Rudi Larno's WebLog : Developers (x39)

Brad Abrams caved in...

Rudi Larno — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 18:46:00 GMT

Since I'm getting started in a new team, these are the kind of documents I am digging up these days. I'm sure most of you have done this already aaaaaages ago. But read my previous post, and understand that I am happy to be reading/learning these basic guidelines: OK, I give. Here are a set of internal coding guidelines

There is actually a whole series of webcasts and chats running over the next months. I'll be watching these closely.

Unit Tests as documentation

Rudi Larno — Wed, 08 Dec 2004 22:58:00 GMT

Since Unit Testing is becomming a defacto used practice in modern programming, this is an interesting topic to say the least:

The next XP BE meeting will be hosted by Philippe De Bruycker of the
Federal Administration of Foreign Affairs in Brussels.

The topic of the evening will be "Unit Tests as documentation". If you
have something to tell about the subject, let us know. Even better, if
you have some unit tested code, why not bring it along so that we can
see if the tests (help) document your code?

More info and registration at
http://wiki.xp.be/scripts/view/Xpbe/XpBeMeeting21122004

Because you need a badge to get in (and out), register at least a week
before the meeting. Put your first+last name and car registration number
on the list on the wiki.

Developer & ITPro Days 2005 updated

Rudi Larno — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 19:42:00 GMT

Just slightly updated the agenda and some speaker details on Friday. If I had goodies to give away, I would open up a contest to 'spot the differences'. That is just to say how final things are at this point. Overall I'm hearing good feedback for the agenda.

As Tom already noted: you have the opportunity to wet your feet in giving a presentation ("Lightning Talk"). The best topic is about something you are passionate about. And really it can be about anything Developer or ITPro related, your favourite 10 tips 'n tricks; the best blogs you are reading, How you build/operate that Enterprise Ready Mission Critical Totally Awesome Scaling, Reliable Multi-Tiered Web Services Enabled Application!!.

If you want to aim higher, also note that the TechEd 2005 Call for Papers is also open
(Note: Spoke to Gerd, this is only for TechEd US at the moment.)

Updated Developer & ITPro Days 2005 Agenda

Rudi Larno — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 04:24:00 GMT

Just completed some more details on the agenda, and I will continue so in the next coming weeks.
Please, please, pretty please give us some feedback. Especially around the 'Connect' sessions. Some people seem to think this is a great idea, other really don't see the point.

The idea behind the 'Connect' sessions is that as a professional in IT, be it that your business cards says 'Developer', 'Analyst', 'Architect', 'Engineer','Operations', 'DBA', 'Administrator', 'Network', we all once in a while need to do some of these jobs, or at least be aware of the other guy ^[1]. As a developer, you might need to install your own dev-box, set-up the test-environment, need dba access to the test-database, etc. As a developer you need to have basic knowledge of the infrastructure, network and databases. As an IT Pro, I assume your development skills can really help you be more productive in writing the right set of scripts to automate a whole series of otherwise dead-boring task.

So we have some sessions with really similar names and speakers that have been instructed to work together on delivering a strong story. These session are also displaced so that you can just follow the dev-track, but you can also follow the dev-session and the ITPro session, giving you the complete picture of the topic.

Does that make sense? What is your opinion of this Connect-track? Tell me, even if you are not planning on attending.

I'm working on getting the agenda fully finalized, still need to hunt down 2 speakers and some session abstracts.

^[1] With all due respect to all the women that work in our business. Apparently, from former events where there was some sort of 'Women in IT' session or focus or whatever, women do not want to be singled out, they just want to be part of the guy's.

Finally, InfoPath has Managed Code!!

Rudi Larno — Tue, 09 Nov 2004 23:30:00 GMT

Announcing the InfoPath 2003 Toolkit for Visual Studio .NET

Back in the days that InfoPath was still code named XDocs, this was the one of the big features I was really missing, having been living and breathing .NET and managed code all over, convincing our customers and developers the only way forward was .NET. Seeing the Office team come up with InfoPath was a bit of a turn-off for me. I have grown to accept the tool for what it is, and it surely has its merits.

Win a Smartphone

Rudi Larno — Wed, 03 Nov 2004 20:44:00 GMT

Webcasts

Looking to build applications for mobile devices like the Windows Powered Smartphone or the Pocket PC but don't know where to begin?

Learn247 are please to announce the free "Building Mobile Applications with Visual Studio.NET" online training series presented by the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft. This is a 3 part hands on training course which has been designed to teach all you need to know to begin building powerful mobile applications using Visual Studio.NET.

