small & mighty

Saturday, March 06 2010

When:

Saturday, March 27, 2010 8:30 AM -5:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Location:
Microsoft Malvern Office
45 Liberty Blvd Suite 210
Malvern Pennsylvania 19355

Overview:

Join us for a free, full day of exploring the flexible data access options in .NET. The .NET Framework is a robust development platform with an enriched ecosystem of tools, components and features enabling developers to enhance their skill sets and create compelling solutions. At this Firestarter event, we will learn about the flexibility that this Framework provides for accessing data in your applications.

Starting with an overview of the key data access options in .NET we will set the stage for diving in to LINQ and LINQ to SQL. A working lunch session will provide an introduction to WCF Data Services and OData, followed by an introduction and deeper look at the ADO.NET Entity Framework. We’ll finish up the day with Azure data storage options.

This event will fill up quickly – register now to reserve your seat!

Agenda:

8:30am–9:00am: Data Access Options in .Net

9:00am–10:15am: Introduction to LINQ

10:30am–11:45am: A Closer Look at LINQ to SQL

11:15am–1:00pm: Lunch Session: Introduction to WCF Data Services and OData

1:00pm–2:15pm: Getting Started with ADO.NET Entity Framework

2:30pm–3:45pm: A Deeper Look at ADO.NET Entity Framework

4:00pm–5:00pm: Azure Data Storage Options

 

Parking:

There is ample and no cost parking available at the office location.

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Friday, March 05 2010

Ok so those 3 reasons might be overplayed but in the case of Windows Phone 7 Series this statement is 100% appropriate. I have been a Mobile Development aficionado for a long time. I owned two iPaq’s; my first one is 1998. Back then, to develop applications for these devices (Windows CE) you had to either know C++ or some a version of Visual Basic which name escapes me at the moment. Then when the .Net Compact Framework was release it gave developers and easier entry way into mobile development by allowing them to use languages, frameworks and tools they were familiar with. Although a good mobile developers needs a special set of skills to deals with the different scenarios mobile applications have to take into consideration, the .Net Framework definably made things easier.

So why I am so exited about Windows Phone development? Well as Charlie Kindel posted in his blog, the development story will be one that it is similar a lot of developer:

.NET

Silverlight

XNA platform

Microsoft’s developer tools

Web 2.0 standards

Windows Phone Developer Center

Windows Phone 7 Series site and online demo

 

Very soon, the entire developer story will be revealed  at Mix. Best of all we will broadcast about 12 sessions on Windows Phone development live. Recordings of these sessions will also be made available. I already have a few “projects” I plan to work on once I get my hands on the bits. We are also planning some cool local events to get developers ready. So stay tune to my blog for some cool Windows Phone posts. After all, this was the reason I started this blog (small and mighty).

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Friday, February 26 2010

Here are the up coming events featuring Windows Azure.

 

March 18, 2010	Allentown, PA	http://bit.ly/drg3Jo
March 10, 2010	Baltimore, MD	http://bit.ly/d2IbTS
March 16, 2010	Pittsburgh, PA	http://bit.ly/dAV8Cr
March 3, 2010	Richmond, VA	http://bit.ly/bEliWI
March 23, 2010	Washington, DC	http://bit.ly/apAkBP

 

MSDN Events presents: Take Your Applications Sky High with Cloud Computing and the Windows Azure Platform

Join your local MSDN Events team as we take a deep dive into cloud computing and the Windows Azure Platform. We’ll start with a developer-focused overview of this new platform and the cloud computing services that can be used either together or independently to build highly scalable applications. As the day unfolds, we’ll explore data storage, SQL Azure, and the basics of deployment with Windows Azure. Register today for these free, live sessions in your local area.

If you register and attend this event, you will be placed in a raffle to win a chance to bring home one (1) free copy of Windows 7 – you could be the lucky winner! Register today!

SESSION 1: Overview of Cloud Computing and Windows Azure

The Windows Azure platform is a set of high-performance cloud computing services that can be used together or independently and enable developers to leverage existing skills and familiar tools to develop cloud applications. In this session, we’ll provide a developer-focused overview of this new online service computing platform. We’ll explore the components, key features and real day-to-day benefits of Windows Azure.

