Convalesco

Το Google έκανε release την έκδοση Beta του Chrome, του καινούριου browser που θα προσπαθήσει κι αυτός με την σειρά του να πάρει ένα μερίδιο της αγοράς.
Τι παραπάνω έχει το Chrome από τους IE, Firefox, Safari, Flock, Opera, κτλ; Καλύτερο integration με τα Google services. Για την ώρα τρέχει μόνο σε Windows Vista, νομίζω πως ακόμη δεν υπάρχει έκδοση για MacOSX & GNU/Linux. Οι πρώτες εντυπώσεις είναι θετικές, καθώς σύμφωνα με φήμες, είναι πάρα πολύ γρήγορος, χρησιμοποιώντας την τεχνολογία V8 του Lars Bak, η οποία αυξάνει σημαντικά την ταχύτητα σε εφαρμογές Javascript. Η τεχνολογία (γλώσσα θα έπρεπε να πω κανικά…) Javascript είναι ευρείας χρήσης στο διαδίκτυο. Εκτός αυτού, δείχνει να είναι όμορφος και σε αρμονία με τα Windows Vista, πράγμα σπάνιο…

Οι πρώτες ανησυχίες των πιο tech savvy χρηστών, είναι στο απόλυτο integration, με τις υπηρεσίες του Google και στην αποστολή στοιχείων, στο Google. Το πιο ανησυχητικό είναι το Unique Application Number, ένα μοναδικό νούμερο που θα δηλώνει ο browser που είναι εγκατεστημένος στο μηχάνημα μας, στο Google. Αν αυτό το νούμερο διασταυρωθεί με το gmail και το Google docs του χρήστη, καθώς και με την πιστωτική του κάρτα, τότε καταλαβαίνεται ότι το Google είναι ανά πάσα στιγμή σε θέση να γνωρίζει:

1) Το ονοματεπώνυμο και διεύθυνση σας (Από τα email κι από την πιστωτική σας - Google check out)

2) Οποιαδήποτε πληροφορία βρίσκεται στο email σας

3) Οποιαδήποτε πληροφορία βρίσκεται στο Google doc σας

4) Το ιστορικό των “search” pages. Αυτό να είστε σίγουροι ότι ακόμη κι αν έχετε επιλέξει “off” το κρατάει γερά φυλαγμένο γιατί από εκεί προέρχεται η δύναμη του.

5) Μέσω του Chrome οτιδήποτε βλέπεται στο διαδίκτυο, ανά πάσα στιγμή.

Θα μπορούσα να γράψω κι άλλα. Τα παραπάνω όμως είναι, κατά την γνώμη μου, τα σημαντικότερα. Γιατί γίνεται αυτό; Μήπως το Google συνεργάζεται με την Αμερικανική CIA, μήπως με την MPAA ή άλλες οργανώσεις που προσπαθούν να συλλέξουν στοιχεία για εμάς; Το δυνητικά μεγαλύτερο φακέλωμα του πλανήτη, μακράν μεγαλύτερο κι επικινδυνότερο από το Facebook, μπορεί να επέλθει, αλλά σίγουρα στόχος του Goole δεν είναι αυτός. Όπως και στόχος του Facebook δεν είναι οι χρήστες του να είναι δυσσαρεστημένοι. Μια εκστρατεία των Media θα μπορούσε να ισοπεδώσει αυτά τα δύο μεγαθήρια πιο εύκολα από όσο μπορούμε να φανταστούμε εκ πρώτης όψεως, στην τελική είναι “one click away” από το ηλεκτρονικό κατάστημα τους.

Ο στόχος για το Google, είναι να δημιουργήσει υπηρεσίες οι οποίες είναι όσο το δυνατών ευκολότερες για τον μέσο χρήστη. Για να το κάνει αυτό, αναγκαστικά πρέπει να έχει stored password, να γνωρίζει στοιχεί και προτιμήσεις. Η καλή πλευρά των πραγμάτων, είναι ότι μπορεί να μας δώσει τις πληροφορίες που θέλουμε με ταχύτερο και βελτιστοποιημένο τρόπο χωρίς καν να του το ζητήσουμε. Η κακή πλευρά, είναι ότι αποκτά γνώση η οποία μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί κάποια στιγμή εναντίων μας. Οι πληροφορία είναι το πιο σημαντικό πράγμα. Το Google μπορεί να πιάσει το σφυγμό μεγάλου μέρους του πληθυσμού παγκοσμίως με μια απλή έρευνα. Δεν πιστεύω ότι αυτός είναι ο σκοπός του. Δεν έχει νόημα να παρακολουθεί τους χρήστες του 24 ώρες την ημέρα για να σας κάνει κακό… Γιατί να κάνει κάτι τέτοιο; Άλλωστε, όπως είπα, ο ανταγωνισμός είναι μεγάλος κι ένας χαρούμενος χρήστης δύσκολα να φύγει από το Google για το Yahoo! ή το MSN.

