September 23, 2008 By 26 Comments

10 Reasons Why Google Chrome Matters Big Time

image So unless you’ve been living under a virtual rock on Second Life, you’ve probably heard about Google Chrome.  Honestly I was most impressed with the comic book representation of what Google Chrome is and why it matters, especially since I have an extremely high interest in usability and design.  So anyway they told a compelling story in the comic, and the application itself didn’t disappoint at all.

For the most part it symbolizes that the web browser wars haven’t even started, and that what we called the “browser wars” of the 90’s, were actually more like epic battles.  While I still use firefox for the most part, here are 10 reasons why Google Chrome should matter to you:

  1. Demonstrates that the "Don’t Be Evil" Mentality is long gone at Google.  After all, have you read the EULA?  If Microsoft released a EULA like that for IE, they would be crucified by the Internet community and governments!
  2. Shows that the future is not even close to here yet, and RIA is the future.  Also, as in Atlanta where all roads lead to "Peachtree",
  3. The power of Google will be shown big time when Chrome’s install base reaches ridiculous proportions in a short period of time.
  4. It is possible to start from scratch, and build a better product than just constantly upgrading old code (Internet Explorer).
  5. Incognito modes of browsing the Internet can be simply implemented
  6. Less is more!  Google chrome shows you that a small download and simple interface with speedy access will beat bloatware every time.
  7. If Google Chrome takes off, Search is done!  Find something else to make money on and move on.  There is no way anyone will use any other search engine unless its for something very specific (ie: Patent Searches, etc.)
  8. Chrome users will mainly be users that use Firefox right now, that will use both, or jump ship (In the beginning of the longtail anyway).  While Microsoft should be worried if they care to be a player in the web, Firefox should be more worries short term.
  9. For those that think it wont follow standards, its based on WebKit, which is pretty cool, however it does mean a little more work for web developers to make sure everything works "just right".
  10. Tabs are definitely here to stay, and pretty much the preferred method of separating various content items in an application.

So anyway, if you haven’t had a chance to check out Google Chrome yet, make sure you download it today.  If you are a web browser that loves minimalist design and more focus on the actually heart and root of things, Google Chrome is for you!

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Filed Under: Google, Web Browser
September 21, 2008 By 45 Comments

Launching Twitter Devs

twitterdevs

twitterdevs.com is a twitter group and “social network” for software developers and information technology professionals.  It’s goal is to give developers the ability to find other developers with similar interests that are on twitter.  It offers forums, groups, blogs, videos, and other tools that let developers to communicate easily with each other.

Yes facebook is already a social network, and yes you already have twitter, but the goal of this site is very different from what you can do on both of those sites.  tries to solve two problems that I have struggled with for a while.

  1. I want to connect with other software developers and technology people that I know are on the web, but I don’t necessarily want to share all my family pictures, groups I join, and other personal information that is just irrelevant.
  2. I want to follow certain software developers on twitter that have the same interests I do, but I have no idea how to sort through the thousands of software developers on twitter!

So the site is basically for all you developers, architects, technology lovers, and IT Pro’s out there that are just totally obsessed with knowing what’s going on in the software world every second of the day and want to meet up with other addicts just like you!  Of course I was thinking the other day it could be useful as a dating tool to finally find your long lost matching closing bracket “/>”.

So sign up today and help us grow the community!

And if you have time make sure you leave your comments and suggestions on how twitterdevs can be improved.  I’m pretty pumped about the site and hoping it can really help connect developers and technology people from around the world!  I think it’s simple and effective, and really meets the mark!

Filed Under: Real World News, Social Networking
September 18, 2008 By 72 Comments

Microsoft Releases New Commercials Targeting Apple

Microsoft Releases New Commercials Targeting Apple

After a couple of weeks of the Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld commercials that were utterly confusing in the short versions that aired on TV, Microsoft has launched its new commercials today that take direct aim at Apple. 

"I’m a PC and I’ve been made into a stereotype," says Microsoft employee Sean Siller, who looks a whole lot like John Hodgman.  I personally like these ones way better than that other two commercials that aired.  I found the other commercials with Gates and Seinfeld were way too confusing in the short format, and made it seem like Microsoft was trying too hard.  The new commercials are a billion times better than the earlier commercials.  I love the
“bill@windows.com” bit in the video’s that show his email address.

