A cool new user group has been started by Richard Costall (MVP) and Dave McMahon:

http://www.nxtgenug.net/Default.aspx

It focuses on new and upcoming technologies, such as .Net 2.0, Vista, WCF etc.

I'm really chuffed that I've been given the opportunity to contribute a regular blog on security:

http://www.nxtgenug.net/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6   more »

Here is the code and slides for the VBUG talk I gave last night on Code Access Security.

Lots of boilerplate stuff, including a custom permission.   more »

Here are some links that I used..................   more »

Well, I've been moaning for a while about how I've been forced down the road of buying a digital camera.

Certain manufacturers stopping production of film cameras, camera shops refusing me a trade in for my old-fashioned 'film' camera (no call for that sort of stuff, grandad), film accessories disappearing from the shelves etc. All of this is a marketing excercise to make me upgrade and keep upgrading.

It arrived today. Nikon D50. Black with 18-70mm lens.

Absolutely superb. Loads of settings and controls to play with. It's even got the facaility for balancing flash exposure - you'd have to pay stacks to have this on one of those old-fashioned film cameras.

Imagine having to wait while the chemist develops your pictures for you! All that wasted paper and emulsion for pictures you don't really want. I can't believe people still do that.............   more »

I went to buy some bread at the co-op the other day. While I was paying, I noticed that there was an extra pad next to the chip and pin consol. It was a fingerprint reader.

Crikey, the Co-Op has gone all Biometrical!

http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2006/03/10/214695/Co-opgoeslivewithfirstpaymentbybiometricssystem.htm

While I was at the Biometrics conference in 2004, I went to a presentation by some people from the Co-Op showing how they were trialing fingerprint readers. Now it's been rolled out, and you don't have to worry about leaving your wallet at home. You can just turn up in your dressing gown to get a pint of milk for your cuppa tea!

Don't worry about someone cutting off your finger to use it - Biometrics technology is very advanced now, and can tell whether the finger is attached to someone living.

Thieves may cut off your finger, but they won't be able to shop with it. You can sleep well.   more »