Focus: ADO.NET Entity Framework
Speaker: Ram Marappan, RedPoint Technologies
Location:
Microsoft Downers Grove
3025 Highland Parkway, Suite 300
Downers Grove, IL
Agenda:
6:00PM - Pizza and Beverages sponsored by RedPoint Technologies
6:30PM - A look at PDC. This is simply an open session for PDC attendees to share the experience.
7:00PM-9:00PM - ADO.NET Entity Framework
RSVP: Please RSVP so we have the correct amount of food at http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=133535
Sponsor: Redpoint Technologies
Redpoint Technologies is a technology services firm that helps solve complex business problems by applying agile development practices and technologies. We possess world-class development and integration expertise focused on leading-edge technologies. Founded in 1999, Redpoint Technologies provides clients with the expertise they need to compete and reach their pinnacle. Our software engineering consultants bring a wealth of experience, innovation and passion to the workplace.
This month we are going to be talking about many of the new features of Visual Studio 2010. The meeting will be from 8:00-9:00 PM Thursday December 11th 2008 immediately following IndyNDA.
The Gene B. Glick
Junior Achievement
Education Center
7435 North Keystone Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Map and Directions
Paul is a Principle Consultant at Polaris Solutions, LLC in Indianapolis, with a passion for Team System. He has been working with the product since mid-2005. Paul has implemented Team System/TFS in numerous organizations. When not spending time with his family, you can find him presiding over the Indianapolis TFS SIG, Podcasting on Radio TFS, or writing tools to enhance Team System.
What's different from the July event at Mullen's?
This is our Christmas gathering; it's a smaller, more intimate event, not sponsored, and has a cash bar. Expect the same great energy that comes from the people who attend our large events: YOU!
Even though this event is cash bar only, Mullen's Bar and Grill has offered to say "thank you" to us for the past events, by offering free pizza for everyone!
First come, first serve. When these pizzas are gone, they're gone!
Who can Attend?
Very Prairie Christmas 2008 is specifically for upwardly mobile tech professionals, tech executives, tech entrepreneurs, technology service providers, Internet professionals, Web 2.0 and startup companies, and the mobile industry. Note we are focusing the attendees of this event by limiting access of a couple categories: No professional recruiters, staffing agencies or active job seekers will be permitted.
When and Where?
Very Prairie Christmas 2008
Thursday, December 4
6:30pm-9:00pm
Mullen's Bar and Grill
3080 Warrenville Rd.
Lisle, IL 60532 (map this)
At I-88 and Naperville Rd., Mullen's is centrally located and easy to get to from all along the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor on I-88, the Golden Corridor on I-90, downtown Chicago and the western suburbs.
RSVP Here, Please.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP so we can get a headcount and plan accordingly. Please RSVP at http://prairiechristmas2008.eventbrite.com. We are anticipating a large crowd, and we do have an attendance limit, which is smaller than our typical event, so please RSVP early!
Technorati Tags:
Silicon Prarie
Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0 week on Channel 9
The week of November 10th is Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0 week on Channel 9! They'll have 12 videos going live this week featuring interviews with various members of the Visual Studio and the .NET Framework product teams, including several screen-cast demonstrations of the latest bits. Stay tuned to http://channel9.msdn.com/VisualStudio/ for all of the action...
TFS 2008 Power Tools - October 2008 Release is here!
So many cool new features, as well as many of the usual suspects Brian alluded to in the beginning of October (Team Members, Windows Shell Extension, Power Shell support, and Custom component download, tfpt unshelve /undo and BPA improvements). Brian as always did a fantastic job of summing it up so I won't bother repeating all the details, you can read for yourself here: http://blogs.msdn.com/bharry/archive/2008/11/08/oct-08-tfs-power-tools-are-available.aspx
RC1 of the VSTS 2008 Database Edition Tools GDR is Out!
