IT News HeadLines (HardOCP) 23/09/2010

Chrome Is Overtaking Firefox Among Power Users?
The fellas at LifeHacker have posted and article on why they believe Chrome is overtaking Firefox among power users. What about you? Do you use Chrome, Firefox or IE? Firefox has long been the go-to web browser among power users for its impressive feature set, extensibility, and openness. But Google's nimble, light, also extensible and open browser, Chrome, has won over Firefox's core user base. Comments
Read More ...

---

Microsoft IE Vet Heads to Google Fremont
I knew it! Google is stealing Microsoft employees! Google probably lured him away with the free food, power naps and bicycles they have on campus. Well, thatÂ…and a boatload of cash. After 15 years learning the software business at Microsoft, Chris Wilson was ready for a new school. The principal program manager on Microsoft's Internet Explorer team left Microsoft yesterday for a new job as a developer advocate for Google, based at its Fremont office. Comments
Read More ...

---

Four Player Pac-Man
Ummm, where the hell has this been for the last 25 years? Imagine how many old school arcade games could benefit from co-op or multiplayer? The possibilities are endless! Comments
Read More ...

---

Most Trusted Site For Computer Hardware?
Antec's Facebook page wants to know who your most trusted site for computer hardware is. Head on over and let them know which site is your favorite and most trusted site. Thanks to everyone that sent this in. Antec, Inc: What's your most trusted review site for Computer hardware? Gadgets? Games? Comments
Read More ...

---

HP Slate On Video?
It would seem someone got their hands on a prototype HP Slate and, to be honest, it looks rather impressive for a tablet. You should probably check out the video before it gets yanked: Comments
Read More ...

---

Judge Warns of End To File-Sharing Cash Demands
It looks like even judges are getting sick of the extortion letters sent out by the entertainment industry. Can it be? Will we see an end of "pay up or else" letters? A senior judge has given the clearest indications so far that patience could be running out with "pay up or else" letters currently being sent out in their thousands to alleged file-sharers. At a hearing to authorize yet more, the judge called the schemes "a huge sledgehammer to crack a nut" adding that once the Digital Economy Act is in force, further applications may not be successful. Comments
Read More ...

---

Zuckerberg to Donate $100M to Newark NJ Schools
Wow, who knew Facebook's founder had this kinda cash on hand? Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive and a founder of Facebook, has agreed to donate $100 million to improve the long-troubled public schools in Newark, and Gov. Chris Christie will cede some control of the state-run system to Mayor Cory A. Booker in conjunction with the huge gift, officials said Wednesday. Comments
Read More ...

---

Microsoft: Blu-ray is Going to be Passed by as a Format
Microsoft's UK Xbox and Entertainment Director is stirring the pot with quotes like this. So, is this guy onto something or just on something? Are digital downloads the wave of the future or is Blu-ray here to stay? I think people may have spoken about that originally, but that's long gone. I think people now recognize what a smart decision it was to keep the pricing low, and actually Blu-ray is going to be passed by as a format. People have moved through from DVDs to digital downloads and digital streaming, so we offer full HD 1080p Blu-ray quality streaming instantly, no download, no delay. So, who needs Blu-ray? Comments
Read More ...

---

Gates Still Richest Man in America
The list of richest people in America is out and, as you might expect, the list is packed with people from the tech world. In calculating wealth, we put a price on all assets, including stakes in public and privately held companies, real estate, art, yachts and planes. For the first time, this year we have also systematically collected data on billionaires' eight different categories of passions and pursuits. In these pages we call out these personal interests with icons next to people's names, space allowing. Comments
Read More ...

---

Netflix Hires Actors to Pose as Canadian Fans
And the award for "bonehead move" of the day goes to Netflix. The sad part is, given the opportunity, regular people would have said good things about the service on their own. Things backfired at a Toronto street celebration after reporters discovered that actors hired by the Netflix had been given written instructions to give media interviews gushing about the video subscription service's arrival in Canada. The actors also were urged to fill a variety of stereotypical roles, including "mothers, film buffs, tech geeks, couch potatoes," according to the one-page handout given to them. Comments
Read More ...

---

Microsoft Announces Debt Offering
Microsoft Corp. today announced the pricing of its offering of $4.75 billion of senior unsecured notes. The notes consist of the following tranches: $1 billion of 0.875 percent notes due Sept. 25, 2013 $1.75 billion of 1.625 percent notes due Sept. 25, 2015 $1 billion of 3.000 percent notes due Oct. 1, 2020 $1 billion of 4.500 percent notes due Oct. 1, 2040 Microsoft intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include funding for working capital, capital expenditures, repurchases of stock and acquisitions. The offering is expected to close on Sept. 27, 2010. Comments
Read More ...

---

BioStar TA890FXE Motherboard
We have posted our evaluation of the BioStar TA890FXE motherboard today. Make sure you hit the link and give it a read. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. BioStar is one of those companies that's generally well known for making boards which are frankly not targeted toward the enthusiast market. However that changed a few years back when they introduced their T-Force line of boards aimed at the high end. Surprisingly to us, T-Force motherboards have been solid contenders for a couple years now. How does its newest fare? Comments
Read More ...

---

GoG "Closing" Was A Marketing Stunt
That news item yesterday about Good Old Games closingÂ…yeah...it was a lame marketing stunt. If you are mad, the company offered this statement (below) and this insanely bizarre monk video as an apology. First of all we would like to apologize everyone who felt deceived or harmed in any way by us closing down GOG.com without any warning and without giving access to your games. We apologize for that from the bottom of our hearts! Comments
Read More ...

---

BioStar TA890FXE Motherboard Review
BioStar is one of those companies that's generally well known for making boards which are frankly not targeted toward the enthusiast market. However that changed a few years back when they introduced their T-Force line of boards aimed at the high end. Surprisingly to us, T-Force motherboards have been solid contenders for a couple years now. How does its newest fare?
Read More ...

---