Longoria “I’m a PC and I’ve been made into a stereotype”

Microsoft “Not Alone” Commercial

Microsoft New “Stereotype” Commercial

 

Filed Under: Current Affairs, Real World News, Reviews
September 17, 2008 By 43 Comments

TechDays 2008 Session Preview

TechDays 2008 Microsoft Canada TechDays 2008 is generating a ton of hype around the Internet, but no word yet on the sessions, until today!  You might want to go get an extra pair of socks, because they are about to be knocked off!  Compared to other events I have attended in the past that cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the hotel and travel expenses incurred because the event didn’t come to me, this is a ridiculously awesome event!

Let’s dive into some of the sessions you can expect at TechDays 2008!

The TechDays 2008 Session Breakdown

There are five tracks that you can choose in the TechDays tour:

  1. Windows Developer
  2. Web Developer
  3. Virtualization
  4. Data Platform and Business Intelligence
  5. Infrastructure

TechDays Day 1 Session Breakdown

TechDays kicks off with a bang on day 1!  Click the image if you want to see the details, or just keep reading below to see the breakdown.  I know I know I blocked out certain tracks. I wanted to focus mainly on the sessions I will make an effort to attend.  Plus I thought it might be nice to let the IT Pro’s comment on their tracks.

image

 

Windows Developer – Track 1

  1. Building Killer Line-of-Business Applications with WPF
  2. A Platform in Your Pocket: Windows Mobile for Windows Developers
  3. Just Sync It! Leveraging the Microsoft Sync Framework in Your Applications
  4. Building Differentiated UI Applications Using Composite WPF

Web Developer – Track 2

  1. Goin’ Up to the Data in the Sky: ADO.NET Data Services for Web Developers
  2. Internet Explorer 8 for Developers: What You Need to Know
  3. A Deep Dive into the _________________  hmmmm, trust me, don’t miss this deep dive
  4. __________________ Silverlight ___________  again, this session will rock!

Virtualization and Data Platform and Business Intelligence  – Track 3/4

Blocked information due to the fact that I don’t want to spoil all the surprises for everyone!

Infrastructure – Track 5

  1. Building High Availability Infrastructures With Windows Server 2008 Failover Clustering

Just one of the sessions in Track 5 that focus around getting the most out of your infrastructure.  We’ve been doing some testing and deployments with Windows 2008 in the last little while and let me tell you something, the big secret right now is how powerful Windows 2008 truly is.

Oh don’t worry, I’m not even close to being done!  This is just day one for the two day event!  What else could possibly be added to this event?

TechDays Day 2 Session Breakdown

Day two kicks off where day one left off.  For those that are lucky enough to be in a city where you get both days, you are about to get completely spoiled.  Check out the sessions I will try and attend!

image

Windows Developer – Track 1

  1. The Best of Both Worlds: WPF in WinForms and Vice Versa
  2. The Windows Vista Bridge: How .NET Developers Can Easily Access Exciting New Vista Features
  3. Blackbelt…. (Sorry, you’ll have to wait till the site launches!)
  4. Developing Windows Mobile Applications with Visual Studio

Web Developer – Track 2

  1. Mastering Your Silverlight Samurai Skills (Part 1 of 2)
  2. Mastering Your Silverlight Samurai Skills (Part 2 of 2)
  3. Car or Motorcycle: _____________________   <—This one will rock, come check it out
  4. The Zen of PHP on Windows!  Boooyaaaaa, I’m not the only one doing this clearly! 

Virtualization and Data Platform and Business Intelligence – Track 3/4

These are amazing tracks, but allas, I promised the mother ship I would not let out all the secrets in the candy bag.  I’ll let an IT Pro talk to these!

Infrastructure – Track 5

  1. ROCKBAND 2!!!!! Just kidding… or am I?
  2. Windows Deployments the Way You Want Them: Unleashing the Power of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit with Customization
  3. Streamlining Web Site Migration and Web Server Management Using the MS Web Deploy Toolset
  4. Special Guest Appearance by the Mad Mexican! (or not)

And of course, you can bet that the entire event will include many question and answer sessions and opportunities to meet one on one with the speakers and ask your super geek questions to the experts!  Lunch time for example will feature Birds-of-a-feather sessions where you will have time to ask your questions and be heard!

There will also be evening receptions on both nights, giving you even more time and ability to make connections with your peers.  While I have shown the two day event schedule, the one day event schedule will be just as powerful, and just have a blend of day one and day two. 

One Final Thought… RockBand 2?

One last note, and this is to the Microsoft Canada guys, I am hoping we have some RockBand 2 at the evening events, and maybe even some Karaoke!  Also, you guys might want to do some screenings of the Microsoft Commercials with Seinfeld and Gates.

Being in Winnipeg, I usually don’t look forward to December.  I am confused now as to what to think… Bring on December!  See you at TechDays!

