Rudi Larno's WebLog : ISV

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.

.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.

New cool summer SmartClient sample

Rudi Larno — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 19:01:00 GMT

I guess with the summer comming (yes here in belgium it still really needs to get started, yesterday we had very bad weather) this is a nice app to install and use:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/smartclient/codesamples/fotovision/

Could this be the app that gets the .NET framework installed on a lot of cunsumer machines? It sure looks very nice, will install and review shortly.

MSDN ISV Community Center

Rudi Larno — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 18:00:00 GMT

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We proudly present the brand new MSDN ISV Community Center at http://msdn.microsoft.com/isv/.

The MSDN ISV Community Center is an online community resource, featuring an array of content, training, tools, and solutions, which encourages and enables ISVs worldwide to build applications on Microsoft technologies and platforms. The site also provides ISVs a venue for sharing their experiences, challenges, and achievements with their colleagues and partners.

As the site evolves over the next several months, it will lay the foundation for a more interactive community site where ISVs and Microsoft employees can interact and learn from each other using a variety of technologies and programs. One of these new efforts is the Microsoft ISV Buddy Program which enables ISVs to build direct, ongoing 1:1 relationship with Microsoft through a “buddy.”

Enjoy

The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

Rudi Larno — Thu, 17 Jun 2004 20:49:00 GMT

Never knew this tool existed! For a guy like me this is cool. Yes, I love a good QWERTY (usually UK-EN) keyboard, 'cause all the braces and brackets are much better located to type C# code, but then I sometimes need to type some french with all of the éèç characters. With this tool I could create my own optimized layout. All I now need is a lot of small finger-sized stickers to put on any keyboard I encounter ;-)

Ever wanted to quickly and easily define your own keyboard layout for a language Microsoft doesn't support? Or define your own keyboard layout so you can quickly and easily enter your favorite symbols with a simple keystroke? Well, want no more: the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator is here!

Also check out the Global Development and Computing Portal.

Note that the MAT beta is full due to overwhelming success.

Het Vlaams Software Platform (VSP)

Rudi Larno — Tue, 13 Apr 2004 22:43:00 GMT

The 'Flemish Software Platform' (dutch website) is an organisation mixing the Academic and Research centra togehter with the Flemish ICT Industry.

2^6 bit

Rudi Larno — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 01:20:00 GMT

In case you missed this one: next month is all about 2⁶-bit computing. Yes, for us mere mortals that have forgotten basic table-of-two, that means 64-bit. With the 64-bit .NET Framework comming, this is going to be really cool. All I now need is to get my hands on the hardware. Rock-on!

http://www.route64.net

Microsoft is going Public

Rudi Larno — Mon, 05 Apr 2004 17:54:00 GMT

Huh? Ok I always wanted to create those misleading article headings you find in magazines and newspapers...

But this is a first too; Microsoft has extended its Shared Source Initiative to post a project completely on SourceForge under the CPL (Nooo, not GPL). The actual project is the Windows Installer XML (WiX), a set of command line tools that enable developers/ISVs to create MSI packages during their build process. It is a toolset that is used internally to build the setups of products like SQL, BizTqlk, Exchange, Office, etc.) So go and check this thing out! http://sourceforge.net/projects/wix/

Windows CE 5.0 Technology Preview available for download

Rudi Larno — Mon, 05 Apr 2004 17:29:00 GMT

You can find it on the MSDN site here