Singapore Independent Software Vendors

Misleading reports on “Black Screens” on Windows 7

Singapore DPE — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:33:18 GMT

You’ve probably heard inaccurate stories following a report by a British company claiming that customers who deployed the Windows 7 November Security updates have experienced the so-called “Black Screens” that would render the system unbootable and unusable due to changes in the registry.

Here’s the scoop

Microsoft has found these reports to be inaccurate. Comprehensive investigation has shown that none of the recently released updates are related to the behavior described in the reports. Microsoft’s support organization is also not seeing this as an issue. The claims also do not match any known issues that have been documented in our security bulletins.
On December 1, Prevx, the company which issued the report, posted an apology to Microsoft which stated the following:

“Since more specifically narrowing down the cause we have been able to exonerate these patches from being a contributory factor.”

According to Microsoft’s blog post, the real culprit is a piece of malware that clears desktops and produces a black screen on infected PCs; various security vendors have tools for removing this malware. There is no fix or update necessary for this, but customers should keep their anti-virus software up-to-date as a preventative measure. So far, Microsoft is not seeing a massive occurrence of this particular issue in our support channels. If customers do encounter an issue with a security update, contact our Customer Service and Support group for no-charge assistance at http://support.microsoft.com/security.

The protection and well-being of our customers’ PCs through the deployment of Security Updates is the ultimate goal of the Microsoft Security Response Center. Because of this, we continually work with our Customer Service and Support teams to keep a close eye for issues that may impact customers’ deployment of security updates.

Consumers can also download Microsoft Security Essentials provided free

Hope that clarifies everything :)

ISV Resources Highlights: Silverlight 4

Singapore DPE — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:29:23 GMT

Microsoft has a rich collection of resources available online so we’ll be surfacing some of the more relevant content resources for ISVs through the ISV Resource Highlights series

Silverlight 4 Training Course

We’ve recently announced the availability of Silverlight 4 Beta and to help get you guys ready, we’ve made the Silverlight 4 Training Course available online.

The Silverlight 4 Training Course includes hands-on-labs, a video and a whitepaper designed to help you learn about the new features in Silverlight 4 focusing on three major areas: Enabling Business Application Development, Empowering Richer Experiences and Moving Beyond the Browser. Some of the new highly anticipated features include Printing, WebCam and Microphone support, custom right-click, rich text, HTML support and access to local files with trusted applications.

http://silverlight.net/learn/handsonlabs/

You can also check out a collection of Hands On Labs on the Silverlight.net site. You’ll find resources for both Silverlight 4 beta, as well as the already released Silverlight 3. If you want to get the tools to get started right away, check out http://www.silverlight.net/getstarted

Featuring ISV Solution: ProxiHomes

Singapore DPE — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:15:24 GMT

ProxiHomes is a revolutionary property search service which allows you to find properties in any way you want and anywhere you are. We’re not talking about just browsers. There's more. We are everywhere.

Now search is not constrained to your browsers. Use your Smart Phone for property Search to get a great user experience. Leverage on its interactive interface to view maps and photos while on the go. And there’s more! We support all platforms! Windows Phones, Blackberry, Nokia phones with WRT support and Phones with Java™ MIDP 2.1, CLDC 1.1

You can download the application straight to your phone with SMS.
SMS the keyword<space>Name to 84 333 111
e.g. WMC Gerald Yeo

WMC - Windows Phone (Windows Mobile 6.0, 6.1, 6.5)
WRT - Nokia E-Series, N-Series and more
BB - Blackberry
JAVA - any phones with JavaTM MIDP 2.1, CLDC1.1

* The application is free. Data charges to your mobile carrier applies when you search for properties.

Don’t have a smart phone? You can still search via SMS while on the move. For a small token, you get to search for properties in your preferred district.

SMS to 75141

Format:

SALE <space> CONDO <space> districtnumber
RENT <space> HDB <space> EstateName

e.g. SALE Condo 9 or RENT HDB Ang Mo Kio

- First Keyword is either SALE or RENT
- Second keyword is either CONDO, HDB, LANDED or COMMERCIAL
- Last keyword would be the district number or estate name for HDB.
* $0.50 applies for successful results returned. Service starts from 20 November 2009.

Want to JUST SEARCH without the clutter of the usual jargons, random advertisements and advices? It’s a very intuitive site with great maps to find your properties.

Just visit www.proxihomes.com

Gadgets are not just clock or photos on your desktop. Let Proxihomes gadget watch for your preferred property district and show you the live updated feeds.

