YAG's status report - Feb 21, 2002

[Seth Grossman [MSFT]]

Status Report - February 21, 2002



Hi folks,



This week finds YAG in the land of creamy cheeses and bubbly wine, France.
(Who, me? Envious? Nope, not envious, not at all.)



Without further ado, here's what happened this week:



1.. Launch festivities continue..some of the Visual Basic team is planning
to attend the launch event at the Washington State Convention Center on
March 1st
(http://msevents.microsoft.com/events...D105217775.asp). If
you are curious about launch events in your area, check out
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/launch/ .


2.. Lately, there has been a great deal of interest at Microsoft within
Developer Tools regarding chats (see below for a schedule). After
participating in a Windows Forms-focused chat last week, Jeff Danner and I
will be briefing some of the writers and other folks here about what it was
like and what to expect.


3.. Be on the lookout for another Newsgroup Blast - most likely next week.


Other things going on: Nothing much to report, other than the new
whitepapers that have been posted (see below for details).



(Ah yes, I have a dentist appointment tomorrow that I am dreading.)



Take it easy - see you guys next week!



-Seth





Upcoming chats (http://msdn.microsoft.com/chats):

Programmatically creating web server control templates - POSTPONED. WATCH
THIS SPACE FOR A NEW DATE/TIME

This is a follow on to the white paper located at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vbvcstec
hart/html/vbtchCreatingWebServerControlTemplatesProgrammatically.asp and
will focus on your questions about creating web server control templates.



Becoming a Help Power User
Tuesday, March 12, 2002, 2:00 - 3:00 P.M. Pacific Time (22:00 - 23:00 GMT)

There is a lot of great material in the Visual Studio help file. This
session will cover various tips and tricks for getting the most out of it
and will collect your feedback on the help system.



DataGrid Web Server Control
Tuesday, March 19, 2002, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. Pacific Time (22:00 - 23:00 GMT)

This chat is a follow up to the white paper located at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vbvcstec
hart/html/vbtchTopQuestionsAboutASPNETDataGridServerControl.aspand will
focus on your questions about the DataGrid Web Server Control.



Working with Single File Web Form Pages
Tuesday, March 26, 2002, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. Pacific Time (22:00 - 23:00 GMT)

This chat is a follow up to the white paper located at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vstchWorkingWithSingle-FileWebFormsPagesInVisualStudio.asp and will
answer questions about how to work with single-file pages in Visual Studio,
and how to convert single-file Web Forms pages to code-behind Web Forms
pages.



Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect Tools
Tuesday, April 2, 2002, 2:00 - 3:00 P.M. Pacific time (22:00 - 23:00 GMT)

Successfully building complex enterprise applications requires a solid
architecture and a common understanding of requirements across the
development team. The role of an architect is typically to help their
organizations build applications that scale, integrate with existing
systems, fulfill business requirements, and be maintainable over multiple
versions of the product. In this session, Keith Short, Software Architect
for enterprise features within Visual Studio will answer your questions
about the tools Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect provides for
architects to build enterprise applications in a systematic, repeatable and
predictable manner.





White Papers released this week - available from
http://msdn.microsoft.com/net/guide/:



The following whitepapers have been completed and will be appearing soon on
MSDN (see next week's White Papers section):

a.. Debugging Windows Forms Controls Created with Visual Basic .NET or
Visual C# .NET
b.. Navigating Multiple Related Tables in an ADO.NET Dataset
c.. Overriding Event Handlers with Visual Basic .NET


Property Bag Changes in Visual Basic .NET -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vbtchPropertyBagChangesInVisualBasicNET.asp?frame=true

In Visual Basic® 6.0, the PropertyBag object was used to persist an object's
data between instances. This paper demonstrates how to duplicate the
functionality of a Visual Basic 6.0 property bag in Visual Basic .NET using
serialization.



Using COM+ Services in .NET -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dndotnet/ht
ml/comservnet.asp

Add new Microsoft .NET components to existing COM and COM+ applications and
they will be able to work together; this will help you if you need to
develop a .NET application that can do things like participate in
transactions, take advantage of role-based security, or interact with a
queue.



Securing Web Services with ISA Server -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/Dnwssecur/h
tml/isawebserv.asp

Create a Web Service whose security is handled by Microsoft ISA Server: look
at the Web Service and what it allows callers to do, create a client
application that will call Web Methods, and create an ISA Server extension
to secure the Web Service.



Web Projects and Source Control Integration in Visual Studio .NET -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vetchWebProjectsSourceControlIntegrationInVisualStudioNET.asp

This article proposes strategies for developing source-controlled Web
projects in Visual Studio .NET.



Building an N-Tier Application in .NET -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dndotnet/ht
ml/buildntierapp.asp

After reviewing the types of n-tier applications, you'll learn how to create
a typed dataset that can return data from a Web service and consume a Web
service from a Windows application.



