Sina's space

1. My best friend's blog: http://www.samamirebrahimi.com/default.aspx
2. Microsoft new job openings in Europe: http://www.joinmicrosofteurope.com/

I hope you enjoy these :)

• Gates Calls on Congress for Science Educations, Visas - Will IQ Test Be a Part of Processing Visas?:

"U.S. innovation has always been based in part on foreign-born scientists and researchers," Gates told the House Committee on Science and Technology. "The fact that [other countries'] smartest people have wanted to come here has been a huge advantage to us, and in a sense, we're kind of throwing that away."

Much of the discussion surrounded Gates's call to raise the annual maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas, which allow employers to hire foreigners with specific skills. Last year, Gates said, Microsoft was not able to get visas for about one-third of the foreign-born people it wanted to hire.

Some lawmakers have sponsored bills to allow more visas, but others have said the H1-B program takes jobs from Americans and pushes down wages. Rep. Steven R. Rothman (D-N.J.) asked Gates if he thought there should be any limit on the number of visas issued, and facetiously asked if IQ tests should be administered to determine who is worthy of earning permanent-resident status.

Gates replied that more jobs are created around top engineers, and the continued demand for skilled workers will keep wages from decreasing.

Currently, Congress has set an annual limit on H1-Bs at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 earmarked for foreign students with advanced degrees from U.S. universities. The quota for H1-B visas filled up immediately last April — leaving June graduates stuck with no recourse but to find work in other countries.

Read the full story by Kim Hart, and watch the video here.

You can also the full text of the speech here.

• Microsoft Acquires Desktop Virtualization Firm Kidaro:

On March 12, 2008 Microsoft Corp. announced its intended acquisition of Kidaro, a leading provider of desktop virtualization solutions for enterprises. In combining Kidaro’s virtualization technology with its suite of desktop management tools, known as the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance, Microsoft will enable IT professionals to optimize their desktop infrastructure by providing management capabilities for Virtual PCs, streamlining deployments and easing application compatibility issues.

more...

Windows Vista Gets Its Own Matching Keyboard:

Microsoft Corp. brings the beauty of Windows Aero from the PC to the devices that surround it with its latest keyboard and mouse desktop set, the Wireless Laser Desktop 7000, designed to complement the Windows Vista operating system with its striking design.

Microsoft Laser Desktop 7000 Keyboard and Mouse

Features include:

1. Windows Aero-Inspired Translucent Design
2. Floating Hot Keys
3. Instant Access to Windows Flip 3D
4. Comfort Curve Design
5. Rechargable Mouse with Battery Status Indicator
6. 2.4GHz Wireless Technology

The Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 will be widely available in April 2008 for an estimated retail price of $129.95 (U.S.).

more...

• Say 'Hello' to Microsoft Windows Vista SP1:

Microsoft announced Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to be released in mid-March thorugh Microsoft's online update service and through the Microsoft download center. This update contains more than 300 fixes, covering everything from data protection, to video performance. These are some important patches among others:

1. A fix for a problem in which optical disks turn blank after being formatted with Vista's Live File System.
2. A patch for a glitch that generates an error message when large files are copied from one Vista-based computer to another over a network.
3. An update designed to improve Vista's speed when it's operating on a computer linked to a virtual private network.
4. Improvement in Internet Explorer's streaming video performance.
5. Preventing data loss in USB devices connected to Vista PCs.
6. A fix that adds a Venezuelan time zone.

more...

• Microsoft's Eight Long-Term Growth Bets:

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer outlined Microsoft’s top eight growth targets during his annual “Strategic Update” for Wall Street analysts in New York on February 4. On Ballmer’s 2008 list of arenas where Microsoft believes it can sustain three-quarters of a billion dollars or more in new margin growth:

1. Windows on New PCs: It’s not the fastest growing part of Microsoft’s business percentage-wise, but Windows sales still remain one of the biggest chunks of Microsoft’s total revenues.
2. Corporate Desktop Value: He cited Office 2007, Windows Server (especially in the lower-end of the market), Dynamics ERP and CRM as examples of hot products.
3. Server Units: Microsoft is putting a lot of eggs in its server-investment basket in its fiscal 2008 with its Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 launch on February 27.
4. SMB (Small/Midsize Business) Wares: Ballmer said to expect Microsoft to introuce equivalents of Windows Live for businesses, but didn’t say more on that front.
5. Portals and Search: Sounds like Microsoft still isn’t giving up on MSN and Live Search.
6. Online Advertising: Microsoft wants to buy Yahoo to grow its online ad business.
7. XBox: Ballmer said to watch for Microsoft to continue to push for broader Xbox acceptance in markets where it has been less popular, like continental Europe and Japan.
8. Windows Mobile: The Softies have said they know their weak spots and have plans to make Windows Mobile 7 and Windows Mobile 8 more consumer-friendly with features like touch and gesture recognition.

more...

• Microsoft's New Modeling Language:

Microsoft, which in October officially announced its intent to support model-driven development in a broad strategy known as “ Oslo,” is beginning work on a new declarative programming language, a supporting editing tool and other components of the initiative, according to sources close to the company.

According to the sources, D is a new language under development at Microsoft aimed at building applications and components for the Oslo repository. However, D is but one piece of a much larger puzzle that will include graphical modeling tools and other components. D is expected to be a textual modeling language suitable for use by business professionals and domain experts.

Accenting D will be a new editing tool known as "Intellipad." Intellipad will serve as a text editor for the D language and will further support the development of applications and other content for the Oslo repository.

more...

  OK guys...  I left my home land to enter the land of software, and yesterday, when I could finally be there, I couldn't feel my body! Now I can't wait to apply for a job...

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