I ran across an ad today that linked me to where DevExpress is giving away over 40 controls for free. I’m a big fan of two of their products (which unfortunately aren’t free), CodeRush and their Excel like grid control. Their grid control is a huge hit amongst the Excel heavy business users I typically deal with.
The free sets of controls you get are:
You can register here for it: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WebRegistration/index.xml
I found this nugget of a tool today. I haven’t tried it out yet, but it sounds like one terrific tool.
The SQL Server Management Pack monitors the availability and performance of SQL Server 2000 and 2005 and can issue alerts for configuration problems. Availability and performance monitoring is done using synthetic transactions. In addition, the Management Pack collects Event Log alerts and provides associated knowledge articles with additional user details, possible causes, and suggested resolutions. The Management Pack discovers Database Engines, Database Instances, and Databases and can optionally discover Database File and Database File Group objects.
Feature Summary:
• Active Directory Helper Service
• SQL Server Agent
• Backup
• Databases and Tables
• DBCC
• Full Text Search
• Log Shipping
• Clustering
• DB availability
• Replication monitoring
• Agent jobs
• Backup Query Engine
• Replication
• Web Assistant
• SQL XML
Last night was the first meeting for the Fort Smith .Net User Group. It was a great turnout of 38 people and featured Raymond Lewellan talking about Behavior Driven Development.
You can read more about the event from the following blogs:
For those interested in hearing me speak (or avoiding me altogether ;) I will be speaking at the Tulsa SQL Server Group on March 17th, 2008 and at the Little Rock TechExpo on March 27th, 2008.
Tulsa SQL Server Group
March 17th, 2008
Location: Oklahoma State University( OSU - Tulsa )
6:30 - 6:45 Announcements
6:45 - 7:30 Presentation - Peers & Special Guests!
7:30 - 7:45 Drawings and Door Prizes
8:30 - ? Club Pub
Little Rock TechExpo 2008
March 27th, 2008
Location: University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)
Agenda: 8am - 5:15pm (I’ll be speaking from 2pm-3pm)
Topic:A Quickstart Guide to SQL Server Reporting Services
Synopsis: One of the hardest parts of learning a technology that is new to you, is getting started. Join us as you learn the tips, tricks, and fundamentals of Microsoft’s SQL Server Reporting Services. Avoid those common mistakes and get up and running with SSRS in this presentation from Randy Walker, a 12 year veteran of report design.
Background: Randy Walker is the owner and founder Harvest I.T. Inc., which is a Micro ISV that services the Wal-Mart vendor community and Retail Link. He has presented several sessions at various developer conferences on the subject of owning and starting your own software company. Randy is also the INETA Membership Mentor for Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri and helped found the Northwest Arkansas .Net User Group.