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Monthly Archives: April 2007

  • Windows Vista UI Implemented in Silverlight

    I can't read the text as I don't speak the language, but this is an interesting simulation of the Vista UI. Pick the left-most login icon so you get the simulated glass experience.I recall about a decade ago when someone did an OS / Desktop simulation all in DHTML. It's funny how this is almost a "hello world" of new web presentation technology.

    Published Wednesday, April 18, 2007 | Tagged: , | Leave comment

  • How to Change Master Pages and Themes in MOSS and WSS v3

    Joel Oleson has a quick walkthrough on changing the site and system master pages on a MOSS 2007 or WSS v3 team site. If you've had problems getting templates to push down correctly to sites, this may help. 

    Published Wednesday, April 18, 2007 | Tagged: | 2 comments

  • Introducing Microsoft Silverlight

    Microsoft changed the name of WPF/E to Microsoft Silverlight. This has to be the first time I've seen Microsoft go from a production-like name (WPF/E) to a codename (Silverlight). I guess they figured they needed something nicer than the usual jargon. To me, the name also suggests a stronger break between this web technology and the richer WPFTim Sneath has the full details here.Also intere...

    Published Monday, April 16, 2007 | Tagged: , | Leave comment

  • FIOS Speed Compared to DSL

    Before, with my old Speakeasy DSL 3 static IP 1.5Mb / 768kb service for $89.99 per month plus taxes: After, with Verizon FIOS for Business 5 static IP 15Mb / 2Mb service for $99.99 per month plus taxes:Both tests were performed against the Speakeasy Washington DC pop. In theory, the Speakeasy speed test should have been even faster, as the POP is fewer hops when you start on the ...

    Published Saturday, April 14, 2007 | Tagged: | Leave comment

  • FIOS Upgrade Complete (well, mostly)

    Verizon completed the FIOS upgrade yesterday after literally an entire day of their techs waiting around. Just after 5:00pm, the five static IPs were assigned and the tech was able to program the router.In order for that all to happen, I had to cancel the FIOS TV and Phone service. The manager there told me to call him at his office on Monday so he can put it all back through. The problem is th...

    Published Friday, April 13, 2007 | Tagged: | 1 comment

  • Verizon FIOS Install

    Previously wrote about an upgrade and some of the potential issues I thought I'd run into. I also wrote about my call to Verizon where they told me I definitely would not need a second fiber line.As I suspected, the person on the phone was clueless, despite the information I provided her. Two fiber lines were needed (as the TV runs off DHCP and the broadband I ordered is static), but only o...

    Published Thursday, April 12, 2007 | Tagged: | Leave comment

  • Upgrading

    On 4/12, Verizon will be at my house running fiber and setting us up for FIOS TV. They're supposed to leave my phone line intact so it won't interrupt my Speakeasy DSL, but I have about 20% faith in them actually doing that, especially since they have to dig a 400' trench along my driveway, where the old phone line is.The following Monday, they'll be out again to install FIOS Bu...

    Published Friday, April 6, 2007 | Tagged: | Leave comment

  • What is up with the Credit Card industry?

    Last year, our credit card was bought by another large bank/credit card company. Today, they finally started to make some changes. As usual, those changes are not for the benefit of the consumer.First hs a new minimum finance charge. You can opt out of that via mail (with a tight deadline for responding, of course), so we will.The second one, for which your only recourse would be to dump the co...

    Published Wednesday, April 4, 2007 | Tagged: | Leave comment

  • The Festool slippery slope

    Last year, I started getting into Festool tools. Festool is a German tool company that manufactures the tools in Germany. Almost all other popular tools these days are made in asia by the lowest bidder. You pay a premium for the tools, but like nice German cars, you just can't quite match them for less. Festool is squarely targeted at professionals in Europe and abroad. In the US, the compa...

    Published Wednesday, April 4, 2007 | Tagged: | Leave comment

  • Expression Tools now in MSDN

    Woot!Soma just announced a great change for those of us who try to straddle the developer / designer disciplines....Based on this feedback, I am pleased to say that we will be making Expression Web available starting today to all MSDN Premium subscribers.  We will also make Expression Blend available to MSDN Premium subscribers shortly after the Expression Studio releas...

    Published Tuesday, April 3, 2007 | Tagged: , , | Leave comment