Automation and Extensibility Overview -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vsoriAutomationExtensibilityOverview.asp?frame=true

This paper introduces the Microsoft® Visual Studio® .NET Automation model
and shows you how you can use it to build tools to enhance your development
experience.



Restricting Developers to Custom Project or Item Types with Enterprise
Templates -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vstchRestrictingDevelopersToCustomProjectOrItemTypesWithEnterpriseTem
plates.asp?frame=true

Enterprise Templates and policy make it easy to filter the Add New Item
dialog box for a particular project. However, if a custom project item is
similar to a standard project item, it might be hard to allow only the
custom item to be used without generating inappropriate policy reminders.
This paper describes how to avoid this problem by modifying the definition
of the standard project item to separate the portion that contains the
prototype from the portion that handles identification. Readers should be
familiar with Visual Studio .NET and Enterprise Templates.



Automating Builds and Configurations in Visual Studio .NET -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vsconAutomatingSolutionProjectBuildsBuildConfigurations.asp?frame=tru
e

This article provides information about how to use the Microsoft® Visual
Studio® .NET Automation model to automate solution and project builds and
build configurations.



Adding Custom Folders for Enterprise Template Projects to Visual Studio .NET
Dialog Boxes -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/dv_vstechar
t/html/vstchAddingCustomFoldersForEnterpriseTemplateProjectsToVisualStudioNE
TDialogBoxes.asp?frame=true

Describes how to create top-level folders in various Visual Studio .NET
dialog boxes for easy access to Enterprise Template projects. Readers should
be familiar with Visual Studio .NET and Enterprise Templates.



Enterprise Development Technology Map -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...us/Dndotnet/ht
ml/Techmap_enterprise1.asp?frame=true

The Enterprise Development Technology Map is your guide to getting started
with the Microsoft® .NET platform for enterprise development. The .NET
platform is a significant step forward for distributed enterprise
applications, because it addresses the core problems, including
communication and interoperability issues, that until now have made it
difficult to distribute applications in heterogeneous computing
environments.

[Mike Mitchell]

On Thu, 21 Feb 2002 17:06:36 -0800, "Seth Grossman [MSFT]"
<sethgros@online.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Status Report - February 21, 2002

Phil, shouldn't this guy post this blatant free advertising in
Anouncements or somewhere else? We're always being cajoled on to the
off.ramp when we sidestep the actual vb.dotnet.discussion points, so
how come Microsoft gets free rein? I don't mind a paragraph or two,
but it's turning into a litany! All we need next is the organ music,
the searchlights and the foot-stamping...

MM

[Patrick Steele [MVP]]

In article <3c7aa772.4907561@news.devx.com> (from Mike Mitchell
<kylix_is@yahoo.co.uk>),
> I don't mind a paragraph or two,
> but it's turning into a litany!

Pot... kettle... black...

--
Patrick Steele
Microsoft .NET MVP

[Mike Mitchell]

On Mon, 25 Feb 2002 16:41:35 -0500, Patrick Steele [MVP]
<patrick@mvps.org> wrote:

>In article <3c7aa772.4907561@news.devx.com> (from Mike Mitchell
><kylix_is@yahoo.co.uk>),
>> I don't mind a paragraph or two,
>> but it's turning into a litany!
>
>Pot... kettle... black...

Fine. Let me know when I've got $35 bn cash in the bank and I'll stop
my blatant free advertising, okay?

MM

[Phil Weber]

> We're always being cajoled on to the off.ramp when we
> sidestep the actual vb.dotnet.discussion points, so how
> come Microsoft gets free rein?

Mike: Do you think Microsoft's posts are off-topic for this group?
---
Phil Weber

[Mike Mitchell]

On Mon, 25 Feb 2002 18:20:33 -0800, "Phil Weber"
<pweber@nospam.fawcette.com> wrote:

>Mike: Do you think Microsoft's posts are off-topic for this group?

There are posts and there are discussions. I have seen exactly the
same post in microsoft.public.dotnet.languages.vb. Do we really need
to learn here of "Launch festivities"? Or that Seth has a dentist's
appointment? How does "Securing Web Services with ISA Server" help
much in a vb.dotnet.discussion group? These are all generalised topics
which are part of the entire .Net initiative. Therefore, I see it as
blatant free advertising.

MM

[Patrick Steele [MVP]]

In article <3c7b75a8.5354524@news.devx.com> (from Mike Mitchell
<kylix_is@yahoo.co.uk>),
> Do we really need
> to learn here of "Launch festivities"? Or that Seth has a dentist's
> appointment? How does "Securing Web Services with ISA Server" help
> much in a vb.dotnet.discussion group?

So we need to here about your 7-year old TV? Or your 3/4/5 (whatever it
was) year old car?

You really don't see the irony of your complaints, do you?

