Visual Studio 2008

Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 is due to ship at the end of November. See the press release here.

Announcing ImageLab v1.0a

Over the last ten years I've implemented a lot of image processing algorithms in C++. Some were for research purposes, some for integration into other applications, and some were for including in imaging libraries.

Over the last few weeks I've been tinkering with image processing in C# and I've made the decision to port all my C++ imaging algorithms into C# (using GDI+), into an application called ImageLab. Sure, there's bound to be lots of other pieces of software called ImageLab but I'm sticking with that name anyway. My aim isn't to release production standard software such as Paint.NET, or create a competitor library to AForge. Rather, my aim is to just to release source code for scientific imaging routines that are hard to come by, that can be reused by anyone who sees fit.

At the moment I've ported around 15 different algorithms. My plan is to pack more features into it over the coming weeks then do a first release near Christmas. At the very least it should be of some use to my students...

Skydrive

Skydrive can be thought of as a USB stick on the web. It's 1GB of free storage that you can use however you like - but generally its useful for transferring files between machines, and sharing files with a team. You can restrict control over who can access your files, making it simple to share documents and files - or keep them all to yourself.

IBM Mainframe Contest

This autumn, IBM is running the Student Mainframe Contest for college and university students across the UK.

No experience with mainframes is necessary. In fact, the contest is designed for students with little or no mainframe experience, increasing with difficulty as the contest progresses. Students just need to bring drive and competitive spirit and they will be ready to compete.

Prizes include:

IBM Mainframe t-shirts
Sony PSPs
Lenovo ThinkPads
Trip to IBM Hursley, Winchester

For more information see http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/uk/z/mainframecontest/

Imagine Cup 2008

The Imagine Cup is the world’s largest technology competition for students and is a great way to build connections with the IT industry in preparation for leaving university. It has been running for 5 years and poses a challenge that affects everyone and that you can help solve:

“Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment”

There are 9 categories to the Imagine Cup:

* Embedded Development

* Game Development

* Project Hoshimi

* IT Challenge

* Algorithm

* Photography

* Short Film

* Interface Design

There are many great benefits in entering such as great prizes, career networking opportunities with Microsoft and its partners, and also the positive association you make as an ambassador for the university competing in a worldwide competition both at the UK level and if you go on to compete at the worldwide finals in Paris.

To get started it is really simple – you first need to register for the Imagine Cup by following the link ( http://www.microsoft.co.uk/uk/academia/imaginecup/2008/quiz/default.mspx ) and then download the competitors guide ( http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/5/1/151f1456-7379-41ff-a6f6-f5ca6dd5885d/imaginecup_competitors_guide.pdf ) which will get you started on the road to success and great prizes!