So I just found this cool new tool called ZoomIT. I have used others in the past to help when doing technical presentations but this one is great. It is simple and too the point and allows me to use a marking tool on my screen. ;)

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Miscellaneous/ZoomIt.mspx

Happy Presenting…

Doc

So I just found this cool new tool called ZoomIT. I have used others in the past to help when doing technical presentations but this one is great. It is simple and too the point and allows me to use a marking tool on my screen. ;)

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Miscellaneous/ZoomIt.mspx

Happy Presenting…

Doc

I hate to steal a blog post but Scott Hanselman always finds the coolest tools.
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/BinaryFortressSoftwaresASPNETViewStateHelperATreasureTroveOfTools.aspx

This time it is binary fortress. It is a tool for viewing View State. It is easy to use and to the point.

Thanks for pointing it out Scott.

Doc

SQL PROMPT - From Red Gate Software

While I was reading some blogs today I came accross THIS from Scott Mitchell.   SQL Prompt from Red Gate software. It gives you IntelliSense for SQL. Pretty cool stuff. The best part is that it is FREE. Check it out HERE.

Doc

(I will get back to posting code stuff soon. I promise ;0  )
Have you tried this yet??

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Latte Self-Heating Cans

It is pretty cool.  The you turn the can upside down, pop off a cap, push the bottom in, wait a few seconds, turn the can over, and POOF!!! In just 8 minutes you get a 140 degree latte without an expresso machine.

The kicker is that it tastes pretty good too!!  As you can see below, it's not all that bad for you either.  Well, unless it somehow breaks open and covers you in whatever toxic waste it uses to heat the coffee.

Oh well, I guess the hot coffee is worth it :)

Try it out while it is still cool to do :0

Doc

	Cals	Fat (g)	Sat. Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Pro (g)	Fiber (g)	Sodium (mg)
Rich Espresso Latte, 1 can (10 fl.oz)	100	5	3	9	5	0	105
Rich Mocha Latte, 1 can (10 fl.oz)	100	5	3	9	5	0	105
Rich Caramel Latte, 1 can (10 fl.oz)	100	5	3	9	5	0	105
French Vanilla Latte, 1 can (10 fl.oz)	100	5	3	9	5	0	105

I recently purchased Toshibas new Satellite R15-S829 (I know, what a name) Notebook - it is a convertible  which doubles up as a tablet PC. While you can work with the R15-S829 using a keyboard, you can also rotate and fold the screen down to use it as a Tablet PC with pen-based input.

Real cools stuff. It works fantastic for meetings, presentations, teaching, etc... but it is also sturdy enough for me to use it as my development laptop. I don't know how I survived this long without it.

It comes pre-loaded with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 for convenient operation. An Intel Pentium M 735 processor and 512MB of memory (that can be upped to 2GB - I have 1.5 in there now).

It really gives me freedom; with it doubling up as a notebook and tablet PC, I can easily take down notes or draw with digital pen, while at the same time she can use the keyboard to send e-mail OR better yet, send personalized hand written notes in my email. Plus........ you just cant account for the COOL factor. When you swivel your screen around to dock it, EVERYONE is like ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

So I am extremely happy with the machine, but have been very disappointed with the service. The one bad thing about this machine is the pen. It comes with a slot in the side of the machine that is spring loaded so that you can pop it our whenever you need it. It is styled so that it looks and feels like a real pen (instead of a stylus). The problem is that the pen clip (which I suppose is used to clip to your pocket) is very weak and easily broke off. This did not seem like such a big deal until I realized that this was what kept it in it's spring loaded slot(ouch!!).  So I was pretty ticked off but I bit the bullet and decided to just go to TosihbaDirect and buy another one. THIS is where my problems began. I ordered a pen/folder combo and set it up for overnight delivery. After two days, it was still not here so I called customer service and had to wait 30 minutes to speak to a rep (grrrrrrr). When the got on the phone they told me they were on backorder. WHAT!!! I just need a pen for my laptop. I asked where else I could buy it and the answer was (are you ready for this)   (sigh) "I don't know"(end of sentence). Thanks a heap, could I speak with your manager?  "Sure" (click)  I was speaking to Mr dial-tone at this point.

Actually, while I am writing this, I am starting to get upset all over again so I am going to condense the end.  It took me a month to get a pen, I left a message on 5 managers, and 1 supervisors voice mail (never got to a manager direct) and not one of them ever called me back. I had to wait between 30-45 minutes each time I called and EVERY SINGLE rep had an attitude.

So before I get all riled up again.  GREAT Laptop. Bad Service.  (You will have to decide if it is worth it.

Happy Programming (With Pen no less)

Doc

I know, I know this is another semi-worthless post but I just had to put this up here. I am usually one to hop onto the front end of new gadgets. Anything that would help out my general geekyness! New phones, headsets, batman utility belts, you get the picture. Well for some reason I was resisting the desktop search programs (Google or MSN). I mean, I could not live through my day without using Google to find something I need for one of my projects, so I don't know why I was resisting it.

Anyway, I was talking to Woody at the Indigo event the other night and we started talking about the desktop search. He uses the MSN one and was talking about all the cool features. But what really caught my ear was the fact that in addition to all of your normal files, it will also search your email!. Now this is not a "Review" post, this is just a "what was I thinking" post. I know, y'all have been using one of these for months now so this is no big deal to you, but MAN what the heck was I waiting for!!!  With a couple of clicks of my keyboard, I can have everything I need brought up before my eyes!!!

If by some really odd chance you have not downloaded one of these, you must do this now.

Doc

I have been using Skype for quite a while. For those of you who have been sitting in a darkened room for a while, Skype is a FREE internet phone system. Yes, I said FREE!!  I use it to call my Publisher in the UK as well as others I know across the US.

It has cool stuff like Skype IN and Skype OUT that lets you use it like a real phone too. (But that costs of course)

Anyway, I went to their site (haven't been there in a while) and I noticed that they have some new cool stuff (Plug-ins and things). Included in this is the ability to show my status right on the website (Upper left hand corner). When I change my status, it will change on the site. So if you see me online, feel free to send an IM or Skype Call (Although I don't usually have a headset plugged in)

Anyway, Cool Stuff. Check it out.

Doc