Andrew MacNeill - AKSEL Solutions

This is great news! Kevin Ragsdale's Desktop Alerts, which he has showcased in various meetings, is now part of the VFPX project. If you haven't seen it - basically imagine having the Outlook 2003 Desktop alerts within your own FoxPro application. Very cool and an awesome addition! FoxPro VFP

Even though I tried an early beta, I have tried very hard to keep a more "consumer" eye towards Vista as it reaches release. I installed Vista Ultimate on my wife's computer (after upgrading the memory, of course) so I could perhaps get some reaction from someone who is not knee deep in tech talk. Perhaps I was inspired from Robert's comment about the Twit podcast where Paul Thurrott said Vista was changing the way he uses his computer. (maybe he's changed his opinion ) I've read some good (but hey integrating everything you've offered separately can't count as a meaningful upgrade, can it?) But I've also read Chris's posts from back in May about Vista Mistakes and then more . Trish was not impressed with the staid looking task bar (first question: "how do I change the color?" Answer : you really can't) And her overall impression after one week (granted it's early) was: "It's really not that different" (I know...

Check it out today - it's only available for 11 more hours but Giveaway of the Day is promoting novaPDF Printer Lite . One thing you need to remember about Giveaway of the Day - you have to install it as soon as you download it. If you wait too long, the activation code can't be used. Update: This tool doesn't appear to work with Vista. I installed it three times and it crashed the subspooler. It did install great over XP though.

Rick Schummer has a great post in which he discusses some of the new features in the Sedna Data Explorer . I've played just a little with the FoxPro Data Explorer but was always put off by its lack of direct integration features so hearing some of the new features and bug fixes (especially the call to the Upsizing wizard) have intrigued me to take another look. Great stuff!

Boy I wish I could get to this. But even if you can't, it's refreshing to hear a conference organizer comment on why they're extending the deadline and thanking those who did register early. Hmmm...wonder if VFP Solution Explorer will be making an appearance? Craig Bailey's thoughts on life and Visual FoxPro: VFP: New OzFox 2007 site + extended special price

Andy Kramek has a brief but good introduction to why you shouhld consider Design Patterns , not as a bunch of gobbley-gook but as a useful way of dealing with challenges. I'm looking forward to the series...

Why wouldn't MS do an update to the Expression Beta before releasing Office 2007? "EW uses components from Office 2007. As a result the Beta version of EW cannot be installed with the RTM version of Office 2007. It can be installed with Office 2007 Beta 1 TR " That's no answer. But hey, at least an MVP responded (Ron Symonds) - MS didn't. Maybe they'll fix it soon. I have to say - I do like Expression Web Designer - although maybe it's more because my FrontPage was bother me so I thought I would try something for a change. But now it really bothers me because I want to use it but I also want to use Office 2007! Argh! Why bother installing beta software? Install of Expression Web Designer Beta 1 w/ Office 2007 F..