Dave Noderer's Blog

Problems getting Lightswitch HTML Client Preview 2

Dave Noderer — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:36:14 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2013/02/26/problems-getting-lightswitch-html-client-preview-2.aspx

I finally downloaded the html client preview 2 to give it a run, had not had a chance to look at Lightswitch since last summer…

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lightswitch/archive/2012/11/12/announcing-lightswitch-html-client-preview-2.aspx

I ran into a few problems…

When trying to create a Silverlight html/c# client I got a dialog box:

Before installing this version of Silverlight, please close all browser windows and uninstall the current version of Silverlight.

Installed version: 5.1.10516.0

Requested version: Silverlight 5 (5.1.10411.0)

I un-installed the newer version of Silverlight, installed the recommended version and got past that error.. I searched around and did not see this problem in the forums but could have easily missed it…

A couple of other minor problems but then was stuck with a build error indicating Lightswitch could not access the localdb\v11.0:

Error 1 An error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server instance '(LocalDB)\v11.0'.
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 50 - Local Database Runtime error occurred. Error occurred during LocalDB instance startup: SQL Server process failed to start.
) C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\LightSwitch\v2.0\Microsoft.LightSwitch.targets 146 10 ContosoMoving

After learning more than I wanted to about localdb over a couple of days, what was consistent were errors of this kind shown below from the localdb log if I let Lightswitch create the localdb\v11.0 instance:

FCB::Open failed: Could not open file e:\sql11_main_t.obj.x86release\sql\mkmastr\databases\objfre\i386\MSDBData.mdf for file number 0. OS error: 2(The system cannot find the file specified.).

Note: I don’t have an E drive normally, these might be remnants of an installation disk.

These logs and the database system and other files can be found here: C:\Users\{your user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Local DB\Instances\v11.0 on my Windows 8 installation.

Although localdb\v11.0 was created, I could not connect to (localdb)\v11.0 via sql management studio (or visual studio).

Final solution was to delete what was there and create / test (LocalDB)\V11.0 before trying to start/compile a Lightswitch project.

To delete an existing V11.0 and create a new one use the sqllocaldb (.exe) utility which should be mapped already if you use you visual studio developer command prompt. The sequence I used was:

cd c:\users….\Instances (see full directory above).

delete the v11.0 directory

run this sequence of commands:

sqllocaldb delete v11.0

sqllocaldb create v11.0

sqllocaldb start v11.0

After I verified I could connect to the localdb\v11.0 then I was able to run Lightswitch without problems.

Dave Noderer

Software Developer / Microsoft MVP

Cell: 954-270-1186

Company: http://www.computerways.com

Win Phone Beach Riser Pro: http://bit.ly/BeachRiserPro

Visual Studio 2012 change source control

Dave Noderer — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:39:49 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2013/02/26/visual-studio-2012-change-source-control.aspx

Note to self… when changing source control on a solution you need to remove the workspace associated with the old source control, connect to the new server and add / check in to the new server.

This is after frustratingly “change source control” which will unbind but not allow you to rebind / connect to a different server.

SkyDrive for South Florida Code Camp!

Dave Noderer — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:25:50 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2013/02/20/skydrive-for-south-florida-code-camp.aspx

We held out 9th annual South Florida Code Camp on 2/9/2013. Unlike past years, instead of stuffing bags with brochures and papers from the vendors, we bought 700 2gb USB keys and had all the vendors send us information, software, links and files to put on the USB key.

This was a great success.. but how about making it public too?

I setup a folder on my skydrive:

Then I renamed the new folder, selected it and clicked on the sharing button at the top:

By clicking on “People with a view link” I created a link I could share with all the code camp attendees to allow them access to the content. If you click on “Shorten” you will be a very usable and short link. After you copy the link, you can click on “Done” and distribute or post the link.

Then I realized there was more I could put there. Besides the USB content from sponsors I created directories for the speakers and a place to put all the photos we collect.

This was quick and easy, now I’m wondering why I did not do this before!

