Okay this is a pretty technical post, but it does have an important enterprise implications. The proxy file (convention is to use proxy.pac) is a javascript file that defines how web browsers can automatically choose the appropriate proxy server for fetching a given URL. This is very useful to use in a company where you might have different proxy servers in different geographies and you want the person's web browser to automatically use the right proxy server. The file can also do things like turn off the use of a proxy server if it isn't in the currently used network. This is very useful for laptop users who might use their laptops on a home network at the end of the day. So in summary a proxy.pac file stops you from having to reconfigure proxy settings for your browser every time you change networks.

http://nscsysop.hypermart.net/proxypac.html - good examples on how to write complex proxies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_auto-config - Wikipedia Resource

http://wiki.garylaw.net/doku.php?id=technical:automatic_proxy_configuration – Lots of details and resources here

Some resources regarding the feature list of Visual Studio Orcas:

Microsoft Marketing Material: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700830.aspx

InfoQ round-up, technical focused: http://www.infoq.com/news/2007/03/Orcas-Roundup

Scott Guthries' first look at Orcas Presentation, technical focused:

http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/02/08/my-first-look-at-orcas-presentation.aspx

Orcas Announcement from Microsoft Blogger Somaseger

http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar/archive/2007/04/19/visual-studio-orcas-and-net-fx-3-5-beta1-shipped.aspx

BetaNew Arcticle on Orcas Features, some good semi-technical explanations

http://www.betanews.com/article/Visual_Studio_Orcas_Enters_Beta_1_NET_Framework_35_Released/1177012085

Download the Orcas Betas from Microsoft

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700831.aspx

Thanks to Ric Anderson @ MS for these resources:

Windows Mobile Reference Index

Microsoft Enterprise Platform Group and Partner Support Line

Australia: 02 4221 9780 OR freecall 1800 027 128; New Zealand: Freecall 0800 450888

• For certified partners and Enterprise IT
• SBS set up issues
• End User help
• Connectivity issues
• Not linked into PSS support calls
• Wireless Data Services answering the calls
• Reporting and issue consolidation back to MS

Windows Mobile Homepage

http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windowsmobile
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx

• Local device availability (Australian site)
• White Papers
• Case Studies
• Developer Links

Case Studies

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/business/success/default.mspx

Partner Resources

Windows Mobile Competency Partner certification
https://partner.microsoft.com/msppmobility
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/partners/logon/login.mspx

Partner collateral, logo's and reference information
http://www.windowsmobilepartnershop.com

Application certification (Mobile2Market)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/partners/mobile2market/smartphoneapps/default.aspx

Developer sites

Local Microsoft Developer resource page
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/msdn/tools/msdnflash.aspx

Windows Mobile elearning Training Application Development
https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerPriceId=112167

Windows Mobile elearning Training IT Pro
https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerPriceId=112394

Deploying and maintaining mobile applications
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8a5a43ea-dd75-425b-b05c-1aa3a0e55420&DisplayLang=en

.NET Compact Framework and the Mobile Client Software Factory

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=27fc4663-8661-4760-9993-cde5d27d5fc9&DisplayLang=en

MS Developers Conference 2006 DVD
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=27fc4663-8661-4760-9993-cde5d27d5fc9&DisplayLang=en

BLOGS

• Technology information and tips
• jkruse, dglover and jeffa36 includes local MS information
• Local UMPC info on UberTablet

http://blogs.msdn.com/jasonlan/
http://blogs.technet.com/vik/
http://littlesandpit.blogspot.com/2006/10/direct-push-guide.html
http://jankity.spaces.live.com/
http://blogs.technet.com/jeffa36/
http://blogs.msdn.com/dglover
http://blogs.msdn.com/mikehall/
http://blogs.technet.com/jkruse/default.aspx
http://UberTablet.blogspot.com
http://msgoodies.blogspot.com/2006/12/tip-installing-communicator-mobile.html
http://www.mogadget.com/

VISTA with Windows Mobile Device Centre

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx

• Think ActiveSync for Vista
• NOTE if folks are having trouble syncing after upgrading to Vista check that the Proxy settings are disable on the device in
  start/settings/connections(tab)/connections/proxy

3rd party retail applications

Handango UK – Voice Command 1.6
http://tinyurl.com/3ye4dv

iMate supported software and services
http://www.clubimate.com/

Trend Micro trial software (mobile virus protection)
http://www.trendmicro.com/en/products/mobile/tmms/evaluate/overview.htm

As posted on Eric Newcomer's Weblog, WS-TX 1.1, the group of standards consisting of WS-Coordination, WS-AtomicTransaction and WS-BusinessActivity has now become an OASIS standard.

Looks like Johno and I are probing the same iGoogle/Apple conspiracy theory! My original post is here.

Thanks to Nikolai for this link. On sharetrader.co.nz there is a very interesting debate on the Xero IPO. Find it at this link. Many people taking a wait and see attitude, but also others suggesting the punt is not a bad idea.  I do think however the comments give a clear view of the risk profile of Xero and it's definitely very high. Also very interesting to note is the link to 1stplace, another NZ company offering a web based/SaaS accounting package for the SME area. So there is definitely competition to Xero aside from the traditional accounting software vendors. Also another think to note is that Microsoft currently gives away a free accounting package at www.ideawins.com – okay so it's not focused on NZ, but it appears to do a lot of the basics for free and for a small amount you can upgrade to a pro version.

