Welcome to MSDN Blogs Sign in | Join | Help

Ravings of a Developer TS

I have been with Microsoft as part of their Develop Platform and Evangelism team since July of 2006. As I go about my day to day, I often stumble across things I want to share out with the community. This is my soap box. I am based out of the Midwest District, so please don't be offended if you see most of the events I post being in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. If you are ever curious if the event will be in a city near you, just ask :)

Indianapolis Event – TFS 2008 Build and Source Control Deep Dive

clip_image001

Source Control and Build: Easing Into Team Foundation Server

Enterprise Developers need ways to collaborate on complex projects. A team portal, task tracking, source control, build management, and business intelligence all help to deliver better-quality software on time and under budget. Microsoft’s Team Foundation Server (TFS) provides these capabilities and more, but it may be difficult to get started with such a powerful platform. That’s the reason for this session.

Software Development expert Mark Strawmyer of Microsoft Gold-Certified Partner Crowe and Angela Binkowski, Microsoft Developer Tools Technical Specialist are hosting this half-day session that will help you “ease into” TFS with source control and build. By starting small and building up, we guarantee you’ll start to see results.

Event Details

Wednesday June 24, 2009  9am - noon

Microsoft Indianapolis

Parkwood Business Park, Bldg 4
500 E. 96th, Suite 460

Indianapolis, IN 46240

Click here to sign up

INVITATION CODE: 879314

Agenda

· Team Foundation Server Brief Overview

· Advanced Source Control

· Build

Who Should Attend

This discussion is for Application Developers and Development Managers who are interested in learning more about beginning use in TFS and the impact derived from Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions.

by AngelaB | 0 Comments

A First Look: Visual Studio Team System 2010

You're Invited to A Sneak Peek at Team System 2010 with Accentient – they wrote the books on Team System, literally! 

Microsoft has been working hard on their next generation of Visual Studio Team System. The 2010 version will deliver new capabilities for everyone on a project, including architects, developers, project managers and testers.

Since beta 1 released, the experts at Accentient have been hard at work, putting it to the test, and demonstrating it for our clients. We would like to share some of this insight with you.  Whether you've already adopted Team System, or have been waiting for the critical "third version" to be released before you commit to trying it, you should attend this webinar and get your questions answered. 

This live web-cast that offers a tour of the marquee features and improvements found in Visual Studio Team System 2010:

· Separate and improved install and configuration process
· Team project collections
· Architecture explorer
· UML support
· Hierarchical work items
· Improved test case management
· Source control branch visualization
· Workflow-based build
· Test and Lab Manager

· UI testing

 

Tuesday, June 23rd 1-2 PM - PDT

Limited Space - Reserve Your Spot Now!

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

June 17th - CNUG Downers Grove Meeting Talks JavaScript

When:  June 17th

Where: Microsoft Downers Grove

3025 Highland Parkway
Downers Grove, IL

Sponsor: Magenic

What: JavaScript and AJAX

Agenda:

  • 6:00PM - Bring your nagging coding issues and design challenges for open discussion
  • 6:30PM - Food and Beverages
  • 7:00PM - JavaScript - Beyond the curly braces, Sergio Pereira

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=139086

Technorati Tags: ,

by AngelaB | 0 Comments

Chicago Webgrrls Networking Meeting Coming July 22nd – Sign Up Early!

07/22/2009
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Join Chicago Webgrrls for chapter launch meeting...an evening of networking and connecting. Refreshments will be provided by the Creative Group.

Networking at Webgrrls meetings is very focused. After a brief topical discussion, everyone takes a minute or two to introduce themselves...tell us who you are and what you do and tell us what you NEED and what you can OFFER. The evening ends with an Informal networking, where everyone can connect more personally with the right people and exchange business cards, opportunities and leads.

