- IE8 Final Looking Like a March 2009 (or Post-March 2009) Release

If you are holding your breath while waiting for the successor of IE7, feel free to exhale at any time because Microsoft is by no means in any hurry to deliver the RTW (release to web) version of Internet Explorer 8. In fact, a recent move from the Redmond company reveals that the gold release of IE8 might come as late as over a year after the launch of the Beta 1 build, if not even later. Of course, with no official confirmation, anticipating the final release of IE8 is nothing short of examining chicken entrails. However, the Redmond company does provide indications pointing to the availability of Internet Explorer 8 closer to, or even well into, the second quarter of 2009. The giant is offering free and unlimited support for issues related to the deployment and usage of pre-released versions of IE8. Although the official help and support is currently focused on Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 (All Languages), Microsoft does emphasize that pre-released versions of the browser are in fact supported, and not just the second Beta. Up to this point in time the company has promised to support development milestones of IE8 until March 31, 2009.

“Free unlimited installation and usage support is available for Internet Explorer 8 pre-released versions, but only for North America English customers. This support for Internet Explorer 8 pre-released versions is valid until March 31st, 2009. Advanced issues are not supported. Advanced issues include, but are not limited to, problems that are associated with software and hardware development, domain connectivity, server-based technologies, Web site development, and business-critical systems,” the message on the page reads, as you can very well see from the adjacent image.

The initial deadline for the IE8 pre-RTW support cut-off date was November 1, 2008. In mid-November, Microsoft pushed the date forward to December 31, 2008. Furthermore, just ahead of the start of 2009, support for IE8 pre-RTW was extended until the end of March 2009.

IE8 pre-released versions support
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Moving onward from IE8 Beta, the software giant delivered the IE8 pre-RCPartner Release and confirmed that it was gearing up for one more public development milestone build at the start of 2009. With IE8 Release Candidate planned for availability early next year, it is clear that the RTW launch is being pushed forward well into 2009. In accordance with the new March 31, 2009 end-of-support date for pre-released versions of the browser, the final version of Internet Explorer 8 is bound to hit by the end of March 2009 at the earliest, but it could slip even later into 2009. However, one crucial aspect has to be taken into consideration. Between March 18 – 20, 2009, Microsoft will hold its MIX09 web-centric conference in Las Vegas. Last year, at MIX08 the Redmond company introduced Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1. This year, MIX09 could be synonymous with the RTW of Internet Explorer 8. Earlier this month I contacted Microsoft in relation to its plans for IE8.

“In regard to your questions, we will release one more public update of Internet Explorer 8 in the first quarter of 2009, and then follow that up with the final release. Our timeline is driven by the quality of the product. Microsoft is deliberate in our approach to releasing new products and we feel a strong obligation to our customers to do so in a responsible manner that ensures they are getting the safest, most reliable product possible,” a Microsoft spokesperson stated for Softpedia. (Jack - thanks for the heads up on this one)

For the time being, Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Beta 2 is available for download here.

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World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King

Just what is it about World of Warcraft that keeps 11 million subscribers enthralled? And why has the arrival of a mere expansion pack caused more excitement than the launch of any blockbuster on PS3… or Wii Music for that matter?! We’ve got five reasons to help you understand.

Reason No1: The world is beautiful, incredible even. Northrend with its spectacular ice-hewn architecture and fabulous new beasts has been meticulously realised. You feel like a kid rampaging in newly fallen snow, but then there’s also that sense of foreboding because you are so very close to the source of the Scourge. Northrend is more than just a pretty picture… it artistically embodies the drama within.

Reason No2: The new hero class offers another tantalising way in to World of Warcraft for newcomers, while offering a magnificent new class for seasoned players to explore: Death Knight. This guy is arguably the character many players secretly desired from the beginning, a great all-rounder who can cast spells just as readily as he can fight toe-to-toe. Before the Death Knight you had to choose one of the extremes. He’s powerful to begin with, starting at Level 55, and looks magnificent all dressed in dark armoured plates, but the real treat is Death Knight’s story. We won’t spoil it for you, but there are shades of Darth Vader in there. Gobsmacking!

Reason No3: All character classes can learn talents such as new spells or class-specific skills, so nobody can moan about characters being unbalanced any more. A friend of ours compared Lich King to Street Fighter II Champion Edition… which is rather obtuse, but basically means that all the characters have been balanced out to enable surprising victories or defeats in skirmishes between familiar adversaries.

