Craig Flannagan, MSDN Canada's WebLog

Canadian Developer Update - ATTENTION JAVA DEVELOPERS

2005-02-16T22:16:00Z

Hey Devs,

We're about to hit the road on the next user group tour, this one is a little different. We want to be able to get together with Java and .NET developers at the groups and talk about interoperability. We've got some great content and demos that have been created by some of our Regional Directors and some of the great minds working with BEA. This event series is going to be a great opportunity to come and learn about both sides of the fence and how to make it all work together.

If you are not part of a user group, no problem, join one. The event is free, you'll get the two hour presentation and access to a URL where you can your hands on Simon Guest's .NET / J2EE Interoperability Toolkit book ($70 value)

If you have friends / colleagues / co-workers who worh with .NET or Java, or both, make sure to invite them - this is an opportunity learn more about making it all come together.

I hope to see everyone at a UG meeting near them. Here's the line up of events:

Group Name	Date
Thompson Okanagan .NET Users Group	21/02/2005
East of Toronto .NET User Group	21/02/2005
Ottawa .NET User Group	28/02/2005
Winnipeg .NET User Group	01/03/2005
.NET BC User Group	01/03/2005
Vancouver Technology User Group	01/03/2005
Vancouver .NET User Group	01/03/2005
Edmonton .NET Wizards User Group	08/03/2005
Waterloo .NET User Group	10/03/2005
Victoria .NET User Group	10/03/2005
Toronto .NET User Group	16/03/2005
Quebec City .NET User Group	17/03/2005
St. John's .NET User Group	22/02/2005
Fredericton .NET User Group	20/02/2005
Alberta .NET User Group (Calgary)	24/03/2005
Moncton .NET User Group	24/03/2005
Metro Toronto .NET User Group	24/03/2005
Halifax .NET User Group	25/03/2005
Montreal .NET User Group	21/03/2005
Montreal Microsoft .NET Architecture User Group	30/03/2005

Happy Coding,
Craig

Canadian Developer Update - Recharged and ready too hit the road across Canada

2005-01-11T18:58:00Z

Well, it's been too long since my last post - bad blogging form on my part, admit it. I had some great time off over the holidays, a chance to recharge a bit. I hope you did too.

Now - there is a ton going on in the next 6 months in Microsoft Canada DevLand (what would that theme park be like?!) We are going to be travelling across the country delivering over 75 presentations in the next 6 months.

First off, we've got our next user group tour under way in just a month. This one is really interesting - it's on interoperating between .NET and Java. Should be cool - anybody out there that is in a .NET or Java user group, watch the MSDN Flash for details on dates and locations. The tour kicks off on February 8th.

The next set of deep dives are warming up too - Building Web Applications, a first look at ASP.NET 2.0 is going to be a great event. Again, you should watch the MSDN Flash for dates and locations - that roadshow starts on March 1, 2005.

Did I mention there is a lot going on? Two more deep dives before July! Smart Client (Focusing on Microsoft Office, Visual Studio Tools for Office 2005 and Information Bridge Framework) and of course . . . Whidbey Deep Dive! One more shameless plug for the Flash won't hurt - details to follow. We'll also be out to the user groups one more before the summer with a deeper look at Whidbey.

What else . . . VSLive! Toronto 2005, taking place at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle on April 13-16th. Second year this wicked conference is coming back to T.O. and taking it downtown!

DevTeach 2005 Montreal happening June18th - 22nd, 2005.

And that's just the live events - there's also a ton happening online - webcasts, chats and even a contest that we think you'll enjoy. More details on that later.

Happy New Year,

Craig.

Canadian Developer Update - Connected Applications Deep Dive comes to an end

2004-12-01T06:28:00Z

Well, another tour has come to an end. That's number 6 for me since joining Microsoft, and at least number 15 in total. It was great to get out an see everyone across Canada.

Overall we got great feedback from you on the tour. For those of you who weren't able to make it, you can check out the resources online by visiting city by city by visiting http://msdn.microsoft.ca/connectedapplications/CITY/ where CITY can = Halifax, QuebecCity, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver or Victoria.

You can also check out the blog feed we set up for the tour at http://msdn.microsoft.ca/connectedapplications/blog that is where all the smart folks like Adam Gallant, Ryan Storgaard, Dan Sellers and the authors who joined us on tour Devin Spackmen and Mark Speaker hang out.

While this tour is just wrapping up, we've already started planning the next! Look for a great deep dive on building web applications coming up, including a deeper look at ASP.NET 2.0. In order to make this show the best we can, we need YOUR INPUT though, so please reply back with some comments about what you would like to see in the upcoming web app tour.

Also, quick reminder, join a user group near you - right now we're in the midst of the Smart Client User Group tour, which looks at building applications for Microsoft Office 2003, including Visual Studio Tools for Office, InfoPath and SharePoint.

See you soon,
Craig.

Canadian Developer Update - How is your knowledge balance?

