Google released a developer-oriented update to its Google chrome browser on Wednesday that fixes some crashes, bug and video playback issues.

Google Chrome is still in beta testing, and for those who have an even higher tolerance for rough-around-the-edges software, Google also offers developer versions. Google Chrome 0.3.154.3 version is the latter.

The new update is tagged by Google as containing mostly bug fixes as well as a new download behaviour – which is also an important thing to note. Security researcher “Aviv Raff” had alleged that Google Chrome was at risk from a Carpet Bombing flaw that would let downloaded files execute on a users desktop – the new Google Chrome 0.3.154.3 version update changes download behaviour. According to Google’s release notes:

Changes the download behavior for files that could execute code (exe, dll, bat, etc.). These files are now downloaded to unconfirmed_*.download files. In the browser, you’re asked if you want to accept the download. Only after you click Save is the unconfirmed_*.download file converted to the real file name. Unconfirmed downloads are deleted when Google Chrome exits.

The big thing for me though is really one bug that is fixed dealing with plugings. Google notes that in the new update of Google Chrome runs plugins at a normal priority so that they do not cause the browser to become unresponsive. That’s a huge thing. In my experience with Google Chrome thus far it is typically a plugin (often Flash) that becomes unresponsive crashing the browser. Putting the plugin at the same priority is an interesting fix – though I’m not sure how that relates to Google’s idea of sandboxing processes.

Their is also a really interesting JavaScript bug fix here too.

Change the minimum timer resolution for setTimeout() to 4 milliseconds (up from 1ms). At 1ms, some pages would spin in tight loops and consume 100% of CPU.

Intuitively I would have thought that a lower timer resolution would have meant better performance – but that’s apparently not always the case.

The 2nd level domain name of netcom.com, the .cm registry, have start accepting sunrise applications for the 2nd level .cm domain names at 10 a.m. UTC on October 15, 2008. In this phase, domain name registrations, permitted in the com.cm, net.cm and co.cm name spaces, will be open for trademark holders worldwide. (.com.cm is the Country Code Top Level Domain of the Republic of Cameroon)

The president of netcom, said, “during the past weeks, preparations have been being finalized to ensure that the highly anticipated .cm domain name launch is a success. This is a very exciting time for netcom, as we now finally have the opportunity to promote our name space to the world. With absolute delight, netcom is pleased to have the .cm domain name space launch into a new era.”

“Without the tireless work put in by our partners, this launch would not be possible. I personally wish to thank the National Agency for Information Technology and Communication (ANTIC), Instra Corporation (Registrar and Validation Agent for Sunrise Application) and Council of Country Code Administrators (CoCCA). We are also quite impressed by the public interest we have received about this forthcoming launch.” said Mr. Moustapha Saya Kaigama (The president of netcom).

Due to .cm domain name’s close resemblance to the most popular Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name space in the world — .cm of China — significant type-in traffic can be expected. Up to today, netcom has formed a prestigious team of accredited registrars including Instra Corporation, IP Mirror, Ascio, EnCirca, CSC, Register.IT and MarcaRia.com.

.cm sunrise period will closed on October 31st, 2008. Following is the challenge period of Sunrise applications. General registration period kicks off on November 15th, 2008, providing opportunities to all audiences throughout the world.

For all netcom policies, including the registrar accreditation process, Sunrise rules, and registration regulations, please visit .netcom.cm

Netcom was founded in 2008, netcom.cm Sarl is the official registry for the Country Code Top Level Domain of the Republic of Cameroon.

Netcom is committed to providing cutting-edge IP services to Central Africa including countries such as Cameroon, Niger, Gabon, Chad, Burkina Faso and more.

Apart from Domain Name Registrations, netcom is embracing new technologies such as ENUM over WiMAX into remote African areas.

Launch Timetable
15 Oct 08 – Sunrise period opens (for those with registered trademarks to apply)

31 Oct 08 – Sunrise period closes

1 Nov 2008 – to 14 Nov 208 Sunrise challenge period

15 Nov 2008 General registrations begin on a first-come-first-served basis

.org domain name extension to become the most secure domain name on the net going by the words of (PIR). The Public Interest Registry (PIR) gTLD (generic top level domain) is perhaps best known as the non-profit registry for millions of organizations. It could also soon be known as a more secure domain space too, as .org adopts the DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions), a set of extensions used to add an additional layer of security to the Domain Name System (DNS).

The move by .org to improve security for its DNS (which usually stands for Domain Name System, or Service or Server, the service that translates domain names into IP addresses) comes at a critical time for the world’s DNS infrastructure.

Security researcher Dan Kaminsky recently exposed a critical flaw in the DNS system, for which DNSSEC may well be the best long term solution for protecting the integrity of Internet and its traffic flow.

“Efforts are going really well, this is not a product launch but an iterative rollout,” Raad said. “We’re the first gTLD to implement DNSSEC and we are breaking it out into several phases, with the first phase being friends and family. So far we have been able to talk to a number of registrars that are interested a number of whom are large hosting vendors. “