The Microsoft Learning site has a number of self-paced eLearning courses on current technologies (e.g. .NET 2.0 & 3.0 and VS2005.) This blog pulls a subset of the developer courses that are free and lists them It is worth taking a look at the full developer catalogue as well.

I am personally interested in Clinic 5046 and 5230.

http://blogs.msdn.com/cbowen/archive/2007/06/20/free-microsoft-online-developer-courses.aspx

I thought that I'd bring to your attention a couple of great Internet Explorer toolbars/extensions that I use.

Just released is the official release of the Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar (IEDevToolbar).  It has just come out of beta, and available for download here.  If you do any development on Internet Explorer or want to 'dissect' Web sites then this is the tool for you.  I really love the ability to change the client code (HTML, CSS, etc.) dynamically!

The second tool that I use for Internet Explorer is the IE7Pro toolbar.  I've blogged about it before here, and it has been vastly updated and improved since then.  Despite it's name, this also works on IE6, so if you are still on the old browser, give it a go.  You can download the updated toolbar here.

I have long been interested in getting a big, wide screen TV.  After all, I do watch a lot of it, and a lot of movies.  So, today when I came across this article on the Pioneer Web site that says "The World's best flat screen TV", I was obviously going to be interested.

These "world's best" are Pioneers 8th generation plasma displays, and from the pictures on the site I cant really disagree.  However the proof will be actually seeing these in the showroom next to other TVs.  The apparent secret for the screens being the best is that the black levels are 80% deeper than what was previously possible to produce, and they have an amazing contrast ration of 20,000:1.  They also support full HD resolution (1080p), and not the cheap 720i that most current screens have (article on the difference between i and p here).

If I was to buy such a TV, I would really have to move apartment, otherwise it would be completely wasted in the hole that I currently live in!

Virtually all development that I undertake is destined for the Web and HTML.  The trouble with the Web and HTML is that to get a great Graphical User Interface (GUI), it takes a lot of design and development effort.  This is also coupled by the usual user download requirements being very high.  That is, unless you use something like Flash.  However, for me, using Flash is really a designers tool and not a developers tool.  It is also restricted in that it's only really available from the desktop.  Thus it is not usable if you are on a Mobile browser or other 'limited' browsing platform.

As such, I have been following with some interest what people are calling Web 2.0.  It is perceived as the second generation Web.  Whilst this is true in some respects it really only means that there is a change in the way that developers are utilising the Web platform.  The main way that I feel this going is in the field of GUI design.

To make a real difference to the user experience of the GUI, we need to radically rework how this Web and HTML thing works together with other technologies.  I was really excited then when I read about the release of SilverLight.

"Microsoft® Silverlight™ is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Silverlight offers a flexible programming model that supports AJAX, VB, C#, Python, and Ruby, and integrates with existing Web applications. Silverlight supports fast, cost-effective delivery of high-quality video to all major browsers running on the Mac OS or Windows."

For me if SilverLight takes off, I think that this will deliver what is expected from Web 2.0.  No longer would the Web GUI be limited to large blocs of text, interspersed with some static images, but it will take on a whole new organic life.  The reason I believe this is simply in the implementation of the graphics.  The way that Web 1.0 currently works is that a graphics is in either GIF/JPG/PNG format, and is of a fixed size and resolution.  These graphics do not scale well.  To provide a GUI in Web 1.0 to a different scale, almost certainly is there a need to provide a unique set of graphics per size and resolution.  This is expensive not only for development and maintenance, but also for the end download user.  However, the interesting thing about the way that SilverLight can implement graphics, is that it can be done through the use of Raster graphics.  These graphics are dynamically scalable on different devices and resolutions.  Have a look at some of the video lessons on the subject here, or have a look at "Building rich Web experience with SilverLight".

I honestly can't wait until I can get involved with a project that will allow me to utilise SilverLight.  I already have a personal project in mind, but that is a couple months away before I can really start working on it.  Keep tuned, as I intend to blog my experiences on this development (hopefully with SilverLight).

Way back in the mists of time, when I first had access to the internet, I remember the excitement I had at installing Netscape 0.9.  A lot has changed in the worlds of the Internet browser since then.  I used to be an avid Netscape fan, but they soon shrivelled up and more or less died away to be replaced by Microsoft's Internet Explorer.  I must admit that I never really used Internet Explorer until version 5, and since then I have always used Internet Explorer as my main browser of choice.  I have never really got into FireFox much, other than for accessibility and cross browser testing that I do a lot of.  I just want a browser that displays web pages!

