paint.net 3.0 released

Great freeware app to replace MS Paint.

About Paint.NET
Paint.NET is free image editing and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it. Originally intended as a free replacement for the MS Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple tool for photo and image editing.

Screenshot:

Download Paint.NET 3.0

microsoft expression – designer tools

these tools have been in testing for quite a bit, but just recently available to the general public. microsoft expression studio (web / blend / design / media) are a suite of applications directly competing against adobe’s creative suite. gone are the days of Paint and Publisher, now are the days of microsoft’s designer tools, aka expression studio.

this software suite goes above and beyond the adobe suite in regards to the capabilities of a single application. for example, with expression blend, one can edit code and graphics simultaneously to make a very clean and simple interface together. expression media can handle digital pictures, images, AND video, allowing for seamless editing, publishing and presentation capabilities. expression web has the ability to create standards-based web sites, css editing, rich data presentation, build web applications, and integration into server technology.

simply put, it’s a very impressive and competent design suite for the masses.

Microsoft Expression Studio

Better Designer Tools for Better End-User Experiences

Microsoft Expression takes your creative possibilities to a new level. The professional design tools and innovative technologies in Expression give you the flexibility and freedom to bring your vision to reality—whether you are designing standards-based Web sites, rich user experiences on the desktop, or managing digital assets and content. Expression Studio includes the following products:

Expression Web is a professional design tool to create modern, standards-based sites which deliver superior quality on the Web.

Expression Blend is the professional design tool to create engaging, Web-connected, user experiences for Windows.

Expression Design is a professional illustration and graphic design tool that lets you build compelling elements for both Web and desktop application user interfaces.

Expression Media is a professional asset management tool to visually catalog and organize all your digital assets for effortless retrieval and presentation.

Microsoft Expression – Designer Tools – Homepage

Microsoft Expression – Designer Tools – Examples (Customer Spotlight)

windows vista released to retail

tomorrow marks the next major design and technology milestone for microsoft — for it’s the day that they will release their windows vista into the wild. it’s been a long 5 years since the release of windows XP and a lot has changed in their new OS. but how fast will all these new features and new technology catch on? are people ready for it? are all the new features really worth the cost?

in my opinion i believe it’s time. people are ready for it. it has a been a long time coming and i think people are beginning to expect (and demand) a higher level of security, a higher level of usability, and a higher level of customizability all packaged in a lean mean aesthetically pleasing machine. (all valid expectations consumers should have). another reason (imho) apple has been able to chip away a bit of the end-user market share from microsoft over the past couple of years.

well… welcome windows vista. sure, there are a few hardware & software compatibility issues, a couple driver issues, and a higher level of system requirements than what we’re used to – but less we forget windows XP? these same issues plagued the release of windows XP as well and should not be of surprise. if you were outlining the specs of a next generation OS, would you design it based on 2-3 year old technology? certainly not, the goal should be pushing the envelope of current hardware and designing for the future. vista does this and more.

another part of the new way of thinking is how microsoft handled the kernel. we are seeing for the first time ever, microsoft rethinking how their OS runs in regards to security. the new vista kernel is a more clean and lean core, not allowing graphics instructions and non-vital operating information to pass through it, allowing for a MUCH more stable and secure operating system. the sacrifice? compatibility. initial software and hardware incompatibility is to be expected from this major of a change. soon to be resolved i’m sure, but again, not to come as a surprise.

windows vista is the next generation operating system, one that’s meant to last, one that’s meant to make major changes to how we use our computers. presumably, over the course of the next 6 months or so, a lot of the hardware, software, and driver issues will be resolved, the application support will only get stronger, and acceptance will broaden. so for now, take this opportunity to educate yourself on this new OS, the new interface and way it operates, for i’m sure the change is inevitable, it’s only a matter of time (& cost for most).

the real question though is… is everyone ready for it? check out the links below and see if you’re ready to make the jump.

personally, i can’t wait…

technology -
vista homepage
vista system requirements
vista upgrade advisor
vista feature comparison (product editions)
vista in-depth review
vista software compatibility list
vista hardware compatibility list
vista drivers

graphic design / marketing -
vista dvd covers
vista interface
vista bus tour
vista user interface preview (video)
vista in pictures

purchasing advice -
Buying OEM versions of Windows Vista: the facts
Should I upgrade to Vista now or wait?