Session 1 - Introduction to Windows Mobile Development
Date: - 16th November 10:00 GMT - 11:30 GMT

If you are new to Microsoft's Mobile platform and development tools then why not start with the basics: What is Windows Mobile? What's Microsoft's strategy and view of Mobile platforms? What types of application can I build for Windows Mobile? How can I build them? Deploy them? Where is Microsoft going with the platform?

All these questions and more will be answered in this session. During this session we will build a simple .NET based application using C# or VB.NET to experience the development tools, emulators and debug environment first hand.

Session 2 - Developing Smartphone Applications in Managed Code
Date: - 30th November 10:00 GMT - 11:30 GMT

With the advent of .NET Compact Framework and Windows Mobile 2003, Smartphone application development could not be simpler. In this session we will explore the features of Compact Framework specific for Smartphone development. Most of this session will be dedicated to hands-on work, building your very own snake game.

Sign up
To take part in any of the series you can sign up by clicking here . Taking part in the training is *free* and *easy* so sign up today!

You need to signup before you can participate and once signed up, we'll contact you nearer the time on how to download the code.

Win Prizes
Just for taking part in the training we have a number of prizes to give away to say thank you for attending - including an Orange SPV E200 mobile phone (with Windows smartphone software) for each webcast. One attendee from each session will be chosen at random to win this fantastic prize.

Requirements
By registering for the training you will receive the training labs in C# and VB.NET before the training takes place.

If you wish to take part in the training and follow along on your own PC you will need to have the relevant software installed. This will include Visual Studio.NET and related SDKs. Full details will of the installation will be sent shortly.

Of course you are welcome attend just to watch if you prefer.

New Usergroup online

Rudi Larno — Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:33:00 GMT

Yes, a new User Group has just been launched. http://www.vbgroup.org

At the moment, dutch only, but they hope to unite all of the Belgian developers to participate in their community. They offer a wide range of features such as newsgroups, a knowledge base.

I wish them all the best and hope it becomes a huge success.

Dev-ITPro Days 2005 Feedback

Rudi Larno — Fri, 24 Sep 2004 04:07:00 GMT

For those that do not follow Alains blog, we are seeking feedback for the next edition of the Dev-ITPro days. Go there to add your comments.

Thanks.

SQL Server Magazine is comming to Europe! Do not miss this event!

Rudi Larno — Thu, 16 Sep 2004 02:20:00 GMT

We are organizing a full day on SQL Server at the Kinepolis in Brussels. Two tracks with each several sessions will give SQL Server DBAs and developers the tools they need to unleash the power of SQL Server 2000, deploy SQL Server Express, and get ready for SQL Server 2005. The event is produced by Microsoft and SQL Server Magazine with HP and Intel as premium sponsors.

Some more details:

What SQL Day

When 26 October 2004

Where Kinepolis

Speakers William Vaughn (SQL Magazine), Itzik Ben-Gan (SQL Magazine), Marco Ippolito (Sr Technical Marketing Engineer, Intel), ...

Registration http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverbrussels/

.NET Framework Service Packs available

Rudi Larno — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 21:06:00 GMT

Thanks to the Microsoft Download Center Feed from http://www.thundermain.com/ I noticed that the Service Packs for the .NET Framework have been put online.

The fixes are listed in the KB articles linked to the download pages.

The primary focus of Microsoft .NET Framework 1.[x] Service Pack [x] (SP[x]) is improved security. In addition, the service pack includes roll-ups of all reported customer issues found after the release of the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.[x]. Of particular note, SP[x] provides better support for consuming WSDL documents, Data Execution prevention and protection from security issues such as buffer overruns.

SP[x] also provides support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 to provide a safer, more reliable experience for customers using Windows XP.

Ferrari Fast Portable from Acer

Rudi Larno — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 14:43:00 GMT

Whooo, take a look at this nice portable from Acer: The Ferrari 3200

It actually has a 64-bit AMD processor onboard but it can run 32-bit code. So you can load up your Windows XP Pro 32 bit edition, and in the near future you will also be able to put the Windows XP Pro 64 bit edition on it. Here in Redmond, they are already running this and, its the ultimate developer portable machine. With Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0 with 64 bit support, this is really the thing to have.

Innovation inspired by your Potential

Rudi Larno — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 19:22:00 GMT

The 'Your Potential, Our Passion' campaign has been in Microsoft for over a year now. And the first time I saw some of the to-be-telivised ads, I was impressed. It is one of the best videos I have seen in years from Microsoft.

