Greg's Cool [Insert Clever Name] of the Day: 03/07/2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

.toolbox Free online Silverlight/Blend and/or Design training (or the “I’m a developer, can you teach me how to design?” site )

Adam Kinney - .toolbox – Free online Silverlight and Expression Blend training

“Woohoo, the site is live! .toolbox is a free online training program where designers and developers can learn to create Silverlight applications using Expression Studio and to apply basic UX concepts to their solutions.

I was lucky enough to get involved with the project while it was coming together and I’m very excited to see it out there in the wild. I hope you really enjoy the training content. This site will be the answer to two questions I am asked often:

I’m a designer, how do I get started with Silverlight & Blend? .toolbox Design Scenarios

I’m a developer, can you teach me how to design? .toolbox Design Principles

…”

.toolbox

.toolbox – .school

.school – overview

“…

Whether it’s with Design Principles or Design Scenarios, start with basic concepts and techniques to build skills incrementally.

courses

.toolbox features two learning paths: Design Scenarios and Design Principles. Pick a starting point and build your knowledge and abilities as you go. Below is a full summary of training modules for both tracks.

scenarios
Learn the fundamentals of Silverlight and Expression Studio. Start with basic techniques and build your skills to create more advanced applications. Design Scenarios is comprised of four levels that increase in difficulty with three training modules per level. Each module deconstructs a Silverlight application to teach you must-know features and techniques.
…

principles
All great applications start with a foundation in design. The Design Principles track gets back to basics with key design concepts that will help you create slick and functional web applications. Each of the four level groupings contains three modules, each focused on design fundamentals.
…

…”

Here’s one example of a course (Design I)

Interesting…

If you are an achievement/badge hound you can earn them by “going to school”. And of course you can share your progress/status on twitter & Facebook.

<rant>I really dislike autoplay media on a site’s homepage. Seeing it once it okay, but in browsing the site/content, how many times do I really need to see that intro clip? sigh…</rant>

Just because it’s virtual doesn’t mean it isn’t real… Using Visual Studio Lab Management to help virtualize your ALM

MSDN Library - Using a Virtual Lab for Your Application Lifecycle

“Visual Studio Lab Management enables you to create a virtual lab to use with Team Foundation Server when you are developing or testing an application. Visual Studio Lab Management integrates with the following virtualization software:

…

By using virtualization with Lab Management, you can perform the following tasks:

Create a known clean state for all the virtual machines that are required to run an instance of your application.

Take a snapshot of all the virtual machines in your environment when you run a test to help developers re-create bugs.

Deploy your application to a virtual environment and run tests as part of a scheduled process.

Run manual and automated tests on the environment and collect information about any virtual machine in the environment as you run the test.

Attach a link to a snapshot of an environment in a bug to help a developer re-create the bug.

Create multiple copies of the environment that you have to have in order to run an application.

Run multiple copies of the environment at the same time.

To create and manage these virtual environments of virtual machines, use Microsoft Test Manager. …

…

…”

As I’ve said in past posts, I’m excited about Visual Studio Lab Management. I don’t know if this v1 will be the ticket or not, but I’m still going to give it the whole college try when it ships… ;)

Today’s letter is M. M is for Modeling… “The Busy Developer's Guide to SQL Server Modeling”

MSDN - The Busy Developer's Guide to SQL Server Modeling

“I am a data guy. I love the nature of how data is designed, shaped and consumed. I have spent countless hours poring over database diagrams determining the right way to represent some data that I have to work with in a system. While there are a lot of different ways to do that data design, in most cases I have had to work with graphical design tools to create my data. The problem is that I am a developer. Most of the work I’ve done over the last couple of decades has been to write text that is translated into computer instructions. Working with graphical tools to perform tasks is still uncomfortable as I tend to translate the ideas I have in my head back and forth between the concept and the graphic interface. But I think in text so maybe there are other solutions that don’t require a graphical design tool.

…

Introducing SQL Server Modeling

Previously called Microsoft code name “Oslo”, SQL Server Modeling is a forthcoming set of technologies (presently in CTP) for solving problems around modeling data in your applications. SQL Server Modeling (or SSMod) enables you to describe your models, store them, and edit them. This represents a full life cycle for your models and the system simply becomes a runtime to consume the data contained in the models. Let’s see how this would work in a simple example.

…

Where we are...

SQL Server Modeling represents a new way to think about build data storage layers in your .NET projects. It introduces some different workflows that will be uncomfortable at first but in the long term being able to develop the database and data access at the same time and refactoring it along with the rest of the code should make it simpler to develop real solutions.

In addition, by utilizing the “M” language to build your models (instead of SQL), you can be more productive in building your data models. Using “M” also allows you to build both the structure (or schema) of your data model as well as reference and test data. SQL Server Modeling Services makes the design of data models first class citizens of the platform.

