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diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/3dflipvista.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/3dflipvista.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c17638d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/3dflipvista.txt @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +Windows Vista ships with a nice window switcher by the name of Flip-3D for quickly moving between windows, but it's not without its drawbacks. For one thing, if you have a lot of windows stacked together it can be hard to tell which is which, with that in mind we decided to take a look at some alternatives. + +I should note upfront that to use the built-in Flip 3D feature you'll need to have a version of Vista that has Aero enabled (and obviously the necessary hardware as well). + +One possible alternative to Flip 3D is [SmartFlip][2] (download requires forum registration) which is essentially the exact same thing as Flip-3D, but it moves the windows in a circle so it's easier to tell them apart. SmartFlip has a number of configuration option that let you show off Vista's graphical eye candy by slowing window switching or changing transparency. + +Rather than trying to explain all the features in detail I've embedded the developer's nice video demo at the end of the post. + +The other app that gets some good marks around the web is [My Exposé][1], which, as its name implies, mimics the functions of OS X's Expose. As with the original OS X app you can set hot-keys or corner activation or both. Activating My Exposé overlays your desktop with a black background and scales windows so they all fit on the screen. + +I had some problems with the latest version of My Exposé generating error messages, but an earlier version worked just fine. + +Of course neither of this has to replace the stock window switcher, you could use all three in conjunction if you wanted -- just make sure to assign each on a different hot-key combo. For my money Vista's enhanced Alt-Tab with previews does the job quite well, but if 3D window navigation is more your cup of tea you have plenty of options. + +Stock Flip-3D: + +SmartFlip: + +My Exposé: + + + + +SmartFlip developer demo movie: + +<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bYX6YboNA4c"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bYX6YboNA4c" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> + +[1]: http://blogs.labo-dotnet.com/simon/archive/2006/11/08/11485.aspx "My Exposé" +[2]: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=529816&st=0 "SmartFlip"
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\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/ooxml.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/ooxml.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c39cb28 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/ooxml.txt @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ +Yesterday Microsoft posted an [open letter][2] (this "open letter" thing seems to be a catching disease with software companies) regarding OOXML. The letter, which is signed by two MS general managers, Tom Robertson and Jean Paoli, claims that IBM is attempting to slow down the ISO approval process for OOXML. + +Those who have been [following][3] the [ongoing][4] [OOXML battle][5] will probably shrug and might even point to the fact that Sun, Novell and an international consortium of countries are also trying to slowdown OOXML's ISO approval. In fact the only one interested in having OOXML declared an ISO standard is, predictably, Microsoft. + +IBM has refused to comment on the Microsoft letter saying they've addressed the same issues enough in the past. + +Ironically, while attempting to point out the benefits of OOXML, Microsoft blows its own cover in the first sentence: "Over the past year, Microsoft has stepped up efforts to identify and meet the interoperability needs of **our customers**" (emphasis mine). The debate is not about what's best for users at large but rather the important thing is that Microsoft retain its customer base -- even when sowing FUD Microsoft can't hide its real agenda. + +What follows that telling opening sentence is less an impassioned appeal than a whining plea. Former Microsoft Business Development Manager [turned blogger][1], Stephen Walli, calls Microsoft's letter "professionally embarrassing." + +The doublespeak and hypocrisy is thick over at Redmond. Microsoft seems to have already forgotten the anti-ODF smear campaign it launched back when Massachusetts introduced a bill to mandate ODF for government documents. + +First there was the Wiki editing snafu and now this, just how much lower is Microsoft going to sink in its misguided attempt to ramrod OOXML through the ISO process? + +It's a shame Microsoft has chosen the low road because Office 2007 is a great product, its functionality and ease-of-use blow OpenOffice out of the water. What would be ideal would be for Microsoft to embrace the existing standard, ODF, and compete in the market on the the merits of their software rather than the entrapment-through-format approach they seem to be dedicated to today. + + +[1]: http://stephesblog.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/02/microsoft_whini.html "Microsoft Whining for Sympathy about OOXML" +[2]: http://www.microsoft.com/interop/letters/choice.mspx "Interoperability, Choice and Open XML" +[3]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/12/ecma_approves_o.html "Ecma Approves OpenXML Standard" +[4]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/01/more_questons_s.html "More Questions Surround Microsoft's OOXML Format" +[5]: http://www.wired.com/news/technology/software/0,72403-0.html?tw=rss "MS Fights to Own Your Office Docs" + diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/reboot.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/reboot.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1fd951 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/02.12.06/Thu/reboot.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +<img alt="Any_key_3" title="Any_key_3" src="http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/any_key_2.jpg" border="0" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" />The Morning Reboot: + +* Poor Ted Stevens should really think about retiring. The infamous senator-that-thinks-the-internet-is-a-series-of-tubes is now, according to Computer World, [calling on Congress][1] to "ban access to Wikipedia, MySpace, and social networking sites from schools and libraries." The things is that's not quite true, Stevens is supporting a bill whose wording is so poor that it could end up banning Wikipedia, but it doesn't directly go after Wikipedia. However, you can expect every headline on this story to be something along the lines of "Stevens to Ban Wikipedia," since most of the press doesn't really understand the internet any better than Stevens. + +[1]: http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/4598 " U.S. senator: It's time to ban Wikipedia in schools, libraries" + +* Speaking MySpace, a U.S. District Court judge has [dismissed a lawsuit][3] brought against the site by the parents of a girl who was sexually assaulted by someone she met on MySpace. The parents plan to appeal the decision. + +[3]: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=internetNews&storyid=2007-02-15T043644Z_01_WEN4320_RTRUKOC_0_US-NEWSCORP-LAWSUIT.xml&src=rss "MySpace teen suit dismissed by Texas court" + +* The Drug company [Eli Lilly has failed][4] in its attempt to stop other websites from linking to copies of the documents that are damaging to its image. The case, which was seen as test of online free speech, was hailed a victory by the EFF. + +[4]: http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=7769 "Wiki can link to controversial documents, says US judge" + + +* Map geeks rejoice, all those KML files you've been creating are now [searchable in Google Earth][2]. From the Google Maps Blog: "users can now search through all of the world's Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files, making the millions of Google Earth layers on the Web instantly accessible for geobrowsing and exploration." + +[2]: http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/2007/02/search-for-kml-in-google-earth.html " Search for KML in Google Earth"
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