Joe Stagner - Frustrated by Design !

Meet Me at PDC2008 -- T-05 Weeks and Counting

JoeStagner — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:42:10 GMT

It's getting close!!!!!!

The nature of software development is radically changing.

At PDC2008 Ray Ozzie will lay out Microsoft’s vision for cloud computing and building applications that seamlessly bridge the gaps between PC, Web and mobile devices.

In our first keynote Ray will talk about the new world of Software Plus Services, with Bob Muglia joining him, to unveil our new Cloud Computing platform.

In a second keynote, Ray will return to talk about building immersive user experiences and introduce Steven Sinofsky, who will give developers a first look at the next version of Windows, Windows

Scott Guthrie and David Treadwell will join Ray and Steven to dive deep on the latest Win32 and .NET platform advances that enable a next generation of user experiences spanning multiple devices, including a look at the latest developments in .NET, Silverlight, “Live Mesh”, and the rest of the client platform.

In keynote three, we turn the microphone over to coders extraordinaire Don Box and Chris Anderson, who will look at Microsoft’s latest technologies through the eyes of working developers.

And finally, in our fourth keynote, Rick Rashid will talk about how Microsoft research is helping to shape the future of computing.

I'll be spending much of the week in the MS Open Source Area and the OpenSpaces talks !!!

And remember the 160GB PDC2008 hard drive that will be given to every attendee.

http://www.microsoftpdc.com/

REST in WCF Series

JoeStagner — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:54:06 GMT

Rob Bagby is in the midst of a blog series on REST in WCF and been building a series of screencasts on the same subject (in conjunction with Ron Jacobs).

Since it's such an interesting topic, especially to AJAX developers I thought I'd share them here.

Blog Series:

Screencast Series:

Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets

JoeStagner — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:01:00 GMT

Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets: Andrew King: Books

ISBN: 0596515081
ISBN-13: 9780596515089

The folks at O'Reilly recently published this gem !

From the book description:

This book is a comprehensive guide to the tips, techniques, secrets, standards, and methods of website optimization. From increasing site traffic to maximizing leads, from revving up responsiveness to increasing navigability, from prospect retention to closing more sales, the world of 21st century website optimization is explored, exemplified and explained.

Though I've just started readying it I'm already convinced it's a must have !

[ Click Here to get your copy ! ]

Updating my Centos 5.2 System to use PHP 5.2.6

JoeStagner — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:33:20 GMT

I'm working on my demos for ZendCon and updating a PHP Chat application built on the Microsoft Ajax Client Libraries and the PHPMSAJAX codeplex project.

Since I want to use a JSON serializer and PHP 5.2 has one built in, I wanted to upgrade the default PHP version on CentOS (5.1) to 5.2.

To do this, I needed to install from an alternate repository maintained by "Remi" .

He has a repository for many distros, but since I'm updating CentOS, I used the RedHat ES5 repository.

Here are the commands you need to run.

wget http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pu...5-2.noarch.rpm
wget http://rpms.famillecollet.com/el5.i3...emi.noarch.rpm
rpm -Uvh remi-release-5*.rpm epel-release-5*.rpm

Ater these steps the .rpm(s) are you your system but that not installed and active.

To "install" them do this.....

yum --enablerepo=remi update php

PHP 5.2.6 should now be installed.

Check by running this command in a console.

# php -v

The output should indicate the latest version of PHP.

To see the results from phpinfo(); you'll probably have to restart Apache. (Or at least I did.)

Dynamic Data with Stored Procedures

JoeStagner — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:58:12 GMT

So there is this very smart guy on the ASP.NET team named David Hunter who is one of the guys working on Dynamic Data !

He has just added a sample of using Dynamic Data with Stored Procedures to the Dynamic Data Samples on CodePlex.

Click [ HERE ] for the Sample Project home page.

Click [ HERE ] for a forums discussion on Dynamic Data with Stored Procedures.

I'm Deep Fried - It's live today !

