So I have been peeved for a while since Apple started forcing WinXP/Win2k users to download iTunes to get an updated version of Quicktime. I have avoided upgrading because of it. But recently I sought out to see if anyone else had released Quicktime without the iTunes bundle. It was all a matter of doing the right search terms in Google. Cos sure enough a simple quicktime stand alone search returns Apple's stand alone installer page.

UPDATE: A revisit to Apple's site shows that they include links to the stand alone installer on their regular download page, and from the main Quicktime page. Apple isn't being super shady about getting a stand alone player - but I sure was confused, and I am not alone.

Check it out...

Yep that's me kicking it next to Ben Goodger.

Get the hi-res PDF at SpreadFirefox.com.

Order the limited edition poster of the ad from the Mozilla Store.

The Sony PSP is having major problems reported. Here goes the list: Numerous LCD problems (bubbles in the display, bad pixels, dirt under the screen straight out of the box), analog controls not working or falling off, and broken UMD drives (UMD = the games). That's a lengthly list for a new product trying to enter the handheld gaming market, and especially for one with a high price tag of over $200 US.

There is also a major design flaw in the PSP that causes the UMD games disks to pop right out of the PSP while you are playing the game. As I understand, if you are adding stress to the PSP console while playing, such as holding it tight or possible giving pressure that would cause the console to twist in any manner, the game will pop right out and cause you to lose current progress / game play.

Here's a video of the game popping out: fly_004.avi (1.26 MB)

The PSP is also suffering from reports of extremely bad load times (title screens and mid-game) and dreadful battery life (as low as 90 minutes).

You can load and run Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird from a USB thumb drive thanks to John Haller who has packaged them both into "Flash drive friendly" executables. His projects are called Portable Firefox and Portable Thunderbird respectively. [ via /. ]