It came in as a total surprise and yes, I first learnt it via facebook! It’s ‘kind of’ sad that MJ passed away today. Regardless of his past, his scandals, his eccentricities he had one good quality that is ‘Music’ for that he’ll always be remembered. I grew up in a generation where he is still the King of Pop!
But three deaths in a row and several interesting facebook comments made me think about life! Really, do we sweat the small stuff a lot? You know! We live in a constant worry of one thing or another. Our entire lives are spent chasing one thing after another there’s no end to all this until we actually die. And then unfortunately, the only thing that remains is our legacy, our kith and kin, and in essence people only remember how we touched their life nothing of your past life matters unless it’s lived for the other person. Do good, be good, live good!
In short, it was an eye opening day! It reminded me to start living a life! Because after the game, both the king and the pawn go to the same box.
RIP MJ!
-Mithun Dhar
This is an unbelievable offer on Windows 7. Pre-order Windows 7 today at Microsoft Store. You'll get it for at least half off and be one of the first to get it. Hurry, quantities are limited.*
It's pretty simple
Windows 7 is coming on October 22, 2009. Here's an easy way to get it fast and save a bundle: Pre-order a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade for $49 or a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for $99 at Microsoft Store. That's about half off the estimated retail prices.
For more information about the offer go to the Windows team blog or go to the Windows 7 Product page.
And before you can buy, Know about What it take to run Windows 7
Here’s a basic overview of the features in different SKUs:
| | 
Home | 
Professional | 
Ultimate |
Features See the top features | | | |
| Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation. | 
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| Start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often. | ![clip_image004[1]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image004%5B1%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image004[1]")
| ![clip_image005[1]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B1%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[1]")
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| Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8. | ![clip_image004[2]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image004%5B2%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image004[2]")
| ![clip_image005[2]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B2%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[2]")
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| Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC. | ![clip_image004[3]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image004%5B3%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image004[3]")
| ![clip_image005[3]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B3%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[3]")
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| Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup. | ![clip_image004[4]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image004%5B4%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image004[4]")
| ![clip_image005[4]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B4%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[4]")
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| Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode. | | ![clip_image005[5]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B5%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[5]")
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| Connect to company networks easily and more securely with Domain Join. | | ![clip_image005[6]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B6%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[6]")
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| Recover your data easily with automatic backup to your home and business network. | | ![clip_image005[7]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/Windows7PreOrderhalfoffOffer_A5DC/clip_image005%5B7%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image005[7]")
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| Help protect data on your PC and portable storage devices against loss or theft with BitLocker. | | |
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| Work in the language of your choice and switch between any of 35 languages. | | |
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-Mithun Dhar
* The offer begins on June 26, 2009 and will continue while supplies last, or until July 11, 2009, whichever comes first.
![clip_image002[4]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/MicrosoftHohm_A793/clip_image002%5B4%5D_1.jpg "clip_image002[4]")
Want to save energy and money? Want to go green? Well, if you answered yes! look no further. Today, Microsoft launched Hohm. Microsoft Hohm is a free online beta application that helps you save energy and money.
It’s basically a very smart application that takes in users energy usage and recommends a plan to conserve energy and thus save money. As with any recommendation engine, it gets better as its users contribute home energy input and feedback.
One of the objectives during our beta period is to refine our tool and further increase the value our product can offer to you.
Microsoft Hohm uses advanced analytics licensed from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Department of Energy to give you personalized energy saving recommendations.
You can also compare your energy usage with others in the area. This is revolutionary and one of the first products that helps you see your ‘energy bill’ in a ‘smart’ way!
Sign up and start saving now. It’s free: www.microsoft-hohm.com
· Blog: http://blog.microsoft-hohm.com
· Give us feedback: www.getsatisfaction.com/microsoft_hohm
· Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/microsofthohm
· Become on Fan on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/hohmfb
While you are here don’t forget to watch a short film about Hohm on Channel9 - http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/NicFill/Introducing-Microsoft-Hohm-Save-Energy--Money/
-Mithun Dhar
The Seattle Job Social is meeting at Twist this evening in downtown Seattle. If you have not already sent your resume and RSVP’d do so right away! RSVP with your résumé to invite@SeattleJobSocial.com
Location:
Twist Belltown
2313 1st Avenue
Seattle WA
Starts: 6:00 PM
Also you can follow on Twitter @SEAjobSocial
or join out LinkedIn Group (http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1905549&trk=hb_side_g)
or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=44336508621 or
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.SeattleJobSocial.com
Some of the companies representing are:
• NCSoft
• Expedia
• Amazon
• Premera
• Clearwire
• New York Life
• WhitePages
• Liberty Mutual
• SEOmoz
• Moss Adams
• Intellectual Ventures
• Visible Technologies
• Topaz Bridge
• Avanade
• Softchoice
• Gist (Tentative)
• Starbucks
• Vertafore
• Ascentium
• Sabey Corporation
• Verticalmove
• Parker Technologies
• Rylem
• Comsys
• Wimmer Solutions
• Chameleon Technologies
• Mactus Group
• Xtreme Consulting Group
• Protingent
And many others…
See you there!
