May 2007 Entries

Is there a better way to listen to Podcasts with the Zune?

I have a new Zune and would like to aggregate podcasts to the Zune better. I loaded Doppler this weekend and tried 5 podcasts to sync with the Zune. Doppler gives quite a few errors regarding the podcast's RSS feeds. I wonder if there is a better application I can use with my Zune for handling podcasts?

posted @ Tuesday, May 29, 2007 4:05 PM | Feedback (0)

I like my Brown Zune but…

I received a Zune this last week from Drew Robbins as a thank you my work on the West Michigan Day of .NET. It was a very nice gesture and I appreciated the new gadget to play with. I have spent this 3 day weekend playing around with the device and have some observations. Nothing that anyone else has not stated before me but I will put my own spin on it. I really like the unit. The fit in my hand is comfortable. The screen is very bright and sharp. It is the same...

posted @ Tuesday, May 29, 2007 9:05 AM | Feedback (1)

Day of .NET in Ann Arbor Database Patterns Session Downloads

Session Abstract The use of software patterns has exploded in recent years as software developers look to each other for proven, stable and reliable methods to create business solutions. The Gang of Four book Design Patterns brought many of the most famous patterns to the masses. These patterns were developed to solve problems during the design of object-oriented software and make designs more reusable. The use of patterns for database design and development is a relatively new endeavor that needs to be applied today as much as when software patterns emerged on the scene. In this talk, Chris Woodruff will discuss...

posted @ Tuesday, May 29, 2007 9:05 AM | Feedback (0)

Shrinkster Vista Sidebar Gadget 1.0

I got a bug in me to do a Vista Gadget and created a gadget that will allow a Shrinkster URL just with the ending "code". Here is the links to the gadget are here: Windows Live Gallery This gadget is very basic but if you think of any other gadget ideas I am up for at least attempting them.

posted @ Sunday, May 27, 2007 1:05 PM | Feedback (0)

I am breaking my addiction with books

I have a problem with books. I buy them, keep them and in general will not get rid of them. I have books that I have never looked at for years on my shelves and in boxes. So this weekend I put about 60 books on Amazon Marketplace to see if I can make a few dollars. Not that I want to get rich but I just want to see what the result will be. My Personal Marketplace is up and you can see my past reads (or at least wanted to read). I still ...

posted @ Wednesday, May 23, 2007 3:05 AM | Feedback (1)

Free — Refactor! for ASP.NET

http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/IDETools/RefactorASP/ From the DevExpress site -- "Refactor! is freely available to all ASP.NET 2.0 developers and offers a comprehensive suite of tools that enable you and your team to simplify and shape complex code and HTML markup - making your web applications easier to read and less costly to maintain. Note to customers who have Refactor! Pro installed: this product is incompatible with your existing Refactor! Pro install." Included Refactorings: Add Validator Extract ContentPlaceHolder Extract Property Extract to User Control Introduce Constant Move Declaration Near Reference Move to Code-behind Replace Temp with Query Simplify Expression Create Overload Extract ContentPlaceHolder (create master page) Extract Style (Class) Flatten...

posted @ Tuesday, May 22, 2007 3:05 AM | Feedback (0)

Wrap Up — First Annual West Michigan Day of .NET 2007

I am still riding the adrenaline rush from yesterday. The last few weeks have been crazy getting ready for the event. At 7:00AM when the organizers and volunteers showed up to set up, I was just hoping that a few people would show up. I slipped back to get the food out and when I came back to the registration area there was a line over 30 people long. One thing that was disorganized was the registration. We had printed out 2 lists of name tags and it was difficult to get people quickly through the...

posted @ Sunday, May 20, 2007 8:05 AM | Feedback (2)

New Section Planned for CloudSocket site — Database Design Patterns

I spoke this weekend at the Day of .NET in Ann Arbor on Historical Database Patterns. I has several attendees ask if I had a website that I spotlight my database patterns. I am writing a whitepaper on the subject and so I am including a new area on the new CloudSocket site on Database Patterns. Surprisingly I cannot find much content in the cloud about database patterns so I will pick the ball up and deliver some expert content for the database developer community. So keep an eye out for the new CloudSocket site and...

posted @ Monday, May 07, 2007 6:05 PM | Feedback (0)

Here at Day of .NET Ann Arbor 2007

Man I am so excited with the time I spent here in Ann Arbor for the Day of .NET.  My talk on "Databases Need to have Memories" went very well and I even had a few laughs from the jokes I tried.  I met a ton of people and connected with some I have not seen in a while.  I will get pictures up soon but if you live within driving of Ann Arbor you need to make the next Day of .NET.  I will post a wrap up entry tonight after the raffle and speaker dinner.  I will be...

posted @ Saturday, May 05, 2007 12:05 PM | Feedback (0)