Highlights include:

· What is cloud computing?

· Running web and web service applications in the cloud

· Using the Windows Azure and local developer cloud fabric

· Getting started – tools, SDKs and accounts

· Writing applications for Windows Azure

SESSION 2: Survey of Windows Azure Platform Storage Options

Durable data storage is a key component of any cloud computing offering. The Windows Azure Platform offers many options, which can be used alone or in combination. Windows Azure itself offers ready-to-use and lightweight storage in the form of tables, blobs, and queues. Another choice for storage is SQL Azure, a true relational database in the cloud. In this session, we’ll explore the highlights of these implementations and how to both create and use storage in each form. We’ll give you guidance on choosing the right forms of storage for your application scenarios.

Highlights include:

· Understanding table & blob storage

· Programming against table & blob storage

· Working with queue storage

· Managing credentials and connection strings

· Scaling and configuration

· Understanding SQL Azure databases versus local SQL Server databases

· SQL Azure firewall, logins and passwords

· Database creation, deployments and migrations

· Database management using SQL Management Studio

· Programming against SQL Azure databases

SESSION 3: Going Live with your Azure Solution

Windows Azure features a powerful, yet simple deployment model. By focusing on your application and abstracting away the infrastructure details, you can deploy almost any app with minimal fuss. In this session, we’ll walk you through the basics of Windows Azure deployment, including site monitoring, diagnostics and performance issues.

Highlights include:

· Start-to-Finish Visual Studio demonstration of a realistic XML data driven business web site from the desktop to the cloud.

· Windows Azure Deployments

· Start-to-Finish Visual Studio demonstration of a realistic SQL Server data driven business web site from the desktop to the cloud.

· Configuration of your application in the cloud

· Guidance and Suggestions to ensure your success

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Monday, October 19 2009

Came across these great links on Windows 7 and Internet Explore. Windows 7 is launching this weeks. Take your applications to the next level. Your users will thank you (And we will too :-) )

Light up your applications on Windows 7!

GET:

· Windows 7 API Pack: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WindowsAPICodePack#

· Windows 7 SDK: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bb980924.aspx

· Windows 7 Application Compatibility Cookbook: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd371778(VS.85).aspx

JOIN:

· Channel 9 Windows 7 community, including video tutorials: http://channel9.msdn.com/windows/

LEARN:

· Download the Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1c333f06-fadb-4d93-9c80-402621c600e7&displaylang=en

· Windows 7 Code Gallery: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Project/ProjectDirectory.aspx?TagName=windows%207

· Free videos/training on MSDev: http://www.msdev.com/Directory/SearchResults.aspx?keyword=windows+7

· IT Pro learning via Springboard Series: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd361745.aspx

Light up your web site with Internet Explorer 8!

GET:

· ASP.NET Controls for IE8, including code: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WebAppToolkitIE8

· Microsoft Expression Web Superpreview for Internet Explorer – visual debugging tool that makes it easier to migrate site from IE 6 to IE8: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8e6ac106-525d-45d0-84db-dccff3fae677&displaylang=en

JOIN:

· Join the Channel 9 IE community: http://channel9.msdn.com/tags/IE8/

· MSDN forums: IE Developer Forum: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/iewebdevelopment/threads

LEARN:

· IE8 Developer Center: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/default.aspx

· IE Compatibility Center: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/cc405106.aspx

· IE8 Developer Tools: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd565628(VS.85).aspx

· How Do I Videos: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/cc304683.aspx

· Free videos/training on MSDev: http://www.msdev.com/Directory/SearchResults.aspx?productId=20

· Code gallery: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Project/ProjectDirectory.aspx?TagName=Internet%20Explorer

0 comments

Friday, October 16 2009

Came across this link and thought I would pass it along. Pluralsight is one of the top training companies in the Microsoft world. I have been taken their training and can testify to the quality they provide. They are offering online training as well and have been gracious to share some of their content with us for free. Most of the session come with sample code as well. This is another great resource for anyone who is currently or planning to get involved in .Net development.

http://www.pluralsight.com/main/screencasts/default.aspx

1 comments

Wednesday, October 14 2009

I wanted to write this post because more and more I get asked “how can I keep up” and “how can I get started”. So I would like to answer these questions by providing a list of resources available for free to all developers.

