MSDN Flash - Volume 11, Number 16: July 30, 2007
From the Editor
We have all seen hero bars on Web sites. Did you know that it is easy to create a hero bar with Silverlight, and that it is just as easy to drive that hero bar content using RSS? Check out Using Silverlight and RSS with ASP.NET to learn how to use Microsoft Silverlight through ASP.NET to create a simple hero bar that is easy to customize and can be regenerated simply by editing an RSS document. Also, bookmark the Silverlight Developer Center on MSDN, and don't forget, you can still download the Silverlight 1.0 Beta.
Scott Guthrie, the general manager of the team that is responsible for architecting .NET and Silverlight, has reported in his blog that Microsoft has released a pre-alpha drop of its IronRuby implementation for .NET. And next month, the team will be moving the IronRuby source code repository to be hosted on RubyForge. As part of this move, Scott reports that they will be opening up the project to enable non-Microsoft developers to enlist in the project and contribute source code. The end result will be a compatible, fast, and flexible Ruby implementation on top of .NET that anyone can use for free.
And now for some fun stuff: Here's a roundup of some cool things to check out this summer.
Windows Home Server is running a contest for the ultimate add-in. Create a cool add-in and have a chance to win US$50,000 in Prizes. There are plenty of practical and off-the-wall applications. Create an add-in to view your Media Center photo gallery or recorded videos through the Web. Maybe have it sync with Facebook. Or build a Windows Home Server add-in to turn on the A/C and dim the lights. Register and download Windows Home Server RC1 for free, and don't forget to download the SDK to develop your add-in.
Create a desktop slideshow gadget for Windows Vista desktop with this quick and easy Vista gadget. Or create a wallpaper rotator using C# and JavaScript in 1-3 hours.
Chatting with friends in Xbox Live just got easier with the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, which includes a Chatpad and Xbox 360 headset. See a detailed review at GameSpot.
Bring your Legos to life using Microsoft Robotics Studio and an Xbox 360 controller. This intermediate tutorial makes robotics seem much less intimidating and covers movement controls, Bluetooth connectivity, services, VPL and more.
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Editor, MSDN Flash
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Evaluation Center
Build and manage highly available data applications with a database engine that offers more secure, reliable storage for both relational and structured data. Register and download SQL Server 2005, and receive a set of technical resources to help you get the most out of your evaluation experience.
Windows Server 2008 Evaluation
Resources to help you get the most out of your evaluation experience:
Windows Communication Foundation Overview Webcast
The Windows Communication Foundation (previously code-named "Indigo") is Microsoft's unified framework for building secure, reliable, transacted, and interoperable distributed applications. Using source code examples, learn about the different communication endpoints available in WCF and see how easy it is to enhance a Web service using declarative tags.
World's Easiest Windows Communication Foundation Service Screencast
Learn from another user as he shares his experience with Windows Server 2008 and explains why it's part of the world's easiest way to create a hosted Windows Communication Foundation service.
Windows Communication Foundation Messaging Fundamentals
WCF is a sophisticated, XML-based messaging framework. This article highlights some of the key messaging features.
Spotlight on Silverlight
Light up the Web with Microsoft Silverlight at MSDN Events
Connect with like-minded coders at this free, half-day of learning from MSDN Events. Learn all about Silverlight from a developer's perspective, including how to build rich, interactive applications using the developer IDE of choice, Visual Studio, as well as Microsoft's powerful new designer tool, Expression Blend. Also includes sessions on Windows Communication Foundation and using LINQ with Visual Studio 2008.
November 5 - 8, Las Vegas, NV
Dive hard into current and future releases from Microsoft for the developer, DBA, and architect at DevConnections. Come learn about Visual Studio 2005, ASP.NET 2.0 and Atlas, Windows Vista/.NET Framework 3.0 development, Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Silverlight.
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Check out the Silverlight Developer Center
Spotlight on Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)
Building an Effective Messaging Infrastructure with WCF at MSDN Events
Connect with like-minded coders at this free, half-day of learning from MSDN Events. Learn how to build and configure services in WCF using a variety of real-world scenarios as examples. Also includes sessions on Silverlight and using LINQ with Visual Studio 2008.
Windows Communication Foundation Overview Webcast
The Windows Communication Foundation (previously code-named "Indigo") is Microsoft's unified framework for building secure, reliable, transacted, and interoperable distributed applications. Using source code examples, learn about the different communication endpoints available in WCF and see how easy it is to enhance a Web service using declarative tags.
