Need I say more?

Actually, I do. Earlier this week, Microsoft pulled the awaited ie7 out of beta and into general use. If you don’t have the browser yet… don’t worry. Microsoft is adding it as part of their Automatic Updates software, so you’ll have it soon.

In my opinion, ie7 is much better than ie6. With more support for rss, png transparency, and a different UI, it it appealing. But with a huge mixup on the desktop, it’ll be a hard reception for consumers.

Note: if you don’t really want to figure out how to use the new ie7… Firefox is a much better alternative with huge popularity.

You know, a majority of what I do is focused on Microsoft technologies and the .Net framework. I live and breathe that stuff. In fact, I frequently attend their MSDN Events, I subscribe to the CoDe Magazine, I listed to their webcasts and I am currently going for MCPD certification. So why would I focus so much on Microsoft and not on Open Source solutions like Linux hosting and PHP development? The answer is simple, Microsoft has been easier to learn thus far and with the new .Net 2.0 framework, it’s easier than ever to work with new techniques like Membership, and SQL Server data access.

But to be fair, Open Source solutions are easy to learn and fun to develop with. Comparing ASP.Net to PHP 5, the differences are obvious. Linux tends to be much faster with a little less development backbone, but offers a some really cool end products. In fact… WordPress is developed using PHP and MySql, two popular Open Source technologies. ASP.Net tends to be a bit more secure (although it really does depend on how you develop it) and easier to design an architecture around.. although it can be sluggish at run-time.

If I were really looking to point someone in the right direction, I am not sure which way I would point. In the end, it really depends on how much you enjoy it.

Sorry, I had to do it. Every now and then I just have to change the theme of my blog and tonight I broke down and did it. Cleaner and more modern. What do you think?

Okay, for those of you interested in knowing what’s new… I am just putting the finishing touches on a new site.

The Holiday Bridal Show is a site for a group of outstanding local wedding vendors who are planning an upscale event. There’s going to be some excellent vendors present. I am glad they are off to a great start. Check them out…

It’s weird how things seem to sneak up on you. I am in the midst of my Christmas shopping and realized… 67 days until Christmas. Yes, Christmas. It seems just yesterday the days were sunny and 90 and now the nip in the air has returned. Oh well, here come the days of eggnog and snow. Of Black Friday and wrestling matches over new game systems or the newest Tickle Me Elmo (Which is new again this year). Alas, I desire to finish my shopping early this year in favor of enjoying a wonderful season.

Oddly enough, Winter is always my favorite time of year, not just for the celebration of Christmas, but for the family and the sleigh rides.

Anyway, back to the present. If you haven’t started your shopping… get those lists together!

Midnight Madness… Here I come!