22 Feb 12 For Flash on Linux, Chrome Will Be Users' Only Choice
Linux users who want to view Flash content will soon have no choice but to do it through Google’s Chrome browser.
That’s because Adobe is discontinuing its Flash Player for Linux as a standalone download as of version 11.2, due later this year, it announced on Wednesday. After that point, new versions of the Flash Player browser plugin for Linux will only be available as part of Google Chrome.
Adobe will continue to provide security updates to the standalone Flash Player 11.2 on Linux for five years after its release, it said.
A Dash of ‘Pepper’
Adobe has been working with Google to develop a new API for hosting plugins within the browser, it explained in a blog post on Wednesday, with an eye toward replacing the current Netscape plugin API (NPAPI) currently used by Flash Player.
Called “PPAPI,” or “Pepper,” the new API “aims to provide a layer between the plugin and browser that abstracts away differences between browser and operating system implementations,” the company explained.
Adobe and Google have now created a “Pepper” implementation of Flash Player for all x86/64 platforms supported by the Google Chrome browser, Adobe said. Later this year, Google will begin distributing that new implementation as part of Chrome on all platforms, including Linux.
That, moreover, will apparently be the only way Linux users can get Flash from that point forward. On Windows and other platforms, however, Adobe will continue to support non-”Pepper” plugin APIs, it said.
One Choice Remains
Adobe does plan to provide a debug player implementation of the Flash Player browser plugin on Linux, it said, and will update its whitepaper on the topic once more details are available.
In the meantime, though, there’s no mention of any other browsers being let in on this new Flash Player scheme, and Firefox maker Mozilla has even explicitly stated that it has no interest in working with Pepper.
So, bottom line? First Adobe cut off AIR for Linux; now, if you use Linux and want to see Flash content, it looks like you’re going to have just one choice, and that’s to embrace Google Chrome.
Article source: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/250455/for_flash_on_linux_chrome_will_be_users_only_choice.html
Tags: API, First Adobe, Flash Player, Google Chrome
22 Feb 12 Adobe to Linux users: Get Chrome or forget Flash
Computerworld - Adobe today said that it would stop offering direct downloads of Flash Player for Linux, telling users to move to Google’s Chrome browser, which bundles Flash with its updates.
Today’s demotion of Flash Player on Linux to Chrome-only was the second time in the last three months that Adobe has withdrawn some or all support from a version of the popular media software: In November, Adobe announced it was abandoning development of Flash for mobile browsers, including the new Chrome for Android.
In a roadmap for Flash Player (download PDF), Adobe unveiled its plans through 2012 and into 2013.
The last version of a separate Flash Player for Linux, 11.2, will be released this quarter, Adobe announced in the roadmap document. After that, Linux users who require browser-based Flash must switch to Chrome, Google’s three-year-old browser.
Chrome’s developers have been working on a new API (application programming interface) dubbed “PPAPI” (Pepper Plugin API), or “Pepper” for short, to replace the long-standing Netscape Plugin API (NPAPI) that Flash and other plug-ins use in non-Microsoft browsers.
Adobe has been collaborating with Google, the former said, on Pepper implementation for Flash, which will let it create a single plug-in for all systems that Chrome supports. In other words, the same Flash Player plug-in will run in Chrome on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
However, the timing is up in the air.
“Google will begin distributing this new Pepper-based Flash Player as part of Chrome on all platforms, including Linux, later this year,” said Adobe.
Chrome already supports PPAPI — it has since Chrome 14, which launched last September — and uses it for the browser’s own PDF viewer.
Flash Player 11.2 will be the last version for Linux that Adobe offers as a download from its own website, but it promised to support that edition with security patches for at least the next five years.
But Adobe stressed it will continue to create new versions of the Flash Player plug-in for other browsers on Windows and Mac, the company said.
On Apple’s OS X, Adobe said it was working on adding sandboxing to Adobe AIR applications — AIR is a cross-platform runtime environment that lets developers craft applications using, among other things, Flash and HTML — so that they can be distributed via the Mac App Store.
