Microsoft Expression Products

Microsoft has released a new product line called Expression, targeting web designers and developers. The product line up consists of 3 products:

1. Expression Graphic Designer: used for creating vector or pixel-based rich graphics with texture and dimensions
2. Expression Interactive Designer: for creating an engaging and interactive interface using multi-media.
3. Expression Web Designer: used for building optimal web sites using a visual designer and leveraging ASP.Net, XML, and XHTML.

Web designers can incorporate elements from each product into a single web site. In addition, all these products can be used in conjunction with Visual Studio 2005 to leverage the capabilities of programming languages such as C# and VB.Net. Projects can then be built and deployed from Visual Studio.

For more information or to download a trial version, visit the Expression home page at http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/default.mspx

Microsoft Expression Web Designer

Today Microsoft has released the beta version of Expression Web Designer. It is intended to replace Frontpage, which is being phased out of the product lineup.

In addition, Expression Web Designer will also offer reporting tools for web developers to help identify sites where Cascading Style Sheets are causing errors, accessibility of the site to handicapped Web users, and how many errors users of older Web browsers are encountering when viewing the site.

To download the CTP (Community Technology Preview) beta version, go to http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/web_designer/wd_free_trial.aspx

Generating a GUID

Q: How can I create a unique value without using a counter?

A: The .Net framework provides a method for generating a universally unique identifier or GUID and can be accessed as shown below:

Dim strGUID as String = System.GUID.NewGuid().ToString()

GUID is short for Globaly Unique Identifier. This number is
based on IP address, MAC address, and date/time. It's represented as a series of alpha-numeric characters in the format {8-4-4-4-12}.

Using the NewGuid() method allows unique numbers to be generated by one function call, without concern for repeating identifiers or counters.

C# in SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services

Q: I know that VB.Net functions are available in SQL Server 2005 RS (Reporting Services), but does it also accept C# commands?

A: The expression language for Reporting Services is VB.Net only. You can call an assembly that contains functions written in C#. This is a very valid option, but the call from within the report will be with the VB.Net syntax.

Thanks to Mike Shelton (Microsoft) for answering this question.

MS Certification Courses

Q: Where can I take a class that would be geared toward certification in either .NET forms or ASP.Net? I interested in exams 70-315 or 70-316.

A: Check out this link (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsd/requirementsdotnet.asp). It lists the tests needed for passing the MCSD along with MS courses. You can register with these exact same course numbers at CCC or CSU Continuing Education, or any other MS certified training facility.

Also, right now MS is offering a free second shot exam if you register before end of June. For more info, see http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/offers/2ndchance/.

Microsoft Application Verifier

Microsoft recently released v3.1 of Application Verifier. This is a runtime verification tool for unmanaged code that assists in finding subtle programming errors that can be difficult to identify with normal application testing. Run the Application Verifier tests on your code to identify issues within heaps, handles, and locks. The product is available for Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. To read more about it or to download it, go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=BD02C19C-1250-433C-8C1B-2619BD93B3A2&displaylang=en

HTML-based Text Editor

I came across an MSDN article that describes how to build an HTML-based text editor. The final product is professional in appearence and functionality, complete with font editing, drop down list boxes and a splash screen to display a company logo. To see how this editor is created in 6 steps, go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/author/editing/tutorials/html_editor.asp

Microsoft Downloads

I found a few interesting downloads, free from Micorsoft.

User Profile Hive Cleanup Service:The User Profile Hive Cleanup service helps to ensure user sessions are completely terminated when a user logs off. System processes and applications occasionally maintain connections to registry keys in the user profile after a user logs off. In those cases the user session is prevented from completely ending. This can result in problems when using Roaming User Profiles in a server environment or when using locked profiles as implemented through the Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP.http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en

Port Reporter:Port Reporter logs TCP and UDP port activity on a local Windows system. Port Reporter is a small application that runs as a service on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=69BA779B-BAE9-4243-B9D6-63E62B4BCD2E&displayLang=en

Calculator plus: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=32B0D059-B53A-4DC9-8265-DA47F157C091&displaylang=en&Hash=RD948Y5

AV for Vista

Q: I installed Vista on a home machine but I can’t find an AV program that I can install on it. Do you have any recommendations.

A: The EZ Antivirus product from Computer Associates will run on Vista. You can download a free day trial version from http://store.digitalriver.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Locale=en_US&id=ProductDetailsPage&SiteID=caconsum&productID=35295600&Env=BASE

BizTalk 2006 RTM

Microsoft recently released BizTalk 2006. The new version features more that 20 new adapters. The Enterprise and Standard Editions of BizTalk Server 2006 include adapters for popular applications such as SAP, Siebel, Peoplesoft, Oracle Database, and JD Edwards at no extra charge. In addition, the following features are also included:

• Simplifeied installation
• Server Health Monitoring
• Enhanced BAM (Business Activity Monitor)
• Flat File Wizard

For more information on the new features, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/biztalk/evaluation/overview/default.mspx.

To download a trial version of BizTalk 2006, go to http://www.microsoft.com/biztalk/evaluation/trial/default.mspx

Microsoft Offers Virtual Server for Free

In a strategic move in the virtualization market, Microsoft is now offering Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition free of charge to the public. This product is similar to its client counterpart Virtual PC, but is intended for server products. To learn more about the differences between the 2 products, go to http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/4/d/14d17804-1659-435d-bc11-657a6da308c0/VSvsVPC.doc

To download Virtual Server, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/software/default.mspx.

Brulant Game Night

BRING YOUR "A" GAME....BRULANT GAME NIGHT!

You're invited to test your gaming skills against your fellow technology gurus. Our first event was such a success, please join us again for networking, food, drinks, and the chance to win bragging rights as the master of:

* Texas Hold 'Em
* Halo 2
* Chess
* Foozball
* Madden
* and more!

Throughout the night, we'll be giving away great prizes. Feel free to suggest any other games we might consider, and bring a friend, the more the merrier!

When? Wednesday, April 5th, 5:30 p.m.-?

Where? Brulant's NEW Headquarters3700 Park East Drive, Suite 300Beachwood, OH 44122

To Register: Visit http://www.brulant.com/events/event.asp?id=508, and click on the "register" button for each person that plans on attending!

Microsoft Anti-Cross Site Scripting Library

Microsoft has recently released an Anti-Cross Site Scripting Library to help prevent cross site scripting attacks. To download the Anti-Cross Site Scripting Library, go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9A2B9C92-7AD9-496C-9A89-AF08DE2E5982&displaylang=en

A Cross Site Scripting attack (XSS) occurs when a hacker inserts a link in an e-mail or web forum that appears to be legitimate (i.e. cnn.com, google.com). However, the link actually a malicious script code embedded in the URL. When the unsuspecting user clicks the link, the script is executed on the host web site. The script code maybe used to transfer cookies from the victim's PC to the hacker's machine. The cookies may contain user ID's, passwords, or possibly credit card information, all which can be used for illegal purposes. To read more about this security attack, visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/author/dhtml/httponly_cookies.asp