Laksha.Net

Visual Studio 2010 - Screenshot - Refreshingly Different - Its Complete Makeover

2009-11-09T07:19:00.001-05:00

Icon in Taskbar (Windows 7)

Chose your default environment settings

Welcome screen as below

Setting RSS feed

RSS Feed

New Project Dialog box

Will add more screenshot later today.

Windows 7 – Mount ISO using Virtual CloneDrive – Best Alternate to Daemon Tools

2009-11-08T05:45:00.001-05:00

Virtual CloneDrive is a very powerful free utility from slysoft.com. Virtual CloneDrive allows you to mount .ISO, .CCD, .DVD, .IMG, .UDF and .BIN files. Personally I liked it very much and found it better then the famous Daemon Tools.

After installing, you can select a ISO file, right click and mount or un-mount. It is so easy to use. I personally like it so much.

Download Virtual CloneDrive from slysoft.com
Remember to download Virtual CloneDrive as they also have other tools like CloneDrive etc. Only Virtual CloneDrive is free other tools are not free.

Error 1937 - Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate Beta 2 Setup Failed - ERROR:Error 1937.An error occurred during the installation of assembly 'FSharp.Compiler

2009-11-08T05:24:00.001-05:00

I face following issue while installing Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 on Windows 7. I turn off the Norton Antivirus and re-run the Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 installer. Also I uncheck the F# as log file show the error is related to F#.

I will try it to install it again meanwhile wanted to as if anyone face the similar issue or able to install F# with no issue. Thanks for your help.

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\dd_error_vs_vstscore_100.txt

[11/07/09,19:17:58] Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate Beta 2 - ENU: [2] ERROR:Error 1937.An error occurred during the installation of assembly 'FSharp.Compiler,version="4.0.0.0",publicKeyToken="b03f5f7f11d50a3a",processorArchitecture="MSIL",fileVersion="4.0.21006.1",culture="neutral"'. The signature or catalog could not be verified or is not valid. HRESULT: 0x80131045. 
[11/07/09,19:18:00] Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate Beta 2 - ENU: [2] ACTION FAILURE:Action ended 19:17:59: InstallFinalize. Return value 3.See MSI log for details.
[11/07/09,19:21:06] Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate Beta 2 - ENU: [2] ACTION FAILURE:Action ended 19:21:06: INSTALL. Return value 3.See MSI log for details.
[11/07/09,19:28:08] setup.exe: [2] ISetupComponent::Pre/Post/Install() failed in ISetupManager::InternalInstallManager() with HRESULT -2147023293.
[11/07/09,19:28:11] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate Beta 2 - ENU is not installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:11] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Web Deployment Tool (x86) was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:11] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft ASP.NET MVC 2 - Visual Studio 2010 Tools was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:12] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft ASP.NET MVC 2 was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:12] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Silverlight was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:12] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Silverlight 3 SDK was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:12] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime Beta 2 (x86) was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:12] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Office Development Tools for Visual Studio 2010 (x86) was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:13] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Dotfuscator Software Services - Community Edition was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:13] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Crystal Reports templates for Visual Studio 2010 was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:13] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 Beta ENU was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:14] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 Tools for SQL Server Compact ENU was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:14] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime v1.0 (x86) ENU was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:14] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Sync Services for ADO.NET v2.0 (x86) ENU was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:14] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Sync Framework Services v1.0 (x86) ENU was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:15] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Sync Framework SDK v1.0 (x86) ENU was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:15] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Performance Collection Tools (x86) was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:15] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft SQL Publishing Wizard 1.4 was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:15] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates SQL Server System CLR Types was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:16] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Objects was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:16] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Data-tier Application Component Framework was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:16] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Data-tier Application Component Project System was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:16] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Transact-SQL Language Service was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:17] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft SharePoint Development Tools was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:17] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 ADO.NET Entity Framework Tools was not attempted to be installed.
[11/07/09,19:28:17] VS70pgui: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft Help 3.0 Beta 2 was not attempted to be installed.

Kids In Halloween Costume – Halloween 2009

2009-11-07T05:16:00.001-05:00

Telerik Released 2009 Q3 Version

2009-11-04T11:37:00.001-05:00

Telerik has released their 2009 Q3 Version of the controls. As per the Telerik this is the most powerful released they have made in recent time.

