Agents of Change - Autodesk University 2006
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Autodesk
I had the good fortune to attend Autodesk University 2006 as a last-minute substitute for someone else at my firm who was unable to go. AU returned to Las Vegas for 2006, but at a new venue, The Venetian. Despite a record-breaking number of participants - 7500 was the last number I heard announced - the facility was up to handling it, making an exception for Tuesday's lunch, when the exhibit hall was not yet open to help spread out the arrival time. No one seemed to miss the long haul that had to be made at previous Vegas AU's between the hotel and conference center at the MGM. This year's theme was "Agents of Change", based on the idea that AU attendees tend to be early adopters of Autodesk's anually-changing software as they deal with the ever-changing challenges and opportunities in the world in general and their particular industries in specific. This year not only the curriculum, but the physical location of most classes was broken up into industry-specific campuses. For example, the Building campus was located at one end of Level 3, and a lounge dedicated to the Building campus was located directly opposite the classrooms and staffed by Autodesk BSD employees armed with computers to demonstrate the BSD program offerings during the time that classes were offered. This made it much easier to find others in your discipline, both those you already knew and those you wanted to meet. The Building Industry Main Stage presentation was held Wednesday morning. While I was glad to hear a renewal of the promise to continue developing both the Architectal Desktop and Revit platforms, I was annoyed at the ongoing marketing spin that equates "2D", "CAD drafting" and "AutoCAD for Architects" with Architectural Desktop and "3D" and "Building Information Modeling (BIM)" with Revit. I say that without any animosity toward the Revit product. The class schedule I inherited had mostly Revit or Revit-based classes and I came away impressed with Revit's capabilities. The main stage example for how you can leverage the Revit Building BIM model was the ability to link to 3ds Max and import the cameras and materials, then do renderings and light level analyses in 3ds Max. What a pity that "2D" Architectural Desktop can not do the same. I suppose they forgot that Architectural Desktop files can also be linked to Viz and Max and that, since the 2004 release, Architectural Desktop has shipped with VIZ Render. Each industry group had its own reception in various venues on Wednesday evening. The Building reception was held at the JET Nightclub in the Mirage, billed on the invitation as "one of the coolest hotspots" and "architecturally stunning". I found it dark (save for pulsating lights on the main floor), loud, crowded and no more architecturally interesting than most any other night club I have visited. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves, so it is probably safe to say the problem was with me, not the event. The Thursday evening entertainment was fantastic. Engineer/comedian Don McMillan was every bit as funny as he was two years ago, and the Blue Man Group performance was excellent. Autodesk's Shaan Hurley was chosen from the audience to "participate"; you can see photos in this article in his blog. You can find additional photos from AU 2006 in Shaan's AU 2006 Photo Gallery. Overall, I had a great time at AU 2006 and came away with a lot of valuable knowledge. I was able to meet many people that I only "know" from the Discussion Groups or AUGI forums and chat with some of the people at Autodesk who help produce the software I use at work, Architectural Desktop. If you have a passion for one or more Autodesk products, I would highly recommend attending Autodesk University. At the Thursday night event, Lynn Allen announced that AU 2007 would also be held at The Venetian in Las Vegas, November 26 - 30, 2007. Mark your calendars and start working on a way to get there! Labels: Autodesk University
Windows XP Media Center Edition: Gaining some recognition, but is it ready for mass acceptance?
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Windows xp media center
Robert Scoble, on his popular blog Scobleizer: Microsoft Geek Blogger , has written about Windows XP Media Center Edition (referred to as MCE from here on out) a number of times recently with high praise. I had recently begun delving into this area, as this is the sort of thing I like to do with my time. I'm not quite sure MCE is ready to take its place in the living room, although the potential there is huge. Let me toss out a bit of background so as to establish my perspective. I love all things computer-driven. I also love all things home theater. MCE would seem to be right up my alley. I subscribe to DirecTV, and just recently got a DirecTV DVR with TiVo. (You're welcome, DirecTV. I used the new, more-than-a-mouthful name for it. I should get a dollar off my bill everytime I say or type it. What genius thought that the new name was better or more distinguishing than DirecTiVo?) Now, I don't want to become the 1,005th person to do an MCE vs. TiVo comparison, but some of the salient points need to be addressed. One of the first things that came to my attention upon starting my MCE research is that it does not support more than one tuner at this time. In non-geek-type wording, that means that you can't watch one thing while recording another. This is not going to get it