Is the programming paradigm about to change forever?

I received a newsletter from ZDNet the other day, talking about Microsoft's upcoming replacement for the (now deceased) Front Page - Expression Web. Ho Hum. I mean, really, it's boring.

Somehow, they missed the story.

Listed on the same page is another upcoming program called Expression Interactive Designer. All I can say is, "Wow!"

Expression Interactive Designer is about to turn programming on its ear. Boasting an unusual mix of programming, 3D interfaces and the ability to design really cool looking apps, Expression Interactive Designer will allow developers to make apps like the world has never before seen.

The sample movies on the Microsoft website show a very nicely designed application using drag and drop databinding, live 3D models, and flowing layouts using images and other assets imported into its library.

The design is a bit of a mix of Flash and Director. But, while those environments have been nothing more than toys due to their trivial development languages, Interactive Designer is backed by some serious muscle - The .NET 3.0 Framework, using C# or VB.NET.

It's difficult to describe this new paradigm with words only. Take a peek at the Microsoft website for the demo movies. You can even download a free trial (though, I would suggest not running it on your development machine, for obvious reasons). I think what you see will blow your mind.

Microsoft Expression Interactive Design Web Page

By the way, their other Expression titles look impressive, especially Expression Graphic Designer. View all three here.

Good Riddance as the DOJ Finally Does Its Job

Today, the US Department of Justice has announced that two more warez distributors have been jailed. David Lee Pruett, age 35 of Auburn, Washington was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and David Chen Pui, age 27 of Fountain Valley, California (just a few miles from our office) was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

I wouldn't want to publicly hope these guys take it in the same port they've been giving it to us in all these years, but let's just hope their stay isn't "comfortable." Being 1337 haxxors won't help them where they're going.

The arrests were a result of a new FBI sting called "Operation FastLink" that has extended to 12 countries with more than 120 search warrants. The operation has resulted in the impounding of hundreds of computers and the confiscation of more than $50 million USD in illegally copied games, software, movies and music. Two other individuals were also previously convicted as a result of this operation.

Support a Friend, Help fight Multiple Sclerosis

Our friend, Harold Holmes of Lincoln Beach Software is once again riding in the MS150 bike tour. He is seeking sponsors to donate to the search for a cure for MS.

If you can find it in your heart to donate (I did!), please visit Harold's MS150 website.

If you'd like to read more about Harold and his story, visit his page at http://www.lincolnbeach.com/ms150

eSold

Just when you thought they couldn't get any bigger, Digital River has announced the acquisition of eSellerate. Long heralded as the one of the last hold-outs, Steve Kiene has eSoldOut, despite many vocal promises to users that would never happen.

What does this mean for shareware developers? Falling sky, impending doom? No, this really has little impact. Sure eSellerate will wither away to a mere shadow of its current self, as many of the other DR acquisisions have, but in the long run, they are only one piece of a very large ecommerce market. There will always be other players like Verisign (the company I use with great success - and only a 2% transaction fee to boot), and there will always be a choice.

The best DR coverage always comes from Sharon Houseley's Software Marketing Resource. Be sure to check it out over the next few days as details emerge.

Update - June 16, 2006:
Steve Kiene, founder of eSellerate, has posted an announcement on his blog explaining his decision and a bit about the acquisition. Read about it here.

Higher Bid = Better Position? Think Again.

I was just reviewing my AdWords campaigns today for one of my products. It's a popular book, and the conversion rate is usually somewhere between 8% and 12% these days.

In looking things over, I noticed that a few competitors had risen through the ranks and gotten ahead of me in position. So, naturally, since it's converting well, I decided to raise my bid. In one case, I raised the bid from $0.50 to $0.75 and was presented with the following message:

"By increasing your bid, your ad may show more often, and receive more clicks. However, your ad's average position has decreased because it is competing with other ads more frequently."

Huh? I just paid more to move down? Something must be wrong with my logic, but I find that disheartening.

Friend - Are Marketers Really This Unoriginal?

"Friend." I never thought I could hold disdain for such a word. But, as I scan through my 26 business mail accounts this morning, seeing subjects like "Friend, could you use an extra $1000?" I find myself muttering things like "You're not my friend, #@$hole," as I press the delete key with increasing pressure.

Marketers have really gotten to be annoying. And it's not even the marketing, it's their complete lack of originality.

Does anybody else feel like internet marketing has become synonymous with the "me too!" messages of AOL yore?

Google Takes a Direct Shot at Microsoft

If anyone had doubts about Google's desire to decimate Microsoft, those doubts should be gone now. Google has released an invitation-only beta to Google Spreadsheet. While it is not (yet) as advanced as Excel, it is likely only a matter of time.

Check out ZDNet's review here.

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