--
Patrick Steele
Microsoft .NET MVP

[Zane Thomas [.NET MVP]]

On Tue, 26 Feb 2002 12:02:37 GMT, kylix_is@yahoo.co.uk (Mike Mitchell)
wrote:

>There are posts and there are discussions.

I'm glad you appreciate the difference, and looking forward to the day you
engage in the latter of the two.


--
When freedom is outlawed
only outlaws will be free.

[Rob Teixeira]

Just because those posts aren't a rant-fest like yours doesn't mean they
aren't appropriate. Instead, those actually deal with the topic at hand,
providing real information, unlike your posts. So, if MS gets banned, guess
who's next on the ban petition list.

-Rob

kylix_is@yahoo.co.uk (Mike Mitchell) wrote:
>On Mon, 25 Feb 2002 18:20:33 -0800, "Phil Weber"
><pweber@nospam.fawcette.com> wrote:
>
>>Mike: Do you think Microsoft's posts are off-topic for this group?
>
>There are posts and there are discussions. I have seen exactly the
>same post in microsoft.public.dotnet.languages.vb. Do we really need
>to learn here of "Launch festivities"? Or that Seth has a dentist's
>appointment? How does "Securing Web Services with ISA Server" help
>much in a vb.dotnet.discussion group? These are all generalised topics
>which are part of the entire .Net initiative. Therefore, I see it as
>blatant free advertising.
>
>MM

[Jonathan West]

"Phil Weber" <pweber@nospam.fawcette.com> wrote in message
news:3c7aed98$1@10.1.10.29...
> > We're always being cajoled on to the off.ramp when we
> > sidestep the actual vb.dotnet.discussion points, so how
> > come Microsoft gets free rein?
>
> Mike: Do you think Microsoft's posts are off-topic for this group?

I think that Mike does have a point. It seems to me that the post is
off-topic here for two reasons.

1. It is an announcement and not any attempt to engage in a discussion
within this group.

2. The information in it is not specific to VB.NET. For instance, many of
the chats announced are not about VB.NET.

I would have no problem with the updates being posted to
dotnet.announcements. Maybe vb.announcements and xml.announcements as well,
since there is some info on both of those in the announcements.

Microsoft has a code of conduct for participating in its own groups. I don't
think it unreasonable to expect them to extend the same courtesy in their
posts here. And clearly these announcements *do* breach the guidelines
described at http://news.devx.com/newspolicy.asp. This is the relevant part

"Non-technical posts (such as marketing messages, user group announcements,
help wanted ads) should be limited to the *.announcements newsgroups."

--
Regards
Jonathan West

[Mike Mitchell]

On Tue, 26 Feb 2002 09:33:52 -0500, Patrick Steele [MVP]
<patrick@mvps.org> wrote:

>So we need to here about your 7-year old TV? Or your 3/4/5 (whatever it
>was) year old car?

But I am not trying to sell you something!

(By the way, the TV* is now eight years old.)

MM
* Sony

[Seth Grossman [MSFT]]

Hello-

I have read this thread with great interest - certainly, YAG and I never
intended to upset anyone or cause any controversy. Mea culpa; we apologize
for not being more familiar with the guidelines mentioned in the previous
post.

To that end, YAG and I have been discussing the situation. We will continue
to use this newsgroup to get info from you folks on whitepaper requests and
feature ideas - this sort of direct feedback from users is what will
ultimately make the product better. However, from now on, we will post the
weekly status report to vb.announcements.

Thanks for your understanding,
Seth Grossman
Microsoft Corp.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Jonathan West" <jwest@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:3c7bd8fa@10.1.10.29...
>
> "Phil Weber" <pweber@nospam.fawcette.com> wrote in message
> news:3c7aed98$1@10.1.10.29...
> > > We're always being cajoled on to the off.ramp when we
> > > sidestep the actual vb.dotnet.discussion points, so how
> > > come Microsoft gets free rein?
> >
> > Mike: Do you think Microsoft's posts are off-topic for this group?
>
> I think that Mike does have a point. It seems to me that the post is
> off-topic here for two reasons.
>
> 1. It is an announcement and not any attempt to engage in a discussion
> within this group.
>
> 2. The information in it is not specific to VB.NET. For instance, many of
> the chats announced are not about VB.NET.
>
> I would have no problem with the updates being posted to
> dotnet.announcements. Maybe vb.announcements and xml.announcements as
well,
> since there is some info on both of those in the announcements.
>
> Microsoft has a code of conduct for participating in its own groups. I
don't
> think it unreasonable to expect them to extend the same courtesy in their
> posts here. And clearly these announcements *do* breach the guidelines
> described at http://news.devx.com/newspolicy.asp. This is the relevant
part
>
> "Non-technical posts (such as marketing messages, user group
announcements,
> help wanted ads) should be limited to the *.announcements newsgroups."
>
> --
> Regards
> Jonathan West
>
>