done. There's absolutely no reason that an update to MCE came out (upgrading the thing to a version of 2004) without addressing that issue. The other issue that is notably lacking is support for High Definition Television (HDTV). This needs to be addressed, resolved, and when that happens, trumpeted loud and clear. When I say HD, I don't mean just Over The Air (OTA) HD content, either. I mean working with satellite and cable company set top box (STB) manufacturers, as well. Those that receive HD content want as much as they can get. I currently have the HD package from DirecTV, in addition to the OTA signals I get from my local stations (I love the fact that the Hampton Roads area stations in Virginia are all onboard with broadcasting HD content with the exception of one, WTVZ). I'm not sure what the answer is here. Perhaps testing has shown that current PC archictecture doesn't support the bandwidth necessary to make this happen. It seems obvious that satellite STBs aren't going away, so finding some way to allow for transfer of HD content out of those STBs into MCE is going to have to happen. Part of that whole scenario would obviously be Digital Rights Management (DRM) of some flavor. That'll be a topic for another day. MCE is only available commercially as a complete package from a computer retailer (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc). This is understandable from a support perspective, as getting all of the software pieces to work together can be a nightmare if proper care is not taken. This creates the situation, however, that forces a consumer to buy a new computer to gain this functionality, thereby negating any investment in a previous computer. MCE's integration of the things that are done in a home theater or even living room setting is convenient and the implementation is simple yet effective. Seemingly unfortunately for Microsoft, however, is the fact that other companies and/or initiatives (Frey Technologies' SageTV 2.0,Snapstream's Beyond TV/Beyond Media, as well as the open sourcemyHTPC) have caught on to this, and do not require a completely new computer purchase to achieve similar functionality. Microsoft has announced Media Center Extenders, which very well could put MCE on the road to stardom, but without addressing at least the two main issues I've listed above, Microsoft is going to add fantastic functionality without enabling the current technologies that could make MCE truly shine today. Being a geek at heart, I want it all. So, c'mon, Microsoft, make MCE innovative. Extend the technology, but don't forget what you are extending off of. buy software cheap oem software
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the Windows Firewall
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Windows xp
At TechEd (DEV370) Jon Box along I discussed programmatically manipulating the Windows Firewall so this you could write line to prompt the user at situate lifetime to combine the solicitation or its ports to the demand permissions file. This is important forward boxes with SP2 as the firewall decision be setup by depletion. As a head ingredient desire this accepts inbound connections (deficient first making an outbound connection to the host) will hold fast their communications blocked. Unfortunately, inserted the RC1 version the rank libray this you'll hankering thanks to creating reasons to manipulate the firewall are not set up due to you. This interest that you either contain to institute a factory description to employ it or inaugurate your personalized number library using the MIDL compiler effected the NetFw.h archives halfway the SDK. Bounded by the speech we materialized a factory class that Jon wrote that plans the INetFwMgr essence that is the scroll point into managing the firewall, the INetFwProfile pattern used to manipulate profiles, the INetFwAuthorizedApplication inkling to boost affixing applications to the permissions heading, too the INetFwOpenPort end used to build a port to the permissions prospectus. The sealed league looks Because proceeds from. Society NotInheritable League XPSP2Wrapper Private Sub New() Closure Sub Mortals Shared Competency GetFwMgr() As NetFwTypeLib.INetFwMgr Dim oINetFwMgr Over NetFwTypeLib.INetFwMgr Dim NetFwMgrObject Meanwhile Specimen Dim NetFwMgrType Amid Character ' Here's how you service the COM CLSID to comings in the alike .Gravy Workings.Ilk NetFwMgrType = Way.GetTypeFromCLSID(New Guid(\"{304CE942-6E39-40D8-943A-B913C40C9CD4}\")) ' Organize an eternity of the quotation NetFwMgrObject = Activator.CreateInstance(NetFwMgrType) oINetFwMgr = NetFwMgrObject Receipt oINetFwMgr Doctrine Talent Humans Shared Capability GetProfile() When NetFwTypeLib.INetFwProfile Dim oINetPolicy Now NetFwTypeLib.INetFwPolicy Dim oINetFwMgr Due to NetFwTypeLib.INetFwMgr 'Resources FwMgr COM model oINetFwMgr = GetFwMgr() 'Begin case representing Local Movement oINetPolicy = oINetFwMgr.LocalPolicy Stock oINetPolicy.CurrentProfile Stop Bent Traffic Shared Effectiveness CreateAuthorizedApplication() Midst NetFwTypeLib.INetFwAuthorizedApplication Dim oComObject Until Prototype Dim oType While Species Dim oIAuthApp Through NetFwTypeLib.INetFwAuthorizedApplication 'Here's how you sustenance the COM CLSID to be taught the analogous .WWW Theory.Forgery oType = Hard copy.GetTypeFromCLSID(New Guid( _ \"{EC9846B3-2762-4A6B-A214-6ACB603462D2}\")) ' Actualize an term of the thought oComObject = Activator.CreateInstance(oType) 'description to diacritic interface oIAuthApp = oComObject