I think you're confusing Chrome running under Windows for Chrome running under Linux.

Apparently you missed the part where I said I had the AdBlock extension installed. What ads on Hulu? Not seeing them here. As for my "viewing, usage habits, history, plugins, etc. all being tracked by Google" - what evidence do you have that Chrome is sending any of that back to Google? Unless you're talking about the option to "Help make Google Chrome better by automatically sending usage statistics and crash reports to Google" in Options | Under the Hood, in which case Google isn't doing anything other than what the user allows. So, unless you have any actual evidence that Chrome is 'phoning home' behind the user's back, what's not to like?

I'm giving Chrome a whirl on Ubuntu. The install was simple using GDebi, the performance is great and flash, java, divx, wmp, quicktime, and realplayer plugins are working, I've got AdBlock, LastPass, and SmoothScroll extensions installed. What's not to like (other than a current lack of an official ubuntu theme)?

I think rather that terrorism requires individuals who allow themselves to become angry and hateful at the realization that the world is not as they think it ought to be and never will be. People with such a mindset can easily be swayed to vent their anger at the world in a violent, murderous outburst of rage and hatred.

Wise people throughout the ages have told us time and again that true peace comes from within and not from without. You can't control what the world does to you, but you can control your reaction to it.

At least that's how I see it.

I keep wondering when people are going to figure out that the purpose of social networking sites - from the viewpoint of corporations and government - is to generate a map of every user's interpersonal connections? Honestly, it's not much different from the work I did in the military where we used radio intercepts and radio direction finding to not only locate each radio source, but to figure out its position in the hierarchy.

Once you realize the purpose - so far as corporations and government are concerned - it's not too difficult to understand why 'privacy' is something to be paid lip service only.

The problem isn't the tool (I don't want to be accused of being a Luddite) so much as those who control its implementation and use.

True, but in my defense I was more focused on getting a +5 Funny .

That depends on how heavily invested the committee chairman is in the hammer and toilet seat industries.

I AM shocked!

Only $30 per? Really?? Violating my privacy is bad enough, but the insult to my dignity is despicable!

Come on, guys! You're billing the government! Add some zeroes for fuck's sake - it's not like you're billing Medicare!

Yes, it does seem to be getting stranger by the minute. After speaking with the Congressman's office I emailed the author of the original Newsday article. He replied that the Congressman was quoted accurately. So, the question is whether Rep. King was telling the truth about his intent to probe WikiLeaks or not.

If not, then why grandstand for the cameras? If so, then why lie about it now?

Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.

I just spoke with Congressman King's office and they were taken by surprise when I asked them about the Wikileaks probe. They said the congressman is NOT probing wikileaks. I gave them the url to the Newsday article and was told that the Rep. King's office will be working to sort out the matter.

Sure, I can always use a free doorstop.

Oh, wait... you mean to do my actual day-to-day computing? Not likely.

Who cares if it's the developers' problem? It's a problem easily rectified by a minuscule amount of code which would help remove a common security hole that causes real damage when their product is used in the wild.

You act as if a minor change in code that would increase security is somehow such an onerous burden with no upside for the developers that it shouldn't even be mentioned.

I find that absurd.

Yes, of course! The government has already taken over the banking sector, the mortgage sector, the automotive sector, is about to take over the healthcare sector, so fuck it - the government may as well take over the energy sector as well. I can't wait until they take over food distribution - I've always wanted to know what it's like to stand in line for a loaf of bread all day.