Google Revamps Orkut - Refreshing New Look of Orkut

2009-11-04T06:46:00.001-05:00

But as Google always does, this new orkut will be available only to selected few users. These users can invite others to have an experience of the new look orkut. Orkut even has a community for those who would like to take a preview of the new version and where one can be listed to be invited.

http://www.merinews.com/article/refreshing-new-look-orkut-launched-by-google/15787392.shtml

http://www.thelatestnews.in/new-improvements-of-orkut/21204.html

http://www.duniyalive.com/?p=71704

Social Media/Networking - Good And Bad Incidents

2009-11-04T06:15:00.001-05:00

This article covers few good & bad incidents of using social Media & Social Networking for business.

My personal view is whether or not you are using social networking & social media for your business, people are still talking about you. They will not wait for you to create your social network to talk good or bad about you and your business.

When you create your own social network there are more chances that a happy customer will comment & kudos your business. Unhappy customer anyways find every way to escalate.

You could say Twitter and Facebook have thrown a wild card into a world of carefully crafted marketing messages. Witness the following incidents:

_ South Point managers read a gambler's rant on South Point's Facebook page.

"Please folks ... do N-O-T gamble in this casino. They run some of the TIGHTEST machines in Las Vegas. I LOSE almost E-V-E-R-Y time I try playing at South Point."

But before they responded, another customer posted: "If you don't like the South Point that much — then just don't go there. But the rest of us LOVE the place ... better luck next time."

Twitter List Beta - Organize And Follow Group Of Peoples - Yes Follow This List Possible

2009-10-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

Twitter just released a new feature "Twitter List Beta". You can create public or private list to organize people you follow. In the list you can add people you already following as well as people you are not yet following.

The best part, you can view other people's public list and follow their list.So now will have options to "Follow" people as well as "Follow This List".

Twitter define list feature as:
Lists are timelines you build yourself, consisting of friends, family, co-workers, sports teams, you name it.

But Shhh.. only a small group of people are receiving this feature so keep it quite... If Twitter selected you among that small group then you will see this announcement at the top of the twitter page similar to a screen shot above.

You can view & start following twitter team list at http://twitter.com/twitter/team.

Watching The Moon

2009-10-29T07:07:00.001-04:00

Photographs of Vedic watching moon using a telescope gifted by Richard.

Internet 5 Years From Now - Eric Schmidt – Google CEO - interviewed at Gartner Symposium ITxpo Orlando 2009

2009-10-28T05:39:00.001-04:00

interviewed of Google CEO Eric Schmidt at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Orlando 2009. He talk bout Internet 5 year from now.

Direct link to Video - http://www.youtube.com/user/Gartnervideo#p/u/2/lHxub_yQfig

Windows 7 – Download Progress Display In Taskbar

2009-10-28T05:07:00.001-04:00

In Windows 7, there is a new feature which shows the download progress in the taskbar. This happen when you minimize your download window. Thanks Richard for sharing.

Dotnetnuke 05.02.00 – Installation Steps With Screenshot

2009-10-27T06:25:00.001-04:00

Download the Dotnetnuke 05.02.00 CE Beta from Dotnetnuke website. You can either download Install or Source version. For this article I used Dotnetnuke 05.02.100 CE Beta source code version.

You can download the Dotnetnuke 5.2.0 from the Beta Testing page on DotNetNuke.com. They currently have Dotnetnuke 05.02.100 Beta available for download.

Extract the Dotnetnuke 05.01.00 Beta zip file in a folder. Then open the folder and rename the release.config file to web.config file.

Now open your host file which is located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Add a local DNS entry as shown below. Save and close the file.

Note: in place of dnn520.laksha.net you can use anything like www.dnn520.com etc.

PS: Screen shots are distorted due to repost using Live Writter. I had to repost as I made a mistake in title (I wrote DNN 5.1.0) and blogger does not allow changhing URL once you post. So I had to delete and recreate a new post.

Now open IIS manager and create a new website. In the Site name & host name enter the DNS name that you added in the host file. Also browse the physical path of the folder where you extracted the Dotnetnuke files. Remember to browse the website folder.

Now open the IE or Firefox and type the http://dnn520.laksha.net. Hit enter. It will take few minutes and will start the install wizard.

