Tobin Titus

SDK Sample: Programmatically change the runtime version of an application pool in IIS 7

I  have posted a new sample on IIS.NET demonstrating how to programmatically change the managed runtime version of an application pool in IIS 7.0.  I have posted code in VB.NET and C#.  Enjoy.

Communication breakdown: internal spam affects productivity

When I interviewed with Microsoft, I was asked, "What is one thing we can count on you to do at Microsoft?" 

My reply was brief: "You can count on me to complain." 

My interviewer suddenly took on the puzzled look that an interviewee would normally take when presented with an unfamiliar scenario.  The facial expression of my inquisitor demanded an explanation.  I decided to end the torment by presenting further detail;  “When something is wrong, I’m going to bring it up and someone will hear me.  I’m not going to just complain, but I’m going to offer at least one alternative solution.”  Apparently, my explanation cured the torment of my initial declaration. I was hired and here I sit; typing my 23rd Microsoft blog post to an audience that has graced me with tens of thousands of views.  This particular post is a follow-up on my promise to complain and provide an alternative solution.  I'm happy that my current employer appreciates alternative views -- not every employer does.

(continue)

Security: There's incompetence, and there's major incompetence

It's one type of incompetence to keep the personal identifiers and financial data of customers on your laptop and then lose it -- twice;  It's an entirely different type of incompetence that allows government data to be compromised through a network.  Last year at TechEd, a demo showed how a completely patched network could be compromised using an exploit in a web site.  The best part of the exploit was made possible due to turning on more functionality than was necessary. Namely, one issue in the demo was that the router configuration allowed port 80 and port 443 traffic -- despite the fact that SSL was not in use on the web site. 

(continue)

ADO.NET 2.0 Boot Camp

Sahil Malik, a prolific speaker, Microsoft MVP and author of "Professional ADO.NET 2.0" is holding a one-day ADO.NET boot camp in Charlotte next month.  If you are in the area, I think this class will definitely give you your money's worth.  Sahil has a very unique way of teaching that is easy to follow and highly effective.  If you are going to be in the area on July 21st, and want to master ADO.NET, I would encourage you to take a look at this great opportunity in the Charlotte, NC.

Workaround: Adding a script map in IIS 5.1

I was contacted by a customer who commented that he could not add a Script Map to IIS 5.1.  After selecting his executable for the script map and adding his extension, the "OK" button was still disabled -- preventing him from committing the script map change.

To work around this issue, once you have selected the executable and set the extension, click inside the "Executable" text box to expand the full path to the executable.  Doing so will enable the OK button and you will be able to commit your script map change.

ASP.NET 1.1, IIS 6.0 and 64-bit Windows

A few days ago, one of the many distribution lists I belong to was presented with the following requests: 

I’m trying to create a Web Service in Visual Studio .NET 2003 and am getting an error “Visual Studio .NET has detected that the specified Web server is not running ASP .NET version 1.1. You will be unable to run ASP .NET Web applications or services.”

(continue)

 

Bill Gates affect on my mood

Being a new employee at Microsoft leaves me at a bit of a disadvantage in weeks like this.  First, we hear that our "chief blogging officer", Robert Scoble is leaving the company.  Today, it’s been announced that BillG will be stepping back his responsibilities at the companies once again.  It is not like this wasn't expected, but it is a bit disheartening, none-the-less. 

(continue)

Work-life balance; Robert Scoble; Weekends @ Microsoft

Since coming to Microsoft, I have heard a LOT about our policy on "work-life balance".   If you aren't familiar with what work-life balance is, a simple search on the web should satisfy your curiosity.  Essentially, we believe that people work best when they are satisified with their accomplishments at work as well as their lives at home.  Microsoft will often say that their greatest asset is their employees.  However, Microsoft doesn't actually believe that last statement.  Now if you are a manager or an HR rep at Microsoft, and you just read that last statement, you probably just spewed your soda ("pop" for some of you) all over your flat-screen and keyboard.  Never fear.  Let me explain that.  If Microsoft actually believed that employees were an asset, they would treat them like they owned them.  This is NOT the case.  In fact, Microsoft treats us more like a guest that they don't want to leave.  I'm sure this week will be particularly hard for Microsoft as one of our more prominent guests have announced they are leaving.  I'm glad that Robert has seen fit to shut down the critics who opened their mouths before getting the facts straight. 

