Giants in our midst.

Well, I heard today that all the little problems have been taken care of, so here it is, Patrick Hynds has a blog.  This to me is the equivalent of someone inventing bread (blogs) and then someone else inventing the butter (Patrick's blog).  An awesome addition to the blogshpere this is.  (<--didn't mean to sound like Yoda but oh well. ) This is something I have been waiting on for a while now.  I just know this blog will be a wealth of great information for all.  I still think he's one of the best and smartest presenters / speakers / cool people in the New England .Net community, check him out. 

oh by the way, I have one of those g m a i l   i n v i t e s that people like so much, so first blog to show up in my referrals log gets it.  ready. go.

posted @ Wednesday, June 30, 2004 12:22 PM | Feedback (0) |

Scott, ninjas, me and the spell checker.

As Scott Hanselman's post Code, and Ninjas you can see... came over my intraVnews to my Outlook, and the little toast popped up with the title, I freaked out.  I had a little episode today, after my bad morning I decided to stay away from code for most of the day, and I wanted to get caught up on some non coded documentation and correspondences.  I had to write up a little diddy for the bosses and admins as to why the *huge* truckload of handheld devices, that they picked up on auction somewhere from some store chain that bit the dust, wouldn't run a lot if our classic ASP apps.  I had to use the phrase “non-js” to describe the browser, since the browser app on the cruddy little devices didn't support java script.  My nice little spell checker, or maybe it was my fat little fingers, decided that the thirty something “non-js”s would look a whole lot better in the doc as “ninjas”, and made the appropriate replacements for me.  Needless to say I got several replies about the ninjas in the warehouse who were using our handhelds.  Then the title of Scott's post danced around the bottom of my screen and I thought 'oh no, how in the world did Scott Hanselman get that email?'.  He meant other ninjas and I felt a lot better.  Time to call it a day, and a waste of one at that. 

Monday morning : VB6 here I come, all over again!  arragghh!!! 

posted @ Friday, June 25, 2004 12:45 PM | Feedback (0) |

Lazy Coder Day

I know a lot of bloggers and writers and speakers have been condemming the lazy coder.  Today I will be he.  I just found out via a cell call ( I think ALL management around here thinks they have EVERY Friday in the summer off just because) that I am to start a new project today, and inheriting another half finished half assed project next week, do be done by mid July.  Both projects are to be done in VB6.  Great.  How long has .NET been out?  Just because the other developers I work with (whom I actually like and respect ) haven't been given the time or encouragement to start learning .NET.  No one else here knows it ( so they can't maintain it when go mental and end up in a padded room talking to bugs and naming each individual hair on my head ), and most don't even have it installed if they did want to learn it.  I had to learn using the 90 day trials from various dev events I paid for out of my own pocket, on my own time.  Nothing like burning off vacation days to try to keep yourself up to speed, or coming to bed at 3 in the morning because you were doing some TeachYourself crap you boss won't pay for you to learn.  arragghhhh! 

I feel like a little kid at the beach today.  I'm trying my best to build my stupid sand castle and the waves keep coming back, wearing a little away here, collapsing a wall there.  Add in a nice sunburn and maybe even some sand fleas and a jellyfish sting or two, and that's what I feel like today. 

If I have to start one more project in VS6, I think I will come in to work wearing an industrial strength electromagnetic suit and dry hump every server and dev maching in the office. 

Ok starting to catch my breath again.  I just wanated someone else to feel my pain.  Get well cards and alcohol would be appreciated.     

posted @ Friday, June 25, 2004 5:59 AM | Feedback (3) |

Get PDFs from all your chums.

posted @ Friday, June 25, 2004 5:29 AM | Feedback (0) |

Slave Released

posted @ Monday, June 21, 2004 2:30 PM | Feedback (2) |

Extensive in an understatement

posted @ Monday, June 21, 2004 2:22 PM | Feedback (0) |

Does having a sidekick make me a superhero?

posted @ Monday, June 21, 2004 8:40 AM | Feedback (0) |

got Gmail?

I have to give *huge* thanks to Marcie.  This weekend she spread a little more gmail love, going to the runners-up of her Gmail contest.  I will do my best to get enough traffic to produce a couple invites.  Dunno how long it takes or how it works, but I will be exclusively using my Gmail account for all my communications.  So far it works great.  I'm sure by now everyone knows all the features, but I have to say, the conversation feature of grouping emails is “BRILLIANT!”.  I will post as I find things I like / don't like. 

posted @ Monday, June 21, 2004 6:20 AM | Feedback (1) |

Extension Junction what's your function?

posted @ Wednesday, June 16, 2004 11:15 AM | Feedback (1) |

ASP.NET 2.0... Can you say *sweet*?

