ORM – Not Just for Meditation Any More

The "shape" of data in a relational database is not the same as the "shape" of data in an object oriented application. That is as it should be; for both efficiency and effectiveness, the goals for storing data are different from those of manipulating it within the application. The question is how to bridge the inevitable gap between the two environments. For an increasing number of projects, an Object Relational Mapping (ORM) package is the answer. An ORM allows the developer (1) to declaratively define a conceptual model of how the application wants to see the data, (2) to point to an existing data store (e.g., a database), and (3) to define a mapping between the conceptual and physical data. From this declarative model, the ORM generates the code to move data back and forth between the application's view of the data and the data store's view of the data. We will write several versions of a simple (yet compelling) application using the new Entity Framework ORM package from Microsoft, using NHiberate from the open source world, and using LLBGenPro from the non-Microsoft commercial world. Comparing and contracting will take place. Look for a few "Top Ten" lists about ORM: features to look for, reasons to use ORM, functionality other than data mapping that ORM provides, and ORM practices to avoid.

Presentation Material

Writing Better Code

It's one thing to write code that will do the job in the short-term; it's another challenge to write code that can stand the test of time. In this session I'll show you how you can use tools and features in VS 2008 (e.g. unit testing, Code Analysis, Code Coverage, etc.) to assist you in making your code maintainable over time, easy to understand, and resilient to defects.

Web Parts for Web Pages

Web Parts for Web Pages will demonstrate how easy it is to build a personalized and customizable web page for your Users with that iGoogle or Yahoo functionality we all love to use. Time will be short so we will start with a partially built web application that uses a master page, menu control, and the new user authentication controls. Then I will demonstrate how to add User Controls that your user can add or remove from their home page.

Speaker

Carl Boudreau is working full time as a Senior Developer and Analyst at GLS Companies working in VB.Net 2.0, C#, and Java. Carl's past experiences has included consulting at Northwest Airlines, Target, and Harmon Glass. Projects have included applications used in Invoicing and Receipt, Mortgage and Lending, Robotic Control, and CNC Machine control. In a prior life Carl was a Federal Law Enforcement Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Hobbies include electronic circuits for PC's, and motion control systems using PC's.

F#, The Business Case

You are geeked about F#, you know functional programming will be relevant in the future. So, how do you get a F# project? This demonstration will show two examples of solutions that prove the value of F# to the business you work for.

A Developer's Introduction to Spatial Computing with SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008 introduces a number of features supporting Spatial Computing. In this talk, we will overview the new GEOMETRY and GEOGRAPHY datatypes. We will look at the methods on these types and how to use them relational queries. We will also look at how to index these data types and work with them using a .NET client and SQL Server Integration Services.

Extending SharePoint Search with the Search API

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 provides a very powerful search engine, but the out-of-the-box search features can only take your apps built in MOSS so far. In addition, you can't use the out-of-the-box capabilities in an application that doesn't run in the context of MOSS. This presentation will walk through the MOSS search API (including the search web service) and demonstrate how to execute MOSS searches programmatically. We'll touch on executing Full Text and Keyword searches, as well as writing better code to wrap all types of calls and searches into a reusable set of classes.

A Tour of the Parallel Extensions to the .NET Framework

Microsoft recently released a Community Technology Preview (CTP) of the Parallel Extensions to the .NET Framework, a managed programming model for data parallelism, task parallelism, and coordination on parallel hardware unified by a common work scheduler. Parallel Extensions provides library based support for introducing concurrency into applications written with any .NET language, including but not limited to C# and Visual Basic. In this talk, Jeff will provide an oveview of this exciting new breakthrough in muti-core processing using the .NET framework and will walk through code samples illustrating the technology.

A Code Review of SQL Server 2008 Features

In this presentation we will take you through the features in the new version of SQL Server – SQL Server 2008. We will review new Engine and TSQL features like the new separate Date and Time types. We will also review changes in Reporting Services, Integration Services and Analysis Services. This presentation will give you a good feel from a developers perspective of what to expect in SQL Server 2008 and short code examples of the new features in action. So, for a trip though what's new in SQL 2008, don't miss this presentation!

