It completely blows my mind that people of the world continue using the technical blunder known as Internet Explorer when the best web browsers are available for free and are one easy click away from downloading. We’re always trying new things on Kezins.com and the biggest problem is getting those new things to work in IE. Like most other arenas, Microsoft doesn’t play fair. They continually change IE and do NOT follow current web standards. In addition to Explorer not looking “right” when viewing a lot of sites, it’s also full of security issues. It boggles my mind why anyone uses it. There’s not one single good reason to use IE.

There’s nothing more frustrating than setting up something new on the site to find out that it works in every known browser but IE. At that point, we have to waste hours and hours of time trying to figure out how to get it to work or to simply drop the new feature because of this. Microsoft recently promised that IE 8 would automatically follow web standards and for a while, we started to believe them again. It turns out their new project does NOT follow standards intentionally. In actuality, a user will be required to manually change the browser settings for this to work. Why does Microsoft play like this? I don’t think anyone has a good answer, but it’s time people stopped dealing with them.  If you are one of those still using Microsoft’s browser, check out the following downloads which are all BETTER options:

Opera: Opera has a few issues, but it’s really fast and still superior to IE.

Safari: I’m actually using Safari as we speak.  

Firefox: Probably the best for security and customization.  

The day people stop using IE will be the day my life becomes a lot easier.  We certainly waste a ton of time making sure things work with Internet Explorer, instead of moving on to more important projects.

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: anyone, blunder, browser, Explorer, Internet, Microsoft, mind, NOT, Opera, Safari, Security, Sucks, time, web, world

Chad Lakkis of Ripten recently posted information on the Joker’s fatality move in the new Mortal Kombat vs. DC game. Lakkis mentions the creativity of the fatality, but I’m not all that impressed with what I saw. I loved Mortal Kombat back in the day, but really need to see something mind blowing if they want to suck me back into the franchise. So far, things just seem average. I will say that the fatality is creative yet predictable but better than what I expected.  I’m sure some people will complain about someone getting shot in the face in a “T” rated game, but it wasn’t that shocking to me.

Via Ripten

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Chad, creativity, day, DC Fatality, fatality, franchise, game, information, Joker, Kombat, Lakkis, mind, Mortal, move, ripten, something, Suck

Thought gaming on the iPhone was a joke? Check out the following video of ‘GTS World Racing’ and it may change your mind. While I don’t think the iPhone will take much business away from the Sony PSP or Nintendo DS, it’s certainly going to take some. The quality of gameplay and graphics really surprised me with this title. I am so accustomed to crappy mobile games over the years, but it looks like the iPhone has really set a new standard…

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: business, Gameplay, gaming, GTS, iPhone, joke, mind, Nintendo, quality, racing, Sony, Sony PSP, Thought, video, world

Most of you have heard about how the Red Faction: Guerilla Beta is now free to play.  Originally, it was going to cost players $15 to take part in it.  Now they have a deal where you can play it for free, but have to fill out a lengthy survey at FilePlanet.  Before you waste your time filling out the survey, keep in mind the fact that they are out of keys.  They will also not tell you this until you have completed the long survey.  It’s kind of shady if you ask me, but that’s how companies are sometimes. I certainly felt misled by the promotion and wasted 5-10 minutes of my time and got nothing in return.  They should really mention that keys are out prior to having you waste time…

Here’s the link but don’t expect a key:

FilePlanet

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: beta, deal, fact, Faction, FilePlanet, Guerilla, Keys, kind, mind, part, promotion, Red, Survey, Temporarily, time, waste

For the entire year, it seems like I end up seeing the IO Digital Cable commercial at least 5 or 6 times per day while watching television.  For some reason, it seems to appear more during The People’s Court.  While I completely despise this commercial, it’s very effective.  (877) 393-4448 is one telephone number I will never get out of my mind, regardless of how hard I try to forget it.  The last time anyone forced a number into my head like this was Tommy Tutone and 867-5309.  At least “Jenny” was a half-decent song.  Will we ever see the end of the IO Digital Cable Commercial with the silly lobster and half-ass rapping?  Maybe one day, but probably not a day that comes soon.

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: anyone, Cable, commercial, Court, day, Hate, head, IO Digital, Jenny, mind, number, reason, telephone, television, time, Tommy Tutone, Works, year

The small buzz today concerns the comments made by Noel Gallagher concerning video games and violence.  Keep in mind that Gallagher has been known to make controversial statements to the press over the years.  Here’s what he had to say on this topic:

“People say it’s through violent video games and I guess that’s got something to do with it,” said Gallagher. “If kids are sitting up all night smoking super skunk [cannabis] and they come so desensitised to crime because they’re playing these video games, it’s really, really scary.”

