Communication Bywaves

Group meets at 12:30pm - 2nd Friday each month. Visitors welcome.

Google's Chrome Ver.5 Browser Reviewed

Following on from the success of their Search Engine and Gmail application, Google released their Chrome version.1 browser less than two years ago. Developing quickly, version.5 was only released in May. Like their search engine, Chrome is uncluttered, leaving a large viewing window, but still packs more features and greater speed than other popular browsers.

The first surprise is Chrome's minimal interface, featuring a thin toolbar but no menu or status bars. And where the website address box also serves as Google's powerful search engine entry box. At the top left of the toolbar are webpage tabs, any number of which can be set to load at startup. Tabs that are used often can be "pinned" and miniaturised to save space as shown. You can easily rearrange the tabs by dragging, even bringing them down onto the page if you wish. Clicking the "+" button (not shown) or short-cut Ctrl+N opens a new window displaying "thumb-nails" of the eight most recently visited sites plus browsing history going as far back as you want. A back, forward, reload, home and bookmark button complete the basic controls.

On the other end of the toolbar, are two icons with drop-down menus. One is the "current page control" enabling common tasks like Cut, Paste, Print and the nifty Find box extension - short-cut Ctrl+F - as shown. Other tasks including "Create application short-cuts", zooming and Developer needs are also listed here. The spanner icon on the right allows you to "Customise and control Google Chrome" using a wide variety of choices. This is where you can open an "incognito window" plus hide or show a bookmarks bar - short-cut "toggle" Ctrl+B - as seen here. You can also check browsing history, manage bookmarks, downloads and more. Clicking the "Options" feature presents another range of choices including setting default "home" and other "startup" pages, adding passwords, etc.

There are also plenty of add-ons available to further customize Chrome if you wish, such as selecting from a multitude of bright modern themes to suit your personality. I have installed one - a Gmail Checker that is currently indicating I have one new message. Clicking on this button now takes me directly to my Gmail account for a quick response.

As an added bonus, Chrome version.5 is already compatible with the latest proposed W3C web standards and was the first browser to pass the demanding Acid3 test with a score of 100! Don't be left behind - download, install and try Chrome now - you'll be glad you did! jl

Private Browsing

Privacy mode or private browsing is a feature of modern browsers that allows web surfing without leaving a tell-tail trail of visited sites. This feature can be started in different ways and a small icon is displayed in the address box when operating.

This information applies to Windows Internet Explorer 8. InPrivate Browsing enables you to surf the web without leaving a trail in Internet Explorer. This helps prevent anyone else who might be using your computer from seeing where you visited and what you looked at on the web. You can start InPrivate Browsing from the new tab page, the Safety button or shortcut keys: Ctrl+Shift+P.

Chrome: Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+N or click the Tools menu and select New incognito window. Now you've gone incognito. Pages that you view in this window won't appear in your browser history or search history, and they won't leave other traces, like cookies, on your computer after you close the incognito window. Any files that you download or bookmarks that you create will be preserved, however.

Firefox 3.5 and later provide "Private Browsing," - Shortcut keys: Ctrl+Shift+P - which allows you to browse the Internet without Firefox saving any data about which sites and pages you have visited.
History is used by the browser to enhance your experience on the Internet. When the browser remembers a website you previously visited or the username and password for your favorite web site, this information is considered your history.

However, there may be times when you do not want other users of your computer to see or access such information. For example, if a friend or family member shares your computer, you might prefer for them not to be able to see what websites you've visited or what files you've downloaded.

More information on private browsing...

What is a portable app?

A portable app is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any Windows computer. When your USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. And when you unplug the device, none of your personal data is left behind.

• No Special Hardware - Use any USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod/MP3 player, etc.
• No Additional Software - Just download, run the portable installer and go.
• No Kidding - It's that easy. Click image to LEARN MORE...

USB On-The-Go

Due to its widespread acceptance, USB is becoming the de facto industry standard for connecting peripherals to PCs and laptops. Many of the new peripherals now using USB are also portable devices.

As these portable devices increase in popularity, there is a growing need for them to communicate directly with each other when a PC is not available. The On-The-Go Supplement addresses this need for mobile interconnectivity by allowing a USB peripheral to have the following enhancements:

• Limited host capability to communicate with selected other USB peripherals
• A small USB connector to fit the mobile form factor
• Low power features to preserve battery life

Source and more information is available here..