JoeStagner — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:06:21 GMT

The Deep Fried Bytes guys caught up with me at DevLink and we had a talk about developer security needs, mistakes, activities, etc !

Listen Here http://deepfriedbytes.com/

Today's .NET IQ Test ?

JoeStagner — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:40:40 GMT

What's wrong with this picture ?

I'm on the .NET Coffee Break - Wednesday September 3rd

JoeStagner — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:16:13 GMT

9:00AM PST - Virtually live from Ireland:)

Click HERE http://developers.ie/webcasts.aspx for more info !

PHP for the Microsoft AJAX Library - new Release!

JoeStagner — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:30:53 GMT

Christian Wenz has pushed a new release of he PHP libraries for the Microsoft AJAX libraries with support version 3.5.

Get it here on Codeplex http://www.codeplex.com/phpmsajax

Is this a Visual Studio IQ Test ?

JoeStagner — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:09:20 GMT

Note that the IIS component list of items to install is EMPTY !!!

And, I WAS running as Admin !

The real problem was that a CGI process that I was playing with stopped IIS.

Sometimes we gotta laugh at ourselves :)

Murach's ASP.NET Web Programming with VB.NET

JoeStagner — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:19:17 GMT

Murach's ASP.NET 3.5 Web Programming with VB 2008: Anne Boehm: Books

ISBN: 1890774472
ISBN-13: 9781890774479

I love this book.

If I were going to teach a course on ASP.NET Development with VB - THIS is the book I would teach it from !

Get a a copy !

Murach's Description

There is no faster or better way to learn ASP.NET web programming using Microsoft’s Visual Studio .NET than to use "Murach’s ASP.NET web programming with VB.NET." To get you off to a fast start, the first 5 chapters show you how to use Microsoft Visual Studio to design, code, and test multi-page web applications that use view state, session state, cookies, database data, and code-behind files.

From there, you learn even faster as you master the core professional skills like HTML, server controls, validation controls, state management, and user controls. Then, you learn how to use the best ADO.NET features for working with a database in a web application including: connection pooling, data commands, parameterized queries, caching, data views, command builders, and the Repeater, DataList, and DataGrid controls.

Last, you learn how to apply the finishing touches to a web application: security, web services, custom server controls, reports generated by Crystal Reports, email, and deployment. "No other book teaches so much, so fast, or so thoroughly."

Amazon Product Description

"This book is by far the best computer programming book I have ever bought. You can go into my upstairs closet and find 20-30 books that I have purchased since the days of VB6.... All together, they could not add up to as much information as you have given me in the first 11 chapters of this book." (A developer's comment on the previous edition of Murach's ASP.NET)

Already know how to code Visual Basic 2008 desktop applications? Then, you're ready to master web programming with the 3.5 edition of this best-selling ASP.NET book from Murach Books.

It covers the 3.5 features that provide new functionality...like the ListView and DataPager data controls, LINQ data sources, new CSS-related tools, and ASP.NET AJAX...while it teaches you how to develop web applications from scratch. And it does that using all the same features that have made earlier editions such favorites among professional developers:

It's concise, practical, and crystal-clear in telling you what you need to know

It shows you how to get the most from Visual Studio 2008 as you code, test, debug, and deploy ASP.NET web applications

It gives you a 7-chapter section on database programming...2 more chapters than in the previous edition because .NET continues to deliver new, powerful tools for this critical component of business applications

It gives you solid training in the essential skills that you'll use every day, including data validation...state management...improving the user experience with easy site navigation and a standard look and feel...boosting user response time with ASP.NET AJAX...handling security...developing reusable controls...working with database data using SQL, object, and LINQ data sources...and more

It gives you real-world application examples that guide you in applying what you're learning as you develop your own websites (you can download the applications for free from the Murach website)

Its paired pages presentation makes for fast reading, instant reinforcement, and time-saving reference (to see how the paired pages work, you can download free chapters from the Murach website)

Peace through Code ?