Download this Gadget now. It’s very light and useful. It supports Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Why are we so different?
We are so pervasive that you can find us everywhere. On PC, notebook and handphones. What’s more? Real estate agents just update the properties at a click of their fingers. We’ve broken the constraints to just posting property online from a notebook. Agents just do it with a Phone. As they talk to sellers/landlord, they capture the property information and upload it.

Why should you download the phone application?
Phones with GPS and GPRS connectivity give you rich interfaces like maps and proximity search. If you are not satisfied with the property you are viewing now, just search for those in the proximity and find your way there! You can find the details here: http://www.proxihomes.com/supportedphones.htm

Local Singapore MSDN Up and Running

Singapore DPE — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:36:36 GMT

We’ve just recently launched a localized MSDN page filled with Singapore Content. Check the new site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-sg/default.aspx. Here' you’ll find links to local blogs, news about upcoming Microsoft events, and of course content from our Local MVPs too!

Check out the site on http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-sg/default.aspx and give us feed back! :)

Innovation.NEXT()

Singapore DPE — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:22:05 GMT

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Singapore/InnovationNEXT/14319176125

I want to get a hold on partners who are eager to start building the next generation web applications. Innovation.NEXT() is a program we are running for dev companies who are eager to take our tools and start building with them. Be a fan of Innovation.NEXT() on facebook and get updates on all the upcoming activities we have.

Keep an eye out for the details! Information on this program will also be published at http://sgpartners.spaces.live.com

// Facebook is becoming quite an interesting platform. Let's see if I can use this to my advantage

Heroes Happened {Here}!

Singapore DPE — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Check out these videos of some of the ISVs and VAPs that we've worked with the past few months. We got these guys enabled on Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 and here they are talking about the applications and solutions they've built.

Gurusoft Pte Ltd
http://www.gurusoft.com.sg

Protege Software Pte Ltd
http://www.protegesoft.com

Duration Inc
http://www.durationinc.com/

Presentation Links from Partner Tech Day

Singapore DPE — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:42:32 GMT

Here are the slides from the presentations on Partner Tech Day.

Partner Tech Day!

Singapore DPE — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:56:15 GMT

"Almost every aspect of what drives the business is changing in some way, shape or form."
- Ray Ozzie, CTO, Microsoft

Over the last 30 years, the dramatic advances in technology have revolutionized the way information is created, stored, shared, and used. As we take advantage of the new opportunities on our various devices and across the Internet, our experiences often become fractured and complex.
Microsoft is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses leverage the flourishing opportunities. Our "Software plus Services" strategy aims at weaving together the best of software and Internet services to provide a new generation of rich, seamless experiences that are personalized, integrated, and available anywhere. The result? Greater freedom of choice and better interactivity!
It's an exciting world. And you're invited!
As we move into the exciting world of "Software plus Services", we invite you to the next edition of Partner Tech Day. This briefing and technology update on Microsoft's Web Platform, has been tailored to help you take control of the next generation web and discover new opportunities for your business. Do join us and make the most of it!

AGENDA

Registration: 8:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.

9:00a.m.
to
9:30a.m.

Enterprise Development in Singapore
As the agency for enterprise development, SPRING Singapore aims to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises to develop a strong base of dynamic and innovative Singapore enterprises. This session will explain SPRING's initiatives to nurture a pro-business environment, facilitate and enhance the innovation and enterprise capabilities of small and medium enterprises.

9:30a.m.
to
10:30a.m.

Keynote: Microsoft's Web Platform Strategy
This Keynote will outline Microsoft's Web Platform and give you a perspective of the different Microsoft Technologies that will enable the next generation applications on the web.

10:30a.m.
to
12:00p.m.

Building Rich Internet Applications (RIA) using Silverlight
In this session, we will discuss how using Microsoft® Silverlight^TM -a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in - can help you deliver the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.

1:00p.m.
to
2:15p.m.

Introduction to ASP.NET 3.5
ASP.NET 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008 bring great new functionality around Web development and design that makes building standards based, next generation Web sites easier than ever. From the inclusion of ASP.NET AJAX into the runtime, to new controls, the new LINQ data capabilities, to improved support for CSS, JavaScript and others, Web development has taken a significant step forward.

2:15p.m.
to
3:30p.m.

Introduction to the Microsoft Sync Framework
This session will introduce the Microsoft Sync Framework - a comprehensive synchronization platform enabling collaboration and offline access for applications, services and devices with support for any data type, any data store, any transfer protocol, and network topology. This session will help you understand how the Microsoft Sync Framework enables synchronization to build a synchronization topology.

