Entries for Long Zheng

The Real Live Search [The Real Live Search]

Long Zheng — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:13:17 GMT

What do you guys think?

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090821/the-real-live-search-bing-api-experiment/ :)

My idea: file distribution reimagined [My idea: file distribution reimagined]

Long Zheng — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:06:09 GMT

So I've been tweeting about a new idea I had and finally got around to writing about it in great detail. I've since posted it on my blog for public review. Obviously there's a lot of smart (and smarter than myself) fellows here so I'd really appreciate it if any of you could help me by taking a look.

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090710/reimagining-file-distribution-universal-downloads/

While I'm here, would also like to thank Sven Groot who helped me validate and redefine the idea. :)

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Windows 7 Search Federation & Flickr Search Connectr [Windows 7 Search Federation & Flickr Search Connectr]

Long Zheng — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:29:39 GMT

Since no one else has posted this yet I feel obliged to ~~spam~~ share my link :P

So a pretty cool but relatively unknown feature in Windows 7 is federated search. Brandon Paddock and David Washington did a lengthy video about it Channel9 recently but like they also did at PDC08 they used Sharepoint as an example. In their example you could search for documents (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) on the Sharepoint server from the common Explorer window. Practical, but not very interesting.

Two days ago the idea suddenly clicked with me, wouldn't it be cool to search Flickr straight from Explorer?

A couple of late nights later, I've put together a OpenSearch Flickr Search Connector (appropriately named Search Connectr) and a web proxy service that interprets Flickr API results into RSS2. If you have a copy of Windows 7 installed, head to http://www.istartedsomething.com/flickrsearch/ and try it for yourself.

Where federated search really shows its advantage is the ability to directly interact with the file, such as making an image the wallpaper.

I also tried to do YouTube. Because Windows 7 natively supports H.264 and AAC, which YouTube makes videos available in that format, that would work out great. Unfortunately the YouTube API doesn't make any sense to me so I gave up.

So I thought I'd share my little story and get other, and more talented developers, excited about this because I think it's got legs :)

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Looking for a Live Mesh invite? Have one to share? www.sharemesh.com [Looking for a Live Mesh invite? Have one to share? www.sharemesh.com]

Long Zheng — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:31:16 GMT

So I built this site over the weekend which allows people to request/share Live Mesh invites.

About 7 hours work.

www.sharemesh.com

:)

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MIX08 sessions schedule [MIX08 sessions schedule]

Long Zheng — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:22:19 GMT

Now in readable form :D

More information + download here
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080220/schedule-microsoft-mix08-excel-download/

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My MIX08 Restyle entry [My MIX08 Restyle entry]

Long Zheng — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:47:45 GMT

For the MIX Restyle competition. Work in progress :)

http://www.users.on.net/~long_zheng/MIX08HomePage.html

Since Microsoft Australia is actually going sponsor me to MIX as a blogger, if I win this, I want to give the prize away so someone else can attend MIX for free ;)

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Third party tiles for Windows Mobility Center [Third party tiles for Windows Mobility Center]

Long Zheng — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 01:55:43 GMT

Since there's more developers here than anywhere else I know I think some of you should look into developing tiles for Vista's Windows Mobility Center.

Until yesterday Microsoft has 'allowed' only original equipment manufacturers to produce these WMC tiles because

"so random applications don’t author and install their own tiles into the mobiitity center, thereby both diluting it’s value/focus"

But I reckon that should be a choice up to users on which if any tiles they want to install.

After a lot of reverse engineering and research, Rafael Rivera Jr. has finally figured out how it is done. Yesterday he posted what we believe is the world's first non-OEM third-party tile (not that it really means much).

Instructions to download and install are on my site.

On top of that, Rafael has also (re)published Microsoft's 47-page documentation on how to build tiles which was only previously found in the obnoxiously difficult to access Vista OPK.

So what we have now is a very basic "static" tile. The next step is to make a "dynamic" tile which is what most of the Microsoft ones are. As well, Rafael is planning to make a "third-party tiles manager" to help users manage, install and uninstall these third party tiles in the style of the Sidebar Gadgets manager.

I reckon some of you should try to come up with some interesting concepts for new WMC tiles keeping in mind what it is designed for and who is most likely to use it (mobile users). :)

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The Microtrix [The Microtrix]

Long Zheng — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:56:35 GMT

Inspired by the best Microsoft comic, C9park. For you Jamie!

