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Plane pr0n
The Snowbirds have been based in Comox for the last little while, and have been practising daily - which means at 10:30am and a few other times during the day, the cats have to hide under the bed. (I've been hiding under there as well, but for different reasons. Honest.
They haven't done anything too fancy yet. I guess it's either simple stuff for now, more later (they're here for another week). Or perhaps they do all the fancy stuff over the Strait.
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Wha? Sexy pages on MSDN?
I see that there are a few new interesting pages on MSDN this morning. I can tell they're sexy, because they have a black background. And there are reflections! (Reflections are the new black). While their overall "Web 2.0"-osity is hampered by the MSDN chrome, it is interesting to see MSDN at least taking a chance at creating interesting pages.
Wonder who built those pages?
Which leads me to think a recurring thought while I was at said fish shoppe: Do visually interesting pages work for information? One of the requests we got a lot was for "sexier" pages on MSDN, particularly...
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Need your RD fix?
That's Regional Director, not remove directory. See the colours! Rejoice in the event calendar! Drown in the wisdom! All this and more at The Region.
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Professional Wilfing (for Dummies)
I love neologisms, and I saw from my feeds yesterday that there is a new one making the rounds: wilfing (from "What was I Looking For?"). As this has become both a pastime and age-related hazard, I've decided to take some time to help people better wilf.
Exercise 1: Wikipedia
Wikis are an excellent way to wilf, and Wikipedia best of all. Pick a page, any page. Note the time. Now, find an interesting link on that page and follow it (no external links, please). Repeat for 10 pages. How long did that take you? You could easily do another round before...
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All corporations are eeeeeeeveeeel!
Jay has an interesting post on Mike Gunderloy. I've been incredibly interested in Mike's migration out of Microspace as well since he announced. Partly because I'm a big fan of his[1] and partly as I've considered the possibility of making the same migration. It seems Mike felt the need to migrate out because he didn't like a few of the decisions Microsoft has made on Office and Vista. Jay counters with a few 'iffy' things Google has done, as if that makes it better. I'll go the one step further and add that I don't think you'd find any corporation...
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Link bait, part II
I've calmed down a bit (measuring to put in a new stair handrail can do that I guess), but I promised myself to add a bit more about the whole notion of "Microsoft is Dead". Now the assorted commenters are saying, "What he really meant is that no one fears Microsoft anymore."
While the mere mention of a new feature coming by Microsoft doesn't cause the market to pause (see Visi On), it is the company everyone compares themselves to, or that frequently strives to be bought by. One simply needs to compare the size of the Microsoft partner list...
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Taking the LinkBait
Is Microsoft Dead? Paul Graham decided to post a "yes" over the weekend, and all the cool kids are commenting. Apart from the fact that it's a pretty standard troll, and that I'm far from cool, I've decided to kick in my 2 cents (Canadian).
The basic thesis to Paul's post is that Microsoft has become irrelevant to the vast majority of computer users, and that other companies (notably Google) are now the prime motivators. That broadband and Ajax have conspired to level the playing field, removing the need for Windows and Office.
There is no doubt that Google rules the roost...
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Seeing as how I mentioned WoW...
Like most of our geekness, I play World of Warcraft (like you needed that link). I've received all of one request (from one of the two people who knew I was involved) if I'd be updating Gnolly's blog anytime soon. Sadly, I think the answer is, "maybe." I've been having too much fun leveling Gubra these days. However, once he hits 70 (in a few months at the glacial pace I play that character), I think I could convince people to head back to the Gnomes for another 60-70 run.
Oh, and before you decide the need to comment, yes, I...
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Need an Xbox 360?
I see that Sonu now has a contest to win one of three Xbox 360s. While I don't want one (WoW has me completely addicted, thank you, and M would have my head), it does sound a little intriguing to try and enter. Oh, and if you do win, don't forget to pick up a copy of the book by the Mighty D and Brian!
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New stuff on BDLC
I see that there are some new "For Dummies" chapters up on the Beginner Developer Learning Center on MSDN. Not for anyone who reads this blog, but you might want to point you mother/child/spouse at them to help them understand just what you do.
HTML 4 For Dummies
Creating Web Pages All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
Visual Web Developer For Dummies
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What has been occupying my time
It's been about a nice round 17 months (give or take) since I left Microsoft. Since then, Microsoft shipped some software, people have argued, and the world continues its revolution, rotation and other movements.
I know all of you were wondering, "What's Kent up to?", so here is some of what I've been up to since I left.
I do a daily newsletter for Code Project, the Insider. It's a daily email of news on the industry, developer stuff and more. Oh, and sorry, no RSS feed.
I helped Bill Evjen (aka Writing Monster II) create a couple more books.
I did four...
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Back (for now at least)
I killed my blog and online existence a while back. It wasn't the first time, and likely won't be the last. Since then, I've started to feel like I actually missed it. It seemed almost like I had lost my voice. Certainly it meant I lost contact with a lot of people, as I "fell off the face of the Earth."
So, I've decided to try again. This time, I will care less that I have little to say, and say it anyway. The resulting catharsis will help, I think. In addition, it will definitely help towards "that goal" I have...