Speaker

David Baldauff is a consultant for Digineer, a Microsoft certified Gold and Managed Partner, in Plymouth, MN. David has been working in software and database development for over 15 years and specializes in data architecture and data-centric application design. David recently completed a courseware book for AppDev.com on SSIS 2005, and has also contributed to a Microsoft whitepaper on SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition features.

Introducing the ASP.NET MVC Framework

The new MVC framework is poised to turn ASP.NET development on its head with a new processing model, better usability with open source tools, and the return of the angled-bracket-percent-sign combo. If you've been wondering what the MVC pattern is all about, and how it might impact your web development, this is the talk for you!

ASP.NET Webforms and MVC...Without The MVC Framework

You don't need the ASP.NET MVC Framework to implement MVC with the current Web Form implementation of ASP.Net. In this session we'll talk about how to architect a web application using the MVC pattern, but not the MVC framework, and discuss what the differences/tradeoffs are between the two.

Speaker

Part of the emerging Canadian Developer Community 2.0, D'Arcy Lussier has been an active member of the developer community for many years. In addition to being part of the leadership for the Winnipeg .NET User Group, he is also the INETA Membership Mentor for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and has organized various user group tours which saw Roy Osherove, Jean-Paul Boodhoo, and Jean-Luc David (among others) make their way across central Canada. In addition to his community efforts, D'Arcy holds an MCSD and has been developing with .NET since the initial beta. His focus over the last 6 years has been on web development with ASP.NET and has presented at the Winnipeg .NET User Group and the recent Calgary Code Camp on the subject.

What Can I do With WCF in .NET 3.5?

In this session I will demonstrate new features of WCF including:

• REST endpoints
• Calling a WCF service in an AJAX style application (JSON formatting)
• Exposing RSS/ATOM data

Working knowledge of WCF/ASMX/WSE will be helpful, but not required.

Silverlight For Developers - Making it Pass the Glitz

This is an overview presentation of the feature set that Silverlight 2.0 has to offer to developers. We will also cover some of the current tools available for both designers and developers to create Silverlight applications.

First Look at CSLA .NET 3.5

Get a first look at CSLA .NET 3.5 with support for .NET 3.5 including LINQ to Objects and LINQ to SQL. CSLA .NET 3.5 builds on versions 2.0 and 3.0 and so supports Windows Forms, Web Forms, WPF, WCF, Web services and Windows Workflow style application development. CSLA .NET 3.5 also incorporates new features that can result in a 35% reduction in the amount of code required to implement a typical business object.

Speaker

Rockford Lhotka is the author of several books, including the Expert VB 2005 Business Objects and Expert C# 2005 Business Objects books. He is a Microsoft Regional Director, MVP and INETA speaker. He contributes to several major magazines and regularly presents at major conferences around the world - including Microsoft PDC, Tech Ed, VS Live! and VS Connections. Rockford is the Principal Technology Evangelist for Magenic, a company focused on delivering business value through applied technology and one of the nation's premiere Microsoft Gold Certified Partners.

Links

Introduction to Ruby on Rails

Have you ever wondered what Ruby and Rails was all about, and why Microsoft has started to lure some of leading RoR experts to work for them in Redmond? Ruby on Rails is a full-scale framework for developing web applications. During this talk we'll explore the Rails framework, how it encourages test driven development, and team collaboration. As we explore the framework we'll actually build a working application from scratch.

User Defined Functions and Excel Services in MOSS 2007

User defined function in combination with excel services in Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server 2007 are a powerful tool for any organization. We will look at what and how these pieces work togehter and talk about the benifits of implementsing such a tool. Have you ever had your requirements be an excel sheet and the customer ask for it to be online reporting tool, well here's one way to get this done via a thin cleint.

Speaker

Scott Yokiel is a consultant at RBA Consulting. He has been in the IT space for 7 years with the last 4 dedicated to Microsoft .NET. He has served in many rolls in his career from BA to developer; currently he is concentrated in the asp.net space and looking to leverage 3.0. Outside of developing software Scott enjoys skiing in the winter and camping in the summer, as long as there is no wi-fi access he's a relaxing.

Tapping the Power of LINQ

Language Integrated Query (LINQ) is one of the most important new features of the .NET Framework. It has the potential of affecting just about every area of the software we write, from the data access layer all the way up to the UI. In this session we will take a top-to-bottom look at LINQ. We will understand where it came from, how it works, and, most importantly, how we can tap its full potential in our daily coding life. I will include examples on LINQ to Objects, LINQ to SQL, and LINQ to XML.