Feel free to browse the code camp skydrive here with the shortened link: http://sdrv.ms/122eAdh

Free Windows 8 book on programming with html, css and javascript

Dave Noderer — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:40:04 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2012/10/31/free-windows-8-book-on-programming-with-html-css-and.aspx

Just a heads up from DevFish (http://devfish.net), a free book on writing applications for Windows 8using html, css and javascript by Kraig Brockschmidt .

You can find the book here:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/10/29/free-ebook-programming-windows-8-apps-with-html-css-and-javascript.aspx

I have not finished reading this but so far it looks like it will be a great resource if you have any interest in trying the windows 8 javascript programming model.

Besides all the aspects of controls, library support and animations the book also talks about how to make your own components in c#, vb or c++.

Microsoft Build 1st Day

Dave Noderer — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 22:26:54 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2012/10/30/microsoft-build-1st-day.aspx

Great keynote and I don’t like keynotes..

Seeing the great breadth of large and small devices and the number of manufacturers along with the software vision for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 was inspiring.

Jordan Rudess demonstrates Tachyon on Windows 8

Then he played for a while too..

I especially liked Steve Balmers 82” slate!! Can I have one!

And best of all, they finally released the Windows Phone 8 SDK.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35471

Off to sessions…

Stay tuned for more!

Azure Florida Association

Dave Noderer — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:04:01 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2011/11/19/azure-florida-association.aspx

Herve Roggero, SQL Azure MVP, has created a virtual community to focus on Azure. Here is the outline from Herve:

User Group Name: Azure Florida Association

Purpose: Start a virtual Florida user group that targets the Azure platform

Venues: Most meetings will be virtual; however I plan to host a few physical events across Florida if possible from time to time; physical events may be a few hours long with potentially more than one speaker

Possible Topics: The topics will touch Azure generally speaking, but can have a wide array of concern such as Integration, Data Migration, Hosting, Security, Scalability, Mobile Device integration, successful ventures/lessons learned, cross cloud integration patterns, testing in the cloud, deployment management, reporting…

Target Members: Architects, Developers, IT Managers

Membership: Membership will be free; virtual events will be free; physical events may involve a minimal cover charge

Speakers: If you are interested in speaking or if you have topic ideas, please let me know

Frequency: Initially these meetings will be held every other month

The first meeting will be held on January 25, 2012 at 4PM EST. Vikas Sahni, SQL Azure MVP, will be presenting on Demystifying SQL Azure. Vikas will introduce SQL Azure, value proposition, usage scenarios, concepts and architecture, what is there and what is not, including Tips and Tricks.

The actual meeting link will be available in January but please join the linked in group now to be kept informed of this and future events: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4177626.

Fall 2011–East Coast Phone Camps

Dave Noderer — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:51:49 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2011/08/31/fall-2011ndasheast-coast-phone-camps.aspx

From Joe Healy’s Dev Fish Blog but worth repeating!!

What’s a Windows Phone Camp?

For those who went to our "Windows Phone Garage" series last year, its one of those. For those new to the scene, its a free, full day event chocked full of everything you need to know to develop a Windows Phone application. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started with phone app development this full-day event is for you.

Interested in profit? We’ll also lead discussions on how to monetize your applications and generate profits with your apps.

Don’t miss the new Windows Phone 7.5 (codename "Mango") features as well - with detailed sessions in the afternoon around Fast Application Switching, Multitasking, Live Tiles, Push Notifications, and more.

The day will be capped with an open lab hands-on session and prizes for apps completed. This is the perfect opportunity to begin work on your dream application, or finish that app you’ve already started, with Windows Phone experts there to guide you every step of the way. Bring your own laptop to join in the fun and show off your killer app!

Agenda
9:00 AM	Welcome Campers
9:15 AM	How to make money with your Windows Phone App
10:00 AM	Frameworks for fun and profit > Silverlight and XNA
noon-ish	Canteen > Install Fest
1:00 PM	Hands-on lab
3:00 PM	Cool stuff your app can do
4:00 PM	To the Cloud
4:45 PM	Be What's Next > Peoples Choice Awards

Not only is the content great, but we've got a ton of locations coming up. Note that we are not only hitting the traditional Microsoft facilities, we are hitting a ton of campus locations as well. Students can attend Microsoft facilitiy events, and professionals / entrepreneurs are more than welcome to drop in on the on-campus locations as well. Mix, mingle, network.

