February 2003 - Posts
There have been a number of different threads going on about a particular programmers language choice, and I figured I would pipe in with my own opinion. Let me start off by saying that I know both VB.NET and C# and have built applications with both of them, but I greatly prefer to use C#. The syntax seems more logical and I just like it better. Now I think there are two types of VB.NET programmers:
1) Programmer A learned VB.NET and learned C#, and after learning both languages decided that they really just prefer to use VB.NET for whatever reason. I see no problem with this, from a technical point of view they are pretty close. I really don't know too many programmers that fall in this category, I think most are the next type and just think they are this type.
2) Programmer B learned VB.NET because it was the "path of least resistance" from the technology they currently worked with (VB 6, VBScript). They may have looked at C#, or even wrote a couple pages with it, but never took the time to really learn it because they figured they can just use VB.NET. These programmers probably also resist using any of the following: VS.NET, code-behind, OOP, etc. This type of programmer does not want to learn new things, or really change how they do things. This is the kind of programmer that gives VB.NET a bad name.
I don't think there is anything wrong with VB.NET, it just gets a bad rap because of "Programmer B" type programmers.
-James
I have the pleasure of starting my very own column at ASPToday starting in April. My column is going to focus on providing practical information about .NET. A couple of the reoccurring areas in the column are going to be about building custom controls, working with datagrids, and ways to actually use some of the various namespaces and classes. The column is not just going to be how to do something, but why it should be done a certain way or why not. The idea for the column came from this article at angrycoder.com, Mr. Goodyear inspired me to contact Wrox about writing a column that focuses on how to actually use some of this stuff, instead of all the "Hey cool, I can draw a triangle" articles. I am also going to try and write the article for the crowd that already knows and uses .NET, meaning I will not explain what a friggin datagrid or hashtable is, we will see how that works out.
-James
I started my new job on Monday and so far it is pretty cool. It is always weird starting a new job because you never know what to expect, and you have to get through that awkward period with everyone. I am really excited about finally working with other .NET developers on a day to day basis, it should be interesting to see how other people design and develop.
-James
I have been giving some thought about this recently. I am going to release an optional "short-description" feature tonight that I hope everyone will use for posts longer than a sentence or two. (instead of the full post text appearing in the feed, only the short-description will appear) I am not going to advertise in the individual blogs (although, I am going to implement some kind of revenue generating "thing" for the root .NET Weblogs as the site continues to grow), but I personally want to see the number of page views vs. Rss feed hits even out a little more. Syndirella, Newsgator, etc are all great, but they do take away (just a little) from the community. My hope is people will read a post, make a comment or two, check out the referrals/pingbacks/trackbacks and all of the other links that float around .NET Weblogs.
[ScottW's ASP.NET WebLog]
You could just automate this feature, and have a switch in the admin tool for it. When enabled any post longer than say X characters would be cut down to the first 4 sentences or so and then have a link for the rest. You could use some Regex to get the first couple sentences, then we would not have to write a description and then the post.
- James
Has anyone ever considered inserting advertising into RSS feeds? I know a number of sites that sell advertising on their site, but then offer an advertising free RSS feed, shooting themselves in the foot. Why not insert advertising into the RSS feed as a blog enrty and just be sure to state that it is paid advertising? I wonder what the reception would be to advertising like this?
-James
I finally got the e740 in the mail and have spent the last day setting it up and playing around. The built in wireless is very very cool, I can even sync to my laptop using wireless which is very convenient. I can't wait to get my hands on Visual Studio 2003 and the compact framework/Smart Device Extensions and start building some applications for the device. In the meantime I am going to play around with building some web applications geared toward the smaller device, I just don't think enough pocket pc devices have internet access to really create the demand for these sites. I think the applications that will be succesful are hybrid applications which access the internet when connected and then make the information available when offline, this is the approach I will take with the Pocket news aggregator.
-James
I have been looking forward to working with the .NET CF, but threads like this one over at www.devbuzz.com have me worried about performance issues. Basically this thread says the .NET CF is practically worthless because of performance problems. Has anyone here experienced these issues or have feedback?
-James
Microsoft Quietly Launches a Blog Builder at Microsoft Watch. To call the Community Starter Kit a blog builder is quite a stretch of the imagination and the article really misinterprets the comments made by Shawn Nandi.
-James
It is snowing here in Cincinnati once again, and I can't remember the last time that there was not any snow on the ground. Will it ever end?!?!?
-James
I've got a cute little press release here from Microsoft that says the two new mechs and two new maps we were promised should be here on Thursday. Huzzah!
(CW)TB
[Penny Arcade]
Finally! They were only supposed to come out in January. I Can't wait to try them out though.
- James
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