Global Nerdy - Procrastination Flowcharts
"What better way to start the working week than by showing you ways to throw a wrench in your productivity? Here’s The Procrastination Flowchart (provenance unknown; a reader sent it my way), showing you how it’s done. ...
Ah, nothing better on a Monday... :P
Thursday Night - Every Open-Source .NET Project should have its own public OneNote
"...
This editor is on the web, so it’s accessible from any machine (regardless of browser, works great on Chrome in OS X for me), it’s free, and OneNote will sync with the web notebooks as if they were on your local machine or on a network share.
OneNote on the web means you can make your project notes public
A blog is a great place for documenting your project more formally, or for announcing things you want folks to know, but it’s also important to have a place to store ideas that aren’t yet fully formed, or you’re not committed to finishing. OneNote is good for this, but now we have a way to publish out notes; I’ve done this with ReactiveUI (though right now my notebook is pretty empty, I’m going to try to use it more).
..."
I've recently started using a shared OneNote "For Real" to help me with my Channel 9 Coding4Fun blog posts and I have to say... I'm hooked.
It took me a bit to get the OneNote notebook setup right. I was having a problem with the synchronization that I couldn't seem to fix, but I was doing some weird, rapid and large page moves, etc. Once I settled down and started deliberately everything has been working great. I use the OneNote 2010 on my notebook, the web UI on other PC's and it all just seems to work.
This is a great tool for helping a small team coordinate notes, thoughts, links, etc.
It would be seriously cool if CodePlex were to add direct OneNote/Office support (think Docs.com but on CodePlex, with CodePlex scoped security, etc.). Think wiki+++
Talk about a means to enhance team communication and collaboration. Added to my CodePlex wish list (and as CodePlex request work item 25753 :)
(via Alvin Ashcraft's Morning Dew - Dew Drop – February 6, 2011)
Windows Phone 7 Interoperability
"The Windows Phone Interoperability site focuses on helping developers who have been creating phone applications on various platforms ramp up quickly on the Windows Phone 7 platform. The goal is to help them leverage existing skills, and provide recipes to successfully design and build applications for the Window Phone.The site will also address interoperability scenarios aiming to provide tools and guidance to help developers building applications for multiple platforms.
The early version of the site is targeted to the iPhone application developer, and includes technical documentation and real-world testimonials. Content and tutorials will continue to be added and expanded over the coming months.
...
A cool site that helps bridge development world between Windows Phone 7 and other phone OS's.
<rant>
Personally I wish Microsoft would learn from Amazon/Kindle and Netflix and spread their services far and wide. What is one thing Android need badly? A good media solution and service. What if Zune, Zune Pass, etc were on Android? How awesome an pairing would that be? Windows "won" because the hardware was separate from the software. Time to repeat that, this time hardware vs "service."
As long as you get people into the given ecosystem, say hooked to the awesome Zune service, do you really care on what device? Where's the money long term?
Same with Office. Same with XBox services. Same with other and future "service" offerings. You can't, well you shouldn't, ignore tens of millions of customers. If WP7 has a long tail and is expected to take a few years to be a contender, then use this time to fine tune your services elsewhere, everywhere... Microsoft has the development and technical capability to be THE "Ecosystem Services Provider" of the future. They just need to reach out and grab it.
Yeah, I know, probably impossible given the Microsoft of today. But there's always a tomorrow... ;)
</rant>
Anyway...
The above site also led me to the main "Interoperability Bridges and Labs Center" which is pretty awesome too... If you live or work in a mixed tech world, i.e. Microsoft & Java/PHP/Ruby/etc then this site might help.
Interoperability Bridges and Labs Center
"The Center is dedicated to technical collaborative work to improve interoperability between Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies. In this site, you will find a live directory of freely downloadable technical interoperability Bridges& Labs and related content such as demos, technical guidance and articles. The vast majority of the projects are Open Source. The Center is run by the Microsoft Interoperability Strategy Group working with the community at large
...
