Paul Litwin's Blog

A few months ago I got an email asking me if I was available to talk about on camera what I liked about Visual Studio 2010 and how it made me more productive. I said sure and a week or so later spent a few hours at the Microsoft video studio at Redmond recording a video. I only spent a few minutes beforehand considering what I was going to say and frankly I thought it came out pretty well with me espousing some great new features without sounding like a total Microsoft rah-rah fan boy.

In case you missed it, my video was one of three that can be seen at Visual Studio More Time for What You Love (or The Day I Went Home Early) page on microsoft.com.

Please realize that while we want a lot of the new and the cool, it's also okay to propose sessions on the more mundane "real world" stuff as it pertains to ASP.NET. 

Let's be frank...Most of us developers have it pretty good. We happen to have hung our hats on an industry that has plenty of work, even in the midst of a protracted recession. (Okay, this might not be true for every developer but as a general rule, employment for software professionals is better than many other sectors. If you are currently unemployed, I wish you the best in locating a job.)

We possess unique and valuable skills that would be valuable to charitable organizations if they just could afford to hire us.

Now woudn't it be nice if there was a low-barrier, low-pain, short-term-commitment way to hook up worthy non-profits with software professionals to crank out a few apps in a short amount of concentrated time? Well there is and it's called GiveCamp!

GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where software developers, project managers, designers, database administrators, and other software professionals donate their time to create custom software for non-profit organizations. The next National GiveCamp is being held October 21-23 in 20+ cities.

I am leading the Seattle instance of GiveCamp. If you are in the Seattle area (or close enough to drive to Seattle) and are a software professional, we'd love to have your help in helping a great bunch of charities. You can volunteer here. (BTW, we need both technical and non-technical volunteers.)

[And if you are part of a charity (or know a worthy charity) that might be interested in applying for help at Seattle GiveCamp, you can submit an application here. But hurry so you can get your app in by our deadline (first deadline is Sept 15; last deadline is Oct 7).]

And if you are not in the Seattle area, but still want to help, please check out the National GiveCamp site where you can find the closest GiveCamp with which to hook up (charities can go here too to find an event in your locale).

Note that your volunteer committment is only for 1-3 days. That's it. GiveCamp is not about supporting the apps you work on for life. (Of course, if you want to make a longer-term committment, I'm sure the charities will be happy to sign you up outside of the event--but that's not what GiveCamp is about.)

With your help, we can make National GiveCamp a success that we can all be proud of! Thank you.

I will be presenting three sessions at Microsoft ASP.NET Connections, one of the conferences that is part of DevConnections. Two of my talks are especially targeted at ASP.NET Web Forms developers who are in the process of learning or coming up to speed with ASP.NET MVC.

On Wednesday, November 2nd at 11:30 AM I will be delivering ASP.NET MVC 3 in 75 Minutes. This talk is especially suited for MVC neophytes. Check out the abstract...

Trying to come up to ASP.NET MVC in a hurry? The session will begin with a brief introduction to ASP.NET MVC 3. During the remainder of the session, Paul will present a series of step-by-step demos, building a data-driven ASP.NET application utilizing the Razor View Engine, LINQ, and the Entity Framework. The demos will cover creation of a data model with Entity Framework 4.1, the population of select controls, the incorporation of input validation, unobtrusive JavaScript, jQuery, remote validation, and more.

Then at 3:45 PM that same day I will be delivering another interesting session entitled Lightning Development with MVC Scaffolding. Here's the session abstract....

Steve Sanderson and Microsoft have created an amazing Nuget package called MVC Scaffolding. This package with a very unasuming name is packed with features to help you develop ASP.NET MVC applications rapidly. This session will get you started using MVC Scaffolding with a series of demos that illustrate the scaffolding controllers, views, data models, tests, and lots more. During this session, you’ll learn how to scaffold various parts of your MVC apps, change scaffolding defaults, and even modify the scaffolding templates used by MVC Scaffolding.

During this talk I will show you how to use MVC Scaffolding for both CodeFirst and DatabaseFirst development. If you are interested in the latter, see my blog post on this topic.