The Asteroid's Game From Scratch in 60 Minutes, With ActionScript 3 and Flash CS3

I'll create the Asteroid's game from scratch in 60 minutes. No ActionScript experience required. If you've coded before you can follow along and see how easy it is to make web based games in the recently released OO based ActionScript 3 and Flash CS3.

Explore What's New in SQL Server Reporting Services 2008

Since it's release with SQL 2000, Report Services has provided an easy and scalable solution for providing end users with a view into their data. Taking advantage of a structured RDL model, developers can design and deploy reports quickly to a variety of formats. In this session we look at what's new in SSRS 2008 from architecture to design to deployment and how developers can take advantage of these great new features.

Speaker

With a BS degree in Math and Industrial Education, John Thurow has been delivering technology and computer education since 1982. He has a passion for education, especially when working with Sql Server, which he has been working with beginning with SQL Server 6.5. John specializes in database design, database programming, administration tasks and high availability technologies, including SQL Server Integration Services, Analysis Services, reporting and data mining. With the introduction of SQL Server 2005, he has observed a Business Intelligence tidal wave and has developed training paths to deal with those needs. He is also the lead for the Microsoft Hands on Labs for SQL Server in the North Central District. While John is New Horizon of Minneosta's SQL lead, he also has many other strengths and competencies, including Active Directory design, Exchange configuration and administration, VB and WMI scripting. His previous employers include ExecuTrain, South St. Paul High School and National Education Center, Brown Institute Campus.

Becoming 'The SQL Guy' in your Organization

As we learned our first programming languages, most developers learned a little bit about SQL. But, for many, their understanding of SQL never grew much beyond the basic CRUD (Create/Read/Update/Delete) operations, some joins and occasionally the basics of using a cursor. Are you tired of taking all your SQL problems to other developers, begging for help? Want to become ‘The SQL Guy' that everybody else brings their questions to? Join me for a rapid fire session that will help transform you from SQL White-belt to SQL Black belt. We will hit things like query optimization, recursion, tips on data-access layers in your apps and much more. Designed for the average developer who wants to step-up their SQL skills.

Speaker

Greg Wilson, aka The Pragmatic TSQL Programmer, has been active in the IT community for over 10 years with roles ranging from Network Administrator to Senior Developer. Greg has spent the last two years diving deeply into SQL 2005/2008 and developing tips and trick for developers to make use of the new features. One thing that you can always count on, is that Greg will discuss things pragmatically and give you lots of material that you can use right away at your office the very next Monday.

Links

More Advanced ASP.Net MVC

So you've worked with the basics of ASP.Net MVC and you are ready to delve into more advanced topics. Chris will give quick overview of the ASP.Net MVC framework and why it is important. Then we will jump right in to integrating the jQuery javascript library with ASP.Net MVC. We'll show how to do partial postbacks and how to make use of other advanced jQuery capabilities and effects. One of the benefits of ASP.Net MVC is that unit testing your page actions becomes much easier than in the current ASP.Net model. So we'll look a look at the basics of unit testing your MVC sites. Last, we'll talk about MVC deployment issues you may run into with IIS and how you can work around them.

Speaker

Chris Sutton is a consultant and technical trainer in Eastern Iowa and has been working with ASP.Net since the November beta in 2002. He helped start SouthColorado.net, the Ineta group in Colorado Springs, CO, and has been involved running CRineta.org, the Ineta group in Cedar Rapids, IA, over the last three years. Chris has the MCPD:Enterprise certification and is working toward his MCITP: Business Intelligence certification. Getting to spend time with his wife and kids makes his tech work worthwhile. He also enjoys hiking and biking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.

Links

Extending PowerShell for Developers

PowerShell provides a great set of commands to help with common administrative and development tasks, but sometimes more specialized options are needed. This session will focus on how to extend PowerShell to fit your organizaion's unique needs. We will cover the creation of new cmdlets, snapins, providers and extending .Net types and the reasons for doing each type of customization.