Don't see your geography in the list? Located in the East Coast USA? Reach out to us and let's see if we can line up a Windows PhoneCamp "community edition".

Schedule
9/20/2011	Charlotte, NC	Registration
9/22/2011	Atlanta GA	Registration
9/27/2011	Malvern PA	Registration
9/29/2011	Reston VA	Registration
10/12/2011	Cambridge MA	National Event - Two day - Registration URL pending
10/18/2011	Chevy Chase MD	Registration
10/19/2011	New York City, NY	Registration
10/25/2011	Tampa FL	Registration
10/27/2011	Champlain College, Burlington VT	Registration
11/2/2011	NCSU, Raleigh NC	Registration
11/4/2011	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Registration
11/8/2011	UCF, Orlando FL	Registration
11/10/2011	Univ of Miami, Coral Gables FL	Registration
11/10/2011	SUNY (New Paltz), New York	Registration
11/15/2011	Virginia Tech	Registration
11/17/2011	Howard University, Washington DC	Registration
11/29/2011	Pittsburg, PA	Registration
12/1/2011	Hofstra, Long Island NY	Registration
12/8/2011	Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA	Registration

Prerequisites:
Bring a notebook computer and identification. Also check out the APP HUB where you can get developer tools, learn about application features, understand common task for Apps and register and load your APP.

Notes:
This event is brought to you by Microsoft and is free of charge. However, you are responsible for booking and paying for your own travel and accommodations

Update: 2011/08/31 - new agenda online in event registration

Visual Studio Lightswitch 2011 Launch!

Dave Noderer — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:38:41 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2011/07/26/visual-studio-lightswitch-2011-launch.aspx

As of today, the official release of Lightswitch is now available. Visit: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/lightswitch or you can download from your MSDN subscription.

What is Lightswitch?

It is basically a simple to use application generator that can be used to build applications within minutes in many cases.

If you have an existing, well structured (primary keys, relationships) SQL Server database you are just a few clicks away from an administration tool and well on the way to a full fledged app!

One limitation is that you must be using SQL 2005 or above. I did verify this by trying to attach to a SQL 2000 db. Once the standard database connection dialog is passed you will recognize the entity framework screens.

There will also be lots of third party and community extensions that will simplify making full blown applications.

Code generated can be either VB.net or C#.

In many ways this reminds me of the ease of Access but brought to the level of professional development and extensibility.

Definitely check it out, a very powerful new tool!!

To get started even if you have limited programming experience, check out Beth Massi’s videos: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lightswitch/gg604823

Mr Dave goes to Washington

Dave Noderer — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:05:18 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2011/05/28/mr-dave-goes-to-washington.aspx

This past week was an interesting experience. My first trip to Washington DC on Washington business.

As part of the Association for Competitive Technology (http://www.actonline.com) I joined 27 other small software developer company owners from around the country to visit and educate congressional staffs.

I already knew 1/2 dozen of the people attending from my activities in the Microsoft developer community and had the pleasure of renewing friendships with them and making new friends with others. Lots of interesting stories from around the country.

One common thread is, no surprise, that mobile devices are exploding at a rapid pace and will dominate software development landscape for the foreseeable future.

The ACT “fly in” (common to all lobbyist groups) is a chance to get real world people in front of the congress people and their staff.

The first day was basically briefings on top issues, what to expect (a number of us were 1st timers) and some media training.

There were three major issues being covered… Internet Privacy, Intellectual Property and cellular bandwidth.

Although the topics were covered and discussed by the ACT leaders and staff, it was really up to each of us to come up with stories and what it meant to us personally and to our respective businesses.

The one that I was most interested in was the bandwidth question. I know how bad the cellular service can be, especially since I had to pull a number from Verizon to ATT last fall so I could get a Windows Phone 7. It is a very very fragile system, easily overloaded and broken by just a few dozen users at a particular location.

