You've reached the internet home of Chris Sells, who has a long history as a contributing member of the Windows developer community. He enjoys long walks on the beach and various computer technologies.
Thursday, Jan 1, 2004, 6:21 PM
testing
this is a test
Thursday, Jan 1, 2004, 6:21 PM
testing
this is a test
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003, 8:22 AM
Web's inventor gets a knighthood
Tim Berners-Lee is dubbed a knight for inventing the web. Plus, he's really nice about it, so it's hard to be pissed off at him as my contribution to Tetris implementations doesn't help me make the cut... : )
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003, 8:20 AM in .NET
A Programmer's Introduction to Visual Studio .NET
Here. Sean "Early" Campbell & Scott "Adopter" Swigart lay out their top 10 new IDE features of Visual Studio .NET "Whidbey".
Monday, Dec 29, 2003, 10:31 AM in .NET
3rd Party XAML Viewer #2!
We're not even to beta yet, but we already have not one, but two 3rd party XAML viewers targeting existing versions of the .NET Framework. Wow.
[From Don "XML" (donxml.com)]
Monday, Dec 29, 2003, 10:30 AM in .NET
3rd Party XAML Viewer #2!
We're not even to beta yet, but we already have not one, but two 3rd party XAML viewers targeting existing versions of the .NET Framework. Wow.
Friday, Dec 26, 2003, 3:26 PM in .NET
10 Better Questions for Don Box
In a recent interview of Don Box by Mary Jo Foley, I expressed my disappointment over the dullest of both the questions and the answers. Uncharacteristically ducking criticism, Don provided details of my frequent stays at his house suggesting an unhealthy love of his pets (which I love the normal amount, I promise). While this was amusing, it doesn't give anyone any more information than Mary Jo's interview did.
Anyway, talking about it on the phone just now, Don agreed with me that the interview turned out much less interesting than he intended and promised to make amends. Specifically, he said, "Chris, send me 10 questions and I'll answer them." So, here's your chance. Reply to this post with the hardest hitting, most revealing questions and I'll pick the best 10 to send along to Don. Don't hold back -- all questions are fair, although I'll focus first on Indigo, then Longhorn, then technology in general before getting to Don's own love of his pets (for example). Here're some questions to seed your thinking:
-How does the version of Indigo shipping with Longhorn relate to what's currently being used internally at MS? How does it relate to what you actually plan on shipping?
-What should an ASP.NET or WSE programmer *really* do today to prepare for Indigo?
-What's the biggest surprise about the inner workings at MS?
-If you could do one thing to change MS, what would it be?
-If you could do one thing to change the IT industry, what would it be?
-How can ISVs be successful in the current IT industry?
-What's the next big thing that'll change the IT industry?
-What do you think is cool that doesn't get enough attention?
-Has family scrutiny caused you to stop dressing your pugs in clown suits before expressing your love for them?
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003, 7:27 AM in The Spout
Lending a Helping Hand
Here. Normally I wouldn't pass along something like this, but this is from my uncle and therefore genuine. If you can lend a hand to his brother who's financially destitute after a liver and kidney transplant, I'd appreciate it. Even prayers would help. Thanks!
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003, 7:08 AM in .NET
Salon.com on Longhorn and Blogging
Scott Rosenberg appreciates how important blogs are when it comes to exposing Microsoft inards as Longhorn is developed. Except for the fact that Scoble's not a programmer and I'm not an architect, he does a pretty good job.
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2003, 12:00 AM in The Spout
Lending a Helping Hand
I know this sounds like spam, but it's not -- it's from my Uncle Mark, who's also my godfather and the nicest man I've even known:
Chris, I'm writing you to ask your help. My brother Tom was gravely ill. Tom is 55 years old, married with two grown sons. He needed both a liver and a kidney transplant. He just received his transplants. It was by the grace of God just in time as he was within 2 to 3 days of death. He is doing well with no signs of rejection and just some minor complications. Unfortunately, he is nearly bankrupt from all his medical bills. Tom's life has been marked by several challenges, many overcome through hard work and determination. He is a man of immense spirit and we all love him dearly. This is a challenge he can't face alone. As you can imagine, our family is very concerned. We pray a lot. We have also undertaken a benefit and raffles for him to help him with his expenses. Right now we're just trying to help him pay his mortgage and put food on his table. He hasn't been able to work for three months. He also faces a tremendous bill from the transplant that his health insurance won't pay.
