Robert Burke's MSDN Weblog

It's time for me to sign off from this blog.  I'll be over on www.robburke.net and wish you all the best.

The whole Developer and Platform group have joined forces to start an MSDN Ireland Group Blog, including new developers Martha Rotter and Ronan Geraghty (who I must say are off to an amazing start with the group).  Inimitable community guru Clare Dillon, as well as Olive Cannon and Ciara Murphy, who you might know through our events and the Partner Program, will also be posting on that blog.

It's a great idea: you can subscribe to one feed and get all the news from the group.  So if you're keen to keep up with all the latest Developer and Platform Group news, I'd recommend that you visit and subscribe to the new blog.

MSDN Flash Ireland Newsletter

Martha and Ronan are going to be carrying on the bi-weekly MSDN Flash Ireland newsletter, which contains local event information, as well as news from MSDN and now guest columns.  You can sign up for the newsletter through the Ireland TechConnection site.

Local Usergroups

Someone asked me today if TechEd Europe in Barcelona is going to be worth attending.  I learn a lot from the big Microsoft events, but did you also know that thanks to our local usergroups there are some very high-quality local events taking place all over the island, and these are often free?  If you sign up to the Flash Newsletter and follow the MSDN Ireland blog, the team will keep you up to date about these.

Here was my XBox Live Gamertag this morning: 

According to Dave, that makes me a sad git, and he's probably right, but according to Guitar Hero, it also makes me:

 
 Rock on.

When the XNA-fuelled fireworks were over at yesterday's Last Stand in Dublin (literally and figuratively) I was totally lost for words. When does that ever happen?!

What I really want to say most is thank you - especially to Clare Dillon, Philip McKeown, Fergal Breen and everyone else at Microsoft, MTUG, IrishDev and beyond who made my time with the Ireland developer communities so enjoyable. I love the communities because you guys WANT to be there and so it makes it worth my while to shower you with my honest (boundless?) enthusiasm.

And thank you so much for letting me keep the Lego Mindstorms NXT kit! (!!!) I promise you it will be well looked after and is staying in a loving home where it will get all the attention it deserves. And Siofra and I may have to share the table between mosaics and Lego from now on :)

You probably could tell, I really enjoyed the chance to pull out all the stops and show you what I've been up to.

Just like the guy who forgets that his glasses are on his forehead, I forgot that my speaker notes were in my pocket. There were about 4 other things about XNA and Robotics Studio I forgot to show you yesterday... but those all are for another story, except this one thing:

With the XNA 1.0 Refresh, it takes just one step to package up your games (code+content) to distribute as an install for Windows and XBox360! At present, you need to be a XNA Creators Club member to play the XBox versions, but the Windows ones are good to go for free.

So if I can have the permission of the inimitable Phil McDarby to distribute the beautiful background image behind the fireworks, I'll take my Guitar Hero XPlorer-controlled finale, pack it up, and you can all answer Ireland's Call with your Guitar Hero controllers any time you want, even when Ireland aren't playing rugby at Croker.

p.s. what are you doing here?!  My new blog is here!

Out of Steve Bathiche and Andy Wilson's work on Surface Computing comes an elegant 30-inch diagonal display table that reacts to touch -- and will hit the market in Winter 2007.  It'll be on show at Siggraph in August.

Check out the demo (done in Flash (!) ).

Please, can I have one in my living room?

More on the Microsoft Research work into surface computing (and a cool video) from the MSR TechFest event this year.

P.S. Microsoft stuff gets cross-posted here for another week but my blog is actually here.

Nikon has released an updated version of their RAW (NEF) Codec for Vista that resolves an issue that caused it to suddenly stop working last week. Apparently the problem had something to do with an expired certificate.

The new Codec is still labeled version 1.01. However, if you uninstall the old 1.00 or 1.01 codec, and install this new one, you'll be back in business.

