I have been using the Enterprise Architect tool from sparx systems for last 4+ years for UML based design. Every time I start a new architect role, I used to check with the team which UML tool they are familiar with, so that we can communicate the design to the team more effectively. I am sure, all of us would like to use our favorite tool, if the organization don’t have standards related to design.

Here in my new organization, colleagues use different tools like Rational Rose, StarUML, Visio etc. We will be doing most of the developments in Visual Studio 2005/2008 and C++ or C#. I have worked with Rational Rose, Enterprise Architect, Visio, Raphsody, Rational XDE etc, and I did some research on UML tools available in market. Read more »

Google has launched the Android Developer Challenge, which will provide $10 million in awards for great mobile apps built on the Android platform.

The award money will be distributed equally between two Android Developer Challenges:

• Android Developer Challenge I: Google will accept submissions from January 2 through March 3, 2008
• Android Developer Challenge II: This part will launch after the first handsets built on the platform become available in the second half of 2008

In the Android Developer Challenge I, the 50 most promising entries received by March 3 will each receive a $25,000 award to fund further development. Those selected will then be eligible for even greater recognition via ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards.

What is Android ?

Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. This early look at the Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.

Features

• Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components
• Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices
• Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine
• Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)
• SQLite for structured data storage
• Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF)
• GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)
• Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent)
• Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent)
• Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE

Android will ship with a set of core applications including an email client, SMS program, calendar, maps, browser, contacts, and others. All applications are written using the Java programming language. Read more »

Google today added features for presentations to the Google Docs application. At http://documents.google.com, users can create simple web-based presentations that others can update and view from their own computers, even at the same time. Google Docs is an innovative, web-based platform for creating, sharing, storing, and publishing documents; it now includes capabilities for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Starting today, users can:

• Create and keep presentations in one place on the web that’s accessible anytime, from any Internet connected computer.
• Manage, update and share presentations with colleagues by sending them a simple email invitation.
• Edit together online and in real-time, or contribute at different times to the same presentation on the web.
• Present and control slide shows for all viewers over the web, with no special setup required. Chat with viewers in real-time via integrated chat.
• Import existing presentations to get started quickly.
• Quickly publish presentations to the general public or individuals of their choice.

Now back to the question “Is it PowerPoint killer?” Read more »

Nokia and Microsoft Corp. have joined together to provide customers with a new suite of Windows Live™ services specifically designed for Nokia devices.

Nokia customers in 11 countries with compatible S60 devices can download the new suite enabling access to Windows Live Hotmail^®, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live Spaces. Starting next year, customers who purchase compatible Nokia Series 40 handsets will also have access to these popular Windows Live services.

Nokia customers who own the Nokia N73, N80 Internet Edition, N95, N76 and the N93i can get the Windows Live services via the Download! application in the following countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Read more »

Bangalore, officially known as Bengalooru, is one of the most hip and happening cities in India and also a major center of the I.T. industry. Bangalore is situated in the southeast of the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is positioned at 12.97° N 77.56° E and covers an area of 741 km² (286 mi²). Read more »

Currently I am enjoying my vacation at my native place in Kannur, Kerala which is 330km away from Bangalore (where I work). Internet is bread & butter for any IT professional, hence I thought of enabling GPRS before leaving Bangalore city. Now I have the internet access in my laptop which is shared via bluetooth from my Sony Ericsson handset. I had faced some issues while configuring the internet & GPRS, hence I thought of sharing my experience (through my airtel GPRS connection)