Microsoft Silverlight and the SOA Architecture

One of Silverlight's strong suits is its ability to leverage web services for a full SOA application. This presentation will demonstrate patterns and practices in consuming and interacting with different types of web services including WCF, JSON, regular asmx among other types of services. Utilizing Silverlight video, we will explore how to create a Rich Internet Application, and show how flexible and interoperable Silverlight can be.

SharePoint Development - Beyond the Object Model

A look at some of the behind the scenes technologies related to SharePoint including JavaScript, RPC, XSLT, and Web Services. We'll take a look at how SharePoint works some of its UI magic and how to make it do what we want it to do without jumping into .NET.

Speaker

Raymond Mitchell is a developer for Inetium and frequent speaker at the Minnesota SharePoint User Group. He also blogs under the alias IWKID on Information Worker technologies including SharePoint and Office development.

Links

Things Every ASP.NET Developer Should Know

There are many things you need to know to be a good ASP.NET developer. Do you understand the basics of HTTP? Do you know what a request and response look like "on the wire"? Do you take advantage of HTTP compression and expirations to reduce bandwidth and requests to your web site? Benefit from many years of experience with web development and discover features, tools, and techniques that you may have never used before. Utilize response filters and adapters to modify the output of your pages. There will be a wide variety of useful tips that can be taken and used today on your ASP.NET web sites.

Game AI: Creating the Illusion of Intelligent Behavior in Your Characters

This talk will cover some of the basic AI techniques along with some brute force shortcuts and "good enough" AI.

Speaker

Chris Williams

Links

How to Build Your Own Visual Studio Integration Package

This session will discuss various types of visual studio integration scenarios, from custom tools to custom programming languages. We will be talking about the Visual Studio 2008 Shell in isolation mode, DSL Tools, Visual Studio Integration Packages and end with an example of a custom code generation tool.

Windows Workflow Steppin' Out

Is Workflow Foundation going to be the ugly-haired step-child in the . Net Foundations touted threesome of WCF, WPF, and WF? Only time will tell. We'll give it a walk around the block by taking a look at the two workflow structures: sequential and state machine. We will also highlight these features specifically: Branching Activities, Policy Activity, Workflow Persistence, and passing data into and out of the workflow.

Speaker

As the senior developer instructor at New Horizons of Minnesota, Ron Hovland is the go-to person for NHMN's staff as well as other instructors. Ron also develops custom courseware for us and helps clients and colleagues troubleshoot a variety of software applications. In 2005, he obtained his ITIL Managers certification and now teaches the full complement of ITIL courses. Ron continually receives top evaluation scores from students; in fact, he was the #5 technical instructor within the entire New Horizons global network in 2005, having taught over 400 students! Ron also made the Instructor Hall of Fame in 2006 for the delivery of his ITIL Online LIVE course.

Links

SharePoint MasterPages: Through the Looking Glass...

Through attending this session you will gain a good deal of knowledge to help you begin/continue your journey into Moss Branding. We will begin with an overview of the Master Page Architecture, examine the possibilities available with CSS & Master Pages & Themes, discuss deployment scenarios and then touch on the issue of dealing with Application vs Site Master pages. This presentation presumes a basic familiarity with SharePoint and with ASP.Net.

Speaker

Jim Ferguson's knowledge spans the across End-user, IT Professional and Developer education. He is New Horizon of Minnesota's lead Instructor for SharePoint and .Net. His list of certifications only begin to speak to his real skills. And what a list he has: MOUS Master, Master CIW, A+, Network+, i-Net+, Server+, MCP, MCAD, MCSD, MCSE, MCDBA, MCT, CIW CI and E-Trainer. Jim has been a technology instructor since 1998, but also has gained solid experience and knowledge through his work on system design, migration and implementation projects. His previous employers include Knowledge Transfer, Inc., Centriq University, TechSkills, IntelliMark IT Solutions, PC University and Computer Learning Network, Inc. When he isn't working, he is thinking about working.

Making SharePoint WCM Work for You

Whether upgrading from CMS 2002, converting your existing site, or starting from Scratch, there are a vareity of tools to make your migration to SharePoint 2007 easier. With the introduction of WCM into SharePoint 2007, the product is no longer just or corporate Intranets and/or collaboration portals. We'll show you how to have the flexibility and freedom of your own website yet programmatically exploit all the power of SharePoint.