-Mithun Dhar
I hope most of you are already running Windows 7 RC! The download will cease to exist on Aug 15th. After that, you won’t be able to get the download, but you can still install the RC and get a key if you need one. (To get a key, just go to the Downloads page and follow the instructions.)
And if you are already using Windows 7 RC, you know what to do to make it better. Feedback! Feedback! Feedback! Remember, it’s your Operating System and You can make it help better! Just go to http://input.microsoft.com and give us any information that will help make this release better than the previous one.
And, if you are still running Beta – Upgrade ASAP. Starting July 1st, the Beta will start to reboot every 2 hrs and expire Aug 1st.
If for some reason, you cannot download the RC bits and need Media, let me know. If you need media for your customers or User Groups, or any other event let me know and I can ship you a box.
-Mithun Dhar
I was reading our Platform Advisor/Architect Evangelist – Sam Chenaur’s blog and noticed he had two really good pieces of information that I think is important to showcase Silverlight’s power in the RIA platform play…
1. John L. Scott Real Estate Enables Online Social Networking with Live Services
John L. Scott Real Estate (JLS) is delivering a unique social marketing solution, called JLSconnect, that makes it easier for buyers to shop for a home and it will help JLS agents win new business and keep customers. By building this new solution using Microsoft Live Services and a Software+Services approach, John L. Scott was able to deliver unique customer value quickly and cost-effectively. Read more about this exciting application via Sam Chenaur’s blog.
2. Two Seattle Startups, Cootendy and Overcast Media, adopt Silverlight
Read more about these exciting companies and their adoption of Silverlight via Sam Chenaur’s blog post.
This is great news! Follow Sam’s blog more closely for some really interesting updates :)
Enjoy the weekend!
-Mithun Dhar
Mark's my favorite speaker! He's by far the most knowledgeable speaker on Windows. In about 10 minutes get ready to be edutained!
>>
Springboard Series Virtual Roundtable
Windows 7 Application Compatibility: Your Questions Answered (Part 1)
Date: Thursday, June 18
Time: 11:00am Pacific Time
https://ms.istreamplanet.com/springboard
Windows 7, is approaching fast and from the application standpoint is very similar to Windows Vista. We’re going to examine Windows 7 application compatibility not only from the perspective of moving from Windows Vista, but also for those coming from Windows XP. Join us to discuss the most common challenges around application compatibility when coming from a legacy operating system, why changes were made along the way, compatibility technologies inside the OS and methods for getting incompatible applications to run on Windows 7. Along the way we share tips and tricks, demonstrate free tools to analyze and fix applications and answer your specific questions about application compatibility live.
In Part 2 of this Virtual Round Table discussion (planned for later this Summer/Fall), we’ll discuss the options and approaches for using virtualization tools In depth to address application incompatibilities – including presentation virtualization, desktop virtualization and application virtualization. We’ll be sending out more details and posting information to www.microsoft.com/springboard for part 2 as the dates are finalized.
As part of the “virtual” experience, you may submit your questions about Windows 7 Application Compatibility to the panel live during the event—or submit questions in advance to vrtable@microsoft.com.
Springboard Series: The resource for Windows desktop IT professionals
<<
-Mithun Dhar
I just got my usual Spam for the day and I noticed this great deal for India. $1199 all inclusive – Air & Accommodation. And being from India I think its a great time of the year to visit. But be warned the weather in Mar and Apr gets really, really hot.
Hey my tickets alone usually cost $1400 to $2000 depending on the airline and time of travel. So this is definitely a hot deal…
If you are interested, check this out:
$1199 -- India: Upscale Package w/Tours, Elephant Ride & Air
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/26220182-603020/
Source: Gate 1 Travel
Here’s the details from Travelzoo (Reliable website for your travel deals):
$1199 -- India: Upscale Package w/Tours, Elephant Ride & Air* 
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur
Top 20 deal - sells out quickly!