How to get the tools

Free versions of Visual Studio and SQL Server are available here. This site also has some good “Getting Started” resources. You might also qualify for free copies of some tools through the ***Spark programs. Make sure to check to see if you qualify.

Selected MS Resources

• ASP.Net Portal
  • Learn | Downloads | Community | Forums 
• Windows Client Portal
  • Learn | Downloads | Community | Forums 
• IIS Portal
  • Learn | Downloads | Forums 
• Silverlight Portal
  • Learn | Downloads | Forums | Showcase
• MSDN
  • Documentation | VB.Net | C# | .Net | SharePoint
• Channel9
• Visit Mix
• Microsoft PDC

Beginner Resources

• Introduction to the C# Programming Language
• Visual Basic Guided Tour
• Getting Started with Visual Studio
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Virtual Labs
• .NET Framework Conceptual Overview (a bit more advance but useful information)

3rd Party Resources

• Stack Overflow
• 4 Guys From Rolla
• jQuery Tutorial

Boring background information (Moved to the bottom so that resources would be on top)

I can’t believe it  has been over 10 since I started my career in software development. I remember the days when I was learning web development and Classic ASP. Things where a bit more simple back then (or were they?). I learn the basics of HTTP and HTML. Learned the basics of Javascript and then started to learn about dynamic page generation using VBScript and Classic ASP. Now, by this time I had already learned programming and algorithm development but web development was a different animal. 

Getting up to speed was not that hard. It was not very long after I started that I was able to create simple web applications. It was very easy to get started because there were not that many choices available. I did not have to choose a data access framework as ADO was the only one available. I did not have to worry about selecting and learning the perfect AJAX framework because there were none. And the list goes on and on. However, once the applications became more and more complex, I found my self wanting more out of the tools I was using.

When ASP.Net came out, I thought to my self “great I have to start all over again”. Just as I was starting to get deep in Classic ASP, I have to learn something new. I love learning new things but I also love to get my applications complete :-).  Leaning ASP.Net was not hard but my productivity increase short after I started. The reason being was that ASP.Net provided some features out of the box that Classic ASP did not.

Tools are suppose to make you more productive. I did not have to learn all the ins and outs of ASP.Net just enough to make me do my job better and more efficiently. As time when by, I became more efficient due to the fact that I was taking full advantage of what ASP.Net had to offer.

Same is true today. There are more options today that 10 years ago and the pace of new technologies being introduce is also greater. The  key to stay afloat is to only learn just enough to get your current job done but to always aim to learn more just a bit more. Continuous improvement as some folks like to call it. 

2 comments

Wednesday, October 14 2009

As I mentioned in the last MSDN Flashed edition, we are in a Sparking mode lately. To clear some of the confusion, I want to share the following table I came across recently. I think it is a great way to show the difference between each initiative and which one might be right for you.

 

	DreamSpark	BizSpark	WebsiteSpark
Audience	Students	Startup Product Companies (Not services companies doing works for hire)	Website developers and designers (Companies building websites)
Eligibility	Student from one of the universities/college partners.	Building a software product which multiple customers will use. Private (non-listed) Less than three years old Less than $1M in revenue (there are a small number of local variants of this limit)	10 employees or less.  In the business of building websites.
Benefits	Tools and server products for dev and Tests only	Tools and production licenses. For Tools, the offer is very similar to MSDN Premium, for up to 25 developers (more on request) Production licenses allow unlimited use of Windows, SQL, Systems Center and BizTalk servers to put the application into production 2 phone support  incidents per company Discounted hosting services from hosting partners	Tools (Expression, VS Pro) and production licenses of SQL Web and Windows Server Web 2008. Up to 3 developers per company. 2 phone support  incidents per company Discounted hosting services from hosting partners
Period	As long as they are students.	3 years	3 years
Fee	none	$100 at exit	$100 at exit

3 comments

Tuesday, October 13 2009

UPDATE: First 7 people to register get a free copy of (MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft® .NET Framework--Application Development Foundation, Second Edition). Must use code WIN7

I am happy to announce the next Mid Atlantic Tour dates and sessions. As always, we take your feedback very seriously. One of the feedback was to lessen the number of topic we present at our event and to go a be more deeper into the topic we cover. Bellow are the topics and cities we will be visiting for this tour. I hope to see everyone there. Please invite a friend. They will take you later :-).

