I recently discovered the IE Developer Toolbar and it got me searching for some more hidden free tools available from Microsoft.  Some of them have been around for a while, but they are still useful utilities for Web developers.

Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
It is not a full featured anti-virus application, but it is a quick scanner for the most popular malicious software. It is Microsoft’s version of the McAfee Stinger.

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found.

Windows Defender
A very good anti-spyware tool that has received very good reviews. It has a simple interface and is very unobtrusive.

Windows Defender (Beta 2) is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it’s detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.

Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar
The Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar is similar to Firefox’s Web Developer extension (not quite as good). It allows you to do several things like outline tables, table cells, images, or selected tags and validate HTML and style sheets. It includes something similar to Firefox’s live bookmarks (RSS Web feed links).

Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools
Although the title suggests that the tools are for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP is also supported. The toolkit includes useful little tools like Tail (Unix like tail for Windows).

The Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools are a set of tools to help administrators streamline management tasks such as troubleshooting operating system issues, managing Active Directory®, configuring networking and security features, and automating application deployment.

Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 Resource Kit Tools
SelfSSL is a tool for generating ssl certificates, which is very useful for developers trying to develop secure sites. The Log Parser is a powerful command line tool for querying log files database style.

The IIS 6.0 Resource Kit Tools can help you administer, secure, and manage IIS. Use them to query log files, deploy SSL certificates, employ custom site authentication, verify permissions, troubleshoot problems, migrate your server, run stress tests, and more.

With more and more Web sites offering services and user experiences that match destop applications, one has to wonder if the future of desktop applications is questionable. The term Web 2.0 has been around for a while, from Wikipedia:

Web 2.0 generally refers to a second generation of services available on the World Wide Web that lets people collaborate and share information online. In contrast to the first generation, Web 2.0 gives users an experience closer to desktop applications than the traditional static Web pages.

O’Reilly, who takes a lot of credit for the existence of Web 2.0, has a detailed article on the concept.

The idea is that blogs, wikis, rss feeds etc. and particularly the use of Ajax has made the Web a better place as far as user experience goes. Google, of course, made it famous with Google Maps and Gmail. Anyway, some people believe that you can run all the desktop applications that you typically use, on the Web. One blogger, IT Redux, refers to it as Office 2.0:

The idea is pretty simple: use a generic web browser and a set of online services to provide all the functionality needed by a computer user, removing the need for any application to be installed on the computer itself. I call it Office 2.0.

He actually has a great list of Ajax sites including pxn8.com an online photo editor.

Wikipedia: What Is Web 2.0
IT Redux: Office 2.0

If you haven’t already started you should.

The quest, which began April 17th requires skill, intellect, and perseverance. Over a span of 24 days ending May 11th, you will encounter unique challenges. These daily puzzles will pull you deeper into the world of The Da Vinci Code. Answer all 24 puzzles correctly for a chance to win untold riches.

www.google.com/davincicode

The Da Vinci Code official Web site has the original Web quest. It’s different to the quest on Google, but is also a lot of fun.  Of course for the impatient the answers are available with a quick Goolge search, like here:  Dan Brown’s DaVinci code webquest

I found the following good advice on a Yahoo message board:

1. Take a deep breath.
2. Develop an attitude of gratitude.
3. Smell the roses.
4. Watch the sunrise.
5. Enjoy the sunset.
6. Laugh more.
7. Worry less.
8. Develop a sense of humour… (it appears to be missing).
10. Try not to take yourself so seriously.
11. Try not to be so pompous.
12. Ditch the arrogance.
13. Learn to use commas, full stops, and capital letters.
14. Have a happy easter.

Source: Yahoo! Message Boards: NFLD

Welcome to my new blog!  Everybody does it and it looked like fun, so I figured why not.  It’s a place where I can share my thoughts and interests and it serves as an archive of all things I am interested in.