.net and other interesting dev stuff in PA : Dev Community

First Philadelphia FoxPro User Group coming on September 14

sspotts — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:05:00 GMT

Tamar Granor, a FoxPro MVP who is starting this group, will be presenting at the Microsoft offices in Malvern, PA. The meeting starts at 7pm, so please try to arrive 15-30 minutes sooner.

This presentation wil be Using the VFP Debugger Effectively.

Visual FoxPro has a powerful debugger that provides many tools for finding problems with your code. This session will dig into the Debugger by working through a buggy piece of code, and show you how to step through code to find problems, how to set breakpoints, how to use Event Tracking and the Coverage Profiler and more. Overall, the session will teach you to make the most of the Debugger's tools in order to speed development, improve your code, and understand VFP better.

Please register at: http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032280764&EventCategory=1.

Tamar E. Granor, Ph.D., is the owner of Tomorrow's Solutions, LLC. She has developed and enhanced numerous Visual FoxPro applications for businesses and other organizations. She currently focuses on working with other developers through consulting and subcontracting. Tamar served as Editor of FoxPro Advisor magazine from 1994 to 2000. She is the magazine's Technical Editor and co-author of the popular Advisor Answers column.

Tamar is author or co-author of nine books including the award winning Hacker's Guide to Visual FoxPro and Microsoft Office Automation with Visual FoxPro. Her most recent book is What's New in Nine: Visual FoxPro's Latest Hits. Her next book, due this fall, covers the use of VFP's SQL language for managing local data. Her books are available from Hentzenwerke Publishing (www.hentzenwerke.com).

Tamar is a Microsoft Certified Professional and a Microsoft Support Most Valuable Professional. Tamar speaks frequently about Visual FoxPro at conferences and user groups in North America and Europe, including every FoxPro DevCon since 1993. She is a Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. She served as Technical Content Manager for the 1997-1999 Visual FoxPro DevCons and was part of the coordination team for the Visual FoxPro Excellence Awards.

You can reach her at tamar@thegranors.com or through www.tomorrowssolutionsllc.com.

Big turnout for DotNetNuke SIG in Malvern, PA

sspotts — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 02:23:00 GMT

We had about 50 people attending the DotNetNuke SIG meeting tonight at the Microsoft office in Malvern, PA. There were three talks tonight - one by Bill Wolff, the PhillyDotNet User Group leader, one by Hal Dell, the DotNetNuke SIG leader, and the final talk by Todd Davis, from Seabury Design.

Bills talk was about database tricks: We saw the database structure in DNN 3.x including tables, stored procedures, and views. Sample code that automates page and module creation will be reviewed. This technique can saves lots of time when you have many pages with similar content.

Hal's presentation was on how to develop a Scheduled Task within the DotNetNuke Framework. While DNN tasks are similar in concept to Services; DNN Scheduled Tasks have some limitations were discussed.

Finally, Todd presented on SqlDataProviders. Packing a DotNetNuke module from distribution requires the creation of the 01.00.00.SqlDataProvider file, which installs the tables and stored procedures required by the module. This process requires some careful finesse and fine tweaking to be successful. Todd demonstrated how to create this file by hand, and how to edit it properly so that DotNetNuke can consume it during installation. Afterwards, he showed how to automate the process using ScriptBuilder. Todd, BTW, is very much involved at the DNN training site.

Windows Vista (was "Longhorn") beta available for MSDN subscribers

sspotts — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:20:00 GMT

Windows Vista Beta 1 is now available on the MSDN subscriber downloads site. Yet another example of why MSDN subscriptions rock!

And if you're a developer, check out the Windows Vista Developer Center.

Indigo Roadshow coming to Philadelphia area on September 21

sspotts — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 23:40:00 GMT

You’ve heard the buzz about Indigo, Microsoft’s unified programming model for building distributed applications. Attend this FREE event and learn how Indigo technology will simplify your life.

