Provware Framework…the first drop

Conrad — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 01:25:00 GMT

Last night, I posted the first build of the Provware Framework on my site (http://agramont.net/files/14/default.aspx). It’s been a project that I’ve been working for the past month during my “free time”.

What’s the Provware Framework?
The Provware Framework is an API set built to make the interactions with IIS more intuitive and developer friendly. For instance, the typical way that developers interact with IIS is via the DirectoryServices API of the .NET Framework. This requires a fair amount of knowledge of how to program via ADSI and the IIS Metabase. Since many people are just looking for a way to create sites, virtual directories, and application pools, this can be very difficult. Thus the Provware Framework is born.

The Provware Framework provides a simple way to manage IIS components via .NET in a more “strongly typed” fashion.

Here are some links to some blog posts on the Provware Blog that should get you going:

Provware Blog: http://agramont.net/blogs/provware/default.aspx
Provware Forums: http://agramont.net/forums/default.aspx?GroupID=11
Provware Downloads: http://agramont.net/files/14/default.aspx
Getting Started: http://agramont.net/blogs/provware/archive/2006/08/01/Provware_3A00_-Getting-Started-_2800_Build-001_2900_.aspx
HowTo: View ApplicationPool Identity for an IIS Website: http://agramont.net/blogs/provware/archive/2006/07/31/How-To_3A00_-View-Application-Pool-Identity-for-an-IIS-Website.aspx
HowTo: Create a new Website: http://agramont.net/blogs/provware/archive/2006/07/31/How-To_3A00_-Create-a-new-Website.aspx

More Microsoft Sites (Part 2)

Conrad — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:47:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, I talked about the trend from Microsoft to create distinct sites (e.g. URL’s) that are outside of the standard Microsoft.com brand. Since then, I have found some more sites (not including the Event Websites).

.NET Framework 3.0: http://www.netfx3.com/default.aspx
Robot Invaders (MSN/Live Messenger Contents): http://www.robotinvaders.com/main/Default.aspx
PlaysForSure (Windows Media Devices): http://www.playsforsure.com/
Code Master Challenge (Vista application contest): http://www.codemasterchallenge.com
IE 7 Add-ons: http://www.ieaddons.com/
Live Gadgets: http://microsoftgadgets.com/
Architecture Journal: http://www.architecturejournal.net/
Secure IT Alliance: http://secureitalliance.org/
MSN TV: http://www.msntv.com/
MSN Direct: http://www.msndirect.com/default.htm
Microsoft DirectBand (Wide-area wireless datacast network): http://www.directband.com/
Technet Port 25: http://port25.technet.com/
Origami Project (Ultra Mobile PC’s): http://www.origamiproject.com/
Microsoft Incentives (Rebates and Discounts): https://www.microsoftincentives.com/
Microsoft and SAP partnership: http://www.microsoft-sap.com/
Microsoft Partner Readiness: http://www.msreadiness.com/
Microsoft Partner Blogs: http://ts2blogs.com/
Microsoft Partner T2 Team: http://www.ts2seminars.com/index.htm

http://thesource.ofallevil.com/ - Now I don’t know what this site is all about, but it has looks just like the Microsoft home page (no surprise what their motive is). The following link takes you to the IE page for this site: http://thesource.ofallevil.com/windows/ie/default.mspx. Now I’m not saying this is a “Good Site” or even sponsored by Microsoft, but it is interesting.
http://www.longhornblogs.com/ This isn’t hosted by Microsoft either (I think), but it does hold some very interesting blogs from people using Windows Longhorn Server and Vista

And finally, here are the more “standard” non Microsoft.com sites:

There may be more, but I think this is a pretty good list of all of the various MS sites that are hanging out on the net. Perhaps the MS team can put an MS Web Directory to help showcase all of these various sites. I’m wondering why they decided to move more content outside of their main content group and standard web properties (Microsoft.com). Perhaps this makes the product groups (the typical owners of all these sites) more responsive as they own the delivery of the content. I’m sure there will be an exec that will come around and bring everything back into one of the major the web properties (Technet, MSDN, MS.com).

What's also interesting is that the majority of these sites run Community Server or are "Hosted by Telligent". Seems Telligent is doing a great job of staying close to the Microsoft product teams and delivering some cool sites!

Got anything else to share?

Crossposted from Conrad's Blog at http://agramont.net/blogs/conrad/default.aspx

Conrad Agramont's WebLog : .NET

Provware Framework…the first drop

More Microsoft Sites (Part 2)