Very interesting webcast on how SalesForce.com does integration. It's a good example how a SaaS offering like SalesForce.com can provide an effective platform for integration. This is perfect for the majority of business who are contemplating a SaaS offerings but have existing applications to integrate. I found the Google demonstration particularly fascinating - Certainly add more fire to rumours of SalesForce.com and Google moving ahead together. SalesForce.com market cap is 5.6 billion which Google could quite happily buy given the amount of cash they have. However people I've talked to in the know speculate that acquisition is unlikely but partnership is more realistic. Watch that space I say. One last random thought, imagine putting Apple into this mix. The combination of Apple/SalesForce/Google would be a very serious challenge to Microsoft both in the consumer and business spaces. A combination like this would be an end-to-end turnkey platform for both consumers and businesses and in the process a very massive threat to Microsoft...

Good article on Computerworld regarding the architecture aspect of SOA and how it is the most important part. Very interesting article by Galen Gruman.

In this Computerworld article, Provenco moves to SalesForce.com CRM with Fronde as the implementer. Talk about a small world, I've worked for Provenco before when it was called Advantage Group and I've just recently joined Fronde….

I had to wipe the tears of laughter away after reading this one. Apparently apple lost 4 billion worth of market cap in 6 minutes after predictions of iPhone and Leopard delays. Turns out the predictions were in fact based on a bogus internal email.

Now that's capitalism gone bad…

Interesting discussion on NBR regarding Xero's public listing. I'm following Xero very closely to see how the SaaS SME business model works. It's interesting to see that they are going to market to get 18 Million shares for a company that at list date will only have 100 customers. Doing some quick sums at $40 per customer per month - that's annual projected revenues of $48,000 at listing. Clearing it's a bet on the future, definitely not on the "now" of Xero. I can see why some may be cooling about buying into Xero. Xero is a good concept and very interesting idea but will people really want a piece of this given the risk profile? I'm definitely waiting and watching and agree with the market sentiment mentioned in the NBR article.

I guess what worries me about the whole Xero listing is the overhyping…. Many people got burnt in the .COM boom and bust through many other hyped technology startups. Xero could well be different – Rod's experience at the helm will help but I think the market will quickly determine how successful Xero will be.

Interesting to see that Sun has released JavaFX, a framework for quickly building compelling user interfaces quickly for Java Enabled devices and machines. I can definitely see it going head to head against Silverlight.

Absolutely brilliant article by Frank Hayes Framingham over at Computerworld on software commoditization, very rational and very much on the ball. I think I agree with almost all parts of the article, which is very rare for me with a trade article J

Interesting article in Computerworld which states that Microsoft wants the Open Source community to pay royalties for 235 alleged patent violations – many inside Linux and Open Office. Very interesting ploy from Microsoft, I can't say I agree with the tactic as I think it's just going to create more negative publicity for Microsoft and alienate the Open Source community even more…

RIM has finally shown off a plug-in for Visual Studio that allows blackberry device development in the Visual Studio environment. Very nice considering the RIM IDE is complete poos. I definitely commend RIM for targeting VS into the future.

I've posted a new ARCast (Architecture Pod Cast) with John Bernhard, Enterprise Architect of AirNZ on the topic "The role of the Architect to Challenge". Find it at www.arcast.co.nz . I also worked out how to setup a RSS stream for podcasting only, it's added to the navigation links or you can find it here J

Interesting to see the expansion of Datacom with the purchase of Sydney company Relate. Also very interesting to see the "STAR" initiative that will see Datacom's business processes all come online. I can hardly wait for the low cost labour online ordering process :)

Hat tip to Adam G, but this resource is a fantastic mind map of Silverlight resources

Some thought provoking IT Horror stories from CIO magazine.

TIP: For you architects out there looking for independent industry support and certification keep an eye on IASA – an international body who is getting involved in some interesting Architect certifications.

Microsoft has just in the last few days released expression studio. Good news for MSDN subscribers, you also have a copy J. Very pleased to see Microsoft doing that and seeding it amongst the development community.

Okay, you can probably tell that I'm reading Computerworld at the moment, but I find this article from Computerworld funny in a weird way. Is it talking about Software as a Service as the dominant model into the future for software products or is it talking about selling software at low cost with services attached? It almost sounds to me as if the article has got the two confused. Puritanically I see SaaS being a distribution and maintenance mechanism for software, i.e. it's one way to provide a software service but not the only way. Definitely a weird story - this type of press can only service to confuse the whole SaaS issue. Agree? Disagree?

Probably predictable in some sense, but according to this Computerworld article it looks like Microsoft will officially call Longhorn "Windows Server 2007". Hopefully MS ships before the end of the year otherwise it might have to be Windows Server 2008! J

In the last few days Google has renamed its personalized web page offering "iGoogle". An interesting name considering Apple use "i" in all their branding. Out of shear reading between the lines this gets me thinking that Google and Apple might be up to something. I guess someone else is thinking along the same lines…

This very interesting article in Computerworld serves to highlight a critical problem that SaaS faces – in that a small bug can become massive just because of the amount of people that depend on that service.

So last night I ran the Great Fronde ECM event. We had a reasonable turn out of people and the event was a resounding success. One of the proposals I floated with the audience was to setup a vendor-independent, integrator-independent NZ ECM online community and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Another principal here at Fronde will probably end up front and running it with help from me to get it up and running. If you are keen to be part of this community, drop me a line on LUKAS AT FRONDE DOT COM.