Not ready to make the jump to ASP.NET MVC? I will also be presenting a Web Forms talk as well: What's So Funny About Peach, Love, and Server Controls? It's a light-hearted title, but the topic is nonetheless very important. I'll be giving this talk on Thursday, November 3 at 9:30 AM. Here's the abstract...

Server controls are both the good news and bad news for Web Forms developers. They can be quite good because their rich event model makes things so easy. But they can also be very bad once you start pushing their inconsistent programming model. In this session, Paul will explore in depth the "out-of-the-box" data-bound server control event model, make sense of the programming model, and show you how to maximize your use of the data controls while minimizing your pain.

Of course these are just my talks. There are lots of other talks on MVC and Web Forms at varying levels. Plus lots of talks on WPF, Silverlight, SQL Server, Windows Phone 7, HTML 5, Exchange, and Windows.

Hope to see you there!

Steve Sanderson's MVC Scaffolding NuGet package is awesome and goes far beyond the very good scaffolding available from the Add Controller dialog in Visual Studio 2010 (after installing the MVC 3 Tools Update).

But a shortcoming of MVC Scaffolding is that, out of the box, it works only in Code First mode. However, with a little finagling you can get it work in a database first scenario. I'm sure there are several different ways to do this but here is what I did that was pretty easy. This assumes the database schema has already been created using SQL Server.

1. Add an ADO.NET Entity Data Model to the Models folder of your ASP.NET MVC 3 application.
2. Select Generate from database from wizard and generate the entity model for your database objects.
3. Right-click on the .edmx model file and select Add Code Generation Item... from the pop-up menu.
4. Under Code tab of dialog, select ADO.NET DbContext Generator. This changes the EF model to use DbContext instead of ObjectContext and creates a DbContext class for the database, by default, with the name databaseEntities. For example, I have a database named BPath. So for this database, EF creates a DBContext class named BPathEntities. This step is key because it will make the database-first classes you generate compatible with the code-first classes that MVC Scaffolding generates later.
5. Now use MVC Scaffolding to generate the controllers for your app utilizing the entity classes that the DbContext generator generated for you in step #4, which, by default, will have the same name as the tables/views from your database that you selected in step #2.
   For example, in my database I have a table named Participant so I would enter
   Scaffold Controller Participant -force -repository
   into the Package Manager Console to scaffold a controller and views for the Participant entity from the model. The -force option overwrites any existing items and -repository creates repository classes for the entity.
6. Now open the repository class that MVC Scaffolding created. It will be named, by default entityRepository. So in my example, I would open ParticipantRepository in the code editor in Visual Studio.
7. Now you will note that MVC Scaffolding created a different DbContext for itself named, by default, projectnameContext that it references in the ParticipantRepository class.
8. Change the context statement so it now uses instead your db-first context instead of MVC scaffolding's code-first context.

In my example, I have commented out the code-first context named BPathMVCContext and replaced it with the database-first context named BPathEntities:

Repeat the process for any additional controllers and you are done. Hope this helps.

I don't know about you, but I find it kind of crazy at times figuring out if I have the latest of everything there is for the Visual Studio 2010 developer from Microsoft. (This does not include any third-party components, just recommended updates from Microsoft.) And the be honest, the msn.microsoft.com and asp.net sites are not that helpful in figuring this out.

In an effort to help, I have enumerated here what the latest VS 2010 setup should include, complete with download links. When you install everything here, you will be able to develop ASP.NET 4.0 Web Forms and ASP.NET MVC 3 applications and web sites in addition to the other stuff your version of Visual Studio supports (e.g., Silverlight, WPF, etc.). These downloads will also include NuGet and the Entity Framework 4.1, so there is no need to download this software separately.

1. Visual Studio 2010.
   First of all, you need to purchase and install Visual Studio 2010 itself. For the free Express version, you can download it from Visual Web Developer 2010 Express
   
   
2. Visual Studio Service Pack 1 (released Spring 2011).
   This is a must-have download that fixes a bunch of bugs and a number of enhancements too including preliminary support for HTML5 and CSS3. See #4 below for better support of these web technologies. Download and install from VS 2010 SP1 download page. You can find details on the features of the service pack here.
   