2004-10-19T17:42:00Z

One of the best resources out there is a user group. I work very closely with all of the .NET focused user groups here in Canada. It's a blast to work with people who are so passionate about technology and building and architecting applications that will solve problems in all areas of business, academia, etc.

The analogy I like to use, is that a user group is like a knowledge bank. Members of the group make deposits of knowledge into the bank, so that the overall balance of knowledge is always on the rise. Other members can make withdrawls to top up their own personal knowlege balance. When the balances of individuals, approaches that of the group as a whole (i.e. when everyone knows what everyone else knows) then you inject new knowledge from outside of the group into the group, it may be from Microsoft, or from the INETA speaker's bureau or from any one of our business partners, or academics, whoever. It might also be from a book, website, blog, etc. From that point, certain members are going to pick up the concepts faster than others, and the cycle of knowledge transfer begins again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that every member has to present everything they know to the group, that wouldn't work, there aren't enough meetings in the year, and many are not comfortable speaking in front of the group. There are many many ways to share knowledge! Through your user group website, email list-serve, discussion groups.

As a user group member, there are definetly some best practices for getting the most out of the group. Overall, the value you derive from a user group will be proportionate to how involved you are with the group.

Set goals for yourself as to what things you'd like to learn more about, what are your weaknesses?
Identify what your strengths are, and let the group know - a great practice many of our user groups haveis a skills inventory of the group.
Make it a point of contributing to, or starting discussions around both your strengths, and your weaknesses and be open to people approaching you (online or face to face at the networking portion of the UG meeting) to talk about both.
Get more people from your company involved in the group, and be sure to include your user group in your official development plan with your employer.

Following these steps will identify your own expectations and objectives, which is half the battle, and often overlooked. If you figure out what you want to get out of the group, then you'll be able to make it happen.

Happy Coding,
Craig.

Canadian Developer Update - The Power of Community, and the power of focus

2004-10-19T17:22:00Z

As I sit back and think about all of the resources that are out there for developers, it becomes apparent, that there is definetly no lack of resources. I get feedback from a lot of people, on tour, at user groups, from customers, or through feedback on the MSDN Canada Flash newsletter that the key is focusing those resources, finding the really important, the really helpful resources.

So, I thought it would be great to hear from you, on what your favourite resources are. This is a chance for you as developers to help other developers. Depending on how this goes, I'll take the resources that we come up with, organize them and put them out in the Flash, at events, on MSDN, to the user groups, etc.

So, let me know!
Craig.

1PM EST -- SHAREPOINT PORTAL SERVER 2.0 DEVELOPER CONSIDERATIONS WEBCAST TODAY!!

2004-10-14T18:52:00Z

Hey Folks,

Please join Scott Howlett, Microsoft Regional Director from iMason on our webcast today.

This session is targeted at intermediate ASP.Net developers who are interested in developing collaborative web applications under Sharepoint and/or Windows Sharepoint Services. We’ll cover the top 10 things to know as you move from a pure IIS platform to a SPS/WSS platform. In the end, you’ll have a good idea for the types of apps that can be built on Sharepoint and a good idea for how to do it. This is a developer-oriented session, delivered by developers.

To attend visit this URL at 1PM EST / 10AM PST http://www.placeware.com/cc/lmevents/join?id=msft101404my&role=attend&pw=25TN63

If you have trouble getting in, click on this link: http://www.placeware.com/cc/lmevents/

Clicking on either URL, you will arrive at the Join Meeting page and in the following fields, check or enter this information:

Your Name: (enter your First and Last name)
Meeting ID: msft101404my
Password: 25TN63
Click Submit

SEE YOU THERE!

Canadian Developer Contest - Need help? Online lab available

2004-09-30T17:24:00Z

There is a lab available at http://www.windowsforms.net/Terrarium/docs/QuickStart/handson.aspx that walks you through creating carnivors, herbivores and plants.

Do you have any experience building creatures? Care to share some best practices?

Canadian Developer Contest! Terrarium Server is now live. Visit http://msdn.microsoft.ca/terrarium/

2004-09-30T15:59:00Z

Hey Everyone,

We've launched Terrarium again in Canada, and we will be running the contest to see who's code will build the best herbavore, carnivore and plant. The contest will run for a few months, ending on February 9th, 2005. The prizes are very good.

For each 1st placed carnivore, herbivore and plant:
· Trip to VSLive! Toronto 2005
· Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 3.0
· .NET Core Requirements Book (set of 4 books) for MCAD/MCSD certification

For each 2nd placed carnivore, herbivore and plant:
· XBox video game system & five Microsoft XBox video games
· .NET Core Requirements Book (set of 4 books) for MCAD/MCSD certification

For each 3rd placed carnivore, herbivore and plant:
· Microosft Wireless Optical Desktop 3.0
· .NET Core Requirements Book (set of 4 books) for MCAD/MCSD certification

Visit http://msdn.microsoft.ca/terrarium/ for complete details.

Happy Coding,

Craig.

Canadian Developer Update: Next set of Deep Dives is now live!

