Latest Microsoft Blogs

Kazi Manzur Rashid has recently launched a new Community Site for .NET developers http://dotnetshoutout.com It's a categorized, hand picked index of .NET info, which is cool enough, but there is a really interesting aspect. 1.) It's an ASP.NET MVC application 2.) It's based on an Open Source CodePlex.com project KiGG ( http://codplex.com/KiGG ). KiGG was the first starter kit for ASP.NET MVC. Check it out! Read More...

OpenAccess ORM Express Telerik OpenAccess is an Enterprise-grade ORM that does the data access plumbing in desktop and web applications. Supporting both forward and reverse mapping, the tool offers transparent persistence for your DAL and business objects. OpenAccess ORM provides tight Visual Studio integration and allows you to seamlessly create database independent code. OpenAccess ORM Express Edition provides the same functionality as the commercial version , but supports only the free databases (MS SQL Server Express, Oracle Express, MySQL and Firebird). List of features [ Click HERE ] ... Check tomorrow for another freebie for developers !!! Read More...

SplendidCRM Software, Inc., a provider of Microsoft-centric Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions for open-source use, announced the launch of Version 3.0 of SplendidCRM. The release of Version 3.0 marks a milestone as it introduces the SplendidCRM Workflow Engine as a flagship feature in the new SplendidCRM Enterprise product. "For many companies, workflow is a critical feature and we are pleased to be able to tightly integrate SplendidCRM with Microsoft Windows Workflow Foundation," said Paul Rony, President of SplendidCRM. The Community version is FREE ! http://www.splendidcrm.com/ Read More...

Check out the .NET Developer "Buzz" Or just find a bunch of smart folks to follow on Twitter. http://dotnet.ubbuzz.com/experts Read More...

I go to ALOT of developer events. Usually, they are work - meaning I probably wouldn't go if I were a retired Millionaire. DevLink was AWESOME. It was kind of link that perfect summer back in school when all the right people were in the right place and the right mood and the sun was shining and the VIBE was just happening. The basics were all there, Tennessee was very sunny but not too hot, the people are very nice, the MTSU campus is super (and the Sororities were pledging while we were there). John Kellar (DevLnk Chairman) and all the folks with the DevLink organization did a simply AMAZING job and because the event is SO cool the speaker pool is a "WHo's Who". I went to some great session like Sara Ford's session on...

Kentico CMS Free Edition Since the free license for .NET User Groups was very successful, we decided to release a Free Edition of Kentico CMS for everyone! It can be used for both personal and commercial projects. It’s intended for smaller corporate sites, on-line communities and personal sites (it also supports blogging). The Free Edition supports: - WYSIWYG editing - Rapid web site development without complex programming - SEO-friendly URLs - Open API and detailed documentation - Flexible menu controls - News - Blogs - RSS feeds - Forums - Polls - On-line forms - Product catalog with shopping cart and PayPal support - Image gallery ... and it comes with 3 starter sites – Corporate Site, E-commerce Site and Personal Site. The Free Edition is...

Next week I have a week full of meetings on things like. The Next Version of Web Forms Dynamic Data v.now and v.next ASP.NET 4.0 But the BIG part of the week will be spent on strategic planning for www.ASP.net web sites in the coming year. We want to answer questions like .... What's the NEXT great multi-media experience for developers ? What social networking features are missing and wanted on www.asp.net ? What improvements do we need to blogs, forums, RSS, etc.? What's missing that developers really want? What's broken and needs to be fixed? So, while I'm thinking about it THIS week, why not send me an email (use th elink on this page) and let me know what YOU think of the subject ! Read More...

Today the XNA Team has launched Dream-Build-Play 2008 . In Dream-Build-Play 2008 you can build your dream game to compete with other game developers around the world. This year’s contest will feature Xbox360 development only and to ensure that everyone has access we will be giving away one free 12-Month XNA Creators Club Trial membership to everyone that registers. Contestants will compete for $75,000 in prizes and the bragging rights to say their game was the best. Additionally, one of the top ten finalists will win an opportunity for an Xbox LIVE publishing contract. For more information log on to www.dreambuildplay.com · The XNA team has launched Dream-Build-Play 2008. · $75,000 in prizes and the chance to receive an Xbox Live Arcade Contract...

Want to join the bloggers at weblogs.asp.net ? Just go here to read the terms of use. ( http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.mspx ) If you agree to the Terms and Agree not to change or add any advertising on the site then email me and state that you agree to the terms. Make sure you send me your EXISTING user ID on www.asp.net (you mush create this yourself.) Then, before your first post GO HERE and read the post before you start posting. It's that easy ! Read More...

I was supposed to leave on Wednesday for Mix Essentials South Africa next week. Unfortunately, my paternal grandmother died early this morning and I'll be forgoing the trip to stay home, support my family and see Muth (as she was called - short for Mother) or Ginny (as I called her) off on her journey to whatever comes next. I agonized a bit over the decision. Ginny was a strong, pragmatic women and would have told me to travel. Many Many thanks to my great boss Simon, who never EVER asks me to put work before my family, to Brad Abrams who was to be my travel companion, who is so completely understanding, and who will have to pick up much of the slack that my absence creates, and to Microsoft South Africa who is also being very understanding...