Brian H. Prince

While in Redmond several weeks ago, Eddie (Sr something or other for developer tools) showed us the bleeding edge research they are doing to really improve the management and development tools for BizTalk tools beyond 2006. Eddie, I must say. is a very entertaining speaker. Some of the stuff I saw I can't talk about (I have to say it is cool to say that). Some of the new features they did show at the PDC, and on videos on channel 9. [links below] Here is a summary: 1. They actually use real world samples when working on the new tools. For example, schema maps with 15,000 fields in them. This forced them to really focus on the scale of work that us users really focus on, instead of trivial amounts of sample work. 2. To fix the 'black map' problem they seriously upgraded the mapping tool. What is the 'black map' problem? When you have a map with a lot of fields, and lines, you eventually only have a large mass of lines, and no whitespace. With auto-mapping using chara...

'THE' launch is finally upon us. Which launch? The launch of Visual Studio 2005 (which includes alot!), BizTalk 2006 (really a paper launch), and SQL Server 2005. This is BIG stuff! These products have already completely reformed how we do .NET development. I think this is a bigger jump than the one from Studio 2000 to Studio 2003, from a tools perspective. What they alone have done to the traditionally opaque and obtuse BizTalk tools is fabulous. The closest launch event to us is in Detroit, MI on Nov 8th. Since so many of us are going, we have arranged for a bus from Columbus. We are leaving around 4:30am, and will be getting back around 9:00pm. There are some seats left, so drop me an email if you would like one. I am not sure if we will have to split costs, or if this will be 'complimentary' from my company. We shall see. What is happening at the launch? Check this out , and don't forget to register. To me, it seems like a mini-TechEd. And the best part (there...

Just spent a week at Microsoft [I will go into why later]. I have noticed that all MS speak follows this expression: "So.... [insert stuff here]...., right?" At first I noticed this months ago with speakers at the local and regional level. But after the PDC and a week in Redmond, I have decided it is pervasive. Now, this is not a negative/beatdown post. This isn't even a grammarian rant. Just an observation. While at Mistral having dinner, Javier Mariscal and I discussed this weird thing. At first I thought it was a result of MS trying to fix it's perceived arrogance, by asking for confirmation in every statement, and by starting with SO, in an attempt to appear passive (or at least not aggressive). I am guessing that it merely spread, as a meme so to speak, to everyone in the MS space. I have found though, that it seems to permeate every said now, to the point that it is obstructing the message. In a 1 hour meeting, I could 27 'rights' from one person. Ju...

Sorry I haven't posted, not that anyone is reading, anyway. I have spent my time: * digging into atlas * writing five proposals in one week * playing as much dungeon seige 2 before age of empires 3 and civilization 4 comes out * finding someplace to pre-order a 360 Biggest news? I have been accepted into the Virtual Technical Specialist program with Microsoft. Big thanks to Keith for the opportunity, and Drew for the support. I am at guerilla training for BizTalk 2006 this week, at Microsoft. This is my first visit to MS, and I am very excited. It is like going to the mother ship for me. This is also my fist guerilla style training, so I think it will be fun, and exhausting. -bhp