Multi-Touch Technology

According to a News.com article, Microsoft plans to include a multitouch interface in Windows 7. The really exciting news is the multitouch interface should work with existing touchscreen hardware as demonstrated on a Dell laptop in the following video:

Microsoft Surface Demonstration

Sheraton Hotel demonstrates Microsoft Surface:

Microsoft Surface Review & Demonstration

Popular Mechanics reviews and demonstrates Microsoft Surface:

Microsoft Surface Possibilities

Short video showing some of the things that are possible using Microsoft Surface technology:

Windows Home Server Television Commercial

Television commercial with Bill Gates presenting HP's version of the Windows Home Server:

Microsoft Touch Wall

Microsoft introduces Touch Wall with improved drag-and-drop technology for wall-size displays:

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.