Check out the June 04 MSDN Magazine online.  There are loads of ASP.NET 2.0 info jam packed into this issue.  I also noticed if you go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag alone you get the current issue, with one small glitch.  If you go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/06/ you have two additional options to the right of the magazine cover image.  The download all code and download the chum for this issue. 

Download the complete code from this issue: MSDNMag0406.exe (461 KB) Download this complete issue in HTML Help format: MSDNMag0406.chm (1,529 KB)  JUNE 2004 Volume 19 Number 6    • The Big Story: An Overview of the New Services, Controls, and Features in ASP.NET 2.0 Jeff Prosise  • Security: Security Headaches? Take ASP.NET 2.0! Keith Brown  • Portals: Unleash Your Site's Potential with Web Parts and Personalization in ASP.NET 2.0 Steven A. Smith

I usually visit the home page of the magazine and missed out on the download options.  I usually end up downloading the code on an article by article basis.  With disk space as cheap as it is, what the heck; if you're ever in a disconnected situation and want to read, there ya go.  I also noticed you can get to other months by changing the date in the address.  http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/05/ will give you May 04's issue and so on. Having missed the download option I just went back and grabbed all the 04 issues.  Great resource, as always, the price is right *free*!  Go 'n git ya' some! 

posted @ Wednesday, June 16, 2004 6:19 AM | Feedback (0) |

Yahoo's Gettin' Better

Well someone must have woke up at Yahoo.  They announced today that they will be providing more storage for both the free users and the pay users.  There are a few great changes, 10MB attachments, 100MB (or 2GB pay) in boxes and an improved mail search function.  Now if they would only stop making me pay for the POP access.  I love the little “DING”  Outlook gets new mail for me.  I like being able to get at my mail anywhere and not have to change when I change jobs or ISP's.  If only POP access were free, then it would be perfect. 

Details for free accounts : HERE

Details for pay accounts : HERE

posted @ Tuesday, June 15, 2004 7:17 AM | Feedback (0) |

Spam belongs between two slices of bread with some ketchup

I wonder what SPAM did to deserve having the annoying email plague being named after them?  We all get spam, we all hate spam.  What's worse is when there's an app or something you want or need and they make you fill out a little form with an email address and you put in something like GO-DRY-HUMP@YOUR-MOTHER.COM and then hit submit and they tell you to go check your email right now for the link to the download site for your file.  Makes you feel like Link in the old Legend of Zelda.  So now you're faced with the dilemma of forgetting about the app and go about your merry way, or give them your address.  You really  need the app and a company named AlliGator seems safe enough to you so you go for it.  Tomorrow morning you go to check your email and it's so full of increase your penis size, free investment info, cures for baldness and loans as -12.99% interest messages that you can't even get in. 

Enter Mailinator.  God save the Queen!  Paul, you rock!!!  This nifty little site gives you an random generated email for situations described above, you go to the site, it gives you an address on load, and you give that to friendly Mr AlliGator and finish your sign up.  A couple hours the address no longer exists, and Mr AlliGator is screwed out of one more victim.  There is also complete anonymity on this site, no registration, no sign up, and it's free; just click, get the address and check it.  I love it, great idea, will use it from now on. 

Sure I have like 20 addresses I use depending on who I am emailing and what it is about, but I like the satisfaction of not only giving then a fake address (that I will still have to check and clean out regularly), but one that is a few hours from certain death.  Make sure you also check out Paul's Weblog, and if you like / use / whatever his service, make sure you pass this along to all your fellow spam victims. 

Three cheers to Paul! 

On a side note, if you ever lie awake at night wondering about things like the red hand on the don't walk sign, or what happened to all mommy's oranges, this site is for you. 

posted @ Friday, June 11, 2004 10:07 AM | Feedback (0) |

As expected, great book

OK for the most part, I am a VB6 maintainer / VB.NET and VB ASP.NET Developer.  I recently inherited a bunch of C# apps at work, some complete, some not.  Two little whines here.  First, I guess this is my 'reward' for shipping my latest solution like 2 months early on a 12 month cycle.  No 'good job', just OK now we can cut that consultant and you can finish/maintain his work now.  Second whine, all his work is in C#.  I have *no* problem with C#, I like it, I am not as productive with it as I am in VB, but it's all good.  I actually like C#, but in our office, it's usually something like this:  Big Boss Man “Um yeah they told me about this in January, and I know it's now June, and this thing was supposed to be rolled out last week.  You think you can get started on it?”, and I end up cranking it out in VB just for the pure sake of speed.  I wish I could make something real world useful in C#, I just never get the time.  So I don't have a problem with C# *at all*, other than we hired the contractor to do the work in VB.  How he worked 8 months for us under the Big Boss Man without anyone once noticing he was coding in C#.  Just one of those day you want to  >>>BANG HEAD HERE<<< until the pain goes away. 

