MSDN BlogsThe Blogs of MSDNSqlExpressDatabaseInstaller- September 17, 2008 When unit testing data access components, I prefer to test against run-time components that match the target environment as closely as possible. In other words, if the data access component targets SQL Server 2008, I prefer to test against a SQL Server 2008 database. In a number of earlier posts, I've described this approach, where the database is being automatically created as an Immutable Shared Fixture. While I prefer this approach, it has a few disadvantages that may or may not force you...http://blogs.msdn.com/ploeh/archive/2008/09/17/sqlexpressdatabaseinstaller.aspx Attending Continuous Improvement conf (and giving a workshop)- September 17, 2008 The name alone pulls me in. Continuous improvement at the end of the day is really what we're striving for. The names and methodologies we use to get there aren't important, what's important is that we get there.&160; With that in mind, I'll be attending the Continuous Improvement in Software Development conference in Austin to see how I can improve (at least from a software engineering perspective). While I am there, I'll be joining Jeremy and others and delivering a workshop. So far the...http://blogs.msdn.com/gblock/archive/2008/09/17/attending-continuous-improvement-conf-and-... New Suite of Windows Live Services Available Today: Free applications that turn your browser into a powerhouse.- September 17, 2008 Randy Guthrie - Microsoft Academic Developer Evangelist http:blogs.msdn.comMIS_Laboratory The Windows Live team announced today the release a new versions of web applications that gives anyone (using any kind of computer) some really useful tools.&160; Here is an overview of what is now available: Live Messenger:&160; With this release, Messenger has been complete redesigned. This well known real time communication tool now includes support for voice, video conferencing, file transfer.http://blogs.msdn.com/mis_laboratory/archive/2008/09/17/new-suite-of-windows-live-services... Microsoft, Cray and Intel team up for cheaper supercomputer- September 17, 2008 Great article on how Microsoft, Cray and Intel have teamed up for cheaper supercomputers. Cray has announced its first supercomputer that runs on the Windows HPC Server 2008 (HPCS) operating system. The low-cost machine is designed for data-intensive science, engineering, and business tasks. High-performance computing is a key focus area for Microsoft this year, so this is very exciting. Business & Technology Microsoft, Cray and Intel team up for cheaper supercomputer Seattle Times...http://blogs.msdn.com/murrayg/archive/2008/09/17/microsoft-cray-and-intel-team-up-for-chea... Microsoft, Cray and Intel team up for cheaper supercomputer- September 17, 2008 Great article on how Microsoft, Cray and Intel have teamed up for cheaper supercomputers. Cray has announced its first supercomputer that runs on the Windows HPC Server 2008 (HPCS) operating system. The low-cost machine is designed for data-intensive science, engineering, and business tasks. High-performance computing is a key focus area for Microsoft this year, so this is very exciting. Business & Technology Microsoft, Cray and Intel team up for cheaper supercomputer Seattle Times...http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde/archive/2008/09/17/microsoft-cray-and-intel-team-up-for-chea... I am speaking at redev- September 17, 2008 This year I'll be skipping an awesome visit to Barcelona to head on and be with friends in Malmo, Sweden at the next &216;redev. I'll be speaking on the usual suspects and some new ones Building maintainable enterprise WPF applications using Composite Application Guidance Opening up your application with the Managed Extensibility Framework Microsoft and ALT.NET - At the crossroads I am really excited to be attending! Much thanks to Magnus, Brad and Krzysztof for making it all...http://blogs.msdn.com/gblock/archive/2008/09/17/i-am-speaking-at-redev.aspx XNA Game Studio 3.0 Beta- September 17, 2008 Alldeles nyligen slpptes en publik beta av XNA Game Studio 3.0, helt synkroniserad med lanseringen av uppdateringen till Zune med samma versionsnummer. Om du vill prova att utveckla spel fr PC och Zune&160; (under frutsttning att du har lyckats skaffa en enhet frn USA) s r det hr absolut en version att installera i och med att den integreras vl med Visual Studio 2008. Om du dremot prioriterar Xbox 360 utveckling s br du vnta p senare release eftersom den hr betan inte kan anvndas fr att...http://blogs.msdn.com/johanl/archive/2008/09/17/xna-game-studio-3-0-beta.aspx Update from the Windows Embedded Standard Certification Sessions- September 17, 2008 &160; I poked in on the teams yesterday, and they were hard at work, still trying to identify all the things that should be on the Certification exam... I must say, it is a very difficult task - there's so much information to cover, and we have to figure out exactly how to test on it. &160; This time, the Product Team had folks in the room alongside the MVP's. they debated err... spiritedly discussed for several hours! Thanks for taking the time, folks! Here's to you! &160; JC...(read more)http://blogs.msdn.com/jcoyne/archive/2008/09/17/update-from-the-windows-embedded-standard-... Inventory Bitlocker status with System Center- September 17, 2008 Bitlocker in Windows Vista has a unique feature for system administrators to pause encryption to allow for system changes and hardware upgrades. Because of this, inventorying Bitlocker's status in System Center requires more than a simple yes or no. At a minimum you must know both: 1. If the drive is encrypted (GetConversionStatus) AND 2. If encryption is active (GetProtectionStatus). If you use System Center, then put this snip of text in your configuration MOF file...http://blogs.msdn.com/joelschoenberg/archive/2008/09/17/inventory-bitlocker-status-with-sy... |