Code Camp 7 - Presentaion Schedule Posted

Well, the line-up and schedule has been posted for Code Camp 7.  I'm presenting on Saturday in the 1:15pm - 2:45pm slot.  Here's a link to the full presentation timetable.

Code Camp 7 - 5 days to go

Chris Bowen just posted an update on Code Camp 7.  There are over 40 sessions being presented over 2 days with 350+ signed up to attend.  This looks like it's going to be a great weekend (if I can stop my stomach from doing cartwheels).  The schedule of presentations isn't out yet, but Chris thinks that it will be available tomorrow.  He's also got a bunch of free stuff to give away, so if you're like me, that's reason enough to attend.

I've been working on my MSBuild presentation.  Man! I didn't realize how much work goes into one of these things.  I was just thinking that if it takes this much effort to create a conference session, how much does it take to write a book.  I have new found respect for the spouses of authors...they must be saints!

I was talking with Mike Ruminer about how best to keep my presentation flowing and he recommended using Camtasia to record the code writing and running sections of the talk.  I've been doing that and it really seems like it will make the presentation smoother as well as not allowing me to forget to do anything.  Best of all for the audience, you don't have to sit through my fat-fingering of the code (mostly) during the talk.  Win-win!

My final comment:  If you have the opportunity to attend, sign up using the link below.  I'm anticipating some great sessions.

 

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TFS: Microsoft Visual Studio Team System Web Access has arrived!!

Brian Harry has announced that Microsoft has purchased TeamPlain and has rebranded it Microsoft Visual Studio Team System Web Access.  Best of all, it is available for immediate FREE download.  Now that's what I call adding value!!   In my opinion, a very good decision by the folks at Microsoft.

Today we are announcing that Microsoft has acquired DevBiz Business Solutions, the makers of the popular TeamPlain Web Access for Team System.  TeamPlain is a web front end for VSTS that enables users to access the majority of TFS functionality from within a Web browser. 

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TeamPlain will become Microsoft Visual Studio Team System Web Access.  Effective today, TeamPlain is available, at no additional charge, to users who own a Team Foundation Server and can be downloaded from here.  It will be accessible by any user properly licensed with a TFS CAL.  Support will continue to be provided by the current staff via the DevBiz online forums.

- Brian Harry                

TFSVC: Finally, Some Team Foundation Server Branching Guidance from Microsoft

The nice folks in the TFS Team, specifically John Jacob, Mario Rodriguez and Graham Barry, are doing some more "out-of-band" work.  They have posted a guidance document to Branching in TFS Version control to CodePlex.  I'm grabbing the doc right now and will be looking through it soon, but for now, here's the link for both of you.

Microsoft Team Foundation Server Branching Guidance

- Steve

Code Camp 7: MSBuild Presentation Update

I just heard back from Chris Bowen on my MSBuild presentation.  I have been accepted for the Code Camp.  It seems that Chris is using "pulse-based criteria" when selecteing speakers.  Luckily for me, I have a pulse. :-)  So, now I'm elated and terrified.  So much for the slim hope that I wouldn't be chosen and I could safely hide in the audience.  Now I have to get off my ass and finish the presentation.

If you happen to be one of my 7 readers and you make it to the Code Camp, stop by and say "Hi."  I have no idea which slot or room I'll be in, so check the Presentation list online.

- Steve

Team Build: Passing Custom Properties to individual solutions

Aaron Hallberg has a great post and downloadable target file that describes how to pass your custom properties down to solutions that you are building.  In Version 1 of Team Build, there was a disconnect between the properties that you set in your TFSBuild.proj file and those that actually got to the MSBuild instance that compiled your code.  This override solves that problem by utilizing Item Metadata on the SolutionToBuild item group.  This is an elegant solution to this problem and goes to show just how configurable and extendable Team Build is.

Kudos to Aaron and the whole Team Build team for listening to us and providing additional value out-of-band.

- Steve

Code Camp 7: Deer in the Headlights Presentation on MSBuild

Well, I've gone and done it!  I submitted a proposal to present a session on MSBuild at the forthcoming Code Camp 7 at Microsoft in Waltham, MA on March 31st and April 1st 2007.  This is my first foray into public speaking, so I'm just a wee-bit nervous (read: terrified).  Hopefully my session proposal will be accepted.  Either way, I'll be in attendance as there looks to be some really good sessions being proposed.

Can we build it?  Yes We Can!:  An Introduction to MSBuild

MSBuild is Microsoft’s new build and automation tool.  It is included in the .NET Framework 2.0, Visual Studio 2005 and Vista and is the underlying technology of all .Net 2.0 project files, regardless of language.  In this session you will be introduced to the XML-based language that MSBuild employs and see how easy it is to customize your own build process.  It covers the basics of MSBuild project files, how to extend MSBuild with custom tasks, “best practices” for working with MSBuild scripts and maybe a bit on how Team Foundation Server’s Team Build works. This code-heavy presentation will show the development of basic to intermediate MSBuild scripts. 

I'll post again, if it gets accepted, with the date and time of the session.

- Steve

Orcas March CTP including TFS is now available

The March CTP release of Visual Studio Codenamed "Orcas" has been released.  This CTP includes Team Foundation Server related items including a VPC of Team Suite with TFS.  I'm downloading the VPC as I write and can't wait to get home this evening to play with it! Buck Hodges has some good advice on downloading and setting up the CTP. Many thanks to the VSTS team for putting this CTP together. - Steve