…

…”

Oslo/M/SQL Server Modeling is something that’s I’ve been trying to wrap my head around. I’m still not sure I get it, or yet see how it’s going to help me solve my real world problems.

That said Shawn’s article HAS brought me one step closer to “getting it.” My mental fog is starting to lift…

(via Shawn Wildermuth - The Busy Developer's Guide to SQL Server Modeling)

F11 isn’t just for Full Screening IE on Windows 7. Did you know you can F11/Full Screen Windows Explorer too? And there’s more…

Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows - Windows 7 Tip of the Week, Full Screen Toggle

“This will likely be the simplest tip I'll ever document: Microsoft has long used the F11 key as a shortcut for placing certain windows in full screen mode. Some may be familiar that Internet Explorer works this way for example. But many likely don't know that it works as a full screen toggle for many other window types as well, including those windows, applications, and control panels that are based on Windows Explorer.

…

F11 also works as a full screen toggle in a surprising range of applications that ship in Windows 7, including Paint (for viewing the current image), Windows Media Player (during video playback), and XPS Viewer. Many third party applications also support this behavior. Among them are web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

…”

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. I’ve been using Win7 for, well about, ever, and didn’t even think to try F11/Full Screen toggling Windows Explorer or other apps.

Nice…

Friday, March 12, 2010

“Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications” Updated for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft Downloads - Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications in Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

“…

Utilities and SDK for UNIX-Based Applications is an add-on to the Subsystem for UNIX-Based Applications (referred to as SUA, hence forth) component that shipped in Microsoft Windows 7/ Windows Server 2008 R2.

This consists of the following components:
- Base Utilities
- SVR-5 Utilities
- Base SDK
- GNU SDK
- GNU Utilities
- UNIX Perl
- Visual Studio Debugger Add-in

This release enables 64-bit application development for SUA. development and porting of custom UNIX applications using the Windows OCI (Oracle Call Interface) and Windows ODBC libraries (collectively referred to as ‘Mixed Mode’ in the rest of the document).

…”

Sometimes you need a little Unix in your Windows…

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Broadband.gov helps you test your net speed (and helps the US Gov verify what the ISP’s are telling them)

Wired – Epicenter - The FCC Wants You to Test Your Broadband Speeds

“The FCC is asking the nation’s broadband and smartphone users to use their broadband testing tools to help the feds and consumers know what speeds are actually available, not just promised by the nations’ telecoms.

Starting Thursday, netizens can go to the FCC’s Broadband.gov site, enter their address and test their broadband speed using one of two testing tools. iPhone and Android users can go to their respective app stores and download the FCC’s first ever mobile app, which will report to the feds exactly how slow your connection actually is. The FCC is requiring the street address “it may use this data to analyze broadband quality and availability on a geographic basis.”

Broadband connection testing isn’t new, and is freely available online, but this might mark the first time that individual tests help to lead to informed policy making.

Crowdsourcing this data is a brilliant move, given that telecoms have long fought against telling federal regulators what areas they cover and at what speed, arguing that information will be used by competitors to poach their customers. …”

Broadband.gov - Transparency in Broadband Performance - iPhone Apps, Broadband Tests, and other cool new tools...

“As Joel Gurin previewed in his March 5th post, today the FCC launched a set of digital tools -- the Consumer Broadband Test and the Broadband Dead Zone Report -- enabling consumers to test their broadband service and report areas where broadband is not available for purchase at their household.

The FCC Consumer Broadband Test, currently in beta, allows users to measure the quality of their broadband connections in real-time for both fixed and mobile broadband. The broadband test measures broadband quality indicators such as speed and latency, and reports that information to consumers and the FCC. Test your broadband quality now at www.broadband.gov, or download the new FCC Broadband Test app in the Apple and Android App stores now for free.

…

In addition to reporting broadband performance to users, these tools enable the FCC to gather data to help the agency analyze broadband performance and availability on a geographic basis across the United States. …

…”

Broadband.gov

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law on February 17, 2009. The Broadband Initiatives funded in the Act are intended to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. The Recovery Act authorizes the FCC to create a National Broadband Plan, that “shall seek to ensure that all people of the United States have access to broadband capability and shall establish benchmarks for meeting that goal

…

…”

Okay, this is how I think government should work. Helping us where industry isn’t, by helping keep industry, in this case out ISP’s, honest. Trust, but verify…

Seems someone there “get’s it” too. There’s a blog and working RSS feed (in normal, light up the RSS button on my browser, configuration).

