Author Archives: Donavon

Is Microsoft serious about gadgets?

Is Microsoft serious about gadgets?

If Silverlight 2 is Microsoft’s shining new addition to the family (and deservingly so) then gadgets, both Windows Vista Sidebar and web… Read more

JSLint adds supports for Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets

JSLint adds supports for Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets

You’ve heard me stress in the past the importance of writing good JavaScript, especially when it comes to the complex code that makeup a Windows… Read more

The Traffic Gadget is Back!

The Traffic Gadget is Back!

OK, it’s formally called the Live Search Maps gadget, but that’s a mouthful so most people simply call it the "traffic gadget".… Read more

Overview: Professional Windows Live Programming

Overview: Professional Windows Live Programming

Wrox is about to release a book by Jon Arking titled “Professional Windows Live Programming”. As a Microsoft MVP, I was fortunate… Read more

1 in 3

1 in 3

What is 1 in 3? Your odds of winning a one of 10 Zunes or 3 trips to Las Vegas in the Remix MIX contest. Right now there are about 35 entries… Read more

REMIX MIX contest announced

REMIX MIX contest announced

Calling all designers. Win one of 3 trips to MIX07 in Las Vegas in a prize package worth over $3000.  Just head over to http://www.visitmix.com/remix/contest/ to… Read more

The Vista Bus invades Washington DC

The Vista Bus invades Washington DC

I got a chance to meet up with the Vista Bus earlier this morning as it rolled through our nation’s capital. In case you haven’t heard, Microsoft… Read more

Windows Live Contacts control adds “presence”

Windows Live Contacts control adds “presence”

Microsoft’s Danny Thorpe talks about the new version of the Windows Live Contacts control that adds a new tile view that displays… Read more

What does "copyright" mean?

What does "copyright" mean?

As regular readers of LiveSide.net know, I am Donavon West, a Microsoft MVP and I wrote the Windows Vista Countdown gadget. The other day, a friend… Read more

Sidebar Programming: Microsoft took away alert(), I’m taking it Back!

Sidebar Programming: Microsoft took away alert(), I’m taking it Back!

Developers often find the need to popup some kind of informational message to the user. We’ve all been on web sites and received the “Invalid… Read more