The last time I saw people widely using the latest version of Windows was XP. Then, there is Vista. There are a lot of bad press about Vista including the bashing from Mac vs PC ads. I think, Vista was really an immature product before SP1 but after SP1 was installed on my machine, it became more stable and acceptable. I love Vista compared to XP but I won’t say it is a necessary upgrade. I use Vista on my desktop machine and XP on my laptop. I miss the search feature of Vista but aside from that, XP is fine.

Anyway, you can check out what Windows 7 has to offer, here. I think there are lot of small updates everywhere, one example is the task bar. There are performance improvement like making the OS footprint smaller (that means that 1GB RAM is enough for Windows 7 to run) and it would also take advantage of the multiple core CPU that we already have. Microsoft also tied Windows 7 with its web initiative – Windows Live Essentials and Windows Azure.

I think if developers and technology companies will start embracing Windows Azure as a platform on the internet, applications that spans devices will start to mushroom. Microsoft Zune might have a chance against Apple, if it can use it’s wifi to sync with a Mesh, or your phone can also participate with a Mesh such that you won’t have to back-up your contacts, messages, and other data anymore. Better yet, if everything is on the encrypted and stored in the cloud, you can access it anywhere. It might be possible in the future to change use a Windows Mobile Motorola Phone and then change to an iPhone, a Samsung, or Nokia, or whatever phone.

In a world of devices, Windows Azure and Windows 7 combination might work. If Microsoft will be able to do all the small details correctly, I hope in a year from now, we’ll see a better acceptance of Windows and we can grab some of the Apple PC market shares back! If Windows 7 will become secure, sexy, stable, thin, reliable, and will have a wide-variety of applications, who needs Apple. Windows 7 is for everyone.

One more thing, I also think that if Windows 7 is as light weight as Microsoft said it is, I think Microsoft will also be able to stop selling XP and start selling cool netbooks running on Windows 7. Imagine a netbook running with the most advanced operating system of the world. There are some positive feedbacks on the net – Paul Thurrott’s site and another here. I hope Microsoft won’t disappoint.

But He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I am one of the privileged few who gets the chance to see the new suite of web application that Microsoft will be releasing under the name Windows Live Wave 3. I must admit that I love it. I love the home page, the simplified Spaces, and even the old Hotmail.

Excited to see it live in public! :)

Take a look here for a preview of Hotmail. There were a lot of improvements here and there and I love all of it specially what they did to Compose Mail. I love it. Wait and see for yourself.

P.S. Sorry if I just built up some excitement without being concrete on anything. I don't want to break any confidential policies whatsoever. :) :) I am just too excited can't stop myself from writing about it.

Lee Strobel's book "A Case for Faith" is a very very good read. It answers 8 most common questions that are asked to believers regarding the existence of God and the role of Jesus Christ in giving salvation to the people.

Faith is a choice. People can make all reasons not to believe in the existence of a God and the salvation through Jesus Christ to protect their own sinful actions.

A person with faith isn't someone who never doubted God's existence. He is not a person who never questioned God's decision for doing something in His life. A person with great faith is a person who believes and follows God's will no matter where it lead him. A faithful person tries to find God by seeking God's guidance in answering his doubts.

Jesus said in John 7:17 If a man chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teachings come from God or whether I speak on my own.

Proverbs 2:3-5 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Come to think of it… most of us concentrate on our studies, careers, and our selves. Proverbs 2:3-5 is saying that we need to search for God. Do you think you’re seeking God as if you’re working for money and other things of this world?

I would recommend you to try give a little time to search for God. Start by reading the Gospel of John in the New Testament. Asks questions, doubt the reality of Jesus, and you’ll end up in a journey of getting to know that the reality that Jesus is God. He came to show God’s love and value for each human being and to save us from our own sins. A little time and passion is all you need, and God will definitely reveal himself for you to experience.

To check for a network connection in .NET 2.0 use this:

System.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkInterface.GetIsNetworkAvailable()

To monitor a change in IP address or a change in network availability, use the events from the NetworkChange class:

System.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkChange.NetworkAvailabilityChanged

System.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkChange.NetworkAddressChanged

Philippians 4:12-13 I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

In this verse, Paul showed us that contentment brings joy. Like in weddings, better or worse, sickness or health, richer or poorer, being contented with what we have and trusting in God to continuously provide strength is the secret of being contented and joyful.

I was in Manila last week. There are no pictures, and no tangible proof that I was there, but believe me, I flew back to my beloved country last week. haha!

What started out as a bad timing vacation because a very special person’s schedule is fully-booked turned out to be a very good one. I had the opportunity to spend time with her, know more about her, and finally, after 5 months, be with her physically.

The moment I reached Manila, I can’t stop but compare the new Ninoy Aquino Internation Airport  Terminal 3 (NAIA3) with Pudong International Airport, and of course our airport is still a decade older and looks quite similar with the greatly outdated HongQiao Airport of Shanghai. Well, I don’t care even if the airport sucks a bit.

Next, I stepped out of the airport and felt the warm air on my face. Oh…wahhh! This is definitely Manila, Philippines! Then I rode a taxi to go back home. It was 4 in the morning. The roads were dark and empty with just a few street lights every meter so the driver needs to depend on his car’s headlight which only helps a little. The roads are broken and I can feel every little pothole the car went through. After driving over the city for a little over 30 minutes, I reached home. I had my hair cut and took a shower, then my day started.

Seafood is the best in the Philippines. We have crabs that are big, sweet, and tasty! Shark fins soup is the best! Abalone and mushroom is good! Shrimp salad is really really tasty! My grandmother also cooked some Bird’s Nest soup for me. I love it!

I also drove around the city, I haven’t touch the wheel for 9 months but I feel I just lose a little skill. I can easily park a car before but I have to do it in at least 2 tries now. Well, the important thing is, I can still drive. :) Although, I think I cannot park a car parallely anymore.

Family is nice. Shoti, and my 2 shobes are the best! I love my family. Mommy, Daddy, are ever so supportive, caring and protective.

Went out with my ever sweetest, went to SM Mall of Asia, ice skating, PowerBooks, SM discovery Center. I also went to CCF and Grace fellowship with her. I had a very special dinner and I enjoyed every moment I had with her.

You know why I left my heart in Manila? Because my family is there, ever sweetest is there, my friends are there. I will never exchange anything to be in Manila again.