Sunday, August 26, 2007

How to make Ubuntu look like Mac OS X

This is an awesome article of how to modify your Gnome Linux Desktop to look like a Mac OS X desktop. I am really impressed with it and willing to try it some day.

http://www.taimila.com/?q=node/11

Friday, August 24, 2007

Dell Inspiron 1501 Locking Up Problem

I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 (Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core TK-53 1.7GHZ) running Windows Vista and I was having problems with the system freezing up once a day.

Suddenly, the Inspiron 1501 locks up with no response from the mouse and keyboard, etc. The desktop is gone, the screen becomes blank with vertical white stripes and a small square with red stripes. Pretty weird! This happens randomly, I could be just browsing the Web, reading emails, compiling in Visual Studio, or doing nothing.

After spending a few hours with the Dell Support dude on the phone, we run all the hardware tests and all passed. To run the tests, turn off your computer, then hold the Fn key and press the power button.

It turned out that the problem was the video driver. A new ATI IGP Xpress 1150 driver for Windows Vista was released on August 10, 2007. After installing it the problem was solved!!

It is just surprising that the Dell download pages says that this new driver version is an optional update, but my girlfriend had the same problem on her Inspiron 1501 which was solved with this video driver update. Anyone else experiencing this problem?

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Essential Tools for .NET Development

Read the complete post at: http://shailensukul.blogspot.com/2007/07/essential-tools-for-net-development.html.

I would also add to this list:

Patterns & Practices: Software Factories
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/practices/bb190387.aspx

Code Analysis/Unit Testing
Resharper

Continuous Build
Cruise Control .NET

Source Control
Subversion
TortoiseSVN (Subversion client - Windows Shell Extension)
AnkhSVN (Subversion client - Visual Studio Plugin)

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Roadmap to MCPD Certification

I started working on my MCAD certification a couple of years ago, but didn't finish it. I have completed 70-316 and 70-315 so far. I think this is a good time to take the last exam, and move on to the upgrade to the new MCPD certification. Probably by the time I am done, Microsoft will create a new certification based on MS Visual Studio 2008.
This is my roadmap to get certified:
  • 70-316 (MCP)

  • 70-315

  • 70-320 (MCAD)

  • 70-551 (MCPD: Windows Web Developer)

  • 70-526

  • 70-529

  • 70-549 (MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer)
  • Wednesday, August 01, 2007

    Online Backup

    I found this online backup service called Mozy. It works pretty well, and it is free!! The free version offers up to 2 GB, and you can backup more than one computer. If you need more than 2GB, their unlimited version costs $4.95 / month.

    For each person you refer, you can have 256MB more. So, if you want to try it, just click here, or goto their website www.mozy.com and use my referral code: SW5GZF.

    Enjoy it!

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