We are working on a skinning engine for our new site, as we need to allow customers to change the look of the front end for consumers. While looking at chaning values in cascading style sheets, i had two options: a) do a search-and-replace in a template css (1 hour solution) and replace the colors needed or b) do it programmatically (6+ hour solution). Okay, here's where all sanity goes out the window (this is a habit, as I mentioned before): why do the simple one when I can take 10 times as long, use VS.NET, C#, and Regular Expressions? The answer is obvious. So I have been working at home on this for the past week and having a blast. One of the major reasons I chose door B is because I am honing my Unit Testing skills. Don't even get me started on how great I think Unit Testing is. Whoa.
Oh, yeah! I found it interesting that on the front of page of the MSDN subscribers download page it says,
ISO-only format for new Windows software
Due to overwhelming demand for ISO images, we will be moving to an ISO-only format for all Windows images on MSDN Subscriber Downloads. New versions, such as Windows .NET Server, will be posted in ISO-only format, and eventually all products will be ISO format. ISO images are bootable, and can be extracted to CD or a file location by using either CD burning software, or by using a 3rd party utility.
However, one of the first things posted after that message went up was VS.NET 2003 in a self-extracting file. Curious.
I heard his whisper during my commute this morning, alluring and seductive. "You don't need a third-party tool. You can do that yourself in 2 hours; 3 hours tops. Do it in the names of savings and flexibility." His voice was like sweet honey and I almost gave in. I have given in, for this is not the first time he has struck. Oh no, he has struck many, many times, my Arch Nemesis. Dr. Time is relentless and unforgiving. He, in league with Mr. Procrastonator, have caused me no end of grief. "Check your e-mail," "I think your SharpReader icon is yellow," and "Your new MSDN magazine just came" are common ploys. He always strikes, like all villians, while I am weak and have been asked for a new feature. All I can say, Dr. Time is, while you may have won this battle, you will not win the war. I WILL BUY THAT THIRD PARTY CONTROL!
Well, I'm on the Blog scene. While I have been subscribing to feeds and reading blogs for quite some time, this is my first time posting. I'm a virgin blogger. I must admit, posting your thoughts for everyone to see is a bit intimidating. Also, I *cannot* believe the genius floating around dotnetweblogs; that doesn't help. However, I have learned much from reading and I feel I want to be a part of this community. Let's get this thing going...