The Community Tech Days that was organized by the Chennai Dot Net User Group { CNUG } for developers from different background. There were sessions to soothe everyone's technical appetite. The one brilliant session that struck deep in my thoughts is about the Community tools that are available for the developers to seek for solutions to their existing problems. This Session was done in the Forenoon by Mr. Abhishek Kant from Microsoft. I wanted to blog about this Session to make it reach the audience who did not make it to the Developer track of the Community Tech Days.

This Session was just a appetizer to the entire day but proved to be something that stagnates in my mind like the waterlogged Chennai. Let me run through each tool one by one now.

1. FORUMS – http://forums.microsoft.com -- Forums help get you fast answers to technical questions about Microsoft products and technologies. Search an archive of answers or ask a new question.

2. BLOGS – http://blogs.msdn.com – Blogs are effective mediums to voice out what you are interested in. A lot of industry leaders and the creators of the various software that we use also blog. Some examples that I can give here are Scott Guthrie, Somasegar etc.

3. TECHNET BLOGS – http://blogs.technet.com – Another place where you can find solutions for almost all the problems that you encounter.

4. RICH MEDIA – Normal users who have patience to read will be interested to obtain solutions through forums, blogs etc. But in order to ease the way we look for information, Microsoft has another way i.e. Rich Media Contents for technical information through its Channel Websites. For Example: CHANNEL 9, CHANNEL 8, ON 10.

5. SOCIAL BOOKMARKING – http://social.msdn.microsoft.com, http://social.technet.microsoft.com – All of us have the habit of bookmarking our favorites while surfing. These are the portals where you can find community book markings. A great thought to streamline to right solution for everyone’s problem.

6. OPEN SOURCE – Who said that Microsoft is not open?? This is an Open Source Communty initiative from Microsoft. Check CodePlex. http://www.codeplex.com

7. SNIPPETS – For those who want to seek a readymade solution to recurring problems. We know that we do not want to reinvent the wheel. God gave us this gift of Snippets. Check out http://code.msdn.microsoft.com

8. WEBCASTS - http://www.microsoft.com/events/webcasts/ -- Hiccups, Starting trouble, Boss is grumbling. No problem yar! You need not go anywhere to learn any new technology. Webcasts are there for you to teach you about the Nook and Corner of each technological advancement.

9. VIRTUAL LABS – Try out the free Microsoft Products in the free Virtual environment. Check out http://www.microsoft.com/events/vlabs/default.mspx

10. BETAS -- http://connect.microsoft.com – This site is a connection point between you and Microsoft, and ultimately the larger community. Your feedback enables Microsoft to make software and services the best that they can be, and you can learn about and contribute to exciting projects.

11. PRODUCT COMMUNITIES – Nothing more to say. One stop solution to focused problems. http://asp.net, http://silverlight.net etc.

12. DREAM SPARK & BIZSPARK – Microsoft has taken an initiative for Students and start ups to choose a productive path to lead a successful and a triumphant career without initial hurdles. So all the developer tools are available for free for the Students which they can acquire. http://www.dreamspark.com,http://dreamsparkindia.com, http://microsoft.com/bizspark

13. MOST VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL – Microsoft recognizes community contributors as Most Valuable Professional. Check at www.microsoft.com/india/mvp

We are the Community and it is our duty to expand its frontiers. As a responsible community person, share what you know about technology to others who respect technology.

By

Sriram Narasimhan.

Sriram :)

When Laser was invented, it was called as a solution that awaits for a problem to arise. We Indians are gifted with resources. There has been so much industrial expansion that has taken place in the past few decades and we cannot deny that it has arose environmental problems. But the fact that the matter is, we already had a solution for this problem that Indian Government failed to adopt when setting up an industry. I wanted to blog about the solution to this existing problem.

The date was 08.11.2008, I was watching a television news channel. I saw a program where a leading paper production company personnel was explaining that they were finding it difficult to get raw materials for producing paper. They were requesting the government to allow them to invest on Industrial plantation. Now the solution is Industrial plantation. Let me get a little deep into this. When an investor is interested in setting up a factory, then they are very much ready to invest on the requirements and demands that are posted by the government plant. This industrial plantation allows the government to provide cultivable land to the industry on a lease and the industries should do multi cropping on these lands to generate the raw materials they require. How ever, for a tree to grow to its full shape, it will take almost five years. We should also remember the fact that, the factory set up also takes some what the same time. So this solution can be adopted for the betterment of the environment rather than blaming each other. This method is adopted in almost all the nations which are sensible to safe guard the environment.

This is a conscious remedy for the existing problem of environmental devastation and deforestation. India is rich in Flora and fauna and it is indeed our duty to safe guard it. The industries very well have all the potential to invest on Industrial plantation. But someone should blow the horn into the deaf ears of the government.

Sriram :)