Archives
-
SnagIt v9 == Worth The Upgrade
I just recently upgraded to SnagIt v9 and I am very happy with the new features. -
Video: Advanced Features in Windows Vista
In a previous video on Windows Vista, I showcased some of nice usability features compared to XP. In this new video referenced below, I target the IT professional and explore more advanced features. Once again, the "anti-Vista" folks out there are more than welcome to view the video and provide feedback. -
Video: What's New for Your Users in Windows Vista
There is much controversy over Windows Vista. Where I work, several have given up on Vista and have returned to XP. There is plenty of information out there as to why users do not like Vista. The point of my video is to highlight the advantages of Vista. I am not a preacher of Vista. I would not say I "love" Vista. I have had my own issues with Vista, as is seen in some of my previous blogs. Nonetheless, I am not leaving Vista because I have become too attached to some of the features that have increased my productivity as a user and developer. If you are "anti-Vista", I encourage you to view the video referenced below and then provide feedback.
-
The Region Gadget
You can now download a gadget to display the latest posts to The Region. -
Video: Write Your First Silverlight Game
In this video, I demonstrate how to start writing your first Silverlight game. I show how to create a dramatic space scene, add a soundtrack, and associate movement with the mouse wheel. This is the first part of a two-part series. -
How Well Does Steve Ballmer Sleep?
One of my favorite highlights of the MVP Summit is when the top executives get on stage and allow anyone in the audience to ask any kind of question. -
Awesome Hosting Support for ASP.NET Sites
When a company follows through with the claim "#1 Service & Support", it is rare. In many cases, companies don't follow through with minimal expectations. -
Video: Use Mouse Wheel to Zoom in Silverlight 1.0
In this video, I demonstrate how to allow your Silverlight applications to respond to mouse wheel events. In a previous video, we learned how to create a cool “magnifying glass” effect for image viewing. Using the mouse wheel, I will provide the additional feature of zooming in & out. -
Video: Magnify a Portion of a Photo using SIlverlight 1.0
In this video, I demonstrate how to load an image into a Silverlight control that can be examined at greater detail with a magnifying glass effect. -
Starving in Seattle
I just arrived today in Seattle for the MVP Summit, and I was hungry before I left Phoenix. Thanks to the power of twitter, I was able to meet up with Tim Heuer at Pike Place for lunch and a coffee from, well... you know.
-
Heroes Happen Here - Launch in Phoenix, AZ
On April 1st, the "Heroes Happen Here" launch event ran successfully in Phoenix, AZ. I had the privilege of speaking with Rob Bagby in the developer track entitled "Defy Occasionally Connected Challenges Smart Client Application". Rob did an amazing job presenting throughout the day, interweaving different technologies across a common business scenario. If you were at the event, leave a comment here and tell Rob and I what you thought of the event. -
The Chicken Dance
I recently had the pleasure of attending a 3-day agile boot-camp event offered by Headspring Systems and taught by Jeffrey Palermo. -
GTD: Collection Tools
In my ongoing quest to live by "Getting Things Done" (GTD), I am always looking for ways to maximize each principle. One recommendation that is very important is to identify what my collection tools are (and use them). -
Video: Provide Silverlight 1.0 Support for Existing Web Sites
-
MIX09 Will Be Here Faster Than You Think
UPDATE!
The actual dates for MIX09 is March 18-20, 2009. The content below was a typo from the MIX08 team. Sorry for any confusion... -
"How Do I?" Videos
If you are interested in watching brief videos on a variety of developer based topics, be sure to check out MSDN's "How Do I?" video landing page found on the WideOpen Web. -
MIX08 Sessions Online
All the MIX08 sessions are online! -
Keynote at MIX08
Yes, the WideOpen Web is full of possibilities! -
A Worthy Schedule for the WideOpen Web
I just completed my (initial) selection for my MIX08 experience. I look forward to seeing the upcoming innovations for the "WideOpen Web". With all the new technologies coming from Microsoft, it certainly feels like we developers are writing the future of what the web experience will be. -
What is Inside the MIX08 Bag?
