Channel 9 - Discussions by out180

Tech Off - ASP.NET Forms authentification

out180 — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 18:51:32 GMT

cro wrote:

Thanks !

By the way, any book suggestion for a C++/C# developer that what to learn ASP.NET ?

I was looking for one of those :

http://www.amazon.ca/Microsoft-ASP-NET-2-0-Programing-Step/dp/0735622019/ref=sr_1_8/701-0156724-2562723?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188607962&sr=8-8

http://www.amazon.ca/Programming-Microsoft-ASP-NET-Applications-Advanced/dp/0735621772/ref=sr_1_28/701-0156724-2562723?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188608110&sr=8-28

This is a nice one. It's more for the established C# programmer but there's a lot to be gained from it at any level.

Pro ASP.NET in C# 2005

Coffeehouse - Has anyone has their vision fixed with LASIK?

out180 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:14:21 GMT

blowdart wrote:

out180 wrote:

blowdart wrote:
One day they'll work out how to treat -12.

*mutter*

They fixed mine with ICLs (Implantable Collamer Lenses). Eyesight recovery was nearly instant. I could see on the operating table as soon as they unfolded the lens. As a bonus they can be removed later or touched up with Lasik if the correction isn't perfect. Took me from minus a lot to 20/15 after four weeks. I was 20/25 by the next day. Of course, like everything, there are risks. ICLs present a different set of risks such as possible early onset cataracts.

Yea, I've seen the prices for that. And cataracts? I don't think my vanity goes far enough to risk that.

It wasn't too much more at the surgery clinic I went to. I think the difference was $200 per eye, although I could be mistaken.

I took a considerable amount of time to weigh the risks, including the possibility of early onset cataracts. After a couple dozen of years of headaches, heavy glasses on my nose, and horrible hard contact experiences I decided to go forward. So far so good. If it bites me later then I can't say I wasn't warned. If I do get cataracts later in life they'll pull the ICLs and put in a crystals lens, or whatever is used at that time. It's a very tough choice that everyone should take a considerable amount of time to consider.

Coffeehouse - Has anyone has their vision fixed with LASIK?

out180 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:06:16 GMT

blowdart wrote:

One day they'll work out how to treat -12.

*mutter*

They fixed mine with ICLs (Implantable Collamer Lenses). Eyesight recovery was nearly instant. I could see on the operating table as soon as they unfolded the lens. As a bonus they can be removed later or touched up with Lasik if the correction isn't perfect. Took me from minus a lot to 20/15 after four weeks. I was 20/25 by the next day. Of course, like everything, there are risks. ICLs present a different set of risks such as possible early onset cataracts.

Coffeehouse - How to get rid of telemarketers...

out180 — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:00:09 GMT

I love that one, a classic.

In case anyone is curious that's Bob and Tom from Q95 radio here in Indianapolis. Q95

Coffeehouse - Size of Vista SP1 Beta1

out180 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:59:10 GMT

harumscarum wrote:

1mb but 2 days to install

Faster than the VS 2k5 SP1 update, SWEET!

Coffeehouse - Software NDAs

out180 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:37:07 GMT

jamie wrote:

well if you are sending out emailed nda info - a good start might be to put at the top of the email - in bold in red - "protected content / nda / do not post"

and yes.. i just checked - re-read entire email - there was no mention of the list being proprietary info which is why i thought it was regular marketing/tech email

Not that you need me to defend you but you're right. There was no mention in the e-mail or on the connect portal that the information was sensitive in any way. I'm in the same program. The reaction sparked by your post was a bit over the top.

Some programs I've been a part of have very clearly stated the sensitivity of certain information, other don't. It probably depends on the group maintaining the portal for that project.

My general rule of thumb is to treat all information on Connect as sensitive, NDA or not. Keeps me out of trouble. Mileage may vary, etc.

Coffeehouse - MSDN Subscriptions Help!!!

out180 — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:07:22 GMT

*sigh*

Everyone so quick to get their jab in.

Read the op. He/she is buying it retail. That's my take from the liberal use of "in the box" throughout their posts.