With Indigo, you use the tools and language you’re familiar with, and a single programming model with all the functionality you need. And Indigo is built on standards, so the applications you write will work with applications on all participating platforms.

Join us as we build Indigo demos from scratch and see firsthand how it works. Stop struggling with the dirty work. Indigo makes it easy to develop secure, reliable, interoperable web services, so you can focus on what really matters.

Register today! Space is limited.

Every guest will walk away with:

An inside look at Microsoft's next-generation web services platform.
The ability to quickly build secure, reliable web services.
David Pallmann's Programming Indigo Beta 1 book
A special DVD of the latest Indigo bits, content, labs and demos
The chance to win T-shirts and an Xbox

See the Indigo Roadshow site for more info and to register for the event. Watch this space for additional information as we get closer to the event.

Philadelphia SQL Server and Philly.NET User Group Special Event - Itzik Ben Gan "Outside the Box" session

sspotts — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 22:45:00 GMT

The Philadelphia SQL Server User Group, Philly.NET User Group, and Microsoft are delighted to together host a special Philadelphia Development Community event with world renowned SQL Server expert Itzik Ben Gan. This event is free but requires advanced registration.

SQL querying problems, especially the tough ones, have very much in common with pure logical puzzles and brainteasers.

Some SQL problems seem too hard, or impossible to solve; however, by applying pure logic you can often come up with short, efficient set-based queries.

By practicing logical problems that seem unrelated to SQL at first glance, you can improve your "outside the box" thinking, and your ability to solve tough querying problems.

In this session you will be presented with pure logical puzzles and brainteasers that require outside the box thinking, and also tough T-SQL problems that require logical deductions.

Itzik Ben-Gan is a Principal and Founder of Solid Quality Learning. A SQL Server Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) since 1999, Itzik has delivered dozens of training events across the US and Europe focused on T-SQL Programming, Performance Tuning and Internals, Administration, Implementation, Data Warehousing and OLAP. An accomplished author, Itzik has written many articles for SQL Server Magazine as well as articles and whitepapers for MSDN and co-authored the book Advanced Transact-SQL for SQL Server 2000 (APress). Itzik's speaking activities have spanned more than 6 years including Tech Ed, DevWeek, PASS, SQL Server Connections, and SQLU Summits to name a few.

In the last 10 years Itzik has been involved in many projects covering various database related technologies. From manufacturing systems, through analytical systems, financial, performance and availability tools, SLA/SLM etc. Besides helping customers with their pressing needs, fixing their problems and optimizing their databases, Itzik helped the developers and DBAs in many of the projects shift to relational/set based "thinking", improving both the performance of their code and its maintainability. Itzik's main expertise is T-SQL Programming, Query Tuning and Internals, but he's proficient in other database areas as well. In 1999 Itzik founded the Israeli SQL Server and OLAP Users Group and has been managing it since.

Teaching runs in Itzik's genes - His father teaches mathematics, his sister teaches English and his brother teaches architecture. Itzik himself is a trainer in his heart and soul and has been teaching IT related technologies for 7 years. Itzik has over 16 years of experience in networking, programming in languages such as Pascal, VB, C, C++, along with designing, implementing, administrating and programming with Microsoft SQL Server. Itzik is the primary author for Solid Quality Learning's Advanced T-SQL Programming courseware along with being a primary resource within their T-SQL related activities.

Registration is at http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032279223&Culture=en-US

Philadelphia Area BizTalk User Group July 6 meeting

sspotts — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 19:31:00 GMT

The Philadelphia Area BizTalk User’s Group will have its July regular meeting at the offices of Microsoft Corporation in Malvern on July 6, 2005 from 7 – 9:00 PM. The featured speaker is Jason Ellsworth-Aults of IntelliMark.

Jason will be discussing Memorial Hospital’s implementation of BizTalk for a health care EAI solution using the HL7 Accelerator.