World's Easiest Windows Communication Foundation Service Screencast
Learn from another user as he shares his experience with Windows Server 2008 and explains why it's part of the world's easiest way to create a hosted Windows Communication Foundation service.
Windows Communication Foundation Messaging Fundamentals
WCF is a sophisticated, XML-based messaging framework. This article highlights some of the key messaging features.
Check out the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Developer Resources Site
Spotlight on Visual Studio 2008 and LINQ
New Thinking in Data with LINQ and Visual Studio 2008 at MSDN Events
Connect with like-minded coders at this free, half-day of learning from MSDN Events. Learn the architecture of LINQ and the C# and Visual Basic extensions for writing queries within the development tool you're already comfortable with. Also includes sessions on Windows Communication Foundation and Silverlight.
Download Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2 and the .NET Framework 3.5 Beta 2
News for Students
Create a Desktop Slideshow Gadget for Windows Vista
Give all your photos their rightful moments of fame on your desktop with this quick and easy Vista gadget. Bill Wagner shows you how to create a wallpaper rotator in 1 - 3 hours using C# and JavaScript.
Controlling the Lego Mindstorm NXT with Microsoft Robotics Studio
Bring your Legos to life using Microsoft Robotics Studio and an Xbox 360 controller. This intermediate tutorial makes robotics seem much less intimidating and covers movement controls, Bluetooth connectivity, services, VPL, and more.
GameSpot Hands-on with the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit
The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit is the answer for more efficient messaging in Xbox Live. It will be hitting stores on September 6, and is reviewed in detail over at GameSpot.
The Face of Windows Server 2008
The Windows Server 2008 Web site shows you the "face" of next-generation Windows server technology - literally. Add your face or find someone you know!
Create a Cool Add-in and Have a Chance to Win US$50,000 in Prizes
Windows Home Server is running a contest for the ultimate add-in. Want to view your Media Center photo gallery or recorded videos through the Web? Create a cool add-in. Maybe have it sync with Facebook. Build an add-in to turn on the A/C and dim the lights through a WHS add-in. Register and download Windows Home Server RC1 for free. Don't forget to download the SDK to develop your add-in.
Government Resources
Developer Webcasts
Learn about the latest Microsoft development tools for Public Sector developers! And be sure to check out August's upcoming webcast schedule.
OBA RAP for Public Sector
The Office Business Application Reference Architecture Pack (OBA RAP) for Public Sector has just been released to MSDN. This reference architecture provides prescriptive architecture and guidance for addressing a major business problem within today's public sector organizations: processing electronic forms. It illustrates how an OBA (Office Business Application) can be built to automate and optimize forms processing. The reference solution framework showcased in the RAP is generic, and can be adapted to enable end-to-end processing of a number of electronic forms in the public sector.
Office Business Applications (OBA) in the U.S. Army
Military experts have long repeated the maxim "an army marches on its stomach" to emphasize the importance of logistics in a theater of operation. While the saying remains true, a new aphorism is evolving that goes something like this: "Bullets kill the enemy, but information wins the peace." Check out this case study to learn about the use of OBAs in the U.S. Army: The Other Information War, by Lane Cooper.
Visit the Public Sector Developer Blog
Web Resources
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WPF: Flexible Content Display With Flow Documents
Flow Documents are aimed at screen reading and provide a more dynamic and arguably more sophisticated model than paper-oriented XPS. Flow Documents work for almost everything related to text content, from product descriptions to entire books.
Enter the Ingenuity Point Showcase and Contest
Do you have an innovative application that is making a positive impact on the world in the area of clean technology, healthcare, or education? If so, now's your chance to tell the world. Enter the Ingenuity Point Contest and see examples of ISVs who are making a difference.
Start Building Mobile Applications with a Special Deal on a Windows Mobile 6 Phone
The Sprint Mogul is the newest Windows Mobile 6 device in the market. With 3G radio, a 400+ MHz processor and large memory capacity, it is a powerful platform for developing mobile applications targeting the .NET Compact Framework and SQL Server Compact Edition, which come preloaded in ROM.
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ISV Web Seminar Series - Microsoft Unified Communications
August 27 - 30, 2:00 P.M. Pacific Time
In this 4-part Web seminar you'll learn how using Microsoft Office technologies can help your clients work together dynamically - anywhere, anytime, and with anyone.
Introduction to Software Launch Pad for ISV Partners
This 60-minute Web seminar will give you an in-depth understanding of Software Launch Pad, including how to leverage the tools and resources available and how to get started.
