Martin Poon - Microsoft MVP blog [SQL Server] : Visual Studio

Microsoft Certification Exam – 10% discount voucher

Martin Poon — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:49:19 GMT

Great news – Microsoft is offering self-paced, eLearning collections to you when you sign up for the Certification Campaign using the code HKEBA99B. You will enjoy a eLearning collection at US$35 for a 90-days use. This is a great resource for those who prefers self-paced learning option. To sign-up, go to www.learnANDcertify.com by March 31, 2009 and key in HKEBA99B (this exam voucher code is valid in Hong Kong only) to obtain a 10% discount on your next Microsoft Certification Exam plus free retake if you fail plus the US$35 offer on eLearning. You will receive an email with the exam voucher code and a eLearning Promotion Code. Both offers will be valid till June 30, 2009. Happy Certifying…

Offer Details:

The certification promotion code ( HKEBA99B ) can only be used in Hong Kong.

The Offer is valid for a Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) or Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) exams. Not valid for Academic Exams.

Refer to the following links for applicable exams :
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/default.mspx

Exam candidates must request an Exam Offer Voucher Code using the unique MVP Certification Promotion Code by March 31, 2009 via www.learnandcertify.com.

To receive a 10% discount on the cost of an applicable Microsoft Certification exam, exam candidates must use the Exam Offer Voucher Code provided by an MVP when they register for an exam and sit for an exam by May 31, 2009.

Limited to one (1) exam at 10% discount with a free retake (if necessary) per individual. Both exams must be taken by May 31, 2009.

The Exam Offer Voucher Code may not be combined with other vouchers or discounts and are void if altered or revised in any way.

Refer to http://learnandcertify.com/Terms.aspx for complete Terms & Conditions of Exam Voucher usage.

Create a Game in Microsoft Silverlight 2... and win an Xbox 360!

Martin Poon — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:54:00 GMT

Silverlight gives a lot of love to .NET coders, especially those versed with Microsoft development tools like Visual Studio 2008 and the new Microsoft Expression Studio. PHP developers have a lot to benefit from Silverlight as well. Using the Silverlight runtime, XAML, PHP code, and a touch of JavaScript, you can add a lot of splash to your PHP apps. Now, your mission--should you choose to accept: Take your shot at gaming stardom if you think you have what it takes to build a cool RIA game and you could win an Xbox 360 or other fabulous prizes. Hurry! You only have until May 15, 2008 to enter your game!

Note: No purchase necessary to enter or win. Open only to residents of the 50 United States (includes D. of C.) who are 17+. Game ends May 15, 2008

=== For more information ===

~ RIA Run Registration

http://www.devx.com/RIA/Door/37507

Writing the first SQL Server database .NET application

Martin Poon — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:15:00 GMT

Just listing a few getting-started links for developing SQL Server .NET application.

~ SQL Server 2005 Express Edition - Sample Rich Client and Web Applications
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/express/bb403187.aspx

~ SQL Server 2005 Express Edition - Samples and Starter Kits
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/express/aa718396.aspx

~ "How Do I" Videos - ASP.NET
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/asp.net/bb498194.aspx

~ "How Do I" Videos - Visual Basic
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vbasic/bb466226.aspx

~ Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server: Best Practice Architectures and Examples (7th Edition)
http://www.amazon.com/Hitchhikers-Guide-Visual-Studio-Server/dp/0321243625
http://www.betav.com

~ LearnVisualStudio.NET
http://www.learnvisualstudio.net

~ Free basic training for SQL Server
http://blogs.msdn.com/buckwoody/archive/2008/07/17/free-basic-training-for-sql-server.aspx

Installing Components... Full Installation of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition

Martin Poon — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:20:00 GMT

Just got the *full* installation of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition done on an Vista Ultimate box (x64), and, here is the ...long... list of components that are installed!

- Runtime Pre-requisites
- Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5 (x64)
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 64bit Prerequisites (x64)
- Microsoft Document Explorer 2008
- Microsoft Visual Studio Web Authoring Component
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
- Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP2
- Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 3.5
- Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office system (version 3.0 Runtime)
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the 2007 Microsoft Office System Runtime
- Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5
- Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 Design Tools
- Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 For Devices
- Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK R2 for Pocket PC
- Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK R2 for Smartphone
- Microsoft Device Emulator version 3.0 (x64)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Remote Debugger (x64)
- Crystal Reports Basic for Visual Studio 2008
- Crystal Reports Basic 64-Bit Runtime for Visual Studio 2008
- Microsoft Windows SDK for Visual Studio 2008 Tools (x64)
- Microsoft Windows SDK for Visual Studio 2008 Headers and Libraries (x64)
- Microsoft Windows SDK for Visual Studio 2008 Win32 Tools (x64)
- Microsoft Windows SDK for Visual Studio 2008 .NET Framework Tools (x64)
- Microsoft Windows SDK for Visual Studio 2008 SDK Reference Assemblies and IntelliSense (x64)
- Microsoft SQL Publishing Wizard

101 samples for Visual Studio 2005

Martin Poon — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:43:00 GMT

Microsoft provides 101 samples to help you get started with Visual Studio 2005. You can find code projects (in C# / VB) related to different categories: data access, web development, windows forms, Visual Studio Tools for Office (VSTO), tablet PC, and .NET Compact Framework.

===== For more information =====

~ 101 samples for Visual Studio 2005

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa718334.aspx

Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is released

Martin Poon — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 10:55:00 GMT

Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Team Suite (Standard, Professional , Team Edition), Team Foundation Server, and Express Editions are available, and can be downloaded at { http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/support/vs2005sp1

Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Update for Windows Vista Beta will also be available within a few days, while the final release is expected to be available at Q1 of 2007.

===== For more information =====

- Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/support/vs2005sp1

Configuring the RSS news channel on the start page of Visual Studio 2005

Martin Poon — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 13:56:00 GMT

In Visual Studio 2005, I do really like the feature of showing RSS feeds on the start page. Originally, the start page is used to display the product news but you can change it to show your favorite RSS feeds. I need to use Visual Studio 2005 every day, and I can get a glance at my favorite blog every time when Visual Studio 2005 starts.

Following is my current news channel settings in Visual Studio 2005.
--> Visual Studio 2005
   --> Tools
      --> Options
         --> (+) Environment
            --> Startup
               --> At startup: Show Start Page
               --> Start Page news channel: http://blogs.msdn.com/MainFeed.aspx?Type=AllBlogs
               --> (Y) Download content every: 7 minutes

===== for more information =====

- Visual Studio Startup, Environment, Options Dialog Box
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165469(VS.80).aspx

Free 6-hour eLearning - Visual Studio 2005, Widnows Presentation Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation

Martin Poon — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 11:41:00 GMT

Micosoft E-Learning offers a few e-learning collection (Collection 5134) on developing rich experiences with Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 and Visual Studio 2005. This collection of 3 2-hour premium clinics teaches about the new capabilities provided by the .NET Framework 3.0. These clinics are for experienced Developers and Software Architects who are looking to adopt Microsoft's next generation technology within their solutions. Topics covered within the collection include Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation and Windows Communication Foundation.

This collection is free till the offical launch of .NET FX!

========== For more information ==========

- Collection 5134: Developing rich experiences with Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 and Visual Studio 2005 { https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerPriceId=109340 }