Within a few years, the majority of internet access will be via mobile devices and currently the US is ninth in mobile broadband adoption.

One interesting group there were a few developers / entrepreneurs associated with each other by an organization “Moms With Apps” (includes some Dad’s with Apps too), http://www.momswithapps.com.

On Tuesday we broke up into small teams. Typically 3 business people and 1 ACT person to visit various congressional offices. Each group was a different mix but one common thread was that there was a constituent of the congress person in each group. The last meeting our ACT “handler” did not show but by that time we were all pro’s and knew what to do.

For me, in all but one case, I met with legislative assistants. This makes sense anyway because in each office an assistant is assigned to be the expert in a particular area of legislation. I had six meetings, 2 senate and 4 house. Met with staff of Sen Kirk (R/IL), Sen Nelson (D/FL), Rep Hastings (D/FL), Rep Paulsen (R/MN), Rep Frelinghuysen (R/NJ) and one actual congressman, Brian Bilbray (R/CA). All the meetings went very well allowing us to discuss the issues, how they affected our businesses and what direction we would like to see the government take.

We also had a lunch with the “IP Caucus” (Intellectual Property) which is a group of congressional members, aids and lobbyists that are interested in how we can enforce copy write and patent protections across national borders. At least one of our group had a story of how popular his game is in chat rooms in China but has only sold one license there. These caucuses are similar to committee’s in that they have some dedicated staff to help them run.

I definitely learned a lot. All the congressional offices are very approachable. Appointments are needed but it is likely that if you want to take the time and effort any voter can get someone to listen to their story!!

I could also see evidence of many threads of relationships and coalitions that run throughout the congress, staffs and interested parties that shape our laws and regulations.

There was lots of food and socializing which allowed all of use to get to know the others.

Book Review: Brownfield Application Development in .NET–Kyle Baley and Donald Belcham - ISBN: 1933988711

Dave Noderer — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:02:41 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2011/03/31/book-review-brownfield-application-development-in-.netndashkyle-baley-and-donald.aspx

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while and finally did!!

Don’t let the title fool you, it could have been “Modern Object Oriented development with .NET”. In the context of improving an existing active project (brownfield) this books walks you through separation of concerns, isolating dependencies, test driven development and many other concepts in a very practical and easy to understand way.

They also cover many of the political, cultural and personality issues you will face working with any company or team and suggest ways to work around, mitigate and sell new ideas into a situation. It is very easy to go with the flow but having the confidence to buck the flow on occasion can be a big win for everyone!

This was a good book for me. I was trained as an electrical engineer and spent 20 years designing computers before taking a turn into application development 17 years ago. I read constantly, listen to podcasts and hang around a lot of very smart people so have picked up most of the modern software design patterns. The advantage of applying particular patterns is not always clear so it takes a while to work new things into my development methodology.. mostly a good thing.

I thought the book did a good job of putting many concepts into a more comprehensive context than is normally presented. This approach has given me many good ideas about how I can better apply the techniques and motivation to investigate a few things I have ignored.

Brownfield Application Development in .NET

Kyle Baley and Donald Belcham
Foreword by David Laribee
April, 2010 | 416 pages
ISBN: 1933988711

Interview on Cloud Plumbing

Dave Noderer — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:12:12 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2011/02/04/interview-on-cloud-plumbing.aspx

Always happy to yap about community!!

http://cloudplumbing.com/episode/dave-noderer-interview

SQL Sharding and SQL Azure…

Dave Noderer — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:44:00 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2010/12/24/sql-sharding-and-sql-azurehellip.aspx

Herve Roggero has just published a paper that outlines patterns for scaling using SQL Azure and the Blue Syntax (he and Scott Klein’s company) sharding api. You can find the paper at: http://www.bluesyntax.net/files/EnzoFramework.pdf

Herve and Scott have also just released an Apress book Pro SQL Azure.

The idea of being able to split (shard) database operations automatically and control them from a web based management console is very appealing.