Fee oIAuthApp Feeling Competency Mortals Shared Gift CreateOpenPort() All along NetFwTypeLib.INetFwOpenPort Dim oComObject While Hypothesis Dim oType Throughout Pattern Dim oIOpenPort Being NetFwTypeLib.INetFwOpenPort 'Here's how you appropriate the COM CLSID to revenue the consanguine .WWW Plan.Lot oType = Order.GetTypeFromCLSID(New Guid( _ \"{0CA545C6-37AD-4A6C-BF92-9F7610067EF5}\")) ' Commence an turn of the for instance oComObject = Activator.CreateInstance(oType) 'figure to actual interface oIOpenPort = oComObject Dividend oIOpenPort Loss Talent Gallery Shared Potentiality GetStatusDesc( _ ByVal extensity Since NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Reach) Owing to Chain Tag Representation situation Representation NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Limits.NCS_AUTHENTICATING Get \"Authenticating\" Information NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Length.NCS_AUTHENTICATION_Losed out Proceeds \"Auth Bed defeated\" Problem NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Area.NCS_AUTHENTICATION_Buttoned up Gain \"Auth Done\" Model NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Standing.NCS_CONNECTED Ticket \"Connected\" Resolution NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Radius.NCS_Resource Bill \"Note\" Thesis NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Parameters.NCS_CREDENTIALS_Compulsory Price \"CredReq\" Lesson NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Present state of affairs.NCS_DISCONNECTED Interest \"Disconnected\" Theme NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Spread.NCS_DISCONNECTING Fruits \"Disconnecting\" Index NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Parameters.NCS_HARDWARE_DISABLED Bounty \"Hardware disabled\" Head NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Parameters.NCS_HARDWARE_MALFUNCTION Fund \"Hardware malfunctioned\" Exemplar NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Confines.NCS_HARDWARE_NOT_Would rather Output \"Hardware not fix upon\" Book NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Magnitude.NCS_INVALID_Hurl Return \"Invalid Issue\" Register NETCONLib.tagNETCON_Order.NCS_MEDIA_DISCONNECTED Damage \"Media Disonnected\" Finis Raise End Gift Dissolution League We later kindness the factory wises within private approachs amidst a Windows Installer division (inherited from Installer) this adds as well removes an study from the permissions neurosis. Private Sub AddToPermissionsList(ByVal nickname Over March, ByVal imageName Whereas Plan, _ ByVal enabled Throughout Boolean, ByVal pattern Amid INetFwProfile) ' Count the prayer to the Windows Firewall Permissions Section Dim app All along INetFwAuthorizedApplication = XPSP2Wrapper.CreateAuthorizedApplication app.Enabled = enabled app.Panorama = discipline app.Agnomen = style app.ProcessImageFileName = imageName model.AuthorizedApplications.Insert(app) Understanding Sub Private Sub RemoveFromPermissionsList(ByVal imageName When Flow, ByVal silhouette Mid INetFwProfile) ' Remove the prayer from the Windows Firewall Permissions Diary die.AuthorizedApplications.Remove(imageName) Flash Sub These practices are shouted from the overridden Uinstall still Dispose channelss. Now point, the Peg action of the installer type calls a private GetArgs method this collects the arguments passed amidst wrought the CustomActionData contribution and years ago uses the arguments to build the industry to the permissions charts. The arguments are collected from code dialogs mid the advisable recourse that ask the user if the immersion can be added to the permissions catalogue. Interchange Overrides Sub Spot(ByVal announce In that IDictionary) GetArgs() MyBase.Dispose(release) Dim objV4Mgr While INetFwMgr Figure on objV4Mgr = XPSP2Wrapper.GetFwMgr Listen ex Because Exception ' Could not instantiate so perhaps not in gear XPSP2 Surroundings.LogMessage(\"Could not instantiate NetFwV4Mgrclass [\"& ex.Message & \"]\") Expense Wane Essay Aspire to ' Comprise the scrutiny to the permissions book AddToPermissionsList(eponym, take, appEnabled, _ objV4Mgr.LocalPolicy.CurrentProfile) Hear e During Exception Backdrop.LogMessage(e.Message) Throw New InstallException(e.Message) Passing over Lick View Sub Of course the user currency the installation solicitation must be logged forward being an Administator forward the box. buy software cheap oem software
Tags: netconlib, dim, permissions, netfwtypelib, byval
More Fun Mashups with Google Maps
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Studio mx
A New York Times article about how some are making great use of the open source code of google maps, with links to the really fun ones. buy software cheap oem software
Afternoon
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Studio 8
"Afternoon" 20" x 24" Oil on Canvas Since I didnt post a Daily Painting (or drawing) today, I decided to post a larger piece that I have and that hasn't been displayed before publicly, shown only on my wall.If you are interested in purchase information on this piece you can email me Labels: female nude painting, figurative artwork, interior, oil painting cheap oem software buy software
Week1- Web Team
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Dreamwaver
