Posts Tagged ‘.NET’

1. Why You Should Attend MADExpo 2011

   Posted on March 28th, 2011 by Kevin

   

   A couple weeks ago we announced that we’re going to be holding our first regional event here in the Mid Atlantic, and the name of that event is MADExpo (Mid Atlantic Developer Expo).  Scheduled for June 30th – July 1st.  It’ll be held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA.

   Last week, we announced our pricing as well as opened up registration.  Early bird pricing starts at $99 and will run until May 1st.  After that, full pricing begins at $149.

   BUT KEVIN?!  Code Camps and stuff are free!

   That’s correct!  But code camps also have a fraction of what MADExpo is going to have, and suffer from regional fragmentation.  The goal of MADExpo is to unite all developers in the Mid Atlantic, and our sister regions, for two days of awesome developer content.

   What should I look forward to?

   Most code camps have a very “Microsoft” feel to them.  .NET this, C# that.  At MADExpo, we’re making certain that you have the opportunity to explore other avenues of software development.  If you’ve been curious about Ruby, we’re bringing in sessions built for you.  Have you seen people working with touch screens and Natural User Interfaces?  We have leading experts in the field to show you how it’s done!

   There are beginners topics, and more advanced topics that’ll make you scratch your head.

   But wait!  There’s more!

   Additionally, we’re adding a full day side session devoted to electronics and hacking.  If you’re into soldering, or thought it looked interesting, take a talk through our own mini-Maker’s Faire.  Learn from geeks just like you who are building crazy machines with Arduino and code!

   But I have kids…

   Bring them along!  We’re proud to announce a one-day MADKidz workshop for kids of all ages.  This event will help your youngster learn more everything from software developer to electronics.

   The other tangibles

   This event is also about networking.  Meet other developers from other parts of the country (and maybe even different countries!)  Exchange ideas, discuss issues, and have fun!  I will always say that some of my best friends have come from the event I’ve attended.

   The hidden secret

   Want a free pass to MADExpo?  SPEAK!  Events like this are terrific opportunities to get out and flex your presentation muscles.  No developer subject is taboo.  Submitting costs nothing.  Go to http://madexpo.us/speakers to submit a talk!

   Or just register!

   Go!  Register for MADExpo right now.  It’s worth it!

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

2. Learn about Windows 7 Task Dialogs

   Posted on December 1st, 2009 by Kevin

   Please take a few minutes and travel over to DeveloperFusion where my latest article on Windows 7 Task Dialogs has been published.  If you’ve never used a task dialog before, I would definitely recommend them.  I consider them “Message Box 2.0”.

   http://www.developerfusion.com/article/71793/smarten-up-your-ui-with-task-dialogs-the-message-box-20/

   Let me know what you think!

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

3. Road to Certification

   Posted on March 26th, 2009 by Kevin

   When I was in college, I worked for an IT shop.  I went around and fixed machines, and did the basic tech support type of stuff you expect to do when you’re in school.  However, I knew that I definitely didn’t want to do tech support for the rest of my life.  I started learning about the system administration side of the house, and what I could do to progress my career in that direction.  Essentially, that lead me to certifcations.  In this case, it was the certification route for Windows Server 2003.

   A MCSE, or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, in Windows Server 2003 is a HARD certification to get.  Essentially it’s a group of 7 tests.  You have to earn another certification along the way (MCSA, Systems Administrator).  I studied hard, and lived in 2003 virtual machines.  My goal was to learn the material as well as I could, and prove myself as a professional.  Eventually, I passed my 7th test and earn my certification.  This was a personal achievement of mine, because there were *several* collegues of mine who could barely pass the 2nd test.

   I look at certification as a double edge sword.  A good majority of people with certifications are paper professionals.  They’ve been able to read and study the material, and retain it long enough to pass a test.  These people would look good on a resume.  “Oh you have a MCSE, you must be a great person to hire.”  Later, we discover these people have no clue what they’re doing as they have never used any of their information except for answering questions on a test.

   I graduated from college with my Computer Science degree and moved into the development field.  The knowledge obtained from earning my MCSE has helped me in many situations, even if its simply describe to my system administrator what my needs on the network are.  Since all my work has been .NET centric, and I’ve been heavily involved in the .NET communities, I decided that I wanted to go from my application developer certifications.  While the track isn’t nearly as extensive as my MCSE was, I’m looking forward to learning something new with each test.

   For those interested in the test I’m studying for, it’s the 70-536: Application Development Foundations (or .NET 101).  Luckily, I’m starting this journey at the same time as my good friend Joel Cochran.  I found it was very important to have a “study buddy”, or someone to keep you on track and to bounce questions off of.  You’re 200% more likely to pass with a study buddy than not having one.

   What certs do you have?  Any recommendations to other people going for their certications?  Let me know if you love them or hate them!