Apple had earlier set a March 1 sandboxing deadline for all software funneled through the Mac App Store, but today extended that to June 1.
Adobe also reported that it’s working on Flash for Windows 8, but said little else than that.
“[Windows 8] includes a number of different user interface configurations (desktop and Metro) and targeted processor chipsets (x86/64 and ARM), which create a number of different development targets for the Flash runtimes,” Adobe said, referring to both Flash itself and AIR.
Microsoft has already said that it will not support the Flash Player plug-in on Windows 8′s “Metro” interface, or on the mostly-Metro Windows on ARM (WOA). The version of Internet Explorer (IE) that runs in WOA’s desktop mode will also shun plug-ins like Flash, according to Steven Sinofsky, the Microsoft executive who leads the Windows division.
Adobe’s decision will impact Mozilla’s Firefox on Linux, likely locking that browser into Flash Player 11.2: Mozilla has said it was “not interested in or working on Pepper at this time.”
Mozilla did not reply to questions on whether it’s now reconsidering its position on Pepper, and failing that, what it would recommend Firefox users running Linux do.
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at 
@gkeizer, on Google+ or subscribe to Gregg’s RSS feed 
. His email address is gkeizer@computerworld.com.
See more by Gregg Keizer on Computerworld.com.
Read more about Linux and Unix in Computerworld’s Linux and Unix Topic Center.
Article source: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224493/Adobe_to_Linux_users_Get_Chrome_or_forget_Flash
Tags: AIR, Flash Player, Gregg Keizer, Mac App Store
22 Feb 12 Chrome for Android’s Pichai promises major improvements ahead
In an interview with CNET, Google’s Senior VP and head of Chrome, Sundar Pichai, made some exciting promises on the future of Chrome for Android. The beta browser optimized for the mobile Android platform was released just two weeks ago and is available only for Android 4.0, but has already reached 500,000 downloads.
The general response to Chrome for Android has been positive although there’s still much room for improvement. Google is good at taking feedback and quickly tossing out updates and this will certainly be the case according to Pichai. He is confident that the browser will improve by “leaps and bounds” over the next year. Although Pichai didn’t give too many specifics, he did mention that the browser will be getting the option to view desktop versions of webpages along with full-screen browsing and an automatically hiding Omnibar. Flash, however, will not be supported, an issue that’s been attributed to Adobe’s unwillingness to update Flash support for Chrome on Android. [via Android Community]
Article source: http://www.slashgear.com/chrome-for-androids-pichai-promises-major-improvements-ahead-20214440/
Tags: Although Pichai, CNET, Sundar Pichai
22 Feb 12 Chrome for Android will improve by “leaps and bounds” soon
Chrome for Android will improve by “leaps and bounds” soon
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Who has tried out the new Chrome for Android beta? While we love it here at Android Community it’s still in beta and has a ways to go, not to mention be available on more devices. Today Chrome’s Senior VP Sundar Pichai had a sit down and was able to chat about Chrome and Chrome for Android with CNET, and had some interesting things to say regarding the browser and it’s future.
While Pichai had plenty to say regarding the Chrome Browser its the part for Android that had me interested. Speaking about the amount of downloads (almost 500,000), and how they plan to improve it in the future — talking about feature requests and more. Here is what he had to say:
Given that it’s a beta product and only available on ICS, we’re really happy where it is. I think most people haven’t experienced it on tablets. They will discover a lot of good things there as well.
Regarding updates and features he also mentions the two biggest being full-screen browsing, and the option to set browser to show the desktop version of sites by default. Something many do today and we wish Chrome had out of the gate. He mentions both make sense, and they will being updates soon that will bring said features. They just want to do it correctly, and well. Pichai also had this little comment that gives me tons of hope for the future.
We are going to continue releasing Chrome for Android at a pretty healthy pace. In a year from now, we’re going to take leaps and bounds.
What this means for Android we don’t know at this moment, but we have a feeling it will be something major. Many have talked about merging Android and Chrome OS, and while that could potential be something he’s hinting at — that is very far away. Could Android become a unified platform for phones, tablets, desktops and homes in the future?
