From: mini-microsoft Achieving Senior Level 63 at Microsoft

"... Aspects of an L63 Contributor: some random aspects that come to my mind beyond our CSPs:

• They can own a room: they aren't warming a seat but rather can take charge of a conversation and represent such a deep level of knowledge that they gain respect for what they say and earn a good reputation. Their focus stays on accountable results and this person can bring resolution and closure together.
• Expert: They are sought after to be in meetings, for instance, so that good decisions can be made.
• Results-focused: they are focused on getting great results and don't entwine their ego to particular solutions. They don't get defensive if their ideas are revealed to have flaws but rather delight in being able to move to a better solution.
• Leadership: pro-active leadership that convinces team members of the future direction and even helps to implement it. This is a big difference between those who can complain about the way things should be and those you can actually bring it about.
• Solutions, not problems: following up on the above, they aren't complaining about problems on the team but rather implementing and driving solutions.
• Makes other great: the team benefits and grows from the person's contributions. Answers questions from the team, from support, from customers. Knows what the team delivers backwards and forwards. They are a good mentor.
• Influence when they can, scare when they must: they have fundamental skills in influencing people, but if they need to flip into junk-yard dog mode, they can. They don't give up and walk away but rather fight when they need to fight, escalating only when needed and with lots of justification.
• Makes the boss great: if the team and your boss are succeeding because of you, of course you'll be succeeding too.
• Not doing it for the promotion: if you're out for a promotion, don't do work specifically chose to get the promotion. This is like meeting the Buddha on the road. If you come up with a pretty plan to justify your promotion, you've already lost it. Such plotting is obvious and actually detrimental to your career. If, however, you've determined what it takes to have a successful career in your group at Microsoft and have started what you need to start and stopped what you need to stop, then you're on the right path."

1. My life photos - you know, parties, kids, casual photos... for that, I need to be able to share, tag people, and generally quick and dirty way to get my friends to notice them. I have been using a mix of flickr/facebook/spaces for that purposes to different degree of success.
2. My more "artistic" photos - things that you tend to only show it off to stock photo agency... clients, people who want you to take their family portraits but want to see some of your work first...

I don't want to use the same solution for 1 and 2. And for 2, I don't want to spend any money into web hosting or storage when I may have already spent $$ on things like flickr. However I do want to separate the two "lives", as you may put it - I definitely don't want my potential customers to see all my friends contact or party photos, for example.

Over some causal conversation, my friend in the photography business mention www.photoshop.com (since I am already a user of Photoshop), and so just for kicks, I log into www.photoshop.com and see what I can do online.

The general UI seem easy enough. An the ability to import images from sites like facebook and flickr is a plus. The good thing is that when they say "import", it is not really a one time import. For example, they actually directly log into my designated Flickr account and browse into all my photos (over 2000 of them) with pretty good performance.

I can edit those photos while they are in flickr (the functionality for editing is pretty rich... as expected of Photoshop) and if I so inclined, I can drag them to photoshop album and show off that way.

Once I have an album in Photoshop.com, I can choose to turn on/off feature such as ability to download/print photos, who can see them, and add caption or comments. I can choose to send a gallery style link to people (e.g. http://www.photoshop.com/user/ericlam/?galleryid=acda5d6b36244221ae12af0d9326659a&trackingid=BTAGC&wf=share) or embed a simple gallery in any sites (like this blog) – a sample can be seen below.

Plus:

I was fully expecting new camera in the form of a "more affordable full frame" DSLR to come out from all the major DSLR player this year, so you can imagine how disappointed I was when Canon push out the entry level (EOS 1000D) instead. Having to use the 40D for a year now, I was very much waiting for the 5D replacement.

Then not long ago Nikon heard the hungry thoughts of mine and so many others and announced the D700. The feature set is impressive for the price of US$3000 (I am just quoting the ones that I am interested in):

• 12.1 full frame sensor
• Image sensor cleaning (finally on a full frame!)
• support for DX lenses as well.
• 51 point focusing sensor
• HDMI output (not sure if anyone really uses that? might be handy if you use computer software to trigger camera?)
• Live View
• Active D-Lighting
• Magnesium alloy body
• Improve info display (I never like the one on D3)

One might ask: why on earth am I so excited about Nikon when I am using Canon? the short answer is that I think this might be a wake up call for Canon for ignoring the middle tier for a long time. The long answer logic is more like:

• Now Canon will have to annouce a replace for 5D that at least better be better than Nikon feature-wise
• If I ever upgrade a 40D, the jump has to be towards a 5D-ish camera (I am not realy that pro to go for a D3 or a 1D Mark whatever) 
• I do not own any L Lens. I knew a L lens is more a waste on crop sensor and I knew full frame DSLR battle is far from over to warrent me to be "loyal" to a brand in the lens department. This recent development proves my point.
• The jump from 40D category to full frame is big enough that personally I am willing to start my lens collection fresh (I only has like 3 Canon lens that can always be useful on a 40D).
• The price point of D700 is at a sweet spot for me. $3000 is ok as long as I take photgraphy semi-seriously. (and price comes down 1-2 years down the road if I dream a little). So if Canon still being lazy of their 5D replacement doesn't live up, I can really consider to switch.

