Microlau's Blog

Community Launch Registration is up

Get Ready to Rock - 29 Nov 2005

The launch event is definitely a good event and I'm impressed to see topics like VSTS drawing huge crowds very interested in the product and finding out about the cost of the entire VSTS. FYI, it costs USD$10k (just found out today). Pity I didn't catch any photos as my camera is not with me (my brother t-loaned it from me).

A couple of guys (Dennis Lim, Alan Andrews [I spelt it right this time], David Hodkinson, Dennis Chung, Sukhdev Singh, Shirley) helped out in the user groups booth and I'm definitely glad that the user groups are given due recognition, awareness and opportunity to mingle with the crowd and 'market' our Community Launch on Dec 17. For those who haven't heard about the event, keep a close tab on the SGDN forums, I'll be posting the details of the event.

For the unsung heroine from MS, a huge thank you and I was glad to have spoken to you today.

The evening event organised by MSDN Connection, SGDN, SGSQLUG and SGWUG was awesome (amidst some registration glitches). There was plenty of beer and food to go around and I had a good time with some of our own guys (and girls). For those who've attended, I hope you've enjoyed yourself...For those who signed up and couldn't turn up OR couldn't make it for the event, not to worry, I hope we'll get more of such events in future...;)

MSDN - WSE 3.0

Download the final release of Web Services Enhancements (WSE) 3.0. This add-on to the .NET Framework 2.0 is designed to build secure Web services using the latest security protocols.

Hands-on Lab

Xploring Security

Learn how to secure Web services without writing code, how to author security policies, and how to leverage the WSE programming model to secure your Web services

Exploring Messaging

Learn how to use Web Services Enhancements 3.0 to provide messaging abilities such as hosting ASMX Web services in console applications, using MTOM to send binary data efficiently and build your own peer to peer instant messaging program.

Favorite v2.0 Features in the Base Class Libraries

Favorite v2.0 Features in the Base Class Libraries

Kit George and Ari Weinstein show some of their favorite Base Class Libraries features new to the .NET Framework 2.0. Features include Generic collections, new String APIs, the TryParse pattern, Console improvements, new APIs for simpler file access, and the Stopwatch class.

Virtual Labs went live on Nov 19 on TechNet and MSDN

Quoting Lilian,

"The team just re-launched the TechNet and MSDN virtual labs running on Virtual Server 2005 R2. Check out these sites if you want to test our new software, such as SQL Server 2005 integration services, Windows Server R2 or Visual Studio Team System, in a sandbox environment. Each session is 90 minutes and comes without install, strings attached, or price to participate. There's plenty of room ... the virtual labs support 1,200 concurrent virtual machines."

Try it, there's quite a complete variation of environments, ranging from Office, Sql Server 05, VS 2005, ASP.NET 2.0, VSTS, WWF ...

Lit by Flames...

I've finally met up Firedancer in person (follow up on previous post). We had a nice corner at Coffee Club in Millenia Walk (Level 2, inside Harvey Norman - quiet place) and quickly went on to discuss about technology. I must say that she's definitely THE most technical female (not that I'm sexist) I've ever encountered and having chatted with her briefly was certainly enjoyable.

The group of us (Kit, Icelava, David, Firedancer, Weehyong and I) chatted about all kinds of techie stuff, ranging from coding style, database design, application frameworks, etc etc). Personally, it's a great experience (thoroughly enjoyable) to have met her up. Besides being a techie, Firedancer is a very jovial, passionate and motivated individual.

It's a pity though that I failed to get any photos (happily talking and conveniently forgot to utilise my "trusty" handphone-***-camera). What a waste!

Examining ASP.NET 2.0's Site Navigation

This is a pretty good article that examines the new ASP.NET 2.0 Site Navigation features by Scott Mitchell

Firedancer is flying to town!!

Fire-who?....Serena Yeoh a.k.a Firedancer is visiting us in Singapore! When I first met Firedancer on the SGDN, I was excited to meet the creator of Paladin and Stickies.NET. It was a pity that I missed her during her first trip to Singapore during Asia MVP summit in April (or May?) but finally, I will get to meet her in person tomorrow.

For those didn't receive my news update, don't miss your chance to meet Firedancer and the rest of the community up:

Date: 22nd November
Time: 7pm (Meet at Conrad Centennial Lobby)

CruiseControl .NET - Version 1.0 Final

build 1.0.0.1251

Community Launch

A Large Improvement Is Only A Small Change Away

Here's a good photography tip to producing better looking photos by making some slight changes to the same environment. Here's the crux of the tip:

• moving the camera away from eye level. In this case, closer to the ground to accentuate the curve of the bridge
• taking the shot at night to add color, drama and better shadows

ASP.NET Atlas Wiki

Writing Requirements Specifications

It's been a long time since I drafted a Software Requirements Specifications (SRS) and I've definitely lost touch with some of those terms commonly used in a SRS. My own definitive guide to writing a good SRS is still IEEE Std 830-1998.

Here are some of the terms commonly used and their quality measures:

(Extracted from http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/writing/softwarerequirementspecs.html)

Patterns n Practices for Visual Studio 2005

Check out the Patterns and Practices for VS 2005, here are some of my favorites:

Enterprise Library for .NET Framework 2.0 (Community Technology Preview)
Enterprise Library, the collection of reusable and extensible application blocks for enterprise development, has been improved and updated specifically for Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0.

Smart Client Architecture Composite Application Block (Community Technology Preview)
Are you building applications with complex user interfaces? Do you want to take full advantage of the power of the Microsoft Windows desktop? Check out this new application block that provides guidance on building world-class, enterprise ready client applications. Planned Release Date: Early November 2005.

7 Principles of Cultivating Communities of Practice

Continuing on my previous post about communities

The authors of Communities of Practice derived the CoP can be cultivated based on 7 principles:

1. Design for evolution.
2. Open a dialogue between inside and outside perspectives.
3. Invite different levels of participation.
4. Develop both public and private community spaces.
5. Focus on value.
6. Combine familiarity and excitement.
7. Create a rhythm for the community.

What's worth noting is point 5: Focus on Value.

The author states that a community should constantly ask its members what value does he/she derive from attending discussions, meetings and seminars etc. The intention is to design for value and this is only possible with members being explicit and vocal about his/her perception of value.