Webgrrls Networking Meeting Agenda

Networking at Webgrrls meetings is very focused. The meeting will be run in the tradition of Webgrrls meetings, with the spirit of sharing and information exchange. Based on Webgrrls International philosophy the meeting will go like this:        

Webgrrls Introduce Themselves - The introduction time at Webgrrls meetings is the heart and soul of the event. Each woman stands up and talks the following:Let us know who you are!Brag, boast, stand up and cheer. This is your moment to let people know what you do because someone in the room might need to hire you, work with you, want to form a strategic alliance with you etc..Let us know what you NEED. Are you looking for a job? Webgrrls can help. Need a photographer for your web site? Webgrrls to the rescue! Wondering what classes to take to prep for that dream Webmaster job? Ask a Webgrrl.What you can OFFER. Maybe you are afraid you don't have anything to offer but even something as simple as French lessons or travel advice to Japan. You have knowledge that you can share. Maybe someday, you'll start that business and even have jobs to offer!       2.  Informal Networking - Don't forget to bring your business cards

You should walk out of the meeting with tangible support, advice, contacts, client prospects, job leads, and much more.

Event Cost:   FREE for everyone

Join the group, and register for the free event here: http://www.webgrrls.com/chicago-il/ 

 

Location: The Creative Group
205 N. Michigan,
Suite 3301
Chicago, IL 60601

 

Contact: Kelly Ragle 

EMAIL: chicago-il@webgrrls.com 

PHONE: 312.350.1165 
URL: http://www.webgrrls.com/chicago-il

Technorati Tags: ,,

by AngelaB | 0 Comments

Notion Solution Presents! Webcasts in June on VSTS 2008…

These are really great webcasts, if you or anyone you know still wants to get ramped up on Team Foundation Server or any of the other VSTS components.  Notion will be taking a break in July but will have a whole new set of webcasts starting in August, including webcasts for VSTS 2010!

Below are the final June webcasts, check them out!

Team Foundation Server - 2008 Overview

June 11, 2009 - 1:00:00 PM CT

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Developer Edition Overview

June 11, 2009 - 3:00:00 PM CT

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Professional Edition Overview

June 18, 2009 - 1:00:00 PM CT

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Tester Edition Overview

June 18, 2009 - 3:00:00 PM CT

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Overview

June 25,2009 - 1:00:00 PM CT

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Women In Technology to Speak at CQA Luncheon on June 8th

Join us on Monday June 8, 2009 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  Beth and I will be conducting a lunch and learn session focusing on women in technology, and YES men are invited, actually encouraged to attend. 

To Register Click Here

Topic Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to find greater access to excellent role models, career coaching, and mentorship in the technical environment?  Are you interested in discussing how gender and cultural differences and stereotypes may be affecting your success both professionally and personally?  Microsoft has established the Women in Technology working group that is focused on empowering women and their futures in the field of technology.   Join us for this facilitated discussion.  It will be an opportunity to learn more about the possible solutions to the challenges faced by both women and men in today’s technical arena.

Men are invited to also attend! This discussion group was a big success at QUEST 2009 and was repeated a second time because of demand.

Enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by CQAA.  Seats are limited and on-line registration is required

Facilitators:

Angela Binkowski and Beth Humphreys, Microsoft

Location:

ITA Facility

200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, 15th floor

Agenda:

11:30 – 11:45 check-in and networking

11:45 – 12:45 facilitated discussion

To Register Click Here

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Midwest Cloud Computing User Group Meeting Tomorrow in Downers Grove

Time: May 27, 2009 from 5:30pm to 8pm
Location: Microsoft Downers Grove Office
              3025 Highland Pkwy, 2nd Floor (MPR 2)
              Downers Grove, IL
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)

Event Description

Our topic this month is, "What's New in Azure." Since announcing the Azure platform last October, Microsoft has issued several software updates with new features. There have also been some important announcements and events recently. We'll review what's new with SQL Data Services, Windows Azure, and Live Services. We'll demo new Windows Azure features including full trust, native code support, and FastCGI support. We'll also demo a Live Mesh web application that can be synchronized across devices.

More info here: http://www.azureusergroup.com/events/midwest-cloud-computing-user-1

 

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Chicago VSTS User Group Meeting in DG This Week

May Meeting: MSBuild 3.5 and TFS 2008 SP1
When: 5/28/2009 6:00 PM till 5/28/2009 8:00 PM
Where: 3025 Highland Pkwy; Suite 300. Downers Grove, IL

Description: "Creating Build Processes with MSBuild 3.5 and Team Foundation Server 2008 SP1" An important "best practice" for any mature software organization is to automate the build process for applications. Dan Sniderman will show why and how to automate your builds using Microsoft Team Foundation Server. This presentation will include a brief introduction to MSBuild and has a hands-on demo of setting, extending and customization builds in TFS.