So anyways onto the point. I had to get a clue in C# kinda quick, and I went to one of my personal old faithfuls, Deitel.  I picked up their C# for Experienced Programmers from Ebay for like $24.  It has been wonderful to me.  I really like the way Deitel presents their material.  There are 230 code samples, there is a great download page for most of their books, and they are just good.  I was able to quickly answer most of my questions without the ulcer inducing Search function on MSDN.  If you need a programming book , maybe check the library or a friend and see if the Deitel book is something you might like.  They are usually great for me.  Also the Experienced Programmer series gets right into it, assuming the reader understands things like variables and operators.  Great book. 

posted @ Friday, June 11, 2004 7:56 AM | Feedback (0) |

The day the music died = (

It might not be as big as the death of Ronald Reagan, but a *huge* loss nonetheless.  From AP - Ray Charles, the Grammy-winning crooner who blended gospel and blues in such crowd-pleasers as "What'd I Say" and heartfelt ballads like "Georgia on My Mind," died Thursday, a spokesman said. He was 73.

I saw him at the Litchfield Jazz Fest in 2000, and he was absolutely indescribable.  What a man, what a voice, what a musician.  If you love his music, check this out:  Ray Charles 50th.  I own it and if it's possible to wear out CDs, these will be the first of mine to go.  Thanks for many years of great music, you will be missed  = (

posted @ Thursday, June 10, 2004 12:53 PM | Feedback (0) |

OK so I acted like I was 6 again

<digression>  My wife is a 3rd grade teacher, but I have to confess, I think I had more fun with this than she or her kids did.  If you have little kids or just like to act like one sometime, check this out: The Toymaker.  I have a couple of nieces and nephews that will eat this stuff up.  If you liked that page, click through the links on her nav bar, there's a Holiday section and a colour your own section.  Very very nice.  Big thanks to Fishbucket for this link.  Anne always has cool stuff over on her site. 

</digression>

Now I have to get back to work.  Back to work on making my very own mini Defender that is !!!  via Mike .  But I promise not to take it *this far* <--- WOW. 

posted @ Thursday, June 10, 2004 9:12 AM | Feedback (0) |

Smooth(ingMode) Criminal

posted @ Thursday, June 10, 2004 5:35 AM | Feedback (0) |

I Object!

posted @ Thursday, June 10, 2004 5:26 AM | Feedback (0) |

Goin Mobile...

posted @ Wednesday, June 09, 2004 10:03 AM | Feedback (0) |

Express yourself

posted @ Wednesday, June 09, 2004 9:49 AM | Feedback (0) |

Arragghhh!

posted @ Wednesday, June 09, 2004 5:04 AM | Feedback (3) |

Almost Free!

Who doesn't like free stuff?  Dunno if you missed this, but MSDN Magazine is giving away CDs with 4 years of archived issues, *and* all the code samples.  For the cost of shipping, you get a search able CD with all the info from all the issues 2000 - 2003.  Pretty neat. I know the stuff's online, but this is just easier, and you get all the code.  As soon as I got it, I copied the contents to my development laptop.  The whole ball of wax takes up 375 meg.  Not bad for tons of useful info at your virtual fingertips.  Not as useful but FYI, it also contains a complete article index for MSDN Magazine, MSJ, and Microsoft Internet Developer from 1986 to 2003.  Check it out!!!

posted @ Tuesday, June 08, 2004 12:18 PM | Feedback (0) |

So many toys, so little time.

posted @ Monday, June 07, 2004 7:07 PM | Feedback (0) |

Want MoreGoogle?

Here's a neat little add-in for Google that adds thumbnail views and the option to 'open page in another window'.  Cool, now you can make Google look more like your favourite shopping site. MoreGoogle also adds links to archived versions of the site.  It adds cool features like letting you rank the site and they adhere to Google's Privacy Policy and don't spy on you.  Like they say, you don't need it, but you know you want it!

posted @ Monday, June 07, 2004 7:02 PM | Feedback (0) |

All the scoop on Win XP SP 2 TP

If you're thinking “so what, not interested“, you better be.  There's quite a bit in here affecting developers. 

