Simplify-ing

Citing a complex user-experience and poor data transmission strategies, the U.S. Census Bureau is considering dumping it newly developed handheld application and return to the old tried-and-true of using pencil and paper for the next census count in 2010. Obviously, these guys never attended one of my talks on the key success factors for developing mobile applications . Not so funny, is the $637 million spent to date on the system with it possibly ballooning to $2 billion.

So, how could this have possibly been avoided? Here’s are the five key success factors I subscribe to when designing and building mobile applications:

(1.) Define the application scope (based on concrete usage scenarios)
(2.) Performance (start with, stay with great performance)
(3.) User Interface (think device, not desktop)
(4.) Data and Memory (have a explicit and efficient plan)
(5.) Input/Output Communication (maintain a good and secure data flow strategy)

To read more about the Census Bureau’s mobile computing troubles check out the following link:
Hi-Tech Census Costs, Accuracy in Doubt

It would appear that a CTP of Silverlight 2.0 is imminent (Mix08?) given the recent post on Scott Guthrie’s blog. Scott outlines a series of tutorials that are very WPF-ish and even demos a new data-binding grid control (sweet). Also to be included, is a standard set of rich controls (thank goodness) and out of the box rich networking support (game changing). Check out the walkthrough…

http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2008/02/22/first-look-at-silverlight-2.aspx

It’s that time again! We are back in Huntsville for our sixth .NET code camp. If you are up for an all day geek fest then join us for 6 developer-oriented tracks, 36 sessions, 7 Microsoft MVPs, lots of code, numerous give-a-ways, post-event gaming with a massive Xbox setup, and absolutely it’s free!!!

For more information and registration, check out the Alabama Code Camp Web Site!

Location:
Virginia College at Huntsville
Network Engineering Department
2800a Bob Wallace Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35805

Register:
https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=124330

Happy New Year!
What a great way to start off the new year! The latest version of Visual Studio 2008 is golden and we got the DevFish himself, Joe Healy stopping over to give us a preview of some the new and exciting features of Microsoft’s latest and greatest developer tool.

January 14, 2008
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: 135 North Union Street (RSA Building, 1st Floor Training Room), Corner of Union Street & Adams Avenue
Alabama Center for Commerce (ACC)
401 Adams Avenue, Suite 740

Seating capacity is limited, so if you plan to attend,  please reply to madev@simplifi.com
Bring a friend!

If you are up for some deep required reading on Windows Mobile (WM) memory management, below are links to two excellent articles. Included is a great explanation of the complex virtual memory management that takes place with WM apps and how in some ways managed coded does a better job of handling the limited resources available to your applications.

Slaying the Virtual Memory Monster
http://blogs.msdn.com/hegenderfer/archive/2007/08/31/slaying-the-virtual-memory-monster.aspx

The Design of the .Net Compact Framework CLR, Part 1: Overview and Background
http://blogs.msdn.com/stevenpr/archive/2005/12/12/502908.aspx

 Just another reminder…

The 5^th Alabama .NET Code Camp will be held in Birmingham on Saturday, October 6^th at the University of Alabama Birmingham. For more information and to register for this event go to www.alabamacodecamp.com.

What is Code Camp?
The Alabama Code Camp is an all day free event where developers can learn from their peers and each other. Presentations are code intensive, focusing less on hype and marketing, and more on applicable code examples. The presenters are community leaders, peers, and you! Anyone can present and share their experiences and knowledge. Alabama Code Camps are held one Saturday in April and October. They take place somewhere along the I-65 corridor in Alabama.

Are you interested in learning more about the next generation of web-oriented technologies? If so, please join us for a half-day seminar on the new and improved suite of tools and technologies from Microsoft that will better empower you to design and develop Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). This road show will highlight how Microsoft is putting the final touches on a new suite of services and technologies that will help you build visually stunning, yet amazingly lightweight applications designed for the web. You’ll also see how web technologies like AJAX, Virtual Earth, and Web Services can all be easily leveraged by all developers, from hobbyist to Enterprise. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how you can put Microsoft technology to work for you!

Please registered for this event using the following link:
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032350475&Culture=en-US

Meeting Location and Directions:
Alabama Center for Commerce (ACC)
401 Adams Avenue, Suite 740
Time: August 30^th , 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM