I'm attempting to make 64-bit Windows Vista by primary OS, now that I have the RTM build, at last (thanks Microsoft)! As I march though the tedious process of installing all my critical apps, I have encountered very few Vista-related compatibility issues. Unfortunately, I have discovered quite a few x64-related issues (I never tried XP x64). Here's my wish list of software that will hopefully be updated with Vista x64 support in the near future:

• Real Rhapsody. For now, I'm using the web version. The first PlaysForSure-compatible music subscription service that I find with x64 support gets my business! ETA: ?
• Windows OneCare Live. ETA: ?
• VMware Player or Workstation. My home Domain Controller (yes, I know I'm crazy) boots, but can't get bridged network access. ETA: whenever Workstation 6 (currently in beta) is released.

I'll update the list if I find any more issue (hopefully not).

I've never liked to use Java applications. They're notoriously slow and often have inconsistent user interfaces. But I never realized just how dangerous Java can be, until today. I was cleaning out a shelf of old software manuals and came across the EULA for Microsoft Works 4.5a. Just as I tossed it towards the trash I happened to notice the word Java out of the corner of my eye. Curious as to what an old release of Microsoft Works had to do with Java, I picked it up and read this hilarious disclaimer:

8. Note On JAVA Support. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT may contain support for programs written in JAVA. JAVA TECHNOLOGY IS NOT FAULT TOLERANT AND IS NOT DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED, OR INTENDED FOR USE OR RESALE AS ON-LINE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, DIRECT LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES, OR WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF JAVA TECHNOLOGY COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

Note to self: Remember not to use Microsoft Works 4.5a to write a Java life support system or nuclear reactor controller.

It seems like the typical reaction to Coca-Cola’s initial announcement of their new coke-coffee hybrid beverage was, “ho-hum, this idea has failed several times before.” So, without expecting too much, I decided to give it a try, and…..

I think they succeeded this time! At least in the sense that the taste is good. It’s not bitter or too sweet, and not so creamy that you can’t taste the coffee. I think Coca-Cola Blak is a winner because it is definitely more Coke than coffee. If you were to drink an unmarked, un-branded glass of Blak, you would immediately think Coke, not coffee or even Pepsi. After that you will sense the coffee flavor. Unfortunately, after you swallow you will also detect the stinging artificial-sugar/diet/Splenda-esque aftertaste. However, it’s not so bad that it ruins the taste, since the drink contains an equal amount of both artificial and traditional sweeteners. Overall, the taste is pleasant.

The real question is whether enough people will try Blak to give it even a chance of remaining on the market. It helps that the packaging doesn’t call out the fact that it is a coffee-based beverage, which might have turned away many customers who have disliked previous attempts in this area. I certainly hope Blak is here to stay.

Mike Zintel from the .NET Compact Framework team this week made an excellent post to his blog containing some Microsoft history, some code, and some hints of things to come (my favorite combination!). Apparently there is some exciting work going on involving running .NET on, lo and behold, the Xbox 360:

I know that my team and the XNA team within Xbox, have been burning the midnight oil to allow us to demonstrate the feasibility of games written in managed code running on a .NET CLR on a final 360 dev kit. And I know that we’ve demonstrated the same game binary (almost the same; oh so close) running on the 360 kit, Windows and on Windows Mobile.

In HD.
Fast.
Stay tuned.

I'm trying not to get too worked up about running my apps on a quiet, slim $299 appliance because I know that even if this does eventually see the light of day, I'm sure the licensing and royalties process that exists for games would still apply for other applications. In other words, the average Officer Joe is not going to be able to hit Ctrl+Shift+B in VS and then xcopy to a non-devkit 360.

Still, it would be nice to be able to run .NET Reflector on Halo 3 ;)

Have you heard about TextPayMe yet? It's a secure online payment service similar to PayPal which allows you to instantly send and receive money to anyone. You just send a text message from your cell phone to a special five digit number like so:

12543 amount recipient
example: 12543 15 503-123-4567

The person receiving the money can get it sent to them by check, transferred to a bank account, or they can send it as payments to their friends.

The neat thing about it is that for a limited time new users get:
- $5 deposited into your account free just for signing up. You can send this money to anyone right away.
- Refer 36 people to TextPayMe and they will give you an XBOX 360 (Core system).

You don't even need to give out your bank account or credit card number to open an account. If you click the link below to sign up, (takes only about 90 seconds to do it, literally) you get $5 and I will get 1 referral towards my free XBOX.
It's a very easy to use and useful service. Thanks in advance to anyone who signs up through my blog!