Viral just pointed this out to our team….It’s an article from PC World that highlights 5 web services that you might not necessarily know about but should do – not just because of what they can do but the fact that they are free: 1) Windows Live SkyDrive – 25GB of online storage 2) Windows Live Sync...

Photosynth is ready to use! We announced the general availability on the 21 st August. Photosynth, a new technology from Microsoft Live Labs, transforms your digital photos of a location or object into a three-dimensional, 360-degree experience. How Does Photosynth Work? Depending on the size of the...

I mentioned Live Mesh in the TechNet newsletter a few weeks ago, and it seemed to go down a storm. Basically it means that you can easily share content between all of your devices so you aren't so tied to a certain machine for document or information. Overnight I received an email to confirm that it...

I LOVE THIS!!! You can make a mini you and then use it on your live messenger. Here is my attempt at an impression of me - I won't share what my angry face looks like!!

The US team have set up a series to showcase the latest and greatest cool stuff coming ot of Microsoft. The first in the series covered World Wide Telescope. You can view the full session here: http://on10.net/blogs/nic/Back-Channel-Event-World-Wide-Telescope-PM-Session/

What does WWT stand for I hear you ask? Well if it were for my reaction then it would be Wow Wow Treble Wow. Really is stands for WorldWide Telescope which is a Web 2.0 visualisation software environment that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope—bringing together imagery from the...

Until 20th July, we're giving away a £2000 prize package every week comprising a new Dell laptop, a complete makeover for your website and over £500 in cash To enter the prize draw, just click on http://smallbusiness.officelive.com/uk/sos and follow the instructions

Totally agree with Steve C that the best TV advert around at the moment has Brains from the Thunderbirds dancing to "Rhythm is a Dancer" I wish water had that affect on me!!!! You can watch it in full here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e2aRDacKANs&eurl=http://blendingthemix.com/2008/05/15/social...

Monday was an exciting day for Xobni. After seven months of invite-only beta, they announced that Xobni is now publicly available for anyone to download. If you need to download Xobni, download it instantly here: http://www.xobni.com/download You can read more about Xobni's launch in the New York Times...

I have been resisting this for a little while but was finally convinced by Gareth, the Windows Server product manager. Xobni is positioned as an add-in to Outlook that helps organise your flooded inbox. I wasn't convinced until I actually used it. Yes it helps me find the latest conversations by...

Microsoft’s new Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 delivers cutting-edge performance, comfort and style to almost any computer. Inspired by Windows Aero™, this elegant keyboard features a smoked translucent border, floating ‘My Favourites’ keys and an ultra-thin Comfort Curve layout which encourages more natural...

I think it was the crazy time that I woke up on Saturday night to watch the Calzaghe fight (3am) but as predicted, I couldn't get straight back to sleep and found myself back watching the OCC...not the cheesey teen drama but the Teutul family and their quest to build AMAZING individual chopper bikes...

We have just managed to convince all the powers-that-be that staff should also qualify for the Ultimate Steal . Until today, if members of staff in your college wanted a copy of Office, they could either buy the "Home & Student" version in a shop/online (at about £80-90), or use Home User Rights...

Yesterday was an awesome day for me. It was an incredible sight to see about 3000 IT professionals and developers in the ICC at Birmingham. This was the most ambitious launch we have ever tried to pull off, including: 4 tracks, hands-on-labs, sponsor area, ask the expert area, TechNet VIP lounge, Community...

Key announcements: First public beta of Internet Explorer 8. To download Internet Explorer 8 beta 1, developers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/ie8/default.mspx . Silverlight 2 beta available for download; support for mobile devices. Microsoft Silverlight answers...

This is the view from my office window right now. It is actually an amazing red sky but the photo looks like a new dawn is about to be upon us (Reminds me of the Ready for a New day marketing for the Exchange, Vista and Office launch) UPDATE: I loved Susanne's response to this: " You truly...

I blogged a few weeks ago about the theme of the upcoming launch of Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 as "Heroes Happen Here (HHH)". Whilst the actual theory may have a high cheese rating, I really believe in the essence of what it means. HHH is all about recognising the great...

Just when you thought your eyes had finally healed from years of straining to make out pixelated adventure game graphics, Server Quest rolls into your browser like an avalanche of early nineties gaming action. In order to find out, you’ll have to dig deep into your surroundings, solve puzzles, and...

Hat tip to James for writing about this. James did a great demo of Virtual Earth at the Vista After Hours events, including how to navigate it using an Xbox 360 Controller James points out that over Christmas, Reading was added to 3D and I was amazed at the clarity of the image of the Microsoft Reading...

I have worked on a few launches at Microsoft now and I have to say that I am really impressed with the thinking they have put behind the creative ideas for the launch of Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 & Visual Studio 2008. One top thing is the Heroes Happen Here online comic. Imagine a daily...

I just had a nice coffee catch up with Eileen to talk about TechNet and things, and as we were walking into building 2 of Thames Valley Park in Reading we saw the Windows Vista Showcase room. Now I will admit that the room has been there for months, but somehow we have just never had the time to go...

I have to admit that I hadn't given this product much time, but at a company conference last week, Bill Gates demoed Microsoft Surface and as cheesy as it sounds, all I could say was "WOW WEE" Think Tom Cruise in Minority report.....I watched in amazement as Bill looked at a screen and was dragging...