The History of Microsoft Surface

With something so NEW, is there History?...Of course there is! This product has been years in the making at Microsoft.

Surface computing transforms tradtional user interface into a more interactive and "natural" way to use digital content. This allows effortless interaction with digital content with the natural gestures, touch and physical objects (e.g. handphone, camera, credit card...). Which means that the keyboard and mouse are no longer needed!

Wow! So where did all these genius ideas come from?

It all started in 2001...Stevie Bathiche of Microsoft Harward and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research began brainstorming for ideas of an interactive platform which combines the physical and virtual world. The goal - to create a whole new interactive experience with the digital world.

Then in 2003, the first prototype was born, based on an IKEA table with a hole cut through its top and a sheet of architect vellum as a diffuser. The New Consumer Products Group saw the potential and value of this "table".

Then in 2004, the team built more than 85 early prototypes! Funtionality and applications were continuously refined. Until 2005, the current look and feel of the Surface was finalized!

The FUTURE of Surface computing...
Microsoft believes that the Surface will be in many environments - schools, businesses, homes, and in a number of form factors - part of the countertop, the wall or the refrigerator! I am very excited about this new product and would like to try the interactive experience for myself. I foresee this surface technology in all places in future...I hope that this "future" won't be too far from now!

Homework #4 Topics ~

1) How can we use e-Learning more effectively? What are the critical success factors of e-Learning?

2) The term eLearning 2.0 has been used to refer to the use of social software such as blogs and wikis, etc. Find out more about eLearning 2.0 and share about it.

3) Read and write about Microsoft Surface tachnology.

4) Do you think this technology will be a success in the future?

E-commerce 101

1) Do not neglect customer service
Selling on the web means that you will never meet your customers; however, customers often get turned off when there is a lack of personal contact. So if you would like to have repeat customers, take the below advice seriously!

a) Send e-mails to your customers when an order is received and when it is shipped. E-mail them again, after they have received their goods to make sure the products meets their expectations.

b) Answer e-mails promptly and personally

c) Make sure to leave your physical business contact details on your site. This makes the customers the sense that you are a "real" business.

2) Integrate your web site with your traditional business
Include your website address on every business-related document you create. Below is a list places where you should include your URL.

a) Direct marketing materials, including direct mail pieces, point-of-sale packaging, and trade show displays.

b) Advertising, including display or classified ads.

c) Any other materials you might send to customers.

3) Pick a Niche you know
How do you know there's a niche online for your business? Check around for content siteis that cater to particular interests.

Retrieved from http://www.infinities.com/e-commerce-basics.cfm on 3rd Feb 08

Homework #3

Here are the topics...

1) 10 key factors why some e-commerce succeed
2) 10 reasons why some e-commerce failed
3) e-Marketing - How to make it a success?
4) Issues about security, privacy and legal issues for e-Business.

MacBook Helium

A special day (because Anita hardly brings her cam to class!)

~ Pearlene, Wei Si, Pui Ching & Phyliss ~

~ Wei Si, Pui Ching & I ~

We had a happy day...

Wishing all my friends and teachers a Happy Chinese New Year and a happy holiday! :D

Ask if you are curious