Select Custom in the install method and click next.

Click at Test Permission. It should say “Your site passed the permissions check.” otherwise open the website folder and give modify access to the “Network Service” account. If you running your application pool under a different identity then give modify permission to that account.

Next screen you will have to add SQL database connection string. In this test I am using SQL Express 2008 so no need to change anything and just click Test Database Connection.

Using SQL Server 2000/2005/2008

If you planning to use the SQL Server 2005 or 2008 then first create an empty database a new SQL user account in the SQL server. Then give admin rights on new database to this new user.

Now in the Configure Database Connection screen, change the select database to SQL Server 2000/2005/2008 and add database, user id & password details. You will see user id and password entry text box when you uncheck Integrated Security checkbox.

Click next and it will start installing the Dotnetnuke 5.2.0

Dotnetnuke’s SMTP Server Settings For Google Apps

If you are using Google Apps then enter following details in the SMTP Server Settings. Before start with following step, create a new email id in Google Apps no-reply@yrdomain.com for example no-reply@example.com.

Server: smtp.gmail.com:587

Authentication: Basic

Enable SSL: Yes

Username: your full email address. For example no-reply@example.com.

Password: Password of the email account

Dotnetnuke’s SMTP Server Settings For 3essentials

If you are using Google Apps then enter following details in the SMTP Server Settings

Server: web22.3essentials.com

Authentication: Anonymous

Enable SSL: No

Please not about 3essentials setting will only work on 3essentials server and will not work on ur local machine. You can go through their POP3 access documentation and use an email id and its username & password.

Select the modules you will be using and click Next. It will be a good idea to only install the modules that you will use. You can install other modules anytime you want. This can be done using Host->Extensions page.

Install Skin & container just have default options. Click Next on this screen.

Next screen will be language screen but no option. Click next on that.

Use the default options and click Next.

Again you can keep the default options and click Next.

The installation is complete. Click Goto Site.

Let me know how your installation go. If you have any question then please ask via comment to this post and I will try to answer them ASAP.

Facebook Developers Kit V 2 1 – Learn Building Facebook Apps With Samples

2009-10-27T06:11:00.001-04:00

Now a days Facebook is not just a teen hangout place. It has become a business community where business started networking with other business & their customers. More & more business are now opening their Facebook profile pages.

To support these business need, their is a huge need for custom Facebook apps that can help business to perform their task quickly and effectively.

If you are a software vendor or a hobbyist then you may want to explore Facebook apps. You will find that building a small Facebook apps is very easy.

Microsoft has also developed a Facebook Developers kits and quick start guide that will give you a jump start. Below are some reference links to get started.

Facebook Developers Kit – Introduction

Facebook Developer Toolkit - Version 2.1

Getting Started with the Facebook Developer Toolkit

Also check our previous Article Facebook Developer Toolkit 2.0 – Open Source

If you know more reference links then please share them using the comment section.

Windows Azure platform – Cloud Computing

2009-10-24T05:17:00.001-04:00

Today I got the SQL Azure October CTP invitation code. This invitation email encourage me enough to explore & share all about Microsoft Azure & Windows Azure Platform.

Relation Between Azure & Cloud

Lets start with the naming. The common term of these technology is Cloud Computing, Could Application, Cloud Platform, Cloud client etc. Every company is doing it one way or the other and have branded their product lines with different names.

Microsoft named their Cloud computing product lines as Azure.

Windows Azure platform

The Windows Azure platform is name for the whole bundle. The Windows Azure platform is comprised of following. Together it will provide a powerful platform for developing the web applications and services.

1. Windows Azure: an operating system as a service

2. SQL Azure: a fully relational database in the cloud and

3. .NET Services: consumable web-based services that provide both secure connectivity and federated access control for applications.

Currently Windows Azure platform is in Community Technology Preview (CTP) and all the services are free to evaluate. These services will be commercially available in November 2009.