Microsoft Canada - TechDays 2008

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Filed Under: Current Affairs, Silverlight, Software Development, Web Development
September 11, 2008 By 22 Comments

TechDays 2008 Coming to a City Near You

TechDaysMicrosoft is making preparations to run one of the largest cross country software development and IT Pro conferences ever to hit Canada.  The Microsoft TechDays 2008 event will be a two day or one day event in some cities, and feature some of the industry’s leading experts in software development and Information Technology! 

If you are passionate about software development and technology, spend hours on end reading technology blogs like Techmeme and Microsoft MSDN, Scott Hanselman’s Computer Zen, and ScottGu’s Blog trying to make sure you stay up to date, this is the event for you!  If you spend your nights trying to get the latest tech previews of MVC and Expression Blend compiling your sample applications, this is the conference you don’t want to miss!

Software Developers in Canada listen up!

At TechDays guests will have incredible access to speakers like John Bristowe, Jean-Luc David, Rodney Buike, and much more.  Not only will the event feature national speakers, but it will also feature local talent in each city!  While you might think nobody in your city is an industry expert in a specific topic like ASP.net or Expression Studio, you might be surprised at the people you meet in each city!  Want to know what your friends are working on?  Don’t have any friends and want to make some geek friends (Just kidding), this is the event for you!

So when is TechDays coming to your City? Check out the announced date’s for each city for TechDays below:

Date

Location

October 29th and 30th

November 6th and 7th

November 27th

December 4th

December 10th and 11th

December 17th

January 21st and 22nd

Toronto

Montreal

Ottawa

Winnipeg

Calgary

Halifax

Vancouver

TechDays Canada 2008I personally have been waiting a long time for a conference like this because it allows more Software Developers and IT Professionals the ability to attend high caliber events that they normally would not be able to attend because they are not in their local city, and far too expensive to travel to. 

This tour will allow companies to send their staff to a relevant, in depth conference, rather than the typical local course at a college to keep within budget and only send their true elite to the Toronto, San Francisco, Orlando conferences.  I know from our team, we will be sending nearly every developer to this conference.

What Will Be Covered at TechDays 2008

This “Tour De Force” will leave all the marketing fluff back at the office, and solely focus on in depth technical training.  There will be several tracks that software developers and IT Professionals can choose from such as: Windows Development, Web Development, Virtualization, Data Management, and Infrastructure.  The two day event city’s will have 40 sessions, while the one day events will have over 30 sessions!

Also you won’t want to miss the lunch “birds-of-a-feather” sessions at TechDays!  This will be your chance to mingle with your city’s tech elite and also meet some top experts from across the country!

What Should You Do?

If you are a software developer, you should email your boss or team lead immediately and ask them if you can attend the event in your city.  Not only will you get a chance to participate in some amazing technical presentations, but you’ll also get a ton of free stuff!

Check out all the free stuff you are going to get with the TechDays Learning Kit:

  1. 6-month TechNet Plus Subscription
  2. Visual Studio 2008 Professional – Full Package Product
  3. Expression Web – Full Package Product
  4. Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite – Evaluation Software
  5. Expression Studio – Evaluation Software
  6. Virtualization Resource Kit30% off certification voucher – Applicable to All MS Certification Exams
  7. TechEd 2008 DVD Set
  8. $100 Discount Coupon for DevTeach/SQLTeach

If you are a software development manager or a team lead, make sure you take this opportunity to bring out your entire team!  There is no way you will leave this event feeling disappointed.  Yes there is a cost associated with this event, $124.99 for the one day event, and $249.99 for the two day events,  but this is hardly a fraction of a fraction of the cost it normally would be to attend an event of the caliber that TechDays will be!  Your entire team will be motivated and thrilled you made the investment in them to make them a part of this event.  A similar event was held in Toronto earlier this year (Energize IT), and was phenomenally motivating for everyone in attendance.  Check out some footage below:

 

Congratulations to the Microsoft Canada team for putting this together and working through all he logistics to make this happen!  It’s great that Microsoft has listened to their customers, and brought this kind of an event to a ton of cities across Canada!

Lastly, this one goes out to anyone from Winnipeg.  If you want to come to this event, and are worried that “My company won’t pay for me to go” or “I will never touch any of the technology I will see at this event”, contact me directly at:  miguelc@anvildigital.com, visit our web site at Anvil Digital and if you are a Software Development Master and want to work with Silverlight and WPF all day long, I will hire you, train you, and obviously pay for you to come to this event!

I’m looking forward to meeting up with some of you during the TechDays tour!

 

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