DotNetKicks.com : Stories kicked by ColinCochrane

Overriding ToString() Makes Debugging Easier

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:46:02 GMT

Make your life easier while debugging in Visual Studio, see your objects in thier full glory using ToString.

SQL Server 2008 Express with Management Tools

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:01:02 GMT

SQL Server 2008 Express database was released last week; but now Microsoft just released the Management tools and the Advanced Services additions that give you SQL Server 2008 Express Reporting Services

CoolMenu: A Silverlight Menu Control

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:16:14 GMT

I thought it would be cool to try building a reusable container control so I came up with CoolMenu. You really have to try this one out to get the full experience, a screen shot just doesn't do it justice. CoolMenu is a Silverlight container control that gives you a nice wave-like effect as you move your mouse over the menu items. Clicking a menu item causes the item to bounce.

Exploring System.Web.Routing

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:31:11 GMT

An overview of the new System.Web.Routing namespace that was included in .net 3.5 SP1.

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1: First Impressions

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:05:07 GMT

Since the IE development team releasing the first beta version of Internet Explorer 8 for developers last week, I've had the chance to play around with this latest incarnation of the Internet Explorer family. While most of the focus has been on the improved support for web standards, which is immediately evident even in this early beta, there are many more new features and enhancements that are making IE8 look like its shaping up into a solid browser.

What Does It Take To Become A Grandmaster Developer?

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:31:02 GMT

Provides an analogy between chess grandmasters and software developers including some C# examples.

Visual LINQ: Watch query expressions as they happen!

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:16:02 GMT

Interested yet? The source code is available...

AJAX Control Toolkit Updated to 20229

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:01:03 GMT

*Version 3.0.20229* 2008-02-29 release of the AJAX Control Toolkit targets the official release of .NET Framework 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008. * *AjaxControlToolkit-Framework3.5.zip* is the full release package with complete source code to all controls, the test framework, VSI, and more. * *AjaxControlToolkit-Framework3.5-NoSource.zip* contains only the sample web site and VSI and is for people who don't need or want the source code for the controls. *Version 1.0.20229* You can also download the Toolkit for .NET Framework 2.0, ASP.NET AJAX 1.0 and Visual Studio 2005. * *AjaxControlToolkit.zip* is the full release package with complete source code to all controls, the test framework, VSI, and more. * *AjaxControlToolkit-NoSource.zip* contains only the sample web site and VSI and is for people who don't need or want the source code for the controls. Please see the [url:sample website release notes|http://asp.net/ajax/ajaxcontroltoolkit/samples] for more details.

Links to LINQ

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:01:02 GMT

Here are some useful links to LINQ information.

Does order matter in a JOIN clause?

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:31:02 GMT

Does the order of tables referenced in a JOIN clause affect query performance. In this post, Joe addresses this question by examining the query execution plans created for sample queries.

Using BlogEngine.net as a general purpose CMS part I

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:46:03 GMT

In this series of posts, I will show how I converted a small website from just standard .aspx pages into a site where all pages are editable by Windows Live Writer and via an online interface. In Part I of this series I will just set some background on how I am approaching the creation of this lightweight CMS.

Douchebaggery

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:31:02 GMT

To imply that programmers using Windows "don't care enough about their tools to get the best"? I have a pretty thick skin based on the psychic scars of the thousands of petty internet religious wars I've participated in, and this one even ruffles my feathers a little. I

MSDN Reader!! A Must Have Application!

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:16:02 GMT

he MSDN Reader allows you to browse through MSDN Magazine articles like never before. Read through articles, view figures and code snippets in an intuitive and easy-to-use experience.

What a .NET Interview SHOULD Be!

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:01:02 GMT

I wish I had interviews like the one described here. This process would really allow you to show your skills with actions. I think the interviewee benefits from this as well. If they don't like the team they will be working with they can bow out of the rest of the process.

The DotNetKicks Effect - Enjoy While it Lasts

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:46:05 GMT

DotNetKicks is great source of .NET related information but is it going to survive the shortcomings of "digg" concept?

The Most Useful VS Feature No One Seems To Use

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:46:02 GMT

Speed up your debugging time by using the Exceptions dialog box.

TDD for Beginners Series

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 21:46:02 GMT

Series of posts geared towards the beginner developer to TDD. These are meant to be as simple as possible to get the understanding across about TDD.

Hundreds of design patterns, antipatterns and refactorings listed

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:31:02 GMT

Good source of common patterns (GoF etc), antipatterns and refactoring types. The examples are good and clear, but the code samples are only in Java/C++. However, the articles and samples are platform neutral enough to be useful even for .NET-purists like us ;)

8 Web Design Mistakes That Developers Make

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:31:02 GMT

An excellent website takes a particularly savvy blend of both great design and great code. Because of this, you often find designers having to figure out code and developers trying their hand at design. Speaking as a developer who spent his university years studying among other developers, I can safely say that programmers are not designers.

Something you probably don't know about enums in C#

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:31:02 GMT

Do you think the use of an enum in your code is limiting the possible values that can be used? Think again. Maybe we need to learn to be more careful about checking our enums for valid values.

Essential Graphic Design Tools for .NET Developers

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:46:07 GMT

Use Paint.NET, BluePrint CSS Framework, and the ASP.NET 2.0 CSS Friendly Adapters to quickly chalk up an ASP-Driven user interface.

Cheap development cost in .NET

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:17:02 GMT

Some tools that helps programming that doesn't have many budget

6 Tips for Better Web Project Quoting

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:45:34 GMT

An often overlooked area of Web Projects is quoting. Many developers continually hone their programming and design abilities, however, few value quoting ability as a necessary tool. Here are some steps for better quoting.

ASP.NET Menu and SiteMap Security Trimming plus a trick

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:14:27 GMT

I'm using a static sitemap defined in a Web.sitemap file, and it's especially simple since there's no is no hierarchy involved.

Why TDD Not Practiced?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:07:55 GMT

A look at reasons why TDD is not practiced.