JavaScript Frameworks

The following are some commonly used JavaScript frameworks:

• Prototype
• jQuery
• YUI
• MooTools
• Dojo

Windows Home Server

Microsoft recently released Windows Home Server, which makes it easy for families to keep and share documents, photos, videos, and music.

Some of the key features include:

• Remote Access
• Media Sharing
• Drive Extender
• Home Computer Backup
• Home Networking

Learn more about Windows Home Server.

IT Budgets

According to InformationWeek, more than half of all IT professionals surveyed believe we are in or heading for a recession.

As the economy cools, many of the 374 business technology professionals in our poll are bracing themselves for trouble.

• 58% say we're either in or headed for a recession
• 57% are being asked to reduce or limit IT spending
• 37% are cutting IT staff, third-party consultants, or both

The InformationWeek report titled, "Recession And You" for IT professionals is currently available as a free download.

Dell Coupons

15% off select desktop accessories, laptop accessories, memory, cameras and vehicle GPS.

• Q6?OJDON$GS5MQ
• SWQHT6T89HW92V

The coupons will expire after one use each, so they are on a first-come-first-served basis.

Watch Movies & TV Shows Online for Free

Hulu is a new Web-based service that allows you to watch movies and TV shows online for free. Currently they have a limited selection; however, they are adding new content all the time.

Hulu's mission:

Hulu's ambitious and never-ending mission is to help you find and enjoy the world's premium content when, where and how you want it. We hope to provide you with the web's most comprehensive selection from more than 50 content providers including FOX, NBC, MGM, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and more to deliver premium programming across all genres and formats, television shows, feature films, and clips. Watch full-length episodes of current primetime TV shows such as The Simpsons and The Office the morning after they air, classics like Miami Vice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and clips from Saturday Night Live, Nip/Tuck, and others. Hulu also offers full-length feature films like The Usual Suspects, Ice Age, Three Amigos!, and The Big Lebowski as well as clips from films such as Napoleon Dynamite, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Devil Wears Prada and many more. Hulu is free and ad-supported — available anytime in the U.S.

Unobtrusive JavaScript

I recently read several articles about the merits of Unobtrusive JavaScript, a programming paradigm that encourages the separation of functionality from structure, content, and presentation. Some key benefits of Unobtrusive JavaScript include:

• Better accessibility
• Improved portability
• Faster development
• Simpler code maintenance
• Graceful degradation of functionality

Some scripting event types that developers commonly commingle with document content and structure include:

• onclick()
• onfocus()
• onblur()
• onmouseover()
• onmouseout()
• onload()
• onchange()
• onsubmit()

Inline JavaScript functions can be difficult to maintain, especially if there are numerous occurrences of the inline code sprinkled throughout the website or if multiple people work on the same website. This is especially true when Web developers working with WYSIWYG editors make changes to the site, since the WYSIWYG editors have a tendency to mangle code.

Free Windows Vista Advisor Polo Shirt

Microsoft is giving away Windows Vista Advisor Polo Shirts for individuals who complete the "Get the Facts on Windows Vista" quiz. Follow the link, then click on "Training Quiz" to participate.

Microsoft estimates the quiz will take 15 to 30 minutes, but I participated and the quiz took about 6 or 7 minutes.

The quiz is a great real-world example of Silverlight in action.

Microsoft Press Free E-Book Offer

Download the complete "Introducing Microsoft LINQ" e-book from Microsoft Press for free. Also download select chapters from "Introducing Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX" and "Introducing Microsoft Silverlight 1.0"

Windows Live Alerts SDK

Microsoft has announced a software development kit (SDK) for Windows Live Alerts:

There's no better way to communicate with customers than with real-time alerts sent directly to their desktop, mobile device, or email. Windows Live Alerts detects where customers are on the network and intelligently delivers an alert message.

