http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/embed-in-or-link-to-a-video-from-your-presentation-HA010374729.aspx

One of the common questions are what are the different format available,

Note Videos in the .mp4, .mov, and .qt formats can be played in PowerPoint
if the Apple QuickTime player is installed.

File format	Extension	More information
Adobe Flash Media	.swf	Flash Video This file format is generally used to deliver video over the Internet using the Adobe Flash Player.
Windows Media file	.asf	Advanced Streaming Format This file format stores synchronized multimedia data and can be used to stream audio and video content, images, and script commands over a network.
Windows Video file	.avi	Audio Video Interleave This is a multimedia file format for storing sound and moving pictures in Microsoft Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF) format. It is one of the most common formats because audio or video content that is compressed with a wide variety of codecs (codec: An abbreviation for compressor/decompressor. Software or hardware used to compress and decompress digital media.) can be stored in an .avi file.
Movie file	.mpg or .mpeg	Moving Picture Experts Group This is an evolving set of standards for video and audio compression developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group. This file format was designed specifically for use with Video-CD and CD-i media.
Windows Media Video file	.wmv	Windows Media Video This file format compresses audio and video by using the Windows Media Video codec (codec: An abbreviation for compressor/decompressor. Software or hardware used to compress and decompress digital media.), a tightly compressed format that requires a minimal amount of storage space on your computer’s hard disk.

Note The third-party products discussed in this article are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of
these products.

Quoted from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/compatible-audio-and-video-file-formats-in-powerpoint-2010-HA010336709.aspx

PHP connects with SQL Azure in a similar manner as how it does with Microsoft SQL Server, ie through an interface known as the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), which is actually the standard software interface for accessing databases. Each platform and database has its own implementation following the ODBC standard but for this tutorial, I’ll focus on PHP.

There are a few ways to connect your php site to MS SQL but the 2 main approaches are as shown in Figure 1.0.

1. Using the “php_mssql.dll” php extension requiring MS SQL Client Tools installed (Figure 1.0, right column).
2. Using the “sqlsrv” driver (“Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server”) requiring MS SQL Native Client installed (Figure 1.0, left column)

Figure 1.0

I will be using the 2nd approach for this tutorial because it supports both PHP 5.2 and 5.3, unlike the 1st which is not available for PHP 5.3.
 
Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server
As of 1 February 2011, the latest version of the driver is version 2.0.1 (30 November 2010).
You can grab it from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=80e44913-24b4-4113-8807-caae6cf2ca05
Once you have installed the drivers, you should see the following in the installation directory:

Figure 2.0

We will be using the “php_sqlsrv_53_nts_vc9.dll” library for this tutorial.
• “php_sqlsrv” –> Driver name
• “53” –> PHP 5.3
• “nts” –> Non-thread safe (The PHP FastCGI Handler of IIS handles thread-safe operations for PHP, use the non-thread safe version to reduce performance issues)
• “vc9” –> Library compiled using VS 2008, use vc6 (VS 6) if PHP is running on Apache
Configure PHP
1. Copy “php_sqlsrv_53_nts_vc9.dll” into the “ext” folder of your php installation directory.
2. Edit the php.ini to include the library

Figure 3.0

 
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Native Client
In order for the PHP for SQL Server Drivers to work, the necessary SQL Server ODBC drivers must be installed on the web server.
The version of the ODBC driver needed for SQL Azure comes with the SQL Server 2008 R2 Native Client.
You can grab it from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=ceb4346f-657f-4d28-83f5-aae0c5c83d52

PHP Syntax
After all the preparation and configuration, here comes the actual thing -> Coding!
This tutorial showcases how to do simple CRUD (Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete) commands.
1. Connect to Database:

$serverName = “servername.database.windows.net”;
$connInfo = array(“UID”=>”username@servername”,
“PWD”=>”password”,
“Database”=>”databasename”);
$conn = sqlsrv_connect($serverName, $connInfo);