Want to receive the CTP invite

If you are interested in evaluating and want to receive the CTP invite then you can fill up the following form and Microsoft will send you invites soon.

https://connect.microsoft.com/Survey/NominationSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=5719&ProgramID=2089&SiteID=547

Explore More:

What is In Invitation Email - SQL Azure October CTP Invitation

How To sign up For SQL Azure Database – Step By Step

How to sign up for Microsoft .NET Services (Will add in future)

How to sign up for Windows Azure (Will add in future)

List of Cloud Computing related products and brands

Following is a complete list of Cloud Computing related products and brands (Reference from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing)

Applications	Google Apps, SalesForce, Microsoft Online, TheCloud.svg
Clients	Browser, Mobile, Netbook, Nettop
Infrastructure	BitTorrent, EC2, GoGrid, Sun Cloud, 3tera, Nimbus, Eucalyptus
Platforms	App Engine, Azure, Rackspace Cloud, SalesForce
Services	Alexa, FPS, MTurk, SQS
Storage	S3, SimpleDB, SQL Azure
Standards	Ajax, Atom, HTML 5, REST, XMPP

How To sign up For SQL Azure Database – Step By Step

2009-10-24T05:11:00.001-04:00

Today I got the SQL Azure October CTP invitation code. So I sign up for the SQL Azure and created my database server and 1 database. I am allowed to create 1 SQL server and 5 databases.

If you are interested in evaluating and want to receive the CTP invite then you can fill up the following form and Microsoft will send you invites soon.

https://connect.microsoft.com/Survey/NominationSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=5719&ProgramID=2089&SiteID=547

What is SQL Azure

Microsoft SQL Azure Database is a cloud-based relational database service that is built on SQL Server technologies and runs in Microsoft data centers on hardware that is owned, hosted, and maintained by Microsoft.

More details: SQL Azure Overview

Step By Step Sign up Process

1. Open https://sql.azure.com

2. Sign in with a valid Windows LiveID

3. Enter your invitation code that you will receive in email

4. Read & accept the terms of use

5. Create your SQL Azure Server. To create your server, enter the username & password that you would like to use for administrator. The SQL Azure server name will be automatically generated.

Password Requirements: Password must be at least 8 characters long, and contain at least one number, one letter, and one symbol. Password cannot contain any three consecutive characters in the username.

6. Once you meet the password requirements and click create server then you will see following screen.

You can see that your database server has been created and listed under My Project. In My Project you will see all the projects you have created or for which you have been designated as a Service Administrator by your Account Administrator.

7. Double click on the project name to open the project. You will see the following screen which will display your database server name, admin username, option to change password and a list of databases.

You can create new database by clicking the Create Database button.

8. Click on Create Database button. It will show a screen to enter the database name and select the size. Size options are 1 GB & 10 GB. 1 GB means you selecting Web Edition while 10 GB means you are selecting Business Edition. Compete pricing details available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/pricing/#sql

Select 1 GB and click at Create Button

9. The database will be created and listed in the database list.

10. You can select the database and click at the connection string to view the connection string. You can use this connection string to configure your application (e.g. web.config file).

Helpful Resources and Tips

SQL Azure Documentation:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee336279.aspx

SQL Azure Forum:

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/ssdsgetstarted/threads/

SQL Azure Blog:

http://blogs.msdn.com/ssds/

Quick Tip: Using SQLCMD with SQL Azure

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee336280.aspx

Honorable President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Visit To HSCF Temple – Vision 2020

2009-10-23T23:00:00.001-04:00

Me, Vedic and 100s of other people in Orlando got a chance to see Honorable President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during his visit to HSCF Temple in casselberry, Florida. He gave an inspiring speech targeted to the youth audience. The topic of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam speech was “What can I give”.

We were sitting in 4rd row and were able to watch him from close. He will also visit Tapowan on Sunday 25 Oct to address kids who learn philosophy and Indian languages including Hindi, Sanskrit, Guajarati, Marathi, Tamil etc in Tapowan.

Below is the video of the (part) of the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam speech. As I said, the topic for his speech was "What can I give".

PS: The video quality is not good due to my hand movement but you can listen the whole speech. Later I will also upload video for question answer session.

Direct Link: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Visit To HSCF Temple Casselbary florida from Laksha on Vimeo.

“What can I give”. Below is the transcript of few part of his speech.

Many of my friend in India say that they are connected to their relatives in USA instantly even compare to some remote location inside the country. With this situation what you can do?

When people of Indian origin ask me What can I do to India? My first reaction to tell them is “Server well to the country of your residance” and brings pride to the country of your origin. Every action you do, you bring pride to your mother land.

