By Sarah Townsend

Only furthering the argument that the only thing PCs are good for is looking at porn, Microsoft just released a new commercial for Internet Explorer 8, emphasizing the feature that allows you to hide your browser history. It’s not for the weak-stomached.

A little breakfast-time browsing, I see. That’s sick. I have to give it to Microsoft though, this video is extremely share-worthy, only increasing it’s chances of going viral and boosting downloads (if that’s even possible anymore). It has already been Twittered about thousands of times!

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Sarah Townsend
E-mail: theoneinpink[at]gmail[dot]com
Twitter: theoneinpink
Blogs: TechDarling, The Vibe

by Sarah Townsend

I haven’t used Internet Explorer in oh, about 5 years, and I probably won’t again (ever), but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy this potentially viral video Microsoft released celebrating the launch of Internet Explorer 8.

This LOL-worthy video campaign takes us on a trip down Internet memory lane and features cameos from B-list comedians, web-celebs, and clips from classic viral vids and websites (hello, Chawlee Bit Me & the Hamster Dance!) Microsoft seems to be relying heavily on the influential power of social media to help promote IE8, and has even setup a website to encourage sharing.

In my opinion, this definitely beats the Bill Gates + Jerry Seinfeld #fail campaign last year. That being said, it doesn’t excuse the fact that the browser has been… le suck compared to Firefox.

Here are the new features that reportedly increase speed and enhance security:

-Accelerators, right-click functionality to map directions, translate words, email your friends and more.
-InPrivate browsing designed to shield your browser history (they say shopping, I say embarrassing Google searches/porn).
-Web Slices, which appears to be a “create your own iGoogle” via your toolbar.
-Search suggestions, self-explanatory yet helpful.
-SmartScreen, filters to protect you from potentially harmful websites.

See more about IE8 here.

Do you think this campaign, or the features, will give IE8 the boost it needs?

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Sarah Townsend
E-mail: theoneinpink[at]gmail[dot]com
Twitter: theoneinpink
Blogs: The Vibe, TechDarling.com

by Brian Solis

I’ve been sitting on some amazing pictures from some of my recent travels in the tech sector, many of which are just too much fun not to share.

During Web 2.0 Expo NY, Microsoft threw an incredible party at The Park in NY’s Sex in the City district aka Meatpacking District. Following the party, we hosted an impromptu after party with at least 50 people at the Maritime Hotel. The night was too beautiful to let slip away.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

David Armano

James Gross and Oren Michels of Mashery

Chris Munns of Meetup.com and Michelle DeForest

Brady Forest and Oren Michels

Alana Taylor

Gregarious Greg Narain and Rebecca Schlachter

Aubrey Sabala

Brett Petersel and James Whatley

The Dance

Jim Long

Suzy Mae Howard

Rock on!

After Party: Maritime Hotel Patio

Zach Luye aka RadZach

Cal Henderson

I love this pic!

Ezra Butler

Zach Luye and Brian Solis

Brett Petersel and Selina McCusker

Who is she?

More pictures from the Microsoft IE8 Web 2.0 Expo party, please visit my album on flickr. More pictures from the after party are also on flickr.

Connect with me on:
Twitter, Jaiku, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Pownce, Plaxo, FriendFeed, Plurk, Identi.ca, BackType, or Facebook

by Michelle Lentz

Have you heard about Google Chrome? I actually skipped posting on it yesterday because I figured everyone was tired of hearing about it. The news was out for a day and I was already tired of the headlines.

Not familiar? Chrome is Google’s entry into the browser market. This is one of those ideas that will work wonderfully or backfire horribly. I’m rooting for the former. The new browser has several new features, some of which have been implemented and some which are coming soon (the browser is still in beta after all).

Because I’m running 100% Mac now, I’m actually unaware of whether you can download it yet. It is currently a Windows-only browser, although a Mac version is supposedly in the works. Perhaps the neatest thing about Chrome, from what I’ve read, is that each tab is a separate web kit. This means that when one tab crashes, it won’t bring down your entire browsing experience. Like IE 8 Beta, Chrome also has a private browsing mode that won’t record your pages. I believe some folks call this “porn mode,” although Google uses the example of purchasing a surprise birthday gift for someone who shares your computer.

For so many years, our only open for browsing was IE. Then it was IE and Firefox. Now we have IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome, and many other smaller options. What do you want in a browser?

My browser wish list:

- Tabs that work individually and aren’t paralyzed when one tab crashes

- Some sort of built-in bookmark organization that is easier and more convenient than the typical bookmarks / folders

- A powerful spell-check

- Some way to organize my tabs. Sometimes I’ll have a ridiculous amount of tabs open and it’s hard to find anything. I need some way to stack my tabs off to the side or something.

What’s on your browser wish list?

Learn about Google Chrome.

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Contact Michelle with your news, apps, and events via email, Twitter, Pownce, or FriendFeed. Visit Michelle at Wine-Girl.net and Write Technology.