Want to enhance the user experience for an application in WebMatrix?  Task-based extensibility (TBEX) allows you to customize the WebMatrix user interface for a particular application.  Here I’m going to show you how to modify the dashboard...

One of the most powerful resources students have from Microsoft is DreamSpark , which gives students and educators powerful software to enable them to develop apps, games, tools, and designs. Here are my 5 favorite fun picks for students, in no particular...

  Interested in learning more about virtualization or passing the 70-659 exam?  Whether you’re an IT Professional for a multinational company, or running a small business, virtualization is making an impact on how you work. Developers are also...

*Note: This is the content for a talk for students at UCLA. I was always overwhelmed by all the advice I got in college, so I aim to simplify the message I want to get across when I speak to students.  Because it’s fairly easy to remember three things...

Here are some HTML5 Cheat Sheets provided by InMotion Hosting to make your life easier when it comes to HTML5. Thanks for sharing, InMotion Hosting! HTML5 Cheat Sheet—Tags HTML5 Cheat Sheet By InMotion Hosting - A Virtual Private Servers...

*Note: This was my first Toastmasters (icebreaker) speech, because I was asked to give my job title prior to delivering the speech and decided to give a 5-minute answer to the inevitable question. The first question most people ask me when I tell them...

The Spring Round 1 submission deadline is February 14, 2012, so get in your project plans! For more on Imagine Cup, visit Sam's blog . Here are some instructions for the 10-minute process: Go to http://imaginecup.us/ and click on “Competitions...

Hello there, and welcome to my blog!  I’m a Developer Evangelist at Microsoft based out of Southern California.  I support developers in their phone, cloud, and mobile endeavors; but my posts are mostly about WebMatrix , a free tool that makes...

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to build your own website?  If not, it’s a pretty good one that can be fulfilled in under ten minutes! Here’s a video that shows you how to download WebMatrix , gives you a quick tour of WebMatrix 2 Beta released...

The last Joomla! Day of 2011 took place on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Microsoft LA Office.  Approximately 30 enthusiastic designers and developers from all over California attended a successful Joomla! Day Los Angeles , organized by Jonathan...

lightning talks Last week I had the opportunity to present to the LA Drupal group on building a Drupal site with WebMatrix.  The session was also recorded , but unfortunately there was a problem with the audio.  Although you can look forward...

Last week I had the opportunity to attend Evening with Industry (EWI) events with my two favorite schools, Stanford and UC Berkeley. (I’m not a conflicted individual; this just means that my school will win Big Game on Saturday ) The events are...

Ever wonder what engineering grad students at Berkeley love to eat when they’re not working on big research problems?  I’ve shared these two lists so many times that I figured it would be easier to simply post it on my blog.  The first is from...

Unable to make the current series of Windows Phone Camps?  Good thing we have links to the recorded webcast from the Sunnyvale event at Nokia! First, get started by downloading the Phone SDK   Part 1: Windows Phone 7.5 Overview for Developers...

Ready to dive into Windows Azure? Step 1:  Get the Free Windows Azure Platform Trial Step 2:  Get the Azure SDK Step 3:  Sign up for a free Azure DevCamp near you ( Santa Monica December 2 , Redmond December 13 , Phoenix December 15 ) Abstract...

Let’s see how easy it is to restrict access to certain pages based on roles.  First, if you don’t have WebMatrix, DOWNLOAD IT HERE .  I am using the WebMatrix 2 Beta version released in September 2011. We’re going to use the photo gallery site...

Do you enjoy developing on different platforms?  Do you like getting people excited about technology and developer tools?  Do you want to wake up every morning knowing you have one of the coolest jobs in the world? Good news!  Microsoft...

The NuGet gallery in WebMatrix 2 Beta, which you can DOWNLOAD HERE , makes it easy to add helpers to your website.  You can make your website more social by adding commonly used functions from Facebook, Twitter, Paypal, etc.  Let’s see how we...

ASP.NET Razor syntax is an easy way to mix HTML and code, like C# or VB.  It’s not exclusive to WebMatrix, but it can be helpful in customizing your websites by giving your web pages a consistent look and feel.  Let’s see how easy it is to get...

It’s not too late to RSVP for SoCal Code Camp at USC this weekend. As if you needed any more convincing, here are 5 reasons to RSVP and go to SoCal Code Camp: 5. You want to learn about something you’re interested in from technical leaders in the community...

Thanks to all who attended my session earlier today. I enjoyed presenting at such a large Code Camp and I’m definitely looking forward to day 2 of Silicon Valley Code Camp ( http://www.siliconvalley-codecamp.com/ ). As always, feel free to drop...

Getting your WordPress blog up and running has never been easier.  Here I’m going to show you how to get started with WebMatrix, a free tool from Microsoft that you can download here .  I’m using WebMatrix rather than going directly through...

Hey developers! If you want to see your great app idea come to life, now is a great time to download some free tools or to ensure you have the most up-to-date versions. Installing WebMatrix is simple and fast, and it provides an easy tool to create...

Silicon Valley Code Camp is coming to the SF Bay area Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, 2011.  If you are at all remotely nearby or if you simply want to be a part of the excitement of learning anything and everything code-related, sign up at...

Last week I got the opportunity to be a part of the excitement of //Build/ and meet developers eager to create what’s next in Anaheim.  Microsoft unveiled a lot of exciting new things (Windows 8!!) that will change everything . For keynote and session...