The various Developer Evangelist from around the country will be delivering about 60 technical how to events showing the value of Visual Studio 2005.
These events are pure technical content, no marketing fluff, delivered by noted speakers, authors, and industry experts.
To get more information or to see if they will be in a city near you check out http://www.msdnevents.com/.
Jacob Cynamon is kicking off a new WebCast series titled Visual Basic 2005 today to focus on what’s new in VB and how you can get up to with it. Check out
http://blogs.msdn.com/jacobcy/archive/category/12739.aspx for a complete list of dates for the topics such as language features, data access, RAD, and click once deployment.
Early in the BETA period for Visual Studio 2005 we released a free online version of the MS Press book Introducing Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 for Developers. This book received great comments, but was written against BETA 1.
We have had the authors update and enhance this book for the final release for Visual Studio 2005 and it now available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/learning/introtovb2005/.
You can view any of the 8 chapters either online, in the MSDN library or as a PDF, or you can download all 8 PDFs in one zip file to read offline.
The summary of the book is below:
Get a focused, first look at the features and capabilities in Microsoft Visual Basic 2005, Visual Studio 2005, and the .NET Framework 2.0. If you currently work with Visual Basic 6, these authors fully understand the adoption and code migration issues you'll encounter. They'll step you through a quick primer on .NET Framework programming, offering guidance for a productive transition. If you already work with .NET, you'll jump directly into what's new, learning how to extend your existing skills. From the innovations in rapid application development, debugging, and deployment, to new data access, desktop, and Web programming capabilities, you get the insights and code walkthroughs you need to be productive right away.
Do you like to have an impact on the lives of professional developers? If so check out Jay Roxe's entry about various open positions he has.
DeveloperPipeline has recently posted a chat with Software Legend Jackie Goldstein about Visual Basic migration. You can check out the chat here.
The summary is posted below:
.NET Migration: In-House or Outsource?
If your development team is getting up to speed on the .NET Framework, .NET guru Jackie Goldstein suggests that you may be able to outsource migration for handling a lot of "grunt work". (MP3, 16:11 mins.)
I have been asked to pass long some information to folks. If you are interested in taking some of the new Microsoft Certification Courses in BETA check out the information below. The registration period has been extended for a few more days until the end of the month.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Beta Exam 71-526: TS: Microsoft® .NET Framework 2.0 - Windows®-Based Client Development [Beta version of Exam 70-526]
As an early adopter or someone who has expressed interest in Microsoft Certifications, you are invited to take the Beta (pre-release) version of Exam 70-526 and provide feedback. The Beta exam is FREE for you, and it will count towards certification in the same way as the final version of the exam. When the exam begins, you will be able to specify whether you want to take the exam in Microsoft Visual Basic 2005, Microsoft Visual C# 2005 or in Microsoft Visual C++ 2005.
Microsoft® has launched a New Generation of Certifications. There are two series of credentials for .NET Framework developers: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD). The MCTS credential highlights your ability to develop Windows, Web, or distributed applications using the .NET Framework 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005. The MCPD credential highlights your job role, featuring your specific area of expertise and allowing you to distinguish yourself as an expert in Windows Development, Web Application Development, or Enterprise Applications Development.
Exam 70-526, is one of two exams required for the “Microsoft® Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications” credential. To achieve this credential you will also need to pass exam “70-536: TS: Microsoft® .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation”. After achieving the Technology Specialist credential for Windows applications, you will be able to achieve the “Microsoft® Certified Professional Developer: Windows Developer” credential by passing one additional exam: “70-548 PRO: Designing and Developing Windows®-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft® .NET Framework.”
You are being given advanced notification about this Beta exam. By participating in Beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification Program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to the development of a high quality exam. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications. You can expect to receive notification on whether or not you have passed the exam before the final exam is released.
SPECIAL OFFER: Candidates who take and achieve passing score in the beta exam will receive a free exam voucher* for any Microsoft Certification Exam. Vouchers will be sent after exam scores are tabulated.
The preparation information for this exam can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-526.asp
Beta exams have limited availability (approximately 500 seats worldwide), so please follow the registration information below to make your reservation.
**Registration Information**
Note: You will be given four hours to complete the Beta exam. Please plan accordingly.
Testing is held at Thomson Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries. You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam. Contact your exam provider for seat availability, which is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. This exam will have limited availability and will be offered for a limited time.
Please register for the exam only if you intend to take the exam, and register as soon as you receive this notice. Registration will open December 8 2005 – ONCE AGAIN SEATING IS LIMITED.
Please read the following registration information carefully as the schedules vary depending on which testing center you choose:
Registration begins:
December 8 2005
Beta exam period runs:
January 12 2006 through January 25 2006
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the 71-526 Exam:
TSB526
This Beta exam period is subject to change.