Only since FireFox has taken a chunk out of Microsoft's dominance of the browser market has the giant Microsoft finally got off their backsides and made some improvements.  The market is once again competitive, and I feel that this can only be a good thing.  We saw that when IE vanquished Netscape to the great browserhalla, that browser progress and innovation slowed and died away.  Microsoft were basically 'begging' to have someone come into the market and challenge them.  Better that than an 'anti-competition lawsuit'!

As such I've not joined the browser 'wars', but I really, really do hate these 'browser bashers' who rubbish one browser over the other.  Oh grow up!  Each to their own.  The only reason why FireFox has made inroads to the browser market is in the home, where as in the business is is very solidly IE.  This is the environment I live and work in, so I'll stick with Internet Explorer thank you.

Enough ranting for now...

I was interested to read today that at the Mix'07 conference in Las Vegas (Microsoft's annual event for Web Developers and Designers), that there was some 'hint's as to what to expect from Internet Explorer 8 (IE8).  These hints can be found on the Internet Explorer Blog. The hints touted that the main improvements were to be for RSS, CSS and AJAX support.

I have really started to get into my RSS feeds, and you can subscribe to mine here.  As far as I am concerned the only improvements I'd like to see is improvements in speed, everything else I am happy with.

I do a lot of development around CSS, and I really do hope that Microsoft implement strict compliance to the latest standards for CSS.  The current non-compliance by Internet Explorer is a real nightmare for developers, and I can say that from experience that you have to really work at and 'bash' your CSS to get it to look the same just in two different versions of Internet Explorer!  That just isn't playing ball.

I'm only just starting to get into AJAX really, so I cant really comment about any improvements that are needed here.

It is also speculated that IE8 will also have support for what is known as microformats.  These microformats are small embedded tags in HTML that can be interpreted in various ways by software, such as calendar events or contact information.  Microformats are scheduled to be added to the next version of FireFox, so it is likely that IE8 will also have these, just to keep up.

The last thing that is hinted at being done in IE8, is more provisioning for user interface customisation.  As I have previously stated, I want a browser that does what it says on the tin...it serves me Web pages!  So, to me customisation is not something that I want, nor need.  How about putting the extra effort into improving the speed, reliability and what about reducing the size of the install (bloat ware).

I'm a user of a Windows powered mobile phone, which has Pocket Internet Explorer installed, which I use to surf the web with, whilst on the move.  I find this functionality invaluable, and it has made a dramatic impact/change to my life over the last couple of years.  Anyway, what I want to see for IE8 is a Windows Mobile version that properly supports everything that it's big brother desktop version provides.  I would dearly love to have full RSS, CSS, and AJAX support in the pocket version, along with Flash, JavaScript, iFrames, etc.

What do you think?

I read an article today on the BBC Web site, about how BT are developing a motion-sensitive laptop, or more accuratley a device to attatch to the laptop.  The device, which is very much like the Nintendo Wii controler, I think is an idea but not a very good one.

The reason for the controller is apparently to help people with dissabilities  or the elderly.  I don't see that as it's primary use.  Why?  Because it wopuld be like using etch-a-sketch for these people.  How often have the able dodied 'just missed' that menu option, when using the mouse and clicked on something else?  What about those users who do not have full motor control?  Why not give them the same controls as an etch-a-sketch, the knob to move up and down, and the other knob to move left and right?  Would be much easier and simpler!

I see the primary is in the games industry just like the Wii controller.  But why bother?  When you can already buy such devices that are already much better?

Call me a cynic, but I personally think that it's the usual self promotion.  It appeases the share holders as BT are in the news, and it justifies them spending money on this department.  It also makes them look like they are trying to help the disabled and elderly.  If you have a look at the photos.  The laptop that the device is being used on is tiny.  Surely the laptop is too small for these disabled people to be able to see the screen clearly.  There is no way you would be tilting a normal laptop, they are simply too big.  Besides, who can afford such a small laptop, have you checked the prices of those things?  It's almost certinally to expensive for the disabled and elderly to justify.

To me, it's a good try, but too late and completley impractical at this level and target audience.

I posted a few days ago about Solid State Drives (SSD) and how I believe that they are going to change things in the world of Hard Disks (HD).  I was therefore very interested to read this article from Information Week.  It basically states that Samsung have begun the production of a 16 Gb flash memory chip.  These chips are expected to be used in digital music players, music phones and digital cameras.  I really want one of those!

The article goes on to say that in March the company introduced a 64 Gb solid state flash drive for ultra-portable notebooks.  Now, I really want one of those!

