Windows SDK
There are two versions of the Windows SDK out there. The fist one is a .iso download, the second one the Web setup. They should be the same, however the .iso is version 5.0 while the Web setup is version is Orcas March07 CTP.
Reflector Add-Ins
Just tripped over the Reflector Add-In Repository on CodePlex. Very valuable add-ins for my favorite .NET tool.
Visual Studio Update for Vista
Coming back from Redmond, I found the Visual Studio Update for Vista RTM available.
Some Work Ahead
There was not a lot of time for writing during the last few weeks. So there was none to read. Consequently, I have to catch up with my in-box.
The Lost Powertoys
After years of using Windows XP, I got used to some additional features provided by Microsoft Windows XP Powertoys. Coming with a couple of new features I still missing some very essential tools for my daily work. The two things I miss the most are Open Command Window Here and Image Resizer.
Pressing shift while clicking a folder in Explorer brings up the Open Command Window then.
World Wind 1.4
Currently I have started a new project and I am looking into some geo-related projects. NASA World Wind 1.4 is now available. World wind makes massive usage of .NET and DirectX and runs quite smooth under windows Vista. The data is also provided by Microsoft Research TerraServer-USA, hosting aerial photography and topographic maps.
World Wind
Unfortunately, TerraServer provides only United States Geologically Survey (USGGS) data. Better images for local European location can be accessed using the Virtual Earth plug-in, available from here. A video of Virtual Earth in World wind can be found here. Unfortunately, the plug-in does not seem to work with the latest World Wind version.
[Update 24/02/2007]
With the updated plug-in for version 1.4 available also the Virtual Earth data can be displayed.
Windows Mobile Device Center 6
Windows Mobile Device Center 6 is available for download.
Toshiba Driver Availability
For quite a time, I am waiting for the drivers for my Toshiba m400 running Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise Edition. Drivers availability is scheduled for end of January as the Toshiba support page says.
“Toshiba is committed to making final production BIOS and various software components for Windows Vista available for our Vista Capable systems within the timeframe of the public launch of Windows Vista, scheduled for January 30, 2007.”
Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1
Some of of the advancements in Service Pack 1 for Visual Studio 2005 which is available for download:
- “New processor support (e.g., Core Duo) for code generation and profiling”
- “Performance and scale improvements in Team Foundation Server”
- “Team Foundation Server integration with Excel 2007 and Project 2007”
- “Tool support for occasionally connected devices and SQL Server Compact Edition”
- “Additional support for project file based Web applications”
- “Windows Embedded 6.0 platform and tools support”
Especially the Core Duo support sound quite nifty to me. However, running Vista you have to wait some more weeks for some additional features.
“For developers using Visual Studio 2005 on Windows Vista, Microsoft is in current development on an update to Service Pack 1 called the ‘Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Vista Refresh Beta’. This update builds on the improvements made in SP1 and delivers a first class experience for developers wanting to take advantages of the new features in Windows Vista. The Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Update for Windows Vista is expected to ship after the consumer availability of Windows Vista in Q1 of 2007 and is now available in bet”
Just in case you are wondering why the two service packs are separated you can find more over here.
Outlook 2007 Vista Gadgets
Benjamin G. points out two interesting gadgets for the Vista sidebar on his blog. Personally, I like the Outlook Tasks gadget the most. The Outlook Upcomming Appointments gadget did not work on my machine. It is showing only one appointment from september. Actually, this is also one comment on the gadget’s homepage.