2. Insert data to Database (taking data from a html form text field):

$comment = $_POST["txtComment"];
$comm = “INSERT INTO commentsqlazure (commentContent) VALUES (?)”;
$stmt = sqlsrv_prepare($conn, $comm, array(&$comment));
$result = sqlsrv_execute($stmt);

3. Update data in Database:

$Id = $_POST["txtUpdateId"];
$comment = $_POST["txtUpdateComment"];
$comm = “UPDATE commentsqlazure SET commentContent = ? WHERE id = ?”;
$stmt = sqlsrv_prepare($conn, $comm, array(&$comment, &$Id));
$result = sqlsrv_execute($stmt);

4. Remove data from Database:

$Id = $_POST["txtRemoveId"];
$comm = “DELETE FROM commentsqlazure WHERE id = ?”;
$stmt = sqlsrv_prepare($conn, $comm, array(&$Id));
$result = sqlsrv_execute($stmt);

5. Retrieve data from Database:

$comm = “SELECT id, commentContent FROM commentsqlazure”;
$stmt = sqlsrv_query($conn, $comm);
while($row = sqlsrv_fetch_array($stmt, SQLSRV_FETCH_ASSOC))
{
echo $row["id"].” “.$row["commentContent"].”
“;
}

6. Close connection and release resources:

sqlsrv_free_stmt($stmt);
sqlsrv_close($conn);

You can download the project file from here.
http://cid-29f099c37b76ca59.office.live.com/browse.aspx/Blog/Code%20Guide/SQL%20Azure?uc=1

Please take note that you have to change the Server Name, Username, Password at the connection string to make this work. You should run the following script to the table first.
http://cid-29f099c37b76ca59.office.live.com/self.aspx/Blog/Code%20Guide/SQL%20Azure/SQLAzureConnection.sql

Credit to Luke Ng.

Recently, I worked on an app for the Windows Phone 7 platform and submitted it to the marketplace for certification. I’ve learnt many things and gained many insights after going through this process and would like to share one of these with you, developers and potential developers of the Windows Phone 7 platform.

Throughout this post, I will be making references to the official Windows Phone 7 Application Certification Requirements document (WP7ACR) which can be downloaded athttp://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9730558.

Under Section 5.2.4 of the WP7ACR, clause a, it is stated that:

Pressing the Back button from the first screen of an application must exit the application.

Developers who are creating apps with multiple pages must give special attention to this clause because pressing the back button automatically brings the user to the previous page, regardless of whether the user is at the first screen or not. Consider the following example:

In this app, there are 2 pages. Page1 goes to Page2 via a button with the following logic:

NavigationService.Navigate(new Uri(“/Page2.xaml”, UriKind.Relative));

Page2 goes back to Page1 via a button with the following logic:

NavigationService.Navigate(new Uri(“/Page1.xaml”, UriKind.Relative));

Each time that line of code is executed, it is actually creating a new instance of the page defined under the new Uri. Therefore if the user navigates in this manner:

1. User starts the app.
2. User navigates to Page2 via button.
3. User navigates to Page1 via button.

At this point in time, the user is at the first page of the application. If the user presses the back button, he will be brought back to Page2 instead of exiting the app, which is wrong and will result in a failure of the certification process.

There is no API in the Windows Phone 7 SDK similar to the Application.Exit() function found in the average C#.NET Windows Forms application. For this reason, we must overcome this problem by navigation by page hierarchy. That is to say, when the user navigates from Page2 to Page1 via the button, instead of treating Page1 as a new page, the developer should instead use this line of code for the navigation purpose from Page2 back to Page1:

NavigationService.GoBack();

By doing this, the developer is essentially coding the button to function exactly like what the back button does on the Windows Phone. In this way, the app will always exit when the back button is pressed on the first page because the first page is always the only record under the action history when the user is on the first page. The diagram will then look like this:

Therefore we have successfully adhered to Section 5.2.4 of the WP7ACR, clause a. This is how we can effectively use the Back button and pass certification for functions relating to the back button.

I posted it on my facebook and twitter and it seems like it gotten some attention from my friends. Some of my friends, my classmates and friends outside, asked me whats the difference in developing a client-side application and mobile application, I will say beside the idea that should be generated is a bit different, the rest are the same. I will be covering this later.