(via Interoperability @ Microsoft - Windows Phone Interoperability site)
Related Past Post XRef:
.David Pallmann's Technology Blog - Announcing AzureSamples.com
"AzureSamples.com is a new web site designed to help you discover Windows Azure samples more readily. Finding samples for Azure has been challenging in the past: there are only a handful of samples in the Windows Azure SDK and the lion’s share of samples are dispersed out on the web, posted by various Microsoft groups and community members. There hasn’t been one place to go to for samples—until now. With AzureSamples.com you can easily find samples in a streamlined way.
Using AzureSamples.com is simple. The site is organized by programming language: C#, VB.NET, Java, PHP, and Everything Else. ..."
This seems to be an interesting means of browsing Azure samples. Being who I am though (i.e. addicted to Feeds), I wish there was a feed I could subscription to for new submissions. Also I wish I could pivot on Category as well as the current languages. I.e. see all the languages that have a SQL Azure OData samples, etc, etc. Darn users are just never happy! LOL
Guy Smith-Ferrier - Video Series: How To Give Great Presentations
"UGSS (Microsoft's User Group Support Services) have just published a video series that I recorded last year on How To Give Great Presentations. This free series of 8 videos covers the following subjects:-
- Introduction (6 minutes 23 seconds)
- Choosing The Right Presentation (8 minutes 30 seconds)
- How To Explain Absolutely Anything (8 minutes 51 seconds)
- Planning Your Presentation (22 minutes 52 seconds)
- Nervousness And How To Overcome It (13 minutes 7 seconds)
- How To Give Great Demos (26 minutes 9 seconds)
- Preparing Your Laptop (19 minutes 21 seconds)
- Presenting Your Presentation (35 minutes 39 seconds)
If you're new to presenting and feel that the leap is a bit daunting this video series will help you. It is aimed at first timers but experienced presenters will also find tips and tricks to help hone existing presentation skills. ..." [GD: Post Level Level:98%]
Microsoft UGSS - How to give great presentations
"Giving your first presentation is a tough challenge. Other people seem to be able to do it but is it really just a case of standing up and talking?
This video series guides you through what you need to know to give your first presentation or to improve your existing presentation skills. You’ll learn how to choose the right subject for you, how to break subjects up so that your explanations and demonstrations are clear and understandable, how to construct your slide deck so that it covers essential subjects without sending your audience to sleep, why being nervous is completely normal and what you can do to make it manageable, tips and tricks for giving great demonstrations, how to prepare your laptop so that it does not fight you while you are presenting and finally how to deliver the presentation that you have worked so hard creating.
...
..."
One day, in a galaxy far far away, I may be a "presenter" guy and wouldn't want to totally suck at it, so am gathering related resources and links.
Related Past Post XRef:
Presenters, five tips to keep from reading your own slides (which I hate when presenters do that…)
10 ways to reduce technical/code related tutorial, video, whitepaper, presentation and training… um… suckage…
How to not suck at Technical Presentations - (Well... 11 Technical Presentation Tips from Scott Hanselman)
WebbTech Solutions - What SQL Server Service Pack Do I Have Installed?
"If you’ve used SQL Server for a while, you’re probably familiar with the @@version function. @@ variables are system variables that are automatically populated by SQL Server. Selecting the @@version function in a query window produces the following results on my system.
...
in the results, you can easily see that I’m running SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer Edition on an Intel X86 processor. Notice that the results also contain operating system information as well. In this case, it shows that SQL Server is installed on a Windows NT 6.1 machine.
This can cause confusion for many who are unfamiliar with the @@version variable. Frequently, the service pack of the operating system is placed toward the end of the text. It’s easy to assume that this is the service pack level for the SQL Server, after all we are asking SQL Server for the information. That’s not the case. It’s the operating system system pack level.
The ServerProperty Function
To determine SQL Server’s service pack level, use the built-in SERVERPROPERTY function with appropriate parameters – EDITION, PRODUCTLEVEL, and PRODUCTVERSION.