I mentioned back in January that I have stopped shooting JPG images, in favour of only shooting RAW (NEF) images. I am still using the following photography pipeline:

• View, sort, and triage the NEF images from Vista's File Explorer and Windows Photo Gallery.
• Load into Nikon Capture NX for post-processing. This program has earned my respect with its ability to store my edit history in the RAW file, and also one ingenious feature (yes, I think ingenious is exactly the word for it) called Color Control Points. However, I have nothing positive to say about Capture NX's user interface: it desperately needs keyboard shortcuts, and lacks basic navigational functionality like mouse-wheel zoom. I found a great resource for Nikon Capture NX tips and tricks here at Nikonians.org.
• Batch export to JPG using Nikon Capture NX's batch processing
• Upload to Flickr.

There are two challenges with this pipeline:

First, the Vista codec still isn't particularly quick, even on a relatively beefy laptop (Vista Overall Experience Index: 3.0, Processor: 4.6, Memory: 4.7, Graphics: 3.6). You can flip through photos quickly enough, but if you want to delete a photo, Vista spins its wheels while the codec renders the high-res image. To work around this, I use the keyboard shortcuts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to quickly "rate" all my photos, and then delete all the bad ones in one go.

Second, although you can associate metadata ("tags") with NEFs in Photo Gallery, using the above-mentioned codec, the tags don't show up anywhere I can find them in Capture NX. Therefore I am not tagging my images on Vista (defeating a lot of its organizational potential) and instead am just tagging the JPGs on Flickr, which, by that point, have become disassociated from the original NEF images. Some day, if I want to sync them, it may be an intractable task (or at least an image processing challenge).

So the Vista NEF experience is good but not great. I am still going to keep shooting RAW (NEF) only, as I am learning how to make subtle and powerful changes to my photos using Capture NX, which I find very valuable. After all, if it's worth shooting, it's worth trying to shoot it right :)

p.s. As it's Vista-related, I'm cross-posting this here on my old blog, but I've moved my blog over here to http://www.robburke.net now.

Talk Abstract: 

By day, he's helped mild-mannered developers build n-tiered architectures using .NET technologies.

But by night, the real Rob comes out.  The one that works endlessly - nay, furiously - with XNA and the Microsoft Robotics Studio.  And now, with backpack and camera over shoulders, he's going freelance, making the IMTC, in fact, Rob's Last Stand*.  Witness applications written in C# that run on Windows and the Xbox 360!  Gasp as the Nintendo Wii controller gets integrated into .NET to control a wee flock of boids!  Learn how to do all this stuff yourself!  And if none of that batters yer sausage (in the words of the esteemed Podge O’Leprosy), then come for the dancing robots.

Rob's going to give the talk he's been dying to give for 3 years, give away the Lego Mindstorms kit, and then boldly make like a moose, and vamoose.

Ah goodness, now you just have to be there.

When: June 7th, Irish Microsoft Technologies Conference
Where: Cineworld, Dublin 
Level: All
Who should attend: Developers, IT Pros, Designers, Leprechauns, my Mammy.
What you’ll take away: XNA, Robotics Studio, possibilities for everything from commercial apps to weekend projects, a sense of awe and wonderment at the interconnectedness of all things, oh, and possibly some Lego.

* By "Rob’s Last Stand" please note that terms and conditions apply, including but not limited to Rob making another stand at the bar that night.
 

Helpful links: For those traveling from overseas, here are some resources that might come in handy, in no particular order --

Aer Lingus website

Ryanair website

Air Canada website

International Dog Sledding website

p.s. Cross-posting this here on my old blog, but I've moved my blog over here now. 

It has now been almost three years since I joined Microsoft to work with developers in Ireland.  During that time, Microsoft has unleashed one-and-a-half new Visual Studios, presented the world a new Vista, and most recently they've shed some SilverLight on things.  Meanwhile, I've kept up the auld vices: dabbling in AI, shooting some photographs, and even introducing people to the occasional moose.

But all good things must come to an end.  The silverlit vista pictured here was the view out my window last night on Georgian Bay, just north of Toronto.  I've been back in Canada this week, and am returning on Friday for my Microsoft Ireland home stretch between now and the 18th of June.