To register for this exam or for information about testing centers in your area, call:
- Thomson Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)
- Pearson VUE: 800 TEST Registration (800-837-8734)
Outside the U.S./Canada, please visit the following Web sites for registration information:
NOTE : This Beta exam will not be available in China, India and Pakistan.
* Offer good only for people who pre-register for, and pass, Exam 71-526. Limit one gift per person. This offer is non-transferable. This offer expires on January 25, 2006, or when registration closes for this Beta exam. Beta exam registration has limited availability. This offer is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Any gift returned as non-deliverable will not be re-sent.
________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Certification Program Information on the World Wide Web
For more information, visit the Microsoft Learning Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/
Specific pages that answer some frequently asked questions are listed below.
What is a Beta exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/procedures.asp
Where can I learn more about the registration process?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/register/default.asp
How do I prepare for this exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-526.asp
When will my Beta exam results be available?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/procedures.asp#D
Where can I learn more about the Beta exam invitation process?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/beta.asp
How can I learn more about the new and improved item types?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/innovations.asp
If you have further questions regarding this exam or the Microsoft Certification Program, please contact your Regional Service Center. You may find the contact information for your Regional Service Center here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.asp.
I have been asked to pass long some information to folks. If you are interested in taking some of the new Microsoft Certification Courses in BETA check out the information below. The registration period has been extended for a few more days until the end of the month.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Beta Exam 71-529: TS: Microsoft® .NET Framework 2.0 - Distributed Application Development [Beta version of Exam 70-529]
As an early adopter or someone who has expressed interest in Microsoft Certifications, you are invited to take the Beta (pre-release) version of Exam 70-529 and provide feedback. The Beta exam is FREE for you, and it will count towards certification in the same way as the final version of the exam. When the exam begins, you will be able to specify whether you want to take the exam in Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 or Microsoft Visual C# 2005.
Microsoft® has launched a New Generation of Certifications. There are two series of credentials for .NET Framework developers: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD). The MCTS credential highlights your ability to develop Windows, Web, or distributed applications using the .NET Framework 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005. The MCPD credential highlights your job role, featuring your specific area of expertise and allowing you to distinguish yourself as an expert in Windows Development, Web Application Development, or Enterprise Applications Development.
Exam 70-529, is one of two exams required for the “Microsoft® Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications” credential. To achieve this credential you will also need to pass exam “70-536: TS: Microsoft® .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation”.
You are being given advanced notification about this Beta exam. By participating in Beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification Program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to the development of a high quality exam. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications. You can expect to receive notification on whether or not you have passed the exam before the final exam is released.
SPECIAL OFFER: Candidates who take and achieve passing score in the beta exam will receive a free exam voucher* for any Microsoft Certification Exam. Vouchers will be sent after exam scores are tabulated.
The preparation information for this exam can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-529.asp
Beta exams have limited availability (approximately 500 seats worldwide), so please follow the registration information below to make your reservation.
**Registration Information**
Note: You will be given four hours to complete the Beta exam. Please plan accordingly.
Testing is held at Thomson Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries. You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam. Contact your exam provider for seat availability, which is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. This exam will have limited availability and will be offered for a limited time.
Please register for the exam only if you intend to take the exam, and register as soon as you receive this notice. Registration will open on December 5 2005 – ONCE AGAIN SEATING IS LIMITED.
Please read the following registration information carefully as the schedules vary depending on which testing center you choose:
Registration begins:
December 5 2005
Beta exam period runs:
January 4 2006 through January 17 2006
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the 71-529 Exam:
TSB529
This Beta exam period is subject to change.
To register for this exam or for information about testing centers in your area, call:
- Thomson Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)
- Pearson VUE: 800 TEST Registration (800-837-8734)
Outside the U.S./Canada, please visit the following Web sites for registration information:
NOTE : This Beta exam will not be available in China, India and Pakistan.
* Offer good only for people who pre-register for, and pass, Exam 71-529. Limit one gift per person. This offer is non-transferable. This offer expires on January 25, 2006, or when registration closes for this Beta exam. Beta exam registration has limited availability. This offer is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Any gift returned as non-deliverable will not be re-sent.
________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Certification Program Information on the World Wide Web
For more information, visit the Microsoft Learning Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/
Specific pages that answer some frequently asked questions are listed below.
What is a Beta exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/procedures.asp
Where can I learn more about the registration process?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/register/default.asp
How do I prepare for this exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-529.asp
When will my Beta exam results be available?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/procedures.asp#D
Where can I learn more about the Beta exam invitation process?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/beta.asp
How can I learn more about the new and improved item types?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/innovations.asp
If you have further questions regarding this exam or the Microsoft Certification Program, please contact your Regional Service Center. You may find the contact information for your Regional Service Center here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.asp.
