|
Wow. Things are looking really good.
The C# 3.0 improvements especially LINQ look like a great advance for using data in .NET apps.
Indigo still looks amazing, just what I need for building SOA applications.
Avalon and Atlas look like making developing better interfaces a lot easier.
Vista itself looks very impressive from an end-user point of view. Lots of good security enhancements as well as some cool new APIs. The UI looks like Apple++ and the Sidebar (http://microsoftgadgets.com/default.aspx[^]) looks a little Google Desktop like but with a much greater scope.
Office 12 looks like a great step forward in ease of use and the collaboration features look top-draw as well.
I can't wait to start playing with some of this stuff. (All I need is some money to afford a new MSDN subscription  )
Glad I got to see the keynote, it has certainly enthused me about the future - now I just need to find the clients to sell the ideas to.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
Some pretty interesting announcements today. Even that Max app linked on the Lounge is interesting (the way you can combine multiple photos into one "slide" of a show is freaking cool!) and on the Gadgets side I am liking the multi-target approach of desktop, server and online. Gadgets made on site x, site y and site b being sucked into your Start.com experience might just be a damned fine idea.
Also if Windows Vista apps and Windows Vista in general feels and looks like Max then I'll be more compelled to use it. It is nice WinFX works on XP but having the whole OS as one consistent experience is where it is really at.
If Microsoft can keep with what I am seeing, not locking out online services for non-Windows users while offering rich desktop apps, then I am a lot more positive about Vista.
regards,
Paul Watson
South Africa
Colib and WebTwoZero.
K(arl) wrote:
oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For those who like me are still very interested in what Microsoft are doing and what they have to say (and I know that I'm in a minority even here at CP), Bill Gate's PDC keynote speech will be live here[^] at 08:30PST - which makes it about 16:30 UK time.
I'm really looking forward to hearing about Office12 and the next version of Visual Studio and Vista has caught my imagination too.
Even though the detractors will always find something bad to say about Microsoft whilst bigging up the competition, Microsoft have a proven track-record for making developers life better and more fun. I'll always be a Microsoft shop for as long as I remain working as a developer.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
Anyone who is not taking stock of what Microsoft are doing is at best deliriously out of it. Whatever they do will impact us as developers.
I am interested in Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005 as well as the WPF, XAML and of course the .NET Framework 2.0.
I just think that Microsoft have made many mistakes with Vista. Maybe it will be great, I can't tell because the marketing and information has been very poor. There have been many disapointments too. I will more than likely use Vista, not bought by me but by my employer though. On that side it will at least be a reasonable upgrade from Windows XP.
I would not be so critical if I did not care. I have used MS for years now and will continue to do so at work for many more. I have high ideals and standards for MS which they are meeting on many levels but not in Vista.
regards,
Paul Watson
South Africa
Colib and WebTwoZero.
K(arl) wrote:
oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Watson wrote:
I just think that Microsoft have made many mistakes with Vista. Maybe it will be great, I can't tell because the marketing and information has been very poor. There have been many disapointments too.
I think the problem is that there is no marketing. The only information that comes out of Microsoft is usually by the back-door route rather than a marketing campaign. I don't think any big company knows how to handle the new world of bloggers and web-publishing. Where even the smallest piece of information is jumped on and dissected to the nth degree.
Vista suffered from Microsoft's change of direction in mid-project. Microsoft are trying to move to a more secure, user-friendly operating system. Trying to address the concerns they get from regular users rather than giving the geeks the cool features. A move that I do applaud. Sadly, this change of priority meant that they had to pull a lot of the 'cool' features. Also with all the legal actions against Microsoft from the EU, they've had to move to a more modular approach so that they could build products that meet the 'anti-trust' rulings.
That has led to the multi-version of Vista but also Microsoft are taking advantage to help sell Vista to the corporations by providing slim-downed versions that don't have all the un-necessary 'toys' that distract from work.
Only time will tell whether Vista will be a success, I just wish people would at least wait until the product is further down the line before putting the boot in. The slashdot mentality seems to be growing, even on sites like CP where we used to have reasonable view points.
Anybody who has developed software for a living, should understand the trials and tribulations that Microsoft face and we shouldn't hold them to a higher standard than those of our own products.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
Well said, I totally agree 
- Anders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Why are you maggots..." LOL
Nice link, thanks Michael.
regards,
Paul Watson
South Africa
Colib and WebTwoZero.
