Garmin Nuvi 670 / 680 GPS Navigator with MSN Direct Review II

Aloha!!! Our last day in Hawaii :-(

This is the second review I am doing of the Garmin Nuvi 680 with MSN Direct. My first is here.

I decided to write a second one with some screenshots of our latest vacation showing the Garmin Nuvi 680 in action. The only difference between the 670 and the 680 is that the 670 comes with European Maps.

We just spent 2.5 weeks in Hawaii on Kauai and the Big Island. We spent a lot of time on 4 wheel drive only roads. The Garmin Nuvi was awesome to have along on the trip. It was better than renting a local islander to guide us around. It completely relieved the stress of having to break out maps and figure out how to get to where we wanted to go.

That is the point of this second review. We had zero stress added to our days when trying to get to a destination.

It found landmarks that included waterfalls, lava tubes, lava trees, beaches, lighthouses, monuments, rivers, swinging bridges, scenic view stops, and restaurants. It found our 2 Kayaking companies, the closest grocery stores, and all our hotels.

When we wanted to get something to eat, we just hit show us all food located closest to us and we picked where we wanted to go.

Below are some shots of it in action and some of the places we landed using it.

A 5 mile dirt road that was totally trashed on the way to a ridge overlooking the Waimea Canyon.

Click here for larger image.

Our personal parking lot at the end of the 5 mile drive to the ridge hike.

Click here for larger image.

Crossing a stream on the way to the Jurassic Park gate.

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At the Jurassic Park gate.

Click here for larger image.

Two shots of lava covered road. We regret to report we didn't find any of the red stuff on this trip.

Click here for larger image.

Click here for larger image.

The southern most point of the United States.

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Cruisin on a 17 mile stretch of beach.

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A Rain Forest trek.

Click here for larger image.

All in all I have to say the Garmin Nuvi has made this trip one that was a lot less stressful than it was in the past when we found ourselves spinning around lost. We will not vacation again without it!!!!!

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Get a Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator here.
Get a Garmin nüvi 670 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator here.

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WCF, WF and .NET 3.5 Whitepapers by David Chappell

Overview (from MSDN site)
Collection of whitepapers authored by David Chappell on .NET Framework 3.5. This includes an introduction to Windows Communication Foundation, an introduction to Windows Workflow Foundation and an overall introduction to .NET Framework 3.5. There's also a paper describing the diverse array of communications protocols and transports supported by WCF.

They include:

• Introducing NET Framework 3.5, v1.0.doc
• Introducing WCF in .NET Framework 3.5, v1.0.doc
• Introducing WF in .NET Framework 3.5, v1.0.doc
• WCF Diversity Paper, v1.0.doc

Get them here (Microsoft has the links messed up on the download site, you can download them directly by clicking the links above)
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Microsoft ESB Guidance for BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Released

Microsoft has released ESB Guidance for BizTalk Server 2006 R2.

Brief Description from MSDN site
The Microsoft ESB Guidance provides architectural guidance, patterns, practices, and a set of BizTalk Server R2 and .NET components to simplify the development of an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) on the Microsoft platform and to allow Microsoft customers to extend their own messaging and integration solutions.

Overview from MSDN site
The Microsoft ESB Guidance uses Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2 to support a loosely coupled messaging architecture. BizTalk Server includes a powerful publish/subscribe mechanism for messaging applications that works by creating and filling subscriptions, which provides a highly efficient and scalable platform for SOA applications.

It extends the functionality of BizTalk Server to provide a range of new capabilities focused on building robust, connected, service-oriented applications that incorporate itinerary-based service invocation for lightweight service composition, dynamic resolution of endpoints and maps, Web service and WS-* integration, fault management and reporting, and integration with third-party SOA governance solutions.

Get it here.

Also check out the Introduction to the Microsoft ESB Guidance site.
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Service Factory - Modeling Edition (VS2005) Released

Summary from CodePlex
The Web Service Software Factory: Modeling Edition (also known as the Service Factory) is an integrated collection of resources designed to help you quickly and consistently build WCF and ASMX Web services that adhere to well-known architecture and design patterns. These resources consist of models with code generation in the form of tools integrated with Visual Studio 2005 and patterns and architecture topics in the form of written guidance.

The Service Factory contains automation and guidance integrated into Visual Studio 2005 for building services. The core of the automation components is a Web services domain model. This domain model contains elements such as service contracts, operations, messages, and data contracts. This domain model manifests itself in the form of three integrated domain-specific languages (DSLs) that are used to model services: Service Contract Model, Data Contract Model, and the Host Model.

In addition to the Visual Studio automation facilities, the Service Factory also contains the relevant written guidance about building Web services from the December 2006 release. Some of these topics include architecture, message design, versioning, exception handling, and other useful patterns. For a full list of topics that are included, see the “Web Service Architecture” section in the documentation included with the Service Factory.

Please see the official Service Factory page on MSDN for more information about its contents, intended audience, design goals, some historical context, and more information.

Get it here.

Check out a 15 Minute Walkthrough here.

Check out a Hands-on Lab - Building a Web Service here.
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Microsoft Line Of Code Counter Version 2.3 is Available

The Microsoft Line Of Code Counter Version 2.3 is available as a standalone Windows Application as well as an Add-in to Visual Studio 2005 IDE.

Overview from download site
This application counts lines of code written in programming languages by connecting to servers, downloading source files, and applying customizable counting rules.

