Author: Bob Caswell

Reintroducing OneNote Trainer Packs: New & Improved

May 18, 2010May 18, 2010 Bob Caswell 3 Comments

So every once in a while, I like to blog about what I’m doing at work (especially if I’m excited about it!). Today, we’re announcing the release of “OneNote Trainer Packs.” Read on below if you’re interested in a glimpse in my day-to-day at Microsoft Learning.

Eighteen months ago, Microsoft Learning released beta OneNote Trainer Packs for 7 courses as part of an effort to test if consolidating Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) prep materials was a worthy endeavor. The answer came back from MCTs: yes, if done thoroughly. So that’s what we did.

Microsoft

Even Bill Maher Has A Love/Hate Relationship with Apple

May 15, 2010May 16, 2010 Bob Caswell 3 Comments

Wow, some major love for Apple tonight coming from none other than Bill Maher:

“America needs to focus on getting Jobs, Steve Jobs… In 2001, Apple reinvented the record player, in 2007 the phone, and this year the computer. I say, for 2011, we let them take a crack at America.”

“Our infrastructure, our business model, our institutions, get rid of the stuff that’s not working, replace it with something that does. For example: Goodbye US Senate, Hello Genius Bar. So good luck, Steve, ’cause you’ll need it. Of course, I’m sure he’ll make us change the name.”

Apple, Just For Fun, Media, Tech News

Nice Job, Bing: Android Now Less Interesting to Me

May 11, 2010May 11, 2010 Bob Caswell 3 Comments

The Bing team today unveiled turn-by-turn directions for Windows Phones. Now for those that know me, you may know that I currently am using an Android phone (yeah, yeah, I work for Microsoft and use an Android phone; it happens). And one of the reasons specifically was for the free GPS app available via Google….

Gadgets, Google, Microsoft, Tech News

Is 2010 the Year of Digital Books?

January 14, 2010 Bob Caswell 1 Comment

About three months ago, Microsoft Learning (where I work) released Microsoft Official Courses digitally for the first time (DRM-free, I might add). I can say that adoption of the digital versions of these courses has exceeded our expectations (even if it’s still too early to see where this is going exactly).

Coincidentally, the tech world has seemed especially excited about digital content these past three months (just check out my delicious feed specific to e-books). With dozens of new e-reader devices, new e-reader software, new content deals, Amazon Kindle sales records, etc. etc., are we gearing up for a year where digital books really take off?

Microsoft, Tech News

Practically Ideal Episode 2: Politics, Tech, & Movies

December 7, 2009December 9, 2009 Bob Caswell 8 Comments

podcast Logan and I are at it again with another episode of our new podcast: Practically Ideal (get episode 2 here, right-click and select “Save Link As…”). This week we’re discussing progressivism (general Democrat views) vs. conservatism (general Republican views) and figuring out if/where we fit in.

Google, Internet, Just For Fun, Media, Microsoft, Web 2.0

Practically Ideal: A New Podcast I’m a Part Of

December 1, 2009December 9, 2009 Bob Caswell 11 Comments

podcast My friend Logan Beaux decided to start a podcast (get it here) and invited me to be part of the project as a regular cohost. For whatever reason, I’ve never done the podcasting thing (till now). And lately I’ve been thinking that Twitter/Facebook has replaced my need to blog like I used to.

Gaming, Internet, Just For Fun, Media, Microsoft

What I’ve Been Working On…

October 9, 2009October 9, 2009 Bob Caswell 1 Comment

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Facebook/Twitter have sort of replaced much of my blogging needs, but that’s a conversation for another day. The real excuse for not blogging that I wanted to point out today is what’s kept me busy at work. I work for Microsoft Learning as a product manager and wanted to share the latest news here:

Microsoft, Tech News

Complainers Now Praising Microsoft

July 12, 2009July 13, 2009 Bob Caswell 4 Comments

microsoft_logo_2 It’s a slow news day (should be, it’s Sunday) and good ol’ Mini-Microsoft has taken the top spot over at Techmeme. For those unfamiliar, Mini-Microsoft is an anonymous blogger and Microsoft employee who has been calling for radical change to happen at Microsoft for years. He (she?) has been quiet since the last round of layoffs but decided to share some praise today in a post titled “Microsoft Has Turned The Corner.”

From Mini’s blog:

Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News, Web 2.0