MSDN Guy

Thinking about Atlas?

Mike Benkovich — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 09:07:00 GMT

In case you're interested, I'm starting a run of weekly webcasts on Atlas/Ajax to help introduce and get developers up to speed with this exciting new technology. So here's the synapsis:

This webcast series is aimed at people who are new to writing AJAX style web applications but can see the value the technology offers. We go from the basics of the what AJAX is, looking at each of the components that make the technology work, and then dive into what the Atlas framework brings to the table to make developing with this technology more intuitive and easier than before.

Atlas: Novice to Pro
Our schedule – Monday's
10/2 – Intro to Atlas: Level 100
If you thought AJAX was for cleaning floors and an Atlas was simply a collection of maps, and you don’t know what all the fuss is about, then this webcast is for you. In this webcast we talk about the technologies available for building highly interactive web applications, the components that make it work, and the tools that are available to the Visual Studio developer for making them work. We cover examples of AJAX style applications, how to install and configure Atlas, and then use the tools to build a simple website.

10/9 – AJAX Components: Level 200
In this webcast we introduce the components and parts that make AJAX work, including the XmlHttpRequest object, the DOM and JavaScript. We explore how these pieces fit together to enable the client application experience. Going beyond naming them we will explore the structure, syntax and the use of these so that we can build a foundation for future webcasts.

10/16 – Writing JavaScript: Level 200
While many people have experience writing .NET applications, learning the syntax and grammar of yet another language can seem like more work than it’s worth. But to take full advantage of what you can do with the Atlas framework there are fundamentals that we need to know and in this webcast we lay it out.

10/23 – Understanding XmlHttpRequest: Level 200
What is the XmlHttpRequest object, and why is it in my browser? In this webcast we cover how the enabling technology for AJAX was introduced and used to allow end users to create browser based applications with a rich user experience. While this is not new technology, we talk about the challenges and complexities that limited its widespread adoption. We dive into the rich set of functionality it offers and take a look at how we can use it in our own applications.

10/30 – Atlas for the masses: Level 200
We have the foundation built, now lets take a deeper look at the framework from Microsoft for building Ajax style applications called Atlas. Using Visual Studio we explore the rich set of components and controls that can be applied to create new web sites and Ajax-ify existing ones.

11/6 – AJAX Control Toolkit: Level 200
When you think about extensibility, look at what AJAX Extensions to ASP.NET offers as a download. Controls you can use, as well as how you can create your own. Join us to learn more about what's possible with this exciting technology.

Other upcoming webcasts...

11/13 – SQL MasterClass: Tuning SQL 2005 Applications
Relational databases let us capture and manage large amounts of information. When the data grows and the application slows, what can you do to make it right? Learn tips & tricks for tuning SQL 2005 databases, using the tools at your disposal and techniques to identify what's the real problem and where to look next.

Security Links

Mike Benkovich — Fri, 18 Feb 2005 00:02:00 GMT

I'm presenting a Webcast tomorrow on the topic "Practical Security for Intranet Applications", and we cover a lot of information. I've got some additional resources if you are interested in going deeper into some of the topics we'll be covering, and I thought I'd share them here. They are also posted on my website: www.BenkoTips.com

Some links to useful information about the topics we covered include the following:

I hope you'll be able to join me!

Feeling Secure?

Mike Benkovich — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 19:29:00 GMT

Have you ever found an acorn under your pillow? My folks have a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin that we've been going to forever. It's far enough away from the cities that you really feel like you're in another world. No phone, no TV, only the tech is what you bring with you. Its a nice place to get away, safe from the intrusion of the outside world...I really looked forward to going "Up North". That is, until the incident.

It occurred the last time we were there. Like most cabins that were built in th 70's it isn't exactly the most "tight" place in the sense that when we're not occupying it, something certainly is. Generally, the other occupants will abandon ship - so to say - when we arrive, so that we get the run of the place.

During the day you know that you own the realm. But at night, after you go to bed, things can change. My wife & I were in the bedroom, and about 2 in the morning she sits up and SCREAMS "What IS that???". You see we had found some gifts under the pillow, and it didn't seem to me that we had left anything under the pillow the last time we were there. Now the owner was coming to claim his cache. Granted, he wasn't much more than a couple inches big, but tell that to a woman who has already reached her own conclusions...

By the time we found the light switch the intruder was gone, out through a gaping hole in the wall that contained an outlet but was missing the cover. The rest of the story is pretty bland, I bought an outlet cover the next day at the hardware store and it seemed to close the breach in the wall, and for now we're safe. But what else can we and should we do to make sure this doesn't happen again?

It's important to know what's out there, the vulnerabilities that can reach out and get you when you're not looking. But how do you know what to look for? Someone said that the only thing more painful than learning from experience, is not learning from experience. Fortunately you don't have to rely on experience. Sometimes you can learn from others, and that's what we're doing on the MSDN team with regards to Software and Security. It's called the Digital Black Belt Security Webcast Series, where we share common threats and tricks that leave your applications vulnerable to exploits. Joe Stagner is driving a lot of these, but I will be doing a webcast this Friday on Practical Security for Intranet Applications.

Join me and we'll will show you how to find the acorns under the pillow.

Thoughts from the Road...

Mike Benkovich — Wed, 09 Feb 2005 16:38:00 GMT

Already kids, It's time again for "NAME THAT TUNE!"

Where am I going to live when I get home?
My old lady throw'd out everything I own
She meant what she said
when she wished I were dead
so where'm I going to live when I get home?

- Name the artist?

Some people are just blessed with having a job they love. I'm one of those crazy few who really enjoys what they do. Take yesterday for example. I was in the great town of Perrysburg, OH, just south of Toledo. The MSDN event was in a small room, but we filled it to capacity and just like my event at the Mall of America, we had standing room only for late comers. Greg Huber from the local user group (www.nwnug.com) was there to help share the love. We had an engaging crowd with lots of good questions and feedback and I had a great time. It's really cool when things go right.

I really like the opportunity to see so many of the towns & cities across America. Too often as a tourist you have a destination and you don't get a good feel for the area. My job puts me into the heart of great cities like Des Moines, Omaha, Dallas, etc., where I get to meet with developers from all walks of life. It's pretty cool when you realize that we're all facing similar challenges and issues, and when you show off a new tool or technique that makes someone go "AH HA!" you know you've earned your stripes.

Next I'm on my way to Detroit, and then back to the midwest after that. So much to see & people to meet. If you've read my blog and I'm in town, stop by. Here's what my schedule looks like for the next few months:

2/10 - Detroit, MI
2/22 - Des Moines, IA (hang with my friends at www.iowadnug.org)
2/24 - Omaha, NE (see what's going on with the brand new SQL Server UG)
3/1 - Boca Raton, FL (Hello Florida!)
3/3 - West Palm Beach, FL (is this work or a vacation?)
3/8 - Tulsa, OK (Hang out with my college roomate)
3/10 - Oklahoma City, OK
3/15 - Bismarck, ND (where the big wind blows)
3/17 - Fargo, ND
3/22 - Casper, WY
3/24 - Rapid City, SD (stop in Rushford, where we used to camp years ago)
3/31 - Minneapolis SQL Summit (I'm not presenting, just learning...join me!)
4/12 - Memphis, TN
4/14 - Nashville, TN
5/17 - Wichita, KS
5/19 - Overland Park, KS (think Kansas City)
5/24 - Springfield, MO
5/26 - Little Rock, AR
6/14 - Des Moines, IA
6/16 - Omaha, NE
6/21 - Tulsa, OK
6/23 - Oklahoma City, OK