Microsoft released their second beta of the XNA framework earlier this month and it's time to have a closer look at what it is and what it does. XNA is "is a product that enables students and hobbyist game programmers to create games using C# that will run on both Windows and their Xbox 360".

My first thoughts after readin through a bunch of FAQs and listening to Scott Hanselman's last show was: "can I replace my modified HTPC XBOX with a XBOX 360 with a mediacenter created with this framework?".

I'm not a hardcore console gamer, so I've been really happy with my modified first gen XBOX, but it can't do HD stuff, so the timing for

November has been fun with two new Umbraco sites; engersandhavn.no and ct-arch.co.uk. I've updated the portfolio with screenshots and a couple of comments. Both use script.aculo.us and prototype.js libraries for visual effects and slicker Javascript code. There are also some Flash integration where Umbraco expose data as XML. Thanks to Umbraco's uber fast development and content management environment both sites were finished within just 3-4 days each. The customers are also very pleased with the easy and responsive administration GUI in Umbraco.