Event @ FAST-NU Lahore

On 25th November Lahore National University held a seminar. I was invited as a speaker on Microsoft technologies. Event went pretty well. GEO was there for the coverage of ending ceremony. I talked about Imagine Cup and few project Ideas, Then shifted to WCF presentation. As I explained WinFX people showed interest in WWF also, so I went into the details of WWF also. Event was arranged by NUCES media group

Visual Studio Code Named "Orcas" October CTP is now available

Check out the various new advancements including ADO.NET 3.0, LINQ over XML, Multi-targeting etc with the "Orcas" October CTP now!

Event @ Behriya University

I was invited by Behriya University to speak on Vista and upcoming .Net v3 technologies. The event went very well. There were people from Java background so we had very good discussions on comparison on .Net v3 with few of the java technologies.

Two great articles on biztalk performance

I Found two great articles on biztalk team blog site discussing biztalk performance

Managing a successful performance lab with BizTalk Server 2006
Get help deploying BizTalk Server with the Best Practices Analyzer (BPA)

must read.

RC of .NET Framework v3.0 is available !!!

The .Net Framework v3.0 release candidate (RC1) is now available for download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=19E21845-F5E3-4387-95FF-66788825C1AF&displaylang=en

Web Service Factory

Few colleagues of mine came to me and they were discussing about using web services in their project so I introduced them to web service factory. They were amazed by the functionality it was providing to the users and the easy ways to use that is just awesome. SoI thought I should share it with you guys also

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/servicefactory.asp

great to use.

Software As a Service (SaaS) Architect Guidance

Software As a Service or in other words (SaaS) architecture guidance site on msdn has been published. You can visit it by clicking here

Creation of Enterprise Architecture Group (EAG) in Kalsoft

A very good initiative is taken by the management of my company to create a separate department for the architects; I think this will make Kalsoft the first and only software house in Pakistan to have such a department. I was asked to join this department as Lead Architect and I accepted this offer gladly. I hope that this department proves a very important change in Kalsoft and bring more quality to the organization

Increase in C# book sale

I saw an article on oreilly site and was pleased by the trends it showed

"A few high-level observations:
C# book sales continues to gain on Java, with a 49% unit sales increase compared to Java's 10% decrease.
Ruby continues its momentum, and is the fastest-growing programming language in terms of book sales.
Microsoft's new release of SQL Server has continued to drive significant book sales, with that market up 86%. ASP.Net is also on a roll, with book sales up 61%."

For complete article click here

WCF Adapter to ship with R2

Here are some of the supported use cases for the WCF adapters:

Exposing BizTalk orchestrations as a WCF web service
Exposing BizTalk Content Based Routing applications as a WCF web service
Consuming a WCF service from BizTalk orchestrations
Consuming a WCF service from Content Based Routing applications
Transactional message receive
Transactional message send
Using WS-* headers for routing and message processing
Using custom headers for routing and message processing
Using custom binding elements
Using custom bindings
Using BizTalk dynamic send ports
Using BizTalk as SOAP intermediary

The WCF adapters will support the following WCF transports:

HTTP / HTTPS
SOAP
MTOM
TCP
MSMQ
Named Pipes

Beyond SOA : Software Architecture of the future

read it here on msdn

Today, new social movements, advances in technology, and forces within business are colliding to create a landscape overflowing with challenges and opportunities. In many cases, these forces have driven the deployment of new technologies and the adoption of new behaviors, adding multiple layers to an already complex set of issues that must be navigated. Architects are searching for a solution to manage this complexity. SOA, ESB, Software as a Service, Web 2.0, and Edge are all elements of the solution, but are they the complete picture? Are they a sufficient answer to the issues? Can they be used together in a productive and efficient fashion? We have the opportunity now to think about what the software architecture of the future looks like; for software architects to take a step back and to forecast what lies over the horizon. To move beyond SOA we must find a way to connect the user edge of software development to the existing services infrastructure of the enterprise; to reconnect the people to the platform. This keynote examines these issues and discusses Microsoft’s vision for the future.