Data Access and Network Options in Silverlight

Wondering about the most effective way of getting data into your Silvelright application? Trying to sort out the different options available? Then this session is for you. We will provide an overview of the different networking and data access techniques available in Silverlight. We’ll show examples of using each of these technologies, and along the way, we’ll also look at the role these technologies can play in other .NET applications, as well as look at the Sample Data feature in Expression Blend 3, and how to transition from Sample Data to production data in your applications.

200 Level | 1 hour 45 mins

What’s new in Windows 7 for Developers

 

Windows 7 has many improvements in both performance and user interface that you can take advantage of in your applications.  This session will give an overview of how to code in those features users will expect such as Libraries, the new Taskbar, and Jump Lists.  We will also look at taking advantage of several performance improvements like Trigger Start services and the new Windows Troubleshooter.  Finally, we will look at adding some of the new interface options available such as Multi-Touch and the Ribbon Menu to your existing applications.

200 Level | 1 hour 45 mins

Dates and Registration

City, State	Event Date	Event Time	Register
Pittsburgh, PA	11/12/2009	1:00 - 5:00 pm	Register
Harrisburg, PA	12/1/2009	1:00 - 5:00 pm	Register
Reston, VA	12/3/2009	1:00 - 5:00 pm	Register
Roanoke, VA	12/8/2009	1:00 - 5:00 pm	Register
Malvern, PA	12/10/2009	1:00 - 5:00 pm	Register

3 comments

Thursday, October 08 2009

Everything is coming together for our second code camp of 2009. We have over 60 sessions lined up. Thanks to the many speakers and sponsors who make this possible. I specially like to thank DeVry University for hosting use once again.

Last April, we held a small food drive during the event. We would like to continue it this time around. The food collected will be taken to a local food bank via Geek Who Give.

0 comments

Monday, July 20 2009

We are merging the Mid Atlatic Roadshow and the Freedom Roadshow into one series from now on. We have 8 events plans for this fall. The day will be divided in two with a morning event for IT Pros and the afternoon for developers and architects.

Allentown	9/21/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register
Pittsburgh	9/30/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Cancel
Malvern	9/22/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register
Harrisburg	9/29/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register
Baltimore	8/19/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register
Washington	8/20/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register
Roanoke	9/10/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register
Norfolk	9/25/2009	1:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Register

 

UPDATE [Pittsburgh event was cancel due to a Windows 7 Lunch event which was scheduled on the same date. Feel free to register for this event instead]

Creating Rich Internet Applications on the Microsoft Platform using Silverlight 3 and Expression Studio 3

You’re a Developer not a Designer. So how do you shine in this new world of Rich Internet Applications (RIA) while still leveraging your .NET skills? This 2 hour overview will get you up to speed on the latest Microsoft Silverlight, Expression Studio and Visual Studio has to offer. Go beyond hello world and get the latest tips and tricks to make your application shine. You’ll be surprised how easily you can create a working web application that is engaging to your users, and integrates with your existing web architecture.

Level: 200-300 | Length: 1:45

Building Composite Silverlight and WPF Applications using Prism and MVVM

When you have two UI technologies like WPF and Silverlight written in similar languages (XAML) but that run against different assemblies in different situations, it's not unreasonable to want to write a UI once and later be able to choose the best or both options with only a trivial amount of effort. This session will show you how to get the most out of your XAML-based applications and what architectural decisions can help enable these options from the beginning of the development cycle.

Level: 200 | Length: 1:15

Introduction to .NET RIA Services

This session is an introduction on how Microsoft is simplifying the traditional n-tier application pattern by bringing together ASP.NET and Silverlight. Learn about patterns for working with data, implementing reusable and independently testable application logic, and application services that readily scale with growing requirements.

Level: 200 | Length: 0:30

3 comments