Now, I'm afraid I don't know the answer for sure. The retail version of the higher up tiers contain CD/DVDs of the MSDN library. Basically you're not going to get what you want in the box. Inside you'll find a code number. You'll go to a website and enter the code to activate your subscription. After several days/weeks you'll recieve your first shipment. Then you'll have your disks. At least that's how it used to work.

That being said if you are in fact thinking of buying it retail I recommend you don't. You can find a new subscription cheaper than the retail cost. Just google it for a bit.

Coffeehouse - Attn:MS hotmail-friend of friend died-need emails of deceased

out180 — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:43:35 GMT

Try the "Forgot Password" thingy at www.passport.net.

I haven't actually run it but it might be something to try. It's under Account Services on the above page.

EDIT: Of course once you run it the current password will be lost in favor of the newly generated one. If you can't get your hands on the new one then you might be worse off. I really don't know how that lost password system works however.

Coffeehouse - A Welcome From Myself To The C9 Community

out180 — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 01:06:59 GMT

Scott Sutton wrote:

Jaz wrote: ...

...
AndyC: I have an unhealthy addiction to coffee, Starbucks and suchlike, every time I read the title of this forum I have a caffeine craving.

Regards,

Scott Sutton

I'm with you on this one. Honestly, they need a size bigger than Venti. Perhaps IV Bag?

Regardless, welcome.

Coffeehouse - Volunteer does not mean "I control"

out180 — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:37:26 GMT

Yggdrasil wrote:

out180 wrote: I have never really been against his decision, it's his method of carrying it out that bothers me. Don't want to go? Fine, refuse, take your licks and get out. Leveraging the media, anti-war rallys, etc. to me was not only unnecessary but conduct unbecoming and well worthy of a big chicken dinner.

I agree - I believe that someone who defaults on a contract should pay the proscribed fine. But I also think that threatening him with a 7-year prison sentence isn't "taking your licks", it's being threatened with totally screwing up the rest of your life. This, I feel, is a massively over-the-top punishment for someone who is NOT actively threatening his fellow soldiers or his country.

I agree, the 7 year sentence is a bit much.

Honestly, the dishonorable discharge will haunt him for the rest of his life. Not only will that black mark follow you but the loss of benefits and veteran status would be painful as well. Being a veteran myself I say take it from him. I served and finished my tour even though at times I hated it but I'm proud to be a veteran because of that.

I do have to disagree slightly with the statement that he is not hurting his fellow soldiers in any way. While he may not be causing them physical harm I do believe he is hurting them publically the general moral, that's already low, takes a hit. Again my mind tells me that if he had handled this internally it would end better.

Whether it be for attention, hurting the Army publically, or getting a lesser sentence since the public is now watching, it is a stunt. Stunts like that hurt people and organizations so I believe he is hurting his fellow soldiers. It's not 7 years of prison worth of hurt but hurt nonetheless.

Take half his pay for a while and make him hand out towels at MWR for a year or two. Once he's completely sick of it give him the BCD, strip his benefits, and give him the boot. As long as everyone knows why he's there and not in Iraq any time he spends in will be quite miserable.

Coffeehouse - new project, in progress...

out180 — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:50:12 GMT

If you want to use IR use this: http://www.usbuirt.com/ along with this: http://www.girder.nl/.

The USBUIRT is an IR receiver that plugs into your USB port and recieves a variety of different frequencies. Girder allows you to script actions based on that input. It's a nice setup. I use it currently on my SageTV HTPC install at home. I don't switch audio inputs however but if you can do it with a mouse Girder will allow you to do it via remote.

Coffeehouse - Volunteer does not mean "I control"

out180 — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:23:35 GMT

Yggdrasil wrote:

out180 wrote: Soldiers should do what they are told period, no qualification or situtation should make that any more or less important (ie. under fire, on shore, etc.). They shouldn't be mindless, and they aren't nor are they encouraged to be. There's a difference between disagreement and refusal.

In Israeli military law, there is a distinction between an "illegal order" and a "blatantly illegal order" (forgive my loose translation).
An illegal order given by a superior officer must be carried out regardless of the soldier's opinion or its legality.
If, for instance, an officer orders you to stand outside all night in the rain - a command directly against all army regulations - the soldier cannot wave military law and claim it is illegal. He still has to follow orders, but he can - and should - report it afterwards and the officer in question should be tried and punished if it was indeed illegal or against regulations. But that's not grounds for a soldier to refuse a direct order.