I know, the what of the what? GDR is a general developer release of some add-ons for the 2008 DB Pro edition of Team System. Think of it as power tools on steroids, and only targeting that one edition. This awesome new set of features includes all of the previous power tools, support for SQL Server 2008 database projects, distinct Build and Deploy phases, Static Code Analysis and improved integration with SQL CLR projects.
Database Edition ALSO no longer requires a Design Database. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to install an instance of SQL Express or SQL Server prior to using Database Edition. How awesome is that? Find out more and download it today at the following location: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bb3ad767-5f69-4db9-b1c9-8f55759846ed&displaylang=en
I friend and co-worker of mine, Wade Wegner, just shared this with me. Check it out, it's SO COOL!
Learn how we built a multi-enterprise supply chain application using the cloud services platform. Today, most organizations are deeply interconnected, and business applications span multiple enterprises. See how we built an application that satisfies requirements around connectivity, identity, orchestration, and storage, providing a scalable, pervasive, highly available, general-purpose platform that replaces custom software and infrastructure. Hear about the core requirements for multi-enterprise business applications, their architecture, and the cloud-based framework we built to support them. Learn about the issues we encountered, lessons learned, and useful guidelines and patterns.
http://www.architectingwith.net/2008/11/01/BuildingMultiEnterpriseBusinessApplicationsOnTheAzureServicesPlatform.aspx
I tend to keep this blog more professional, but since diabetes has affected so many members of my family, I tend to pipe up for the cause. Also, hey, skinny white kid from my neck of the woods getting tattoos, piercings and a mohawk? C'mon, that's entertainment to boot! So here's the story...
I read about this on a blog by a someone I know through work. His buddy is trying to raise money for diabetes research, and he's helping to raise even more money by offering challenges that may eventually turn this skinny white mid-westerner into Mr T, or as close as he can get to it. He's at $1500 now, which got us the beard, shaved head and some piercings, and at $2500 he gets a ridiculous tattoo. I am not sure if I want him to get to $2500 or not. On the one hand, who makes fun of a guy who humiliated himself for a really good cause like this? On the other hand, who wants "I Pitty the fool!" tattooed on their arm for posterity.
His story is actually really touching, so after reading it go ahead and watch the YouTube video of him getting his head shaved to bring the smile back. Then help him out if you can. If this won't make someone get behind diabetes research, what would, LOL. :)
The PhizzPop Design Challenge, hosted by Microsoft, is back for its second year, and we're joining forces with The Chicago Convergence to deliver a top design competition you won't want to miss. PhizzPop is a national interactive design competition with participation from top creative agencies. The Chicago event will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 20th.
Join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington, to watch some of Chicago’s hippest interactive agencies show off their work in a competition of design, development and creativity ... and for some great food, and a drink (or two) on us.
Register now as space is limited for this see-be-seen party that you won't want to miss!
To learn more or register today go to: http://www.phizzpop.com
The PhizzPop Team
PhizzPop Design Challenge Chicago
Chicago Cultural Center
Thursday, November 20th
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location Map
Space is limited. Please RSVP today by contacting us directly or by registering at http://www.phizzpop.com.
On September 29, 2008, Microsoft announced that Visual Studio Team System Development Edition will be combined with the Visual Studio Team System Database Edition in Visual Studio Team System 2010. Microsoft recognized that many developers write front end code in addition to working deeply with database code and database tables. Bringing the feature of Team Development Edition and Team Database Edition together sets together enables you to take advantage of the core tools for application development as well as the necessary tools for database development, including performance profiling, code analysis, code metrics, code coverage, database refactoring, Schema Compare, Data Compare, and more. You may also be happy to know there is a way to take advantage of this 2 for 1 deal TODAY. Really, no joke!