Get it here.
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patterns & practices Search Bundle Released

Overview from CodePlex:

What's the value of this guidance?
>Illustrates how to improve responsiveness for your Search Web User Interface
>>>Illustrates how to use partial postbacks in ASP.NET AJAX.
>>>Illustrates how to provide a progress indicator for long running searches using the ASP.NET
>>>AJAX UpdateProgress control
>Illustrates how to page results to improve performance
>Illustrates how to implement the Live Search / Real-Time Search pattern

What is the concept?
Searching is a common requirement in most Web applications. Typical queries include searching for a customer, for a product, or for an article.

Often Web applications require users to search against data usually done via search pages with results that often span across multiple pages. ASP.NET AJAX can improve the performance and user experience of the search. Additionally the bundle provides guidance on how to display a progress indicator for long running searches and how to page the results on the server.

Get it here.
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November Release Date for Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5

From press release:

Today, during the keynote address at Microsoft TechEd Developers 2007, S. “Soma” Somasegar, corporate vice president of the Developer Division at Microsoft Corp., announced that Microsoft will release Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 by the end of November 2007. Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 enable developers at all levels to rapidly create connected applications that offer compelling user experiences for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, mobile devices and the Web. Soma also unveiled plans to open new opportunities for Visual Studio partners, as well as to deliver new tools and resources for developers, including a first Community Technology Preview (CTP) of the Microsoft Sync Framework and new capabilities for Popfly Explorer.

Read more here.
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WWF Web Workflow Approvals Starter Kit V2 Available for VS 2008

Windows Workflow Foundation Web Workflow Approvals Starter Kit version 2 is Available with updates for Visual Studio 2008.

Brief Description from MSDN Site
A starter kit Web application that includes task-oriented workflow using Windows Workflow Foundation.

Overview from MSDN Site
This starter kit is a Visual Studio 2005 (with updates for Visual Studio 2008) project that demonstrates using Windows Workflow Foundation for simple task-oriented workflow in an ASP.NET Web application. A workflow model is used to automate work order requests at a small example company. It includes three pre-defined roles which each play a part in the work order creation, approval and monitoring. The starter kit may be modified for other workflow models to suit other small Web-based task management systems.

Get it here.
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.NET Framework 3.5 Common Namespaces and Types Poster

Microsoft has created a .NET Framework 3.5 Common Namespaces and Types Poster.

Get it here.
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TechNet's 2008 Scripting Games (February 15 - March 3, 2008)

Overview from TechNet site:
The third annual Scripting Games are coming to the Script Center February 15 – March 3, 2008. Mark your calendars now, this will be the biggest scripting competition of the year. As a matter of fact, it will most likely be the biggest scripting competition ever. (The fact that it may be the only scripting competition is beside the point.)

What are the Scripting Games?
Well, if you have to ask you’ve obviously been missing out the last two years. The Scripting Games are a chance to practice and test your scripting skills. The Games are a live event, with contestants submitting entries that are judged and scored. You’ll be eligible to win prizes based on simply entering, or based on your score.

More here on this year's games.

Past Scripting Games Events:
2007 Scripting Games
2006 Scripting Games

Visit the Script Center an get all the scripting information you need to compete in these Games – and to manage your Windows systems.
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Software Architecture Documentation in the Real World

Markus Völter has put together a nice slide deck on Software Architecture Documentation in the Real World.

I have pasted the table of contents from the deck below:

• What is Software Architecture

• Documenting Software Architectures
--(Structured) Glossaries
--Patterns and the Pattern Form
--Pattern Languages
--Tutorials and FAQs
--Diagramming and Modeling
--Channels
--What about Code?
--Specifics for Product Lines & Platforms

• Layout and Typography

• Diagramming Guidelines

• Summary

Check it out here.
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Software Engineering Radio- Podcast for Software Developers

If you haven't checked out Software Engineering Radio lately, you may want to. There are some pretty cool episodes available.

A few are listed below.

Episode 73: Real Time Systems with Bruce Powel Douglass
Episode 72: Erik Meijer on LINQ
Episode 70: Gerard Meszaros on XUnit Test Patterns
Episode 67: Roundtable on MDSD and PLE
Episode 64: Luke Hohmann on Architecture and Business
Episode 63: A Pattern Language for Distributed Systems with Henney and Buschmann
Episode 53: Product Line Engineering Pt. 1
Episode 58: Product Line Engineering Pt. 2
Episode 46: Refactoring Pt. 1
Episode 55: Refactoring Pt. 2
Episode 54: Interview Frank Buschmann
Episode 47: Interview Grady Booch

Listen to them here.
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TestDisk a Free Data Recovering Tool

One of my external hard drives was corrupted earlier in the week. It was my own fault for pulling it in and out of one computer's USB port and shoving it in another. I was going back and forth between 2 computers and ignoring the data writing errors I was get. In other words I didn't use the safely remove hardware option.

TestDisk is OpenSource software and is licensed under the GNU Public License. It saved the day.

Overview from WIKI:

TestDisk is a powerful free data recovery software! It was primarily designed to help recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again when these symptoms are caused by faulty software, certain types of viruses or human error (such as accidentally deleting your Partition Table). Partition table recovery using TestDisk is really easy.

TestDisk can

--Fix partition table, recover deleted partition
--Recover FAT32 boot sector from its backup
--Rebuild FAT12/FAT16/FAT32 boot sector
--Fix FAT tables
--Rebuild NTFS boot sector
--Recover NTFS boot sector from its backup
--Fix MFT using MFT mirror
--Locate ext2/ext3 Backup SuperBlock

TestDisk has features for both novices and experts. For those who know little or nothing about data recovery techniques, TestDisk can be used to collect detailed information about a non-booting drive which can then be sent to a tech for further analysis. Those more familiar with such procedures should find TestDisk a handy tool in performing onsite recovery.

Get it here.
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