Bio: Dan Sniderman is a Senior Consultant for Magenic, one of the nation's premiere Microsoft Gold Certified Partners. Dan has twenty-five years of experience in software development. Since 1993, Dan has specialized on developing business applications on the Microsoft platform. Most recently, Dan has worked with C#, VB.NET, Windows Forms, ASP.NET and ASP.NET Ajax. For the past year and a half Dan has focused on using and customizing Team Foundation Server. In addition to a BA from the University of Illinois, Dan has a MCSD.NET and MCTS in Team Foundation Server. Dan regularly speaks on TFS and last summer, Dan published an article on TFS in the .Net Developers Journal. Dan also is a professional trombonist.

 

Go to the main site for more info or to register: https://www.ugss.codezone.com/UGEventView.CodezoneCom?EventID=6812 

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Writing Maintainable and Robust Applications using Visual Studio Team System – Free Webinar

My good friend Randy Pagels will be presenting a fantastic live webinar for anyone looking for more information on the Developer Edition of Visual Studio, or for anyone who already has it but wants to learn how to use it more effectively. 

Event Overview

The impact of software defects is one of the reasons it is difficult to control the costs of the development and deployment activities on software projects. It is commonly accepted that defects that get resolved later in the development cycle cost more to fix. Learn how you can reduce defects by using the tools provided in Visual Studio Team System Developer Edition.

Duration: 75 Minutes

Start Date: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:30 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Event ID: 1032416678

 

Topics Covered

  • Why did we build Visual Studio Team System?
  • What is Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) & Team Foundation Server?
  • Code Analysis - Code Analysis runs rules over your code to help find potential bugs, security concerns, performance gains, and more.
  • Code Metrics - Code Metrics is a new tool that not only allows you to get an overall view of the health and quality of a project, but also allows you to identify and weed out those complex and un-maintainable hotspots.
  • Code Profiling - The Profiler analyses your application as it runs to find critical resources, such as CPU use, memory use, or disk use.  It commonly is used to find the slow segments or memory hogs of an application.
  • Unit Testing with Code Coverage - Unit testing is the technique of writing code to exercise and test small units of your application, usually at the method level. Code Coverage is a feature you get with Team System that indicates how many lines of code have been touched, or not exercised, by your tests.
  • Code Profiling w/ Unit Tests - We've seen the profiler address performance issues. The unit testing enabling you to exercise specific methods. Now let's combine the tools to drive the scenario you're collection performance data on.  By using the profiler on a unit test we can easily limit the scope of the profiler to collect targeted data.

 

by AngelaB | 2 Comments

Not Too Late to Catch MSDN Unleashed in Downers Grove, IL

Session 1: Internet Explorer 8 for Developers

The Windows Internet Explorer 8 browser makes it easier to explore and interact with the web. Did you know that there will be a new standards mode by default? While it can easily be turned off, knowing the potential to impact this may have on many sites that have been crafted around various features in past versions is a good idea. Attend this session to learn which current practices you need to change and how the new standards mode affects your development techniques and your existing sites. We review tools that are built into Internet Explorer 8 to help developers debug and create Web pages. We also discuss Web Slices, Accelerators, and Search Suggestion – all of which are key new features in this latest release.

In this session we’ll show you:

· Developer Tools

· Selectors API

· Use and create accelerators

· Use and create web slices

· Use and create search suggestions

· AJAX Navigation enhancements with Virtual Earth demo on history, AJAX Cross Domain Calls

· CSS improvements (printing, counters, new pseudo classes)

Session 2: Developing on Microsoft Windows 7

Building applications that are easy to use, visually appealing, and offer high performance is a challenge that developers face every day. Innovative applications can greatly improve the user experience, empowering companies to differentiate their services and solutions. However, developers are increasingly asked to do more in less time, while also optimizing the power and performance requirements of their applications. The Windows 7 platform makes it easy for developers to create engaging, user-friendly applications by providing familiar tools and rich development features that allow them to take advantage of the latest PC capabilities. In this session we will explore the new Taskbar and Jump Lists, the Scenic Ribbon, file management with Libraries, and Windows Web Services among many other enhancements to the new operating system.