2004-09-21T21:06:00Z

Hey Everybody,

I'm excited to say that our MSDN Deep Dives are continuing across Canada. No more 100-200 level info, this is deep technical sessions. The latest in the series is "Building Connected Applications", it will focus on improving upon a real-world application that we'll build on site (some of it will be pre-built to save time) We'll implement business process orchestration and integrate with ERP systems like SAP via Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004 and Web Services. Naturally, we've included a drill down on the benefits of building a services oriented architecture as well. We'll take a look at some success stories from those Canadian companies who are benefiting from connecting their applications too.

As for speakers, it's the usual suspects :) Microsoft Developer Specialists: Adam Gallant, Dan Sellers and Ryan Storgaard, as well as some special guests we're lining up.

As usual with the Deep Dives - you'll get a complimentary MS Press book at the event, and some great follow on resources.

You can register at:

Oct. 21 -- Halifax: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258916&Culture=en-CA

Oct. 21 -- Victoria: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258917&Culture=en-CA

Oct. 26 -- Vancouver: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258918&Culture=en-CA

Oct. 26 -- Quebec City: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258919&Culture=en-CA

Oct. 28 -- Ottawa: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258920&Culture=en-CA

Oct. 28 -- Winnipeg: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258921&Culture=en-CA

Nov. 10 -- Montreal: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258922&Culture=en-CA

Nov. 10 -- Edmonton: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258923&Culture=en-CA

Nov. 16 -- Toronto: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258924&Culture=en-CA

Nov. 16 -- Calgary: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032258925&Culture=en-CA

Hope to see you there.

Craig.

Innovation in Music? You jumping on board?

2004-08-30T17:23:00Z

I hear a lot of people saying that the music industry dropped the ball on online music. That in the hayday of online music piracy, they should have jumped at the opportunity of changing their business model. I'm no music industry insider, so I'm not sure if they did or did not - but here's my latest great experience.

I love the online music services. I'm a member at Puretracks and Napster. I'm also always looking for new sites, so please send my way. It's exciting to see the music industry go through so much change, and to see technology playing a leading role. I burned 3 CDs this weekend, paid a grand total of a about $45 CDN. Amazing. For the cost about 2 CDs, on which I may have truly enjoyed 3 songs, I now get 40 songs that I love.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a great technology. Many of the online music services use DRM to protect the music, and grant users differing levels of ownership. Napster for example, leverages Windows Media Player, and allows me to stream or download an unlimited numbers of songs for a monthly fee. This doesn't mean I own them, I'm simply a Napster subscriber, and as a subscriber, I have access to the all the streams and downloads I want, while being a subscriber. You see, if I stop my subscription, the songs no longer play - the license I have for each song doesn't allow me to play without having a subscription. When I want to burn a track, to perminant media (CD, DVD, Card, PPC, etc.) I pay the track fee, and then I own it, like I bought it off the shelf.

I'm not claiming to be a DRM expert, not even a little bit, and I'll probably get corrected on the above paragraph. The labels have taken a great step forward, and trusted that the technology is ready. I'm not sure what the artist's take on all of this is, but from a technology lover's standpoint, I'm in.

Canadian developer Update - Express Betas - Who's downloading? What are you building?

2004-07-14T19:42:00Z

Hey Team Canada,

So, Express Betas are out (http://msdn.microsoft.ca/express) and many, many, many have downloaded. I'm curious to know what everybody is building as their first application to try things out? Business? Fun? Little bit of both?

Soon MSDN Canada will announce a contest for Canadians around Terrarium. The 1.2 version of the client has been released, we've got a server up and running and will point you there soon. In the meantime, visit www.terrariumgame.net and download the client, make sure your client points to the http://www.terrariumgame.net/terrarium server. Try out building some organisms, visit the terrarium farm to get some samples. Get your herbivore/carnivore ready for a Canadian terrarium contest!

Where's the tie in? You can use express to compile your bugs, you can also use Visual Studio .NET 2003.

Til next time,

Craig.

Correction! Prizes sent to those I have addresses for! :)

2004-07-14T19:20:00Z

Hey Folks,

If you were one of the first 10, and you haven't yet responded to my email asking for your address, please email me a place I can send this to - email: msdncan@microsoft.com

Thanks!

Canadian Coding Contest - The prizes are on their way to you today

2004-07-13T18:10:00Z

Thanks again for all the ideas - I've sent out your prizes today!

Hope you enjoy!

Canadian Developer Update - Coding contest ideas!

2004-06-21T17:25:00Z

Wow - lesson learned. Prizes offered = blog wild fire

Thanks to everyone who responded! I see Ottawa is in the house, as are our friends out east!

I'll keep everyone informed as we go forward with getting some of these contests off the ground.

Thanks!

Canadian Developer Update - and now for the contest ideas I've received

2004-06-17T03:49:00Z

As promised in my last entry - here's some of the ideas I've received to date:

1) The Code Apprentice - teams compete to complete different tasks every week, with a team being fired each week. Anyone who can build on this theme, including what the Don's new catch phrase could be . . . “You're _______” will get a prize.

You know what . . . I'll stop there, let's see what you come up with :)