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Microsoft Research creates HDR hallucination (without drugs) [Microsoft Research creates HDR hallucination (without drugs)]

Long Zheng — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:18:57 GMT

A few weeks ago the Microsoft Research TechFest was on, and everyone feasted their eyes on some of the amazing technologies MSR had to show off. But there was one that didn't get mentioned, or at least I don't it did, otherwise I'd look rather foolish.

Anyhow, the technology is called “High Dynamic Range Image Hallucination” and is as good as hallucinations go. In a nutshell, if you like nuts, they can recreate detail lost from low-dynamic range photographs to create high-dynamic range photographs.

The result? Over-exposure and under-exposure is simply a few brushstrokes to fix. This should appeal to photographs all the way from amatuer to professional, since everyone makes mistakes.

Here's a few screencaps.

Texture sample (left). Original image (middle). Original image with ‘Hallucination’ processing (right).

Original image (left). Original image under-exposed (middle). Original image under-exposed with ‘Hallucination’ processing (right).

Check out my blog post on it with a YouTube video of their presentation. :)

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Jenny Lam leaves Microsoft [Jenny Lam leaves Microsoft]

Long Zheng — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 11:39:49 GMT

I know most of the people here would know who she is from the almost infamous Channel 9 video and appreciate her work in Windows Vista.

Things which she's helped design includes
* Windows Vista orb
* Aurora
* Vista swoosh
* Icons
* Segoe UI
* Vista/Office packaging
* Pick wallpapers

She officially left Microsoft on 31/3/07.

She will be missed. I know no one like her - she's just incredible. [C]

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Come join my Tjeerd fansite!!! [Come join my Tjeerd fansite!!!]

Long Zheng — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:30:08 GMT

Come and check out the newest unofficial Tjeerd Hoek fansite!

http://www.istartedsomething.com/

The bestest one in the world!!! Hahaha! LOL!!

YOU ALL INVITED. LOL! [H]:);):P[A][6]:@

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Office "Scout" search commands [Office "Scout" search commands]

Long Zheng — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 10:08:44 GMT

Does anyone here agree with me that Microsoft should release "Scout"?
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20070203/saving-scout/

Anyone want to take a shot at building a copycat plugin? I'm so in need of functionality like this to fill the gaps where Ribbon misses out.

It's such a shame to see a simple idea and great implementation gutted because it contradicts some marketing gimmick that Ribbon solves all the world's problems or something.

:(

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Games for Macs [Games for Macs]

Long Zheng — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 11:41:01 GMT

Today, GamesForMacs.com was launched to compete directly with Microsoft.

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Win copies of the official Vista magazine [Win copies of the official Vista magazine]

Long Zheng — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 11:37:42 GMT

The very kind magazine editor Paul Douglas from Future publishings has made available 5 copies of their soon-to-be-released Windows Vista Preview Magazine, the officially Microsoft-endorsed magazine for Windows Vista, to be given away at my blog. I will also be writing for this very magazine in the near future, and I’ve been in regular contact with the wonderful team at Future contributing many silly ideas and useless feedback. So if this magazine flops, you know who screwed up.

Read more about it on my blog

Enter the giveaway

P.S. Hope no one finds this offensive blogspam since I'm giving away something for free :P

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Next Week in Tech - Edition 1 [Next Week in Tech - Edition 1]

Long Zheng — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 05:27:59 GMT

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Windows Vista viral campaign [Windows Vista viral campaign]

Long Zheng — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 14:37:01 GMT

Days away from launch, someone has sent in a tip about the official Windows Vista viral marketing campaign called Clearification. If you loved Demetri Martin in The Daily Show, you’ll love him here. It’s funny, its depressing, its satirical and I don’t know how it relates to Windows Vista.

Source: from my blog obviously

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Lazy man’s Desktop Aurora for Vista [Lazy man’s Desktop Aurora for Vista]

Long Zheng — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:10:25 GMT

I know some of you (Jamie) have a lot of interest for Desktop Aurora, so I thought I should cross-post this.

The wonderful Dave Vronay from Microsoft’s UX team has submitted this great tip to me after constantly nagging him about Desktop Aurora. With a bit of persistence, it has finally paid off. With this practical yet simple method, you can emulate the look of Desktop Aurora without any system modifications or heavy impact on performance. However, it must also be said that this approach is very flawed, as it has several downsides that makes it impractical to use for extended periods of time. But who cares, you can only get so much of eye-candy anyway.