A blatantly illegal order, however, is one where the soldier feels that the order he was given is not only inappropriate or illegal, but is in direct contradiction to the principles of justice and morality to which the army, as well as any person, is sworn to. In such situations, a soldier is not only expected to refuse - he is morally and legally obligated to refuse.
If a commanding officer orders you to shoot civilians for no reason, you cannot hide behind the claim of "I was only following orders". This is a blatantly illegal order, and must be refused and reported.

I'm not saying that I think Lt. Watanda's refusal comes under these headings. Refusing to serve in Iraq is not the same as refusing to butcher innocent civilians.
I do, however, question the claim that a soldier must refrain from exercising his moral judgement when carrying out orders. I also question the claim that refusing an order to be deployed while still in the US waiting for assignment is the same as refusing an order while deployed and under fire. These are two different situations and two different orders, and should be dealt with appropriately.

Well said and I agree. A soldiers moral judgement must be weighed during the execution of his or her orders. That however doesn't mean that if someone believes the war in Iraq is morally wrong they have the right to refuse deployment. You're "shoot civilians" example works perfect. Obviously shooting civialians is a bad thing, and morally wrong, however I believe that's different than saying the war is morally wrong. There is of course nothing wrong with thinking that however the Army can't just say, "Well, you don't like it so Ok, you don't have to go.".

I respect him for standing by his decision however I expect him to also face the punishment for his refusal. It's an order to deploy, and not an unlawful one in my opinion, so he should be expected to comply.

The trick with lawful and unlawful orders is that there can be a fine line between then and they are of course subjective in nature. I do not feel as though an order to deploy to Iraq is unlawful however others may disagree. The ultimate decision is of course in the hands of the military court, where it should be.

I have never really been against his decision, it's his method of carrying it out that bothers me. Don't want to go? Fine, refuse, take your licks and get out. Leveraging the media, anti-war rallys, etc. to me was not only unnecessary but conduct unbecoming and well worthy of a big chicken dinner.

Coffeehouse - Volunteer does not mean "I control"

out180 — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 14:02:08 GMT

Yggdrasil wrote:

Cybermagellan wrote:  This is the hardest part that people who have never been in the military have to understand....

Yes, except for the fact that I served 6 years in the Israeli army, 3 under mandatory draft and 3 more years afterwards.

Not in any form of combat duty, I'm glad to say, but 6 years in the army nontheless.

And if there's one thing I have learned from all this is that the worst thing that can happen to an army is thinking that soldiers are any different than civilians, and that different laws of morality or justice apply to them.

In combat, under fire, a soldier has to do what he's told immediately.
At any other time, a soldier is a person with all the rights and duties, moral as well as legal.

Soldiers are different than civilians. That's just a fact. They aren't more important however they are different. Not only are they not above the law, they have two sets of laws under which to live. That second set of laws they have to abide by, the UCMJ, doesn't stop when they take their uniform off. They are under it at all times, including when they are standing at a mic in front of an anti-war rally or at home in bed. The trick is, at least in the US, that soldiers are never at any point just a regular person in the eyes of the law or in the eyes of its citizens.

Soldiers should do what they are told period, no qualification or situtation should make that any more or less important (ie. under fire, on shore, etc.). They shouldn't be mindless, and they aren't nor are they encouraged to be. There's a difference between disagreement and refusal.

That is of course just my opinion.

Coffeehouse - Volunteer does not mean "I control"

out180 — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 19:55:43 GMT

Yggdrasil wrote:

out180 wrote: When I joined it was to serve my country. Was I involved in things that I didn't agree with? I never thought about it really. It wasn't my job to judge. I was simply a cog in the war machine and I KNEW my place.

Really, doesn't this seem at all... well... bad to you?

No, it doesn't but it is a choice and a lifestyle not suited for everyone. Personally I have no problems with a chain-of-command, taking orders, and following my leaders, even when I don't agree. Some may reword that as "blindly following" but alas that is the military. Everyone isn't told the grand agenda nor should they expect it.

Really it's no different than following your bosses directions at work. You can object, and face the punishment, or comply and continue on. You know what joining the military consists of just like you know what your job consists of. If you aren't willing to follow your leader into battle then the military isn't a place for you becaues it is an obvious possibility considering the job itself.

