Despite the very public problems some GPS and mapping solutions have I decided to get a GPS for the car recently to help find my way around Seattle and the surrounds. As we had friends come to visit and a little emergency it actually turned out to be a very good idea.

After a month or so of using the device though I think that the "state of the art" is a way off yet, and there are some features that would be really good to see in all units, not just the high end $1000+ monsters.

The maps get out of date. Mine comes with an annual update, that I have to pay for if I want. I'd prefer to pay a monthly subscription fee and know that I'll be getting updates as and when they happen not have roadworks shut down a junction for 6 months but keep having the route try and exit there. The same goes for Places of Interest - it's so out of date I'm directed to drive past two Starbucks to get to the closest one in its database. You'd think that some of the locations in the system would even subsidize the cost to know customers can find them. A Bluetooth connection, a cellphone and a data plan and the updates could trickle in incrementally. A USB connection and a PC and they could be done when you remember. It's not rocket science.

A smarter solution would be to have a live integration with something like Live Local or Live Mobile - current maps, local businesses and current traffic information. Add to that weather info and you've got a solution that understands where I want to go and the current conditions that will affect my drive.

Slow down when it's a good idea like around schools. Having the local speed limits flagged (especially schools, hospitals, elderly care, shopping precincts etc) and reminding you (nothing intrusive, just a little ping) when you're going too fast would be good - especially if you don't know the area and you've got a transition from 55mph to 20mph just around a corner...

Learn from my (your) mistakes. If I keep taking a different route (for instance when a street is actually one way, but not flagged correctly in the database, or a road is closed due to roadworks so I always take a particular detour) assilimiate that information and learn from it. Use my preferred route to over-ride or inform the algorithms.

I don't want it to sing and dance. I've got an iPod I can use in the car with my iTrip. I don't need another music player from a tinny speaker. And I've got Sirius (though I'm still not sold on that idea!). I guess if it's wired into the car (mine is powered off the aux power at the moment) and can use the car speakers it's a better idea, and provides a way to get MP3s into the car.

A better musical accompaniment would be to build dynamic playlists from my collection based on time, route, driver - perhaps a pick'n'mix from locally available data and a service like MSN Radio or Pandora. Of course that's more viable when the data networks move to a more high speed, flat rate model (or WiFi, WiMax and Satellite work out how to work together to provide ubiquitous coverage)

Despite the above list however I'm quite pleased with the Garmin nuvi 350. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than being hopelessly lost!

If anyone is building the perfect GPS system though, can you include speed limit information (so I've always got a reminder on screen) also the ability to download where I've been onto my PC and show it on Live Maps....

I'd thought about getting a GPS bluetooth device and using it in conjunction with my K-Jam and something like Pharos, CoPilot or Windows Live Search for Mobile but in the end I like a simple, easy to use solution that just works.

Soon Microsoft will be in Australia interviewing interested and qualified candidates for software development positions working on our major products in the US at our corporate headquarters.

As someone who's called Australia home for a very long time I can recommend the value of picking up your skills and traveling, and right now Redmond is a pretty awesome place to be.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT AT MICROSOFT

The reason so many people from various disciplines come to Microsoft is because we provide the most exciting challenges in the industry. Since our inception in 1975, Microsoft’s mission has been to create software for the personal computer that empowers and enriches people in the workplace, at school and at home. Microsoft’s early vision of a computer on every desk and in every home is coupled today with a strong commitment to Internet -related technologies that expand the power and reach of the PC and its users. You can help shape the industry in nearly countless ways, all while gaining invaluable experience. Our casual environment lends itself to freer thinking and therefore, creative problem-solving. However, the coolest part of all is the diversity of jobs. You’re guaranteed not to be bored. We invite you to join us as we move toward the .NET age, the next generation of our products. You could create a world of change in one of these pivotal, Redmond, Washington USA area positions in the Microsoft product groups.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT POSITIONS

Software Design Engineer (SDE)

Work at the core of every product we build. This is where the fun begins for code gurus like you. As a hands-on Software Design Engineer, you’ll make decisions about design and feature implementation, using your mastery of technical tools to make a product vision a reality. If you like to write code and design efficient data structures and algorithms to develop next-generation applications or operating systems, this is the position for you. As an SDE, you’ll bring products to life by working with Program Managers to ensure strong design and Software Design Engineers in Test to ensure quality through testing. Ultimately for the SDE, it’s your code that turns concepts into new technologies and services.

