Last year, I started my first column in the New Year like this: “Like many people, I like to look forward at the beginning of a brand new year. I don’t have the ambition to look at world politics, but how about my own activities?” The column went on about typical developer issues and excitement about new operating systems to be released. Those product releases occurred on time. In some areas this year started exactly the same as last year for me. Twelve months ago I was waiting which of my abstracts for the Windows Mobile and Embedded Developer Conference were accepted. This year I know at least for a few of them which were accepted and rejected. Like last year, I am again in the midst of a webcast series. There is a big difference though. Last year I still had 12 webcasts to go in the series around this time, this year only 1. This definitely feels more relaxed, but I am not sure I like it. After all, presenting webcasts is a lot of fun. So far about similarities, but what about differences? I feel more and stronger feelings about politics and worldwide issues that need to be solved, varying from violence and war to global heating. I will not discuss those topics on this technology related website; except for mention them in the first column of this year. I guess technology seems less important to me right now, because there are so many things to worry about, on a global scale but also on a personal scale. Over the next few weeks I am sure my excitement for technology will increase again. Be it alone because a number of wishes I had at the beginning of 2006 are still not true. I still don’t see enough emphasis on Windows CE as a great operating system for industrial computing. The Windows Embedded CE 6.0 release could have been a great milestone to go ahead and evangelize the Platform much more than actually happened during the virtual launch event. I still wait for laptop batteries to last long enough on Trans Atlantic flights. Some things have been changed of course. Right now I am writing this column using Windows Vista and Word 2007. Both products have been released and it was even possible to run them on my aging desktop computer. I only needed a new graphics card. From a technology point of view I am really curious what Windows Mobile powered devices will hit the market in 2007. Getting older, it seems that time flies faster. So it probably feels only like a few months until it is December again to look back at those devices and other things. For now, the only thing I really needed to say in this column is the following: “I hope you all have a great 2007. Hopefully all your wishes, both in your personal and professional life, will become true”.

Maarten Struys