Pakistan Developers Conference 2006

It was one of the greatest experiences in my life to speak at PDC 2006 and to interact with other speakers. I gave my presentation on WCF which i'll upload soon with the source Code.

Microsoft SOA & Business Process Conference Request for Session Proposals

Call For Sessions
Microsoft’s SOA & Business Process Conference is the event for our customers and partners to learn about new and updated information on Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Business Process Management (BPM), and Microsoft’s own Connected Systems infrastructure. Over 4 days, attendees will learn about the strategies and technologies that Microsoft is delivering over the next year, such as BizTalk Server, .NET Framework 3.0, and Office 2007. Three technical tracks will provide depth and detail into best practices for building BPM solutions, guidance for advancing your SOA, and using the latest development tools and technologies for connecting people, processes and information. A fourth track will focus on the business value of SOA and BPM for both customers looking to optimize their application infrastructure/business processes and for partners looking to expand their SOA & BPM practices. Whether you need to get up to speed fast, or are ready to dive deep, this is the event for technical training, networking, and business development for partners and customers interested in Microsoft’s view of SOA, BPM, and Connected Systems.
We are now accepting session submissions for each of the four conference tracks listed below. Sessions are 1 hour in length and should include time for Q&A. Technical track sessions should have a target level of 300 or higher. Non-Microsoft speakers will receive a $1000 stipend. Please send your session submissions to btstpm@microsoft.com including proposed session title, abstract, speaker, and associated track. Session submission will close on July 21st.
Conference ContentEach session at the Microsoft SOA & Business Process Conference should be designed to expand attendees knowledge of key emerging technologies, demonstrate proven strategies for implementing solutions, explain Microsoft’s long-term strategy and roadmap, and/or add value to their organization’s service oriented and business process solution portfolio.
Service Oriented ArchitectureIT organizations of all sizes are increasingly looking at ‘Software as a Service’ as the paradigm through which they will deliver value to the business. Services are becoming increasingly important to internal IT and business customers as well as across organizational boundaries to trading partners and compliance organizations. The SOA track will provide clear guidance on how to apply expertise from Microsoft and its partners to this emerging application portfolio strategy.
Some of the challenges to be explored include exposing IT assets as services, composing services into business processes, and consuming services within new user experiences. Technologies and topics covered will include: Host Integration, Windows Communication Foundation (Microsoft’s WS-* implementation), Windows Workflow Foundation, BizTalk Server 2006, process methodology, Microsoft Operations Manager, AJAX, Microsoft Office 2007, and Windows Server 2003.
Business Process ManagementThe challenges of aligning cross-functional processes, improving organizational effectiveness, and enhancing customer relationships have made business process management a top priority of both business and IT alike. By attending the Business Process Management track you will learn about the state of the BPM market, how to make the business case for BPM, best practices and technology strategies for enabling process improvements, and understanding the partner opportunities for targeting BPM solutions on the Microsoft platform. Microsoft will present our vision and roadmap for our “People-ready Process” strategy, enabled by upcoming technology innovation across the next 12 months such as BizTalk Sever 2006 R2, Office SharePoint Server 2007, Office InfoPath 2007, Office Visio 2007, Office SharePoint Designer 2007, and Windows Workflow Foundation.
Connected Systems Technology and ProductsUnder the Connected Systems Technologies and Products track you’ll find deep, technical sessions with practical guidance on building applications using the latest developer tools and frameworks from Microsoft. From low level foundational technologies such as Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, Windows Presentation Foundation and CardSpace up to the enterprise class server BizTalk Server 2006, these sessions will treat your inner developer to best practices learned from the pros.
Business ValueThe Business Value track will focus on the business opportunities of Service Oriented Architecture and Business Process Management for both customers looking to optimize their processes and for partners looking to expand their practices. Whether you are focused on SOA and BPM within your own organization or in the broader marketplace, this track will demonstrate proven strategies for identifying opportunities and maximizing the return on your investments.
Sponsors & ExhibitorsSponsorship and exhibition opportunities are also available to partners to showcase their latest solutions and technologies demonstrate their newest innovations, allowing attendees to test-drive key technologies and receive one-on-one, informed answers to questions. If you are interested in sponsorship, please contact Robert Bannerman at robann@microsoft.com.
For general event information or to register as an attendee, visit the event web site at www.impactevents.com/biztalkconference.

