Google has given Mozilla based browsers like Firefox a little present. Basically when a Firefox user does a Google search, Google will preload the most likely result for you so that if you click on the first result, you will see the page much more quickly then you otherwise would.

Not everyone is happy with the functionality, many believe that it could be a waste of bandwidth and a possible future security concern. I’m of the opinion that as long as they give you an option to turn it on, (and leave it off by default) then it’s a useful additional service to Mozilla users. My own tendency is to do searches based on lists of words, so it’s quite unusual when the first result is the one I want, the result is that this is not likely to be of that much use to me and might waste bandwidth (which is why I’d like the option to turn it on or off.) The prefetch feature isn’t available on non-Mozilla browsers like Internet Explorer as they don’t currently support it.

What I’d like to see, is a Google Firefox extension that works with Firefox and Google’s results page so that checkboxes are put next to each result, you then mark all the checkboxes next to possible positive results and then click a “Open in tabs” button and have all the check marked pages open in new tabs. That would really speed up my search experience.

MySQL have released the 5.0.3 beta of their popular relational database for UNIX, Win and OSX. The latest beta has some features that bring it more in line with commercial database offerings like views, stored procedures and triggers. The beta is due to become stable in the second quarter and you can find more information at the MySQL dev zone. The downloads page, should you wish to try the new beta yourself, can be found here.

There are people with legitimate need to run Windows Server (like the boss will fire you if you don’t). Today Microsoft released Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). It offers increased security. You should certainly peddle right over to MS and get a copy if you are running their server software. They expect to shortly release a similiar update for their small business server as well.

A couple of articles in the Register and Cnet claim that iPods are targets for bandits in muggings. It wasn’t that long ago that a pair of Jordon shoes (okay I guess it was a while ago) or a Starter Jacket marked you as a target for thiefs. I guess it makes sense that an iPod might be next. What is interesting that two articles from opposite sides of the world “coincidentally” note the same thing. I am wondering, is is a coincidence, or a scare tactic from some unknown source to discourage use of iPods?

Me thinks me smells a rat.

Security Focus has a nice two part article on tracking a hacker (family member or employee) on your system. It shows how you can use some readily available tools to search internet browser caches.

I must be as good as this guy … or at least a tenth as good. Cnet reports that incoming CEO at HP, Mark Hurd, will draw a $2,000,000 signing bonus and $1,400,000 annually plus stock options. He isn’t alone in making such amazing amounts of money, but what makes one person that valuable? The last CEO did pretty well for herself as well, despite nearly crashing the company into the side of the proverbial mountain.

This guy has been around for a while of course. Back in 1998, then Vice President of Marketing for NCR’s Computer Systems Group, Hurd said, “As a leading provider of enterprise solutions to customers with mission-critical computing needs, NCR is always looking for new ways to improve the reliability and manageability of the business solutions we sell.” Does that actuallyl mean anything? Maybe the problem is that I say things that make sense. I should try changing that as it apparently works because he later became the CEO at NCR.

Here is what he now says about NCR:
“I’m very proud of what NCR has achieved during my tenure as CEO and I’m confident that with the company’s leading technologies and attractive markets, coupled with the management team’s focus on execution, the momentum will continue.” Okay Mark, congratulations on the new job, and may the confusing sentences be with you! We’ll be focusing on execution now too, thanks for clueing us in.

Microsoft is further investing in the to-go video market to support the Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center. For $20 a year for a premium membership, you get content from many big name partners including Fox Network, MSNBC and so forth. Because these sources already underwrite the cost of production, they can afford to fill this market with content. It will be interesting to see how to-go videos, podcasts, and other items like this that give people alternatives to reading a magazine or the paper on their commute or wait time.