Key Requirements/Qualifications:

· Fluency in C/C++/C# and a passion for writing quality code using computer science fundamentals

· Ability to derive creative and innovative solutions by thinking "outside the box"

· Ability to solve complex problems, sometimes by testing and debugging code

· Expertise in feature definition, design, and feasibility

Software Design Engineer in Test (SDET)

Discover life on the last line of defense. As a Software Design Engineer in Test (SDET), you’ll own it, break it, fix it, and own it again. You’ll ensure a product’s quality by making sure it performs as users expect it to. Part of the fun is how creative you can be devising ways to manipulate, crush, and sabotage software into submission—while creating innovative testing technologies along the way. Ultimately, as an SDET it’s your input that can make the difference between joy and frustration for the customers. Since you’re keen on how things work, and making them work better, you’ll work hand in hand with the Program Managers and Software Design Engineers to design, develop, and maintain automation systems for use in development and testing cycles. Using the tools you create, you’ll pour over source code for trouble spots, debugging and isolating problems, and executing creative tests to find new bugs while regression testing recent fixes.

Key Requirements/Qualifications:

· Fluency in C/C++/C#/VB.NET and experience designing and developing tool architecture

· Ability to solve complex problems and write automation systems and device drivers

· Ability to author test plans and cases, conduct security and stress tests, and debug at source level after identifying and prioritizing bugs

· Demonstrated skills in negotiation and conflict management

· Demonstrated interest in customer advocacy derived from a holistic understanding of the product from the code level to delivery

If you are interested, please email your Resume/CV in English to: ausrec@microsoft.com or visit Microsoft.com/careers for more information. If you mentioned JECATH I get some internal kudos and might buy you a beer when you get here ;)

Handy tip. If you're used to the way folks interview in Aus or NZ check out this story of interviewing for both Microsoft and Amazon. The process was similar, but in some ways very different, to what I did for my role here. And a PM role is less technical than SDE/SDET positions so really expect to be able to prove you're not blowing smoke.

MIX07 is coming and it's more than just another conference. Yes, I know... the marketing pitch is that it's a "72 hour conversation"... and this doesn't mean that it's some random suits from Microsoft standing on a stage and playing buzzword bingo.

It's much more than that.

For a start it's in Las Vegas (yeah baby!). It'll be my first visit to that city and I'm really looking forward to it.

Secondly it's going to be a chance to meet with your peers from around the world, find out what they've been up to and where they're taking the web and how they're leveraging new technologies such as WPF/E and Gadgets as well as AJAX in Visual Studio.

We've got keynotes from Robbie Bach (the President of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division) and Michael Arrington (the founder of TechCrunch) and others - covering today and tomorrow, shipping technology and visions for the future.

But it's not just all talk. Check out the MIX University for samples of the content, technologies and labs that will be available - yes, you might actually learn something at this event ;) I'm finally getting a chance to build my very first gadget!

As well as MIX U there will be a range of demos, labs and chances to talk to both your peers and folks from Microsoft about solving the problems you're hitting today (and hopefully avoiding new ones).

As an incentive to sign up early there's big discounts available before March 15th so don't miss out.

A second bonus is that MEDC will also be taking place in Las Vegas for developers and IT/business professionals interested in Microsoft's mobility and embedded software strategy. If you want to make a real trip of it and try and soak up both MIX and MEDC sessions (the latter alone has over 200 sessions and labs planned) then combined tickets are available at quite a discount.

But, that's not all. We're not throwing in a set of steak knives but something much better... all MIX07 attendees will receive a free copy of Windows Vista Ultimate. What's even better is that those copies will be eligible for the family discount so you could score two more licences for US$49.99 each - over US$600 value.

As we get closer to MIX I'm getting more excited.... hope to see you there :)

It's a common complaint. And usually it indicated a security melt-down is about to occur.

I've got passwords for my private email (Gmail, Hotmal and a hosted Exchange service), I've got passwords for work (and some really scary complexity and expiry rules) as well as passwords for some client remote desktop sites.

I've got passwords for FTP sites and forums, my blogs, my phone, my voicemail (cellphone and work) and my two ATM cards.

I've got a smartcard to identify me to one network for RAS and certificates for my mobile phone and browser. I've even got a finger-print sensor on my laptop (but Mythbusters and corporate security don't like them so I'm not allowed to use it).

I use an aggregation service to help me log in to a bunch of websites, store some logons in the finger print sensors password bank and... have a password protected word document with others in!

It's all too much! And I'm not alone, even the United Nations is concerned that it's all getting too much and as a result security is starting to be compromised.

I'd love one device (or combination of a device and a biometric) that's small and simple so I can have it with me always (eg an RFID device or a small token generator on a clip that also includes proximity smart card) that works with a central service (such as CardSpace or OpenID - or better yet, a number of them) to store logon credentials and apply them automagically so I don't have to keep track of them.

Ideally any solution (or solutions) would be simple enough to adopt that everything from Gmail to TypePad to my bank, office network and security doors would be able to migrate to the platform without too much trouble..... maybe the iCache is a step in the right direction...

Update [March 07]: Looks like I'm not the only one finding it frustrating though I'm not convinced that the software solutions they suggest are the right way to go (for a stand I want something secure and always with me)

I've used VPC for a few years now when I'm testing something new that I'm not sure will break my main machine - especially valuable if you're in a hotel miles away from your backups and must-have software.