Ένα email μπορεί να γίνεις στόχος, κακόβουλων χρηστών, οπουδήποτε, αν σκεφτεί κάποιος την πορεία που διαγράφει το μήνυμα, για να φτάσει στον τελικό του παραλίπτη. Η κρυπτογράφηση είναι ζωτικής σημασίας και υπάρχει ακριβώς γι αυτόν τον λόγο, για να προστατεύει ευαίσθητα δεδομένα.

Εμείς σαν χρήστες, θέλουμε τον ανταγωνισμό. Είναι καλύτερα να υπάρχουν 7 προγράμματα (browsers) ανάμεσα στους οποίους μπορεί να διαλέξεις πάρα 2. Υπάρχει και το Chronium project, το οποίο είναι η open source, BSD licensed έκδοση του browser, για τους φανατικούς του open source.

Two days ago I had the bad luck to read the article A scripted war written by the Economist journal, the printed edition of 10-11th August. It’s the first time that I’ve read an article on the journal that I consider strongly and outrageously biased. The international press clearly stated that it was Georgia that fired up the tension in the area, by taking over N. Ossettia. There is no doubt about that. The mentioned article bypasses that, without clarifying who’s fault provoke the escalation in an already dangerous area.

It’s clear that the USA pushed Georgia into this lunacy. Russia’s military action was unexpected for most of the foreign policy analysts although, Putin had predicted an issue about S. Ossettia when Kosovo received a graceful independence considering how rules apply to similar situations. Putin at the time had stated that, he is against the independence of Kosovo but that he will not interfere, nor politically nor military, but he will not accept in any way a similar resolution for North or South Ossettia.

I don’t believe that the Economist is a pseudo-libertarian journal, but I was stroked by the luck of judgement and the biased opinion about USA and Georgia in the escalation. Maybe Russia put fear into every single country it borders, but it was clearly on the defensive here.

Another thing that I fail to understand is how many analysts find positive the installation of missiles in Poland and Czech Republic while they don’t want to know about anti-missile installation system in Cuba. Or you don’t want to know about either, or you just accept that Russia is not Iraq. It’s not going to be an American Puppy. Other statements I’ve read in the comments of the above article, are really naive and show the low level of most readers. I thought that there was a moderator, moderating idiotic comments. Probably there is not: Saying that a country like Russia controls “only the energy sector” is naive to say the least. If a country controls energy and information, controls the world. It can buy army and weapons. I’m not a war policy expert and I don’t know how ready is the Russian army to face a war or a USA army. I can’t say if they are going to win a second cold war, but Putin is for sure, much more capable than G. W. Bush, at least he has an opinion of his own and Russia has very very strong allies, who would like to see the USA going down all over the world. China will stand next to Russia and it’s enough to create a fearful opponent already. The EU is not united in these matters, the European countries are divided because they have different interests. I don’t believe that any sane human being would like to see escalation’s rising between Russia and the USA. But the country that should keep it down is not Russia for sure. It’s the USA that should change their foreign bullying policy. Installing an anti-Russian missile system in Poland wont help. If I’d be Poland I would be much more worried if my Government installs these missiles than if it doesn’t. If you don’t act aggressively against the “Bear” I don’t believe that it will attack you. While if something goes wrong and Poland would have to face Russia, I believe that it will be brought down to zero in no time and the USA would be too far and away in order to help them. As the did in Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili was backed up by the USA after his troops were spoiled and Tbilisi face extermination. The villages near the borders suffered from Russian rides, where were the UN and the USA? This is not Iraq or a Taliban clan countries are dealing with.

I don’t want to see any of the above scenario taking place. I’d like to see prosperity peace and regulation taking place everywhere. But as Chomsky put’s in his book Failed States that I happened to read lately, if the USA foreign policy would not stop escalating tensions all over the world, a nuclear war in the next future, is not an unreal scenario.

