Yesterday I needed to reference the syntax for getting the string representation of a .NET DateTime object in a specific format. Google and MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network)’s own search brought me to this page. This page and the next few I found on the topic where less then helpful. These pages highlight two issues I have with MSDN’s documentation.

First, while MSDN’s documentation is excellent and thorough as an encyclopedic work, it fails as a quick reference. It’s often hard to find the nugget of info you need, especially if you are in a hurry. For example – on the page I reference above – instead of providing some simple examples demonstrating the concept – you need to scroll through about 80 lines of code. I’m happy to do that, but I’d appreciate some quick examples at the top for when I’m in a hurry. It would make my life a little easier.

Second, the default .NET version that MSDN shows documentation for is the latest .NET version, 3.5. I respect Microsoft’s desire to push and promote the latest version of its framework, but not taking developers to the most common – and the version of documentation they are most likely looking for – does not seem the best strategy, or even a good strategy. It’s annoying because it requires extra clicks and effort to get to the version of info you are actually looking for. It’s double annoying because .NET 3.5 is still a new technology and not yet widely adopted; 2.0 seems to the de facto standard.

I think that MSDN will get better in time, especially with the feedback system that was implemented sometime ago. Microsoft seems more open to input these days and I hope the .NET community can encourage MSDN to evolve.

Looks like today at the SXSW conference in Texas the Internet Explorer team made a surprise announcement that IE8 beta 1 is available for public download. Right now.

That’s right, the standards compliant, new version of IE is out for public testing and use as we speak.

I really have to say, over the past few months of reading the Microsoft IE blog I’ve been impressed with their change in attitude. This release of IE8, ahead of schedule just goes to further my appreciation of their new approach regarding developers and users.

I’m also personally excited to see continual development and advancement in the Microsoft browser space. The sooner IE8 goes live via Windows update the better. Hopefully within a year or so IE6 will be a memory of the past and developers can finally start to utilize PNG graphics and advanced CSS to the fullest.

About a month ago I posted a blog about Internet Explorer 8 (which recently passed the Acid 2 web standards test) requiring a special tag to utilize its new web standards rendering method.

In essence, this meant that sites and developers who had been using web standardized code would have to “turn on” standards in IE8 with a specific html META tag. Otherwise IE8 would render exactly like IE7. While this might have helped a few sites maintain backward compatibility, clearly it was not the way to force web developers and users to respect standards and adhere to them.

Case in point: IE’s development team agrees. Internet Explorer 8 will now automatically render sites in “standards mode” without needing to be told to do so. Sites that I built years ago with web standards in mind will finally fully work in Internet Explorer for the first time, this is great news!

I really want to extend my gratitude to Microsoft’s IE team for thinking through this one and listening to the community. It goes to show that things really have taken a change for the better regarding IE. And to be honest, I’m extremely happy that I can give Microsoft a pat on the back for a really trying to do what’s best for their developers and their users.

Good stuff.

Google’s blog hosted a pretty fiery critique of the proposed Microsoft buyout of Yahoo. Particularly focusing on MS’s history with building and promoting proprietary systems in the PC and OS market.

Could Microsoft now attempt to exert the same sort of inappropriate and illegal influence over the Internet that it did with the PC? While the Internet rewards competitive innovation, Microsoft has frequently sought to establish proprietary monopolies…

In essence, Google is concerned that MS’s monopolistic tendencies and proprietary history will lead them to stifle innovation on the internet. Potentially suffocating the openness of today’s web and in the process hurting users.

However, I feel that a number of Google’s concerns aren’t completely valid. First off, Microsoft has shown a somewhat surprising trend towards standards in recent history. The passing of the Acid test for IE8 is just one example. Another is their documentation and developer support, the MSDN is surprisingly full of information for people looking to work with Microsoft applications. In fact, Imulus’ web development is primarily based around the .NET framework, even though every person in the office owns a Mac.

The truth is Google actually has a pretty big monopoly in certain areas of the web (advertising). And they are constantly making acquisitions (jaiku, you tube, double click, android) that give them a stronger fist. And while Google does seem, for the most part, to be committed to their “don’t be evil” slogan they are by no means a white light in the sky.

Now, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a huge fan of Google, I am. In fact, I use almost every service they offer and I respect their dedication to multiple platforms and browsers. Not to mention their documentation and support for google product API’s.

Still, I think their bold criticism of the Microsoft/Yahoo bid is a bit out of line. Especially considering how different Yahoo’s culture is from Microsoft’s. If anything, MS being interested in purchasing a company that runs on open source programming (mainly PHP) and hosting (RedHat linux) is a refreshing thought. I mean, if MS did acquire Yahoo are they really going to reprogram every app to be in .NET? Doubtful. If anything it seems that MS would have to embrace an even more open culture than they already do.

I haven’t quite made up my mind on whether I’m a fan of a MS/Yahoo deal or not, but I definitely think it deserves a fairer shake than Google is giving it.

After a baby and the office moving I’ve finally had sometime to get back to postings. My latest favorite software is Mozy (www.mozy.com), a online backup service for both Windows and OSX. I stumbled on it while searching for a OSX version of Carbonite, the popular Windows online backup service.

The best part about Mozy is they give you 2GB of FREE backups to start with. After the 2GB if you want more space it is unlimited at $5 per month.

I highly recommend it for users that don’t usually backup their files. Mozy runs in the background and can do it’s job without user interaction. My 70 yr old mother has it running on her MacBook backing up family pictures. If she can do it, so can you!