We achieve objective with the ignited mind of the youth. Youth power is very powerful. Which is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earthand under the earch? Which mean young need to be nurture with the environment of truth, knowledge, compassion and challenges.

Gandhi ji mother told him at the age of 9: Son, In your entire lifetime, if you can save or better someone life then your birth as a human been and your life as a success.

From where Tungu Swami ji get the energy at the age of 100 years? You give to get the happiness. Will you carry this message? What can I give? Repeat with me “What can I give”.

So many things you can do for which you do not need wealth. You can share knowledge, go to the hospital and share the happiness to the elderly person and teach people who cannot afford. So many things you can do for which you do not need wealth. Only need a happy heart and what can I give feeling.

Poem: O my fellow citizens, in giving you receive happiness. In body & soul. You have everything to give. If you have knowledge, share it. If you have resources, share it with who need it. Use your mind & heart to remove the pain of the sufferer and cheer the sad heart. In giving you receive happiness.

Before concluding, let me give few suggestion for your consideration. I would like to suggest all of you few points for your consideration.

Number 1, Bring out some document with case studies as to how to encourage employment creators then employment seekers. Spread the message how to generate employment generators.

Number 2, Highlight the community development project experience in your locality for the benefit of the people who are in the similar tasks

Number 3, Encourage exchange program of students living in your locality in USA and your towns in India.

Number 4, Bring out booklets on the culture heritage and develop an experience …

Finally Number 5, Create idea bag for peaceful, prosperous and a happy world.

Please let us know how you like his speech and this blog post via your comments and feedback.

All About Vedic – All About Me – Student Of The Week Activity

2009-10-23T22:32:00.001-04:00

Vedic class has student of the week program where teacher pick one student each week. Teacher put many popsicle sticks in a pot and pick one stick each week. Every popsicle stick has one student name.

This week it was Vedic’s turn to become student of the week. As part of this he has to fill up “All About Me” sheet. I though it will be interesting to put it on blog as he wrote some interesting answers.

Indian Sony Channel on Bright House Network Starting Nov 17 2009

2009-10-23T22:08:00.007-04:00

Starting Nov 19th, 2009 Sony Channel from India will be available on Bright House Network (Orlando, Florida) for an extra cost of $14.99. This will be first time Bright House will have any Indian Channel in Orlando, Florida.

Bright House recently released a India telephone package in which you can pay approx $25 + taxes and make unlimited calls to US, UK, India and few other countries.

Thanks Pankaj for sharing this news.

Update: Adding channel lineup image from Bright House Tampa website (http://tampabay.brighthouse.com/products_and_pricing/digital_cable/programming/intl_channels.aspx)

Click to enlarge this photo.

SQL Azure October CTP Invitation

2009-10-23T17:39:00.001-04:00

I just got the invite for the SQL Azure October CTP with invitation code. I am allowed to create one SQL server and 5 databases. I will post more details with screenshots later today.

Invitation:

Welcome to the SQL Azure October CTP! We are excited to have you join us. Below are some steps to get you started, as well as links to helpful resources.

If you are interested in receiving the CTP invite then you can fill up the following form and Microsoft will send you invites soon.

https://connect.microsoft.com/Survey/NominationSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=5719&ProgramID=2089&SiteID=547

FAQ from the invitation email:

Q: What are my restrictions, if any, for this CTP?

A: The CTP will limit you to 1 SQL Azure server and 5 databases

Q: What happens to my database when SQL Azure officially releases?

A: Your database will automatically roll over into the production service once SQL Azure reaches commercial availability.

Q: I have a database in the old CTP1 SQL Azure service. Can I get access to it?

A: Yes, if you would like to access and view your August CTP server and databases, you can still do that, using the developer portal available at this address: https://ctpportal.database.windows.net

Q: I understand that there are 1GB (Web Edition) and 10GB (Business Edition) versions of SQL Azure, how do I specify this through my application?

A: This is surfaced both in the SQL Azure Portal and in the T-SQL Create Database statement. The syntax is as follows:

CREATE DATABASE foo (MAXSIZE = 1GB) For a Web Edition Database

CREATE DATABASE foo (MAXSIZE = 10GB) For a Business Edition Database

Q: What is the quickest way to get help if my sign up process has a problem?

A: Please visit the forum, we will monitor that closely

Q: How can I get a Windows Azure account?

