Now running Windows 8

I am not as interested in the Metro apps as I am in the other features and improvements of Windows 8. However, the new Start screen is much richer and more useful than the Start Menu.

A Game of Thrones

Given in to the hype and bought A Game of Thrones. 596 mostly positive reviews on Amazon and an ever-increasing popularity on Twitter, it’s got to be good.

Brief review of Model-Based Development: Applications

I’ll be honest, I’m underwhelmed by Lahman’s book, Model-Based Development: Applications.

As expected, the book is mostly a compilation of the previous posts on his blog and in comp.object, and despite the improved structure and clarity resulting from professional editing, I could not ignore the feeling of déja-vu. But, the main reason for my disappointment is the total lack of code examples. Without those, the book remains theoretical, and given that it counts in its target audience traditional developers used to code elaboration, it is hard to see how MBD can be sold to them if not supported by the essential code output that proves the correctness of the model.

Despite this, Model-Based Development: Applications remains a very good book, if only to gather Lahman’s excellent ideas about how applications should be architected, especially his expertise in application partitioning, identifying and assigning responsibilities to classes, and collaboration between objects.

Microsoft LightSwitch

At first, Microsoft LightSwitch feels like a reincarnated Microsoft Access (or FoxPro) but with all the goodness provided by the .NET Framework. But, maybe it is more than just drag-and-drop RAD and can actually be used for serious line-of-business applications development in ways where previous attempts failed. This interview from Vanguard Business Technology about real-world use of LightSwitch seems to suggest so.

New BBC iPlayer for TV

I like the new BBC iPlayer for TV a lot. It reminds me of the Media Center UX.