Is it funny or sad that I get excited that our government can do something like putting up a blog, RSS feed and net speed test tools? lol

[Humor] “How to Use Your Modest Internet Fame to Get What You Want”

Basic Instructions – How to Use Your Modest Internet Fame to Get What You Want

LOL

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Using PowerShell to demo PowerShell via PowerShellPoint! (aka “PowerPoint for PowerShell’ers…” or “We don’t need no stink’n PowerPoint to present PowerShell!”)

John Robbins' Blog – Start-PowerShellPoint

“…

As I worked out my demos, I still needed to have some PowerPoint slides to point out key concepts and things like URLs. As I was putting the slides together something was bothering me. Why was I using PowerPoint? I'm going to be a session on PowerShell. Shouldn't I be using PowerShell? The first rule of the PowerShell club is to use PowerShell! That's the second rule as well.

What we were missing was PowerShellPoint, but no longer. At the bottom of this article is the Start-PowerShell.ps1 script I wrote to do my presentation. I'm hoping that others doing PowerShell presentations will use it so PowerShell is the only tool you need to demonstrate PowerShell. So to demo PowerShellPoint, I'll use PowerShellPoint itself. Just call me Captain Recursion!

…

…”

Awesome.

Making your PowerShell ISE cool with SQL Ice – SQLIse now available as part of the SQL Server PowerShell Extensions (SQLPSX) v2.1 release

Chad Miller’s Blog - SQLIse A Powershell Based SQL Server Query Tool

“SQL Server Powershell Powershell Extensions (SQLPSX) has been updated to version 2.1. The most notable change is the addition of a Powershell Integrated Scripting Editor (ISE) module called SQLIse (pronounced “SQL Ice”). The module provides a basic IDE for T-SQL that includes the ability to edit, execute, parse and format SQL code from within Powershell ISE.

SQLIse Features

Offline parsing of T-SQL code

Formatting (prettifying) of T-SQL with an extensive customization abilities

Comment/Uncomment T-SQL code

Uppercase/Lowercase T-SQL code

Execute T-SQL code and output to grid, text, text file or CSV file

Apply any of the above actions to selections of code by highlighting

…”

Sounds like a cool way to extend the PowerShell ISE.

[Deleted “You’ll have to take my SQL Query Analyzer from my cold dead fingers”]

LOL ;)

PowerShell is all about enabling you. Even the PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) can be extended (via PowerShell of course)
Straight from the Windows 7 Resource Kit, PowerShellPack Released - 1.97 billion… (okay 600+, but that’s still allot) of PowerShell scripts to help you “think PowerShell”

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Your personal Jet Pack, with 1/2 hour flight time, is only 12 months and $90K away…

Wired – Gadget Lab - Safe and Affordable Jetpack: Just $90,000

“For years, man has been trying to build a jetpack which would actually be safe and cheap enough to be used by anyone other than Lee Majors on the title sequence of The Fall Guy. …

…

Want one? Of course you do. Right now you’re looking at a 12-month wait, and you’ll have to pay 10 percent upfront, but at just shy of $90,000 — the same as a fancy sports car — it’s actually a pretty good deal. And just imagine landing this thing on the forecourt of the local gas station.

…”

Must resist cashing in my retirement to buy this… Must resist… Must…

.Net, Native, P/Invoke marshaling just like magic… “Marshaling with C# Pocket Reference” (Think “Marshalling Guide for the Busy Dev Guy”)

Just Like a Magic - Marshaling with C# Pocket Reference

“…

Contents at a Glance

About the Author

Who should read this book?

Chapter 1: Introducing Marshaling

Chapter 2: Marshaling Simple Types

Chapter 3: Marshaling Compound Types

Chapter 4: Marshaling Arrays

Chapter 5: Marshaling Callbacks

Chapter 6: Memory Management

Chapter 7: Controlling the Marshaling Process

Appendix A: What about VB.NET

Where to Go Next

References

Figures

Code Listings

Glossary

…”

I hate to say it, but I kind of suck at writing P/Invoke code. I just don’t do it enough, so end up cutting-n-pasting a good deal. sigh… I’ve been on the look out for a good Marshalling Guide for the Busy Dev Guy Guide and I think I’ve found it… :)

PDF/XPS version coming too…

(via The Code Project - Marshaling with C# - Chapter 1: Introducing Marshaling)

XNA Game Studio 4 News (GDC 2010)

XNA Creators Online - GDC 2010

“This week at GDC, we’re unveiling XNA Game Studio 4.0! This latest version provides a powerful, productive, and portable technology for game development on Windows Phone 7 Series, Xbox 360, and Windows PC.

New to XNA Game Studio 4.0

Hardware accelerated 3D API’s on Windows Phone 7 Series

Visual Studio 2010 integration with our toolset

Added buffered audio support to the Audio API’s

And much, much more!

…”

It makes me a little sad that my Zune is being ignored… Poor Zune… :(

I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed that the Zune deployment story was going to get better. When I heard WinPhone7 was going to be a Silverlight & XNA development platform my hopes increased even more.

