Rob Windsor's Weblog : General

Blog Chain Letter (err... Tag)

windsor — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:13:10 GMT

I don't know if this is the next big blog thing or not but I have been chosen to participate. Through the ether of the blogosphere I have been tagged by D'Arcy Lussier, who was tagged by Matt Ranlett, who was tagged by Brendon Schwartz, who was tagged by Shawn Wildermuth, who didn't wait to get tagged by Jeff Pulver.

According to the storied history of this process I am supposed to tell you five things about myself that you, gentle reader, probably do not know. Mom, this is the point at which you should stop reading this post.

I did not use a computer until my first year of university. I started my post-secondary education looking to be a math teacher and only took a computer course because it was required by all science students. I really enjoyed it and started to tak others as electives. When I didn't get in to teacher's college I switched majors to computer science. The rest, as they say, is history.
I'm a horrible two-finger typist. It's shamefull for someone who's been in the industry for so long but it's true. I hope to one day address this issue. I also hope to one day win the lottery without ever buying tickets.
It takes my a long time to write anything (e.g. email, blog posts, articles, etc.). For example this post will take upwards of an hour. I have been getting better at it and plan to start adding more articles here to continue to improve. Hopefully this will lead to published articles and perhaps a book or two one day.
I'm a pretty decent golfer when I get a chance to play. Right now I'm about a 16 handicap but I can get that down to 11 or 12 if I play every week. A couple years ago I went to four wedges, (PW, 53, 56 and 60) and that has really helped my short game. I rarely have to take a 1/2 or 3/4 swing anymore.
From the chair in my home office and can see nine computers, two TVs, two DVD players, two XBOXes, a VCR, and a digital cable box. I would be embarassed to tell you what's in the other rooms of my home.

There, now you know me like we have been friends forever. You can come by anytime and crash on my couch and I can ask you to lend me some money (please check your email, the request will be arriving shortly).

My last duty, according to the Blog Tag Manifesto, is to tap five more people. I'll start with newly awarded MVP Chris Dufour. Since I picked Chris I'll add his partners in crime at the East of Toronto .NET User Group: Jean-Luc David and Kate Gregory. To finish off the list I'll go with two of my ObjectSharp homies: Barry Gervin and Bruce Johnson.

Blog away!

Microsoft MVP - Year Four

windsor — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:02:00 GMT

I just received the email, I have been awarded as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for another year. It always great to be recognized for your efforts but it feels somewhat strange to be receive an award for something you love to do. Anyway, I'm proud to be included amongst the group of talented and community minded individuals that make up the MVP team.

https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=DB17DD56-DBFF-4992-BD11-9E047D691F2A

Windows Live Writer Test Post

windsor — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 02:12:57 GMT

I just installed Windows Live Writer and I'm using this post to confirm that I set it up correctly.

For more information on Windows Live Writer check out:
http://www.mstechtoday.com/2006/08/13/using-window...

Guess Who's a Star!!!

windsor — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 03:41:00 GMT

That's right be-atch-es. Charles Petzold might not be registered in IMDB but guess who is. Rob Windsor* is on the rocket ship to international stardom - as long as Rob Windsor* is not typecast as the "Sad Man". Someone please get Rob Windsor's* agent on the phone.

* The Rob Windsor mentioned above is not necessarily the same Rob Windsor who authored this post. This post not valid in all states. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

How much is my Blog worth?

windsor — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 12:38:00 GMT

My blog is worth $3,951.78.
How much is your blog worth?

My blog is only worth a measly $3,951.78 - how am I going to retire on that? I guess my Mom has to start getting some of her friends to link to me.

Anti-Bacterial Pen

windsor — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 05:16:00 GMT

This one goes out to Rory Blyth - peace out, my brother.

The Papermate FlexGrip Elite - NOW with Anti-Bacterial pen protection (Anti-Bacterial technology is designed to protect the pen's surface and does not extend protection to skin)

I'm a Movie Star!

windsor — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 06:47:00 GMT

I'm not in a movie you'd go to see at a theatre but I am the star of the .NET Rocks movie. OK, star might not be 100% accurate but I am prominently featured for a frame or two around 1:07:32 into the movie, I’m looking over Julie Lerman’s shoulder while she finishes up talking about handwriting recognition on the Tablet PC. I can’t believe they didn’t ask me to do a photo shoot for the box cover….

Microsoft MVP - Year Two

windsor — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 04:40:00 GMT

I just received the email, I have been awarded MVP status for another year. It always great to be recognized for your efforts but it feels somewhat strange to be receive an award for something you love to do. Anyway, I'm proud to be included amongst the group of talented and community minded individuals that make up the MVP team.

Get a SPOT Watch for $10!

windsor — Thu, 25 Nov 2004 16:18:00 GMT

It sounds too good to be true but Tiger Direct is selling Fossil Abacus Wrist Net watch for $29.97 with a $20 rebate, total cost to you is $9.97. This same watch is selling at Future Shop for $149.99.

[Update: We'll it looks like, for me at least, this was too good to be true. My watch died in it's sleep on Friday night, barely more than 24 hours after I received it. I'm not sure if I'm going to go through the hassle of trying to get a replacement or just eat the fourty bucks (I bought mine pre-rebate).]

[Update #2: I tried to call Tiger Direct's Customer support tonight at 6:35, I got the muzak and the “Your call is important to us...“ message until 7:05 when the phone disconnected. I called back to find out their office hours end at 7:00pm and that they were now closed. I also learned that a watch recently purchased by another Canadian MVP also died within 24 hours, he posted a series of steps on how to give CPR to the watch and potentially revive it but I'm not too optimistic.]

Literacy

windsor — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 01:51:00 GMT

On tonight’s episode of Survivor three people voted for Rory, two of the three misspelled his name.

MSN Web Messenger

windsor — Wed, 22 Sep 2004 20:58:00 GMT

MSN Web Messenger - when only port 80 will do.

This is a cool piece of software. It allows you to use the basic functionality of messenger when you only have access to a browser.

OK, I'm in

windsor — Tue, 13 Apr 2004 14:10:00 GMT

I didn't want to be the only one in town without a blog...

Actually, I really want to start writing some technical articles and perhaps (one day) a book and I thought this would be the best way to dip my toes in the water.

Hopefully I'll think of some really interesting and compelling things to write about and evolve this into a usefull and interesting site. Even if I don't I'm sure my Mom is going to be the only one to read this crap anyway and she'll tell me it's interesting and compelling, right Mom?

Welcome to my blog. Enjoy!