On Thursday night, Microsoft Singapore has a Mix-It-Up event and the speaker is Chris as well. Went down and listen what he has to present and what others are presenting. A group of students and 2 companies presented their product. I am really impressed by what the students and HNL had done. =)

Let me point out some of the differences here.

1. The normal application we are developing on VS08, we normally use .Net framework 3.5 but for a windows mobile application, we use .Net Compact framework 3.5 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET_Compact_Framework )

2. Can we develop a silverlight application on Windows Mobile since silverlight is cross platform? At the moment, its a no. I believe something is coming out soon though ( After doing a search on bing, http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=13870 )

3. I am developer, what is the link to Windows Mobile Marketplace?

http://developer.windowsmobile.com/Marketplace.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

4. Where can I find applications which I can buy for my Windows Mobile phone?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/catalog/cataloghome.aspx

5. I want to start developing. Where is the SDK?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=06111A3A-A651-4745-88EF-3D48091A390B&displaylang=en

You might want to have a look at the toolkit as well

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=20686a1d-97a8-4f80-bc6a-ae010e085a6e

Hopefully my application I am developing will be a success though I am facing some difficulties now. =)

Follow me at @limguohong

Allow me to quote this from wikipedia,
[quote]Microsoft Security Essentials (codenamed Morro) is an upcoming gratis antivirus software created by Microsoft that will provide protection from viruses, spyware, rootkits, and trojans for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.[3]

Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management in the online services division at Microsoft, said: “This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware.” [3]
[/quote]

I will say that the installation is very smooth and the virus scanning relaly run quietly at the background. These are some of the screenshot which I have taken while installing.

Before I start my LONG post on Windows 7 at this late hour ( 4.10am ), this are the information you might want to know

- Did clean install on a partition which previously has Windows 7, build 7077
- Installing Windows 7, build 7100 ( RC1 )
-This is my computer specs,
250gb space
4gb ram
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.40 GHz processor
I am installing a 32 bit version of build 7100.

This is not my first time installing Windows 7 on my laptop.
—————————————————————————–
The experience was really great! Let me tell you it took me how long to install the windows. Only 36 minutes and 37 seconds.

This is the breakdown timing of my installation

00.00.00 – On computer with installation disc in drive
00.59.46 – Loading File
01.39.58 – Starting Windows – Set Up
02.32.40 – Installing Windows
17.57.50 – 4/5 Installation completed, Computer restart
19.35.51 – Starting Service
32.15.07 – Installation completed, Computer restart
33.22.51 – Preparing for the first time use
34.09.62 – Set Up
36.37.61 – First Boot into Windows 7

It only took me 36 minutes. 36 minutes 37.61 seconds to be extact. I mean, wow…. its only 36 minutes and whats more, I did not had any big issues when installing the OS.

Most of my readers are not very technical person so some of you might be asking what is Windows 7? Basically, it is a new Operating System. It is the next one after Windows Vista.

What are the differences?
I am unable to tell you ALL the differences between its really a big advancement especially in speed. The speed of the OS is really good!

Pictures speak more than a thousand words. Have a look.

The first screen you will see after your installation.

See mini screen capture of the running program and be able to navigate to it. You don’t have to worry about spending time to find your lost tabs.

Bottom right of the page is show desktop. Upon hovering over it, you can see what the desktop is like. Likewise for the mini screen capture, upon hovering over it, you can see what the program is like.

Shortcuts to functions of a program and even links to the frequently visited page.

Does this look like paint? Yes, it is paint!

Dock your windows. Its easier for you to compare two documents now. Instead of spending 30 seconds of your life trying to resize 2 document windows so that you can compare. You just have to drag the windows to the extreme sides to make it dock. ( Like the image above )

Moving from GUI to NUI ( Natural User Interface ). You can use your hand and write to communicate with your computer.

Customize your Notification Area ( What you see at the bottom right ) now!

Did I mention that I am using Windows 7 for most of my work and school work?

