April 2005 Entries
Sahil Malik [MVP] : System.Transactions - Beta2 Changes - and other good stuff
Really nice article on Systems.Transactions...with a nice example of working with files transactionally. Also been reading this blog which sheds more light on Transactional NTFS - a fantastic feature in Longhorn which doesn't just look all snazzy but actually does something of benefit to everyone...Â
I've been reading the current debate on Microsoft's position on an anti-discrimination bill in the US right now, I have no right to comment on this other than to say that I value consistency and fairness above most other things in life.What I am reminded of though is a book I'm reading right now, Hackers & Painters by Paul Graham - this is a truly brilliant book, examining all sorts of stuff to do with 'hacker philosophy' including the obsession 'hackers' have with freedom of speech and freedom of expression. I hadn't really twigged before just how intertwined hacking (oh. I'm...
Well, before the NDA kicks in  The picture below (which I found here) claims to be of the new XBOX 360, it also seems consistent with 'official' pictures showing bits of the machine. Anyway, hope it is real, it looks pretty awesome!Â
Take a look at this story on HD-DVD here's a couple of extracts which I just don't get:
"This offers incredible 3D-like quality pictures which major Hollywood studios and games publishers are extremely keen to exploit. "
"Gamers will also benefit from the next generation of discs. The storage capacity means that console titles will fit onto a single disc and the graphics will be much improved, almost film-like."
I mean what? What is 3D-like quality? What console games don't currently fit on a single DVD?
Well, looks like I'll be joining Microsoft - and I couldn't be happier . Yet to get all the details sorted (and I really have to get my driving test sorted out...) but I can't wait!
Just in case you're wondering, presentation went OK, team seems really good. So, we'll see (should be later today or tomorrow)!
The Code Project - An improvement to RegisterClientScriptBlock - ASP.NET
Very handy but I always forget where to find it...so here it is, an enhanced RegisterClientScriptBlock.
Ahead of the horror of tomorrow...here's a little class I was playing with as a demo, let me know what you think (it's partially based on this example) using System;using System.Collections.Generic;using System.Text;using System.Transactions;using System.Collections;namespace TransTest{   public class TransactedHashtable : Hashtable, IEnlistmentNotification, ISinglePhaseNotification, IPromotableSinglePhaseNotification   {      Transaction transaction;       Hashtable holdingTable;      public TransactedHashtable()      {         Enlist();         holdingTable = new Hashtable();      }       void Enlist()      {          transaction = Transaction.Current;         if (transaction != null)            transaction.EnlistVolatile(this, EnlistmentOptions.None);      }      public override void Add(object key, object value)      {      ...
Why doesn't Windows XP SP2 not have a bluetooth headset profile - are they mental???
Why have I never seen this blog before? Whilst on the trawl through the web for more on System.Transactions (go on, ask me anything ) I discovered this fantastic blog, great content, interesting topics, the lot!
Well, I'm currently beetling away on my presentation for Tuesday - "Transactions with System.Transactions in .NET 2.0" have to say, it's a big area (well, System.Transactions isn't, existing EnterpriseServices is...). I'll get together a list of resources on this after my presentation (not sure if it'd be wise to give away too much ). One thing I can't find anything on though is configuration of System.Transaction transactions using the application config file so, anyone know anything about this please let me know (I can't believe the docs just don't exist)!
OK, bit of an unusual issue - but this happened to me when using a Server Control which extended another, parent control. Essentially I was binding an ITemplate on to a Container control to allow for DataBinding problem was that on reload, the child controls of my Server Control (in this instance, the Container) was not being recreated - which was a problem for saving content...Well the issue came down to not implementing INamingContainer on the child server control (I had it on the parent) -Â which results in problems for the control tracking it's ViewState problem. Anyway, as I said...
The Code Project - Simulated Multiple Inheritance Pattern for C# - C# Programming
Really interesting pattern...not sure how much I'd want to rely on it for all but the most edge cases but nice read anyway...
Steven Smith has a great little article on ASPAllicance on comparing performance and methods of performing data access in .NET applications. Some really interesting techniques there, I especially like the IDataReader delegate example, a really nice solution to passing IDataReaders between layers in an app...
Import existing Java .jar files to .Net .dll files for use with any .Net project - level 400
Via Jeffrey Palermo, if this works as advertised (and Jeff says it does) then it's pretty remarkable...not still April 1st is it???
NHibernateMust check out this Object-Persistence framework in more detail...
Scott Galloway
CodeGuru: Inter-Process Communication in .NET Using Named Pipes, Part 1Now this is really cool! Really fast, efficient solution for Inter-Process Communication in .NET (until IPC Channel arrives in .NET 2.0)!Just noticed, this remoting channel example for Named Pipes too...And really great remoting links can be found here... Scott Galloway
The Code Project - Hacking out the C# 2.0 Iterators - C# Programming
Interesting article...lets you use C# 2.0 style iterators in 1.1. Not sure how useful this would actually be in practice but it's still a good read!
The Code Project - Implement Script Callback Framework in ASP.NET 1.x - ASP.NET
Scott Galloway
Cutting Edge: Script Callbacks in ASP.NET -- MSDN Magazine, August 2004
Scott Galloway
Well, you can tell it's MVP time again, the usual backbiting, patronizing comments from those with seriously over-inflated egos you know the kind of thing. Anyway, I've said before I'd love to be awarded an MVP but I'll probably never get one, and that's fine too...I've always been concerned about the whole MVP thing, there seem to be a lot of mixed messages out there and I haven't seen anyone clear it up, there's just too many MVPs who just seem to be on the list because they either work at large Microsoft target companies (so sales driven appointments), push...
I though that this was a really nice method of implementing deep cloning of objects - uses serialization so the usual problems apply...
Seems like this won't die...Scott Hanselman just posted some stuff on Viewstate compression, this is pretty similar to a technique I posted a while ago with the addition of a technique mentioned by Mark DeMichele.
A while ago I posted about a job I'd applied for as a result of a blog posting...well, at that point some things were going on in my life which would have made it a major problem to move 500 miles down to Reading for this job...long story short, the situation changed. In a couple of weeks I have the final part of the recruitment process for this same job; I've already been through a telephone screen and an in-person interview. So on April 19th I'll be heading down to Reading  to do a presentation to a bunch of people in...
Back to posting (though at reduced frequency) now...get back to full service in a week or so...at which time I'll also hopefully work out a reliable method of updating to Community Server (so far none of the converters I've tried work...)