Today marks the final Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) platform preview before beta testing commences in September.  IE9 supports HTML5 and features the new Chakra JavaScript engine.  Test scores now give it a whopping 95 out of a 100 for Acid  3’s test renderings.  Looking at the new platform examples, one of particular note was the Hamster Dance Revolution game.  Using Google Chrome, the game lagged considerably and was virtually unplayable especially in the later levels.  Using the IE9 render engine however, the game was a pleasure to play.  Of course, this particular example is geared towards IE9.  Going to other sites, I did find IE9 to be very quick and responsive.  There are still many bugs to squash however as Outlook Web Access would not load in this test version of IE9.  I like what I see so far – I’ll continue to use the IE9 preview platform to surf my favorite sites for a while.  For now, I’ll need to use CTRL+O to open each site and no back or forward buttons exist yet – but what do I expect from just a platform preview?

Download the new IE9 preview and get a glimpse of the future.

Get signed up today with Everydaysource and you’ll be able to get a Case Logic Universal Neoprene Pocket (Dark Orange) for merely $1 (after coupon) with free shipping.  This universal pocket is great for MP3 players and cell phones.  Normally $6.99 a pop, after you sign up and sign in, you’ll be able to use the coupon code  S8RBRC to get the discounted price.  Get them fast and while they last!

We all know that Microsoft tends to release things for Mac a year late.  From Office 2007 for Windows being equivalent as Office 2008 for Mac, we see this trend occurring for Office 2010 for PC and Office 2011 for Mac.  Unlike the Office 2010 Guarantee for PC which was a breeze with product key submission,  Mac users who participate in the Office 2011 Technology Guarantee will need to not only submit their product key, but also a scan of the proof of purchase receipt.  Qualifying dates on the invoice must be between August 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010.  The upgrade will be a free download from the Microsoft website.  Backup DVDs are available for a nominal shipping and handling fee.  Requests must be made by December 31, 2010.

Goto http://www.microsoft.com/mac/techg to submit your request.

Have I mentioned how much I love Evernote? Not only is it functional and completely spot-on at syncing across devices, it is useful in many imaginative ways. AND NOW the Windows Version has been updated with a Webcam button for storing webcam notes!

If you use a webcam with your Windows computer, you will see a new note type in your Evernote toolbar: WebCam note. Clicking the WebCam note button turns on your camera and pops open a snapshot window. Once you take the snapshot, a new note is created in Evernote containing the image.

Turn your creative thinking loose on this. You might want a shot of a business card, the greeting card that just arrived, a wine label from the great bottle of wine you had never heard of but just finished and plan on buying again, shots of yourself for the Avatar you need to make.

Point is, once captured in Evernote, those images will be synchronized and processed so that you’ll be able to find your notes from anywhere.

Open up your Windows version of Evernote and check for an update or get the new version for yourself HERE.

Barnes & Noble announced that they are putting themselves on the market.  No, not the tablet market, but the company is selling itself.  So, if you want to buy a bookstore, there is currently one available.  This has renewed the debate of the coming end of the printed word.  I have seen the end coming for newspapers.  I know I get all of my news on-line or via TV.  Many papers have had cutbacks and even closed.  With the success of the Kindle, Nook, and iPad, the next item on the extinction list is the book.  Now, I am a big gadget geek.  If I wasn’t, would I be here writing for JAMM?  However, I love my books in their paper versions.  There is just something cozy about crawling into bed with a good book that would just lose that feeling if I’m holding onto an eReader, and not turning those paper pages.  I stare at a computer screen most of the day, so I want something different when I relax.  I am hoping that the books hold on for a while to come.

What do you prefer: paper or electronic?  Do you like the e-ink screen better than a traditional computer screen?  Is this the end for books?