In the July issue of MSDN Magazine, Dino Esposito provided an excellent article on allowing DHMTL in ASP.Net Controls.  This is a core concept for a project that I am working on,  so I thought I would share my particular solution to the problem.First, the problem.   -- If you use DHTML and client-side scripting to manipulate server side objects, whatever attributes of those HTML elements that were changed since initial page render via DHTML will be lost on postback.   My particluar need for DHTML was related to allowing users to move controls around a webform (a form designer) and then saving the new X/Y coordinates of those controls for later use. 

Inspired from Mr. Esposito's article, I decided to model my solution using a single hidden field.   I wasn't excited about this approach but I did consider it to me a good alternative to the common approach of adding one hidden field per DHTML-manipulated server control.

Since my particular need was to capture X and Y coordinates of controls that have...

Biased Opinion AlertIn late April, Micro$oft urged lawmakers to ease restrictions on H1-B work visa issuance in hopes to increase it's already substantial overseas hiring trend.

reference link:http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D89NV0H00.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down

Those of you who know me, know that I am about as big of a Micro$oft zealot as they come.  I have made a career out of Micro$oft products and truly believe much of their technology to be empowering, from a developer perspective.    With that said, I can see absolutely no good side to this event and I am hoping one of you could possibly persuade me otherwise.

Obviously, I have a biased opinion on this topic - being an American born software developer with dwindling employment options in a largely non-technical community.    This is a sensitive topic because if you take the stance that "America's largest software company...

Put yourself in my shoes.

 

Scenario 1

Standing at the casket of my Great Aunt Suzie, I stare fondly at her warm smile and ponder quietly childhood memories playing board games and enjoying home-made cookies and lemonade in the summertime.   Just then, I’m jolted back to reality by my untactful 2nd-cousin Jed, who hopefully asks in a country accent “You werk wit computers, riiight? My computers’ doin’ the darn’d’est thing…”

 

Scenario 2

After working 80 hours on a software release and returning from a 6 hour flight, I stumble tiredly into my house.  With my laptop and garment bag sitting on floor where I dropped them upon entering the house I check my voicemail.    1 telemarketer, 2 calls from Mediacom stating they are ready to install my new TiVO, anytime between 8-5 Monday through Friday and 4 calls from a cousin-in-law about the new DVD Writer they bought, asking how to install it.

 

Scenario 3

After successfully lobbying to keep Star Trek:...

The point of this blog is to share experiences and events with the public, family and friends, usually - but not always related to software development.

Not that I feel what I have to say is any more important than the millions of experts on the internet - it is nice to reference problems and solutions as well as experiences that my professional peers can share.

I appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to visit this site and I hope that I can provide an occasionally useful and always entertaining look at Software Development and other technical matters.

Bill Dodd
mcp, mcsd, mcad, mcdba