(continue)

Improving Code Performance

Recently, an old co-worker contacted me to ask me a question about code performance. Specifically, he was emitting IL from his code and had some questions about some of the opcode usage he witnessed when viewing the IL of some compiled assemblies.  The question was based on a simple application he wrote in C#, compiled, and disassembled.  He did this to see how the C# compiler produced IL and give him clues in how he should emit IL.  The function in question was as follows:

public object GetProp(string name)
{   if (name == "X") 
   {    return this.X;
   }
   return null;
}

(continue)

 

 

 

IIS 7 on a MacBook !

The IIS 7 Commander-in-chief, Bill Staples , has just released a screenshot of his new 17" MacBook running IIS 7!  I simply must get one now!

(Cross-posted from http://blogs.msdn.com/tobint/archive/2006/05/24/606310.aspx. Please use this link to comment.)

Beta 2 Live - IIS.NET now open!

Now that Beta 2 has been announced and IIS 7 is now publicly available to beta testers on both the Vista and Longhorn platforms, our new portal, IIS.NET is now open and live!  Many long hours were spent on this by some great guys here at Microsoft.  Be sure to stop by and tell them what you think of the site!

(Cross-posted from http://blogs.msdn.com/tobint/archive/2006/05/23/605065.aspx . Please use this link to comment.)

IIS 7.0 UE team is hiring!

We're hiring!  Take a look at the details below

"Do you love Internet and Web server technologies? Join the IIS UE team and work on the coolest version of Internet Information Services (IIS) ever. IIS 7.0 joins forces with ASP.NET to deliver a Web application development platform that's getting rave reviews from customers.

We're looking for a programmer writer to define and deliver essential developer-focused, solution-based documentation for a programming audience. Your responsibilities will include writing API reference topics, conceptual topics about IIS, and code examples that demonstrate product features. You’ll be responsible for multiple feature areas, so good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize your workload are a must."

(continue)

What technology actually improves your life?

Nearly a year ago, I blogged about the fact that I had no "cool" technologies in my house.  I didn't own a single gadget that anyone would consider to be "up to date" by any standard. I didn't own a PDA, a laptop, or even a modern cell-phone.  I didn't have flat-panel monitors or anything other than a standard 27" television -- with a broken power button at that.  I had several computers in the house, but all of them were at least a year and a half old -- with the exception of my wife's gaming system. 

I decided after posting that complaint that things were going to change.  I released my death grip on my cash that I had been hording and sprung for a new, improved, gadget-savvy image.

(continue)

Snagged from Sahil: Bad programmer diseases

Sahil has once again shown true insight and provided a list of common diseases found in our industry.  Do you have any of these symptoms?

http://codebetter.com/blogs/sahil.malik/archive/2006/05/03/64255.aspx

Mort, Elvis and Einstein don't exist

Much has been said about the Mort, Elvis and Einstein controversy over the past few years (yes, years).  The past few days have been no exception.  One of our MVPs is apparently upset about them, and apparently some employees are not too happy about it either.  I've waited several days to comment until the screaming stopped.  Now that it has, it's my turn to weigh in.  Most of this content about this topic is completely off-base and unfounded.  "Why?", you might ask.  That's because Mort, Elvis, and Einstein don't exist.  That's right, there is no one person on this planet that is meant to be exhibited by these personas.  The names depicted here are meant to represent behaviors -- not people.  Trying to pigeon-hole people into one of these areas is just a misrepresentation of what the persona was meant to portray. 

(continue)