Category Archives: Technical

In case any of you are planning on attending the TechEd Microsoft developer conference, taking place June 3-6 in Orlando, I’ll be presenting a session there on “Real-World LINQ to SQL”. Here’s the description of the session, which is part … Continue reading →

I have recently become the proud owner of an HP MediaSmart Server, featuring Microsoft’s Windows Home Server product. The idea behind it is to offer consumers a somewhat convenient way to automatically backup all your home computers with a relatively … Continue reading →

I’ve had the opportunity to teach a course called What’s New in .Net 3.0, which includes a day spent on Windows Workflow Foundation. Overall, I think the tool story for WF is one of the best among all the “pillars” … Continue reading →

I like to keep all my stuff in one place. If I create a web app using Visual Studio, I want to keep it in my Projects directory, along with all my other code. If all you’re using is the … Continue reading →

If you’re like me, communicating with others via Skype is as essential to daily living as breathing. But when it comes to running Skype on your dev machine, you need to make a few adjustments. By default, Skype will grab … Continue reading →

I recently penned an introductory article on LINQ (Language-Integrated Query) for the September issue of the DevelopMents newsletter, published by DevelopMentor to highlight various technologies taught in our courses: http://www.develop.com/us/email/developments/developments091107.html In addition, I authored the LINQ module (both slides and … Continue reading →

I recently had to use System.Transactions to perform multiple database updates in a single atomic operation. At first I was going to use the native SQL Server transaction API, but I like the auto enlistment feature of System.Transactions – hey, … Continue reading →

If you’ve at all paid attention to much of the buzz surrounding Visual Studio code-named Orcas (available now in Beta 1), which is set to hit the streets by the end of 2007, you know that Linq stands for “Language … Continue reading →

The time has come for me to take on the Mount Everest of .Net 3.0: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). A while back I posted a blog entry on my approach to learning Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), so I thought I … Continue reading →

OK, I admit my visceral reaction to Vista’s User Account Control (UAC) was over the top. Just because it causes some inconvenience does not warrant ditching UAC altogether (sort of like divorcing your wife for burning the toast). Microsoft realized … Continue reading →