The world’s most popular browser just got a whole lot better :-) It's now easier, faster and safer to venture out on the web.
Their is a host of new features:
- Accelerators, to ease the effort in mapping directions, language translations, etc.
- InPrivate browsing, that prevents your browse history from being saved
- Web Slices, to keep you updated on site changes
- Search suggestions, and
- SmartScreen Filter, to make your browsing experience safer
Go
download a copy and get your hands dirty.
Along with the increasing popularity of the web, AJAX has increased in popularity as a framework for enhancing web experiences. ASP.NET AJAX has provided developers with a way to use client-side code, without writing the JavaScript themselves This is very good news, if JavaScript is not your forte.
If this is a world that excites you, go check out a preview of ASP.NET AJAX 4.0. You can also find documentation and a short exercise on these new features.
The .NET 3.5 Enhancements Training Kit has been downloaded over 28 000 times. It's the easiest and fastest way to get up to speed on .NET Framework 3.5. It contains slides, scripted demos and labs. You can even impress family members with the content:-)
With .NET Framework 3.5 SP 1 the kit has been updated. So, download the updated Kit and get going. It even includes a 1-day and 2-day agenda, so you are able to provide some valuable training to your colleagues.
Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is not a traditional service pack. Aside from some bug fixes, normally associated with service pack releases, this service pack includes quite a lot of new features.
The .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 delivers:
- Performance increases between 20-45% for WPF-based applications.
- WCF improvements that give developers more control over the way they access data and services.
- Streamlined installation experience for client applications.
- Improvements in the area of data platform, such as the ADO.NET Entity Framework, ADO.NET Data Services and extensive support for SQL Server 2008’s new features.
Visual Studio 2008 SP1 delivers:
- Improved designers for building WPF applications
- Full support for SQL Server 2008
- ADO.NET Entity Framework and ADO.NET Data Services tooling
- Visual Basic and Visual C++ components and tools
- Improvements to TFS to respond to customer feedback on version control usability and performance, improved email integration with work item tracking and full support for hosting on SQL 2008.
- Improvements for Web development including richer JavaScript support, enhanced AJAX and data tools, and Web site deployment.
Visit the SP1 information page for an overview of these new features, as well as download instructions.
Enjoy!
SQL Server 2008 is now available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers and is already available for evaluation download.
SQL Server 2008 Enterprise. SQL Server 2008 Enterprise is a comprehensive data management and business intelligence platform that provides enterprise-class scalability, data warehousing, security, advanced analytics and reporting support for running business-critical applications. With this edition, it is possible to consolidate servers and perform large-scale online transactional processing.
SQL Server 2008 Standard. SQL Server 2008 Standard is a complete data management and business intelligence platform that provides best-in-class ease of use and manageability for running departmental applications.
SQL Server 2008 Workgroup. SQL Server 2008 Workgroup is a reliable data management and reporting platform that delivers secure, remote synchronization and management capabilities for running branch applications. This edition includes core database features and is easy to upgrade to the Standard or Enterprise edition.
SQL Server 2008 Web. SQL Server 2008 Web is designed for highly available, Internet-facing Web-serving environments running on Windows Server. SQL Server 2008 Web provides the tools necessary to support low-cost, large-scale, highly available Web applications or hosting solutions for customers.
SQL Server 2008 Developer. SQL Server 2008 Developer allows developers to build and test any type of application with SQL Server. This edition features all of the functionality of SQL Server Enterprise but is licensed only for development, test and demo use. Applications and databases developed on this edition can easily be upgraded to SQL Server 2008 Enterprise.
SQL Server 2008 Express. SQL Server 2008 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that features core database functionality including all of the new SQL Server 2008 data types, in a small footprint. This edition is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.
SQL Server Compact 3.5. SQL Server Compact is a free embedded database designed for developers and is ideal for building stand-alone and occasionally connected applications for mobile devices, desktops and Web clients. SQL Server Compact runs on all Microsoft Windows platforms, including the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems, and on Pocket PC and smartphone devices.
What I specifically like about the Express Edition 2008 (compared to previous versions) is that it includes a Management Studio - no separate download required.
It's all over! The developer presenters (both local and overseas) as well as the session content were awesome. We felt that we had the capacity this year to run both introductory and advanced developer sessions. The content was awesome! Did I say the content was awesome? Yes, I did:-)
Some personal impressions:
- We had a few first-time presenters that showed real commitment in preparing and delivering their sessions.
- The MVP's have grown to be a force to be reckoned with!
- The vibe amongst the TechEd delegates was great to experience.
- TechEd is definitely a deep technical event. The parties are the good. The content is even better.
- The depth of the content was awe inspiring.
- The move from Sun City to Durban was very successful. (We moved away from Sun City due to capacity constraints.) We're committed and ready to grow this event to one that developers cannot afford to miss.
We are aware that there is always room for improvement. Hence, we'll appreciate any honest feedback. The good, the bad and the ugly.
I can't wait for TechEd South Africa 2009!