Script# is a Microsoft employee’s side project to make it easier to create AJAX applications. You are able to write code in C# and then it is interpreted and compiled into Javascript.
Essentially the Script# compiler is a C# compiler that generates Javascript instead of IL. A key driving goal of the design is to produce readable Javascript that you may have authored yourself, and would be ok deploying into real apps. Hence the translation works at the C# level, as opposed to converting from IL to script, and the converter doesn’t add any levels of abstraction itself.
So check it out here.
(Via Microsoft Watch)
June 3rd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
Developers |
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Microsoft has begun testing a new security technology in Windows Vista Beta 2. Called ASLR, or Address Space Layout Randomization, the technology loads system code into different locations in memory when the computer is booted. This helps prevent exploit code from calling system functions because the exploit code won’t know exactly which memory location to call. In Windows Vista Beta 2 an application could be in any of 256 locations making it harder to find. This is by no means a complete protection from insecure code, but it is a start and makes it harder to exploit Windows.
Source: eWeek (Via Microsoft Watch)
June 3rd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
Search, Security, Vista, Windows |
no comments
Microsoft Live Labs announced 12 winners of its Accelerating Search in Academic Research request for proposals. They accepted applications from universities that will improve search technologies, data mining, and discovery and analysis. Each winner will be awarded between $25,000 and $50,000 to continue their efforts. They will also gain access to “extensive data logs from MSN to aid in their research, as well as an increased quota of queries to the MSN Search software development kit.”
It will be interesting to find out if the projects are going to be released to the public. I wouldn’t mind “Aggregating Answers From Multiple Web Sources.”
Source: Press Release
June 3rd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
Developers, Live, Search |
no comments
Microsoft has released Windows Live OneCare and it is available to buy online and at retail stores. Sure it seems like a nice product, protecting you and two other computers from spam, viruses, hackers and yourself all for $49.95 a year. But what really interests me is that this weekend the Best Buy sponsored number 66 NASCAR stockcar will have OneCare logos on it this Sunday, June 4, at Dover International Speedway. Now I might finally tune in to a NASCAR race.
Via the Windows Live OneCare Team Blog
June 2nd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
AntiSpyware, Live, OneCare, Security |
no comments
MSN adCenter Labs has launched to all who want to try it. They have 11 demos demonstrating technology that advertisers and marketers may find useful, such as acronym resolution and finding misspellings of words and phrases. Unfortunately it looks like you will need to have an adCenter account if you want to use any of these technologies. It would be nice if they opened it up to the public for use in their own sites, without an adCenter account.
Via SearchEngineWatch
June 2nd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
MSN, Search |
no comments
Microsoft had been working with Adobe to include PDF in the next version of Office. Office would have been able to create PDF documents, but Microsoft wanted to offer the feature for free and Adobe wants Microsoft to offer it as a separate feature for a fee. If users of Microsoft Office are able to create files in Adobe’s PDF format they will have little need for Adobe’s Acrobat software, and if the feature is offered for free Adobe won’t be compensated for their lost business. Some applications can create PDF documents, and OpenOffice.org lets you create them for free.
Microsoft expects Adobe to follow-up on a threat of antitrust action in Europe.
Source: The Street (based on a WSJ article)
June 2nd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
Law, Office |
no comments
Microsoft is working with Toshiba, Victor, NTT DoCoMo, and others to create and market a music player and services that will attempt to unseat Apple’s iPod. Microsoft will develop the software, and DoCoMo will offer a handset that lets users transfer Windows media files to their cell-phones. Toshiba and Victor will actually make the player.
Via CIO (based on a Bloomberg article)
Update (June 5th): Apparently the Japanese article was about Microsoft offering Windows Media Player 11 in Japan and companies pledging to support it. Doesn’t look like they are trying to unseat the iPod with anything new. (Source: PC Magazine)
June 2nd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
Apple, Windows Media |
no comments
Actor Tom Skerritt guides you through the world of Windows Vista in this interactive demo site. See Windows Vista is split into four sections: Connecting with people, managing the big picture, turning information into action, and expanding your possibilities. Each section is composed of 4-6 video clips that detail how a Microsoft partner or customer is taking advantage of Windows Vista, and some of them actually apply to regular users. The site seems to be geared more toward the professional and someone who wants to take advantage of Vista for everything they do. Need to find out how good that new jacket you plan to buy is on the slopes? There’s a tool for that which shows videos.
The site is extremely light on substance, though Tom does do some annoying things when you don’t click on a video fast enough. You might remember him as the guy everyone hates from the movie Contact. He changes into a flight suit saying “these [clips] are the best of the best” and he holds up a tablet PC that he writes “click->” on. Unfortunately he can’t recite lines from plays well; he recites “to click or not to click, that is the question” and I just don’t feel his energy. When he isn’t talking he stands there as his smile fades and grows, leaving an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Via the unofficial microsoft weblog
June 2nd, 2006
Posted by
Jason Schramm |
Vista, Windows |
no comments