You can watch a video of how to make an animated desktop background or follow the steps here.

P.S. I also have some good information about Desktop Aurora and more that I will post on the blog tommorow.

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Freebies (Vista USB drive, Official Vista mousepads, Ajax/ASP.NET book) [Freebies (Vista USB drive, Official Vista mousepads, Ajax/ASP.NET book)]

Long Zheng — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 10:53:51 GMT

blog, microsoft, vista-->

Win a Windows Vista USB Drive
The very generous Microsofty James Senior is giving away not two, not three, but one (1) Windows Vista branded 256MB USB flash/memory drive/stick.
How to enter: http://blogs.technet.com/james/archive/200.../19/456531.aspx

20 Official Windows Vista Mousemats
The Official Windows Vista Mousemat is a true work of art. Crafted from the cheapest materials in the mysterious factories of South Eastern China, these mousemats are produced day and night from the right combinations of tears, sweat and depression. The mousemat captures the full glory of the Windows Vista orb, from the strange looking flag symbol to the revolutionary glossy highlights, the visuals are nothing short of true aggressive branding.
Information + link to enter: http://www.istartedsomething.com/20060920/...vista-mousemat/

microsoft, website, review-->

2 Beginning Ajax with ASP.NET
According to Amazon, this book will guide you through using the open source Ajax.NET Professional Library, how to utilize the Asynchronous Client Script Callbacks functionality that comes with ASP.NET 2.0, using XMLHttpRequest Objects, overview of XML & XSLT as well as integrating Microsoft’s Ajax framework Atlas into the many services in ASP.NET 2.0. Basically if any of the keywords: AJAX, Web 2.0, XML, Atlas, or ASP.NET interests you, then this is relevant to you!
Information + link to enter: http://www.istartedsomething.com/20060920/win-ajax-aspnet/

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Vista: The “choose your own adventure” UI [Vista: The “choose your own adventure” UI]

Long Zheng — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 02:50:38 GMT

Some of you may, and some of you may not, (so that’s everybody) know Windows Vista has 4 tiers of user interface experience, from the best to worst: Aero Glass, Vista Standard, Vista Basic and Windows Classic. So why so many? Who knows, graphics designers unemployment at an all time low in Redmond? But regardless of whether you like it or not, these are the choices that will be shipping with Vista so let’s understand it while we can.

I have taken the liberty (because no one else is as bored as I am) of taking 28 screenshots to compare the 4 different interfaces. These were taken on the same applications and layouts to give you a feel of the exact changes it makes to an user experience.

Read more + pictures

Enjoy :D

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NYTimes Times Reader screencast [NYTimes Times Reader screencast]

Long Zheng — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:44:33 GMT

Here is a five minute screencast video overview of the New York Times Reader on Windows Vista. The NY Times Reader is an Windows Presentation Foundation powered application built on top of the .NET 3.0 Framework. It shows very practical uses and demonstrates the powers of WPF for both developers and users very well. If this is any sign of what applications in the Vista generation will look like, then it’s going to be a very beautiful future.

View the screencast/video

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[video] Windows Vista screensavers [[video] Windows Vista screensavers]

Long Zheng — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 08:29:01 GMT

Windows Vista will be shipping with a list of new and update screensavers including: 3D Text, Aurora, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, Ribbons, Windows Energy and Windows Logo. Some of these are even 3D based, so they will give the video card a good workout between boring sessions of word processing and spreadsheet charting. In this screencast,

I am demonstrating the Ribbons, Mystify and Bubbles screensavers, but with a twist. In the RTM version of Windows Vista, the advanced options of the screensavers will not be available due to reasons I mentioned before. However these features can still be access through the registry, and they create some pretty cool effects!

View the video/screencast

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Windows Vista screencast: Bundled Games [Windows Vista screencast: Bundled Games]

Long Zheng — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 13:37:23 GMT

I made three screencasts of the two most popular Windows games: Solitaire, Spider Solitaire as well as everyone's upcoming favorite, Purple Place. The speed of the video during my intense play session has been sped up to maintain your sanity and hide my n00bish gaming skills.

The most exciting addition to the Windows gaming experience is the end-game animation. Just playing the games out of curiosity was totally worth it. Imagine how rewarding it would be if you were a professional player.