Upon registration at MIX08, I received a white bag filled with conference goodies. Here are the items I really appreciate: -
The Venetian is the Perfect Home for MIX08
I must admit that I really enjoy the MIX conferences being held at The Venetian in Las Vegas. -
February 2008
Here are my highlighted blog posts of interest in February 2008: -
Open Space at MIX 08
I just read a blog from Tim Heuer regarding a new concept at MIX this year - Open Space. The idea here is that the attendee has a strong influence over the direction of topics discussed. I am very interested in seeing how this play out. The concept is very similar to how the Phoenix Silverlight User Group is managed. -
Cisco CCNA Training - Day Four
Day four of my CCNA training at [itt] began with a discussion of the OSPF protocol. Then we learned about EIGRP. The day ended with optimizing the expanded LAN using switched internetworking. I really enjoyed how Mike Storm explained VLANs. All the content was a great continuation from day three. -
Cisco CCNA Training - Day Three
I have survived day three of my Cisco CCNA training at [itt]. -
Cisco CCNA Training - Day Two
Day two of my training at [itt] has been just as exciting as day one.
-
Cisco CCNA Training - Day One
I am in total awe of the things I have learned today from attending the CCNA220 at [itt]. The good majority of the day has been lab-oriented. It is hard to believe what I have accomplished in just one day. Here is a list of contributing factors regarding today's great experience: -
Phoenix Silverlight User Group - February 2008
Tonight's meeting was filled with great content! Although we had a modest number show for the meeting, among the attendees were Tim Heuer, Dave Campbell, Scott Cate, Scott McElroy, Simon Allardice, and Steele Price. -
Video: Silverlight & Twitter
In my latest video, I demonstrate how to create a Silverlight application that displays Twitter messages from various Twitter users. You will learn how to make calls to an open source Twitter API via AJAX Page Methods, and display the results with faded text effects. -
January 2008
Here are my highlighted blog posts of interest in January 2008: -
Enhancing the Class with Windows Meeting Space
On day two of teaching Advanced ASP.NET 2.0 at [itt], I implemented a newly discovered feature that allows students to easily follow along in the class - Windows Meeting Space. -
What Does Advanced ASP.NET Mean?
This week I am teaching Advanced ASP.NET 2.0 at [itt]. -
Apply in Javascript
After reading an older blog post by Scott Cate, I was curious if the apply function in Javascript would work if no arguments were defined in the calling function. It turns out that it does work. Consider the following javascript: -
What is it Worth To You?
How important is your reputation? -
What's in Your eWallet?
I have been a long time user of ListPro from IliumSoft. However, I was "misusing" ListPro. What I really needed was the features found in their product called eWallet. I need the ability to sync (not overwrite) sensitive data between my PC and my mobile phone. I also wanted the UI to be as simple as possible to use. After reviewing the product features, and running the trial version on my PC, I made the decision to purchase it and the smartphone version. After installing the product on both PC and mobile phone (Motorola Q, Windows Mobile 5.0), I quickly attempted to sync. -
Do You SnagIt Everyday?
If you created a list of software products that you use virtually everyday - what would your list contain? -
Video: Troubleshooting in Silverlight 1.0 using Visual Studio 2008
In this video, I demonstrate how easy it is to debug your Silverlight 1.0 applications in Visual Studio 2008. As a new web site is constructed in the video, you will learn and use the interactive debugging tools of Visual Studio 2008. -
Video: Errors in Silverlight 1.0?
In my latest video available at the Silverlight.net site, I briefly demonstrate the default error handling capabilities of Silverlight 1.0 applications, and then show how to intercept errors to provide custom error handling. -
C# Training using 4994 Microsoft Courseware
This was my first time teaching the 4994 Microsoft courseware at [itt]. The course is an introduction to programming using either C# or VB. At Interface, we teach it exclusive to the language. This week I had a full house of developers, and we tackled the C# language together. Of course, I deviated from the outline and introduced the class more like "Introduction to C# using ASP.NET". Even though the courseware favored Windows development, it has been my experience that most developers coming in for .NET training actually move into ASP.NET programming. At the end of the week, my group was able to write C# code, create web sites & pages, talk to SQL Server, and know use Visual Studio effectively.
-
Who are the Microsoft Regional Directors?
I've recently been notified that I will continue to serve as a Microsoft Regional Director for the area that I live in (southwest part of the United States). I am often asked questions such as: Are you an employee of Microsoft? What does it mean to be an RD (Regional Director)? How does the RD program compare to the MVP program? What does it take to become an RD? -
MVP in 2008
Yesterday I was notified that I have been awarded MVP status again! This is my 5th year as an MVP, and I am thrilled to be involved with such a great program. Click my picture to view my MVP Profile. -
82 Blog Posts in 2007
My blog post count in 2007 is 82. That number is higher than all my blog posts combined before 2007. Compared to some, 82 is nothing to brag about. With that said, I am setting a personal goal in 2008 to post over 240 blogs. My reason is simple - the best blogs I read are typically from those who blog frequently.
