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July 31, 2006

IE 7 + Internationalized domain names

This opens up a whole new realm of domain names. I never thought using different characters in domain names would come so soon. A few weeks ago I was wondering how people who don’t speak english surf the web. What made me think about it was a site written and designed 100% for Arabic. I definitely didn’t know what it was saying but the domain name was in English. So, I took a deep moment to ponder “How do they know what address to type?” I assumed their keyboard or software did some translation or something.

Either way, the time has come in IE 7 to allow for international domain names.

“Domain names are not limited to ASCII any longer, and as the web is growing more and more domain names now contain characters from other character sets. Such domain names are called Internationalized domain names (IDN), for example http://ايكيا.com is a domain in Arabic for IKEA. IE7 added support for IDN in Beta 2. We listened to your feedback during Beta 2 and we are changing the principles of IDN to accommodate the way customers want to use international characters on the web.”

Read more here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 12:21 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 27, 2006

Spry Presentation Rocked!

First off, hats off the Ray Camden. He COMPLETELY impressed me with his preso. He was clear, energetic, and straight to the point…well…code, in this case. :-)

Spry is thoroughly sweet. I’m going to start toying with it more for client Ajax needs now that I see how powerful it is. The thing is TRULY amazing. You can do so much with so little code. Honestly, it is like the Ajax version of ColdFusion. IT ISN’T FOR COLDFUSION ONLY! I’m just saying CF is so easy to work with for some seemingly complicated tasks. Well, Spry is the same and can be used with ANY language. Let me show a quick example of what I mean.

Continue reading "Spry Presentation Rocked!" »

Posted by John C. Bland II at 8:26 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 26, 2006

IEBlog: IE7 to be distributed via Automatic Updates!

“As we get close to the final availability of Internet Explorer 7, I want to provide an update on our distribution plans. To help our customers become more secure and up-to-date, we will distribute IE7 as a high-priority update via Automatic Updates (AU) shortly after the final version is released for Windows XP, planned for the fourth quarter of this year.”

What does this mean? Very shortly the install base for IE 7 will be GREAT! What’s the best part about it?

“If you decide to install IE7, it will preserve your current toolbars, home page, search settings, and favorites and installing will not change your choice of default browser. You will also be able to roll back to IE6 at any point by using Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. Finally, users who have AU turned off will not be notified.”

That’s awesome. Basically, you get the latest and greatest with no change to your current system settings. How great would it be to nix IE 6? Think about all of the CSS developers this would help. :-) Well, I know IE 7 rendering is the same as IE 6, unless in Strict mode, but at least things are on the way to being VASTLY improved.

Read more here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 12:10 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 21, 2006

Are Custom Toolbars in IE useless?

Well, I wonder what will come of the custom toolbars in IE 7. Most people I know used Yahoo, Google, etc ONLY for popup blocking (included), quick search (included; along with tons other search engines), and for inappropriate link redirects (good ol’ spy/adware that most don’t know they have; lol). I know there are other uses but the general public typically used the toolbars for this reason only.

Add those features (other than spy/adware) to IE natively and you get _________________________. (someone fill in the blank) I would fill it in with “a loss of toolbar downloaders unless the toolbar does something remarkeable that justifies the extra space taken up on my browser window.” :-) Kinda long but hey. Either way, the customization portion of IEAK 7 is great for businesses.

This coule be a great marketing plug. KM might have to tinkle with one just for the heck of it. Well, we all know what happens with internal projects. [cough] BACK BURNER [cough]

Posted by John C. Bland II at 3:02 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

IEAK 7 Beta 3 Released

(Update: I removed my comments from this post and added them to a new post here.)

“Internet Explorer Administration Kit 7 (IEAK 7) Beta 3 enables the most efficient way to deploy and manage Web-based solutions. Learn how to tailor a custom browser to meet your customers’ needs. If you are not already a registered IEAK user, please visit the License and Registration web site to register.”

Read more and download here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 2:55 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Real World Flex Seminar

This looks to be a great event, in terms of learning. I think KM might show up in there to sharpen our flex skillset. We’ll have to discuss.

Oh, you can get a discount if you are part of an Adobe User Group. You can join FMUG.az, in which I manage, to get the discount code OR any other local UG in your area.

“Learn about the fastest way to create rich Internet applications (RIAs) with the newly available Adobe® Flex™ 2. This one day seminar will delve deep into the central workings of Flex so that the seminar delegates can integrate this timely new technology into their applications, creating powerful interactive content.”

Read more and register here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 12:09 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you a WPF/XAML Designer?

I’m not sure on what the actual term is but what we’re PASSIVELY looking for is someone with design skills directly related to WPF. You don’t need to know XAML, since the tools export it for you, but it is a plus. Presently we’re not actively working on a WPF project but the plans are coming together.

As a side note, we do have excellent designers on our team. We simply want to add an area of expertise directly related to WPF. This isn’t a full time gig or anything official. Namely we’re working on a couple concepts for desktop apps using WPF and it would be great to talk design in the process.

Anyone interested can send me an email here: john ——-at——- katapult media ——-dot——- com.

(that’s the spam free version of my email address) :-)

Posted by John C. Bland II at 10:09 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Microsoft: We won't be evil, either

So, Microsoft has been moving from M$ to Microsoft, or at least trying. One of their first steps is to change the company perception in the consumers mind. Well, that is a pretty big task and I truly believe they are making software free (SQL Studio Express, Visual Studio Express editions, Virtual PC, etc) to get rid of the $ in their name.