Discussion of future plans for the user group and member Q & A will follow the presentation. Come help us decide on an official name for the group!

Please register for the event at http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032277406&Culture=en-US.

Pittsburgh - Summer Slam IV on July 21

sspotts — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 15:24:00 GMT

Whether you are a devout Java programmer, a developer committed to Microsoft's .NET framework or an XMLer caught in the middle -- or a DBA working in Oracle or an IT professional dedicated to SQL Server -- set aside your differences for a day as Pittsburgh user groups unite! The summer socials for many of Pittsburgh's user groups, including AITP, IRMAP, PittJUG, Pgh.NET, PghOUG, PSSUG, STC, TRCPA and WPEAF, have been combined for a unique night of networking and fun. Attendees will learn about the benefits and challenges of each technology through informal conversations with your peers. Appetizers will be provided, and a cash bar, as well as great raffle prizes will be available. Sponsored by Microsoft and Summa Technologies.

Date: Thursday, July 21
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Venue: The Claddagh Irish Pub, SouthSide Works
Cost: No charge
RSVP: Council Events or 412.918.4229

DotNetNuke SIG Meets in Microsoft Malvern Office

sspotts — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 02:05:00 GMT

We had a kickoff meeting for the new DotNetNuke SIG at of the PhillyDotNet User Group on Tuesday (6/14) night. Hal Dell presented about the history of DotNetNuke and gave an overview of the software, and Todd Davis showed some real timesavers using CodeSmith to build new modules for DNN.

Bill Wolff, the PhillyDotNet UG leader, spoke about Tech Ed and his meetings with the DotNetNuke Core Team/Board and their work with INETA, and started the meeting with a conference call with Shaun Walker, the Father of DNN for the whole group.

There were about 30 people at the meeting, which was pretty amazing considering that the mailer that was to send out meeting information had a problem and most of the e-mails weren't sent! This was a great starting meeting, and was replete with animated discussions and great demos.

PhillyDotNet User Group meeting on May 18 in Oaks, PA

sspotts — Fri, 13 May 2005 19:48:00 GMT

Looks like a cool meeting. Starting off with Bill Wolff, the PhillyDotNet UG leader (and VB.NET MVP) demonstrating Xamlon, a XAML editor for Windows Forms, and finishing with an ADO.NET 2.0 presentation by Andrew Brust. This is an INETA sponsored meeting.

I'm bringing copies of Visual Studio 2005 Team System beta 2.0 for all attendees, so be sure to register at the user group web site and fill out your evaluation forms after the event. Only attendees who complete their forms will receive the software!

Central PA .NET User Group meeting on May 17

sspotts — Fri, 13 May 2005 19:30:00 GMT

I'll be presenting a demonstration of Visual Studio Team System on May 17 at the Central PA .NET User Group meeting in Harrisburg. I'll also be bringing along copies of Visual Studio 2005 Team System beta 2 for all attendees, which includes VS 2005 Team Suite, SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition (CTP), and Team Foundation Server.

Connected Systems Competition

sspotts — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 05:06:00 GMT

Do you dare?

Show us what a great developer you are!
Show us how innovative you can be!
Win $50,000 USD.

Demonstrate your skills with SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk by entering the Connected Systems Developer Competition. There are 15 categories that will be used to judge the competition.

Lehigh Valley .NET User Group meeting in April

sspotts — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 21:14:00 GMT

I was so busy with local events that I didn't have time to thank the members of Lehigh Valley .NET User Group for attending my talk at their user group meeting last week, on Monday, April 18th at the Northampton County Community College. There was a lot of interest and good questions around my talk on Enterprise Library, and I even received some follow-up e-mail from some members that they downloaded it and were starting to play with the code the night of the event. Don't forget to sleep, people!