A: please visit http://www.microsoft.com/azure/windowsazure.mspx and sign up

Compare Windows 7 Editions – Which One Is Right For You

2009-10-22T21:18:00.001-04:00

Windows 7 is available in six different editions but only Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate will be widely available at retail. Many people must be asking this question to them self that which edition is good for them.

My personal recommendation

My personal recommendation is Windows Premium or Windows Ultimate. There is only $20 difference between Professional and Ultimate so if you planning to buy Professional then buy Ultimate. The biggest change Microsoft has made with Windows 7 is that they have added Media Center features with Windows 7 Home Premium. Which means you don’t need to spend lot of money just to be able to use media center. So for most of the people Windows 7 Home Premium will be the sufficient.

Which edition I am using? I am using Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit and Windows 7 Enterprise 32 Bit. I am also using VMWare Workstation 6.5 to run my Windows XP application.

Following are collection of information from multiple sources that may help you decide which one is good for you.

The biggest difference is the cost

The cost of Windows 7 for new buy or upgrade is as below. I am sure various stores will soon come up with special offers for both new buy and upgrade.

Cost for New Purchase:

1. Windows 7 Starter - $0

2. Windows 7 Home Premium - $199

3. Windows 7 Professional - $299

4. Windows 7 Ultimate - $319

Upgrade Cost:

1. To upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium - $119 (full version $199)

2. To upgrade from Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional - $199 (full version $299)

3. To upgrade from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate - $219 (full version $319)

4. Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack - $149.99 – [This comes with a license key that can be entered on as many as three machines and includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions]

Comparison Charts

1. Microsoft Comparison chart for Windows 7 Editions

2. Cnet comparison chart and explanation - Which Windows 7 is right for you? – Very good article form Cnet with a nice chart and and the explanation to compare Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate.

3. Windows 7 Editions and their Comparison [Wikipedia] – Cnet comparison chart is based on this full comparison chart.

Windows 7 Edition Details & Reviews

1. Microsoft write up on various edition – Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate

2. Cnet review of Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate.

Windows 7 Edition Logos

How To: Compress ViewState in ASP.NET 2.0 - ViewState Compression with System.IO.Compression

2009-10-22T21:08:00.001-04:00

I found this article “How To: Compress ViewState in ASP.NET 2.0 - ViewState Compression with System.IO.Compression” with the sample pages that talk about reducing the ASP.NET View State size. It is work reading and implemeting these recomandation in ur ASP.NET website.

I tried their sample myself and copied the view state in the two notepad to compare. You can see in below screenshots (see the scrollbar, one shows lot of scroll available while in second very less scroll)

Before compressing the view state:

Side By Side screenshot of before & after compressing the view state: :

Article link: How To: Compress ViewState in ASP.NET 2.0 - ViewState Compression with System.IO.Compression

Upgrade To Windows 7 – All You Need To Know – Why, How, Cost, Compatibility of Upgrade

2009-10-22T07:04:00.001-04:00

Free Upgrade From Vista to Windows 7 after June 26, 2009:

Whoever has bought a computer with Windows Vista or a copy of Windows Vista after the June 26, 2009 deadline may qualify for a free upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7. here's How to receive your Windows 7 upgrade. You can also read the Windows 7 Upgrade Option FAQ to learn more whether ur purchase will qualify or not and how you can order an upgrade.

I bought a new PC with Windows Vista Home Premium in July 2009. Why don't I qualify for the Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer?

Participation in the Windows 7 Upgrade Option is decided by the PC manufacturers. There are costs associated with implementing the offers so they may opt out of the program for certain models, particular timeframes, or in specific markets. We encourage customers to work with their PC manufacturers to better understand availability.

