ASP.NET 2.0 - Cool New Features

Sometimes when I am focused in one area I miss obvious, cool new features in another area. Specifically, I am talking about cross-page postbacks, client callback manager, an asynchronous pages in ASP.NET 2.0.

Cross-page postbacks means that a second page has an object reference to the page that caused the postback. This means you can read properties and control values right off the preceding page. No more stuffing values in query strings or in session for this simple maneuver.

Client callback manager seems to be like Ajax - lighweight or soft HTTP asynchronous posts. This ought to give your applications a real kick in the shorts.

Finally, asynchronous pages. Got a long running query? Why not do as many other tasks as you can while the database is working in the background?

If you want to find out how to use these features then check out upcoming articles in VB Today column on codeguru.com.

TechNet Virtual Labs 2

I still think virtual labs are great, and they are so great that they shouldn't have expired beta software or broken links on them. Thus, I, in equal parts, encourage you to look for and use virtual labs and admonish Microsoft to fix broken links and remove labs that are dependent on beta software.

Personally, I am embarrassed when my sites have bad or broken links. A 300 billion dollar company ought to lop off someone's head when their site is busted. I tried to use three virtual labs today: one had a broken link, another had beta software that had expired, and the third had beta software that hadn't expired. Come on Remondians, this is a great service, make sure every experience is as positive as your customer support is tenacious.

TechNet Virtual Labs

Woo hoo! I love TechNet. So, I knew about TechNet virtual labs but didn't have an occasion to use them until my server crashed recently and I had to re-install and configure ISA (Internet Security & Acceleration) server 2004. Writing code all day I avoid configuring networks, servers, and related software unless I must. ISA can be particularly challenging.

This time around though I found a TechNet virtual lab and viola!

If you don't Microsoft provides free learning documentation that is very thorough and professionally written. To facilitate hands on experience they also provide virtual computers that you can remote into and actually try the exercises. For example, the ISA lab has four computers configured into a network, which permits you to view all sides of the network. Configure the ISA server and then switch focus to outside the network and immediately test your configuration.

These computers are probably virtual PC instances, but they are definitely an invaluable learning aid especially if you are trying to learn something new and challenging.

Needless to say I was able to do most of the ISA configuration myself and all of it relative to the new MS Exchange instance. (I should mention though that ISA 2004 is significantly more user friendly than ISA 2000.)

I encourage you to find a Microsoft TechNet virtual lab next time you need to try something new.