So, what is Microsoft up to nowadays?  No, not the bid to buy Yahoo.  It seems it is creating a new programming language code-named “D”.  “D” will be a declarative language - it describes what something is like, rather than how to create it.  Examples of declarative languages are markup languages like HTML, XML and to some degree Flex’s MXML.  It really is meant to be used by web developers who are not hardcore programmers.

I have no idea why we will need this language but I can’t wait to use “Z”.

So, you just bought a new desktop or laptop and it came pre-installed with Windows Vista. You decided to maintain a blog and you would like to customize its theme. You know that customizing a theme is tedious so you decide to setup a local version of your blog. You download the Windows version of Apache, MySQL and PHP. Problem is, with the supposedly more secure Vista system, you can’t make some of them to work with the other.

I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I’ve experienced this. Using the ever trusted Google, I found this. It’s very neat - it has a video of how to install Apache, MySQL and PHP on Vista.

How ironic is it that the man who probably made the phrase “open source” cool doesn’t even use a mobile phone? Does he really have a world of his own or is he just trying to invent a new way of being hip.

Do you have Linux on your mobile phone?

I don’t even have a mobile phone! I hate phones in general because I’m the kind of person that when I work I want to concentrate on my work and if somebody calls me that completely destroys my concentration. I hate phones because they just disturb you, and mobile phones are even worse because you have them with you all the time, so I don’t do mobile phones at all. I have one of the early Linux mobile phones in my workroom because I got it for free, but its not turned on. I have Linux on all my machines but not on any phones.

The full interview can be read here.

With the advent of information technology, multi-tasking has been a very abused word - writing code while managing a project, working on 2 or n different complex tasks at a time (and your boss expects both tasks to be accomplished the same day), chatting while working, etc.  Studies show that multi-taskers are probably doing a lousy job if they’re trying to do more than four things at once.  By the way, this looks like the story of my professional life, except for the chatting part of course.  Read this:

Researchers at the University of Oregon have concluded that the human brain has a built-in limit on the number of discrete thoughts it can entertain at one time. The limit for most individuals is four, according to the research team led by University of Oregon psychology professors Edward Awh and Edward Vogel.

The multitasking cap is not affected by the complexity of one’s thoughts. Surprisingly, as many complex concepts can be retained in short-term memory as simple thoughts, the researchers found.

They said that people with high IQs can think about more things at once but that doesn’t mean they have easier time passing tests or having successful jobs.  They can store more memory but not necessarily that clear.  I’m trying to think of how I can make a parallel example of a computer but… I can’t think clearly while watching the TV.

Google on Monday added three experimental views to its list of possible alternatives to the established vertical list of Web pages delivered as search results. The latest additions, which people are free to try out if they have a Google account, are available through the Google Labs site. The idea behind the experimental search page is to give Google fans a chance to try out the search engine’s newest ideas.

The latest experiments include a “map view” in which locations related to search results are marked on a street map. Users also have the option of viewing the location on a satellite view.

The map view could be helpful, for example, if a person was looking for all the musical performances around town or technology conferences happening in a state. Because traditional results are spread out over many sites and pages, they may be hard to visualize at once, so the map view is aimed at solving that problem by plotting some of the key locations. Read more »

Pingbacks and Trackbacks are really very new to me. I found this site that articulately explains them. However, you know the Net is widely used as much as it is widely abused. I’ve read some posts that say quite a number of sites turn off their trackbacks (am not sure about pingbacks) because they are spam magnets.

Wow, the Net really complicated our already complicated lives, don’t you think?

I guess it’s good news to hear that a number of Filipinos already have the “official” list of bank codes. This gives us a bit more confidence when dealing with PayPal transfers.

Although I am not a big earner in terms of making money out of the Web (in fact, I have yet to earn my first cent), I’m really very happy about this development. About 3 to 4 years ago I had a business idea that revolves around the Net but couldn’t push through with it because I didn’t have the right resources to receive payments. That discouraged my Internet-related business plans altogether.

Now, I can’t wait to earn my first cent.

I think it’s good for tennis that Novak Djokovic won the recent Australian Open. It will build up his confidence and will try to muddle the grip of today’s tennis elites - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Yes, I think there were only two of them for quite some time.

Another pleasant surprise is the rise of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I found him to be impatient (rushes his serves) but strong. I believe his impatience (because of his inexperience) caused his loss. However, I feel in time he can harness his strength to his advantage. Personally, I would like to see the comeback of big servers. I hope Tsonga is one.

Between you and me, I would like Federer’s run of Grand Slam wins end at 13 (alright, maybe just 12). He currently has 12 and Pete Sampras has 14. I only have 2 tennis heroes - Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. I remember the first time I admired Pete. I was in college (90’s) and I went to the library to read some magazines. I was a Popular Mechanics freak then and I saw how this particular article explained scientifically the Sampras serve! No need to say that Pistol Pete won me over. Read more »

I really love this case. It’s a Vanguard Designer case but it seems to be unavailable in the Philippines. Via email, the vendor says this is available in Electroworld stores. I went to Electroworld Park Square and found Vanguard cases for women only. (They look like regular women’s handbags.) Apparently these type (aluminum?) of cases are available only on an order basis. I am having second thoughts ordering since I am not primarily Manila-based.

I love this case because it looks sturdy.  I feel that I can drop it anytime without having to worry about my laptop inside.  Also, I have a fetish for silver, aluminum, chrome and the like.  Moreover, it looks like a gun case or a case that’s full of money (the one you see in movies where the bad guys buy or sell dope).

Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MySQL AB, an open source icon and developer of one of the world’s fastest growing open source databases for approximately $1 billion in total consideration. The acquisition accelerates Sun’s position in enterprise IT to now include the $15 billion database market. Today’s announcement reaffirms Sun’s position as the leading provider of platforms for the Web economy and its role as the largest commercial open source contributor.

Click here for the full article…