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Dr. Z's Blog

Dr. "Z" lives in Northern Virginia with his family. He tries to stay in touch with developers and architects in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Microsoft Silverlight 3 and Microsoft Expression Studio 3

The Silverlight 3 RTW and the Release Candidate of Expression Blend 3 are now available on the Silverlight and Expression sites. The RTM of the entire Expression 3 suite is slated to come out shortly.

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, NEW ORLEANS, JULY 13-16

You can find the latest information on the event at  http://www.digitalwpc.com

 

Throught Digital WPC, you will be able to view all the Vision Keynotes live and all Solutions and Segment Value Keynotes within 24 hours of the keynotes occurring. 

 

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta 2 Available

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT 2010 will support deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP. New features such as flexible driver management, optimized user interface workflow, and Windows PowerShell can simplify deployment and make your job easier. Deploy faster and easier with MDT 2010. To download the toolkit, click here.

Microsoft Azure .NET Services July 2009 CTP Available
Microsoft .NET Services is part of the Azure Services Platform. Microsoft .NET Services includes two services: the Access Control Service and the Service Bus. You can download the July CTP here. 
LIVE, HD Broadcast of the Michael Jackson Memorial

A Microsoft team will be broadcasting the Michael Jackson memorial, live in HD from the Staples Center in Los Angeles using IIS Smooth Streaming and Silverlight to the world on July 7th, 2009. 

 

Visit http://inmusic.ca/news_and_features/Michael_Jackson

Taking Advantage of Microsoft Online Services (BPOS)

Microsoft Business Productivity Online Standard Suite (BPOS) is hosted online services by Microsoft that includes business-class e-mail, instant messaging, and the latest messaging and collaboration features. BPOS offers solutions for small businesses (5-24 PCs), medium businesses (25-500 PCs) and enterprise customers (500+ PCs). BPOS starts from $15 per user per month, with 12-month subscription and monthly billing.

To understand how the service works and what benefits it brings to businesses, visit Microsoft online services at http://www.microsoft.com/online/about.mspx

According to computerworld, two Microsoft partners, Computer Sciences Corporation and Azaleos Corporation, have agreed to resell the BPOS services. Detail at
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135219/Two_Microsoft_partners_embrace_the_software_plus_services_mantra

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0

Download MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta now!

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an integrated platform with tools and guidance that make it easier for you to assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs. It offers easy inventory, powerful assessment and actionable recommendations for many major Microsoft products including:

  • Windows 7 (NEW!)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (NEW!)
  • Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 R2 (NEW!)
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008
  • SQL Server 2008
  • 2007 Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Application Virtualization
  • Microsoft Online Services (e.g. Exchange Online)
  • Forefront Client Security and more

More detail at the link here.

MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta Webcast Recording - NOW AVAILABLE!

Cloud Computing User Group Meeting at Reston

Software Plus Services in Azure .NET Services: Integration through ACS, ServiceBus and Workflow

 

Event Code: 138684

Registation: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=138684

 

6/18/2009

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

 

Welcome Time: 6:00 PM

 

Time Zone: Eastern

Microsoft Corporation

12012 Sunset Hills Rd.

Microsoft Technology Center

Reston, VA 20190

USA

 

 

General Event Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Featured Product/Topic: .NET Framework

Recommended Audiences: Engagement Managers, Developers, Architects

 

The presentation is around using the .NET Services Tier to enable security federation, service discovery and routing as well as how to take advantage of workflows in the cloud to perform activity based operations.

 

Presenter:

Damon H. Squires

Principal Architect

RDA Corporation

Integrating your ASP.NET Web Application with Online Payment Services

I recently completed an asp.net application that shows how to integrate with two leading online payment service providers, PayPal and Google Checkout. It is based on the classified app from the asp.net starter kit. Development tools and technologies include: VS 2008, ASP.NET 3.5 and LINQ.

The current release includes basic functions of collecting data from users or customers, the process of converting a quote to a sale order and email notification. Future releases will include features such as improved user interface, exporting data to Excel files, and asynchronous email notification.

You can download the application at Microsoft codeplex, http://ezquoder.codeplex.com/

If you would like to add a photo gallery feature to the application, you may find this Silverlight application useful. It is available for download at http://photogallerywallcs.codeplex.com/ A more sophisticated Silverlight application "SlideShow" created by Vertigo is available at http://www.codeplex.com/SlideShow

Bing IT On
Bing is Microsoft's new search engine and search brand name. I have started paying attention to the backgroud image and the remarks attached to the image. You can easily find them by moving your computer mouse cursor over the image. Try Bing today and let us know what you think of Bing.
1/2 Day Windows 7 AppCompat Lab Engagement at Reston MTC, 6/8-6/12 (Free)

Microsoft is conducting a series of Windows 7 AppCompat Labs at Microsoft Technology Centers over the next couple of months.  The purpose of these labs is to assist companies verify that their applications will run on Windows 7 and to provide feedback to the Windows product group as issues arise.  We will be holding Windows 7 AppCompat Labs at the following Microsoft Technology Centers:

 