Next month, I'll be saying farewell and returning to Toronto for an exciting summer that will culminate with my sister Elizabeth's wedding in September.  (She and her fiancé Jason are the ones with the adorable husky dogs.)  Then, with backpack and camera over shoulders, I'm off to see the world.  And beyond that?  Well, I have some ideas, but you'll have to keep in touch :)

Between now and the middle of June, there are some big things happening for developers in Ireland:

• There's a Windows Server 2008 (née Longhorn Server) Jumpstart event coming up in Dublin with some great developer-focused content.
• Then, at the Irish Microsoft Technology Conference on the 7th of June, I'm giving the talk I've always wanted to give, which will feature XNA, the XBox360, the Wiimote control, Microsoft Robotics Studio, and dancing robots.  Rob's last stand.
• And, great news for the team, we have three great new people joining the Developer and Platform group in Ireland!!
  

And now for a little housekeeping: Although I'll keep posting here for a few weeks, I'm going to move my weblog off of MSDN, and over to my shiny new blog over at www.robburke.net.  I'll still be exploring and building and humming and hah-ing, and hope you'll join me there, where we'll carry on this motif: [.NET, AI, Photography, Moose].  For your convenience and my sanity, I'm going to split the blog into three main subscription feeds: Personal, Technical, and (Personal + Technical = ) Everything.

Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my past three years with Microsoft.  With a month left, it's too early to get sappy, but I do want to take this chance to say thanks for all the craic, and I very much look forward to keeping in touch.

with very best wishes,
Rob

There are some exciting things coming for developers in Windows Server 2008, which recently reached Beta 3 under its codename Longhorn Server.  If you're able to reach Dublin next Monday, you may be interested in the upcoming Longhorn Server Jumpstart Event taking place at the Microsoft Ireland buildings.

The developer- and IT-Professional-focused event takes place in Microsoft's Atrium B building in Sandyford, south of Dublin, on May 28th.  Here is what's happening:

This one-day event is an excellent way to understand the specific technologies incorporated in Windows Server "Longhorn" and to build momentum within your company toward the ultimate goal of designing a successful application. You will receive in-depth insight into Windows Server "Longhorn" through presentations and demonstrations from subject matter experts.

Agenda

8:00 – 9:00   Registration and Welcome
9:00 – 9:15   Introductions
9:15 – 10:15   What's New in Windows Server "Longhorn" for Developers
10:30 – 12:00   Lap Around the Application Server
12:00 – 1:00   Lunch
1:00 – 2:00   Lap Around IIS7
2:00 - 3:00   Lap Around Management
3:15 – 4:30   Lap Around Fundamentals
4:30 - 5:00   Server Platform Roadmap

If you're interested in attending, please contact my colleague Ciara Murphy at this mail address or +353 1 706 3135.  Although there's no online registration, we need to get a sense of numbers.  Looking forward to seeing you there.

I was looking up some information about one of the Windows Live services (Custom Domains, specifically) and noticed they've completely re-vamped the Windows Live for Developers site.  If you haven't visited, that's the "one link to rule them all" I have been giving after presentations to developers on the Windows Live Services.

The re-org is very nice: they've integrated Silverlight and Silverlight Streaming, added a News feed that provides updates and news, and summarized the Windows Live Services off on a new sub-page (select "Reach new users" to find it).  I like the "What Other People are Building" evidence, and the increased focus on links to tools and resources.

If nothing else, you might be interested in subscribing to the news feed on the front page. 

Quite an interesting article in the Microsoft PhotoBlog: Program Manager Jordan Schwartz describes 3 Technologies that will change Photography.

The three he cites are Mini Projectors, Liquid Lenses and GPS.  And it's worth the link just for the mad-cool photo of the Mini Projector.

This would also be a great chance to link again to two amazing photographic technologies under development from Microsoft Research: Photosynth and HD View.

What do you think?  Which innovations are really going to change the role photography plays in our lives?

