From the Editor
Volume 13, Number 4: February 16, 2009
Despite all the negative news about the economy and
the looming recession, there are things we can do today
to make ourselves valuable. We know some things for
sure - that companies will need to leverage technology
wisely in order to survive.
Cloud Computing and SaaS
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is one of the technologies
widely regarded as a cost-saver. Many businesses are
turning to SaaS to cut costs by avoiding the expenses of
installing and maintaining on-site software. That makes
the current environment a great time to learn about cloud
computing. Granted, cloud computing is exceptionally new.
However, it is inevitable that all developers will need
to consider it. Still not convinced?
Read this article.
What can you do right now? You can learn about Windows
Azure for free. First, download and install the following:
1.
Visual Studio 2008 Professional-Express Edition
2.
Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1
3.
Windows Azure Software Development Kit (January 2009 CTP)
4.
Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio (January 2009 CTP)
I have written two blog entries that can help you get started.
•
Azure Services - Exercise 1 - The Very Beginning - The Infamous Hello World
•
Windows Azure Services - Exercise 2: Configuration, Logging, and Debugging
March 3, Mountain View, CA
Don't let the fact that this is free let you believe that
it isn't very valuable. Come see me for 4 hours at no cost.
This will save you untold hours of debugging and developer
setbacks. Don't just sign up. Be sure to show up.
Your Second Chance If You Missed the PDC
There is a second chance for those of you who missed the
Professional Developers Conference (PDC) last October. The
PDC was a great place to learn about the future of Microsoft
technology. So if you have only one day to soak up the
highlights from PDC, let me suggest the
Developer Conference in San Francisco on February 23.
New Silverlight User Group
The goal and vision of this user group is to foster a
designer-focused dialog around Silverlight. Yes, developer
topics are addressed, but this user group wants to focus on
the designer. A good designer focuses on visual communication
and presentation to create and combine symbols, images, video
and related Web technologies, resulting in a visual
representation of ideas and messages. Other goals include the
fostering of a dialog around the business, design and technical
justification of going with Silverlight vs. other RIA platforms.
Silverlight makes it easy to build rich video player interactive
experiences. Silverlight includes the ability to "go full screen" to
create a completely immersive experience, as well as to overlay menus,
content, controls, and text directly on top of running video content
(allowing you to enable DVD-like experiences).
You can expect to meet some of the world wide leaders of
Silverlight technologies at these user group meetings. Last
night I met up with Scott Stanfield, the founder and CEO of
Vertigo.
Vertigo is a developer/designer hybrid firm creating unique UX in
Silverlight. Vertigo won the 2008 Microsoft Partner of the Year award
for the
Rock Memorabilia site. Recent media-related Silverlight work includes
the
Democratic National Convention and Microsoft's
Mojave Experiment campaign.
I also met up with Archetype, which is a leading interactive design
and engineering firm, specializing in rich Internet applications,
branded experiences, and advanced user interfaces. Archetype demoed
two Silverlight applications:
Digital Forum, a video-based Silverlight 2 application focused on
Microsoft's Partners' solutions; and Arcana, a Silverlight 2 free-form
video editor.
Some links to explore:
•
Silverlight Gallery
•
Silverlight Toolkit
•
Silverlight Cream
•
Silverlight Blog
WomenBuild
We are offering an extra bonus. MDC is including the really cool
"WomenBuild" workshop (you don't have to be a woman to join the fun)
that draws on the power of creative thinking to shift group
conversation from talking heads to focused minds.
In this workshop, attendees participate in an environment of rich,
interactive experiences by modeling real-life business challenges and
solutions with LEGO Bricks as part of the LEGO Serious Play Program
(LSP).
Are You a Startup? BizSpark Is Your Friend
BizSpark is a program for early stage startups whereby companies
can get software through
MSDN subscriptions at no upfront cost. BizSpark is now picking up
quite a bit of steam with thousands of companies now enrolled in the
program. Send my colleague
Anand Iyer an e-mail to get a code to join BizSpark today.
More About Visual Studio Team System
Webcast: Deep Dive into VSTS: Illuminating the Possibilities
February 20, 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time
VSTS is an integrated software development platform used to build the
mission-critical applications by delivering role-based tools for
architects, developers, testers, database professionals, and project
managers.
Special Offers for Visual Studio Team System 2008:
• Act fast to save 30% when you step up from Professional
Edition with MSDN Premium to Team System Development Edition with MSDN
Premium. Bonus Database Edition is included - get both sets of
functionality for the price of one.
• Save 30% when you step up from any Team System Edition with
MSDN Premium to Team Suite with MSDN Premium.
• Buy Team System Development Edition with MSDN Premium and
get Database Edition - all for the price of one.
For more information please contact
Laura Smith in the Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest or
John Sanderson in the SoCal, Desert and Mountain areas.
Full details on the promotion.
Thanks for reading,
Bruno
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