Free Windows Vista and .NET 3.0 E-Learning
Get the tools you need to make your job easier as you develop next-generation applications.
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Free 2007 Microsoft Office System E-Learning for Developers
See how you can incorporate Office SharePoint Servers 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 into your existing infrastructure. Free for a limited time.
Prove Your Expertise: Get Certified as an MCPD
Showcase your technical and job-specific skills by becoming a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer.
Get Visual Studio 2005 Training From the Experts
Learn more about Visual Studio 2005 from industry experts in your area. Special offers good for a limited time.
Hot Off the Press! New Books from Microsoft Press
• Programming Microsoft Composite UI Application Block and Smart Client Software Factory
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Integration Services Step by Step
November 5 - 8, Las Vegas, NV
Dive hard into current and future releases from Microsoft for the developer, DBA, and architect at DevConnections. Come learn about Visual Studio 2005, ASP.NET 2.0 and Atlas, Windows Vista/.NET Framework 3.0 development, Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Silverlight.
Security for Developers
Windows Vista Integrity Mechanism Technical Reference
Learn what the Windows integrity mechanism is, why it was designed, how it works, and how you can code your applications for it.
Because gadgets are considered full-trust applications, you must understand some gadget security basics.
Enriching the Web Safely: How to Create Application Protocol Handlers
Why the SDL Works: Counterpoint
Descriptions of Security Updates, July 10, 2007:
• .NET Framework 2.0 (for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000)
• .NET Framework 2.0 (for Windows Vista)
• .NET Framework 1.1 (for Windows Server 2003)
• .NET Framework 1.1 (for Windows XP and Windows 2000)
• .NET Framework 1.1 (for Windows Vista)
Product-Related Downloads
Windows Server 2008 Developer Training Kit (Beta 3)
Case Studies, KB Articles, & How-tos
ActewAGL Waves Goodbye to Linux and False Economy
Australian utility ActewAGL replaced a Linux/Oracle system with Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2000, using the .NET Framework and Visual C# to extend and integrate with existing systems. This improved stability, lowered development costs, and increased ease of management and maintenance.
IT Services Company Delivers Advanced Forensic Analytics to Industry
Using Visual Studio 2005, ASP.NET 2.0, and SQL Server 2005, Forensic Pathways developed a service that would help organizations identify patterns of behavior in complex data sets.
Korean Telco Uses Integrated ALM Solution To Improve Development Productivity
KT Corporation used Visual Studio Team System to upgrade its operations support system, and to provide the necessary application lifecycle management (ALM) capability for the project.
Description of Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1
FIX: An application may crash if it uses a .dll file that is created in Visual Basic 6.0
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SQL Server KB Articles
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FIX: The server stops responding, the performance is slow, and a time-out occurs in SQL Server 2000
Partner News
Download SpreadsheetGear for .NET 2007 Fully Functional Evaluation
SpreadsheetGear for .NET 2007 delivers ASP.NET Excel reporting, Windows Forms spreadsheet controls and scalable, Excel-compatible calculations.
SourceGear DiffMerge: Free Tool for Comparing Files and Directories
Free graphical file comparison tool with full editing, three-way merge, intraline highlighting, and international character encodings.
TeeChart for .NET Version 3 Released
TeeChart for .NET v3 continues in the TeeChart tradition of offering depth of functionality across myriad application requirements.
August 14, 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time
Taming and Managing Database Change with CA ERwin DM and Microsoft's VSDP.
New Live Webinar: Demystifying Dependency Injection
Learn how dependency injection is useful and easy to understand, reducing complexity of your code and making it resilient in the face of changing requirements.
Accelerated Builds, Scripts, and Custom Applications Using IncrediBuild 3.0
IncrediBuild 3.0 from Xoreax Software accelerates Visual Studio builds, make-based builds, scripts, and custom applications, using advanced distributed computing technology.
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MSDN Events
Meet Your Fellow Masters with MSDN Events
Connect with like-minded coders at this free, half-day of learning from MSDN Events.
• Session 1: New Thinking in Data with LINQ and Visual Studio 2008
Learn the architecture of LINQ and the C# and Visual Basic extensions for writing queries within the development tool you're already comfortable with.
• Session 2: Building an Effective Messaging Infrastructure with WCF
Learn how to build and configure services in WCF using a variety of real-world scenarios as examples.
• Session 3: Light up the Web with Microsoft Silverlight
Learn all about Silverlight from a developer's perspective, including how to build rich, interactive applications using the developer IDE of choice, Visual Studio, as well as Microsoft's powerful new designer tool, Expression Blend.