These ideas have been talked about for a long time and implemented in thousands of very custom ways that have been costly, complicated and fragile. Now, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Scaling database access will become easier and move into the mainstream of application development.

The main cost is using an api whenever accessing the database. The api will direct the query to the correct database(s) which may be located locally or in the cloud. It is inevitable that the api will change in the future, perhaps incorporated into a Microsoft offering. Even if this is the case, your application has now been architected to utilize these patterns and details of the actual api will be less important.

Herve does a great job of laying out the concepts which every developer and architect should be familiar with!

Window Phone 7 tools for VB.net release

Dave Noderer — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:34:41 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2010/11/29/window-phone-7-tools-for-vb.net-release.aspx

· Download Pages:

o English: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=206790&clcid=0x409

o French: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=206790&clcid=0x40c

o German: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=206790&clcid=0x407

o Italian: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=206790&clcid=0x410

o Spanish: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=206790&clcid=0x40a

· Announcements:

o Jason Zander: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jasonz/archive/2010/11/29/announcing-visual-basic-windows-phone-7-support-rtw.aspx

o VB Team: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vbteam/archive/2010/11/29/vb-goes-mobile-announcing-visual-basic-for-windows-phone-developer-tools-rtw-quot.aspx

o Visual Studio Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2010/11/29/using-visual-studio-to-build-vb-windows-phone-applications.aspx

o Soma Blog Update: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2010/09/23/windows-phone-vb-developers-great-mobile-apps.aspx

o Windows Phone Developer Blog: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2010/11/29/visual-basic-for-the-windows-phone-developer-tools-rtw.aspx

o App Hub News Announcement: http://create.msdn.com/en-US/vbrtm

o Updated App Hub Getting Started Page: http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started

Murach’s HTML, XHTML, and CSS–Anne Boehm–ISBN 978-1-890774-57-8

Dave Noderer — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:17:00 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2010/10/26/murachrsquos-html-xhtml-and-cssndashanne-boehmndashisbn-978-1-890774-57-8.aspx

If you have not looked at Murach’s books you should!

They have a very convenient format, geared for training with two facing pages, the left with text and the right with an example with lists and descriptions.

This book should get someone started on HTML and basic web pages, it covers html through some javascript and into simple website design and deployments.

For me not much was new but I did pick up a few things including a better understanding of CSS floating div’s and how to use them.

Another interesting chapter was working with print and mobile devices. We have just been working on some very difficult print formatting that this might have helped with.

The view point is primarily from that of a designer with a Mac tendency.

There was a lot of talk about things that only work on IE 7 and above (rightfully so..)… the message that might have been presented more strongly is that IE 6 and below is not in common use and should be avoided.

September 2010 statistics from http://www.w3counter.com are:

Internet Explorer 8	27.48%
Firefox 3.6	23.60%
Internet Explorer 7	10.03%
Chrome 6	8.32%
Internet Explorer 6	5.78%
Safari 5	4.24%
Firefox 3.5	4.20%
Chrome 5	2.58%
Firefox 3	2.13%
Safari 4	1.10%

HTML 5 is touched on and I’m sure the next version of the book will cover that in more detail.

Media wise, flash, windows media and real audio are covered but curiously no mention of Silverlight but maybe that is just my own more Microsoft focus.

In any case I can definitely recommend this book for anyone, even with almost no experience of knowledge of html. There are recommendations for some tools and how to install them in the appendix.

VB for Windows Phone 7 CTP now public

Dave Noderer — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:59:56 GMT

Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/dnoderer/archive/2010/09/23/vb-for-windows-phone-7-ctp-now-public.aspx

As a complement to the already available Windows Phone 7 developer tools, templates for VB are now available.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=a808a69d-6119-47b7-b858-262be5c49915&displaylang=en

Here is the full announcement from the VB team and a walk through of how to use it: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vbteam/archive/2010/09/23/announcing-microsoft-visual-basic-ctp-for-windows-phone-developer-tools.aspx

You need to have the release tools installed and then this is a very small download and installs very quickly.

You will get the same “Silverlight for Windows Phone” under the VB templates and be able to easily bring up a VB based phone application. No XNA at this time.