Course

City

Event Date

Event End Date

Windows 7 Application Compatibility Labs - USA

New York

05/18/2009

05/22/2009

Windows 7 Application Compatibility Labs - USA

Mt View

06/01/2009

06/05/2009

Windows 7 Application Compatibility Labs - USA

Reston

06/08/2009

06/12/2009

Windows 7 Application Compatibility Labs - USA

Alpharetta

06/15/2009

06/19/2009

Windows 7 Application Compatibility Labs - USA

Waltham

06/22/2009

06/26/2009

 

I would like to invite your company to participate in a half-day (any day during the week of June 8), complimentary Windows 7 AppCompat Lab ($1,000 value).  This offering will give you the opportunity to test your application on Windows 7 in order to determine compatibility and performance characteristics.  You will have the opportunity to work with Microsoft while gaining an understanding of how to manage and optimize your product in a Windows 7 environment.

 

Registration will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited so Register Today!

 

To register for the Windows 7 Application Compatibility Lab at the Microsoft Technology Centers please go to http://www.msregistration.com/Win7USA.

 

Note: All the location registrations are available on the same website. To register, select the appropriate location and timing of your choice.  As you have noticed you can select morning or afternoon lab for the same location.

Windows Azure Tools and SDK May 2009 CTP

·         Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio (includes SDK) May 2009 CTP has just been released.

New for the May 2009 CTP:

·         Support for Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1

·         Update for Visual Studio 2008

·         Improved integration with the Development Fabric and Storage services to improve the reliability of debug and run of Cloud Services from Visual Studio

·         Enhanced robustness and stability

 

Release notes/Known issues are available here

 

Visual Studio 2010 compatible samples are available here

 

Please see this post for more information.

Cloud Computing User Group Meeting, June 18, 2009

Software Plus Services in Azure .NET Services: Integration through ACS, ServiceBus and Workflow

 

Event Code: 138684

Registation: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=138684

 

6/18/2009

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

 

Welcome Time: 6:00 PM

 

Time Zone: Eastern

Microsoft Corporation

12012 Sunset Hills Rd.

Microsoft Technology Center

Reston, VA 20190

USA

 

 

General Event Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Featured Product/Topic: .NET Framework

Recommended Audiences: Engagement Managers, Developers, Architects

 

The presentation is around using the .NET Services Tier to enable security federation, service discovery and routing as well as how to take advantage of workflows in the cloud to perform activity based operations.

 

Presenter:

Damon H. Squires

Principal Architect

RDA Corporation

MSDN Mid-Atlantic Roadshow – Summer 2009

Session 1: Developing on Microsoft Windows 7

 

Building applications that are easy to use, visually appealing, and offer high performance is a challenge that developers face every day. Innovative applications can greatly improve the user experience, empowering companies to differentiate their services and solutions. However, developers are increasingly asked to do more in less time, while also optimizing the power and performance requirements of their applications. 

 

The Windows 7 platform makes it easy for developers to create engaging, user-friendly applications by providing familiar tools and rich development features that allow them to take advantage of the latest PC capabilities.  In this session we will explore the new Taskbar and Jump Lists, the Scenic Ribbon, file management with Libraries, and Windows Web Services among many other enhancements to the new operating system.

 

 

Session 2: What’s New in Internet Explorer 8 for Developers

 

With any new browser release, there are two questions of interest to most web developers –

1. Will this release break my site, and if so, how do I fix it?

2. What shiny new features does it offer to add value for my visitors?

 

In this session, we’ll address both of these questions, first showing how developers and users both benefit from improved standards-based rendering in Internet Explorer 8, and how developers can ensure that their sites will render properly for users using IE8. Additionally, we’ll take a look at some of the new features of Internet Explorer 8 that open up new possibilities for web developers, including Accelerators, Web Slices, and Search Providers, as well as AJAX and DOM improvements. Accelerators are helpers added to the browser that allow users to access your web-based services from anywhere, via a simple right-click on any page. Web Slices allow you to designate parts of your application for the user to consume and keep up-to-date in the browser without having to visit the full site. You can leverage these features to add value to your site and make it easier than ever for users to take advantage of the services and content you have to offer. 

 

We'll also look at the new Internet Explorer 8 Developer Tools, which provides you with killer tools for examining and debugging your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, all without ever leaving the page, plus profiling for finding and fixing the performance bottlenecks in your client-side code. The IE 8 Developer Tools also aid in compatibility testing, by allowing you to change the layout and compatibility modes on the fly. Lastly we’ll look at some best practices.

 

 

 

REGISTER NOW – Space is limited!

 

Location

Date & Time

Registration

Microsoft Reston Office

           12012 Sunset Hills Road

           Reston, VA 20190

June 2, 2009

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Click here to Register

Or call 877.673.8368

With Event ID: 1032415511

Microsoft Richmond Office

           9020 Stony Point Pkwy., Suite 170

           Richmond, VA 23235

June 4, 2009

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Click here to Register

Or call 877.673.8368

With Event ID: 1032415512

 

TechTalk: Enabling Architects with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
At TechEd North America 2009, I had a great opportunity to chat with Cameron Skinner about what developers and architects can do with the Team System architecture edition 2010, UML support and the design goals for addressing issues developers and architects face in application development. Check out the interview here.
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