I am very excited!!! Later, I will be going to watch a Imagine Cup’s presentation and award ceremony and one of the agenda is ……

by MATTHEW Hardman! Cool guy, met up with him in MIC when we are recording the Live@Edu video. I happen to bring my brother, MATTHEW Lim there and yea. They are playing Guitar Hero together. A working guy and a young boy.. weird combo but yeah! ^.^

Go and try it out!

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

Will be posting more soon. Kinda late. Time to sleep, need to rush some school’s project later in the day and finally meet up with all the MSPs. Long time since we met as a team at Microsoft, eh HAHA. I wonder if I will get the chance to talk to Neng Giin, some things I need to ask him. Umm.

Tomorrow night have to go to Microsoft to attend Mix It Up – they will be talking about ASP 4.0 and VS 2010. Pretty excited about it, first time I heard it was during the PDC (Professional Developer Conference) of Microsoft last year.

My back still hurts.

Random facts about myself.
- I support Jarod for CSS3
- I normally sleep pretty late.
- I have the urge to take TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client certication.
- I have been listening to the fact 不完美 alot.
- I am currently using Windows 7.

MSP meeting

We had our monthly meeting again at Microsoft Singapore’s office at One Marina Boulvard. I was late because I had to teach wushu in the morning. When I arrived, Chun Siong was presenting something with Visual Studio which I shall not reveal and out of 3 demos, he had done, 1 fail but neverthless its a great session for us all and the last demo that he did proved to us that Int32 works/runs/does faster than Int16 or Int64.

Coming up next is the SMUs and TPs presenting the 2 events that we had done respectively, Experience it with Windows 7 and IE 8 ( if i recall correctly ) and MSP Boot Camp. SMUs also talked about something like clean the toilet campaign which attracted a good amount of people.

Next Zi Han present to us 2 applications that he did, one in WPF ( Windows Presentation Foundation ) and the other in Silverlight and he got me inspired to learn Silverlight but I am pretty busy at the moment so I guess I need to look at it only after week 0.

As usual, we have Pizza! This time, we have Mr Gates face on the Pizza boxes, too bad i have no chance to post the picture because it seems like I cant get my Windows 7 to work with my incoming bluetooth. =(… My outgoing one works. Anyway, yea and we had a little event-game just before we leave… We have to plan for Stanely’s birthday. Haha.

Another thing that I took away today, 3 things, if you are able to sell any of the 3 things, you will be able to get a job ( supposely ).

1. Sell products
2. Sell ideas
3. Sell yourself

Outing with Matthew and Jun An

We had a very sudden outing which we planned just one day before the event. Just happen to meet Matthew when I am at Raffle Places MRT with Bee Siew so well, we go to SomerSet together and met Jun An there.. Wah Raining wor. Play LAN, DOTA where Matthew keep killing Neutral Creeps and I “play” the game. Well I am lousy in doat so basically, indirectly, Matthew is controlling my character. Haha. Then played a bit Arcade to pass time before going to Movie.

Went to watch Mall Cop, its funny till siao..Its nice.
Had some dinner. Walked to Suntech and Arcade abit then go home liao.

Matthew and I had a promise on something. Lets hope it will come true!
*Before anyone says its lame to promise by using fingers at this age, i tell you, its not! =) Small things like that works better people it could reassure the people that no empty promise is made because its carved into the person’s mind.

On a side note, Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

http://photosynth.net/

http://livelabs.com/photosynth/

Photosynth is a software application from Microsoft Live Labs and the University of Washington that analyzes digital photographs and generates a three-dimensional model of the photos and a point cloud of a photographed object. Pattern recognition components compare portions of images to create points, which are then compared to convert the image into a model. Users are able to view and generate their own models using a software tool available for download at the Photosynth website.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Live_Labs_Photosynth

Here is a few photosynth I did of Newton Food Centre
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=6f21f329-02fa-4845-9000-744c3edb4c8f
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=87cc4fb0-ee7d-43dc-afb9-3731de1651b1
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=0f2406f6-f363-4be3-a29f-f1800409e757
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=3891328f-77d5-410e-b981-142b0bbcff44