Stephe's Space

Talking about Sympatico / MSN Entertainment : Music : Concerts : metric

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 12:49:37 Z

Of the new crop of Canadian bands, one of my favourites is Metric. Check out the exclusive video live from Metropolis on the Sympatico / MSN Music channel.

New Blog

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:40:44 Z

Check out my new blog (well not really new, but newer than this one). It's at http://www.stephe.ca/weblog.

Senseless Violence

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:39:42 Z

I went to Dawson College from 1985 to 1987 at the same campus where today's shootings took place. My initial reaction to today's reports was shock, then attempted rationalization - are gun control laws tight enough, could someone at Dawson have picked up on the fact that there was a pyschopath(s) in their ranks? But in the end, there's nothing that makes sense to explain how something like this could happen. The human animal is capable of the most extreme examples of both cruelty and kindness. I don't know if we (as a species) we'll ever eliminate the extremes. My heart goes out to the victims and families. I can't imagine what is must have been like. I can, however, remember the locations in some detail from my time in College. Ugh...

A New Beginning

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 04:57:53 Z

I've decided to leave Microsoft. My last day was Friday. This was a tough decision after nine years at MSN, but I was presented with a fantastic opportunity to lead the portal and emerging products team at Canoe. I will miss the great team at MSN but I see this as an opportunity to lead and help build another great team over at Canoe. Thanks to everyone who I've worked with over the year at Microsoft. It's been a hell of a ride.

On vacation

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 15:21:18 Z

I'm on vacation right now on a road trip through eastern Ontario and Quebec. Won't be posting much.

Windows Live Writer beta

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 03:29:28 Z

First post from Windows Live writer. Love the way it downloads your blog's stylesheet for WSIWYG editing. I've tried it with Spaces and Blogger and it seems to work well with either. Download it here.

Google to expand Waterloo office

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 15:10:05 Z

You might think I would want to avoid the topic of a competitor like Google hiring more people in Waterloo. I have a different perspective - this is a great development for Canada. The fact that a global leader like Google considers south western Ontario the best place in the world in which to do mobile R&D is only good news.

Here is some other commentary:

Dick Hardt - Blame Canada

Mark Evans

What is Web 2.0?: The 24 Minute Documentary

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:58:12 Z

Great video on Techcrunch featuring a bunch of "Web 2.0" folks.

Techcrunch » Blog Archive » Web 2.0: The 24 Minute Documentary

Talking about Microsoft Acquisitions in 2006

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 13:41:15 Z

abhishekkant has a list of Microsoft's acquisitions so far in 2006. Pretty impressive list of technologies, including some key elements of the Online Services business like Massive, Geotango, Onfolio and Vexcel.

O'Reilly at MIX

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 21:26:16 Z

Tim O’Reilly is blogging from Mix 06. A year ago, who would have predicted him onstage with Bill Gates at a Microsoft event. Things are changing…

Talking about Interesting - iBegin Is Interesting

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 20:51:23 Z

iBegin think the current Local Search tools are "craptastic". What do you think?

Quote

Interesting - iBegin Is Interesting

Talking about 43F Series: “Back to GTD” | 43 Folders

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 13:10:58 Z

I'm a big fan of David Allen's book "Getting Things Done". I first picked it up about a year ago, and following the process outlined in his book greatly improved my workflow management and productivity. One of the challenges I've faced is being consistent in following the system, and having the discipline not to revert to productivity sapping bad habits. Once a month or so I find I have to go back to basics and reboot my adherence to the GTD process.

Serendipitously, 43 Folders is running a series of posts called "Back to GTD", with tips for lapsed GTD fans: 43F Series: “Back to GTD”. Highly recommended.

Windows Live Local

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:29:42 Z

I’ve been meaning to blog about Windows Live Local, Microsoft’s free mapping and directories tool, for a while now. I’m really proud of the work the local team has done in this space. This is an area where Microsoft is showing some leadership, and providing unique features relative to our competitors. Here is a list of some of the things you can do with it:

get driving directions and maps
get satellite views of your destination
find directory listings that are synched up with Canadian maps
view “Bird’s Eye” imagery that shows detailed, 45-degree angle views of most major U.S. cities - and coming soon for Canadian cities
annotate maps, mark points of interest with pushpins, and share your customized maps with friends.
group your customized maps into “collections” you can share with the world or keep private
create custom “pushpins” that let you notate specific locations
use the scratch pad to make notes and share your discoveries
cruise around and zoom in on areas of the Canada you want to explore in detail
get results that display both Web sites and physical locations
auto-refresh your search results – updated as you move around the map
find yourself using the “Locate Me” feature that can show you where you are on a map

One of my favourite features is collections. Collections are groups of locations that you create and can share with your friends online. Here’s a collection of some Canadian landmarks for you to check out. Check out the satellite imagery. We recently update our image database for many Canadian cities so you can zoom right in on these sites. Also, check out the Bird’s eye views of Niagara falls. Very cool.

As always, tell us what you think.

Windows Live Spaces

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 01:14:07 Z

(insert standard "I haven't posted in a while" disclaimer here)

Well, here it is, my first post on the new, rebranded Windows Live Spaces. So far, from what I've seen many of the features are similar to MSN Spaces, but with cool Ajax goodness to enhance the responsiveness of the UI. I can't wait to play some more with the Gadgets and friends of friends functionality!

What's your favourite feature?

Update: Mike Torres has posted on the new site.

Digital Ad Summit '06

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 19:11:55 Z

From one event to another. Yesterday speaking at SES, today listening to Steve Rubel and Chris Dobson at the Digital Ad Summit. More to come.

Danny Sullivan keynote

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 14:07:26 Z

Barry Schwartz has blogged Danny Sullivan's keynote from SES Toronto.

Danny Sullivan on Steve Berkowitz

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:40:23 Z

You may have heard Steve Berkowitz is joining MSN from Ask.com May 8. I don''t know much about him, but in looking around I found the following from Danny Sullivan at Search Engine Watch:

"In short, I think it's a great win for Microsoft. Steve knows what it's like to be an underdog in the search space and fight your way back onto the radar screen. My main reaction really is why stop at Steve? Microsoft should have bought Ask long ago."

Encouraging...

See you at SES?

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:21:54 Z

Search Engine Strategies Canada 2006 begins tomorrow. I'll be speaking at two sessions: RSS, Blogs & Search Marketing tomorrow at 4:30, and Meet the Crawlers Wednesday at 1:15. I'm also hoping to attend some of the sessions and here more about the local industry, and meet as many Search marketers as possible.

If you're there, please come by and say hi at the sessions, and make sure you come by the MSN Search booth at the exhibit hall.

Talking about 'Intro' by Gorillaz

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:02:54 Z

Haven't posted in a loooong time. Mostly busy with business planning activities, however did find time to check out the exclusive Gorillaz webcast we presented on Sympatico / MSN video. If you're a fan, it's a fantastic show. Check it out.

'Intro' by Gorillaz

Gorillaz perform the intro track to 'Demon Days' in concert at New York's Apollo theater. (P) EMI Records Limited 2006 © Gorillaz 2006

MSN / Windows Live branding confusing?

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:25:38 Z

Dare Obasanjo thinks our branding is confusing. What do you think?

Book List

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 04:46:39 Z

Custom List

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 16:59:29 Z

Book List

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 20:25:11 Z

SES Toronto 2006

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 10:36:27 -0700