There are five courses of action I'd like you to consider. First of course is I'd appreciate your prayers for my brother Tom that he continue to recover his health and his finances. The next four things I am asking for is your support of our raffles and benefit.
I would like you to consider purchasing a ticket for what we call the "Big Money Raffle". There will be a limit of 110 tickets sold. First prize is $2000. Second prize is $1250. Third prize is $750. There will be an additional ten $100 winners. Odds of winning some prize are 13 in 110. 3 in 110 chance of bettering your bet. 1 in 110 of winning the top prize. Tickets cost $135 apiece. Much better odds than the lottery. Drawing 1/11/04.
Also available are Quilt tickets at $1 apiece. My sister made the Queen size quilt. Value is somewhere between $1000 and $1500. Drawing 1/11/04.
The third thing I'd like you to consider is if you know anyone among your connections in the computer world who might also like the opportunity to purchase "Big Money" and "Quilt" raffle tickets. I know you know a lot of people and some of them might be generous of spirit and/or gamblers. I think this time of year people yearn to be of help and service but aren't often sure what they can do. This is one such opportunity.
The fourth thing I'd like you to consider is helping with the benefit dinner. It will be January 11th. There will be a silent auction. I thought with your connections at Microsoft you might be able to get them to donate something for the silent auction like some software or ?. Mr. Gates has such a wonderful legacy of philanthropy and I'm hoping that may reach down the organization for individuals in need.
Thank you Chris for your consideration. If all you can offer is your prayers I will understand and greatly appreciate them. If you or anyone you pass this on to wish to purchase tickets, checks can be made out to "TOM NEEDHAM LIVER TRANSPLANT FUND". Anyone wishing more details can contact me, Mark Needham at 952-226-1769 or e-mail me at emkayen@aol.com. I will be happy to fill out the tickets and return the stubs to them. The information needed is name, address & phone number for both the Big Money and Quilt raffles. The Minnesota lawful gambling exempt permit # is X-34753-04-001.
While I don't know my uncle's brother (his part of the family never really mixed with mine for some reason), because it's important to my uncle, I'll be purchasing one of each of the two kinds of raffle tickets, publicizing my uncle's plea on my web site, investigating Microsoft's matching for charity and, of course, sending my prayers. If any of you is interested in participating in the raffles, let Mark know directly. If you wanted to publicize this on your own web sites or donate something for the silent auction, let Mark know about that, too. Of course, all prayers are warming accepted.
Thank you very much and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Monday, Dec 22, 2003, 10:54 AM in .NET
MSDN Article Submission for Budding Authors
With the increasing number of folks pinging me about submitting Longhorn articles, I thought I'd point folks to the MSDN Article Submission Guidelines, which describe how to establish a relationship with MSDN Developer Centers for article submission (MSDN Magazine has a separate process for now). Unless you've got a track record and can talk a Developer Center into a series right off the bat, you're likely going to be working gratis on the first few articles 'til you've established a reputation, but it's a nice way for new authors to see their name in lights. If you've got a Longhorn-specific article idea, you can also send it directly to me for a slightly quicker way to get it into my hands.
Monday, Dec 22, 2003, 10:01 AM in .NET
Chris Sells on Longhorn for the TC .NET User Group
I'm in Minnesota over the holidays, so I thought I'd drop in on the Twin Cities .NET User Group for a short discussion of Longhorn. Please keep in mind that this talk is purely shelfish on my part -- I learn best by telling the story.
Monday, Dec 22, 2003, 9:57 AM in .NET
Mary Jo Interviews Don Box
Here.
Mary Jo Foley interviews Don Box on the origins of Indigo, the status of SOAP, the definition of SOA and Miguel de Icaza. Unfortunately, Mary Jo doesn't dig for any dirt and Don doesn't volunteer any, so it's a relatively boring interview. Luckily, it's short.
Monday, Dec 22, 2003, 9:34 AM in .NET
Announcing The Longhorn Developer Platform Survey
Here. Give Microsoft formal feedback on Longhorn so that we can act on it more effectively.
Monday, Dec 22, 2003, 9:30 AM
Scoble Makes My Life Easier
Robert Scoble provided a major boost in my productivity today by adding titles to his RSS feed. Thank you, Robert.