Searching for my lost shaker of salt

Just in time for me to complete the MCAD track, I have a whole new year to look forward to of studying and taking tests. 

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/

Instead of making a “upgrade” path for the MCAD, they have created two new titles we can append to our names: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD).  From what I've gathered, the way it works is this.

• The MCTS exams are focused on Windows, Web, or Distributed computing and take two exams each.  One exam is on the area of focus, the other is on the .NET 2.0 framework.
• The MCPD track is a little more complicated.  There are three areas, Windows, Web, and Enterprise Applications.  However, to get Enterprise Applications you must take everything that is covered in Windows and Web.  For any of these, you will need a MCTS in an area (or all), as well as take tests on the Application Development Foundation of the 2.0 framework, and what appears to be a general “designing and building“ software exam.

What is not clear is for the MCPD exam you need to take a single “upgrade“ exam from MCAD, and what this means for developers who are entering their certification tracks at this moment.

All of these exams are slated for an early to mid 2006 launch.  Since the titles have changes, it does not appear that that your MCAD or MCSD will “expire” as similar credentials have in the past.

Personally, I would have preferred them to upgrade the existing tracks and not create a new system just for the 2.0 framework.  There are more exams, which is good to get people the information and training they need to be competent developers, but it is going to confuse the heck out of folks in trying to determine your credentials.  Hi, I'm Fred, MCAD, MCSD, MCTS³, MCPD².

And now a plea: Amit Kalani, please start writing!!!!!

http://www.madcodecamp.com/static/SCC102005.htm

With the whoops I mentioned here comes the discussion of exactly what is the difference between the two version of the Visual Studio 2005 (standard and professional).  First of all, here are the differences that Microsoft has made public in their feature chart.  Before you spent too much time with the scorecard, let me summarize the major differences:

Standard:

• User Experience: Streamlined
• Deployment Tools: Click Once
• Extensibility: Consume Extensions
• Reporting: SQL Server Reporting Services
• Debugging: Local
• 64-bit CPU support, Server Explorer, SQL Server 2005 integration: No

Professional:

• User Experience: Full
• Deployment Tools: Yes
• Extensibility: Full
• Reporting: SQL Server Reporting Services and Crystal Reports
• Debugging: Local and remote
• 64-bit CPU support, Server Explorer, SQL Server 2005 integration: Yes

Most of the differences are fairly straightforward.  That leaves the question between deployment tools, extensibility, and "user experience".  Here is what I know on the first two.

“Consume Extensions“ means the you can use an existing Visual Studio Add-in.  All, on that note, means there is IDE support for creating new Add-ins.  Fair enough.

“Deployment, One-Click” means there is a mechanism to deploy a product through the IDE, but not create setup projects that produce a .MSI file.

So, what about user experience?  There has been some talk here, here, and here about what it means, but it all is fairly vague.  I do not have a clear-cut answer but I have a theory:

I was at a presentation earlier this year where the presenter was typing code.  It looked like the presenter was using Resharper at a user group presentation!  I was told that was not the case, but an extra set of new features built into the IDE.  Maybe the folks at Microsoft sent the Resharper folks a nice check and incorporated that technology into the Professional Edition (and above)!  That would mean

For standard, User Experience: Streamlined == Intellisense

For professional, User Experienced: Full == Intellisense + Resharper-like functionality

Again, just my theory.  But thanks are in order to Geoff Snowman who provided me with a lot of this information and continues to check out our future “experiences“.

One thing is for certain, the Standard edition of Visual Studio 2005 is no wimp.  In the past, Standard editions were basically a compiler + a text editor slightly better than notepad.  Such is not the case.  For learning, hobbyists, or those needing a bit more than the Express versions offer, it appears to be sized just right. 

However, for those of us who continue to make a living in the .NET world, its the Professional version and above.

Edit: Just received this note indirectly from Prashant Sridharan, the Visual Studio Project Manager:

Standard is basically the union of the Express SKUs with mobile and remote data support added. It doesn't have support for remote debugging or server-side development, it doesn't have SQLCLR support, and it doesn't have the deeper data tools in Pro.

This Thursday ( Oct 27 ) night is another Richmond .NET User Group meeting. Microsoft's Regional Director will be there to present a talk on AJAX within the .NET framework. AJAX, as many of you know, is a technique to perform "micro-posts" of a webpage and simply refresh a single control, not the entire page. This boosts web application performance and enhances the user experience. The following blog entry quickly sums up what AJAX is in a 30-second tutorial

I will be putting together a new presentation for the first ever Hampton Roads Code Camp, held at the Webb Center of Old Dominion University December 10th.  Here is a list of all presentations.

My talk will focus on how to use the configuration block of Enterprise Library, look at some of the new features that came out with the July release (specifically the Registry storage provider), then show how to serialize objects into and out of XML for flat-file data storage.  Will be a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to it!

Be sure to register for the event!

In a prior post I wrote that Microsoft was giving away a free copy of Visual Studio 2005 for all attendees of their launch events.  While this is still true, the web site at the time said they were giving away copies of Visual Studio 2005 Professional, which MSRP's around $600.  Well, last night I received an e-mail from Microsoft clarifying that is the standard edition that will be given to all attendees.  What was more strange is the e-mail also contained a “cancel reservation” link.  At least we found out now and not then.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/5098058/detail.html?rss=bos&psp=news

No wonder workplaces are more stressed out, if the simple act of getting to work across the country starts the daily decline of bad moods.  If people are starting their days like this, no wonder customer service has faltered in recent years (so it seems to me--- would you please serve my wife first in a restaurant!?)  If people start the day off on the wrong foot, end it similarity, then a project deadline is thrown for a loop, is any wonder that more IT project fail?

Think about it; it feels like people are more and more stressed than ever before.  This article points it out.  Now combine rude behavior when we are supposed to be relaxing, and you have little (if any) escape for stress.  That is going to affect your performance at work.  Good IT demands critical thinking skills, the energy and desire to “dig deeper” into a problem, and the patience to let issues get sorted.  When you are stressed, you aren't going to ask as many questions because a) you don't have the energy to (and don't want to deal with the consequences of those questions today), and b) you aren't in the right mind to think of the question. 

Poor and changing requirements are often cited as the top reasons IT project fail.  Better IT processes won't help if your day starts with road rage and ends with a non-relaxing dinner.

So, how do we fix it?  Maybe by having more positive role models on TV and in our national leadership, not allowing liars and cheaters to get away with their deeds, refocusing attention on our personal lives and not entirely on work, and not living in fear of everyone and everything would be a start.  Best start is to top watching TV and Vote.

Found this great blog entry from slashdot.  It's mirrored here.

The author is young but adaquately captures some concerning elements.  There are many points that are unrealistic, its nice to be reminded from time to time of that “ideal” we all had once upon a time.

In particular,

• While it would be great to have a door, a clean well equipped cube (one per person) in a quiet open bay setting is almost as good.  If the noise can't be turned down, that's what headphones are for (and management).
• I have yet to find a manager that wasn't schedule driven.  Setting unrealistic dates is common, expecting the world on those dates is problematic.  If the business needs it, it needs it to survive.  The key is compromise, separating need from want, and having mutual respect for the business and technical needs.

However, a manager who repeatly ignores your technical advice, skillset, and doesn't allow you to grow (or value your time) is the surest indicator of a needed resume upgrade.  But beware, the grass isn't always greener...