   
3. ASP.NET MVC3 Tools Update (released Spring 2011)
   If you are using ASP.NET MVC 3, then you should also download install this update for Visual Studio from ASP.NET MVC3 Tools Update download page. This update improves Visual Studio's support for MVC 3, including better scaffolding, NuGet, Entity Framework 4.1, and more. A good overview of the updates can be found in Phil Haack's blog post.
   
   
4. Entity Framework 4.1 (update released July 2011)
   Not in the original post but I realized that a project I created would not work on a co-worker's workstation until they had installed EF 4.1, not just the nuget package. Download from EF 4.1- Update 1 download page. This is the link to the update of the original EF 4.1 download that was released in the Spring of 2011.
   
   
5. Web Standards Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 SP1 (released June 2011)
   This is an update to VS 2010 SP1 that "brings VS 2010 intellisense & validation as close to W3C specification as we could get via means of an extension". Download and install from Web Standards Update download page. A good description of the changes can be found in the Visual Web Developer Team blog post.
   
   
6. NuGet 1.5 (released September 2011)
   Update to NuGet package manager is required for some packages. Download and install NuGet 1.5. You may want to read the release notes
   

Note: I don't control these download pages, so it is possible they will change. If so, I will do my best to update these links. Post last updated on September 13, 2011.

Please realize that while we want a lot of the new and the cool, it's also okay to propose sessions on the more mundane "real world" stuff as it pertains to ASP.NET. However, we want new abstracts this time around. 

I just uploaded my slides and samples for my 4 talks from DevConnections Orlando.

This includes code & slides for:

AMV201: A WebForms Programmer’s First ASP.NET MVC 3 Application
This session is for any Web Forms programmer looking to get his or her head around ASP.NET MVC. The session will begin with a brief introduction ASP.NET MVC 3. During the remainder of the session, Paul will present a series of step-by-step demos, building a data-driven ASP.NET application utilizing the Razor View Engine, LINQ, and the Entity Framework. The demos will cover the population of select controls, and the incorporation of input validation, unobtrusive JavaScript, jQuery, dependency injection, and testing.

SBI201: Creating Report Subscriptions in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services
In this session, learn how to set up standard and data-driven subscriptions using Report Manager. We discuss creating file-share, email, and null subscriptions; and how to deal with potential issues with parameters and security. We also demonstrate a sophisticated Microsoft ASP.NET-based application that creates subscriptions by calling the SSRS Web Services API.

SBI303: Programming SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services
In this session, you’ll learn how to programmatically manipulate SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (SSRS) (and SSRS 2008 R2) and integrate SSRS into your ASP.NET, Windows Forms, and Silverlight applications by employing URL Access, Report Viewer controls, and the Reporting Services Web Services. Finally, you’ll learn how to extend reporting services by calling custom .NET assemblies from your SSRS reports.

and my Open Spaces talk…

Speaking at Conferences
Have you spoken at user groups or small gatherings but was wondering what it takes to break into conference speaking? Or maybe you've never spoken at all in front of an audience. Come listen to Microsoft ASP.NET Connections co-founder and conference chair Paul Litwin talk about how to go about finding conferences to speak at, how to improve your proposal acceptance chances, the do's and don'ts of conference speaking, and how to hone your speaking skills. Besides his conference chairing duties, Paul has spoken at DevConnections, TechEd, Comdex, and a number of user groups, code camps, and internal events.

Now, in its 14th year, DevConnections has grown from a small conference originally focusing on Microsoft Office to a blockbuster family of co-located conferences focused primarily on Microsoft Technologies. One of the great things about DevConnections is the breadth of technologies the conference covers. For example, at the upcoming event in Orlando (March 27-30), for a single registration fee, attendees can choose to attend sessions on ASP.NET, Visual Studio .NET, WPF, WCF, Silverlight, SharePoint, and SQL Server. That doesn't even count the more IT-focused Windows and Exchange sessions. Sessions are presented by seasoned professional presenters, both from Microsoft and third-party gurus who are experts at using these technologies.