Either way, I think the ultimate winner is consumer like me.

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Nikon D700 plus hands-on preview: Digital Photography Review

Perhaps the worst kept secret of any recent announcement Nikon has now officially revealed the compact, professional, twelve megapixel, full-frame (FX format) Nikon D700. From the outside the D700 is virtually identical to the D300, albeit for its larger 'full frame' viewfinder, internally it's almost identical to the D3, except for a slightly slower shutter (five frames per second up to eight frames per second with the MB-D10 battery grip). By comparison it also includes several function improvements over the D3 including Image Sensor cleaning ('sensor shake'), more flexible 'hard button' programming, virtual horizon in Live View and different DX mode indication on the focusing screen. The D700 also becomes the first professional Nikon DSLR to sport a built-in flash. As far as competition is concerned the D700 really only faces the Canon EOS 5D (and any replacement that may be in the works). On sale in July for US$2999 or €2599 body only. We've had a D700 for a few days now, just enough time to produce a detailed hands-on preview. Click here for our detailed hands-on preview of the Nikon D700 (comparison, specs, design, operation, displays and menus)

An interesting look at the BillG that is closer to what I remember of him than what peopel ususally say on the web. 

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How Hard Could it Be?: Glory Days - Bill Gates - working for Microsoft
How Hard Could it Be?: Glory DaysAs Bill Gates retires, our columnist recalls what it was like to work for the world's most successful entrepreneur

"... What did I take from all this? Bill Gates was amazingly technical, and he knew more about the details of his company's software than most of the people who worked on those details day in and day out. He understood Variants and COM objects and IDispatch and why Automation is different than vtables -- and why this might lead to dual interfaces. He worried about date and time functions. He didn't meddle in software if he trusted the people who were working on it, but you couldn't bullshit him for a minute because he was a programmer. A real, actual programmer.

... Over the years, of course, Microsoft got big, Bill got overextended, and the company's strategy put it at odds with the U.S. government. Steve Ballmer -- who was not a programmer -- took over as CEO, on the theory that this would allow Bill to spend more time doing what he does best: running software development. But that didn't seem to fix the problems that came with those 11 layers of management, a culture of perpetual, permanent meetings, and a stubborn insistence on creating every possible product no matter what. How many billions of dollars has Microsoft expended on research-and-development costs, legal fees, and damage to reputation, because it simply had to bring to market a free Web browser? ..."

Perhaps a little too blunt  for some to hear it... but IMO it is not too far from the truth. At the very least living in US for 6 years, I certainly see some of the American Idealism myself. However it is interesting to notice that American themselves are starting to realize that they are no longer "the boss" in this new age... and the truth is that no one is "the boss" anymore (or... until another world war decide who the new "boss" should be).

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'What Do You Really Want From Us?'

Sunday, May 18, 2008;

This poem appeared on the Internet in March and has since gone viral, popping up on thousands of blogs and Web sites, in both English and Chinese. Its authorship could not be confirmed.

When we were the Sick Man of Asia,We were called the Yellow Peril.
When we are billed as the next Superpower, we are called The Threat.
When we closed our doors, you launched the Opium War to open our markets.
When we embraced free trade, you blamed us for stealing your jobs.
When we were falling apart, you marched in your troops and demanded your fair share.
When we tried to put the broken pieces back together again, Free Tibet, you screamed. It was an Invasion!
When we tried communism, you hated us for being communist.
When we embraced capitalism, you hated us for being capitalist.
When we had a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.
When we tried limiting our numbers, you said we abused human rights.
When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.
When we lend you cash, you blame us for your national debts.
When we build our industries, you call us polluters.
When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.
When we buy oil, you call it exploitation and genocide.
When you go to war for oil, you call it liberation.
When we were lost in chaos, you demanded the rule of law.
When we uphold law and order against violence, you call it a violation of human rights.
When we were silent, you said you wanted us to have free speech.
When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed xenophobes.

Why do you hate us so much? we asked.
No, you answered, we don't hate you.
We don't hate you either,
But do you understand us?
Of course we do, you said,
We have AFP, CNN and BBC. . . .
What do you really want from us?
Think hard first, then answer . . .
Because you only get so many chances.

Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for This One World.
We want One World, One Dream, and Peace on Earth.
This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us.

The police speak through the interpreter, with the impatience of authority. “The conductor asked this man three times to discontinue. We must remove him from the train.” The traveler hears the translation, is befuddled. Hidden beneath the commotion is a cross-cultural drama. With the appearance of police officers, this quiet visitor is embarrassed to find he is the center of attention. The officers explain, “After we remove him from the train, when we are through our investigation, we will put him on the next train.” The woman translates. The passenger replies, “I’m meeting relatives in Boston. They cannot be reached by phone. They expect me and will be worried when I do not arrive on schedule.” “Our task,” the police repeat, "is to remove you from this train. If necessary, we will do so by force. After we have finished the investigation, we’ll put you on another train.” The woman translates. The traveler gathers his belongings and departs.
(Full link here: Every day diplomacy from Episcopal Cafe)

Out of all the craziness, it is always a lovely thing to be able to get away from it all and catch a movie. Against the odds, I acutally find that "Music & Lyrics" is a nice surprise.

I though it would be a typical love story with a little "Notting Hill" comedy. Well... it is ... but also with a bit of depth into the script and character conversations... and overall, it shows the care and passion into making this movie.

Not going to be a movie critic and explain how good I felt about the movie... but this particular line stuck in my head long after the movie...  it's something like:

  "Music is like when you first date someone,
you fell for the chemistry, the exterior, the feel of romance...
But once you know that person more, the personality,
then it's where the Lyrics comes in".

Not a bad way to describe the relationships actually. Anyway... it is one of those funny movie that you will feel nice and warm with a smile on your face when you leave the cinema...

Give a big piece of digital paper (circular for that matter), and all the painter you can find... (the interenet community seem to be the right start)... this is how the painting can evolve...

http://www.drawball.com/playback.php

If you want to draw too, visit www.drawball.com

Another one of the concept application similar to the previous multi-touch display... I think they share some of the UI interaction concepts.

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BumpTop 3D Desktop


BumpTop公司3D桌面概念影片

About time.... that's all I can think of. 

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There are now 3 ways to post videos to your Space

Many of you have asked us how you can post videos on your Space.   We wanted to let you know that as of the last release, there are now three ways to post videos on Spaces depending on how you want to present the videos.  You can get information below as well as on the Spaces Video information page.

... (refer to actual post for details)

 在一個很忙碌的早上，大約是8:30，
一個大約八十歲的老人家，
想找一個醫生幫他拆線。 
他很趕，但醫生正在幫人做手術，
所以他一直在等，不停地看錶。
當時這個護士自己不是太忙，
看著老人家好像很趕似的，
自己又沒什麼好做，好吧!讓我來幫他拆線吧！

我叫那個阿公先坐下，
然後我再把傷口上的布一層一層地拆下，
一邊拆一邊和那個伯伯閒聊。
護士小姐特然好奇地問：〔為什麼你這麼趕？〕

老人家說：〔是呀！因為我約了人9:00，真不好意思，麻煩了你！〕

護士好奇的想：

〔八十多歲的老人家應該不用上班的了，
什麼事情讓他那麼趕呢？〕

老人家說：〔是呀…是呀…我要趕去老人療養院陪我的老婆吃早餐。〕

護士小姐就更加好奇：〔啊呀！原來入了療養院啊！沒有什麼嘛？〕

老人家答：〔啊！沒事了，柏金遜症罷了，都好一段日子的了。〕

護士小姐幫他拆好了線，看一看錶：〔哎呀！你會遲到，怕不怕你的太太會擔心你呀？〕

老人說：〔不會，這五年來她都不認得我了，我去不去，其實她都不知道。〕

護士小姐很好奇地問：〔她已經不認得你五年之久啦！？你還每朝早去？〕

老人笑笑口，拍拍護士的手說：〔她不認得我，但我認得她，那就可以了。〕

跟著他就慢慢轉身走了。 

護士看著他的背影，眼淚慢慢地落下來了。 她自己想：這就是我需要的愛情。

真正的愛情不只是身體上，不只是講浪漫氣氛；
真正的愛情是接受，接受以前的對方，現在的對方和將來的對方．

無論他以前是怎樣，現在或將來是怎樣，快樂的人不一定要最好的．
快樂的人是把他所有的都看成最好的。

A discussion in an internal company alias about multi-touch display technology "sparked my imagination" (read: day dreaming) that one day I can use these to "help" (read: waste money upon) my photography hobby... lol

What get shown to public is just a tip of an iceberg... from what I know, this is much more real (closer to reality) and affordable than one might think :)

It reminded me why I chose IT as a career... I am a tech junkie :P