...
..."
The question of what service pack a given SQL Server was on came up just this week, as did the fun of trying to interpret the @@Version results. Looks like using ServerProperty function would have saved us a bit of time...
Below is the thumbnail of the SERVERPROPERTY help page. As you can see, there's an official boat load of options/parameters;
BTW, this works for SQL Server 2005+ (thought there might be differences, etc, but at the basic level, it's time to retire using @@Version... ;)
Related Past Post XRef:
SQL Server Version Numbers - That @@version number means my SQL Server is running what SP?
GovGab - How to Opt Out of Pre-Approval Offers
"How often do you receive offers in the mail for a credit card or insurance that you've been pre-approved for?
If you just end up throwing the envelopes into the trash unopened, you might be interested in learning you can opt out of receiving mail like this.
You have two opt-out options: A five-year opt-out period or permanent opt-out.
If you aren't currently in the market for a new credit card or insurance policy, but know you might be in the future, the five-year opt-out period would probably work for you. If you don't want to see offers like this in your mailbox at all, you could consider the permanent option.
To opt out you can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or visit optoutprescreen.com. The phone number and website are operated by the major credit reporting companies and will stop all pre-approval solicitations based on lists organizations receive from the credit reporting companies. ..."
"...
What is the Purpose of this Site?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you ("Firm Offers"). The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers.
Through this website, you may request to:
Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers for Five Years - (electronically through this website).
Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers permanently - (mail Permanent Opt-Out Election form available through this website).
Opt-In and be eligible to receive Firm Offers. This option is for consumers who have previously completed an Opt-Out request - (electronically through this website).
If you choose to Opt-Out, you will no longer be included in firm offer lists provided by these four consumer credit reporting companies. If you are not receiving firm offers because you have previously completed a request to Opt-Out, you can request to Opt-In. ...
A five year opt-out is just a web form submission away (note, they ask for your SSN, but it's not required...)
CodeGuru - Free C# Developer Cheat Sheets Now Available
"The CodeGuru Reference Card series is here. We've been working with our authors to create top notch cheat sheets to add to your development toolbox. Register now and download the first, a free C# reference card. ..."
Here's some snaps from the 2 page PDF cheat sheet
CodePlex - Windows Live Calendar Gadget
"...
Project Description
Windows Live Calendar Gadget will be a calendar desktop gadget primary developed for Windows 7. The purpose will be to display (only) events from public calendars on calendar.live.com but it would be capable to read any *.ics file.
Features
- compatible with iCal format (*.ics files) - tested on Windows Live Calendar and Google Calendar
- fully skinable - includes the Aero skin which changes its base color according to your actual Aero color
- multilingual support - currently available English, German, Czech and Slovak translations (in Czech version displays name days)
- highlighting of long-continuing events
Requirements:
- MS Windows Vista or MS Windows 7
...
..."
I was just looking for something like this, and worse case a Windows Live Calendar API to write it myself if it didn't exist (and since there's such API, I was back a square one).
Then I noticed a code check-in for this project in my feeds, "Ah yes! I had forgotten about this!" (lol, talk about good timing!)
Downloaded, installed, Live Calendar ICS's hunted down, gadget configured, and low and behold...
JUST what I wanted! A simple means to easily and quickly monitor my Live Calendar events, without the overhead of Outlook or Windows Live Mail running. Oh yeah, it does reminders too... Plus the source (GNU) is available too.
The hardest part is getting the different web calendar ICS URL's, but if you follow the doc's on the project site, it will walk you through it.
Microsoft Feed - Free Ebook – Silverlight for Windows Phone
“Here is a Free ebook “Silverlight for Windows Phone” written by Puja Pramudya from Microsoft Innovation Center, Indonesia. This e-book is written for those who want to get to know, use, and develop applications for Windows Phone, Microsoft’s latest mobile platform. Of course, it would be naive to consider that this e-book covers the topic about Windows Phone entirely, but it can undoubtedly give you a good basic to learn.