Travel dates: Select dates October-April
By Andrew Bradick
Travelzoo Staff
Explore India in prime fall and winter season and save at least $500 OFF similar packages in the market with this new $1199 five-night/eight-day deal from Gate 1 Travel.
This package includes visits to India's famed Golden Triangle -- Delhi, the capital; Agra, home to the Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, the exotic "Pink City." An additional tour highlight includes an elephant ride to Amber Fort.
This special offer includes:
- Roundtrip airfare from New York City to Delhi
- Upscale hotel accommodations -- one night at The Metropolitan in Delhi, two nights at Gateway Hotel Fatehabad in Agra and two nights at the Ramada Jaipur in Jaipur
- Six meals: five breakfasts and one dinner
- All transfers
- Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern, air-conditioned coach and services of an English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Airline fuel surcharges
This deal is valid for the following departure dates: Oct. 7; Nov. 4, 18, 25; Jan. 6, 20; Feb. 3; March 3, 17, 31; April 14
To Book: Call Gate 1 Travel at 800-682-3333 and request the eight-day Golden Triangle of India package. Be sure to use promo code TZIN100 to get the $100 per person discount.
For those who prefer to book online, click here and follow these steps:
- Click on the 8-Day Golden Triangle of India link; then hit the red "Book Now" tab on the next page
- Choose desired departure date and hit "Continue" tab at bottom of the page (Note: Select from the departures listed at $1299 -- you will be instructed to enter a promo code in a later step to get a $100 per person discount)
- Review itinerary and choose optional tours if desired; then hit "Book" tab
- Enter promo code TZIN100 into the box at the bottom of the following page; you should then see $200 deducted from total cost
- Hit the "Continue to Contact and Billing Information" tab at the bottom to complete your reservation
Note: Airport taxes and fees of $88 per person are not included.
Travelzoo Tip: With this deal, most dates listed above are also available at the $1199 price from Chicago, too (subject to availability at time of booking). Check online or call for details.
Enjoy!
-Mithun Dhar
Technorati Tags:
Travel,
India travel
My East coast colleagues have come out with a really good podcast series called the ‘Connected Show’ with a goal to continue and provide great sounding interviews on Microsoft technologies for developers and interoperability stories in areas where Microsoft is trying to extend its embrace with other communities.
Recent Episodes include:
· Silverlight 3 Beta (Laurence Moroney, Microsoft)
· Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1 (Tony Goodhew, Microsoft)
· PHP SDK for Windows Azure (Maarten Balliauw, RealDolmen)
· Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit (James Senior, Microsoft)
Future episodes will feature topics such as: PRISM, SQL CE, JavaOne Conference Interviews, Virtual Worlds and much more…
Check it out!
| The Connected Show! A podcast series on Microsoft technology for the developer community http://www.connectedShow.com We are also available on both Zune and iTunes marketplace | 
|
-Mithun Dhar
Summer’s always fun! Geek hot spots like MSDN.com shouldn’t be deprived of these good times. Keeping up with the Summer spirit We are pleased to announce Bytes by MSDN, a 16 part interview series of community and Microsoft influencers talking about their recommended portable content. Here’s our first installment with Scott Hanselman…
This awesome series is all set to be followed by a stellar line up from now through Labor Day.