The VB team has release a new version of the LINQ preview bits. You can download the January preview and check out the latest MSDN TV episode on link at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/Future/default.aspx.
For those of you unsure of what LINQ is, it is new technology that was announced at PDC last year that will be part of the next version of Visual Basic. Check out the link above for lots of information on both LINQ and the next version of Visual Basic.
This sounds like a cool event for web developers, here is the marketing blurb:
Attend the MIX conference, a LIVE! conversation between web developers, designers and business leaders, being held in Las Vegas from March 20 - 22 at the Venetian hotel with Bill Gates and Tim O’Reilly.
Click here for more information or to register.
Note that is Bill Gates and Tim O’Reilly, the publishing and open standards guy. Not to be confused with the Fox News guy Bill O’Reilly
Also new out from the patterns and practices group is a set of
upgrade guidance for Visual Basic 6.0 to Visual Basic 2005 (and 2003). You can find everything
here but below is short overview of what you can get.
Upgrading Visual Basic 6.0 to Visual Basic .NET and Visual Basic 2005
Guide – A large, and very complete, document to provide
guidance and support with upgrading
Assessment Tool - The Visual Basic 6.0 Upgrade Assessment Tool measures application upgrade effort. This tool analyzes the application components and the relationships between them from an upgrade perspective, considering elements, constructs, and features that consume resources during an upgrade. It generates a group of reports that are used for calculations related to task effort and cost. The user can specify configuration values that will override the initial estimation inputs to adapt the assessment tool to their needs.
FMStock Sample Application Before and After Upgrade - Visual Basic Upgrade Case Study that illustrates the upgrade of FMStocks from Visual Basic 6.0 to Visual Basic .NET.
The patterns and practices team has just released a new Composite UI Application Block. Below is a short summary, or you can get more information here.
The Composite UI Application Block December 2005 Release is a source code-based component built on the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 that provides proven practices to build complex smart client user interfaces. It is based on proven design patterns in which rich and complex UI solutions can be built out of simpler user interface parts that can be independently developed, tested, versioned and deployed. It provides guidance on the architecture of your solution leveraging platform features of .NET including Windows Forms and ClickOnce.
Provided in Visual Basic and C#, the Composite UI Application Block feature set is the result of extensive collaboration between our team and Customers, Microsoft Product Teams, Architecture Strategy, Platform Strategy, Microsoft Partners, Microsoft Field Organizations and the broad developer community. We thank all those who have participated in the process
With the holiday’s coming lots of people have some extra time on their hands, with this in mind MSDN and Microsoft Learning got to together to give you something to do, free training!
We were trying to figure out what course to give away and decided to let you pick. That’s right pick one of 6 courses about Visual Basic 2005 or 9 courses about ASP.NET 2.0. In addition, after you have completed your free online course you will receive 30% off the price of the next one.
You have to hurry, the free code is only good until January 4th, 2006. You don’t have to take your free class by then, but you have to sign up and select your class before that day. You have 90 days from the time you sign up to do the course, but with spare time this holiday season why not do it now?
Visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/learning/elearning_promo/ for all of the details and to get the free training code to sign up.
The Visual Basic team blog has posted a good entry about Edit and Continue and Rude Edits.
Edit and Continue was reintroduced with Visual Basic/Visual Studio 2005.
When we rolled out the new Developer Center pages with the VS 2005 launch last week one of things that we deployed was a couple of reporting tools that we are doing a comparison and analyses of. One of the most interesting reports to me was a report that did a reverse look up on an IP address to determine the city that the request came from.
The most surprising thing to me was that London, England was the top city on the VB Dev Center. With that in mind I guess this blog entry will be appropriate for a large number of readers.
VBUG 2005 is having their Annual Winter Conference in Reading, UK on the 23rd and 24th of November.
From the VBUG web site:
In brief, this year the conference will consist of two main themes:
Visual Studio 2005: The emphasis here will be to drill down into specific selected parts of VS 2005 (including SQL 2005) and will cover ASP.NET, SQL, Windows Client, Tools and IDE.
Doing .Net: These sessions are aimed at showing how to do specific development tasks, covering topics that will be relevant to both VS 2003 & VS 2005 developers. Sub-themes will include programming, design and migration.
Additionally, there will be a pre-conference seminar on Tuesday 22nd November which will consist of a series of .NET Primer topics, using the VS2005 Express product range, aimed at VB6 developers and .NET virgins.
Duncan MacKenzie has posted links to some really good
VB 6.0 to .NET Podcasts that he found. You can check them out
here.
