Cave Markings 

For 90 days, you can sign up for free classes on MS's latest developer products here:

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/visualstudio2005/

I've used some of their e-learning materials before, and found them helpful.  YMMV

++Alan

I love Visual FoxPro.  I love .NET too, but the platform hasn't had time to develop really interesting historical quirks.  VFP is increadibly backwards compatable.  I was reminded of this again today while reading the WIKI.  I saw this little command that moves the project manager outside of the VFP IDE and onto the taskbar.  Not terribly exciting until you consider the syntax, which comes from a time when FoxPro ran on DOS, UNIX, Mac and Windows.

SHOW WINDOW "PROJECT MANAGER" IN MACDESKTOP

Priceless!

++Alan


I take what Raymond Chen says about coding as gospel.  Therefore when he says not to retry a failure, I won't.

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2005/11/07/489807.aspx

++Alan

I'm a huge fan of Joel Spolsky's writing on joelonsoftware.com.  He makes his shop sound like THE place to work as a software developer.  That's why I'm jazzed about the new DVD about the most recent project from Fog Creek Software.  It's a documentary about the experiences of their summer interns.  Check out the preview here:

http://www.projectaardvark.com/movie/

++Alan

This is in no way a comment on my current employer.  In fact, they continue to impress me with their rational approach to software development.  My previous employer, however, is represented in many ways by this story:

http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/11/01/45OPrecord_1.html

++Alan

Here are some links I have found useful in studying Visual Studio Team System:

• Visual Studio 2005 Team System Home
• MSDN Webcasts
• MSDN Walkthroughs
• First thoughts on Customizing Process in VSTS
• Rick Laplante - Talking about VSTS on Channel 9, Part I
• Rick Laplante - Talking about VSTS on Channel 9 (Licensing), Part II
• Team Foundation Fundamentals: A Look at the Capabilities and Architecture
• Team Foundation: At Work
• Visual Studio 2005 Team Developer
• Distributed System Design Suite
• Visual Studio Team Test
• Eric Lee on TheServerSide.NET
• MSDN Walkthroughs
• Chris Menegay's WebLog

++Alan

There is much to report in this space, but I have been too busy having experiences to stop and document them.

TechEd was exhausting, and extremely fun.  If anyone knows how I can get a RSVP code for PDC, click the contact link, please.

I'm getting divorced and moving to a new residence.  If that wasn't stressful enough, I started a new job last week, and I'm presenting the fruits of my TechEd experience at the East Tennessee .NET Users' Group tomorrow night.  Whew!

++Alan

The happy email reads:

Dear Alan Stevens:
 

Thank you for registering for Microsoft® Tech Ed 2005. Your enrollment was submitted successfully. You will receive a confirmation e-mail containing your hotel arrangements (if applicable) and additional airline information within two business days.

++Alan

Monday evening, I had the privilege of introducing Jeff Prosise at the East Tennessee .NET Users Group meeting.  He spoke about website application vulnerabilities, especially SQL injection.  It was a topic I was familiar with, but it was great to see these attacks demonstrated in one dedicated session. 

Jeff's company Wintellect also sponsored the event.  Very Cool.

++Alan

I love my Motorola V551.  That's probably to much affection to lavish on a device, but it is a slick device.  My problem with the thing, is that I can't get the PhoneTools software to find the thing over BlueTooth.  : (

I would like to be able to sync my calendar and contacts, but it just isn't happening for now.

++Alan