FWIW: In a Windows Service that I wrote awhile back, I used the following: // Initiate our System Timer (set to one minute here) double dblStartupInterval = 60000; this.timProcessTimer_PollPV = new System.Timers.Timer (dblStartupInterval); // Note that everything done by the Timer is tied to // the Elapsed Event, which is raised every interval. // Instruct the Framework to call // the "ServiceTimer_PollPV_Tick" method when this // Timer elapses -- that is, when its interval runs its course. this.timProcessTimer_PollPV.Elapsed += new System.Timers.ElapsedEventHandler(this.ServiceTimer_PollPV_Tick);

you get Christmas and Halloween confused, because DEC 25 = OCT 31

While the rest of the clowns in here debate the nuances of shades-of-gray grammatical meaningless, I will try to give you a reasonable answer. GET THE H@LL of that place now before they ruin you for life!!! Find a group that appreciates the proper way of doing IT and go to it now. There are plenty of fine companies that know what is the right way. Your current company is on the road to disaster. I am serious - save your soul and get out now.

Why be so intolerant about a language you know little (or nothing) about? I have programmed in at least a dozen languages, and each has it good points and bad. Variety is the spice of life.:-O

> What makes a good presentation? Hard to say. Q: What makes a good political speech? What makes a good book report. What makes a good sermon? What makes a good news story? A: It holds their attention, conveys info at their level of understanding, makes them think, and they remember a few of your key points the next day. Decide what the subject matter and goal of your presentation will be. Try to determine what the main goal of the majority of your audience will be. Analyze both to determine points of common ground. Research the subject, outline a handful of main points, and order them logically. Add supporting info to reinforce your main points. Draw a conclusion. Now go back and create your introduction. In our visual age, just putting WORDS on a slide is no longer enough. And reading those same words to me is even worse. Since the slide area is limited, use only short phrases on the slide. When you speak, your words will give the complete sentences. Find a meaningful way to incorporate charts, graphics, pictures, etc. anything visual into the slides. Research the works of Edward Tufte as he is a master at this. http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/ If feasible, demonstrate the product, or concept. Talking about network switches? Don't just show a picture - hold one up, pass it around. USE PROPS wherever possible, especially to convey a concept. (At a marriage conference, they passed around a 4 inch Diamond replica, rose colored glasses, a mirror, a heavy rope with lots of knots in it, and many other unusual items, to help people get a handle on concepts like Worth, Bias, Forgiveness, etc.). Do anything you can to help the audience tangibly grasp an abstract concept. If you have to give a l-o-n-g presentation, try to arrange for a bio break sometime during. This can be real tricky, and you may lose people, they may straggle back in. Think of a way to get them back in on time - for example, maybe give away a promotional trinket (keyring, etc) to those who come back on time. Be creative. Be classy. I have passed around a bowl of AfterDinner mints during a long session. If you desire feedback, have a form you pass out at the end, and to ensure you get them back provide some incentive (maybe give away a book or gadget to one of the randomly chosen forms). Focus on the goal - which is to have most of your audience REMEMBER a few key points, 24 hours after your presentation. Go get 'em