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Monthly Archives: June 2006

  • .NET Framework 3.0 June CTP Available

    .NET Framework 3.0 June CTP is now available for download. It includes the RC for Workflow Foundation. I suspect this is the cause of my problems with Expression Interactive Designer. The dates on some of the codec DLLs downloaded by the WinFX Beta 2 install were far newer than Beta 2. Looks like someone needs to work on versioned side-by-side downloads. None of the Expressions tools have bee...

  • Crashing with Expression Interactive Designer May 2006 CTP

    If you are having problems where the EID menus don't drop down, and shortcut keys cause a crash (or opening a .csproj causes a crash) in the design surface assembly, be sure to check out this blog entry. It may help. The problem is related to the image processing DLLs. Unfortunately, that means you have to unwind your installs all the way back to the WinFX package, before fixing them,&nbs...

  • Microsoft Robotics Studio

    Microsoft has teamed up with Lego to create something pretty neat: Microsoft Robotics Studio. It will work with Lego Mindstorms NXT. Key features and benefits of the Microsoft Robotics Studio environment include these: End-to-end robotics development platform. Microsoft Robotics Studio includes a visual programming tool, making it easy to create and debug robot applications. Ro...

  • Stairs Installed

    Not quite finished, but good enough for now. All that's left are some plugs, some fillets (trim under the railing), some trim on the board against the far wall, and the actual finishing. We agreed the finishing can be done later, when it's too hot/rainy/whatever outside to work on my other things. The balusters look fine, but they're actually only primed. Everything will need to be ...

  • How to Install Box Newels

    This is one way to install box newels. The Newels I am using are solid box newels by Coffman Stairs. The procedure can be similar for hollow newels if you block them up inside. However, if you have hollow box newels, you might want to instead look at the cleats that screw to the sides and to the floor. I'm using the L. J. Smith Sure-Tite Newel Fastening System, picked up from eith...

  • Balcony Rail Started

    I have one section of the balcony railing and balusters installed. The balusters are the longer ones I purchased from the person on eBay. The primer on them is almost like plastic, so the trim nails slid off of them if shot at too steep an angle. That meant I had to install the nails on the visible faces (instead of between balusters), where I could shoot at a more shallow angle. I'll have ...

  • The Great Gingersnap Deception

    I like to find patterns in things. I especially like to find duplications, such as when a package of cereal only has one cocoa puff or biscuit or bit photoshopped and duplicated to create a pile of them on the front of the package. Take a close look next time you or your kids have breakfast.This box of ginger snaps is especially rich. The front of the package has just a couple snaps, duplicated...

  • Sony UX Micro PC

    Not an origami UMPC, but interesting nevertheless. The integrated biometric fingerprint sensor is a nice touch. Sony UX Series at the sony site. Review at Digital World Tokyo. It's not much larger than my i-Mate JASJAR. However, like most systems going the UMPC or tiny laptop route, battery life looks to be terrible. I won't add this to my "must have" list, but the concept is interesting.

  • Smart Client Base Architecture Toolkit

    You can download the current version of SCBAT from Patterns and Practices. SCBAT simplifies the implementation of CAB and related technologies, to make it easy for folks to create feature-rich smart client applications with a minimum amount of up-front project overhead. New versions come out approximately every week.