Blogs

May 2006 - Posts

• Use MSBuild with .NET 1.1

  As most of you probably know, MSBuild is the new XML-driven build tool provided with .NET Framework 2.0. You do not need to install Visual Studio 2005 to get and use MSBuild. I'll never understand why Microsoft went away from nmake and make files when Read More... Posted Thursday, May 18, 2006 7:50 PM by Thomas | 0 Comments Filed under: Development

• About the SQL Server 2005 Post-SP1 Cumulative Rollup

  If you're ready to install SQL Server 2005 SP1 , you should also be aware of the recently-released cumulative hotfix package (build 2153) . Unfortunately, Microsoft has created an unusual situation that is bound to lead to confusion. SQL Server 2005 SP1 Read More... Posted Thursday, May 18, 2006 7:15 PM by Thomas | 0 Comments Filed under: MS Server Products

• Microsoft's Marketing Missteps. Will They Never End?

  Microsoft continues to be the software industry's leading producer of inept marketing strategies. Where do their marketing "experts" come from, and how do they keep their jobs? Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer are brilliant, yet they appear just as clueless Read More... Posted Monday, May 15, 2006 7:39 PM by Thomas | 1 Comments Filed under: General

• BizTalk 2006 Requires MMC 3.0

  After many (many) technical and licensing discussions, my current client is moving forward to BizTalk 2006 from BizTalk 2004. We're excited to finally be able to dump the last SQL Server 2000 and VS.NET 2003 installs and go pure-2.0. That said, I've been Read More... Posted Tuesday, May 09, 2006 1:15 AM by Thomas | 0 Comments Filed under: BizTalk

• One Down: Exam 70-529 - .NET 2.0 Distributed App Development

  It's been quite some time (C++/MFC/COM era) since I've updated my Microsoft certifications, so with the brand-new .NET 2.0 exams trickling out, now seemed like a good time to renew. The goal this time around: MCPD Enterprise Applications, or Microsoft Read More... Posted Tuesday, May 09, 2006 12:48 AM by Thomas | 1 Comments Filed under: Development

• Get the Consolas Font for Visual Studio 2005 from Microsoft

  Every now and then Microsoft releases an update for Visual Studio that arrives with little or no fanfare, and the latest example is the Consolas font package . According to Microsoft, "Consolas is intended for use in programming environments and other Read More... Posted Tuesday, May 09, 2006 12:33 AM by Thomas | 0 Comments Filed under: Development