Want to hear more about it? Maybe even see these two incredibly powerful tools together? Join the Chicago Visual Studio Team System User Group to hear more about how to get your hands on this awesome duo of tools, talk to field experts about how these tools have improved their overall quality of life (OK, maybe just their work environment), and to see them in action!. We have decided to hold this session in both the Chicago Loop and Downers Grove offices to ensure everyone has a chance to learn about this terrific new opportunity.
To sign up, please email Laskowski.Dave@gmail.com. Please indicate which meeting you plan to attend. We hope to see you there! Please feel free to bring a friend.
Meeting Agenda
5:30pm – Pizza
6:00pm – Introductions
6:15pm – Presentation and Demo
7:30pm – Q&A and Raffle
Downers Grove Meeting Details:
Wednesday October 29th, 2008
3025 Highland Parkway, 3rd Floor, Downers Grove IL
Map
Chicago Loop Meeting Details:
Wednesday November 5th, 2008
77 West Wacker Drive, 23rd Floor, Chicago, IL
Map
Speaker Bios:
(Downers Grove)
Paul Hacker is a Principle Consultant at Polaris Solutions, LLC in Indianapolis, with a passion for Team System. He has been working with the product since beta 3. Paul has implemented Team System/TFS in numerous organizations. When not spending time with his family, you can find him presiding over the Indianapolis TFS SIG, Podcasting on Radio TFS or writing tools to enhance Team System. You can reach Paul at paul.hacker@polarissolutions.com
(Chicago Loop)
Josh Heyse is a Senior Solution Architect with Catalyst Software Solutions. He has always focused on staying ahead of the technology curve, investigating Microsoft technologies before they are available to the general public. Josh began developing on beta versions the .NET Framework when they were released in early 2001. Josh is currently focused on WPF, LINQ, and most recently Silverlight 2.0. Microsoft has noticed this and repeatedly flown Josh out to evaluate upcoming certification exams. As an architect Josh spends a lot of time improving the software development lifecycle by implementing pattern & practices, continuous integration and ALM tools such as Team Foundation Server. MCSD, MCDBA, MCPD
Hey there all my techie friends! In honor of PDC 2008, we have just made publicly available the FIRST CTP for Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0. It is a Virtual PC image and there are some activation requirements which are well documented by Brian Keller's blog (link below). Download it today!
Below are some links to help you download the image and have the best possible experience. Seriously, get the free download manager and follow the steps on Brian's blog, it will make your life so much easier:
MSDN Unleashed
Join us at our MSDN Unleashed events for the latest tips, tools and technical information you need to build powerful applications and engaging user experiences. We'll show you how SQL Server 2008 delivers new development capabilities, including support for Spatial Data types, a fresh storage mechanism and more. You'll also learn how to leverage the Silverlight platform to build next generation applications for consumers and business. Don't miss these free, live sessions near you.
Session 1: What’s New in SQL Server 2008 for Developers
SQL Server 2008 adds numerous new capabilities for developers – from support for Spatial Data types to a storage mechanism for SQL BLOB data using the NTFS file system, and much, much more. The new release also delivers several improvements to development-related areas, from T-SQL to SQLCLR to XML. This presentation will provide a technical dive into the latest and greatest features you’ll find in SQL Server 2008, while offering insight into how effectively apply them to your upcoming development projects.
Session 2: Build next generation applications with Silverlight 2.0
Silverlight provides a powerful platform for building the next generation of rich interactive applications on the Internet. In this session, we’ll take a look at the programming model and tools that developers and designers can leverage to build these true next generation experiences for consumers and businesses, and demonstrate how to build a rich interactive application (RIA) using Silverlight and Microsoft.NET. We’ll explore how to use Microsoft Visual Studio to create applications, and how to create UI using XAML markup and code, controls, and File I/O.
We’ll also discuss networking, how to retrieve data from a Web service, and various other aspects of building Silverlight applications.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Anyone who designs, develops, or debugs code. If you are an architect, developer or just enjoy curly braces, join us.
WHERE ARE THE EVENTS?
