Full York

Did you go shopping in York today? You didn't? I'm surprised, because everybody else seemed to be there. I've never seen so many people in a city centre.  It was like being at a very crowded cocktail party, with no food or drink and freezing cold.  I was surprised to see so many out in the midst of the current credit-crunch but it was noticeable that only a few were actually carrying full shopping bags....

I took the little camera, and managed to take some happy snaps.

The Ouse, once the mist had cleared a bit

Coding4Fun Micro Framework Article

Those awfully nice Coding4Fun people have put up a copy of my article about the .NET Micro Framework. This gives a sound, technical, answer to the oft asked question:

"How do I get my christmas tree lights to flash red when Rob makes a new post on his blog?"

You can find out more at: http://blogs.msdn.com/coding4fun/

And ex-Hull student spotters might be able to locate Andy and James in some of the other pictures on these hallowed pages. 

Portable Apps

Peter put me on to this one. It is very useful if you want to carry around your own working environment and use it on any PC that will accept a USB key.

Particularly useful in places like universities, where the machines tend to be somewhat locked down.....

http://portableapps.com/

Turn your Name into a Face

What Rob Miles looks like...

Does exactly what it says on the tin.

http://turnyournameintoaface.com/

Flying Starts for Student Entrepreneurs

If you have a idea you want to turn into a software product and a yen to run your own business on the back of it you may be interested in the new Flying Start program being launched by the NCGE.

The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) is a government funded not-for-profit organisation that works with Higher Education institutions in England to promote entrepreneurship education and to provide business start-up support for students and graduates.  It has teamed up with  Microsoft and Agitavi Research to create a business start-up program for final year students, post-graduates and graduates (of up to 5 years on) who plan to launch a software business based in the UK.

The program begins with a 3 day residential course held at Wokefield Manor in Reading, on 16, 17 and 18 December 2008. Fees, accommodation and subsistence for all 3 days are included. If you are starting (or have just started) a software business and you want some professional support (and some free food) then it is well worth a look.

http://www.flyingstartonline.com/fsprogrammes/upcoming/