For a relatively new and small group, they've gotten some great speakers so far. Check out this list:

Stan Spotts, Microsoft Corporation ("Introduction to the patterns & practices Enterprise Library")
Sean Allison, Solutions.NET Corporation ("Making Your Business Classes Data-Bindable")
Ken LeFebvre, Developer Community Champion, Microsoft ("Microsoft Visual Studio Tools For The Microsoft Office System", "Building Distributed Applications Using SQLXML And Visual Studio .NET")
John Murdoch, Lutron Technologies ("Database Application Development And .NET")
Mitch Ruebush, .NET Architect, ING Direct ("Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System")
Mark Scott, CTO, Micro Endeavors ("An Overview Of The Microsoft .NET Application Blocks")
Geoff Snowman, Developer Community Champion, Microsoft ("Everything You Always Wanted To Know About .NET Security But Were Afraid To Ask")

Not too shabby!

First Philadelphia Code Camp completed!

sspotts — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 21:05:00 GMT

This was a great event, and everyone involved made it a huge success. There were a few minor glitches with setup and logistics on the first morning, and no one remembered to check to see if the A/C stayed on after 6pm (it didn't, and it got hot!), but nothing detracted from the tremendous buzz at this Code Camp.

Hats off to all the speakers, and the track leads - who were also speakers, but who took the time to manage the other speakers in their track. Bill Wolff did a fantastic job on the website, especially with the speakers page, which had a very professional look - including speaker pictures and bios, and the sessions page, which included session overviews, and even links to the session materials.

The speakers themselves were awesome, and it was a great mix of well-known speakers and local developers who were fairly new to presenting at events like this. It really showed that any local developer who has an interest can get involved, and I'm hoping that many more will step forward as we have more Code Camp's so we can them run tracks and give talks to their peers.

Great job everyone, and I hope to see all of you at the upcoming Code Camps!

Call to Form a Philadelphia Area BizTalk Server User’s Group

sspotts — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 19:40:00 GMT

7:00 PM June 1, 2005 at Microsoft Corporation, Malvern, PA

You installed the software. You bought the book. You started your first project.

Things happened.

Microsoft BizTalk Server is breaking out in our area. What did you learn? What did you try? What will you never, ever do again?

Come share your experience.

It’s a good time to form a user’s group focusing on BizTalk in our area. You should be part of it. What should we discuss and how should it work? Roll up your sleeves and bring your ideas because everything is on the table.

Our inaugural meeting will be led by Stephen Mohr, co-author of Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004 Unleashed and local BizTalk consultant. This will be a bare-bones, meet-greet-organize type of meeting designed to identify and connect people using BizTalk in the greater Philadelphia area. We’ll be looking for your ideas about what you want to do, learn, and most of all, share with the rest of us! For this to work, you have to take a hand! The agenda will be:

• Welcome and introductory comments
• Stephen’s Stupid BizTalk Tricks
• Where do we go from here?
• The author explains why programming books are so bad
• Who wants to volunteer for….?
• Name the UG

The Greater Pennsylvania District of Microsoft Corporation hosting this group in it's Malvern office:

45 Liberty Blvd, Ste 210
Malvern, PA 19355

Slight change...

To Register, please go to:

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032275422&Culture=en-US

Sold out! Philadelphia Code Camp at 500 registered attendees

sspotts — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 04:48:00 GMT

Okay, had you asked me a few weeks ago, I was a little nervous. I mean, here we were, several user group leaders, RD's, MVP's, and I, along with (necessary) help from my regional marketing rep, putting together an event that was targeted to bring in 500 developers to speak and to attend, over two days on a weekend.

Well, just this afternoon we not only maxed out on registrations, but filled the wait list as well! This is going to be a great Code Camp, and it showed what a few people in the developer community could do once they put their minds to it. It also shows how important it is to have enough such people around.

Given that, if anyone in the Pennsylvania, Delaware, or southern NJ (below Philadelphia) wants to start a new user group or put together a Code Camp in their local area, please contact me. We're already in planning stages for Pittsburgh, so if you're near there it's the perfect time to come to the table.