View screencast/video of Windows Vista's bundled games

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Why Microsoft can't replace all the icons in Windows [Why Microsoft can't replace all the icons in Windows]

Long Zheng — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 06:05:35 GMT

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20060903/microsoft-4562/

In conclusion, it is simply not possible at this point to make sure every Windows icon is redesigned to the ‘Aero standard’ of photo-realistic high-resolution illustrations. The people to blame are Microsoft, for building such a monolithic and pro-legacy operating system, and also most third party hardware vendors, for not having the slightest clue about designing modern interfaces. We’re just going to have to live with it.

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Windows Vista Beta: Features vs Content [Windows Vista Beta: Features vs Content]

Long Zheng — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 13:35:44 GMT

I recently got the chance to chat with Paul Donnelly, the Microsoft Windows Vista beta program manager, to ask about the development process for Windows Vista and branching. It looks like I was wrong about a lot of things, but through his explanations, I was able to get a better understanding of how everything worked. So here is the updated RC1 branching diagram.

Basically, the changes I’ve made to the diagram are:

New “features” were only added before Beta 2. No new “features” has been added after Beta 2.
Only “content” has been added post-Beta 2.

Features vs Content

So whats the difference between “features” and “content”? Paul explains, a feature is a set of code to do a specific function. Aero is a feature, the log-on screen is a feature. Content on the other hand, provide additional resources for a feature, which might contribute to the end-user experience. An example of this is the system sounds. Obviously without a doubt, new Vista system sounds are coming, but not as a feature. The feature for system sounds is the ability to play specified sound files on predefined events. The sound files themselves are content, which is audible to the user. Wallpapers and help files would also be classified as content. And since a new boot screen may not involve modifying code, that might be considered content too!

Aero Glass

I also took the opportunity to ask Paul whether modifying Aero Glass would be possible at this time. ~~Not only did he say it was possible, but he went as far as saying~~ He says it is possible, and I quote, “A new theme is again, just content. Since the theming code would just apply it.” ~~A new theme is possible at this point~~ Changes to the existing Aero Glass is possible, a new Aero (tier) is not. But I’m confident nothing more than only a refined Aero Glass is coming, since there are only months left before Vista has to be shipped.

Important: Paul wants to make sure everyone is clear on this issue. NO new Aero is coming. NO vector Glass. NO new theme. These were ONLY stated as examples.

Feature lock-down

Paul also reconfirmed strongly since Beta 2, Vista was “feature-locked”. That is, no additional features may be added to Windows Vista at this time in development. However exceptions apply.

No new features can be added, but features can be changed. Changing the log-on screen feature after it’s already been in the build is very possible. I didn’t clarify how much you could change a feature before it is considered a ‘new feature’, but I presume you could quite a bit of remodeling.

Then I asked about the possibilities of adding a clock to the log-on screen. Paul states two possible alternatives, depending on how the feature was documented. If the clock feature was internally enumerated in it’s own feature specification, then adding that feature after Beta 2 would be impossible. However, if the specifications for the log-on screen includes a clock as part of its features, then adding the clock would be considered a “work item”, a yet-to-be implemented part of a feature. For example, if the clock was in the original pre-Beta 2 specifications for the log-on screen, then is definitely possible for it to show up in the future.

Important: Paul also wants to make sure everyone is clear on the clock idea. He cannot confirm whether or not a clock will/will not be added to the final release. It was ONLY stated as an example.

But without access to the internal specifications, we can never know for sure what is planned for the final Windows Vista release. There could even be significant chunks of features still missing from current builds.

Summary

In conclusion, it was a very short but informative conversation. So here’s what I learned in summary:

New wallpapers, system sounds, help files are not features.
An updated Aero Glass is possible, although not probable. A new theme is even possible too (from a development standpoint), but is definitely not planned.
Vista is definitely “feature-locked”. No new features can be added.
“Features” may be incomplete. New “features parts” could be coming.

From my blog http://www.istartedsomething.com/20060901/windows-vista-beta-features-vs-content/

I also did an interview with Oliver Scholz, the program manager for speech user experience. Check that out here: http://www.istartedsomething.com/20060901/interview-oliver-scholz/

in reply to Windows Vista Beta: Features vs Content

See the difference in Vista marketing videos? [See the difference in Vista marketing videos?]

Long Zheng — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 08:52:09 GMT

This is the Microsoft Partners marketing video for Windows Vista. I had a look to see what all the fuss is about. Apparently Windows Vista is all about “see(ing) the difference”, and I definitely see it. :P

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20060828/...erence-clearly/

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