According to Microsoft the software development kit provides:

1. RSS Feed Based Alerts - You can quickly and easily enable Windows Live Alerts from an RSS feed. This zero development solution for Windows Live Alerts is available now.
2. Programmatic Alerts - The SDK is for developers familiar with Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) who want to programmatically integrate with the Alerts notification service to access advanced features.

Windows Live Writer Ping Servers

Configuring Ping Servers in Windows Live Writer is an essential step if you want search engines to crawl your new posts as soon as possible.

To configure Ping Servers in Windows Live Writer:

1. On the "Tools" menu select "Options..."
2. Click "Ping Servers" in the left column
3. Place a check mark next to "Send pings to the URLs below"

Next, enter one or more of the following URLs in the text box; each URL should be entered on its own line:

• Google
  http://blogsearch.google.com/ping/RPC2
• Technorati
  http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
• FeedBurner
  http://ping.feedburner.com/
• VeriSign
  http://rpc.weblogs.com/RPC2
• Ping-o-Matic
  http://rpc.pingomatic.com/

Windows Live Search SDK

Microsoft has announced a software development kit (SDK) for Windows Live Search:

You can easily add Search to your site with our Live Search box. For more options, use our Live Search Web Service, where you’ll be able to query for web results, images, news, phonebook listings, feeds, and meta tags.

According to Microsoft the software development kit provides:

1. SOAP API - With the SOAP API you can create a custom search engine, enhance your existing site search with spelling suggestions, images, news articles, feeds and phonebook results.
2. AJAX Control - Easily add search to your web site with this AJAX control. Deploy the script as is from the wizard, or customize it for more functionality.

Silverlight Streaming SDK

Microsoft has announced a software development kit (SDK) for Silverlight:

Microsoft Silverlight Streaming by Windows Live is a Silverlight companion service that makes it easier to deliver and scale rich media. The service offers a free and convenient solution for hosting and streaming cross-platform, cross-browser media experiences and rich interactive applications that run on Windows and Mac.

Combined with the ability to create content with Microsoft Expression Studio and other 3rd party tools, Web designers and content publishers wishing to integrate Silverlight applications into their online properties can enjoy complete control of the end user experience.

Here's the fine print:

While the service is in beta, storage is free up to 10 GB and streaming is free up to 5 TB of aggregated bandwidth per user account per month. Videos should not exceed 10 minutes and have a maximum bit rate of 1.4 Mbps. As we move out of beta, unlimited streaming will also be available for free with advertising, or with payment of a nominal fee for use of the service without advertising.

Windows Live Messenger SDK

Microsoft has announced a software development kit (SDK) for Windows Live Messenger:

Let web site visitors interact with Windows Live Messenger users using the Windows Live Messenger Library, Windows Live Messenger IM Control, and the Windows Live Presence API.  You can also use the Windows Live Messenger client, version 7.0 and later, to develop a single-user or multi-user application through the Windows Live Messenger Activity API.

According to Microsoft the software development kit provides:

1. IM Control - The IM Control enables web sites to show the presence of Windows Live Messenger users and let site visitors engage in IM conversations with site owners or representatives.
2. Presence API - The Presence API is an HTTP-based API that returns a Windows Live Messenger user's presence.
3. Messenger Library - The Windows Live Messenger Library is a client-side JavaScript library that enables third-party sites to seamlessly add instant messaging capabilities with Windows Live Messenger.

Amazon MP3

If you listen to downloaded music and have not already heard, Amazon recently launched a new music download service called, "Amazon MP3". Individual songs generally sell for $0.89 to $0.99 on Amazon MP3, which is cheaper than iTunes; however, the big news is songs are encoded in MP3 format, which means they will work on most devices without conversion. No longer is you music library chained to an iPod.

Microsoft Office Outlook Connector

If you use Microsoft Outlook to check your e-mail and have a Hotmail or Windows Live e-mail account, I strongly recommend installing the Microsoft Office Outlook Connector. The Microsoft Office Outlook Connector uses MAPI to access HTTP mail accounts, which provides additional functionality and a much smoother experience.