criminal that Apple prevents users from upgrading on their own. I know it is a marketing ploy to keep people upgrading iPods/iPhones. But when you can buy an 8GB flash memory card for only $20, it really makes you wonder why the iPod Touch starting entry only has 8GB.

They will need a serious competitor like Sandisk to push this. There music players already allow for upgrades. At some point people will be tired of upgrading their iPod because of this restriction. This may be the reason Sandisk is #2 for music players, albiet only 8% market share.

I just checked amazon and found a 32GB card for $78. But in a year it will probably cost $30. What is the intended life span of the iPhone? I hope more than one year. I would want to keep it for at least 3 years. But with the limited memory, in 3 years 64GB will be the entry level memory card, and I would be far behind.

Could it be that Apple is afraid that they made a product so good, that if they allow for memory expansion, that people might not upgrade in 5 years? They might have a case for that. The only reason I would upgrade my cell phone is if it breaks. I only use it for phone calls.

I believe I have discovered the reason for Apple's forced obscelecence. They make their products too good. So we will be stuck with unreplaceable batteries and non upgradable memory for a long time.

New iPods!

What do you think of the new iPods from Apple? I like the wide assortment of nanos. The rectangular version is back and is so much better than the wide nano. That was the worst iPod of all time. Shake your songs, really cool. Yes it is a copy of Sandisks idea. But I am sure Apples impleamentation is better.
Marketing the iPod Touch as a cool gaming device is smart. You know many will be smashed because of the interface though. Rounded edges just make sense. Why so little memory though? Flash memory is cheap. I bought an 8GB flash memory for my camera for only $20.
It seems Apple purposely has to limit some of their devices to keep demand high for the high end items like the iPhone. Guess that's the way marketing goes.
All and all, the iPod updates were evolutionary. Apple I think is running out of ways to wow people with the iPod. The Touch is old news, with the update just bringing things more up to date.

September 9 Special Event

Gentlemen, here it is! Apple just announced a special event "Let's Rock" for September 9! New iPods? New iPod Touch? Does the Classic stick around? (How can they eliminate one of the best selling iPods in the lineup?) The Shuffle is getting a little long in the tooth, isn't it? Comments?

Macnight 2008 a Success

Gentlemen, I do believe we must conclude that Macnight 2008 was quite a success! Stitch, it was a pleasure to discuss the state of the Mac today, in addition to enjoying excellent food and libation along the way. I believe we must have a follow up to Macnight in the not too distant future, but we should converge upon the lovely desert of Tucson.