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10 Aug 2009 23:50

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Tech: Microsoft: We want to get rid of Internet Explorer 6, but we can’t

  • The engineering point of view on IE6 starts as an operating systems supplier. Dropping support for IE6 is not an option because we committed to supporting the IE included with Windows for the lifespan of the product.
  • Dean Hachamovitch, the guy in charge of the Internet Explorer team • Describing the problems that Microsoft has with getting people to upgrade from that crappy browser they made almost a decade ago. “The choice to upgrade software on a PC belongs to the person responsible for the PC,” he notes, and says that many people responsible for PCs are organizations, not individual users. While developers will encourage IE users to upgrade, “We will also continue to respect their choice, because their browser is their choice.” • source

10 Aug 2009 23:32

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Music: ShortFormBand: For an anonymous collective, Golau Glau rules

A pretty picture in place of Golau Glau
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, Golau Glau finds that perfect middle ground between 8-bit synths and anonymous female harmonies. Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to them

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your sound: Golau Glau make electronic silverpop.

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Nintendo NES: Summer of ’92
    Aquariums: sharks and bubbles
    Late-night rain: noise, texture, smell

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Joy Orbison – “Hyph Mngo”: Freshest, hottest, most irresistible tune ’09. With chips (UK meaning).

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: Sending tunes to people we respect on Soundcloud, making things look smart on all sites, keeping our own blog and ignoring the bullshit.

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you? Some tasty slabs of vinyl, we hope, in time for your Christmas list.  source

10 Aug 2009 22:34

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Music: Coming soon: A massively-debated list from Pitchfork

So, what’s gonna be at the top of Pitchfork’s top-albums-of-the-decade list? Arcade Fire? Radiohead? Travis Morrison? Keep an eye out. source

10 Aug 2009 22:20

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Music: We don’t think Lady Gaga said this, but we’re quoting it anyway

  • It’s not something that I’m ashamed of, just isn’t something that I go around telling everyone. Yes. I have both male and female genitalia, but I consider myself a female.
  • Lady Gaga • As she was supposedly quoted about her gender identity, which apparently gives credence to the claim she’s a hermaphrodite. The claims were given legs after a recent wardrobe malfunction made it look like the “Poker Face” singer was packing more than the usual. Regarding the claims, Gaga’s manager said: “This is completely ridiculous.” We’re inclined to agree. • source

10 Aug 2009 22:04

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Culture: Ah crap, the torrent of Michael Jackson news is still coming

  • autopsy Coroners have finally completed another autopsy of the King of Pop. However, they cannot confirm whether the details of the autopsy can nail down the cause of death due to a pending investigation.
  • movie For people who wanted to see Jackson on tour before his death, get ready for the movie. Columbia Pictures has secured rights to “This Is It,” based on Jackson’s pre-tour rehearsals. source

10 Aug 2009 21:51

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Tech: More Facebook news: Their search is just like Twitter’s now

The new, expanded Facebook search makes a lot of sense for the service, but it lacks the trending topics lynchpin that makes Twitter so awesome. source

10 Aug 2009 21:32

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Offbeat: Redheads are in fact different from the rest of us, say dentists

  • A gene mutation makes them feel pain more. The American Dental Association recently published a study in their medical journal and found that redheads are more sensitive to pain at the dentist – requiring more anesthesia and often avoiding dentist visits as a result. The ADA blames the gene MC1R, which redheads and some brown-headed stepchildren also have. We wish we understood, guys. But we don’t. Sorry. source
 

10 Aug 2009 21:22

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U.S., World: Barack Obama puts immigration on the backburner for later

  • Now, am I going to be able to snap my fingers and get this done? No. But ultimately, I think the American people want fairness. And we can create a system in which you have strong border security and an orderly process for people to come in.
  • President Barack Obama • Discussing immigration reform in Mexico during a summit with Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He can’t really focus too much on it now – “I’ve got a lot on my plate,” he admitted – but hopes to improve the process for everyone overall. For some conservatives who have made a game out of criticizing illegal immigration, it can’t come soon enough. (On the plus side, they’re busy complaining about health care reform.) • source

10 Aug 2009 21:09

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U.S., World: Hillary in Congo: BILL ISN’T SECRETARY! I AM! HULK SMASH!

  • Wow. Did you see the way Hillary Clinton turned green and her muscles got really big when she was asked that question? She’s a regular Bruce Banner. But that said, we can understand her anger. Clinton went to Congo to bring a stop to rape in the country. In other words, she was fighting a women’s rights issue and had sexism thrown right in her face. Good job, random student! source

10 Aug 2009 21:08

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World: There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on in Asia, guys