In this session we’ll show you:

· New Features in Windows 7

· Use and create jump lists

· Scenic Ribbon API

· Use and create Libraries

· Windows Web Services API

· Additional enhancements that support development

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Developers interested in learning about the next generation of Microsoft platforms and tools.

 

WHERE ARE THE EVENTS?

 

Location/Registration

Date

Time

Downers Grove, IL

5/20/2009

1:00pm – 2:50pm

 

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Chicago .NET User Group Presents: Windows Azure

CNUG takes a look at the Microsoft Azure Platform. Wade Wegner of Microsoft will present the latest information and show CNUG members how to develop for Microsoft's cloud computing platform.

http://www.microsoft.com/azure/default.mspx

  • 5:30PM - Back to Basics: Web Services
  • 6:30PM - Food and Beverages
  • 7:00PM - Microsoft Azure with Wade Wegner

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=138522

 

When:  May 20th

Where: Microsoft Downers Grove

3025 Highland Parkway

Downers Grove, IL

Sponsor: Microsoft

Technorati Tags: ,

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Are You On TeamSystemLive.com yet?

In May, TeamSystemLive.com will host 4 events, lead by William Bartholomew, to share his knowledge and experience using Team Build with the VSTS community. William literally wrote the book on Team Build and has real world experience using and customizing the technology.  VSTS MVPs William Bartholomew, Omar Villarreal, and Chris Tullier will be answering questions during the 4 events centered around Team Build.  The first event is scheduled for Wednesday May 6th and is focused on WiX working with Team Build!

Here are the event topics:

1. WiX and Team Build Together At Last (May 6th)

2. Running Interactive Build Agents for UI Testing and Debugging (May 13th)

3. Building Reusable Build Definitions (May 20th)

4. Introduction to Team Build 2010 (May 27th)

 

Visit the home page of http://www.teamsystemlive.com for more information.

Visit Team System Live at: http://www.teamsystemlive.com

 

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

4 Upcoming Tech Events in the Midwest You Should Know About

 

RIApalooza – Friday May 8th in Chicago

Join your fellow RIA professionals for an invaluable unconference aimed at exploring and promoting the development of Rich Internet Applications. RIApalooza promises a platform agnostic and "PowerPoint-Free" zone, which means we are going to forgo the boring marketing pitches in favor of talking technology.

RIApalooza is about creating Rich Internet Applications; how to go about building them and what is being built.  Presentations and sessions will be begin at 9am on Friday, May 8th. A social meet-and-greet will immediately follow at 5PM.  The event will be held at the Illinois Technology Association, located at 200 S Wacker Drive 15th Floor Chicago, IL 60606

Click here for more details and to register: http://riapalooza.com/

 

Fox Valley Day of .NET – Saturday May 9th in Appleton, WI

The Fox Valley .Net Users Group is pleased to announce their Day Of .Net on May 9th, 2009 at the Fox Valley Technical College.  It is a FULL DAY of technology, going from 8am until 3:30pm.  Topics covered will include great info from Mix 09, including unit testing strategies, ASP.NET MVC, .NET Parallel extensions, an expert panel discussion and more!

To register for this event click here.  You will need to be registered on the site and signed in to register for the event.  More info on the Fox Valley .NET User Group site: http://fvnug.org/dnn/

Fox Valley Tech is located at:
1825 N. Bluemound
Appleton, WI 54912

 

Indy Code Camp 2009 – Saturday May 16th in Indianapolis, IN

The continuing goal of the Code Camps series is to provide an intensive developer-to-developer learning experience that is fun and technically stimulating. The primary focus is on delivering programming information and sample code that can be used immediately. The event is free for attendees. All slides, manuals and demo code are provided to attendees.

