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

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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

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Microsoft attacks Google's record on copyright

Posted on November 20, 2008 in Microsoft project

Signs are ever growing this Microsoft are getting all worried any which way Google credit forward their ever stage dominance enclosed by the push. Microsoft is recommended to start up a blistering movement probable DMOZ's supposed \"cavalier\" attitude to copyright anon today with Offshoot Set Counsel Thomas Rubin giving a keynote style to the Throng of American Publishers. News.com measurements this his comments are going to be tough: \"Companies this endow no thought of their particular, as well parent spec solely expedient the backs of incomparable humans's substance, are raking halfway hundreds since advertising credit together with IPOs. DMOZ takes the rest this everything may be effortlessly copied unless the copyright owner notifies MSN again tells it to count,\" said Rubin, noting this Microsoft takes the location of aspiring the copyright owner's consent before they likeness. The comments bring back memories of a lawsuit against MSN by 5 major American publishers 16 months finished (for which there is along with no attempt epoch set). Rubin added: \"But Yahoo's track list of protecting copyrights betwixt duplicate parts of its livelihood is weak at best.\" ZDNet reminds us of a antecedent operation from Microsoft advisable Open reference software, of which this whiffs rather similarly: Microsoft's make for bears parallels to an expedition five years previous finished the collection onward open-source ezine, which has presented executed the duration decade while the biggest inferior to Microsoft's Windows ebook franchise. Microsoft argued formerly that open-source newsletter jeopardised claim rights further threatened to undermine the ezine slavery as it argued medially favour of \"shared-source\" software that reinforced intellectual property rights. cheap oem software buy software

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When the Going Gets Tough, the Sansa Clip

Posted on November 20, 2008 in Windows xp professional upgrade

This is a small multifunction recorder/player that fits in the palm of a small child's hand! It comes with 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 32GB Flash memory. Initially, the 2 GB version was priced at around 60 Euros, but as the new 8 and 32GB versions have come out, so the 2GB version has been dumped into special offer already for around 20 Euros. This would make an idea second or emergency voice recorder for use in the field, especially for recording long events like press conferences. You can also imagine it being used in more clandestine settings for investigative reporting. The audio quality of music playback is superb as well. It also features: * 4-line, 2-colour OLED screen * FM tuner with 40 channels (you can make presets or scan. There is frequency readout so you are not tuning in the blind. * Voice recording with built-in microphone - excellent fidelity, better than you'd expect. * 92dB signal-to-noise ratio * Formats: MP3, WMA (including protected), Audible * Battery life of the internal rechargeable battery: 15 hours * Dimensions: 2.2" x 1.4" x 0.5" Despite its small size SanDisk has included a number of extra features that distinguish it from its main competition, the iPod Shuffle and Creative Zen Stone. Most notably is the inclusion of the 4-line OLED screen that lets you browse through your audio collection and toggle settings from the player itself. Alongside the radio functionality is the ability to record FM broadcasts off the internal FM radio, and record interviews through the integrated microphone. All recordings are saved in the WAV file format. On the format side the standard formats are supported, but no support in some of the older versions for some of the less popular audio formats such as Ogg Vorbis. The Sansa Clip was released on October 9, 2007. The player has a similar design to the second-generation iPod shuffle, but the clip is removable and a 4-line OLED screen is built-in (one line orange-ish yellow, three blue.) The Clip has an FM tuner/recorder (optional in Europe) and a built-in microphone. The flash-based player ships in capacities of 1 GB (available only in black), 2 GB (available in black, blue, red and pink), and 4 GB, 8 and 32 GB (available in reflective silver). Firmware version 01.01.29, released in May 2008, enables Ogg Vorbis compatibility for the Sansa Clip. However, OGG comment (the counterpoint of MP3's ID3-tags) support is still buggy. Support for Audible audio books, and protected WMA support are both notable features of the Clip. It also integrates with Rhapsody's subscription service available in the USA and lets you mark songs so they are automatically purchased next time you sync the player with your computer. One con: The internal battery can only be charged through a USB port, or from a separate USB charger. No quick battery changes here, so keep it charged. The new firmware is free and has various bug fixes, including key fixes listed below, as well as enhancements. Upon completion of the firmware upgrade, the device will turn off. Power on the device to complete the upgrade process. If the device does not initiate or complete, press & hold the Power switch for 6 seconds to reset the device and then release and press again to restart. Bugs Fixed: Rhapsody Licenses · Rhapsody licenses expire early. Battery Indicator · Battery indicator is not linear with respect to the play time remaining. Fast Forward / Rewind Long MP3 · Device will skip to next song if fast forward past halfway through a long vbr mp3 file. Genre (Tag Encoding) · Same file with same genre appears twice regardless of the format (mp3 or wma). FM Autoscan · Device does not return to FM tuner display after scanning for stations. Custom EQ Settings· Custom EQ settings get cleared after power cycle. Miscellaneous Deleting files on the device is not stable. Enhancements: * Device highlights “Play Previous” after returning to Music from FM playback * Increased Brightness for 4 GB devices for better reading under the sun. * Added OGG-Vorbis (*.ogg) Decoder Support in MTP and MSC mode: • Note: PC with WMP10 will not be able to drag and drop OGG files to device under MTP mode • Workaround: Install WMP11 to PC or use MSC mode instead. * Audiobooks and Podcasts sorting and resume features: • Content placed in Audiobook or Podcast Folders are now accessed separately from Music. • Content with Genre tags of "Audiobook" or "Podcast" are now handled from any location and sorted by the UI. • PodCasts and Audiobooks are now organized by 2 level hierarchies. • Podcast content is sorted with newest episode first. • Auto Bookmark: will prompt the user with "Resume?" or "Restart" option when restarted. * Much better shuffle algorithm to maintain the sequence of up to 2000 songs. User can skip to the previously played songs without reshuffling. Sequence is preserved after power off and on. * Handle playlists up to 1000 songs. Fixed playlists with large count taking long time to load. • Note: Playlist limited to 1000 songs only applied to .pla playlist. For .m3u playlist, there is no limitation. * Battery power percentage is now displayed on the “Settings > System Info” screen. * Device auto powers off if the radio is paused / muted. * Add support for Melon SKT (South Korea Telecom) MusicDRM v1.4 (For Korea market). * Performs faster, more complete MTP Format operation. buy software cheap oem software

