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Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Beta & SQL Server 2008

A quick heads up to let you know that VS 2008 Service Pack 1 is now available (links below). It typically takes a couple of months from this point before we'll see a final release. This Service Pack includes new cool feature: ADO.NET Entity Framework Read More...

The Entity Framework vs. The Data Access Layer (Part 1: The EF as a DAL)

In Part 0: Introduction of this series after asking the question "Does the Entity Framework replace the need for a Data Access Layer?", I waxed lengthy about the qualities of a good data access layer. Since that time I've received a quite a Read More...

Entity Framework Links for April, 2008

During the past month, Danny Simmons let us all officially know that SP1 of VS 2008/.NET Framework 3.5 will be the delivery mechanism for the Entity Framework and the Designer, and that we should see a beta of the entire SP1 very soon as well. No release Read More...

Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Server 2008 for aspiring Architects

Are you an architect or an aspiring architect interested in learning what's new this year for the MS platform? On February 11th, 2008 come to the MS Canada Office in Mississauga and visit yours truly and some other dazzling speakers to learn more about Read More...

TSPUG Presentation: Using Visual Studio 2008 for Developing SharePoint Workflows (and other stuff)

Last night I gave a presentation to the Toronto SharePoint Users Group on using Visual Studio 2008 to build SharePoint Workflows. I also covered a little bit on LINQ to SharePoint and WCF/WF integration at the end. Attached are my slides. Enjoy. Read More...

Toronto Architect Forum, this Thursday

This coming Thursday, Microsoft is hosting the annual Toronto Architect Forum at their offices in Mississauga. The target audience is architects that are *not* in the financial service industry. Here's the agenda: 8:00 - 8:30 am Breakfast and Registration Read More...

Class design considerations for extension methods and anonymous types

One of my readers was watching the DNRTV episode I did on LINQ recently and had this question: At some point, when you're explaining object initializers and anonymous types, you say something regarding extension methods, like how they could be used with Read More...

Introducing Windows Workflow Foundation (and you thought you wouldn't have to learn BizTalk)

If you're not using BizTalk today in your applications, probably the #1 reason is that you can't afford it. “It's overkill” is probably a big reason as well, but I consider that a variation. Seriously, how many applications do you write that Read More...

Where is the holistic vision?

Microsoft is needs a holistic view of their platforms and development tools. I didn't see that this week, I doubt any of us will. What I did see was 7 data access techniques in various stages of ready now, coming soon, and coming much later: Use a DataAdapter Read More...