Indy Code Camp will consist of 75-minute sessions, with five sessions in each of five tracks. Simple math results in 25 sessions to be delivered by a sterling group of developers. Thank you to the speakers who, collectively, submitted more than 50 proposals. The tracks and sessions are now available for your inspection.  I will also be there manning the Microsoft booth to answer questions and give away some goodies. Download this schedule in PDF format and plan your day, choosing sessions from any combination of the five tracks. For more info and to register, check out the site: http://www.indycodecamp.com/ 

Saturday, May 16, 2009

8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

 

Chicago Code Camp – Saturday May 30th in Grayslake, IL

The Code Camp will be held at the College of Lake County (CLC), in Grayslake, IL. CLC is approximately 48 miles Northwest of Chicago, 53 miles South of Milwaukee, and 37 miles North of O'Hare international airport.

Like most unconferences, Code Camps are about your local or regional development community. Presenters are typically members of the community. Presentation topics are suggested by attendees, and often presented by those who originally suggest them.  Get a complete listing of sessions here: http://www.chicagocodecamp.com/Sessions.html 

Date: May 30th, 2009

Address: 19351 W Washington St, Grayslake, IL

 

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Eavesdrop at the Microsoft Enterprise Developer and Solutions Conference

Can’t get to NYC to attend the event on May 5th and 6th but want to take advantage of some of the great sessions?  Listen in over live streaming video for free!  Streaming content can be access through the following site: http://entdevcon.istreamplanet.com/  I am particularly excited about the Women Leaders of Wall Street panel discussion.  Check it out!

When

May 05 - May 06, 2009
9am - 5pm

What’s It All About?

The Enterprise Developer and Solutions Conference will provide developers, architects and key business decision makers in large enterprise organizations a clear roadmap of the Microsoft Application Platform. Hear directly from Microsoft’s customers and partners on:

  • Cloud Computing in the Enterprise
  • Application Life Cycle Management
  • Creating Impact with Silverlight, WPF and Surface

Who Should Attend

Developers, Architects, Business Decision Makers, CIOs, CTOs, Development Managers and Technical Decision Makers.

 

Session Information

A sample of enterprise corporations and partners will be presenting topics such as:

  • Windows Azure Deep Dive
  • An IP based communication system using Microsoft Live Services
  • Federated Identity and Claims based authorization with Geneva Server and the Access Control Service
  • Experiences with Agile & TFS at large music retailer
  • Microsoft Surface innovation in the transportation industry
  • Healthcare in Cloud, Technology as an enabler for the Service Oriented Health Plan of the Future
  • Real World Agile Estimating with Visual Studio Team System

 

Women Leaders of Wall Street

The conference will feature ancillary events, such as the 2nd annual Women Leaders of Wall Street (Willows) panel. Clearly, women have made great strides in employment representation in the financial services industry. A 2003 U.S. EEOC report showed that women now make up 48.6 percent of the banking workforce (and 43 percent overall across financial services).* However, the majority of these women are in clerical or non-management positions in human resources, marketing and IT, which are generally non-profit center roles. One of the reasons for this discrepancy can be attributed to the lack of long-standing, formal executive networks between women in financial services. Events such as Women Leaders of Wall Street (Willows) give women executives the venue to create relationships and contacts that provide a foundation for professional growth and development. A second panel will cover Career & Leadership growth, providing tangible tips and advice for securing a lucrative career & position of influence as a woman in technology within the financial services industry.

 

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

Are Women Taken More Seriously On The Web?

Just wanted to share out this podcast I ran across from SXSW.  Whether or not you are a woman in technology, it is an interesting read, er, hear. Check it out!

 

Are Women Taken More Seriously On The Web?

Women used to have to get our foot in the door, THEN prove that we deserved to be there. With blogging and social networking, we're now able to portray a more cohesive picture of our views, interests and skills. Have blogging and social networking changed the way that women are viewed and treated?

http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/podcasts/D4%20SXSW_PODCASTS/031609_AM2_BallC_WomenAndTheWeb.mp3

 

Other Great Articles and Blogs Related to This

Laying it Down with Lady Jaye http://welikeitfresh.com/2009/03/25/sxsw-are-women-taken-more-seriously-on-the-web/

SXTXSTATE : http://sxtxstate.com/2009/03/23/are-women-taken-more-seriously-on-the-web/

Facebook Site: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=76405521283 

 

Technorati Tags: ,,

by AngelaB | 1 Comments

More Posts Next page »
© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use  |  Trademarks  |  Privacy Statement
Page view tracker