Georgeo Pulikkathara's Microsoft Blog : Green

Microsoft Trustworthy Developer Content Strategy

Georgeo Pulikkathara — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:29:07 GMT

Technorati Tags: developer content strategy,privacy,security

I was at my Vice President's (Scott Charney) all hands meeting last month. Scott was talking about the need to discuss online safety and Green IT to IT Pros and developers. I was taking some notes and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs pyramid came to mind.

I thought of what Scott was saying and realized that there was a order to what we need to communicate and drive awareness for. Before we can talk about data privacy to developers and IT Professionals, it was necessary to ensure that the customers platform and applications were secure. Only then can you even think of approaching data privacy.

If an ISV or a corporate development team is to consider data privacy as a requirement, then Security is mandatory. If you're a ISV or a independent software vendor, then you're going to have to answer the questions to your customers who are going to ask you the obvious question, "Am I safe online?".

Online Safety is comprised of Privacy and Security. Let's say you want to provide online safety to your customers who buy your software. You'll probably want to ensure that there is legislation/compliance in place to drive the online safety to protect the customer as well as independent software vendors to limit your liability when you've taken the time and due diligence to ensure your application development efforts coincide with the Microsoft Development Lifecycle.

The way we drive awareness and provide privacy and security for customers is by ensuring that independent software vendors are utilizing the Microsoft SDL in their software development efforts along with organization that expose customer data through online banking portals, or online account access.

Microsoft Worldwide ISV contest

Georgeo Pulikkathara — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:20:33 GMT

Michael Walsh asked me to mention this on my blog again. Frankly, I'm more than happy to do so, as it's my Microsoft that's stepping up again to do the right thing. So I (Georgeo Xavier Pulikkathara) am calling for ISVs worldwide to join the Ingenuity Point Contest. Microsoft wants to make you famous. If you're working on software to make our world a better place to live, then you need to be in this contest. This is your chance to share your innovative solution within healthcare, education, or environment. It's also a chance to position your company as an industry leader, and introduce your technology solutions to a larger audience.

If you win, here's what you'll get:

Period 1 and 2 Awards
Gold Ingenuity Point Awards
At the end of each contest period, our judging panel will choose their favorite software solution from each of the 3 Verticals. A total of 6 Gold Ingenuity Point Awards will be presented over the course of the year. The recipients of this award will receive:

$25,000-$50,000+ in marketing, PR and video production.
A video documentary. We'll film a video about your company and the impact your technology is having on the world. This story will be featured in The Ingenuity Point Showcase. There, both peers and prospective clients can check out your great work. This exposure will help establish your company's presence in the worldwide market, and may help you secure new customers!
A written feature story. In addition to the video, you'll receive a feature story detailing your successful solution to share with clients.
Microsoft marketing exposure. We'll announce winners to our international Microsoft audience.

Platinum Ingenuity Point Award
At the end of the entire contest, we'll name one grand-prize winner from the 6 Gold Ingenuity Point Award recipients. Our Platinum winner receives:

A guest judging spot at the Imagine Cup 2008. You'll have the honor of serving as a guest judge for this premier student technology competition in France. This prize package includes roundtrip airfare for 2 to Paris and 7 day/6 night luxury accommodations.
Premium marketing exposure. We'll announce your win at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in July 2008, on Microsoft.com and in various marketing campaigns. In short, we'll spread the word about the great work you do.

Not bad, eh? So, if this is up your alley, please register now.

Microsoft Environment

Georgeo Pulikkathara — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:10 GMT

Saturday Night, Michael Walsh over here in Microsoft Trustworthy Computing sent me an email asking me to take a look at the Microsoft Environment site here at http://www.microsoft.com/environment and blog my thoughts on it. We work with the technology industry and with our partners in a responsible manner to address these issues worldwide. The quote on the Website does a great job of summarizing how Microsoft works these days.

"At Microsoft, we believe in the potential of software and technology to help people and businesses around the world foster environmental sustainability. Discover how Microsoft and its partners use innovative technologies and responsible business practices to address environmental challenges worldwide."

Environmental conservation can be addressed intelligently. Microsoft Tools and technologies can help minimize the carbon footprint technology makes on our planet. I've cited some examples below, but if you're not looking at Windows Server 2008 or other energy saving measures in light of today's ever increasing energy prices, you're going to have to start soon. The Microsoft Environment Site has lots of useful information for students, governmental agencies, non governmental agencies (NGOs), business decision makers, technical decision makers, consumers, and our partners who want to know how they can help sustain the environment with the power of software.

Windows 2008 Power Savings

Be sure to check out this PDF on Windows 2008 out of the box Power Savings. The graph below says it all.

Energy Efficiency Best Practices in Microsoft Data Center Operations

How Can Technology Sustain the Environment in the 21st Century?

This is a very cool section and has section on application power management best practices for Windows Vista.