We’ll see…

(via LiveSide - XNA Game Studio 4.0 unveiled at GDC)

Update #1 03/09/2010 @ 11:55AM:

XNA Creators Online - XNA Game Studio 4.0 FAQ

“…

Q: When will XNA Game Studio 4.0 be available?
A: XNA Game Studio 4.0 will be available for download in the coming month. Additional information can be found online at the XNA Creators Club Online site at http://creators.xna.com.

…”

Michael Klucher's Blog - Achievement Unlocked: XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Windows Phone

“…

When we first announced XNA was a development platform for the Windows Phone 7 Series last week and followed up with some real-time Twitter Q&A (@WP7Dev), we got a lot of questions about Zune/Zune HD and how that will work with XNA Game Studio 4.0. Development for the Zune and Zune HD will continue to exist in XNA Game Studio 3.1, however, in XNA Game Studio 4.0, we’re encouraging you to migrate your games over to the Windows Phone 7 Series platform. [GD: Emphasis added]…”

Poor Zune… Pisses me off a little. I hate seeing the power of my Zune pretty much wasted and locked away.

Now if WinPhone7 devices come out and are even better than my Zune HD (more storage, a great phone, a great media player, works with the Zune Pass, works seamlessly with the Zune software, etc), I might feel better. I need a new phone anyway… ;)

(via @majornelson – Tweet)

Sunday, March 07, 2010

137 Years… That’s how far back PopSci’s magazine archive now goes. PopSci + Google Books = Hours of interesting reading

“We've partnered with Google to offer our entire 137-year archive for free browsing. Each issue appears just as it did at its original time of publication, complete with period advertisements. And today we're excited to announce you can browse the full archive right here on PopSci.com.

As you will soon see, it's an amazing resource. Aside from bringing back memories for longtime readers, as a whole the archive beautifully encapsulates over a century of PopSci's fascination with the future, and science and technology's incredible potential to improve our lives. Tracing our dreams and visions of the future back through time, you'll see that not a lot has changed. Some things we projected with startling accuracy, and others remain today what they were then--dreams. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

…”

Google Books – Popular Science (PopSci)

I found the oldest set, from May, 1872 to be the more interesting;

I used to spend hours in the library looking through the old archives of magazines. Checking out the stories, style and ad’s. It was like having my own personal time machine.

Google and PopSci have now brought that time machine back into my life and onto my computer. How cool is that!

BTW, I’ve found that browsing the back issues a little easier via the native Google Book UI. PopSci currently only has the search exposed.

Hum, a WPF or SilverLight client would be cool, wouldn’t it?… hum…

(via Slashdot - Popular Science Frees Its 137-Year Archives)

A Feed You Should Read #25 – MSMVPs.com

In today’s Feed we return to the arrogation world, one site/feed that hosts a number of bloggers. Today’s Feed is also one of my favorite kinds one with, dev to dev’s, geek to geeks kinds of posts.

MSMVPs - The Ultimate Destination for Current and Former Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals

Background:

Those that are awarded the MS MVP are an interesting bunch. They are those in our industry with a passion and drive. A drive to learn, but more importantly to share and help. These guys and gals are not Microsoft employees, don’t get paid by Microsoft and are just normal Joe’s and Jane’s, like you and I.

Yet they also are our ambassadors to Microsoft which looks to them for guidance, feedback and input. Microsoft gives great value to feedback from the field. If you would like a feature, change, etc, find and tell a MS MVP before you find someone on the inside. I’ve had a number of chats with Microsoft employees and have heard them say (paraphrased), “I’d like feature X, Y or Z too. Could you please email me? Features have a greater chance of being done if we show it’s what our customers are asking for and not just from inside the team…”. Now if you can get a MS MVP behind the feature, then that suggestion gets a +10 signal to noise buff.

MS MVP’s are your outside insiders and this site is one place where you can hang out with a bunch of them…

Why do I like this feed and think you might also?

The “real world” nature of the posts here are what draw me to the site. MS MVP’s are not wallflowers and are not afraid to let the world know how they feel about something (lol… cough….. understatement… cough…). This site brings a number of them together into one easily reviewed feed stream.

This site is also a mix of IT/Dev/Consumer international MVP’s which I also like and helps me see a broader picture of what’s happening.

in short, this is another of those “If you use/consume/developer/support Microsoft stuff you should check out this feed” feed.

Snap of the latest post:

Blog Information:

Name:	MSMVPs - The Ultimate Destination for Current and Former Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals
URL:	http://msmvps.com/blogs/
Feed:	http://msmvps.com/blogs/MainFeed.aspx
Post Types:	Broad range of mostly Microsoft related posts