3:45p.m.
to
5:00p.m.

Exploring the power of Internet Information Services 7.0
More than just a Web server, Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS7) provides a security-enhanced, easy-to-manage platform for developing and reliably hosting Web applications and services. Moreover, IIS7 is a major enhancement to the Windows Web platform and plays a central role in unifying Microsoft's Web platform technologies - ASP.NET, Windows Communication Foundation Web services, and Windows SharePoint Services.

Venue    : Microsoft Auditorium,
              One Marina Boulevard,
              NTUC Centre, Level 21,
              Microsoft Singapore
Date      : February 22, 2008
Time      : 0900hrs to 1700hrs

RSVP
Write to gloria@techmexeventsasia.com (with your Name, Company Name and Contact Numbers) or call Gloria at 6550-8963

Coming Up: Partner Technology Day

Singapore DPE — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:10:12 GMT

Save the date on 2.22.2008 for this quarter's Partner Tech Day. The worldwide web is fast becoming the "wild wide web" so we'll be spending one whole day talking to you guys about the upcoming technologies Microsoft has that will help you tame it. Here's the agenda:

Microsoft's Web Platform Strategy
Silverlight 2.0: Enabling Rich Internet Applications
ASP.NET 3.5: AJAX out of the Box -- But wait, there's more!
Microsoft Sync Framework: Data Everywhere, In Sync
IIS7: What's in it for the developers?

Tune in for more details on how to register!

Partner Tech Day Dec. 11, 2007

Singapore DPE — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:26:30 GMT

For those who are interested in the slides for Partner Tech Day held last Dec. 11, 2007 you can download the slides here:

INNOVATE ON Windows Mobile

Singapore DPE — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:42:54 GMT

For all our partners building mobile solutions, we've just launched a site to help enable our partners. Check out the new site at INNOVATE ON Windows Mobile

Download details: Visual Studio 2008 Rhythm Training Virtual PC (Vista)

Singapore DPE — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:02:02 GMT

For those of you who can't wait to get started on getting up to speed on Visual Studio 2008, here's a VPC that contains the VS 2008 Training Kit that you can use to skill up.

Download details: Visual Studio 2008 Rhythm Training Virtual PC (Vista)

Download details: Visual Studio 2005 Support for SQL Server 2008

Singapore DPE — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:58:10 GMT

For those who can't wait to get their hands on SQL Server 2008, you can download this new patch for VS 2005. Can't wait for the team to get VS 2008 support out, I'm sure it will be soon ^_^

Download details: Visual Studio 2005 Support for SQL Server 2008

Resources for Windows Server 2008

Singapore DPE — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:15 GMT

The launch of Windows Server 2008 is fast approaching so here are some resources to help you guys ramp up on your application development on Windows Server 2008:

INNOVATE ON Windows Server
www.innovateonwindowsserver.com
Development portal that includes key marketing information and resources such as the Application Compatibility Cookbook, “Works with” and Certification Test Tool downloads and demos, developer resources, and links to pre-release Windows Server 2008 software.

Windows Server Catalog of Tested Products
www.windowsservercatalog.com
Customer-facing index of certified and validated software products, hardware devices and systems.

Technical Support for Application Compatibility and Certification
Tier 1: MSDN Online Forum
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2112925&SiteID=1
Monitored by Microsoft staff who can answer both business and technical questions.

Tier 2 technical support: wslogofb@microsoft.com.
This mailbox is monitored by the logo program development team. There is a 48-hour response time for non-critical issues.

Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/default.mspx
Home page for the Windows Server 2008 operating system, feature overview, training resources and links to the latest evaluation build of Windows Server 2008.

Innovate On!

Singapore DPE — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 03:14:12 GMT

Microsoft is dedicated to help our ISVs deliver profitable solutions for the People Ready Business through combination of 3 elements

1) The largest Market Opportunity for software developers in the industry

2) The most innovative, robust and integrated Platform for partner to build upon

3) A comprehensive set of investments in the partner channel through a Partnership that provides you with the technical, development, marketing and sales tools you need to increase your business potential

In view of that, we have launched INNOVATE ON portal, www.innovateon.com, which provides you with a full range of technical and business resources as you develop your solutions on our technologies. In each product portal, you'll find the steps you need to build your product and take it to market faster.

Ready to get started? Go to www.innovateon.com today! Select a product portal, Enroll and begin to take advantage of all the benefits we offer.