I've learned a little more about the photo properties.  It seems that Windows just doesn't "play that game" and use standard EXIF tags.  I've seen lists of tag ID's, with some marked as "Windows" for the caption/description/keywords, but at some point they must have changed their minds.  As it turns out, if you set properties in images now, they actually show up in the XMP block.  Vista is good enough that if it updates an image, it will copy EXIF/IPTC data to the XMP block as well.  XMP is an XML block of data that can contain known or arbitrary...

Apparently now I'm a potential phishing site!  I was shocked to notice that a post of mine had been marked as a "suspicious website."  The only information that I collect at all is name, and that's only if you collect comments!  You can optionally enter an email address or website, but wow.  Now I'm phishing?!  I'm not sure how this happens.  Perhaps someone was suspicious so reported the site, or maybe it's because I don't have a privacy policy posted, but it's definitely annoying.  Now I guess I need to formalize my policy: I WILL NOT DISTRIBUTE YOUR INFORMATION ANYWHERE!  PERIOD. Anyone...

My newest Coding 4 Fun article is online now.  It's a continuation of the code to interface with libraries running Horizon Information Portal.  It's a nice UI to monitor your books (and fines) from the system tray, also supporting search.  Links to the source code can be found in the article, but I thought that I'd include a binary link as well.  Note that the source code links are hosted on Channel9, while the binary link is below.  Enjoy! Article link Binary (executable) link

In two weeks (4/28/2007) I'll be at the Twin Cities Code Camp Spring 2007 speaking about Windows Desktop Search from 3:45 - 5:00.  Code Camp is a free all-day event (unbeatable value!) with such speakers as Rocky Lhotka, Robert Boedigheimer, and Jason Bock. Abstract: Do you think that Windows Desktop Search (WDS) is just about finding that long-lost spreadsheet? See how to integrate search features into your own applications to provide more power to your users. Take advantage of the search index to see files and other entities in a whole new light with less effort than you might imagine....

Warning!  This is a long post!  I've been working on a project working with images (the most GDI+ I've ever done so far!) and I'm stymied.  Nothing I do seems to get me access to the title/caption/description for the image.  As I understand it, I should be able to read 0x320, 0x10e, or possible 0x9c9b (using Bitmp.GetPropertyItem().  None of these exist in the properties collection even though they should be set and they show up in the Windows tools. This is the complete list that I get from enumerating the list (I'm only displaying values from strings (type 2), short (3),...

This link is already a few days old, but I never got around to blogging about it until now.  It's fascinating research that suggests that when we take in the same information by reading and hearing at the same time (following along in a book, or reading PowerPoint notes) we actually lose comprehension.  Basically, our brain is doing double duty decoding the written words while decoding the spoken words, all while trying to analyze and organize the presented information.  I can totally believe it.  I have definitely noticed the challenge associated with trying to do both at once.  The research...

Wow!  ComputerWorld is running a great article on the whole "cell phone on airplanes" controversy.  It definitely echoes thoughts that I've had.  It makes no sense that they are a risk, if they are a risk then that reflects poor technology on the aircrafts, and it's more about managing the passengers (by restricting information) and maximizing profits (charging for SkyPhone services).  Definitely a good read. Link to Why cell phones are still grounded