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  • 1 min read

Limitation of XMLSerializer

In a distributed application I created a project (facade) where all business logic reside. I wrote a ConfigSettings class where all configuration settings reside, like for example the connectionstring. These settings are fetched from an XML file through the XMLSerializer from .NET. To enforce layer abstraction I changed the protection level of the ConfigSettings class to internal.

But when I try to deserialize the xml I get an InvalidOperationException I was a little bit surprised that apparently the XMLSerializer can only (de)serialize public classes_!!! After changing the protection level to public everything works fine, but there goes my abstraction (of course you can write your own implementation)

  • 1 min read

SQLcheck

Idera's SQLcheck quickly investigates, organizes and explains critical information about your server’s hardware, operating system and SQL Server. With SQLcheck's performance dashboard, you can quickly view detailed explanations and receive recovery suggestions. Get the information you need to efficiently manage your SQL Server environment.

sqlcheck

Best of all it's FREE and it can be used as a screensaver!

  • 1 min read

CeBIT 2004

This weekend I visited CeBIT 2004 at Hannover and as usual there was a lot to see. It was a trip of about 450 KM but we had no traffic problems, although there were a lot of road works. We slept in the hotel Montana Lauenau which was perfectly in order and was on the road to Hannover. Finding parking at CeBIT was far from easy, practically all parkings where full but we did find one for only 5 euro for the whole day!

One of the things I have seen a lot at CeBIT were usb-sticks (one seen of 1GB) and mp3 players in all kinds of formats and capacity. An original idea was Lubic where you can create your own PC case with components, like you do with Lego. It goes from an Airplane to a Giraffe, for example:

LubicAirplane

SOHOTANK Stackable External Box from the company Stardom was exacly what I was searching for. It has a very nice design and it's easily expandable. They offer also RAID solutions!

  • 1 min read

XAML for .NET Framework 1.1

Today you see a lot of XAML-like implementations for .NET framework 1.1. XAML (pronounced "Zamel") is part of AVALON in Longhorn and it allows you to describe the layout of applications. Basically, you describe via XAML-tags your controls, events, etc. it's very intuitive.

One of the projects is wfml. You can find the article with the source code here.

Another project which is still in beta is xamlon. Closer to the release date Xamlon will be licensed per developer.

An implementation under the BSD License is MyXaml and it is increasingly successful. I think I will first play around with this implementation. An article from the author of MyXaml can be found on CodeProject

I think the developers who first implemented the concept were ic#code. They setup a library XmlForms which can be downloaded here and is used in SharpDevelop.

  • 1 min read

ASP.NET Resource Kit

The ASP.NET Resource Kit is a nice bundle of tutorials, tools and free controls for any developer starting ASP.NET. It can be downloaded here (about 134MB). Go and get it!