GOOGLE Chrome: Semi-Benign Virus

If the definition of a virus includes hijacking portions of your OS and changing certain program operations without your permission causing your computer to function in a way that you don’t want and can’t fix – then Google Chrome is a virus. Benign (sort of) but definitely a virus.

I installed it to try it out. I liked Firefox better so after a few days I uninstalled Chrome and the weird stuff started to happen:

• Embedded weblinks in Skype opened up in MS Word – not useful.
• Clicking on the Linksys security cameras attached to my network opened their online viewing utility in MS Word – frustrating and not functional.
• Embedded weblinks in MS Outlook either wouldn’t open (admin permissions error) or opened up in MS Word.

After searching the net for some clue I came across this thread which thankfully put me on the road to recovery. However, I had to reinstall Chrome to get the weblinks to open up in my preferred browser Firefox. If I’d known that Chrome had hijacked my registry I probably would have re-selected Firefox as my default browser. That may have fixed the problem. Several hours of hunting and I’m back to full function.

I think Google should fix this problem or, at a minimum provide detailed instructions for removing Chrome which should include resetting another browser as your default. As it was I had to go into the registry and manually clean out the Google Chrome entries.

All better now!

Sincerely Yours,

Weed Pottle, Esq.

(I’m not really a lawyer, I just play one on TV)

Alexis de Tocqueville …Anyone?

This Klavan guy…makes sense. And inspires with blunt insight. Democracy in America. Ideas that represent the Rx for the diseases of our time.

No, I Haven’t Seen Avatar…

I haven’t seen Avatar. Yet. Maybe I won’t. Maybe it’s because everyone is telling how they saw it three times and knowing that I am a digital artist telling me: “Oh Man – you have to see this! The visuals are amazing!” Something, at the edge of my consciousness – just outside my peripheral vision – like a shadow  – I don’t have words to describe it – but maybe it’s because I don’t trust many people to tell a truly magnificent story. Then today…I found this and my reluctance to see the latest diatribe about how our world sucks starts to make sense….

Saul Bass: On Being a Designer

Great insight from one of the most prolific, great designers of our time. Enjoy ~

Dr_D

It’s a Craig’s List World: a semi fictionalized account

The names have been changed to protect the innocent. “Them” is a composite of two interesting Craigizens.

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Them: I want to buy your Wacom Tablet. Will you take $150.00. I’m going to the bank right now and can pick it up immediately!

Me: (Oh crap. Another student who just realized 3 weeks into the quarter that they have to have a Wacom for their photoshop class- now they’re behind and it’s my fault) I’m not selling it separately. It’s part of the Workstation system I’m selling on Craig’s list.

Them: Oh. Ok. Would you take $130 for it? By the way what size is it? I assume it has all the accessories, the free software like Painter, Photoshop, the original box, the driver software, all that?

Me: (Huh? How’d we get from $150 to $130) I’m not selling it separately. It’s a 6 x8, I have the tablet, pen and pen holder. All the software is loaded onto the Workstation system I’m selling on Craig’s list. › Continue reading