If you have multiple computer (work, home etc) you know that file synchronization between them is not the easiest task. If you have a Mac, a PC and a Windows Mobile device then the things can get even worse.

Live Mesh puts you at the center of your digital world, seamlessly connecting you to the people, devices, programs, and information you care about - available wherever you happen to be.

Live Mesh is a free service. You get a live desktop with 5 GB storage space where you can place your files. Also you can sync files between devices without uploading the on the live desktop.

continue reading "Microsoft Live Mesh (Tech Preview) Review"

Technorati Tags: Live Mesh, Microsoft, Remote Desktop, Synchronization

The title is not really appropriate. I should call this post “How to get on someone’s nerves”.

After a fresh install of Windows Vista and Visual Studio 2008 I went on microsoft.com and downloaded the Express version of SQL Server 2008 (200 MB).

Started the installer and got a message informing me that I need .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed. Ok, no problem  - went on the download site and got a 2 MB installer. It downloaded another 39 MB and then it took more time to install than was needed for Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite, Full Install. And it required a restart; Visual Studio Installer did not.

After this I restarted SQL Server installation. Guess what? Another message saying that I need Windows Installer 4.5. Again, go to microsoft.com, download the installer, install the update - took less time than .netfx 3.5sp1 - and restart.

Finally I was able to start SQl Server installer. Guess what? After the first check I got another prerequisites failure: Windows Power Shell. Go to microsoft.com (again), search for PowerShell, go on the download page, verify that Windows is Genuine, download, install. Now I got no warning for SQL Installer - Yupii! (but not for long).

The setup program installed a few componenents and… another check… this time it couldn’t find Visual Studio 2008 SP1… Go to microsoft (for the fourth time), download an 800 MB iso image, mount it and start the installer. Did I tell you that .NET Framework 3.5SP1 took a lot of time to install? Well, SP1 for VS2008 took almost double.

After 4 hours from the initial tentative of installation I was able to successfully complete the setup…

Technorati Tags: Installer, SQL Server 2008

Some people heard that Windows Vista is bad, is not good, is resource consuming, etc and they don’t even want to try it.

Microsoft made an experiment: they asked people to write their opinion about Windows Vista, then asked them the opinion about “the new Windows” named Mojave (actually it was Vista with another name) and all of them were impressed ;)

Look what happened when they were told that Mojave is actually Windows Vista: http://www.mojaveexperiment.com/

Technorati Tags: Mojave Experiment, Windows Vista

If you don’t know what Microsoft Surface is you show visit this link before reading any further.

As a short resume Surface is a Multi-touch product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical objects

Surface is a impressive product and almost everyone react with “wow”. Now read this: Microsoft announced that if going to debut its spherical multi-touch Surface - another “WOW”.

Remains to be seen how practical and how usefull will be this new form factor.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Surface, Multi-touch, Surface Sphere, Touch Screen

Now in its seventh year, the Imagine Cup is a global student technology competition focused on finding solutions to real-world issues. The competition encourages the world’s most talented software designers, programmers, game developers, photographers and filmmakers to tackle the toughest problems facing the world today.

Over 200,000 technology students around the world competed in the 2008 competition.

Do you want:

• To contribute your talents to tackling some of the toughest problems facing us today-and maybe even turn your ideas into a business one day?
• To learn new technology skills and test yourself against the brightest students on the planet?
• To make friends around the world?
• The chance to win important cash prizes, internships at Microsoft, and even a free trip to Cairo, Egypt next summer?

Since 2002, the Imagine Cup has been challenging the world’s brightest technology students to step up and make a difference.

The next year’s theme is “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today” and the World Finals will take place in Cairo, Egypt.

The competition that I’m interested in is Software Design so I will tell you a few things that changed since the last edition.

The last year you had 3 required elements and you should integrate two in your application. Now there are 4 required elements and you need to use all of them; they are:

• Use of a Mobile device;
• Implementation or consumption of a XML Web Service;
• .NET Framework 2.0 or later;
• Visual Studio family (Express, Standard, Professional, or Team System) for development

Also the number of optional elements was reduced to one (from two) and two interesting optional elements were introduced:

• Your entry must address a social cause connected to the Imagine Cup 2009 Theme: “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today”
• Any  presentations or documentation that is part of your entry must be in the English language.  We will provide translators if needed for translation.

It’s funny because they give the theme but it is at your latitude to create a project related to it :) The possibility of being helped by a translator is a great thing because some teams were disadvantaged in the last year by their poor English knowledge.

The prize for the first place was doubled and now the winners will go home with $30,000 USD.

So, if you are interested in participating or you just want more info, visit the Official Website.

Technorati Tags: Imagine Cup 2009, Microsoft, Student Competition