From Windows 7 Upgrade Option FAQ

Upgrade: How Much Windows 7 Cost

While ordering new computer no one will have a question whether to go with Windows 7 or Windows XP like many people had with Windows Vista but people who have an old PC and not qualify for a free upgrade and considering upgrade will have to pay following cost:

1. To upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium - $119 (full version $199)

2. To upgrade from Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional - $199 (full version $299)

3. To upgrade from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate - $219 (full version $319)

4. Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack - $149.99 – [This comes with a license key that can be entered on as many as three machines and includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions]

Upgrade: Why Upgrade To Windows 7

1. Top 10 reasons to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7.

Top 10 reasons to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 – Summary:

Reason 1: Get quicker access to all of your stuff using Pin and Jump Lists
Reason 2: Do more and wait less—improvements that can accelerate sleep and resume. More responsive
Reason 3: Better compatibility—works with a larger set of software and devices.
Reason 4: Share files and printers among multiple PCs using HomeGroup—from one Windows 7-based PC to another, you can share files, music, photos, and even printers.
Reason 5: Stay entertained effortlessly—Watch TV shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV
Reason 6: Easily create and share movies—create great looking movies and slideshows
Reason 7: Keeps your PC better protected with fewer interruptions—enjoy fewer system messages and alerts. Better User Account Control, you'll get fewer messages than before (mostly 0 messages).
Reason 8: Touch and tap rather than point and click—Windows 7 makes PCs with touch screens.
Reason 9: Supports more TV, movies, videos, and music in more ways—get photos and more on your home PC with remote streaming
Reason 10: Manage devices more easily—manage printers, cameras, music players, and other devices

2. You can also read the Comparison between Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 and the Comparison between Windows 7 editions (Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate)

Upgrade: Should I Upgrade or Clean Install

1. Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to make sure your PC can run Windows 7,

2. Read about Whether you should upgrade or clean install? My personal suggestion will be a clean install if you can.

Whether you should upgrade or clean install? summary:

1. Upgrading from Windows XP to Any Windows 7 - Clean Install

2. Upgrading from same/similar version from Vista to Windows 7 - Upgrade Possible.
[Home Basic to Home Premium, Home Premium to Home Premium, Business to Professional, and Ultimate to Ultimate]

3. Upgrade from any Windows Vista version to Windows 7 Ultimate - Upgrade Possible.

4. Upgrading from 64-bit version to a 32-bit version of Windows or vice versa - Clean Install.

Upgrade: Upgrade Between Version Of Windows 7

Upgrade versions of Windows 7 mean if you want to upgrade from Home Premium to Business or Home Premium to Ultimate or Business to Ultimate.

Interestingly when you install any version of Windows 7 you install everything. Upgrading doesn't mean installing new software. In Windows 7, the software you need comes preinstalled.

Based on your current version of Windows 7 many features may be locked. When you upgrade from one version to another all you need is to purchase an upgrade key and then run Windows Anytime Upgrade online. This tool also allow you to go online and purchase a new upgrade key.

Windows 7 Releasing Today

2009-10-22T07:03:00.001-04:00

Windows 7
Home Premium

Windows 7
Professional

Windows 7
Ultimate

Today is October 22nd and Microsoft Windows 7 if officially releasing.

I have been using it for last few months and I like it. Based on my experience, Windows 7 is all about “how you feel about it”. Windows 7 make you feel that it is better then Windows Vista. Better in boot time, better in look (sidebar, background, screens & graphics), better in performance, better in functionality and better in compatibility with other applications and hardware.

Windows 7 already made some landmark records in sales for example it has become the biggest pre-order item in Amazon (ref Amazon: Windows 7 is 'the biggest pre-order product of all time).

“New operating system sold more copies in the first eight hours of its release in July than Vista did in its entire pre-order period.”

Also

Windows 7 has beaten boy wizard Harry Potter to become the biggest pre-order product of all time in the UK, says Amazon.

Blind Text Generator - For All Your Dummy Text Needs

2009-10-21T16:07:00.001-04:00

There is a cool site to generate dummy text for pilot website and design. You can chose how many characters or how many words you want. It has several options on dummy text content. You can also chose dummy text font type, size, color etc.

http://www.blindtextgenerator.com/

Thanks Richard for sharing.

SPC 2009 Video – SharePoint Conference 2009 keynote address

2009-10-21T07:33:00.001-04:00

SPC 2009 - SharePoint Conference 2009 keynote address given by Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO and by Jeff Teper, Corporate Vice President of the Office SharePoint Server Group at Microsoft is now available online at the Microsoft SharePoint conference website.

http://www.mssharepointconference.com/pages/videohighlights.aspx

Direct links to the videos are as below:

Keynote Address – Steve Ballmer

Keynote Address – Jeff Teper

During the keynote Jeff Teper announce that SharePoint 2010 Beta will be available in November 2009 (next month)