• Call 121 from your post paid Airtel phone and select the option for GPRS and talk to the customer service executive.
• You have to send an SMS to activate the GPRS. Customer service team will assist you. I have selected 140 Rs (weekly unlimted) plan.
• Airtel will send the settings required for your handset and you have to accept the settings. I couldnt receive the settings from Airtel, still I am not sure the issue. My Sony Ericson handset was not able to receive the settings sent by Airtel.
• If you are able to receive the settings, you are lucky and ready to go. Otherwise do the following configuration in your sony ericson mobile handset.
  • Goto Menu ->Serttings->Connectivity->Internet Settings->Internet Profiles->New Profile
  • Name: MobileOffice, Connect Using->New Account-> GPRS, APN: airtelgprs.com, UserName: <blank>, Password:<blank>
  • Goto Menu ->Internet Service -> Search ->Press Ok for User Name and Password. If you are getting google search page, you are connection is working fine and ready to use from your laptop.
• For connection sharing you can use USB, Bluetooth or infrared. I am using bluetooth now.  To share the connection using bluetooth, you have t0 enable the bluetooth.
  • Goto Menu->Settings->Connectivity->Bluetooth->Turn On
• Now swith on you laptop and enable the bluetooth. You can search for the nearby bluetooth devices (Control Panel -> Bluetooth configuration). You will find your mobile phone under bluetooth list.
• Now add the network connection (Control Panel -> Network connection -> Create a new connection -> Connect to internet -> Setup Manually -> Connect using dial-up ->ISP Name (Airtel) -> Phone number (*99***1#  Or *99***2#) ->  User Name and Password <Blank>
• Enjoy your browsing!!  Similar settings can be configured other mobiles like Nokia, LG , Motorola, Samsung etc.

I had seen MS press release regarding messenger interoperability, but didn’t get a time to test this feature.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., and REDMOND, Wash. — July 12, 2006 — Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: “YHOO”) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: “MSFT”) today will begin limited public beta testing of interoperability between their instant messaging (IM) services that enable users of Windows Live® Messenger, the next generation of MSN® Messenger, and Yahoo!® Messenger with Voice to connect with each other.

Looks cool, Right? Hopefully someone will come-up with a specification (RFC) for messengers, so that all messengers can interact each other. Ofcourse there will be some challenges for voice/webcam/game supports. For end users, it is all about user eXperience.

Yes, there is a relation between DNN and Bangalore real estate We have released a portal based DNN for Bangalore property search.

Free portal for Bangalore Real estate. Options for Buy Sell Lease Rent house flats apartments in Banglore (india),You can search and post for all kind of properties related to Bangalooru (Karnataka). Some of the search options are independent house,duplex,plot,residential,serviced apartments,PG,Paying Guest.

Well, I didnt even think about such a scenario while talking to Trivandrum usergroup members regarding 64 bit Windows. My intention was to help the UG members to prepare for 64 bit migration & development. Is there any one who can help me to migrate (?) to 16 bit:) My requirement was simple (at first). Just to invoke .NET component from third party windows application, which provides some interfaces ( DLLs). I have created a win32 dll, which uses CCW to call managed components. Unfortunately the third pary appplication was not able to detect my 32bit bit dll.

I gave my application exe to my colleague (Depends.exe), he failed to open the same. Third party application is 16-bit:) Now time to search for a 16 bit compiler. Downloaded & Installed Visual C++ 1.52. Thanks to MSDN team since still they keep 16 bit version. I dont know my plans (16 -Bit -> 32 bit -> Managed) will workout. Microsoft says generic thunking will work for NT/2000. Lets see.

I am not sure how many of you know the history of Trivandrum usergroup. We officially started the MSN based Usergroup on 7th Feb 2003. ie about 12600 hours back . At that time we were less than 10 in number but we had some (more than 100) great ideas. The first thing was to setup our own web site. But for what ? We could have discuss techie stuffs during our evening tea or in MSN chat room itself, since we are less than 10. So we kept that as a low priority. We managed the UG meetings info, mailing list etc using MSN group. We were growing while(1){members++; }

Hope you know our Band-Width-Seeker (Nish) who represents the low bandwidth community. Low b/w Community means the one who cant load the MSN Group messageboard Nish registered a new mailing group in yahoo.

Due to mail deliver delays/instability we are now going to be using a new YahooGroup mailing list for all threads and discussions. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trivandrumusergroup

Now we have 500+ members in MSN and 150+ in Yahoo. Now we are big. Much greater than 10:) We have a core committe, good library, recognition and great support from all. So we registered a new domain www.t-mug.org as a non-profitable organization. Site is still under construction. Expecting your co-operation and wishes to T-Muggers.