Reason No4: The new ‘Inscription’ profession makes you everybody’s best friend, even if only at Level 1. The Inscription profession gives characters the ability to enchant items or abilities, and so even a 5% ‘buff’ to, say, your running speed is considered useful. Now you can create a legendary weapon or suit of armour, just like in favourite books or movies. There’s a real sense of fantasy to Wrath of the Lich King; that your actions are contributing to an evolving tale.

Reason No5: If the last time you checked you were perturbed by quests that involved nothing more than killing ‘x’ amount of specific creatures, or collecting ‘y’ number of a particular thing, look again. Quests in Wrath of the Lich King are more akin to the story-driven tasks in traditional console role-playing games, they’ve caused everyone in WoW to scratch their heads in wonderment. Again this ought to appeal to a wider audience who’d prefer to avoid ‘grinding’ out results to level up characters. The new Quest mechanic also introduces something called ‘phasing’ which means that certain events that are specific to your quest are not visible to other players – for example a cauldron that gives birth to Scourge minions. In other words, you won’t be forming an orderly line to slay the exact some Orcs as everyone else – which looks stupid.

In summary, World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King really cements its place as the provider of something for everyone. Sure EA's Warhammer offers extensive Player Versus Player options, but this also means the overall experience isn’t balanced. In WoW, everyone can approach the adventure according to your real-world preferences as a human being. And as a friend of ours is fond of saying, WoW never lets you down.

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Civilization IV: Colonization Ships

2K Games today announced that Firaxis Games' Civilization IV: Colonization, a “complete reimagining of the 1994 classic, Colonization” for Windows PCs, has now shipped ahead of its September 26 release.

"The decade-long groundswell of fan enthusiasm around Colonization was the driving force behind our decision to make a new version for today's gamers," said Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games.

"The terrific community support for the game, coupled with the opportunity to design a new edition using our Civilization IV engine, made it the right time to create this title for loyal fans and everyone else who loves great strategy games."


Supported by the Civilization IV engine, Colonization boasts improved graphics, a new interface, improved diplomacy options, and modding tools.
Sep 24, 2008

News by Karn Bianco.



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Download the First Windows 7 Beta/RTM Official Security Solutions

Just ahead of the public Beta of Windows 7, Microsoft has started recommending security solutions that can be integrated with the next iteration of its Windows client even at this early stage in the platform's development. The first products designed to protect users running Windows 7 Beta come from Kaspersky and AVG, according to the Redmond company, which have promised to work with ISVs in order to produce security software compatible with Windows Vista's successor since 2008. In this context, when it comes down to bulletproofing Windows 7, AVG and Kaspersky are ahead of the rest of the security industry with AVG Internet Security 8.0, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0, and the Technical Preview of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 7, respectively.

“Before you install antivirus software, check to make sure you don't already have an antivirus product on your computer. If you do, be sure to remove the product you don't want before you install the new one. It can cause problems on your computer to have two different antivirus products installed at the same time,” a message from Microsoft explains.

Back in 2006, months ahead of Vista's commercial launch, comments from Jim Allchin, the then-co-president, Platforms & Services Division, were interpreted as a recommendation that the upcoming Windows client could be run without the use of security software. Allchin subsequently clarified the issue and Microsoft emphasized repeatedly the need for Vista users to integrate anti-malware products with the operating system. With Windows 7, the Redmond company has got an early start on getting them to secure their platforms, even if the operating system has yet to reach RTM stage.

AVG is offering both AVG Internet Security 8.0, and AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 for Win7. “Welcome, Windows 7 user,” a message on the company's website reads, just above an invitation to “get Windows 7 protection” and the information that AVG has been tailored to MS Windows 7. According to the security outfit, the company's products deliver protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits, spam, but also offer Firewall and secure Internet surfing, searching, downloads, and instant messaging communications.

At the same time, the Technical Preview Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Microsoft Windows 7 comes to the table with antivirus capabilities, and additonally with an anti-spam filter and firewall. “At the heart of the new technical prototype is Kaspersky Lab’s new antivirus engine, which is even more effective at detecting malicious programs than its predecessor. The new engine dramatically increases system scanning speed, thanks to improved processing of objects and optimized use of system resources, particularly on dual- and quad-core processor platforms. The unique product architecture ensures high productivity and one of the lowest uses of system resources in the industry. The technical preview includes a highly effective heuristic analyzer. The heuristic analyzer detects and blocks as yet unknown malicious programs,” Kaspersky reveals.

AVG Antivirus Professional 8.0 is available for download here.

AVG Internet Security 8.0 is available for download here.

Technical Preview Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Microsoft Windows 7 is available for download here.

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