Learn System.Net, WCF and Atlas at next MSDN Event

Three good sessions at the next MSDN Event:

Session 1: Exploring the System.Net Namespace in the .NET
Framework 2.0

This session will delve into the System.Net namespace, including:

  • How to create applications that detect network availability and
    connections
  • Sending SMTP mail and transferring data via HTTP and FTP
  • How to use the HTTP Listener class to write a simple Web server

Session 2: Windows Communication Foundation
Exposed

In this session, we’ll explore:

  • How WCF extends the .NET Base Class Library and builds distributed
    connected systems
  • Where WCF fits into the larger WinFX world and how to use WCF to
    build distributed applications
  • Enabling services that communicate across multiple boundaries and
    transports
  • How to optimize for platform or performance

Session 3: Building the Next Generation of Web Applications
with ASP.NET “Atlas”

This session will cover:

  • The Atlas architecture, including scenarios associated with the AJAX
    programming model
  • How to apply Atlas to enhance new or existing ASP.NET applications
  • Applications that incorporate AJAX, Web services, and rich
    DHTML-based user experiences

Registration and full story: http://www.msdnevents.com/default.aspx?sid=24 (tiny
little dropdown list at the bottom of the page to register).  You
Pittsburgh folks need to look for “PA – Canonsburg”, not “PA –
Pittsburgh”.

Dotster Worries Domain Names Are Running Out

Registrar-turned-cybersquatter Dotster is worried we’re running out of domain
names:

Dotster Inc, which is currently trying to fight off a cybersquatting
lawsuit filed by a major US retailer, said the large number of domains being
registered worldwide points to a possible “drought” in future and, in a press
release, plugged a number of services it offers to help customers find a
suitable domain.

(source: http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=4EFB00BF-D653-461E-B4E8-7FCC52080182)

“The growth rate of people registering dot-coms has just skyrocketed,”
Dotster Vice President for Marketing George DeCarlo said. “There’s definitely
a shortage of usable domain names in dot-com,” added Antony Van Couvering, a
principal in Names@Work, an Internet consulting firm in New York
City.

(source: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/52141.html)

Given Dotster’s alleged “domain kiting” practices, it’s tough to take their
warning as being in the public interest.  Besides, they make their money
selling domain names, so if they can create some hysteria, then get ICANN to
approve a new TLD, well, that many more domains to sell or squat.

Mozart never worried about running out of musical notes, even though there’s
an even more finite number of those.  Most of the obviously catchy names
are probably sucked up, but look how many new sites are being created every day
with names you never would have imagined (Flickr, Squidoo, Technorati,
Memeorandum, etc.).  Names are as much creativity and marketing as they are
availability.  In Pennsylvania, there can be only one The Bloomery.  We have the fictitious
name registered, and no one else can use it.  So new shops have to think of
another name, no matter how much they may like ours.  There’s another one
in Massachusetts, and until we didn’t renew the obvious .BIZ domain name, they
were kind of screwed for their website (I think they now have it).

Established businesses, especially small businesses, are the ones who have
suffered most.  My friend Cheryl found that parkwayflorist.com was taken,
so she had to register parkwayflorist-pgh.com.  Not
as catchy, but if that’s what people see on your vans, or on your business cards
and delivery tags, that’s what your customers will use.  If you’re a new
business, and if a website is going to be important, you might want to check
domain name availability.  If you’re established, you may have to get
creative with domain names.  Perhaps good variations of your business name
and location are taken, how about business type and location?

The other The Bloomery just has to deal with the fact we got the domain name
first.  The real aggravation is domain squatters or domain kiters. 
The problem is that a domain dispute is so time consuming, expensive and
complicated that business owners find it easier to be extorted than legally
correct, and end up shelling out $500 for a domain name, as opposed to the $1500
UDRP filing fee (just to get the ball rolling).  Fix that process and some
of the problems will go away.

Free MSDN Subscription for MSDN Premium Subscribers

For those of you who don’t know…

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Henry

Circulation
Director

Holding Domain Names for Ransom

A recent thread in the LED
Digest
was started with the following warning:

A very common problem (in Russia at least) is where registrars, ISPs
and web development companies will register a domain in THEIR name instead of
the CUSTOMER’s name — later, holding the domain for ransom
later.

(full post at http://www.led-digest.com/content/view/405/55/)

This was followed with some discussion in the next day’s post (http://www.led-digest.com/content/view/406/55/). 
I recount one story myself in that issue.  If you need to convince someone
why they should register their own domaian names, these are some good
examples.

Congratulations! You are a Community Credit Winner! (8/1/2006 12:25:36 AM)

Hello
Richard,

    Congratulations. You won 12th Prize in
the July 2006 Contest. As you may know, a lot of people competed, but only a few
won. Nicely done! Please also keep in mind that your prize is not just a stupid,
geeky gift, but it’s also a symbol to represent your contributions to the
development community. When folks ask you how you won, you can tell them that it
was by helping out other geeks. Be proud and brag.

Below you will find
the details of your prize.

The beloved Apu of The Simpsons fame
A fun Simpsons figurine featuring Apu in all his Kwik-E-Mart
splendor.  Apu is probably my favorite Simpsons character and you
must really love the signs posted in front and around the
counter