If you create software development tools, you’ll want to consider building on the Visual Studio 2008 Shell. A streamlined Visual Studio development environment, the Visual Studio Shell provides the core foundation so you can focus on building your application’s unique features. Flexible customization options help you deliver optimized experiences for specific markets.

[ Visual Studio 2008 Shell ]

Meaning, since you love Visual Studio and want to just get used to one IDE, you can now use the Shell and educate it for other platforms (like ColdFusion!). Previously that would have cost over $10,000 to get the rights from Microsoft to Frankenstein their IDE, but now:

Q: How much will the Visual Studio Shell cost?

The Visual Studio Shell will be freely available as part of the Visual Studio SDK starting with the release of Visual Studio 2008. Building and deploying applications based on the Visual Studio Shell will be royalty-free.

So we're ready for you to download the VS2K8 Shell SDK and build us an awesome CF editor, Gruska...

Alex Santantonio has started an effort to organize a gathering of all employees that ever worked for Doceus.

You should have received an email or invitation to the BackPackIT page, if not (because we have the wrong email or you are a super-lurker) please email me, or contact me through this page so I can get you in on the effort.

one of the questions i get quite a lot is on cable management. hiding those ugly wires is always a challenge. while you may not be able to get rid of them all, mike seymour's cable management hack for his jerker v1 desk does at least lift most of them off the floor.

[ ikea hacker: jerker desk cable management hack ]

Cool idea, but his Jerker doesn't look like mine. Mine is the Jerker computer desk, and looks like this:

Oddly enough mine doesn't have the split "hide a cable" piece, and it's just a full solid stabilization bar.

I, however, have jacked the desk part up to be comfortable to type when standing, and purchase a bar stool height chair. I then moved the little shelf below the desk part where I store all of my power strips and stuff, and when it all comes together it looks a bit more like this:

XML Notepad 2007 provides a simple intuitive user interface for browsing and editing XML documents.

[ Download details: XML Notepad 2007 ]

Windows only, but it appears to be a free add on to any validatable copy of Windows.

At Doceus, our Solutions Architects design and deliver solutions for small to midsize businesses, associations, and non-profit organizations. Duties include writing technical specifications and developing web based applications, and maintaining said applications, over their life cycle, for our clients.

Our Solutions Architects are a key part of the Doceus professional services team and are expected to provide an exceptional level of customer service, and assist in strengthening our development and service delivery processes and practices. As a member of Doceus' professional services team Solutions Architects are often required to liaise with clients, so strong written, oral communications and analytical skills are essential.

[ doceus :: accelerate success ]

And we're a telecommuting operation, so you must:

... have access to a broadband connection, have a home telephone and the ability to travel into Washignton DC or Rockville, MD for team meetings. Doceus will consider candidates outside of the Washington DC region if the candidate has access to a major metro airport.

[ Apply Online ]

So if you've been itching to work with me, now's the time...

When you distribute an Office document electronically, the document might contain information that you do not want to share publicly, such as information you’ve designated as “hidden” or information that allows you to collaborate on writing and editing the document with others.

[ Download details: Office 2003/XP Add-in: Remove Hidden Data ]

I am not of the habit of typing things in documents that could cause any issues, but I will sleep more soundly (like I ever have a problem sleeping, thank God) knowing that no one else "hid" anything suspect in a Microsoft^® Word™ document that I forward to a client.

The simplest way to create a glossary is to type your glossary by hand at the end of your document. Word has no built-in method of creating a glossary automatically, but you can use hyperlinks or the Table of Authorities functionality to create a glossary for one or more documents.

[ Microsoft Word Help FAQ. How to create a glossary in Microsoft Word ]

This article was certainly helpful. Why on earth is there no built-in glossary functionality in Word? What is in the bloat then?

And I know that thousands of potential candidates read my blog, so here's the quick description:

At Doceus, our Senior Interactive Designers create dynamic and exciting facades for web applications for small to midsize businesses, associations, and non-profit organizations. Duties include conducting creative workshops, devising information architecture, creating fresh websites, building flash presentations, and helping clients achieve their goals by leveraging solid design techniques.

[ doceus :: accelerate success ]

I'll rush back to my desk now, so I can handle the flood of resumes.