It is a world that cannot be compared to anything else and difficult, however not impossible, to understand outside of it.

As far as a volunteer having the right to opt-out if they so choose brings up a different point. The use of Volunteer has to be a careful one here. The volunteer part simply refers to walking into the recruiter's office and signing up and not being drafted. From that point on you are under contract. A contract with stiff punishment if broken. Everyone in the US military has the choice to quit so to speak, but that choice carries some serious things with it.

I don't think the guy is a coward at all. In fact he's just the opposite. It took courage to stand up and do what he did. The fact still remains that he is disobeying orders and in breach of his contract if he wishes to terminate early. He has to stand up and take that punishment. If he really feels as strongly as he lets on he will welcome that punishment in order to stand by his convictions.

Coffeehouse - Volunteer does not mean "I control"

out180 — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:17:45 GMT

This is why the "middle management" leadership in the Military is so bad.

When I joined it was to serve my country. Was I involved in things that I didn't agree with? I never thought about it really. It wasn't my job to judge. I was simply a cog in the war machine and I KNEW my place.

Honestly, if he had objected and kept it within his chain of command I could probably respect him for the individual thought. Making it a big public affair is a whole other story.

Toss him a big chicken dinner and be done with him. We don't need that kind of leadership in our Military. Not because he disagrees with the war... because of how he deals with it.

Coffeehouse - Office 2007 rss

out180 — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 14:10:07 GMT

I popped 'em both into OL Beta 2 and they worked fine for me.

Coffeehouse - 9'er videos

out180 — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:39:41 GMT

Charles wrote:

jamie wrote: just hope charles doesnt interview you - hes brutal!
*scoble exit interview

* Really? Well, I didn't want to give Scoble a powder-puff-you're-so- great-and-we'll-try-to-cope-without-you exit interview... I really wanted to find out why he thinks people care what he thinks (and what other professional corporate bloggers think). It's an interesting question, imho. He did talk about accountability and how readers will hold you to the fire. I thought it was a really good interview...

Anyway, he sort of answered the question, which I sort of asked, but not directly.

C

It was a great interview. You have a "push" to your questions that keeps it interesting. That quality makes for a great interview. I'll say that I prefer you behind the camera even though there's the risk of sounding like a kissup.

Coffeehouse - Virtual PC Is Free!

out180 — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 01:47:02 GMT

blowdart wrote:

serishema wrote:
It would be nice if vpc emulated a video card with actual 3D capabilities so i didn't have to use mesalib (software open GL) for graphics work

Interestly VMWare have just release a beta for Direct3D support

I thought about posting this last night but didn't. Technically VMware has had beta support for this for a while now. It's nothing new from them by any stretch. I cannot say how good/bad it is since I never use it. There's quite a bit on their forums about its use and capabilities.

Coffeehouse - Any Niners in Orlando?

out180 — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 06:06:35 GMT

Cybermagellan wrote:

Zeo wrote: Hey Jeff. As a new Microsoftie and long time niner I'd love to meet up.

God even as an employee you don't quit humping leg do you?

Thank God I'm not the only one that thought that.

Coffeehouse - Busy with coding

out180 — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 05:57:06 GMT

Ang3lFir3 wrote:

out180 wrote:
ROFL - No, an actual book with a real publisher. Professional VMware from WROX. It's on how to leverage VMware Server in your development environment. Pushing builds to test machines with CruiseControl.Net and VSTS. Work'n the APIs, etc. Fun stuff.

sounds like an interesting book.... I've been wanting to find more info on working with CruiseControl for managing CI but haven't had a lot of time too look... got any good links?

ohh and what's a vacation?

I just checked your thread history. I'm sorry I missed your CI question a while back.

All of my work with CCNet has been accomplished with their site instruction and the user mailing list. I haven't read any titles on CCNet although there is one on Amazon with decent reviews. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590594851/

Looking at your list of requirements I'd say CCNet will do exactly what you need. MSBuild support is now built in and you can display the MSBuild output XML formatted in the web panel now as well. It works pretty well. If you have a large project with complicated deps the project configuration file can be a bit of a bear but it's still manageable. FxCop is a bit of a trick but there is some material on the mailing list about it. It can be done, but isn't directly part of CCNet's process (read: external call).