I have been Awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Award

It’s a great honor for me that Microsoft has selected me for this esteemed award. As a MVP I feel really proud. To be honest I don’t have words to explain the feeling I'm going through.

BizTalk Server Best Practices Analyzer

This is very helpful and handy for consultants and Developers who are working on BizTalk.

From the blog of luke nyswonger, lead programmer writer, BizTalk

"The Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 Best Practices Analyzer examines a BizTalk Server 2006 deployment and generates a list of best practices issues it discovers. The Best Practices Analyzer is intended for use in BizTalk Server 2006 production and staging environments.

The Best Practices Analyzer performs configuration level verification, by reading and reporting only. For example, the Best Practices Analyzer gathers data from Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) classes, Microsoft SQL Server databases, registry entries, and other parts of your deployment, and uses the gathered data to determine whether best practices are being followed. The Best Practices Analyzer does not modify any system settings, and is therefore not a self-tuning tool."

Download Now!

Bill Gates Bowing Out

News Conference
Redmond, Washington
June 15, 2006

Bill Gates:
"I have decided that two years from today, starting July 2008, I will reorder my personal priorities. Today I am working full-time for Microsoft and part-time for the Gates Foundation. Starting two years from now, I will shift, work full-time at the Foundation, part-time at Microsoft as Chairman and as a senior technical adviser. "

Read the full article

Judging Software Competition "Open House" @ FAST-NU

It seems like judging Software in a competition has become a regular activity for me in last 2 months I have been called in competitions involving more than 50 projects and few of them from neighboring countries also. On 7th June I received a letter from FAST-NU that I have to be a judge at Open House (a Software competition for the graduating batch to show their final project). The entries involved software ranging from call center and HRMS to research projects so it was nice to have such diversity in the projects to judge. To conclude it was a well organized Event.

Conducting Second & Third Phase Evaluation For Microsoft Imagine Cup Software Design Competition 2006

29th May 2006:
I have been really busy so wasn't able to update my blog there have been 2 main event regarding Imagine cup. The final 2 rounds were held at IBA and the selected entries from previous round were competing in it. The judges panel included Waqar Khamisani (Microsoft ISV Manager Pakistan), Dr. Saeed Ghani (Chairman CS and MIS, IBA), Dr. Shahid Shameem, Dr. Amir Raza, Rehan Ghayor (Sr. Manager MIS, IBA), Talha Mahmood and My self. In the 2nd round there were 5 projects and after going through the demos and the Presentation we were hardly able to separate the top 2. So we decided to go to the third round with only 2 projects.

6th June 2006:
Final round was held to select 1 project from the top 2. Again both the projects were very impressive and had made some improvements in the last week to brighten their chances. Eventually after a long debate and demo/presentation 1 was selected to represent Pakistan in Imagine cup 2006.

Microsoft Application Security Seminar @ NED Postponed

Due to the strike in Karachi the event @ NED University on 27th May has been postponed to 1st June. It would have been great if it was on 27th because it was Saturday and the attendance would have been very good.

Conducting the Preliminary Round for Imagine Cup 2006 Pakistan

On 20th May the preliminary round for Projects entries for Imagine cup was completed. The judges panel included Waqar Khamisani (Microsoft ISV Manager Pakistan), Dr. Saeed Ghani(Chairman CS and MIS,IBA) , Rehan Ghayor(Sr. Manager MIS ,IBA), Talha Mahmood and My self. We went through many projects, discussing the projects detail and marking them. Finally we select 5 projects to be forwarded to the final round, before sending them to India. The final assessment Round will be held on 29th May 2006.