K(arl) wrote:
oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are some interesting Half Life 2 related videos on this site[^]
I like Steam. Its introduction was what made me finally get a broadband connection. The ability to get games direct from the developer has always appealed to me. Sadly, Valve have taken longer then expected to start releasing new content via Steam. The two new HL2 add-ons look great and hopefully they'll address my disappointment[^] with the ending of Half-Life 2.
I really like game add-ons, software that builds on the original product and enhances it in new and fresh ways. So some episodic games would be great in my book.
I'm very much like that with my own software. I love taking a base-line product and adding new features and ideas. The hardest part is writing the original base product  .The trick is to break it down into easily digestible chunks. (Another reason I'm a fan of building software from components rather than as monolithic applications). That way I constantly get that feeling of achievement that seeing a new feature working gives me.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
Sad to hear the news that Michael Sheard[^] has died.
His role of Mr Bronson[^] in Grange Hill still remains one of the greatest TV characters of all time.
Not to forget his cameo in 'The Empire Strikes Back' as the unfortunate 'Admiral Ozzel'[^], whose death at the hands of 'Darth Vader' helped to establish the darker aspects of the Sith Lord's character.
He established himself as a 'fan boy' favourite at many 'Doctor Who' and 'Star Wars' conventions. He loved to attend these events and will probably be much missed... even though his ancedotes had been repeated so often that attendees could repeat them off by heart.
A sad loss.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
|
No matter how the Ashes series turns out, this Summer will be remembered for the way that 'Freddy' Flintoff put the Aussie bowlers to the sword.
It sure makes for entertaining TV. I just wish it was broadcast on the Internet then I could keep track of it whilst working. (Radio isn't the best way to enjoy cricket)
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
We'll I finally managed to get the WDevs site transferred to my server. Even though I had a a well tested plan, there were a few teething troubles. Still its up and running now. I'll give it a few days to bed in before I start with the changes.
The first job on the list is to remove the users whose email addresses bounced when we sent out the server change newsletter. Then perform a general tidy up of the files and folders.
I need to talk to Littlecat's web-developement partner to see if she'd be interested in give the site a fresher look... for no money hopefully, as I haven't got any money to spend on the site just yet.
The site could do with some new skins for the blogs too. I'm sure only having the standard WDevs one maybe putting off potential users.
I'm looking forward to working alongside the existing WDevs team to try and create a useful resource for Windows developers who want to blog and create open-source projects.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
What do you have in mind for "a fresher look"? I'd be happy to help you out for no charge, Michael.
regards,
Paul Watson
South Africa
Colib and WebTwoZero.
K(arl) wrote:
oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Watson wrote:
What do you have in mind for "a fresher look"? I'd be happy to help you out for no charge, Michael.
Thanks mate.
I'm not 100% sure what I mean by 'a fresher look'. There is something about the site that just doesn't feel/look right. I can't tell whether it is the colour scheme or the layout. That's why I wanted to talk to a web-design professional, somebody who could give me ideas. (I'm still a desktop developer at heart)
I'm still working on the 'story' for the WDevs site. My own personal preference is to play-up the blogging and open-source hosting, as I think those two things compliment each other. The FTP/Email side isn't currently high on my priorities. I've got a few ideas bouncing around but I need to seperate the short-term plans from the long-term plans.
BTW, your account on WDevs bounced the email because it was still using the Bluegrass email address. 
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
Feeling a little down, I decided to get out and about for a couple of hours. Luckily I live a 10 minute walk from some of the most beautiful countryside on the planet.
A few pics from my jaunt are here[^]
The quality isn't very good as my digital camera is only a cheap one and the sunshine was a little too bright. Still, hopefully it will give you an idea of how beautiful it is around here once you get out of the town.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interesting story, thanks.
Although
Of course, Pixar made the movie, the movie made millions and Disney watched itself dethroned as the king of animation by a company that Steve Jobs started in a Richmond garage.
is complete rubbish as Pixar was a division of Lucasfilm that Lucas sold to Steve Jobs. I think the author was getting confused between Apple and Pixar. Apple started in a garage. Pixar started as part of ILM.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for that. I thought it sounded an awful lot like either Apple and Microsoft or various bands.
regards,
Paul Watson
South Africa
Colib and WebTwoZero.
K(arl) wrote:
oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Watson wrote:
Thanks for that. I thought it sounded an awful lot like either Apple and Microsoft or various bands.
It's probably Steve Jobs 'offical version'. He was always very good at reinventing his history.
Michael
CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
