Architectural Considerations for SQL Azure
When designing applications for SQL Azure, it is important to consider the architectural impact to achieve the best performance. In this article, we discuss some of the architectural considerations for an SQL Azure application.
Creating a Simple Windows Azure Application
To get on the Microsoft Windows Azure cloud computing bandwagon, you need to understand how to develop applications targeting the platform. Discover how to create your first "Hello World" cloud application.
Explaining Cloud Computing to Your Pointy Haired Boss
Any day now your pointy-haired boss is going to ask you about this cloud stuff. Do you have a strategy? Can you even define it? Discover how easily it is to explain the cloud to your boss, and begin to start a longer discussion on all aspects of cloud computing.
Jetpack SDK 0.8
Jetpack 0.8 offers two important new APIs, such as the Windows and Page Worker APIs.
Rapid UI Prototyping with Microsoft Expression Blend 3
In today's environment prototyping your UI can be paramount. This article will show users how to use the Microsoft Expression Blend 3 prototyping tool and discuss the differences between static, interactive and convertible prototypes.
Declaring Anonymous Types in VB
Using an anonymous type in VB, which is essential for technologies like LINQ, means that the compiler will generate a class for you based on context and named initializers saving you time and effort. To learn more read on.
Managing User Accounts with the Zend Framework
The Zend_Auth component, part of the Zend Framework, provides a mechanism for authenticating users in your web apps. Jason Gilmore will show you how use this robust component to give users the ability to create their own accounts.
Top Ten Tips for Presenting Architecture Information
Have you ever struggled to communicate architectural information with stakeholders? Do you recognize that presenting data and information is a core competency of an architect? Consider putting these proven principles and patterns to use in your next presentation.
Understanding and Benefiting from Code Contracts in .NET 4.0
One of the fundamental programming challenges is managing state. Chances are you have written dozens and dozens of methods that at the beginning check that certain conditions are met, and that another set of conditions is met when the method returns. With Code Contracts in .NET 4.0, you can make things considerably easier. Read on to learn how.
Performance Improvements: Caching
Caching can greatly improve performance but it can also lull you into a false sense of security. In some cases it can even make the performance worse. If you haven't already, then now is the time to learn the issues and limitations of caching so that you can truly improve performance.
Performance Improvement: Session State
Performance is critical to today's successful applications and web sites. If you design with an awareness of the session state management challenges you can always change your strategies to match your performance needs.
Going Parallel with the Task Parallel Library and PLINQ
With more and more computers using a multi-core processor, the free lunch of increased clock speeds and the inherent performance gains are over. Software developers must instead make sure their applications take use of all the cores available in an efficient manner. New features in .NET 4.0 mean that managed code developers too can join the party.
Design 
