Daily News Brief: Acid3 Test Burns ALL Browsers

Browsers Stung by WaSP

Microsoft released Beta 1 of Internet Explorer 8 to the general public yesterday, finally brings standards-based rendering to the table. IE previously faced criticism for largely ignoring W3C standards and failing to pass the Acid2 test. IE8 supposedly does a much better job, but raining on every web browser's parade is the release of Acid3 by the Web Standards Project (WaSP). Acid3's stringent testing targets major web standards, scoring browsers on a 100-point scale. So far, no known browser has scored a perfect 100. Take the test here.

Ziff Davis Files for Bankruptcy

According an Associated Press report, Ziff Davis Media Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 protection to restructure debt. Ziff Davis publishes both print and online versions of PC Magazine and Electronic Gaming Monthly, as well as the official Games for Windows magazine and several other websites. Ziff Davis cited a decrease in revenue from print advertising and subscriptions as contributing factors, but expects to exit court protection by midsummer.

Bill Gates Dethroned!

Settle down Linux fans, the Penguin hasn't usurped Bill Gates and his Windowed empire. Yet. But according to Forbes magazine, Gates did lose his standing as the world's richest man, a boast that now belongs to American investor Warren Buffett. Forbes estimates Buffett's fortune to be in the $62 billion range, compared to Gates' $58 billion, which now ranks as third. Conspicuously missing from the list was Dr. Evil.

YeeHaw!

In what's sure to bring a smile to Maximum PC forum moderator and part-time country music DJ extraordinaire SuperChip64's face, singer Brad Paisley's "Online" video received four Country Music Television awards nominations. The fan-voted nominations include video of the year, male video of the year, comedy video, and supporting character (Jason Alexander). On the edge of your seat? You'll have to wait until April 14, when Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) and father Billy Ray Cyrus host the ceremony. In the meantime, catch the video here.

Money Talks

Citing anonymous sources, the New York Posts claims Microsoft may be preparing to change it's buyout offer to 100 percent cash, rather than half cash and half Microsoft stock. If true, the move could further entice Yahoo shareholders and put pressure on its board. In related news, Yahoo extended the March 14 deadline to nominate directors to its board, which some view as an attempt to hold off Microsoft. More on this ongoing online soap opera here.

CeBIT Exhibitors Busted

German police sent 180 law enforcement officials to search 51 booths at CeBIT for patent infringement, marking the largest search of its kind at the trade show. Violations mainly centered on MP3 players and CD, DVD-R, and DVD playback devices, though navigation equipment, digital picture frames, flat screen devices, and electronic accessories also filled the 68 boxes of confiscated goods.

COMMENTS:

1

TAGS: 

Internet, video, news, music, browser, acid3

Comments Print Email