Events are held in 11 cities across Central Region (only a few are listed below, check the site for more). To register for this event, please select a link below.
11/19/08 Downers Grove, IL Register
11/13/08 Waukesha, WI Register
11/11/08 Bloomington, IL Register
12/9/08 Chicago, IL Register
WHAT TIME ARE THESE EVENTS?
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Professional Patterns on the Job
You're smart. You deliver. What more could your company want from you? Why don’t they come to you for the big technical decisions? Why won’t they listen to your proposals? It seems like everyone has an agenda and they’re doing everything they can to kill your great ideas.
Join us this quarter as we focus on the soft skills that architects need to master. Learning these skills will boost your emotional intelligence and help you become a more professional, well rounded contributor. You’ll gain insight into the architect’s role as leader, influencer, and business professional and learn how to leverage your position to become a positive force within your organization.
Session 1: Mastering the Soft Skills
In this session, we’ll discuss key interpersonal skills and how they can affect your projects and career. We cover how to positively connect with humans, how to participate in and influence the business processes you support, and how to transcend your technical role and maximize your connections with all members of your organization.
Session 2: Organizational Dynamics
This session examines the dynamic nature of large organizations – their structures, decision making processes, and political landscapes. We’ll discuss the goals of key business and technical decision makers and their influence on architects and software projects. We’ll conclude with some strategies for maximizing the soft skills from Session 1 to ensure successful outcomes for your projects and career.
WHAT IS ARCREADY?
- A forum for aspiring and practicing architects to discuss industry trends
- An overview of Microsoft’s roadmap as it relates to software architecture
- A mechanism to solicit your feedback
- An opportunity to showcase the work you do!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Architects and Senior Developers who are interested in becoming an architect.
WHERE ARE THE EVENTS?
Events are held in 19 cities across Central Region (just a few are listed below, check the site for more!). To register for this event, please visit www.arcready.com.
11/19/08 Downers Grove, IL
11/11/08 Bloomington, IL
11/20/08 Indianapolis, IN
12/09/08 Chicago, IL
11/13/08 Waukesha, WI
WHAT TIME ARE THESE EVENTS?
9:00am – 11:45am
Technorati Tags:
ArcReady
I just ran across a great article in Dr Dobb's Portal written by Stephen Rylander, a peer of mine at CDW in the Northwestern suburbs of Chicago. In this article, Stephen shares his experiences around adopting TFS, the good, the bad, and the ugly. OK, so it's mostly good, but I really like that phrase :) I think he describes it best:
"In this article, I present strategies and insights for source-code management, build automation, and human factors—including tips on how to handle significant project change, regardless of platform. You won't find the theoretical here. Instead, I present real-world pragmatic practices that have worked. "
I think what I like most about this article is that is addresses the issues that almost every one of my customers, past co-workers and friends deal with every day while building software. Stephen uses real examples from his own experiences at CDW to tackle topics like true source control management, continuous integration, build management, automation, managing platform change and quite possibly the biggest challenge of all - managing resistance to change in both your development community as well as management, and the social challenges that inevitably follow adopting on a full-blown Application Management Tool like VSTS.
Check it out here, and if you have experiences of your own you'd like to share, let us know. I love to hear about how VSTS has changed your life! Well, changed your job if nothing else.
~Stephen is a software engineer at CDW focusing on web scalability and best practices. He is also a founder of the Chicago Architects Group and can be reached at stephen@ontheheap.com.
Technorati Tags:
VSTS,
TFS
The nature of software development is radically changing... Are you ready?
Prepare yourself for a demanding future. Attend the MSDN Developer Conference.
- Experience Microsoft’s Cloud Computing Platform
Create applications that seamlessly bridge the gaps between PC, Web, and phone - Be among the first to see Windows 7
See the latest advances in Multi-Touch Application Development - Take your .NET skills to the next level
See sessions on WPF 4.0, Silverlight 2, ASP.NET 4.0, Parallel Programming, Live Mesh and more
The Cost? Just $99.
