Windows Installer Appears Every Time I Start an Application


I've run into this more than once, here is a an "unsupported" work around. Annoyances.org is a repository of such things...

Thanks to Tristan of ProFox.

Construx: Construx Estimate

"Construx Estimate contributes to project success by helping improve your software estimation capabilities. Estimate leverages a blend of proven estimation models to predict effort, budget, and schedule for your project based on size estimates. Estimate comes calibrated with industry data, but is most powerful when calibrated with your organization's data.
As part of our mission to advance the art and science of commercial software engineering, we provide Construx Estimate™ version 2.0 free of charge with a limited license."

Construx is the group that Steve McConnell (of Code Complete) runs. Great book, interesting tool. Thanks Boudewijn Lutgerink.

Firefox Extensions

Everybody knows how cool FireFox is... I've been addicted to tabbed browsing since Mozilla first introduced it. FireFox doesn't stop at just the browser... check out the extentions!

First -- if you love tabbed browsing, check out the Tabbrowswer Extentions. Great control over how tabs load and save. You can have all tabs come back up after a crash or even shutdown...

BlogThis! is like the Blogger link you get in the Google Toolbar...

FlashGot lets you pull down multiple files from a webpage in one move...

FoxyTunes lets you control Media Player, WinAmp, REAL, etc from a small controller in the browser status bar...

Oh... and a native behavior for FireFox... if you are on a site that supports RSS feeds, you should see a small orange icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Click on it, and you'll create a bookmark that pulls the RSS feeds. Save the bookmark under the BookMarks ToolBar Folder and when you click on the link, you'll see the last several feeds from the site... too cool!

-dta

Toad® for SQL Server

"Toad® for SQL Server is a freeware tool that improves the productivity of developers and administrators by providing an easy-to-use development environment for T-SQL code."

Been around for awhile, this is a great tool -- a must for SQL Server DBA's and developers. Stored procedure version control, lots of automation...

Fully functional 60 day eval version available under Software Downloads.

Who wants to be the Next Top Model?

Business Model Generator

"This is a free service provided by a research group of volunteers from the Sprott School of Business and Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

We believe that sound business models are an essential, even fundamental, building block for new and established enterprises. For startups, a good business model can mean that the harder you work, the more money your enterprise will make, an obviously important consideration for new entrepreneurs. For existing businesses, even mega corporations, they need to continually update and revisit their business models to ensure that they are changing and responding to evolving conditions in their marketplaces."

Visual FoxPro 9.0: Still Here, Still Relevant

An OpEd piece I did for DevX.com.

I tried to provide managers a reason to give respect where it's due, and VFP die hards a reality check.

I was late getting it in, so I didn't get a chance to see the final before it went up, so there are a few errata.

If they don't get fixed, I'll post a follow-up here.

-dta

FlashPost

So the last month or so has looked like completing the contract testing gig with the Visual FoxPro team at Microsoft, restarting Alden Anderson (note to self: get a designer), speaking at DevCon, writing these articles and working at DevConnections and trying to restart this cranky Seattle Visual FoxPro Special Interest Group... which really, really needs a better name. ;)

Sorry I've been light on the posts, emails and phone-calls.