I was recently called in as a consultant on a project requiring .NET
connectivity to a Sybase 12.0 database. I had no idea where to find a driver
for this database, but was quickly referred to DataDirect Technologies as a
potential source for "this kind of thing." Much to my delight, I was soon
able to download an evaluation copy of DataDirect Connect for .NET. Put
simply, I was blown away.
The first thing that I love about this product is that it uses no native code
whatsoever. Within the driver itself, everything is 100% managed code. This
has the obvious benefit that, since everything is running through the CLR,
code that leverages these drivers will be able to leverage the significant
security advantages of the CLR as well. No more buffer overruns or other
manner o... (more)
My adventure with Windows Vista began with multiple attempts to install the
operating system itself on various computers in my possession. First, I had
hoped to install it as an upgrade for Windows XP that is running on my actual
work computer. I wouldn't ordinarily recommend this, but I've been given a
real desktop computer to use at my current client, so my laptop has only been
getting... (more)
Making the Technical Sale
I came upon this book under very odd circumstances, to say the least. I am a
developer first and foremost, so the suggestion by my employer that I sit
through a half-day seminar on the art of making technical sales was greeted
with less than enthusiasm.
Thankfully, the speaker turned out to be a fellow techie - none other than
Rick Greenwald, author of several hi... (more)
In a former life, I was a web developer. Back in the late '90s, I vividly
remember being told by more than one of my computer science professors that
in 10 years, everything would run in a web browser. Even the operating system
(it was claimed at the time) would be browser based. On startup, the machine
would load the thinnest of all possible operating systems, and everything
else - appl... (more)