A nice video to clarify the situation from a USA citizen, one again it’s not Russia that has to calm down, it’s the USA that everyone should try to calm down. Here is Joe:

Είναι απίστευτα, άσχημα οργανωμένο το website της ΕΡΤ. Προσπαθώ να μάθω τα ωράρια των παιχνιδιών και των αθλημάτων που θέλω να δω, αλλά αυτό είναι κάτι αδύνατο. Ορίστε άρθρο για το παιχνίδι μπάσκετ με τις ΗΠΑ το οποίο δεν αναφέρει καν την ώρα που θα γίνει το παιχνίδι! Προφανώς “όλοι το ξέρουν” γιαυτό δεν χρειάζεται να το αναφέρουμε! Αν είναι δυνατόν! Ρίξτε μια ματιά στο search και βάλτε την λέξη “μπάσκετ”… Τα άτομα είναι τραγικά, δεν έχουν γράψει τους αγώνες, μόνο το αγώνισμα….

The Bank Job is a movie based on a true story. That alone makes it very interesting. You know reality is much more intriguing compared to fiction. The story is very good, the scenario is very good and action is pure: no explosion and fancy action scenes that turn the entire thing into a joke.
The actors are really good. I liked most of them, Saffron Burrows for instance is an excellent choice. Jason Statham is an excellent actor and movies like London and The Bank Job are demonstrations of his skill.
The imdb rates are high and totally justified, as this movie shows the true underground life of London in the mid-70’s and the way that government officials and Gentlemen have links to the mob and other criminals. When you hit a bank like that, without prior permission from the local Mafia, it’s like pissing against the wind. You might get wet…

On Thursday I was in Sofia, Bulgaria for a business trip with my father. I took my iBook G4 for business and pleasure. At 19:30 I was a dead-meat. I decided to go quickly to bed, but I didn’t wanna close my eyes and sleep. I opened the iBook and took a look at my Movies folder. I had few episodes of my favourite Greek series, s1ngles season 3 and “21“. Due to positive feedback I decided to pick “21″. The DVD rip that I made at home, didn’t include the Greek subtitles, I had no internet connection to look for them on line. I can always use bluetooth and my mobile phone when the game goes hard, but it wasn’t worth it: The price per kb is outrageously high, when you’re using mobile internet via phone and not a HSDPA device. After all I’m quite fluent and I easily understand English. Of course listening the Brits is much easier, but I didn’t think of it twice and watched the movie without subtitles in plain USA English. To tell you the truth I missed a few lines at the beginning. I had to get used to it.

The plot is very interesting. The cast is well chosen. Kevin Spacey was outstanding as always. This guy is the best actor I can think of. It just makes you believe whatever he wants, almost naturally. Jim Sturgess as “Ben Cambell” is very good. The boy has some skills. The plot, is good although it’s a Deja Vu as a total. I liked the way Robert Luketic brought this scenario to the big screen.

Being a senior in the MIT with good grades is enough for most people, but apparently our genius friend “Ben”, wanted “Harvard Med School” too. Hence the need for money because the chances of getting the scholarship are as low as 0,33%. Not because he is not good, but because the other applicants are just as impressive. Now, what is going to do, is get 300.000 $ he needs to access Harvard without the scholarship. So the story begins…

“21″ is a good movie, especially if you like gambling, smart asses and Las Vegas. I think that everyone will enjoy this fine grained adventure of young Ben. There’s a bit of everything, luck, tactics, brainwashing, love… To make the movie look a Hollywood-driven quality movie.
Just enjoy the vision, it’s worthy!

Although I was told not to go see the movie, I did. A friend invited me and I couldn’t say no. I wanted to see the movie after all. I like fashion, my mother is Italian, I lived in Milan for six years, how could it be otherwise? Now that I’m thinking about I have to go shopping really fast. It’s been almost three years since last time I enjoyed shopping. Milan’s shopping garden is the best in the world if you ask me, Dior, Channel, Gucci - I love the Milan store, it’s huge and complete - , Prada… The Via della Spiga and Montenapoleone streets are amazing if you have money and time to spend. If you don’t, just make sure your girlfriend never crosses!

I’m lost, I was supposed to write down about the movie. Okay, it’s a fact I dislike it. What was it, a failed love story? I don’t know if you need to find a meaning behind every movie you see, but the scenario was awful, I mean… I can’t even tell if there was any. Maybe they just wanted to make the last episode. As a guy I have to tell that the partners of the girls were amazing. There aren’t men like those around. I mean, there are, but they are too few. Shining, good lucking, rich and wealthy? All four? Of course on the other hand, I don’t know yet a bride that has been left on the altar waiting, but hey I’m still young, 26 is not too much

The one good thing though, was the iPhone and the MacBook Pro. The girl next to me was looking at the clothes, shoes and bags. I forgot to mention the amazing houses. I mean, especially the Manhattan retiré that the couple was supposed to live was amazing. Most of the clothes were very good looking too, although I dislike made in USA clothes. As an Italian I’m much more into French/Italian fashion. I liked the houses very very much though. Of course the movie was a screen preview of next season’s fashion but who cares.