This is a nice follow up of those campaigns:

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/innovation/yourpotential/

I also like the research part, lots of that stuff you can actually see working on videos of channel9:

Kevin Schofield - Inside Microsoft Research #
Kevin Schofield - Tour of Microsoft Research's VIBE group (large screens/multiple monitors) #
Kevin Schofield - Tour of Microsoft Research's Next Media group #

Give IE Feedback

Rudi Larno — Fri, 20 Aug 2004 20:46:00 GMT

The IE team had been heavily involved in XP SP2, rightly so, the even say that themselves. But they are now looking at gathering feedback for the next release. If you want to make an impact, head over to the Wiki on Channel 9. I'd say: collect your top ten issues and make sure they are listed. Be as precise as you can be, no help in stating: Full W3C Compliance, specify which standards you want/need.

Since this is a wiki, you will need to look if your suggestions do not already exist, not just bulk-add your stuff.

Take a service stop and clean your windows

Rudi Larno — Thu, 19 Aug 2004 22:00:00 GMT

Of course, this is about Windows XP Service Pack 2, but as my co-worker Alain wrote in 'About backward compatibility of XP SP2: Life has changed ...', I also have my own view on this.

It actually struck me when driving towards the south of France, a week ago. It is a good 8 hours drive, in sunny summer weather conditions. Luckily my sturdy Audi A4 (I love that car!) has airco and the heat did not bother me. But as you are driving along on the highway, did you ever notice these little flying insects (aka 'bugs') that tend to end up being squashed on your windscreen (aka 'window'). They also tend to leave quite a sticky and messy trace on the windscreen. Some worse than others. Using the built in windscreenwiper and the little waterjet, only results in somewhat of an improvement, but you need a lot of water and a long time of windscreenwiping going on to really get a clean window again. And that in mid summer, you can imagine some gestures and looks you get from the kids on the backseat of cars that are overtaking you. Now there are the bugs that bump and leave some (bigger) bodyparts behind, these ones tend to clean up nicely. But you also have the ones that go 'splat!' and leave a trace of semi-transparent, or somewhat yellowish goo. These are the really nasty ones, as a quick windscreenwiper action only results in more blurr and goo being spread across the window. And even then there is a difference in where the bug hits the windscreen. When I'm driving I do not mind the ones that target the viewing area of the passenger, and these just become cosmetic bugs, but the ones that 'land' in my viewing area really pose a problem in visibility and thus in safety. So after a long trip, it is imperative that you take some time out to stop along the road in a service station, take a spunge and wipe the windscreen clean, to ensure your own safety and to be a responsible secure driver on the road..

Now doesn't that sound a lot like Windows XP SP2? After having done good milage with Windows XP, it is also time to take a service stop, and clean up your machine and get rid of many bugs. Especially as some of these bugs create a dangerous environment for you to work in safely. Like the ones plasterd all over your windscreen, which can seriously hamper your field of vision. These I compare to the security bugs that have been fixed in SP2. And here is where I like to continue the comparison. When driving on a busy highway, every driver needs to take responsibility to have clean windows. Drivers with dirty windows pose a risk not only to themselves but also to others on the highway. This is the same for the information highway. Unserviced Windows machines can pose a risk for others on the same highway.

Aah, I'm getting on a really serious tone here, but hey... I personally think this is serious. Statements of individuals that they will not apply the service pack because some app might stop working are, to me, wrong. One should demand from the app vendor a fix to make it work. I do however understand big companies holding off for now, because they are still waiting for fixes for applications. (I was thinking, thats what the previews and release candidates were for, to get these fixes by the time the SP rtm'ed)

Oh, for the non-techies: do not take a spunge and clean your computer, that is not what I am talking about ;-)

IL Merge utility from MS Research

Rudi Larno — Tue, 03 Aug 2004 00:39:00 GMT

This can be an interesting tool (haven't tried it myself yet, but will do so soon).

ILMerge takes a set of input assemblies and merges them into one target assembly. The first assembly in the list of input assemblies is the primary assembly. When the primary assembly is an executable, then the target assembly is created as an executable with the same entry point as the primary assembly. Also, if the primary assembly has a strong name, and a .snk file is provided, then the target assembly is re-signed with the specified key so that it also has a strong name.

Immediatly as I saw this, I was thinking about my own little pet project that is a simple utility, but due to its design is split into multiple projects in VS.NET and as such generates some dll's and an exe. But it would be nicer to just have all the code in 1 single .exe. Makes web-deployment and such easier. I know that I could put all of the source files in one 'build' project and achieve the same result, but this is a nice alternative.