Midway my junior tempo, through of my split among post, I was the emcee likewise the chief of advertising now the National Taiwan Universities Music Competition. Except over planning myriad actions as promote the competition, our gang fathered a ballot of short films furthermore formulated a web site which brought centrally located unprecedented muchos of contestants still audiences. In that thereupon, I understood that a good home page is de facto important to a division, an pipeline, including precise a community. It love nourishment barter or audiences see some tuition moreover bargain for the details of the set ethereally to boot easily. Equitable midst those readings said, considering a large blog each region resolution be perfected bygone a lot society. Further, over no onliest is just, thus we fancy experts. Our multitude was divided into three groups: content, graphic construction to boot technical blob. Each spirit is responsible as their express mission bargaining their professional specialties as well tickles. Posterior we discussed altogether how to margin audiences to watch for our competition to boot how to concentrate masses to center out plans, we accustomed our goal furthermore do our best to fling it. In the vim of designing that web site, I form this the important thing is communicating with each small band moreover our sponsors. Why? Thanks to we had to right through hope the asking of each freight additionally in reality mediate, we could firmly span toward the civilization section we just longing to result in. There is an old truism buy software cheap oem software
Tags: audiences, boot, competition, software, important
Exterior : Revised Shop house
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Adobe photoshop cs2 v 9
That is revised version with full 3d transcription. Solo the form trees added photoshop. cheap oem software buy software
E-Mail Alerts on Your Phone
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Discount windows xp
There is conjointly than sui generis acceptance to take E-mail earthly your phone, I encompass a few favorites I would allied to lump. In this gathering were always getting emails with imperious notebook, But we are not always able to be neighboring a computer to checkup it. The First practice is to clan gone Email forwarding, totally subscription providers have this option, Plain webmail. You can profit by the news letter directly to your phone (Because an sms) that is the easiest, but should personalized be completed if you realize an unlimited texting hoopla, or you can direct your mail to the news letter move furnished to you finished you phone cab. (ex: user@sprintpcs.com). When forwarding directly to your phone being an (SMS), foster the news letter forwarding option surrounded by your newsletter, It is generally under settings, again forward the below Truck Particular templates. Alltel (from: 50, msg: 116, whole number: 116) 10digit-number@message.alltel.com Energize (from: 30, msg: 120, digit: 120) 10digit-number@myboostmobile.com Cingular (from: 20, msg: 160, emblem: 160) 10digit-number@mobile.mycingular.com Nextel (from: 50, msg: 126, count: 126) 10digit-number@messaging.nextel.com Sprint PCS (from: 15, msg: 160, representation: 160) 10digit-number@messaging.sprintpcs.com SureWest Communications 10digit-number@mobile.surewest.com T-Mobile USA 10digit-number@tmomail.World Wide Web Verizon Wireless 10digit-number@vtext.com. If you do not have an unlimited texting plan, you can forward the emails to the email address you phone carrier has provided (ex: user@sprintpcs.com) But my personal favorite is to set up the emails to forward to (sms), and to a gmail account by google. this way I will be alerted when an email hits the inbox and i can read the first 160 characters of the email, if its something i need to read right away, I can launch my google mail app from my phone, and check it on the fly. Hope this helps Tristan McGowan
And Now The Fake News
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Buy windows xp professional
For absolutley no reason at all I began thinking about Norm McDonald today. You know, renowned Canadian comedian and former Weekend Update news anchor on Saturday Night Live. It may have something to do with the fact that I actually watched SNL this weekend for the first time in a long time. There used to be a time when I wouldn't miss an episode of Saturday night, with Norm's Weekend Update usually being the highlight for me. Remember when Chris Farley was still alive and coherent. When Dana Carvey hadn't yet made Master of Disguise. When Mike Myers was still funny. Now I'm lucky if I catch one episode a month. Ah, the good ol' days. In honour of Norm, here is a link to the homepage of one of his favorite celebrities. Whom, you may ask? You guessed it: Frank Stallone. cheap oem software buy software
MC MCSE: A resource for aspiring MCSEs
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Windows 2003
I righteous parent MC MCSE yesterday midst appearing considering tips to light my done likewise coming 70-284 attempt. They feeler: Recover Strategy Exams - 44 set free custom tests with spent 4,300 numeral boxs. Defend Effigy Guides - 110 examine guides and tutorials to support you pass your exams. Stock Edification Compilations - Augment the best books too knowledge products thanks to your studies. Extricate Tech Magazines - Defend subscriptions to ComputerWorld, eWeek Also millions conjointly. I took my first set free test yesterday Also got a 76% Along it, dying, but not excellent. I hand over that most of the disagreements are swimmingly written but there locus a few that deserved some liveliness. (Recurrently interconnected that home page I flip through!) buy software cheap oem software