Posted: 26-Nov-08 |
Filed under: Visual Studio
If you have not seen this or heard about it yet check it out here. It is only two years away. I know of many companies that are still VS2003. Although I have been using VS2008 exclusively for all my development for some time now, I have clients and colleagues alike that are fearful of some of the new language enhancements and refuse the use them. I.e. type inference, etc. I have embraced them and learned to use them properly. If type inference scares you, getting ready for dynamic object types. I also am seeing a big push from Microsoft the use of generating code from modeling. I can see much resistance to this as well.
I'm sure that x86 assembler developers resisted when C first came about. Or C++ developers resisted when VB6 came out. Ultimately, there will always be a market for good developers, irrespective of what language tools you use. You can't learn good coding practices just because a new language tool comes out that makes constructing code easier.
My dad always told me, "It is not the tools in your toolbox that make you a good mechanic; it is how and when to use them that does."
Posted: 22-Nov-08 |
Filed under: ASP.NET, Visual Studio
Have you ever wished to just start up the WebDev.WebServer for the current web project you are working on? Many times I am just editing the page markup and do not have a need for the debugger nor the need to build the project. I just need to see how the page looks. Here is how I do it...
Step 1: From the 'Tools' menu select the 'External Tools...' option. This will bring up the 'External Tools' dialog.
Step 2: Select the 'Add' button. Then complete the form like so:
Set the 'Title' to a value you desire.
Set the 'Command' to %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DevServer\9.0\WebDev.WebServer.exe
Set the 'Arguments' to /port:3786 /path:$(ProjectDir)\ (you can set the port value to any port you desire)
Set the 'Initial Directory' to $(ProjectDir)
Step 3: Click 'OK' button to close the dialog.
Add Done! Now you should have a new menu option on the 'Tools' menu matching the title you gave the WebDev.WebServer. When selected it will kick off the WebDev.Server utility for the current selected project on your solution.
Posted: 7-Nov-08 |
Filed under: Personal, Other
My new blog is using Microsoft Office SharePoint Services (MOSS) 2007. I have seen Microsoft SharePoint blogs quickly become very popular among the blogging community.
I have never been much of a blogger. I hear the word blog almost daily, referred to many times as the Blogosphere. I just want to be a part of it. The great thing about blogging is that it has a community feeling. It's an informal post, a comment, an idea, a criticism, or even shout-out to the world.
Blogging has become so much more than a fad, a hobby, or even a broad-brush community. It has revolutionized how quickly people can share their thoughts, ideas, insight, - Information. I cannot count the number of times I have found the answer I was looking for right in someone else's blog. All made possible by great improvements in search engine technology, the task of finding information contained within these blogs has become so easy, easier than I could have ever imagined as a teenager in the 80's. I think back to my days in elementary school and middle school and how I used to research and write my school reports and projects. Back then, all the information I needed was in a 20 volume set encyclopedia. If it wasn't in there my next option was the school or local library. These were and still are great resources for formally publish information. I wish to give a little back where I can.
Now when it comes to writing, I am not very good. As you read this I'm sure you are letting out a little chuckle while at the same time thinking to yourself, "no kidding". Good writing is so much rarer than it should be. For some people, writing comes so easily and for others it takes more of an effort, more than I wish at least. The great thing about blogs is that they are informal. There is so much good information available by people who are subject matter experts, but not necessarily great at writing. The chances of most people ever publishing a paper on a subject they might happen to be knowledgeable about, was once very slim to none. Today, anyone can share their thoughts and opinions in minutes.
You will hear much more from me about me, my business, my projects, tips, and tricks of the trade; right here on my blog…