I am a big music fan (and am really into audio books), and always have been.  So much so, that I have had three iPods since they first came out (various stories attached, but not here), and I currently have a 60Gb with color display (not the video version).  My current iPod is suffering a fair bit now from a number of ailments.  Such as it's near full, there are loads of scratches on the screen, the battery is not as good as it was, and it occasionally just stops in the middle of playing (I think the phone jack is buggered as it's extremely loose with all earphones!).

As such I have been watching news about the iPod for a while now, and there has been very little news about the iPod for a while.  Especially in the news about a new bigger/better version.  The current version is the Fifth generation iPod (also known as iPod with video)  That was until today.  I came across an article that 'hints' that there may be a new version in the works.  The article (viewed here) is a little sparse on actual concrete news, but does follow the patter that Apple seem to follow when a new product/version is due.

Obviously I'll wait for the next version to be out in the wild before making any decision.  Especially as the current iPod is still in operation and should be for a while (fingers crossed).  I wouldn't mind getting some video content on there either!

A friend of mine recently got one of those digital photo frames, and I must admit it looks really cool.  Well, in a similar style, I found this:

Men's Digital Photo Wallet

Leather wallet features a removable digital photo viewer. Don't carry a wrinkled paper photo of your kids in your wallet. Our new handsome leather wallet includes a removable digital photo viewer that stores 55 color images. Easy USB photo transfer from your PC. 1.4" screen. Better still, the viewer is rechargeable—no batteries to buy! Classic men's bi-fold wallet is soft black Nappa leather.

At $50 is must be worth a punt.

For a long time now, the humble computer hard disk has been left behind in the development stakes.  Processors, RAM, graphics cards, screens, Front-side bus, etc have all been getting faster and better.  However, the hard disk hasn't really kept pace.  Yes, OK it has increased in size and decreased in cost, but it has not really gotten any faster.

How often have you nowadays been waiting for your application to start up, only to watch the HD light just constantly flash, and you can hear the drive churning.

Well, it looks like there is a bright light on the way.  Solid State Disk (SDD).  From Wikipedia, SSD is defined as:

"A solid state drive is primarily a data storage device, for use in computing applications that traditionally use a hard disk drive. A solid state drive is based on either non-volatile memory or volatile memory instead of the spinning platter and mechanical-magnetic head found in a conventional hard disk drive. With no moving parts, a solid state drive eliminates seek time, latency and other electro-mechanical delays and failures associated with a conventional hard disk drive."

To me, I describe it as a solid state drive is basically a lot of RAM put together that doesn't loose the data when not powered.

I have then found an article on http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/ that gives some details on the size and pricing of some of the early manufactured drives.  The article goes on to say "No word on pricing yet for the 32GB, but the 16GB weighs in at a hefty $250.00. With a range of SSD cards from 8GB – 32GB".  I can't wait until we get as common place these drives in every day electronics, such as laptops, iPODs, Mobile Phones, etc.

A lot of my current job is making sure that all the Web sites I create are AA accessibility compliant, and also cross browser compliant.  As many people who need to do this will already know, to test on many different browsers is difficult at best.  You can't have more than one version of Internet Explorer installed at the same time, for a start.  In my efforts to try and at least do a better job in my development of browser compatible Web sites I came accross Browsershots.org.

Test your web design in different browsers

Browsershots makes screenshots of your web design in different browsers. It is a free open-source online service created by Johann C. Rocholl. When you submit your web address, it will be added to the job queue. A number of distributed computers will open your website in their browser. Then they will make screenshots and upload them to the central server here.

I've been thinking about doing this for a while now, and thought that I may as well start at some point.

Basically, what I've wanted to do is blog about some of the interesting Web sites that I browse to during the day.  I do have to say that about 90% of my surfing is restricted to IT and work related stuff, but occasionaly something grabs by attention.

So, for my first blog in this area:  I was reading my Blog subscriptions on MOSS 2007, when I came accross a blog on Its official I am Superman .  So I thought I'd give the 'test' a go.  Here are my results:

Iron Man 80% Hulk 70% Catwoman 65% Green Lantern 60% Spider-Man 55% The Flash 55% Superman 50% Batman 50% Robin 47% Supergirl 45% Wonder Woman 15%

Inventor. Businessman. Genius.

  I then also discovered that they also had the vilan test!

Dr. Doom 73% Lex Luthor 57% Apocalypse 53% Green Goblin 53% Kingpin 53% Venom 52% Magneto 47% Mr. Freeze 46% The Joker 41% Juggernaut 41% Riddler 36% Dark Phoenix 34% Two-Face 33% Catwoman 29% Poison Ivy 21% Mystique 21%

Blessed with smarts and power but burdened by vanity.