VPC2004 sadly didn't work under Vista but the goodness is back now that Virtual PC 2007 has launched.

The excellent news is that, like VPC2004 recently, it's a free download.

Performance is up on the previous version (only to be expected) though you do still need a machine that can easily run your target OS before you try and run it as a virtual machine.

Note: If you had been using a beta of VPC2007 you must uninstall it before running the new installer

On an otherwise harmless TechCrunch post I found the answer to everyone who asks me "well, what the heck does Evangelist mean, and what do you do at Microsoft?" (and I'm including you in that Mum!)

Actually, it's not the whole answer, and it's not wholly true.

For a start I'm probably paid less than when I was freelance before and I'm having to work at least as hard. But the benefit is having access to technologies that really interest and excite me, having a chance to work with the folks who are creating the products.

I also get a chance to communicate with a much broader spectrum of people - around the world, corporate and grass roots. Certainly it's important to pitch the product (and in most cases with out team it's new, unreleased technology rather than finished product that needs lipstick), but most important is to gather feedback and take an honest "real world" perspective back to the product managers and say what works, what doesn't work... and share some of the really cool stuff that people do with our technologies.

So... what are these cool toys I get to play with? There's a lot of stuff that we can't talk about (and in some cases it's totally new, in others it's significant improvements on existing product you know and love) but as our group goes by the name Web|Live as you can imagine it's a pretty awesome mix of Web, Live (Windows, Office and Xbox), Media and future technology - it keeps me pretty busy ;)

As well as a windbag, I'm also a retarded salmon! I think the two roles go hand in hand. On my whiteboard at the moment I have a network diagram for home... it features a Windows Home Server, Media Center, Xbox360 and 3 other computers. I think I may be a nerd!

... although I'm trying to be more restrained than a hyperactive magpie in a shiny things factory these days (responsible grown up and all that).

Stop buying this crap. Just stop it. You don't need it. Wait a year until the reviews come out and the other suckers too addicted to having the very latest and greatest buy it, put up a review, and have moved on to something else. Stop buying broken products and then shrugging your shoulders when it doesn't do what it is supposed to. Stop buying products that serve any other master than you. Use older stuff that works. Make it yourself. Only buy new stuff from companies that have proven themselves good servants of their customers in the past. Complaining online about this stuff helps, but really, just stop buying it.

Joel Johnson has returned to Gizmondo after a stint out of the madness that is re-hashing press released and he's got some very good advice for us bleeding edge early adopters... and hopefully it's a bit of a wake-up call to the companies who have been relying on us to pay a premium to beta test products that they're going to drop like a hot potato as soon as the next cool idea comes along!

Of course, with that in mind... I want a new TV and an HD-DVD player and a UMPC and a better cellphone and.....

..... truth.

Well, mostly. I'm not sure about Wilco. They're okay but given the choice there's a lot of other things I'd listen to

Microsoft, Apple, Nokia (Symbian), Palm, Sony and a myriad of others are in a race to make the cellphone smarter, more capable and more vital to our lives.

Carriers rush to make the network more reliable and far reaching (though I get no coverage in my office on the Microsoft Redmond Campus - thank you T-Mobile, not!) and support better bandwidth.

Converged voice and data applications, smart phones, unified messengers, location aware devices all help make our lives easier.

And the advertisers view it as virgin territory just waiting to be sullied in their fight for captive eyeballs.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't object too strongly to some unobtrusive advertising especially if it's well executed and relevant and beneficial (ie helps to subsidize better/cheaper service) but the day it makes it harder to make a call or view a web page on my phone I'm going back to dumb handset that they can't target. If it means I have a device that just makes and receives phone calls... that's fine by me.

In the TV and magazine world adverts are a neccasary evil as they help support the medium. In the cinema they are a pernicious invasion (I've paid a premium to see the movie in a noisy, cold, uncomfortable warehouse with stale nachos - don't force-feed me pap for products I've no interest in).

I currently pay a hefty whack each month for my cellphone and data connection... Advertisers and carriers need to be careful they don't abuse their already tolerant (rather than happy) user base. Loyalty only lasts as long as the current contract.

So, Vista has been in beta for a while, and released for several months (Enterprise version) yet when I tried to install both QuickTime on it's own, and as part of an iTunes install, it wouldn't.

QuickTime gave me a useless error code with no explanation, and iTunes complains that VBScript is disabled but doesn't give me any helpful instructions.

Apple have suggested people hold off installing Vista for now. I still think that Apple need to get its act together with Windows versions of their software.

And Apple are still running inaccurate adverts claiming that Macs are easier to use than PCs... I'm wondering if they produce sub-standard software to give their platform a chance.

Funny thing was I didn't actually want iTunes or QuickTime but sadly had been sent some video footage I needed to view in .mov format