Hopefully the Chrome for Android rollout with continue strong and more devices will have access soon. He also briefly talks about Adobe Flash, HTML 5, and Google making money with Chrome for Android. If you haven’t tried Chrome for Android yet we urge you to give it a try today.
[via CNET]
Article source: http://androidcommunity.com/chrome-for-android-will-improve-by-leaps-and-bounds-soon-20120220/
Tags: Adobe Flash, Android Community, Today Chrome, Worth Reading
22 Feb 12 Adobe makes Flash for Linux a Chrome exclusive
First, Adobe decided to kill off development of the mobile Flash plug-in. This, of course, happened less than a year after Google and Adobe took jabs at Apple because their iOS devices couldn’t render the “whole Web.” Now, Google and Adobe are at it again: they’re making Flash for Linux a Google Chrome exclusive.
Yes, you read that right. Adobe Flash Player 11.2 is the last standalone version that utilizes the NPAPI plug-in architecture. If you’re on Linux and want to view Flash content using a first-party plug-in, your only choice will be to install Google Chrome.
In their blog post announcing the switch, Adobe puts a sunny spin on things — saying that working with Google has afforded them room to develop a version of Flash that utilizes Chrome’s Pepper API that makes cross-platform development a simpler task. Curiously, that cross-platform ease wasn’t enough to convince Google and Adobe to build a version that worked with Chrome for Android. Once the new Pepper-based Flash is ready to roll, Google will start shipping it in Chrome. That’s due to happen at some point later this year.
Adobe continues by saying that the new Flash plug-in will only be distributed as part of Google Chrome. Others who develop browsers — even if they implement support for Pepper — won’t be able to download the PPAPI Flash Player for use with their apps.
What are your choices, then, if you don’t want to use Chrome on Linux? You can roll with an alternative browser and Flash 11.2 or you can use a third-party implementation for .SWF support. You can’t, however, use Chromium or a derivative, as the Flash code is closed source and doesn’t ship with Chrome’s wide-open brother.
Article source: http://www.geek.com/articles/news/adobe-makes-flash-for-linux-a-chrome-exclusive-20120222/
Tags: Adobe Flash Player, Google Chrome, NPAPI, SWF
22 Feb 12 How to generate research paper references in Chrome
Reference App is a Chrome extension that quickly generates Harvard-style research paper references from Web pages, books, articles, and more.
Writing term papers and dissertations is hard enough without having to get every last reference formatted down to the last underlined period. Reference App is a great Chrome extension that makes this part of paper writing considerably easier. Here’s how to use it:
- Install the Reference App extension here.
- To create a reference for a book or journal article, just click the Reference App icon in the Extension Bar, select Book or Journal, then enter the information required and click Create.
Step 2: Create book reference.
- To create a reference for a Web article, point your browser to the page containing the article, then click the Reference App icon, select Web, then enter the information required, grab the URL, and click Create.
Step 3: Create Web page reference.
- Copy and paste the reference into your paper and move on to the next one.
- That’s it! The extension will disappear if you navigate away from its window, so make sure to follow through once you get started. Other than that minor frustration, Reference App should be a real boon to students and researchers everywhere.
(Via Addictive Tips)
Article source: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57382095-285/how-to-generate-research-paper-references-in-chrome/?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=
Tags: Create Web, Extension Bar, Reference App, URL
22 Feb 12 How to generate research paper references in Chrome
Reference App is a Chrome extension that quickly generates Harvard-style research paper references from Web pages, books, articles, and more.
Writing term papers and dissertations is hard enough without having to get every last reference formatted down to the last underlined period. Reference App is a great Chrome extension that makes this part of paper writing considerably easier. Here’s how to use it:
- Install the Reference App extension here.
- To create a reference for a book or journal article, just click the Reference App icon in the Extension Bar, select Book or Journal, then enter the information required and click Create.
Step 2: Create book reference.
- To create a reference for a Web article, point your browser to the page containing the article, then click the Reference App icon, select Web, then enter the information required, grab the URL, and click Create.
Step 3: Create Web page reference.
- Copy and paste the reference into your paper and move on to the next one.
