New update to SQL Server Data Tools: July 2014 Update

Latest release of SQL Server Data Tools(SSDT) is now available here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/hh297027

This update is now available for Visual Studio 2012 and 2013

Instead of the above link you can also get it from inside Visual Stuido 2012 via Tools -> Extensions and Updates->Updates.

What's new in this:
Of course more bug fixes and some of the following enhancements:

• Schema Compare update

         Added MSBuild support for Schema Compare with text and XML output.  A blog post is    available with more information.

• Improved Windows Azure SQL Database node in the Server Explorer

        Added Token-based authentication using a Microsoft account (MSA) or organizational account (OrgId)

        Added supported for VS2012

• Improved (Parallel Data Warehouse) PDW support

       PDW tooling is now part of the Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows Desktop SKU.  This requires the VS 2013 Update 2 or later to be installed

      Support for PDW appliance updates in both VS2012 and VS2013

Also read:
http://brianwmitchell.com/2013/11/sql-server-to-pdw-migration-whitepaper/

SSDT for SQL Server 2014 here:
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/03/sql-server-data-tools-to-go-with-sql.html

SSDT BI_Templates here:
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2013/10/ssdt-bi-templates-for-sql-server-2012.html

SSDT Web Site:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/tools.aspx

 

Faster web processing with the new Javascript object SIMD

If you are a HTML5\CSS\Javascript programmer you should look this up.

Parallelism is at the heart of higher performance resulting in lower power requirements and SIMD is
at the fore front. SIMD stands for Single Instruction Multiple Data Instructions. These are called
SIMD instructions that make simlutaneous processing of mulitple data items possible. This is
particularly suited for computations involving image/audio/video; computer vision; preceptual
computing, etc. This kind of operation on multiple data items was not possible directly using
JavaScript till the emrgence of the new Javasript object SIMD.

A picture is worth a paragraph of my gibberish, but here it is for a vector length of 4:

Image Source: https://01.org/node/1495

Here is a quickie on the API:

Here is the speed up in Mozilla browser with processing using SIMD:

The source for the ecmascript for SIMD: ecmascript_simd.js here:

https://github.com/johnmccutchan/ecmascript_simd/blob/master/src/ecmascript_simd.js

 

Creating Flat Design Websites by António Pratas

Creating Flat Design Websites by António Pratas ( http://goo.gl/ZK3CWp) provides a great background for design principles of Flat Design, an approach which is both minimalist and trendy. He really makes a good case to justify the title.

The book is replete with design information and resource links that should be very useful. The preparation of the book uses Photoshop and the exercises slant towards web sites with Mac but the discussion and the ideas of flat design are quite general. The exercises are quite simple and the step-by-step guidance to creating a 1 page site should be very helpful. The codes in the book should be available on the Packt site.

The book provides examples, side by side, a traditional design and a makeover of the same using flat design principles and in most of the cases a great deal of visual clarity and greatly improved usuability has been achieved.

He describes several of the features that one should look for. For example,this is what the author says about usability:

"Most of the times, usability is
just about organization and common sense, and this is a way of working rather
than a technique to be applied. A more innovative interface will be harder to use
in the beginning, but the designer can choose to take this risk to achieve a different
experience."

This brings to my mind the arguments for and againt Desktop and Metro feature differences. Metro is a different experience and if you are used to desktop as in Windows 7 for example, you feel a little intimidated, but it is a different experience.

The author provides this link to how Wikipedia had its makeover going in for flat design. This summarizes what can be achieved with a flat design to get a great looking web page.
http://blog.weare1910.com/post/75576312730/a-readable-wikipedia

This book is about web design and the author does not discuss how the design responds to the different device sizes, a topic the author would no doubt consider for his next book.

In Windows 8.1 Update Microsoft creates a number of templates which are great starting points for creating basically flat design but where you have the opprtunity to tweak to add your signature.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/hh781237.aspx

While looking at flat design you may also want to watch this video:

http://www9.buyerpricer.com/Video.aspx?videoid=skn8pMfbWqY&slk=flat+ui+web+design&cid=3323989914&kwid=20466517441&uq=flat+design+web+sites&nid=2&iscid=2000005&term=flat+ui+web+design&vx=0

I whole heartedly recommend this book if you are contemplating building your own web site.

I was requested by PACKT to write a review and I have received a eBook.

iMachines are coming - this cutie is from Toyota

This is Toyota's i-ROAD single passenger all electrical vehicle.

Is it the  Indian 'auto-rikshaws taken to the next level?
Is it a three wheeler with a hood?

Anyway, looks like a fun vehicle to drive which can be used for all kinds of deliveries (pizza. Indian takeout).

Would Toyota latch on a fuelcell source ot it?

Big day for Big Data at Insight 2014

If you are working in Big Data this should interest you and if work with Data and IBM then this is for you.
Insight 2104 is IBM driven Conference for Big Data and Analytics.

 

Get all the competitive advantages of data:

 * Drive business outcomes with sophisticated analytics
 * Develop speed of insight  to accelerate "speed of action"
 * Extend differentiation  through cognitive capabilities

If you need to convince your boss to let you attend then show him this list (I took it out of the advertisement)

Top reasons to make sure you're at Insight 2014:

• 1,500 deep-dive learning opportunities - elective sessions, hands-on labs and developer activities led by  industry thought leaders and client speakers
•  Business and Industry Leadership program
•  100+ Hands-on labs to sharpen your skills
• Five new "Fast Tracks" in Cloud, Mobile, Social, Cognitive Computing, Security and Infrastructure
• The Solution EXPO - the latest solutions presented by 350+ exhibitors and IBM experts
• Networking opportunities to deepen your knowledge and shape your career