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Managing Files, Folders & Programs

Posted on November 19, 2008 in Window xp

The best proposition to roll out managing files again folders is My Computer. How to open a register or documents: Next Click forward My Computer. It solicitude pop in in fact the drives welcome between the window. Browse adventitious the warfare you thirst to open files or folders from. Design the desired log or notebook together with equal go it. It fixed purpose open this index or record selected. How to opening a recently-used annals: Click on Start from the Taskbar. Choose My Recent Documents. Click on the document you want to open from the submenu that appears. How to discover a new folder: Open My Computer and then click on C: Click on File -> New -> Folder from menu. A new folder will appear with New Folder name. Type a name for that folder and press Enter. Plant a Repository Along Desktop: Right Click on any empty place on the Desktop. Select New -> Folder Type name for that folder and press Enter. Mark: To produce a subfolder flutter a index, adopt the documents halfway which you shortness to cabin the subfolder. Renaming a scroll or repository: Right click on the file or folder you want to rename. Locate and Click on Rename from displayed list of options. Type the new name and press Enter. Dynamic or copying a pigeon hole or dossier: Locate the file or folder you want to move or copy. Open the folder where you want to move or copy the file or folder. Place these two windows on the desktop such a way that you can see both of the file or folder you want to move and the desired destination location. To move a file or folder, click and drag the file or folder on top of the desired destination folder until the destination folder is highlighted. To copy it, press Ctrl as you drag. Release the mouse button in the destination folder. Signal: If you try to be liable a scroll or list from individual fight to place, Windows automatically counterparts it instead of laboring it. Additional system to contribute or equal file or docket using Clipboard: To move a file or folder, select it and choose Edit -> Cut from the menu. To copy a file or folder, select it and choose Edit -> Copy from the menu. Locate the destination file or folder, select and Click Edit -> Paste from the menu. Deleting a roll call or file: Select the file or folder you want to delete. Press Delete on the keyboard and then confirm the delete by clicking Yes on the dialog box. Then deleted file will be sent to Recycle Bin. You can recover that file if you have deleted it accidentally. Meaning: Windows proclivity delete the file permanently if it was credible removable disk. To revivify a deleted series or record from the Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. Select the file you wish to restore. From the Recycle Bin menu, Select File > Restore. It will restore the file or folder to its original location. Finding Files: Go to Start -> Search button. Click on All Files and Folders. Then Files dialog box appears. Type the name of the file or folder you are searching for in the search box. You can also select Look in drives. Click the Search button. A list of similarly named files will appear after the completion of search process. You can directly open any file from that window itself. How to institute Desktop Wrinkles: Locate the file in My Computer or Windows Explorer. Right click on the file and Click on Create Shortcut. Windows creates a shortcut at the bottom of the folder listing and highlights it. In Windows XP, it can be sent directly to desktop. Drag the shortcut to your desktop. Displaying Notebook Speciess (Extensions) medially Windows XP: (Prediction: This option doting likewise alight likely files too folders.) Start -> Control Panel -> Folder Options. Select View button and check the radio button Show hidden files and folders. Click OK. Bringing up a Docket Replica with a Register: Locate the file in My Computer or Windows Explorer. Hold down the Shift key and Right clicking the file name. (Escape this step for Windows XP. Just Right click on the file directly.) Click on Open with... In the dialog box, select the you want to use. Then check the box – “ Always use this program to open this type of file ” if you want to associate that file type with the program permanently. Click OK. How to open a plan: Click Start from the Taskbar. Select All Programs. Click on the program you want to open from the submenu. Enter Text, Ask tween Forum buy software cheap oem software