- That’s it! The extension will disappear if you navigate away from its window, so make sure to follow through once you get started. Other than that minor frustration, Reference App should be a real boon to students and researchers everywhere.
(Via Addictive Tips)
Article source: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57382095-285/how-to-generate-research-paper-references-in-chrome/
Tags: Create Web, Extension Bar, Reference App, URL
22 Feb 12 Developing For Chrome For Android: Google Engineers Speak
Google launched Chrome for Android earlier this month. It’s in beta, and is only available for select countries and languages for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich, but an Android version of the browser has been long awaited. It’s bound to be popular as availability expands.
It could even prove to be the first step in the convergence of Google’s two operating systems: Android and Chrome OS. Google has suggested in the past that the two would probably come together eventually, and they have to start somewhere.
Google has uploaded the following video of engineers from the Chrome for Android team discussing the product for nearly an hour. If you’re developing for Chrome (or Android) you might want to take the time to watch.
Article source: http://www.webpronews.com/developing-for-chrome-for-android-google-engineers-speak-2012-02
Tags: Chrome OS, Ice Cream Sandwich
22 Feb 12 Mechel Reports Launch of Chrome Briquette Production at Tikhvin Ferroalloy Plant
MOSCOW, Feb 21, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) –
Mechel OAO
/quotes/zigman/359568/quotes/nls/mtl MTL
+0.38%
, one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports the launch of a chrome briquette producing workshop at Tikhvin Ferroalloy Plant, which is part of Mechel’s ferroalloys division.
The launch of the workshop producing chrome briquettes out of concentrate of small-fraction chrome ore will increase the furnaces’ capacity from 12 to 14.4 MW, significantly broaden the plant’s ore base and fully use the dust formed during the gas purification process.
The briquette-producing workshop will have the monthly production capacity of 5,500 tonnes of chrome briquettes.
Investment in the project totaled over 350 million rubles (nearly 11.8 million US dollars*).
Mechel Ferroalloys Management OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Gennady Ovchinnikov noted: “Chrome briquette production will not only increase output of high-carbon ferrochrome to the maximum by raising the furnaces’ capacity, but will also ensure ecological safety as we utilize the chrome-containing dust from gas purification. The chrome briquette production will shortly be up to its designed capacity.”
* Based upon the Russian Central Bank exchange rate of 29.78 RUR/$ as of February 21, 2012.
Mechel is one of the leading Russian companies. Its business includes four segments: mining, steel, ferroalloy and power. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, nickel, ferrochrome, ferrosilicon, steel, rolled products, hardware, heat and electric power. Mechel products are marketed domestically and internationally.
The Mechel OAO logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8181
Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Mechel, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements. We refer you to the documents Mechel files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in our Form 20-F, that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, volatility in stock markets or in the price of our shares or ADRs, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire,
www.globenewswire.com
SOURCE: Mechel OAO
CONTACT: Mechel OAO
Ekaterina Videman
Tel: + 7 495 221 88 88
ekaterina.videman@mechel.com
(C) Copyright 2010 GlobeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Add MTL to portfolio
Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mechel-reports-launch-of-chrome-briquette-production-at-tikhvin-ferroalloy-plant-2012-02-21
Tags: Exchange Commission, Russian Central Bank, Tikhvin Ferroalloy Plant, US
21 Feb 12 Developing For Chrome For Android: Google Engineers Speak
Google launched Chrome for Android earlier this month. It’s in beta, and is only available for select countries and languages for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich, but an Android version of the browser has been long awaited. It’s bound to be popular as availability expands.
It could even prove to be the first step in the convergence of Google’s two operating systems: Android and Chrome OS. Google has suggested in the past that the two would probably come together eventually, and they have to start somewhere.
Google has uploaded the following video of engineers from the Chrome for Android team discussing the product for nearly an hour. If you’re developing for Chrome (or Android) you might want to take the time to watch.
Article source: http://www.webpronews.com/developing-for-chrome-for-android-google-engineers-speak-2012-02
Tags: Chrome OS, Ice Cream Sandwich
