Are you interested in experimenting with SQL Server 2005 (formerly codenamed Yukon), but don't have the time, the bits or the resources to install it and test it yourself ? Maybe you have it intalled, but it is taking you to much time to figure out the features ? MSDN has just launched SQL Server 2005 virtual labs you can use as part of the Visual Studio hosted experience. On the menu is a great selection of labs you can choose from :

• SQL Server 2005 Integration Services  
• SQL Server 2005 Introduction to SQL Server Management Studio  
• SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services  
• SQL Server 2005 Server Management Objects  
• SQL Server 2005 SQL CLR Integration  
• SQL Server 2005 SQL Query Tuning  
• SQL Server 2005 SQL Server and ADO.NET (Lab A)  
• SQL Server 2005 SQL Server and ADO.NET (Lab B)  
• SQL Server 2005 T-SQL Enhancements  
• SQL Server 2005 Web Services  
• SQL Server 2005 XML Capabilites 

Have fun!

4/5/2005 7:05:42 PM UTC     

   I have hinted to movig out of Morocco and into Istanbul, Turkey. I can now say that I am joining Microsoft Middle East and Africa Head Quarters as a Technology Architect - Application Platform.

   This is a major change in my life, and I am really looking forward to the new challenges.

3/26/2005 10:46:48 AM UTC     

  I have been looking through my agenda for the rest of March and April, and it is a quite busy schedule :

• March 21-23 : Visual Studio Connections in Orlando, FL (just 1 session)
• April 2 - 5 : Microsoft Partner Academy Workshops in Algiers, Algeria (4 full days)
• April 10-12 : Gulf Developers Conference in Ryadh, Saudi Arabia (6 sessions)
• April 16-18 : North Africa Developers Conference in Algiers, Algeria (4 sessions)
• April 25-27 : Developer Coference in Istanbul, Turkey (number of sessions TBD)

  Off course, I have all my regular work with my customers (to finish all ongoing projects, and I will be finished on those by April 8), flying in between locations takes usually one day before and one day after each event. All in all, I'll be home or a total of  7 busy days during the next 4 weeks... and then I will be moving... to Istanbul for good.

3/20/2005 6:18:33 PM UTC     

   SSW (australian company, lead by my good friend Adam Cogan) has a great product for code audit.

The concept is quite simple : define rules using regular expressions (it has a builtin RegEx editor) to be checked against source code, file path, file names, HTML code ...etc, and define wether that is a desirable (should exist) or undesirable (should not exist) pattern (there is a lot of flexibility built in, as setting exceptions, notes, or statistics about the rules and the time they take). You choose the files you want to apply the rules to, and you run a scan. At the end you get a detailed report.

   The tool allows you to schedule automatic execution, and email the reports to any email address.

   It has many qualities I love in products: useful, productive, simple... Great job, Adam.

3/18/2005 4:17:16 AM UTC     

Check out this series of Videos :

Scott and Rory go to TechEd :

• #1 : A love Story
• #2 : Scott and Rory design some software

Way to go guys, keep up the fun.

3/17/2005 10:45:48 PM UTC     

Big changes for me in the air ...

I won't give anymore details until May 1st.

3/15/2005 3:34:32 PM UTC     

What's the next step for .Net ? this might just be it ...

AspSoft  is preparing a big surprise for TechEd 2005. be there!

3/3/2005 11:18:46 AM UTC     

Not counting home, Me and Goksin just realized we have been on 4 continents this month... and we've been there together too... does this call for a new club?

2/26/2005 3:11:03 PM UTC