Random ramblings…
The other day I finally gave the new Visual Studio .NET 2005 edition a try. All I can say is, why did I wait so long? For those long time Visual Studio users out there, it is a real treat to have many of the things we used to have to do manually manifest themselves in the form of additional controls or code snippets. MS has done a good job of making developers more efficient.
Want a real example? Try integrating a web browser into your application in a previous version of VS. You have to manually add the appropriate DLL’s as a COM object. Once you have done so, the auto complete features slow down noticably due to the querying of information through the extra layer. In 2k5, many new controls (such as a web browser control) streamlines the process and allows you to just get your work done. Isn’t that what we really want?
The other day I saw an XBox 360 working in conjunction with a computer running windows media center edition. Not bad. The ability to stream information via a lan or wireless network to the XBox allows you to locate you computer in the other room. It was pretty slick. Don’t know that I would go buy one myself, but you can’t ignore the possibilities. It will be interesting to see what Apple has up its sleave. The rumors point to a knockout product that I am sure will integrate with its iTunes/iMovie service. Can you say content on demand? This has been “coming” for more than a decade now. I am thinking that with the current video deals in place, that Apple could be positioned to deliver. I hope so, it would be great for their stock.
Ray Pulsipher
Owner
Computer Magic And Software Design