Feel free to contact me offline if you want to talk more about it.

Coffeehouse - Busy with coding

out180 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 17:02:05 GMT

Cornelius Ellsonpeter wrote:

out180 wrote: Finishing a book, two huge projects at work, and trying to avoid a room with padded walls. No rest for me this summer.

Not a forum bashing book I hope! lol

I would like to go back to school this fall, at an area university, but I don't think I'll be able to afford it right now. I guess I work on some projects on the side instead, and see if I can get my employer to pay for a couple of courses.

ROFL - No, an actual book with a real publisher. Professional VMware from WROX. It's on how to leverage VMware Server in your development environment. Pushing builds to test machines with CruiseControl.Net and VSTS. Work'n the APIs, etc. Fun stuff.

Coffeehouse - Busy with coding

out180 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:36:56 GMT

Finishing a book, two huge projects at work, and trying to avoid a room with padded walls. No rest for me this summer.

Coffeehouse - Where are all of the good VB.NET video tutorials? :)

out180 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:34:22 GMT

Duncanma wrote:

Hmm... when you did some book writing, eh?

In my experience, and I feel a bit torn saying this, being a VB guy through and through... higher end .NET developers tend to read/write C#... I'm not sure I can say why, but my theory was that C# was the new hot thing when .NET was first launched and if you jumped in right at the beginning there was a lot of reason to go with C#. I was writing a VB.NET book during the alpha of .NET 1.0 and C# certainly appeared to more stable... that difference went away by launch, but I think all the "developmentor" type folks out there were diving into .NET from the earliest releases... so they ended up with C#...

Of course there was also a lot of folks who just wanted to use something that was more java-like and more C++ like... and the age-old perception that VB is not for true Comp Sci experts...

For me, I saw VB.NET 1.0 in alpha form and I was astounded it was everything I loved about VB plus it appeared to have removed all the limitations that used to force me to build portions of my apps in C++ ... After the alpha I wrote a ton of articles for MSDN, each and every one of them using VB.NET ... Definitely my language of choice.

I still feel that way, but Channel 9 and on10.net are written in C#... so I spend all day coding in C# instead (and it is just peachy... it just wouldn't have been my first choice).

Now, back to books... I was actually told by a publisher that by the .NET 2.0 timeframe C# books were outselling VB.NET books on advanced topics (The "essentials" series from AW was the example used at the time), but it wasn't a large difference. Either way, it didn't change what I wanted to write, but I did start to realize that if you weren't doing a language book (learn VB in x days! vs. ADO.NET or ClickOnce) that you probably need to provide all your code in both VB.NET and C#. I believe that is still true, both languages have a large audience.

Any VB programmrs here who see a great video tutorial in only C# should really complain to MSDN or to whoever published the video... In many cases the C# video would still be useful to you, but if Microsoft publishes it then it should probably be a single video that covers samples in both languages or more than one version should be made available!

*sigh* I wish I was bouncing between samples in VB or C#. My books sample's are in VBScript and Perl. Perl mostly, it has a special place in my heart.

Coffeehouse - Where are all of the good VB.NET video tutorials? :)

out180 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:25:34 GMT

Ang3lFir3 wrote:

Duncanma wrote: ...

...

out180- Good stuff... Think we might look at grabbing a subscription.... always loved his vids on MSDN and I see a few things on there I might even wanna take a look at.... be good for our junior devs too.

I'm glad you found it useful. A lot of the vids on learnvisualstudio.net I force on junior devs just like you mentioned. There's a couple MSDN webcasts that I have them watch as well. Joe Hummel and Brad Abrams both has a good series on proper class design.

Coffeehouse - Where are all of the good VB.NET video tutorials? :)

out180 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:22:36 GMT

jsampsonPC wrote:

I appreciate the input Thanks. I purchased my lifetime membership to learnvisualstudio.net, and I have already downloaded all of the videos. Browsing through the titles, I feel I made a great purchase

Oh, about Joe Hummel - Found His Link...
You gotta scroll down for the VB.NET section.

Thanks for that. I tell ya, I really did search for them, I promise. Regardless you found them. He produces some good material.