Now I didn’t go there with my girlfriend. I went with female friend of mine. My gf though wants to see this movie, I’m not quite sure if I can stand it. Especially the first half, seemed utterly boring to me. I must admit that I wanted to leave at the break, but I couldn’t leave my friend alone. So I stretched my fingers and sit down for the second round.

So if you are a guy, just don’t go there. It’s like the The Devil Wears Prada thing. It’s boring and it’s frustrating if you are a guy. You won’t laugh with most of the jokes, some you’ll miss, others you’ll hate.

However, I need to point out here that, as expected, the movies were full of women, which is a good think now that I come to think about it. Anyway, if you are a guy it’s a NO movie, unless you have plenty of time to lose and an ease mood.

Recently I saw a couple of movies. The worthy one was the Atonement. Although I’m a known blockbuster lover, I found this movie very interesting. I must say that I like Keira Knightley very much, I consider her to be the best actress of the latest wave of worldwide celebrities. As an actress I consider her much better than Scarlet Johansson, although Scarlet is good enough and in no way she based her career in her looks only.

The above mentioned movie is interesting, the end will shock you, but will make you think a bit also about the important things in life, how bad a fatal mistake can bring, etc. It’s more about regret and sorrow that can not be heal. The entire cast is really good in my opinion and the plot is roll out in an original fashion. I liked the double perspective scenes, where can see the same situation from different angles. The little Briony sees things very differently from her sister, in many situations, before coming up with the wrong judgement. I must spend a few words in Keira Knightley, who I consider really good looking, original and fresh face. Her charm is from a past age, movies like Pride and Prejudice fit her in the best possible way. The skinny, shinny face that she’s got is clean and pure, hence the ladies role suits good. The fact that she’s from UK is a kind of miracle. I can’t remember of any attractive UK actress in the 90’s or after.

Kelly’s Rowland’s new single is full of energy. I like her much better than Beyonce, since both beauties were part of Destiny’s Child.

Kelly, with European eyes, is a stunningly good looking lady. I like her body and sweet face, while she preserves intact the femme fatale look. Although she looked good enough with short hair, she is much more sexy with long hair. The video of the song Work it rocks badly, she looks incredibly sexy. The lyrics are okay and the rythm is spectacular. Good going for an always second best singer, after all she can’t be compared with Beyonce in any way, she’s far behind in career related matters. Quite killer video and killer come back from Kelly, let’s hope she lasts for long.

Ξεκινάει ο τρίτος κύκλος της καλύτερης Ελληνικής σειράς, s1ngles 3. Μετά την επιτυχία του πρώτου και του δεύτερου κύκλου, ήταν αναμενόμενη μια αλλαγή. Αν κι αρχικά ο δεύτερος κύκλος δεν μου είχε αρέσει τόσο όσο τον πρώτο, κι ομολογουμένως, κάποια επεισόδια μπορούσαν να χαρακτηριστούν υπερβολικά (βλ. Mayhem Express) αν κάποιος κοιτάξει την ουσία, το σήριαλ είναι φανταστικό. Είναι το μόνο Ελληνικό σήριαλ, που μελετάει καταστάσεις αφήνοντας τον θεατή να βγάλει τα δικά του συμπεράσματα πάνω στα αιώνια(;) ζητήματα που θέτει, όπως η φιλία, ο φόβος και άλλα, καθώς κι ο διαφορετικός τρόπος που αντιμετωπίζουν τα προβλήματα διαφορετικοί άνθρωποι.

Οι ηθοποιοί είναι πολύ καλοί. Δεν έχω την αδυναμία που έχουν οι περισσότεροι στην Μαρία Σολωμού, αλλά στον συγκεκριμένο ρόλο είναι πολύ καλή. Θα δυσκολευόμουν πολύ να πιστέψω ότι στην ζωή της, είναι πολύ διαφορετική από αυτό που βλέπουμε στο s1ngles. Η Σάνυ Χατζηαργύρη κλέβει την παράσταση. Δεν είναι τόσο εμφανές στον πρώτο κύκλο, αλλά ο δεύτερος της ανήκει ολοκληρωτικά. Εκτός του ότι, λόγω σεναρίου, βγαίνει σωστή στο τέλος, είναι ο χαρακτήρας που πείθει περισσότερο από όλους ενώ θεωρητικά είναι ο πιο απίθανος.