JoeStagner — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:28:25 GMT

Meet my friend Armin He's the handsome your Iranian dude wearing the MSDN Event Would Tour Tee-Shirt shown here at Kandovan in a city called Trabriz.

Armin and I have been pen-pals for a couple of years now. We met when Armin emailed me to ask a programming question.

Now a senior in High School he is starting to pick up programming projects and planing for University.

Over time we have come to discuss much more than programming. We mail about life in our respective countries, family, freedom, and the meaning of it all.

It's been great for me to learn about the Iranian people from someone that is NOT The American press.

And a great reminder that governments and "people" are two completely different things !

Moer proof that Code CAN solve everything !!!

The Importance of Community Driven Events - DevLink - OH WOW !!!

JoeStagner — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:06:45 GMT

I go to ALOT of developer events.

Usually, they are work - meaning I probably wouldn't go if I were a retired Millionaire.

DevLink was AWESOME. It was kind of link that perfect summer back in school when all the right people were in the right place and the right mood and the sun was shining and the VIBE was just happening.

The basics were all there, Tennessee was very sunny but not too hot, the people are very nice, the MTSU campus is super (and the Sororities were pledging while we were there).

John Kellar (DevLnk Chairman) and all the folks with the DevLink organization did a simply AMAZING job and because the event is SO cool the speaker pool is a "WHo's Who".

I went to some great session like Sara Ford's session on Open Source at Microsoft and Todd Anglin's session Silverlight (who thought 3 a three hour session would seem too SHORT.)

There was some fun interpersonal stuff too.

I spent most of the event sparing with Ted Somebody :)

Actually I'm talking about Ted Neward - who's not only really smart but also really fun. (Thanks Ted for being a good sport and for giving as good as you get. I hope they don't have you do the closing keynote next year, I'd have to wear a helmet.)

And, like many of us, we spend the event waiting for Sara Ford to do something REALLY outrageous. (We're STILL waiting :)

I got to be a guest on Deep Fried Bytes, which will be available soon. (http://deepfriedbytes.com/)

GRATUITOUS PLUG - DeepFriedBytes is just getting up too speed and they need sponsors. Have a look and see if you can help them out !

Of course, Carl Franklin and Richard Campbell were there and they event did a DNR episode from the after-party.

[ Click HERE to listen to the show. ]

But the HIGHLIGHT for me was the OpenSpaces.

Alan Stevens organized ad managed the OpenSaces and they were OFF the hook. (Thanks Alan for an AMAZING job).

I'd been to OpenSpaces before and had a less than great experience. Alan did a GREAT job of facilitating without controlling the flow.

And if you were an attendee.....

$50

Next year - I'm going to fly out and take the BUS !!!! (http://netcave.org/GetOnTheBusYrsquoall.aspx)

Also, I declare a contest for next year - who can come from the farthest distance away.

It's a real gem of a weekend !! Hope to see you at the next one

Free Data Structures and Algorithms Book from the Slackers

JoeStagner — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:20:51 GMT

Data Structures and Algorithms: Annotated Reference with Examples

This book written by Granville Barnett and Luca Del Tongo is part of an effort to provide all developers with a core understanding of algorithms that operate on various common, and uncommon data structures.

Data Structures and Algorithms: Annotated Reference with Examples is completely free!

[ CILICK HERE ]

Billy Hollis on Making a good UI with Windows Presentation Foundation

JoeStagner — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:03:40 GMT

I was chatting with Billy Hollis about how we often use new technology to do the same old thing and how I was seeing lots of folks doing this with WPF and Silverlight.

He mentioned that he had done a video in UI Design with WPF.

Check it out, its great for WPF and SIlverlight aficionados.

DNR-TV Show #115 | 6/20/2008

Billy Hollis on Getting Smart with WPF

Billy Hollis shows us some clever ways to make a clean, efficient user interface in Windows Presentation Foundation.