So there are probably some of us who still have not taken a look at XP SP2.  From a great post at Channel 9, here are some other resources on Windows XP SP2 Technical Preview:

1) Download it.
2) Learn what it means for developers.
3) Get more information.
Watch the Video

Thanks Rebecca for all the juice! 

Looks like a lot to digest.  If you need more information than this, check out Channel 9 for more great content. 

posted @ Friday, June 04, 2004 8:10 AM | Feedback (0) |

I spy with my FREE eye... FREE XMLSPY home edition.

posted @ Friday, June 04, 2004 6:40 AM | Feedback (3) |

O(qo) Boy!!! and, and, AND: a stereo headphone.

Oh boy, I cannot wait.  I often said to myself that I'd love something 1/2 the size of a tablet, or 2x the size of my iPaq.  Low and behold, oqo.  This little baby seems to have it all.  WinXP means no more trying to find the WinCE version of my favorite software, everything just works.  Add in a tablet style screen with an input stylus, some USB and 802.11 connectivity, among other features found in laptops that you need yet another different expansion card to get on your PocketPC, and you have my next $2000 purchase.  Keep your eyes on CNET for reviews of this little bad boy, due out this fall.  I find it funny watching the video demo they mention the stereo headphone right in there between the Firewire and the USB.  A total notebook/tablet style device I can fit in my hand, *and* a stereo headphone?  Sounds like the marketing people stayed up too late one night and saw one too many infomercials.  Sure a device you can run VS.NET (or your other favourite IDE) on, that fits in your pocket, but if you're one of the next 59865874874598589 callers, we'll throw in a free stereo headphone jack AND a free set of headphones!!! Call Now!!!  All kidding aside, looks like the next best thing.  Can't wait. 

posted @ Wednesday, June 02, 2004 10:48 AM | Feedback (0) |

Got my Slave today!!!

posted @ Wednesday, June 02, 2004 7:31 AM | Feedback (0) |

Code Camp Updates

For those of us lucky enough to be able to attend Microsoft's Code Camp in Waltham last month, Thom posted some more materials to download.  For those who missed it, Code Camp was a weekend event at Microsoft in Waltham MA, May 15 & 16.  That's a Saturday ( 900 to 2100 ) and Sunday (900 to 1630 )  It was an AWESOME weekend.  The day was jam packed with useful information presented by the likes of Pat Hynds, Thom Robbins, Duane Laflotte, and Chris Pels among others.  I thought the weekend was a huge success.  If you live in or around New England and love juicy free information, keep your eyes peeled for the next one, it's worth it.  Thom says

“What does all this mean? Do we hold more of these? I think we would be making a huge mistake if we didn’t. One thing that I promised during the general session is that I would listen to the feedback and I think the message is clear – WE WANT MORE! With that said I am tentatively looking at scheduling Son of Code Camp 1 in the October timeframe! What do you think? Opinions are important! Help me put together event that you want.”

so watch out if you like great sessions, great handouts and great mingling with people who have nothing better to do than cram twenty something hours of .NET into part of a weekend.  A great time was had by all and spaces filled up fast.

Big Thanks to Thom, Pat, and all who gave up a weekend of lawn mowing and yard work and chores to come hang out and make us all better developers. 

posted @ Wednesday, June 02, 2004 6:59 AM | Feedback (0) |

Movies to Go AND free VB.

The first think I thought when I saw the VB at the Movies section of MSDN was, “wow, if only I could download these”.  They are pretty informative little clips that might actually teach even the experienced developer a little tip or tidbit.  Well here they are, and now you can download all the clips by section.  Also I noticed this on the page a little warning saying something about the FREE copies of VB were going fast.  If you haven't checked this out yet, you better hurry! 

posted @ Tuesday, June 01, 2004 11:33 AM | Feedback (0) |

I can see clearly now

posted @ Tuesday, June 01, 2004 9:24 AM | Feedback (0) |

Something's Missing

So I might be the last to know, and you've probably heard by now, but in case you haven't, Rob Howard is leaving Microsoft. I saw him at the ASP.NET Roadshow, and a couple random conferences, and he was great.  I also enjoyed the book he contributed to ASP.NET Coding Strategies.  Keep an eye on his new site to see what he's up to.  http://www.telligentsystems.com  Good Luck Rob! 

p.s. He's still speaking at DevTeach. 

posted @ Tuesday, June 01, 2004 6:38 AM | Feedback (0) |