Are video games to blame for knife crimes in the UK?  I highly doubt it.  It is true that games can desensitize players to violence (to a very small degree), but it’s irresponsible to place the blame on any form of entertainment.  I’m not quite sure how cannabis can contribute to violent crimes though.  The most violent crime I have ever seen someone commit while under the influence of weed was stealing cookies.  Perhaps they are lacing their smoking products in the UK with some kind of violent behavior inducing chemical.  Who knows…  It’s unfortunate we live in a society that no longer believes in personal responsibility…

Quote via videogamer

[ad#chitika-multiple-product]

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: BUZZ, crime, Knife, Links, mind, night, Noel Gallagher, Oasis, press, smoking, something, Today, topic, UK, video, violence, Violent

‘Booty Sweat Energy Drink’ advertisements popped up a while back to promote Ben Stiller’s new comedy, ‘Tropic Thunder’. At the time, it was just a fake drink created from the mind of some wacked out Hollywood writer. Apparently, people liked the idea so much that Paramount has licensed the brand and it will be a real drink on shelves in the near future. Should we really be drinking something called ‘Booty Sweat’? Probably not, but why should common sense stop us?  The drink may even provide an edge the next time you fire up Wii Fit and race your closest friends.  If you actually want to purchase this drink, keep an eye out for it at Hot Topic, Hastings or Amazon.

Via Perez Hilton

As a side note, Perez stated “Hopefully it doesn’t taste like ass. No pun intended”.

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Becomes, Ben Stiller, Booty, comedy, Drink, energy, Hastings, Hilton, Hollywood, idea, mind, Perez, Reality, Sweat, Thunder, time, Tropic, while, writer

New Halo Wars images have been floating around the net and we finally tracked them down. There’s nothing mind blowing here, but it’s an interesting look at some of the things to look forward to. I didn’t expect Warthogs with paint jobs, but I am sure there will be many surprises with this game.

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: didn, gallery, game, Halo, Images, look, mind, New, nothing, paint, Warthogs

Our very own Will “Kezins” Snizek (WS) sat down for a fireside chat with our friends at Gaming Blog Networks’ owner Jason Townsend-Rogers (JTR).  Jason, a member of the ECA, jots down Will’s take on Government involvement in gaming.  Picking at the mind of the creator and owner of Kezins.com was a difficult task.  Nevertheless, Jason threw additional questions at Will that would have thrown me back into 1955.  (Back to the Future reference, not a good one)  But with the 1.21 jiggawatts powering that mind, Will spoke about his true passion of photography, blogging, and defending the negative critiscm games receive.

(JTR): My next question regards how games are being portrayed in mainstream media, what do you think video games, and the industry as a whole, can do to improve their societal image?

(WS): I don’t think we’ll ever get rid of the negative images entirely, because negativity is what sells news these days in the mainstream media; also, places like Fox News etc will always rather interview a wacko like Jack Thompson who is going to make off the wall and shocking statements than someone who has a more academic approach to things.

(WS): I really think the best way the industry can improve their image is to simply continue publishing game blogs and get the information out there. The smart people will do their research and discover what’s real and what’s media spin. Another thing I have noticed over the past few years is an increase in video game research from the academic community. I think as research continues, gaming will be seen in a more positive light

(WS): On another note, I do think the game companies need to make a stronger stand against minors getting their hands on “M” rated titles. That is a big issue now, and the only way to reverse the public image of this would be for game companies to start taking a stand against children playing the real violent and adult games.

Check out the rest of this great interview here.

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: blog, game, gaming, image, industry, Jack Thompson, Jason, Jason Townsend-, Kezins, mainstream, mind, Network, news, owner, research, Rogers, stand, video, way

I enjoyed the first film a few years back.  Spider-Man 2 was iffy and Spider-Man 3 simply annoyed me.  Last year, I was rewarded with the news that Sam Raimi wasn’t interested in continuing the series and it would probably be passed to a new director, which might bring a fresh look to the film.  Now it looks like they may actually make a Spider-Man 4 with Raimi.  Since last year, he has changed his mind and it now looks like he will be directing the final film.  I hate to sound negative about the series, but I am a die hard Spidey fan who simply felt let down by 2 of the last 3 films.

Last summer, it looked like Sam Raimi was ready to walk away from the Spider-Man franchise, but he’s singing a different tune this summer. Coming Soon recently talked to Raimi about his status as the most profitable superhero series ever gears up for its fourth film. 

Via get the big picture

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: die, director, fan, Film, look, man, mind, movie, news, Raimi, Sam, series, Spidey, summer, wasn, year