In order to present at DevConnections, speakers need to have their abstract proposals accepted and believe me that the process is quite competitive. (If you are interested in receiving the next Call for Speakers notice, please sign up at DevConnections Abstracts site.) Third party speakers are paid a small honoraria for each talk they deliver, get to attend the conference for free, and the conference picks up their travel expenses. This process works great and produces top-notch content delivered by amazing speakers, still there is room for another type of speaking at DevConnections -- Open Spaces.

If you are not familiar with Open Spaces, it's a spontaneous organic meeting of minds where anyone can get up and talk on pretty much any topic. There's not a lot of rules and structure except that everyone who attends (both speaking and non-speaking attendees) gets to help decide on what talks will be heard. Speaking proposals can be made in advance by adding session proposals to the DevConnections Open Spaces Wiki,  but they are not required to be made in advance. That would go against the spontaneous, organic nature of an Open Spaces event. The Open Spaces facilitator (probably me) will organize the session proposals on a whiteboard during the first 30 minutes of the event and we all quickly vote. Then we spend the next 90 minutes hearing lots of great Open Spaces sessions. We'll likely end up with twelve 30 minute sessions or eight 45 minute sessions, depending on the number of proposals and how fast we can vote. Our goal will be to have everyone with a reasonable idea for a session have a chance to present that session (unless we have way too many proposals). Speakers do not have to have any prior speaking experience; all you need to speak is an idea for a session and the willingness to lead or facilitate that session.

If you are interested in learning more about Open Spaces, in general, also know as Open Space Technology, you might want to check out this Wikipedia article on the subject. DevConnections Open Spaces is loosely-based on the OST concept due primarily to the compressed amount of time we have (many OST events last several days), but it generally follows in the spirit of OST.

One great thing about Open Spaces is that the talks can range from very professional cutting-edge sessions with slides and/or demos much like the "regular" DevConnections sessions, to panel discussions, audience brainstorming, Q&A sessions, or pretty much anything else that works for those in the room.

If you'd like to present at DevConnections Open Spaces, please visit the DevConnections Open Spaces Wiki where you can propose a talk in advance. Or just show up at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, March 29 at DevConnections. Of course, even if you don't plan to speak, please join us for what will be lively and engaging time. Oh, and thanks to the Microsoft MVP Program, we will be serving food and drink (most likely beer and pizza) there for free.

If you are coming to town for the Summit, I want to suggest you get involved in doing some good while you are here. In this post, I outline two such options. I mean how often do you get to do charitable work? Well, we've made it easy for you.

1. GeekGive Northwest Harvest Food Bank Event. On Saturday, Feb 26, a bunch of us are getting together to help a local food bank package food. Microsoft is underwriting the event and paying all of the expenses for us to get from the downtown Belleveue hotels to the NW Harvest warehouse where we will be working. Microsoft is also paying for breakfast and lunch for all of us and a nice t-shirt for everyone who participates. All you have to do is sign up and show up. One issue with participating is that you may have to fly into Seattle early to participate and Microsoft, as generous as they are, cannot pay for the extra night(s) hotel stay. This event is open to everyone: both MVPs and non-MVPs.
   
   [GeekGive, by the way, is a great idea that was made to happen by Steve Andrews. Suzanna Moran, Steve, and myself serve on the board of the group and are always looking for opportunities to do good at technical events.]
   
   
2. MVPs Giving Blood. Since the GeekGive event requires getting into town a little early, I wanted to put together some other charitable event that MVPs could participate in without having to fly in early. This is a very informal tweetup where we will gather the morning of Tuesday, March 1 (time to be determined). and walk 1/3 mile over to the Bellevue Puget Sound Blood Donor Center. If you've never given blood, this is a great way to try it out with some of your friends/associates. And if you are a regular blood donor, come join the fun. Do realize that the blood center does have some eligibility rules. You can check out a 2-page PDF FAQ on the rules plus what you can expect during the donation process here. The whole process should take about an hour. You can register your desire to participate at the twtvite registration page--but if for some reason your plans change, we won't hold you to it!

Oh, and if you're just looking for where all the parties are while in town, check out Joe Guadagno's cool website for a listing of all the MVP Summit Events, which includes the charitable events plus all the places to get free food and booze.

Regards,
Paul