Now that I’m “back” into Microsoft technologies (started out with Frontpage if that’s considered a technology; j/k), I am closer than ever to Microsoft and becoming active in the .Net User Group maling list so this is all very interesting to me. I’d def’ like to see Microsoft turn the wheels and become the great company we know they can be and continue to innovate in ways that improve…well…life, since we’re all connected through this thing called the Internet anyway.

Ok…enough of my ramblings. Read the article (excerpt and link below) and checkout the announcement on Microsoft’s site here Announces Principles to Guide Future Development of Windows.

“We’ve learned that people care not only about what we do but about how we do it. So, our goal today is to be principled, transparent and accountable in our design of Windows as we go forward now and in the future. The principles that we’re announcing today assure customers, our industry and regulators alike, that Microsoft is committed to developing Windows in ways that advance innovation for consumers and preserve important and robust opportunities for competition.”

Read more here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 9:48 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Grid7 Venturecast #1 - James Archer

James Archer of Forty Media and Fruitcast on how he started two successful companies.

More info: www.grid7.com


powered by ODEO

Posted by John C. Bland II at 8:47 AM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

July 18, 2006

Windows Vista: Automatic Defrag

“Years ago, I wrote a review comparing various disk defragmenters. To my surprise, the Disk Defragmenter in Windows performed as well, or even a bit better than, the retail defragmenters that were then available. (Further complicating matters, Disk Defragmenter was made by Executive Software, now called Diskeeper, which of course sells its own disk defragmenter product.)”

Read more of Paul Thurrott’s post here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 8:25 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

July 17, 2006

AJAX Code Camp: Free 10-week AJAX Training

Read more here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 4:45 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Monkeys, Monkeys, and more Monkeys!

This is just plain ol’ funny. I don’t believe we’re monkeys but it is funny none-the-less.

Check it out here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 9:30 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Flash 9/Flex 2/AS 3 Desktop Apps?

This is from the MDM newsletter I received today (7/17/2006). Read on…

“Multidmedia Limited (MDM) today announced the release of Zinc 2.5.0.18 – an update of their industry defining title Zinc v2.5 which now includes Flex 2, ActionScript 3 and Flash Player 9 capability!

- Build Flash Player 9 Ready Applications with Zinc™ 2.5! 100% Flash Player 9 Compatible!
- Use Zinc™ 2.5 to create Desktop Applications with either Flash or Flex!
- Build Faster, Lighter and more Feature Rich Applications with ActionScript 3 support!

With Flash Player 9 providing a new application runtime capability for Adobe Flex 2, the update from MDM will expand Zinc’s capabilities into new products and technology. Zinc 2.5.0.18 will allow users to migrate their work from Flash 8 to Flex and Flash 9 with minimal code changes to {mdm}script!”

You can read more here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 9:16 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 12, 2006

Microsoft Virtual PC is Free!

“Whether Microsoft virtualization technology is an important component of your existing infrastructure or you’re just a Virtual PC enthusiast, you can now download Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 1 absolutely free. Microsoft is also offering the free download of Virtual PC 2007, with support for Windows Vista in 2007.”

Check it out here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 2:44 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 10, 2006

Pando = File Transfer Sweetness!

“Pando lets you send your home videos, giant presentations and entire folders of original quality photos to anyone with an email address. See how…

No adware, no spyware … no, really.”

They aren’t telling stories either! Cody and I tested today and I sent him a Pocket PC Chess game I downloaded a couple years back (no piracy issues here) and he sent me some .Net files. Everything worked 100% as expected with not 1 single glitch.

This is pretty sweet and I honestly believe this could replace IM file transfers. Forget about ease of use (click Transfer from IM window) and get on board with a single way to transfer files to anyone, regardless of IM client (and I say that with a bit of frustration at Trillian not always transferring files properly). Oh wait, they also have a Yahoo! IM plugin. Pando, get one for Trillian…fast! :-)

So, check it out and enjoy! Go here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 10:43 PM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

July 7, 2006

FMUG.az: Adobe Spry Framework preso by Ray Camden

Come out and see what Ray Camden has cooking for Spry (Ajax framework). You can read more on GotoAndStop.org (see below). Breeze will be available for this meeting, as normal, but please come out and support FMUG.az and AZCFUG in person. If you can’t make it, we understand but don’t expect us to save any pizza or drinks for you. ;-)

For more info go here.

Posted by John C. Bland II at 10:00 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 1, 2006

Toying with Expression

I couldn’t resist downloading Expression last night and toying around. I will admit, I’M COMPLETELY LOST! :-) Me being a code geek didn’t lend to well to the IDE’s. I wanted to code but each IDE I downloaded (Interactive Designer and Graphics Designer) both seemed to be only for the graphical side of things.

I tried thinking back to Mix ‘06 for whatever I could remember about thw workflow but all I found was…I was missing a step. LOL. I know Visual Studio can be used to create (code) WPF apps, which is my desire, but I wanted to look into the other IDE’s and more-specifically, XAML.

Continue reading "Toying with Expression" »

Posted by John C. Bland II at 11:33 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Vista Beta 2: Software Install Review

With any OS install comes installing software. With any beta software install comes issues. The logical conclusion is, with any beta OS install comes software install issues. Ok…maybe not exactly so but for the most part you have to agree. :-)

I am now on Vista Beta 2 (5384), which you can read more about those install woes in my Software archives, and I am pretty much done re-installing all of my software. I had some problems with a lot of software but for the most part 5384 had TONS more success than 5308 (the Feb CTP). While going through the process I thought about all of my readers and decided to go ahead and make notes about what I was installing and the success of each one. Let’s dive in and see what happened.

Continue reading "Vista Beta 2: Software Install Review" »

Posted by John C. Bland II at 1:24 AM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)