Archive for December, 2009

Downturn hits Dubai-based US universities

December 30th, 2009

There are press reports that the downturn hit Dubai-based US universities and that some universities are now offering half-price tuition in a bid to attract more students.

Meanwhile Synergy offers cost effective campus manegement solutions,and a suite of elearning modales especially for construction and engineering students.

Universties also benefit from discounted rates for MInd Manager

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

December 30th, 2009

Dubai Sports City to host ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

Dubai International Cricket Stadium will now host 11 out of 17 qualifying matches.

Dubai – UK youth visitors

December 30th, 2009

Dubai second most popular travel spot for young Brits – Over a quarter of all British youth are set to visit the emirate over the next decade.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 (Advanced) Training

December 29th, 2009

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 (Advanced)
The course will give a deep insight into how the master schedule functionality integrates supply chain and production, and how Supply Chain process impact financials (costing variances etc)

An additional introductory day is available for new consultants

Open to Microsoft Dynamics Ax partners

Jan, 2010 (18-21, 23-26)
Microsoft Gulf Offices, Internet City, Dubai
Delivered by : Synergy Software Systems
$1,500 per partner

For more information contact:
Ahmed Salama MBS Product Manager
Microsoft Gulf
Dir +971 4 391 7136
[ahsalama@microsoft.com]

Drink driving- don't

December 29th, 2009

UAE police arrest 817 drink drivers this year – typical fines were Dh 20,000. Traffic officials warn of tough penalties as they continue zero tolerance to drink drive offences.

If you are celebrating Nww Year’s Eve then walk or take a taxi or do it at home, or find a non drinking driver.

Note that apart from risk to other’s life and limb that if you are involved in accident caused buy someone else if you have been drinking then you will probably get the blame.

For many loss of licence = loss of job.

So have a Happy New Year’s eve and make it your New Year resolution not to drink and drive next year.

Power Pivot free seminar

December 27th, 2009

http://www.vconferenceonline.com/shows/spring10/uvc/event.asp

This event looks like a 4 hour review with a full list of the sessions on the registration pages. If you work with SQL Server I honestly cannot think of a reason why you would want to miss this event.

Cumulative update package 7 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

December 27th, 2009

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976951/

released on 21 December 2009

Microsoft support pilot

December 27th, 2009

Microsoft has launched a new limited pilot program on its Microsoft Answers forum that will eventually see independent experts bidding on tech support that users post. These ‘experts’ are presumed to have the skills and ability to troubleshoot and to resolve customer technology problems. To try the program, dubbed TechSupport Marketplace, visit the Windows XP and Windows Vista forums “Ask a Question” page on Microsoft Answers and hope for an invitation.

The limited pilot will run for a few months after which Microsoft will evaluate the customer value and use to determine if and how to proceed with this customer offering.

The idea is simple. Users will post questions on the new website and a select group of technical experts will bid to provide support to the user. Think of it like an eBay or Craigslist for your support problems. The pilot program is currently available only on the English forum and should conclude in Spring 2010. The pilot is obviously limited in scale and experts who help the customers have been selected by Microsoft especially for this pilot. During the pilot phase, expert assistance will be provided free of charge on an invitation-only basis. The support service will be available during business hours, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm PT.

I can see support nightmares if this is extended to erp solutions where there may be specific customisations,and a local partner has no record of ad hoc support done by others.

December 27th, 2009

The US Court of Appeals ordered Microsoft to drop support for editing Custom XML in Word, essentially stopping the company from selling current versions of one of its flagship products and affirming a $290 million patent infringement judgment . The injunction, goes into effect on January 11, 2010, and only bars the sale of Word 2007, and also affects all editions of Microsoft Office 2007, .

This injunction applies only to copies of Microsoft Word 2007 and Microsoft Office 2007 sold in the US on or after the injunction date of January 11, 2010,”meaning all copies of these products sold before this date (including Word 2003 and Word 2007) are not affected.

The injunction does not require changes to Word 2010, due for release in June 2010 because “the beta versions of Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010, which are available for downloading, do not contain the technology covered by the injunction

McDonald's Wifi

December 27th, 2009

McDonald’s will be offering free WiFi starting in January at all of its U.S. locations that are outfitted for wireless internet access.

McDonald’s currently offers internet access through AT&T at 11,000 of its 14,000 U.S. locations at US$2.95 fee for two hours of service, according to Bloomberg.

So will it come to Dubai?