Bytes by MSDN Schedule
| June 11 | Scott Hanselman |
| June 18 | Billy Hollis |
| June 25 | Kate Gregory |
| July 2 | Richard Campbell |
| July 9 | Stephen Forte & Clemens Vasters |
| July 16 | Tim Huckaby & Michele Leroux Bustamente |
| July 23 | Jim Wilt & Brian Noyes |
| July 30 | Loke Uei Tan |
| Aug 6 | Matt Hessinger |
| Aug 13 | Don Box |
| Aug 20 | Juval Lowy |
| Aug 27 | Jeffrey Palermo |
| Sept 3 | Tim Heuer & Out Takes |
You like it? Give us feedback! We’d love to hear from you…
-Mithun Dhar
I’ve been getting some really good feedback about the Azure How Do I video series that we’ve been developing. Here’s the latest update for the next series of videos…
| How Do I… | Description |
| Leverage Concurrency in Windows Azure Table Storage? | Windows Azure table storage is designed to support many users at the same time. In this session, you’ll learn how Windows Azure table storage supports concurrency, and you’ll learn a few strategies to help you deal with any concurrency violations. |
| Use Paging in Windows Azure Tables? | To improve application usability, many applications need to support viewing data page-by-page. In this screencast, you'll learn how Windows Azure table storage provides a built-in mechanism that allows you to efficiently page through query results. |
| Sync Between Devices and the Cloud with FeedSync? | Syncing the cloud and a growing world of devices is a fundamental need in today’s world. In this video, you will learn how to use FeedSync feeds to synchronize Live Framework data between a device and the cloud. |
| Get Started with the Messenger Web Toolkit? | Making your application sociable is easy. In this screencast, Chris Parker uses simple code to add instant messaging to his Web site. In minutes he connects his Web site to 320 million Instant Messenger (IM) users on PCs, Macs, mobile devices and Xbox 360. These efforts can help bring new users to his application and retain them for a longer period of time through the use of cool features like chat, presence, contacts and profile information. |
Other useful information:
§ Visit here for the summary page of HDI videos
§ Webcasts – microsoft.com/events/series/azure.aspx
§ Training kit – www.microsoft.com/azure/trainingkit.mspx
§ Azure SDK - http://www.microsoft.com/azure/sdk.mspx
§ Sample projects to review – codeplex.com, search “azure”
§ Azure user groups – azureusergroup.com
Enjoy geeking!
-Mithun Dhar
When Bing launched I convinced my dad, mom and brother to give Bing a chance. Just for a week. Anyway, today my dad called and he said he wanted to make Bing his default search engine :) I sure helped him.
His main reason:
http://www.bing.com/search?q=obama
vs
http://www.google.com/search?q=obama
More relevant, fresher and better organized.
Love it! Bing!
-Mithun Dhar
Technorati Tags:
bing,
bing obama
| 
|
| patterns & practices Summit 2009! We are pleased the announce the dates for the next patterns & practices Summit. It will be held in Microsoft Conference Center, Redmond, WA between October 12th and 16th 2009. We are putting together a strong line up of technical sessions from p&p team members, Microsoft product groups and industry experts. This year we are also introducing “Lightning Talks”. If the sessions are the gourmet food for your brain, these lightning talks are the gourmet snack, the energy bar kind. We will provide you more details on the lightning talk in our next update. Today we want update you with our line-up of keynote speakers.
p&p Summit Keynote Speakers | |
| This year’s keynoters include industry luminary Martin Fowler and Microsoft technical leaders Scott Guthrie, Brian Harry, David Campbell, Wolfram Schulte and Douglas Purdy. Microsoft General Manager Emma Williams will kick off this year’s p&p summit. | Why Attend? When you attend the patterns & practices Summit you will gain deeper insight into the p&p guidance that you are already using. You will also discover and learn about p&p guidance offerings that address additional development challenges. You'll have the opportunity to interact directly with the p&p team, top engineers from other Microsoft product groups, and industry luminaries. Attending the patterns & practices Summit will provide you with insight into making better design, implementation, and technology selection decisions. ![clip_image003[5]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/patternspracticessummitOct12thand16thRed_A134/clip_image003%5B5%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image003[5]")
Special Offer ($400 off until June 30th and $200 off after that)
![clip_image003[6]](http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mithund/WindowsLiveWriter/patternspracticessummitOct12thand16thRed_A134/clip_image003%5B6%5D_thumb.gif "clip_image003[6]")
Respond back to me via email for more details on obtaining this discount – mithund at microsoft (emailze it!)
Facebook: Stay tuned to updates on p&p summit by becoming a fan of p&p summit in Facebook. Click here to become a fan. Digg It: Show you support, by digging the p&p summit announcement here. Twitter: In your tweets about p&p summit, please add the tag “#pnpsummit”. For everything else, http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices -Mithun Dhar |
Yeah baby! We have the ad’s already…I love it!
www.bing.com – Make decisions faster and smarter!
-Mithun Dhar
Microsoft threw a party today to all localites here in Seattle. And what better way to do it than decorate the Space Needle :) If you are interested, here’s the press release from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/may09/05-28NewSearchPR.mspx
Here’s a great flickr shot:Dougerino's photostream
Thanks to: Dougerino
Thanks to: Miraj
The view from my apartment is pretty much the same but my camera shot sucks! :(
Good times!
-Mithun Dhar