…” [GD:Click through for the download link]
“FOREWORD
All the praises and gratitude to Allah SWT for the chance and the strength to compile and finish this e-book titled “Silverlight for Windows Phone: LEARN & PRACTICE”. It has been a enjoyable journey because Windows Phone is Microsoft’s latest mobile platform that is fascinating for end users, and for developers as well. I also like to express my gratitude to Ronald Rajagukguk, for his introduction to the community, and for being an inspiration to keep learning, and always look for opportunities of self-improvement.
WHAT WE CAN LEARN
- Windows Phone Overview
- Using Windows Phone Development Tools
- Silverlight on Windows Phone
- Specific Features on Windows Phone
- Developing a Simple Windows Phone Application
TARGET READER
This e-book is written for those who want to get to know, use, and develop applications for Windows Phone, Microsoft’s latest mobile platform. Of course, it would be naive to consider that this e-book covers the topic about Windows Phone entirely, but it can undoubtedly give you a good basic to learn. In this e-book you will not find topics that require advanced hardware supports such as multi-touch or FM, because this e-book is written based on the available emulator.
The readers are assumed to at least understand the C# programming language. Readers are also expected to have used Visual Studio. An understanding in Silverlight is also advisable.
Wise men say, “you bind knowledge by writing them”; therefore this e-book is dedicated to community members, and hopefully will be of use for us all.Enjoy! :)
…”
Related Past Post XRef:
“Windows Phone Programming in C#,” the Curriculum (think “Stuff to help teach Windows Phone Dev… Code, Demo’s, Pptx’s, Labs, 152 page eBook, etc”)
A Windows Phone 7 Development/Design Guidelines/Certification Requirements Cheat sheet/Checklist
“Developing a Silverlight Application for Windows Phone 7” Refcard
“Creating High Performance Silverlight Applications for Windows Phone” - 1 zip, 6 samples and 26 pages
Microsoft Patterns & Practices “Windows Phone 7 Developer Guide” RTW
Windows Phone 7 Dev for Beginners… And we’re talking absolute, new to development/programming, just learned to spell IDE, beginners
A one-stop-dev-shop for WP7 Dev, the “Windows Phone 7 Development Best Practices” wiki.
Windows Phone 7 Dev - Your directions to coolness with the “Educational Roadmap”. [Phase 2:Performance - Part Two Samples now available]
12 for 7 - The 12 Windows Phone 7 Development Jump Start sessions are now available on demand (we’re talking 600’ish minutes, yeah, 10 hours, of WP7 Dev’ness)
Windows Phone 7 Jump Start–Four free three hour (12 hours total) virtual sessions to jumpstart your WinPhone7 development (Space is limited)
Windows Phone 7 in 7 – Learning how to develop for Windows Phone 7, in 7 minute blocks… [Coming soon, starting April 5th]
Windows Phone Developer Training Kit, now April and VS2010 RTM Fresh…
New C# Yellow Book version available - Yeah, big, yellow, ebook, 197 pages, C#, free…
StructureTooBig Blog - Acer 1420P (PDC Laptop) Service Manual
“There aren’t too many Acer 1420P netbooks out there – this is the one given out at PDC 2009. I was recently having some problems with it and needed to disassemble (to the bone). If you’ve ever disassembled a laptop, you know you pretty much need a service manual to guide you. I love my laptops, but working on them makes me really appreciate the modular ATX design in many desktops.
The problem was finding the service manual – I’m not exactly sure where I ended up getting this (I was about 20 tabs deep searching for various part numbers), but here it is in case you need it:
…” [GD: click through for the download link, I didn’t want to be click leach…]
I use my PDC09 Acer 1420p every day and until Sandybridge notebooks come out (and Sandybridge is “fixed”) it will remain my primary personal notebook. So when I saw this I knew I needed to grab a copy for my ebook shelf.
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