Code Camp Prizes

Cory just did a count of the prizes so far. There are over 150 of them. The minium value of these are $20, with most of them around $100, and some worth as much as $10K each. Plus everyone gets a free lunch from Tree Top Tech and an EasySearchASP.NET license.

Pretty good for a FREE admission. Did we mention we also have over 30 code intensive sessions from trainers across the northwest? And you get access to any code that is shown.

Forget playing the lottery, you are a guaranteed winner at the Boise Code Camp. Be sure to register and show up on March 18th!

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Idaho] [Boise] [Prize] [Free]

Boise Code Camp

Be sure to register and attend the Boise Code Camp v1.0 on Saturday, March 18th, 2006. It is being held at the University of Phoenix in Meridian. We have close to 30 sessions and $10K in door prizes at this FREE event.

The code camp is put on by the local developer community for other developers. There will be local presenters and some from outside the area as well.

Be sure to register so we know to expect you.

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Boise] [Idaho] [Code Camp]

Ajax links

Oops, I dropped the ball. Jake sent me some links after his Ajax presentation and I forgot to post them. Sorry.

Ajax example applications:

• cfQuickDocs - http://www.techfeed.net/cfQuickDocs/ (This is the one Jake made)
• Writely - http://www.writely.com/
• Num Sum - http://numsum.com/
• 24eyes - http://www.24eyes.com/
• Ajax blog - http://www.ajaxian.com

Ajax frameworks:

• Dojo - http://dojotoolkit.org/
• script.aculo.us - http://script.aculo.us/
• cfajax - http://www.indiankey.com/cfajax/
• Microsoft's Atlas - http://www.asp.net/default.aspx?tabindex=9&tabid=47

Mike Hedman also sent me this link:

MagicAjax.NET is a free open-source framework, designed to make it easier and more intuitive for developers to integrate AJAX technology into their web pages, without replacing the ASP.NET controls and/or writing tons of javascript code.

Another .NET framework that Chris Brandsma pointed out:

Anthem.NET is a free, cross-browser AJAX toolkit for the ASP.NET development environment that works with both ASP.NET 1.1 and 2.0.

Chris has actually used it and says "it is VERY simple to use and has good examples."

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Web 2.0] [AJAX] [Frameworks]

On Process

The purpose of defined processes is to take common sense and make it common knowledge, and to take common knowledge and to make it common practice.

-Jim Hook, Oregon Graduate Institute

. . . with the goal to deliver products and services that attract and retain customers, so "we" can remain in business and do no harm.

-Judy Bamberger, Process Solutions

[Read more from Judy Bamberger.]

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Process] [Process Management] [Quote]

Let the Mashups begin

Last month we looked at AJAX. Well it looks like AJAX is old news. Now everybody is focusing on Mashups. What is a Mashup? It is a combination of AJAX, RSS, WS-XML, ATOM, etc. into a single application. So technically, since a Mashup can include AJAX then it is still hot and new.

Mashups also figure into the whole Web 2.0 thing you keep hearing reference too. Don't worry, I am not too clear on what it is either. Instead of me trying to explain it I'll let you look to Wikipedia or O'Reilly. Or you can take a look at the top 10 Web 2.0 applications and see what they all have in common.

Anyway, if you want to see a nice index of Mashups you can check out the The Programmable Web. I guess you could say it is a Mashup of Mashups, or maybe it is just a Web 2.0 AJAX application that links to Mashups. I'll let you decide.

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Web 2.0] [AJAX] [Mashups]

March 2nd, 2006 Meeting

Just in case the fact that February is a short month let the next meeting sneak up on you too (or if you still get 2005 and 2006 confused like I do), I thought I would send a reminder out that tomorrow, Thursday, March 2nd, at 7 PM is the next meeting for BSDG.

I will be revisiting the Monad / MSH demo that I was unable to complete last time because of an incompatibility in .NET versions. For those who do not know, Monad is Microsoft's answer to all those wonderful Unix/Linux shells. I stopped in the Monad session at PDC almost by accident, and I was blown away. It is very, very cool. If you've ever wished your command line could be a little bit more powerful, then this is for you.

Also, be sure to mark your calendars for Boise Code Camp v1.0. March 18th is the date, and University of Phoenix in Meridian is the place. We have a great line up of speakers, sessions and door prizes that you won't want to miss out on. This free event is sure to be one we will all remember.

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Meeting] [Microsoft] [Monad] [Scripting] [MSH]

Why Windows Vista Won't Suck

Windows Vista is hot news. Just in case there was any concern, ExtremeTech is providing a very indepth review of Windows Vista. It is not geared specifically to software developers, but it actually addresses a lot of concerns we might have. Worth a look if you are interested in the future of the Microsoft platform.

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Microsoft] [Windows] [Vista]

With Vista you get Six

Six versions that is. Instead of just Home, Pro and Server, like previous operating systems, Vista actually has 6 different versions. There was a rumor that there would be 8 versions for a while.

What does this mean for a software developers? Most operating system tests to determine what OS you are running on and what resources are available to your application. For your reference here are the versions:

• Vista Starter -- Streamlined version meant for low-powered PCs in developing nations.
• Vista Home Basic -- For those content to browse the web, use email, and create and edit basic documents from their PC. Includes desktop search and security tools.
• Vista Home Premium -- Includes everything in Basic but also includes the Aero graphical interface, Media Center functionality, and ability to connect to xBox 360. The version most of us will own at home.
• Vista Business -- The basic version for companies of all sizes with tools to help organizations manage their PCs.
• Vista Enterprise -- Includes everything in the basic business version with improved encryption and BitLocker system to keep data from being read on a stolen computer.
• Vista Ultimate -- All the features of Home and Business in one.

Most likely you will only run into the Starter edition if your application is used internationally. I noticed that like XP there is no server edition. Does this mean we will have a Windows 2006(or 2007) server in the same way XP was complimented by Windows 2003 Server? I suspect Ultimate will be really common among power-users and gamers. Frankly it is nice that Microsoft provides such an edition. They have been notorious for having different editions where none of them include everything. With Team System they did provide Team Suite, which includes everything, but the price tag is astronomical. Hopefully Ultimate will not be that expensive.

Subject Tags: [Programming] [Software] [Microsoft] [Windows] [Vista]

Subscribe to Mailing list

A few people are having trouble finding the mailing list sign-up on the right. I will move it closer to the top. In the mean time you can sign-up here.

GoogleGroups Mailing List

Email:

Browse Archives

Subject Tags: [mailing+list] [sign-up]

Funny Bone's Geek Week

Boise's Funny Bone comedy club is celebrating Geek Week from February 8, 2006- March 12, 2006 (so more like a month.) If you work in IT/IS then you get 2 free tickets to each show for the month. It is great to be a geek.

Visit the Funny Bone website to read the press-release or print out your tickets [both PDF].

Subject Tags: [GEEK] [Comedy] [Boise] [Boise, Idaho] [Free] [Comedian]