TunerFree for MCE

I've just installed the new version (3.7) of TunerFree for Media Center. I had the older version for a while when I had Vista on my laptop, but never got round to putting it back when I upgraded to Windows 7.

Since then, theres been a number of changes that, while not immeadiately obvious, make the experience much smoother. Better menu control, better integration of DRM protected media, such as BBC iPlayer stuff just makes it feel a much more fluid experience.

If you want to take a look, heres the link.

http://www.milliesoft.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9:iplayer-mce&catid=1:software&Itemid=11

DDD Southwest Registration Opens Tuesday 20th April

If last years event was anything to go by, its worth turning up just for the food! Seriously, if you have plans to attend this fantastic days worth of presentations down in the Bristol area, you need to be ready to sign up when registration opens on Tuesday. Find out more, and see clips of last years events, including your truly, at http://www.dddsouthwest.com/

Catch up Post - Last months Activity

I havent updated my blog for a while, so I thought I'd post an entry telling you all what I've been up to for the past month..

Having spent some time with the Microsoft Sync Framework, I did a talk on getting started with the Sync Framework. Covering how it works, how to get started and some best practices and workarounds. Basically enough to start using it.

I've had some encouraging feedback from people saying that they are now investigating using it in some real projects, as well as 5 new projects that are using it for real now.

I did this talk, with variations (you learn what works and what doesnt, based on feedback and peoples questions) 4 times for NxtGenUG, in Oxford, Southampton and Coventry. And again when our scheduled speaker cancelled at the last minute in Cambridge.

With Coventry being my 'Local' NxtGen, I decided that, as this session included demos, the audience needed some protection from the demo gods.. Robert Minchin, one of the Oxford Coordinators, took this literally ;-)

To read more about the event, visit this event page on NxtGenUG.

It was good to see this level of interest, and nice to meet a larger section of our members in the flesh. Thanks for coming and saying hello guys and girls...



I also did a Media Center presentation for VBUG, Bracknell at the last minute. (By last minute I mean I didnt know I was doing it until that morning!). The speaker had cancelled, Tim Leung asked for help, and I'm happy that I was able to oblige.

Strange plant

I visited my mothers the other night, and she has this cactus..

Yes I know its childish, but made me laugh. ;-)

Bing Maps meets PhotoSynth and Flickr and Video and OMG...!

From the TED conference, Bing Maps' Blaise Aguera y Arcas demonstrates how augmented reality on top of Bing Maps can help us see into the past, or the future or into space..

Using Photosynth like technology to integrate photos from sources such as flickr, I think its fantastic that this software can map photos from multiple sources can be integrated so semlessly. Add in the telepresence options from a roving camera on a backpack, or other video source and we get the ability to get an understanding about somewhere that are just not possible with standard mapping stuff outthere at present.

Imagine looking a a map that shows how busy the traffic is at a location, or watching some street entertainment happening now, or following some other incident happening anywhere in the world theres a camera.

Blaise also shows integration from telescopes when he points the 'map view' into the sky.

Its just awesome...!

Watch it at http://www.simplyzesty.com/technology/stunning-microsoft-augmented-reality-maps-ted/

Fantastic work guys..

A Snow Dalek!

Nothing else to say, other than  Brrrrrrrrrrrrilliant!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamelaner/4214770802/in/set-72157622945615849/

DDD8 Fills with record speed

I did warn you, but this time DDD8 has reached capacity and is now operating a waiting list. Whats more it did this in 15 minutes!

While I wasnt chosen as one of the speakers, I dont mind based on the fantastic talks that are now included on the agenda, which you can see here.

Better yet, I managed to register in that short time window so will be able to relax a bit and watch and learn from these guys.