Software Subscriptions: Updates versus Features… a rant.

One of the things that perplex me is the implementation of software subscriptions and how it relates to updates. The first thing that you need to keep in mind, especially if you are a software developer, is that product updates should be separated into two types: service packs and feature packs. Service...

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Track website changes automatically with UpdatePatrol

One of the things that I find myself doing on a regular basis is checking the same sites over and over again. There are several reasons for this, the most common is that it is a software company and when they release a new build of their software… I want to know right away. The other big benefit is when...

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Product Reviews coming soon…

I’ve been out of the mix lately with an avalanche of health issues… the latest of which is a pinched sciatic nerve. Never the less I will be putting up some reviews of some of the coolest applications, tools, and visual studio add-ins and here is a partial list of what is to come: UpatePatrol Altova...

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Why the AIG Bonuses were not wrong.

First let me say that I understand that we’re hurting financially and to see what seems to be a company responsible for our plight to be rewarded can raise the ire of a thousand injustices. The problem is that this feeling is devoid of reality. Put yourself in the position of an AIG employee, wealthy...

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Stimulus Fine Print

If you take a look at President Obama’s recovery site you can see the bar graphs showing that the largest portion is going to “Tax Relief”. Notice the asterisk to the left. The fine print reads: * Tax Relief - includes $15 B for Infrastructure and Science, $61 B for Protecting the Vulnerable...

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Altova’s XMLSpy 2009 Released

This week Altova released the latest version of its flagship product, XmlSpy . I’ve previously blogged about it being the de facto tool when it comes to working with XML tools. In my opinion the coolest new feature is the auto-completion of XPath expressions. Most of the more technical features...

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WebGuide - Streaming TV, Remote Scheduling and Media Sharing for Windows Vista and Media Center

I’ve been looking for a solution for a long time to be able to watch DirecTV when I'm not at home. I’ve tried many things and all with different pros and cons. Having just discovered a free way to host a small little web server from home and still be able to change the channel and stream...

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Google Chrome: EULA = ayfkm?

According to the EULA of the new Chrome browser released by Google this week you basically give Google the right to do whatever they want with "...any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services." . The actual pertinent information is much worse than just that though...

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A powerful sub $500 laptop!

Because of my job most of the people i'm friendly with always come to me for advice on what to buy when it comes to a new computer... If you are sending a kid away to college or just want a very inexpensive laptop Wal-Mart is selling one for $498 (Often discounted to $398). I'm planning on submitting...

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Altova Xmlspy – the de facto XML tool of choice

When it comes time to work with XML the first company that comes to mind is Altova . The Missionkit suite is to XML what Visual Studio is to C#. At the core of this suite: the hands down (imho) best XML IDE Altova’s XMLSpy. I’ve been planning this blog entry for some time now and the reason that I kept...

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