And, did we mention that attendees will get some cool giveaways?
AGENDA
7:30-8:30 Registration
8:30-10:00 Keynote
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:30
Lap Around Cloud Services
Windows Presentation Framework (WPF) Roadmap No. 4.0
The Future of Managed Languages: F#, C#, and Visual Basic
11:30-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:45
Developing and Deploying Your First Cloud Services
Developing Data-centric Applications Using the WPF DataGrid and Ribbon Controls
A Lap Around "Oslo"
1:45-2:00 Break
2:00-3:15
Live Services: A Lap Around the Live Framework and Mesh Services
Building Business Focused Applications using Silverlight 2
"Rosario": A Sprint with the Next Version of Microsoft Visual Studio Team System
3:15-3:30 Break
3:30-4:45
Developing Applications Using Data Services
ASP.NET 4.0 Roadmap
Parallel Programming for Managed Code Developers
Locations
Date City
12/9/08 Houston, TX
12/11/08 Orlando, FL
12/16/08 Atlanta, GA
1/13/09 Chicago, IL
1/13/09 Minneapolis, MN
1/16/09 Washington, DC
1/20/09 New York, NY
1/22/09 Boston, MA
1/22/09 Detroit, MI
1/26/09 Dallas, TX
TBD San Francisco, CA
TBD San Diego, CA
Celebrating 25 years
For 25 years, Microsoft Press books have focused on helping you take your skills and knowledge to the next level. Celebrate our 25th Anniversary with a "Free E-Book of the Month" offer! Simply sign up for the Microsoft Press Book Connection Newsletter for notification of offers, register, and download the selection of the month.
Programming Microsoft Robotics Studio
By Sara Morgan
ISBN: 9780735624320
Visualize, build, and deploy the next innovation in robotic applications. For more information or to buy the print version of this title, visit the Microsoft Learning website.
View Chapter 1: Overview of Robotics and Microsoft Robotics Studio
or
Sign up to download the entire e-book (PDF, 8.8 MB).
Channel 9 is just chock full of goodness. I saw a few videos today that I really wanted to share and make sure people had a chance to hear about. Check out anything that sounds good to you:
Welcome to the 100th episode of Going Deep! It's been a great ride so far and I hope you've been enjoying the show over the years. For this momentous occasion, meet Bart de Smet, a software engineer on the WPF team who spends his free time blogging (what an incredible wealth of truly useful technical information to be found on Bart's blog!) and creating custom LINQ providers. In fact, Bart is probably the world's most prolific LINQ provider creator. How does he do it???
Of course, in this special episode who better to have involved in this conversation (with lots of whiteboarding) than LINQ co-creator and Channel 9 star Erik Meijer?
JAOO 2008 coverage continues with a discussion covering domain specific languages with the great Martin Fowler, Chief Scientist at ThoughtWorks, Neil Ford, Architect and Meme Wrangler at ThoughWorks and PowerShell creator Jeffery Snover, Partner Architect at Microsoft. Martin is a world leader in the design and implementation of DSLs, which are highly specilaized languages aimed at solving particular sets of problems (unlike general purpose programming languages which are, well, general purpose in nature). PowerShell is a DSL. Or is it? Tune in.
Built from the ground up, the .NET Micro Framework is a platform for resource-constrained devices that extends Microsoft’s embedded offering to smaller, simpler “sub-CE” devices. In this video, Jonathan Kagle (Group Program Manager) and Lorenzo Tessiore (Development Manager) tell us about the work they've been doing on the .NET Micro Framework.
Rahul Patil is a concurrency testing expert. His is the complex lifestyle of chasing down bugs that are caused by concurrently executing code (threads). In this discussion, Rahul explains to us what the common patterns are that lead to concurreny bugs (race conditions, deadlocks, etc) and offers advice on how to catch bugs before you create them...