I've been absorbing Silverlight from the perspective of a developer who wants to use .NET code to build Silverlight applications.

Here are the most useful resources I've found this week:

0. The Documentation

Silverlight alpha documentation and samples - very thorough for "alpha" bits! 

1. Silverlight Mind Map

This is a "mind map" of Silverlight online resources complete with hyperlinks.

2. Jamie Cool and Nick Kramer Presentation

These are videos of the two-part presentation by Jamie Cool and Nick Kramer at MIX07, called Building Silverlight Applications Using .NET (Part 1 of 2) and  Building Silverlight Applications Using .NET (Part 2 of 2).  The two comprise a really instructive discussion of building managed code apps in the Silverlight 1.1 alpha.

You might also be interested in the other MIX07 presentations available online.

3. Scott Guthrie Silverlight Summary and Videos

After his keynote demo at MIX07, Scott Guthrie published a summary of the Silverlight Keynote and announcements in his blog, complete with a 22-minute video of him building a Silverlight application from scratch.

The blog entry is a thorough summary of an amazing keynote, and it's great to have the video as well.  Thanks to Scott for for taking the time after the keynote to put this resource together.

(aside: Just in case you missed it, here's Robert Scoble's interview with Scott Guthrie from shortly after the keynote.  You can tell Scott was still buzzing :) )

Upcoming Silverlight Podcast with Brad Abrams:

Ireland's Tom Raftery is interviewing Silverlight Product Manager Brad Abrams on Monday for his Podcast series.  If you have any questions for Brad, send them along to Tom before Monday!

Just for good measure, here's a photo of Tom Raftery and Sean Foley jammin' it Guitar Hero style at MIX07. 

And now that this blog entry has gone completely off piste, it's time for me to stop.

I've just touched down in Dublin after the long haul back from the MIX conference.  I had an amazing week - days of MIX, nights of Vegas - but it's with some relief that I'm back here now.

On Wednesday morning I snapped this shot of a woman painting in the blue water of the Trevi Fountain at Ceasar's Palace.  In some way, that perfectly sums up the atmosphere of Vegas for me.

High up above her, on a neon sign, Celine Dion promises that this will be her last year in Vegas.  That got me thinking, wow, imagine spending more than a year in the atmosphere of Vegas.  One week on The Strip was just about right. 

On the plane ride home, I dove back into the new Hofstadter, "I Am A Strange Loop" (which is great, by the way - a perhaps less playful, more personal, succinct revisit of his core thesis from Godel, Escher, Bach about consciousness).

I also installed Orcas Beta 1, the Silverlight 1.1 Alpha extensions, and the Expression Blend May CTP, as per here.  After the install, I had about 5 minutes before my battery died, and that was enough time to create a Silverlight project in Visual Studio, draw some XAML shapes in Blend, add some C# code in Visual Studio, and Control-F5 to run a Silverlight app.  Amazing. 

After I charge the battery of my mind's strange loop with a bit of sleep, I'm going spelunking into Silverlight.

Last night, Delay announced the publishing of the Silverlight Airlines Demo from Monday's keynote.

He and a colleague, Ted Glaza, built the demo in three weeks, beginning with nothing and building on top of the Silverlight .NET platform as it was still being developed.  Now you can play with it yourself in a browser.

You might also want to try the very clever Silverlight Chess demo that Scott Guthrie showed during the same keynote, which can pit the Silverlight Javascript AI against the Silverlight .NET AI.  Check out the difference in the number of nodes processed in the screenshot below!

You can download the chess and several other demos from the gallery page on the Silverlight site.

From left to right on the Social Networking: Enabling the Two-Way Street panel at MIX07:

Dave Morin, Facebook;

  Evan Williams, Twitter;

    Aaron Emigh, Six Apart;

      Joseph Kleinschmidt, Leverage Software;

        Marc Canter, Broadband Mechanics

These guys have all created what Joseph referred to as "Communities of Purpose" (and I am a member of two of those communities myself).