Είμαι περίεργος να δω πως θα αναπτύξει τον τρίτο κύκλο ο Γιώργος Β. Φείδας. Έως τώρα τα έχει πάει περίφημα, παρά τις κρητικές και τα αρνητικά σχόλια που μπορεί να δέχτηκε κατά καιρούς. Πιστεύω πως θα έχουμε και τέταρτο κύκλο. Ο τρίτος κύκλος αρχίζει ακριβώς εκεί που τέλειωσε ο 2ος… Για να δούμε τι θα δούμε

Γνωρίζετε ότι φέτος ήταν η χρονιά του μουσικού παραγωγού Timbaland. Τα albums των Justin Timberlake και Nelly Furtado κυριολεκτικά έκαναν πάταγο. Και τα δύο είναι δικά του. Έχω ξαναγράψει για το Loose της Nelly Furtado. Δεν έχω άποψη για το album του Justin, το Sexy back όμως, τα σπάει κυριολεκτικά. Τώρα κυκλοφόρησε το Give it to me. Είναι είδη νο 6 στα UK MTV top20. Ρίξτε μια ματιά στους στίχους, δεν είναι λίγο προκλητικοί:

Is it going is it going is it going is it going?
I don’t know what you’re looking for

[nelly]
I’m the type of girl that’ll look you dead in the eye (eye)
I’m real as they come if you don’t know why im fly-y-y-y-y
Seen ya try to switch it up but girl you ain’t got to
I’m the wonderwoman let me go get my ropes
I’m a supermodel and mummy, si mummy
Amnesty international got bankrupt (im on top, on lock)
You love my ass and my abs and the video called promiscuous
My style is miticulous-s-s-s-s

[chorus]
If you see us in the club we’ll be acting real nice
If you see us on the floor you’ll be watchin all night
We ain’t here to hurt nobody
So give it to me give it to me give it to me
Wanna see you work your body
So give it to me give it to me give it to me

[timbaland]
When timbo is in the party everbody put up their hands
I get a half a mill for my beats you get a couple grand-d-d-d-d
Never gonna see the day that i ain’t got the upper hand
I’m respected from californ.i.a. way down to japan
I’m a real producer and you just the piano man
Your song gonna top the charts, i heard em, i’m not a fan-n-n-n-n
(like said before…you know what they say here)….
Talkin greasy im the one that gave them they chance
Somebody need to tell em they can’t do it like i can

[chorus]
If you see us in the club we’ll be acting real nice
If you see us on the floor you’ll be watchin all night
We ain’t here to hurt nobody
So give it to me give it to me give it to me
[ these lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]

Wanna see you work your body
So give it to me give it to me give it to me

[jt]
Could you speak up and stop the mumbling
I don’t think you’re getting clear.
Sitting on the top it’s hard to hear you from way up here.
I saw you tryin to act cute on tv just let me clear the air.
We missed you on the charts last week
Damn that’s right, you wasn’t there.
If sexy never left, then why’s everybody on my shi it it?
Don’t hate on me just because you didn’t come up with it.
So if you see us in the club go on and walk the other way
Cuz our run will never be over; not at least until we say

[chorus]
If you see us in the club we’ll be acting real nice
If you see us on the floor you’ll be watchin all night
We ain’t here to hurt nobody
So give it to me give it to me give it to me
Wanna see you work your body
So give it to me give it to me give it to me

[chorus]
If you see us in the club we’ll be acting real nice
If you see us on the floor you’ll be watchin all night
We ain’t here to hurt nobody
So give it to me give it to me give it to me
Wanna see you work your body
So give it to me give it to me give it to me

[chorus]
If you see us in the club we’ll be acting real nice
If you see us on the floor you’ll be watchin all night
We ain’t here to hurt nobody
So give it to me give it to me give it to me
Wanna see you work your body
So give it to me give it to me give it to me

Το κομμάτι βέβαια είναι κορυφή R & B δεν το συζητώ θα το ακούτε όλο το καλοκαίρι.. Α ναι κάτι ακόμη, η Nelly πρέπει να βελτιωθεί πάρα πάρα πολύ στα Live της. Σκοτώνει όλα τα τραγούδια της. Λες τελικά να δώσουμε τα $$$ στον Timbaland?