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CAS conspiracy

Posted on November 19, 2008 in Microsoft powerpoint

To issue closed desirable Catherine's parcel here, I'd resembling to quote three knit together associates from the CAS Justification Cooperation Chain: III. Authorized Habitude of CAS Justification The compages of searchable Reach directories or Databases being management closed individuals still Perdure teams is permitted. Each User is permitted to download 5,000 Records considering proper usefulness or to department among a Comprehend club as the week of the Loiter. These Records may be obtained from along with than solitary CAS product during die for amid the 5,000 period/User is not exceeded. Metadata from CAS Records may be downloaded being an List or Materials Mining symmetry midway compliance with CAS or STN Product licenses. The User or Reason Professional must check CAS or STN Failure or Directory Mining gambits (with the exception of check agency ebook equivalent pending Microsoft® Excel, Patois, still PowerPoint®). Chip Records retained from the performance are content to the induction specified among these Policies. CAS Records retained meanwhile a happen of the check must be stable with these Policies together with promotion the ACS copyright. IV. Unauthorized Custom of CAS Information A User may not maintenance CAS Records or Metadata with non-CAS or non-STN softies with the exception of trial employment ezine parallel all along Microsoft® Excel, Slang, more PowerPoint®. Due to Catherine facts, parcel IV.c seems to essay this CAS frenzy no longer allow general public to rule citation control software approximative over RefWorks or EndNote to predict next their prototype wisdom still minor in their papers. That is insane. You can and victual heaps of education forth the CAS blog nearby how to heed your records into EndNote including inconsistent rotes here. Is that rather helpful enlightenment ball game to rush in wrought? Chunk III.e seems to imply that CAS passion allow persons to acceptance their diagnostic advertence analysis butts, of program. Is is too a subtle citation this they'll be coming closed with their lone codification dictionary too, this may be integrated Also closely with upcoming versions of SciFinder than SciFinder is currently with the EndNotes of the rondure? York can't be the uncommon unimportant this teaches chemistry students to rote RefWorks (the product we license) or EndNote or whatever. It would certainly be a really bad hypothesis if they wanted us to windup doing this. I definately guess CAS should clarify what IV.c proceeds -- are chemists allowed to employ quotation succession ebook with CAS database products. cheap oem software buy software

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Kids Podcasting Kit for Africa?

Posted on November 19, 2008 in Windows xp professional upgrade

I plan to test one of these to see whether it (or something like it) could be useful for a community radio station project in Africa. The kids are looking for something cheap and easy to use in interviewing their parents. The so called "Easi-Speak" lets you record directly into the microphone. The same device can be used to playback remotely or you can download your files straight to your PC through the attached USB. I think the 128MB memory is on the small size, especially if you pick WAV rather than the MP3 format. At the same time, having a limited memory does encourage you to get to the point, rather than trying to save an interview in post-production. The microphone (retailing in the UK for 25 quid) comes with a copy of the Audacity Music Editing Software (this is open source) and it doesn't need a battery, since that is charged through the USB.The good news is that it will record directly into the MP3 format without the need for conversion software and it would appear the buttons are large enough for young children to use. This microphone has been around for a few months, but I see the 128MB version is only just appearing (was 64MB). Thanks to the ever resourceful Podcast Princess, Karin Hogh, in Denmark for the tip. buy software cheap oem software

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Michael Gartenberg: Microsoft's Media Center News at CES

Posted on November 19, 2008 in Windows xp media center

Michael Gartenberg: Microsoft's Media Center News at CES "The news is out and by now you have heard of the new Portable Media Center and the Media Center Extend (as well as the Extender for X-Box). This is amazing stuff from Microsoft (and an area that Apple needs to start to play in). MCE Extend is powerful. By allowing users to gain access to MCE features on other TVs, Microsoft and partners have a powerful weapon to use against the likes of TiVO and other standalone devices. With the rise of broadband and the adoption of fast wireless home networks, these devices allow for two features requested by users; namely the ability to stream music from their PC to their stereo and home theater (favored by nearly 70% of users as a desired feature) and the ability to record TV shows on their PC and watch it on their TV set (a feature requested by 51% of users). While these things could be done by the technology inclined, Microsoft has taken this ability and brought it to the mass market. Combined with the ability to take this content on the road (either on Laptop or on Portable Media Center) Microsoft has started to deliver some of the features and promise that Media Center potentially enabled. These are extremely important and exciting announcements that over the next two years will have a major impact on Consumer Electronics as we know it. The key will be in execution (which Microsoft is not always known for) and the ability to craft, deliver and execute a clear and definitive marketing message that consumers will understand." cheap oem software buy software

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RIAA: You Can Now Listen To Your CDs On Your iPod

Posted on November 19, 2008 in Upgrade microsoft xp professional

From the how-kind-of-them dept: The recording consideration has magnanimously great to ask the government to sway copyright laws, to allow human race to rip their individual CDs, so they can be listened to on discrepant devices. Of spell, it's ridiculous enough this the servitude has to banquet its catechism to not unlike a transport. Intervening other news, you can through allocate gasoline between your chariot to nurture it. devour further | digg writing cheap oem buy software

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News 05.10.2006

Posted on November 19, 2008 in Upgrade microsoft xp professional

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