For the past week, I have changed by default browser on both my home and work computers (Apple iMacs running Mac OS X Snow Leopard) to Google Chrome. I have not previously used Chrome and have been a long-time loyal user of Firefox, but I’ve heard good things and figured I’d give it a shot. Knowing I wouldn’t get much out fo it just downloading it and surfing for a half hour, I decided the best way to really get to know it is to not use other browsers and exclusively use Chrome.

The Good
The absolute first thing I noticed when I opened it up is that if I had blinked, I would have missed it. When it comes to opening speed, Firefox is, well, slow. I had previously thought Safari was quick to load, but Chrome even makes Apple’s default browser seem sluggish. Beyond just opening, page loading is also speedy and smooth. Also a terrific feature is the ever-growing selection of extensions. This is something that I’ve always enjoyed about Firefox and is a great first step if Google wants me to switch over to their offering. Even the interface itself is clean, intuitive, and simple to use. Overall it is a very appealing browser and is constantly being updated with new features trying to stay ahead of the competition.

The Bad
I’m not a big fan of the search box and address bar merger. I have a ton of different search engines that I use regularly and the ability to rapidly toggle between them. Chrome, sadly, does not make this an easy task.

The Ugly
There were more than just a handful of sites with nagging visual errors that just simply are not there when using Firefox or Safari. I can overlook just about every other issue I have with Chrome, but incorrectly displaying pages that I frequent is a dealbreaker.

After a week, I will admit I am impressed. Although Google Chrome will not be usurping Firefox as my primary browser, it has earned a spot in my Applications folder and I will be continuing to use it as a secondary browser.

I saw this elsewhere on the ‘net and just had to share it here. Obviously it isn’t quite as gruesome as the title might suggest.

Ok, so it’s an old joke reworked for the Viqueens, but it’s still funny!

I don’t know who did this, why they did it, or how you’d even think up such a ridiculously crazy killing tool, but this is the most awesome weapon I have ever seen. If I were in a knife fight and someone came at me with this thing, I’d probably crap myself (Note: I have never been in a knife fight, nor do I ever intend to be).

I saw this elsewhere on the ‘net and absolutely had to share it here. Click to see the full sized picture.

The 2009 holiday season is rapidly approaching! Do you know what you’re going to get your geek this year? Here’s a guide for those of you looking for ideas.

• Blue Violet Laser Pointer – $72.99
  For some reason unbeknownst to me, even though I am a self-described geek, laser pointers are absolutely fascinating to geeks and cats. This thing is a king among laser pointers. The unique blue violet color really makes it stand out among a sea of red and will even impress geeks who have the cherished green laser pointer.
• RAM Upgrade – $20-$100
  Unless your geek has already maxed out his or her computer with memory, more is always appreciated. RAM will make the computer faster and more responsive which means your present will make it’s recipient very happy. Just make sure you get the right kind.
• USB Flash Drive – $10-$40
  Storage is king in a digital world and every geek needs something small and pocketable to store their stuff. Thankfully, USB flash drives just keep getting more storage for a lower price. On the high end you can get a 16GB drive for under $40, whereas even as much as 2GB will only set you back a ten spot.
• Griffin PowerMate – $40.99
  This little guy is probably one of the coolest USB input devices ever greated. For the audiophile and/or videophile in your life, there is no better computer accessory. This brushed metal spinning knob is perfect for audio or video editing, works on the Mac and PC, is compatible with pretty much any application, and can even be mapped to pretty much any repetitive keystroke.
• Powermat Charging Station – $99.99
  I’ll be honest, I’ve got no clue how this thing works, but it looks sofa king awesome. Essentially, there’s something you do to “enable” your mobile device, then all you have to do is set them on this thing and they wirelessly charge. Pretty cool, right?
• iPod Shuffle – $55-$75
  Coming in at either 2GB or 4GB of storage and in a variety of colors, this is easily the best of the less-expensive mp3 players and allows you to do exactly what is advertised: Listen to your music, shuffled, wherever you are. It can hold up to 1000 songs and can play music for up to 10 hours on a single charge.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of the top gifts for geeks priced at under one hundred dollars. If you have suggestions for gifts that you don’t see on this list, please feel free to leave a comment and share it. Also, don’t forget to check back very soon for the next installment: Gift Guide for Geeks – Over $100.

The following graphic, presented on the air by Fox “News” recently shows the split amongst the GOP when it comes to support for three potential 2012 presidential candidate. Keep in mind, that their source is the ever-reliable nationally accredited polling organization known as “Opinion”. Coming in at a mind-numbing 70% support is, of course, Sarah Palin, followed by by Mike Huckabee with 63% of the pie chart and Mitt Romney with a mere 60%. This, of course, perfectly adds up to a complete 193% of the pie. Wait, WHAT?

I heard this on the radio the other day and for the first time I was really able to grasp the difference between one million dollars, one billion dollars, and one trillion dollars.