Dennis J. Bottjer | MVP ASP.NET

<xhtmlConformance mode="" /> is new to ASP.NET 2.0 and can be added to the Web.Config to specify the XHTML rendering mode for an ASP.NET Application.  Mode can be set to Legacy, Transitional, or Strict.  Using the Legacy mode is not recommended if your site uses AJAX.  I found setting the mode to transitional particularly useful when trying to persuade DotNetNuke 4.x to output XHTML Transitional Compliant Markup.

Probably since I was about 15 or 16 I have wanted a motorcycle.  Well I finally gave in and bought a Yahama FZ6.  I got all the safety gear including helmet, gloves, jacket, etc.  I'm signed up to take the motor cycle safety course this next week.  I guess I now know not to go to a motorcycle shop with Roy.  He kind of influenced the purchase a little. 

Roy and Dave Strommer have had bikes for quite some time.  In fact Dave Strommer's tag reads "JaxDug."  Maybe we need to start a .NET Bike Club?

Here's some picks of the bike:

More ASP.NET sites are AJAX enable.  This means more client side JavaScript which means heavier bandwidth usage.  This tool http://fmarcia.info/jsmin/test.html eliminates white space, comments, etc from a script which is basically a crude form of compression.A

If you attended the 2006 Jacksonville, FL CodeCamp you may remember our Keynote speaker Mr. John Spence.  He is profession business coach and motivational speaker.  I received the following email from him.  He is conducting some research and appreciates input from all those willing to participate.

Our research team is currently doing a project on the subject of "Perceived Self-Mastery" (a critical component to both effectiveness and satisfaction) and has put together a very brief survey. If you have perhaps 5 minutes I would greatly appreciate you completing the assessment.  All answers are strictly 100% confidential.

When we finish the research I will write up a report and post it to our blog --- then I'll send you a link so you can see what we learned. We have already had a number of people complete the survey and the early results show some interesting patterns.

Thanks so much - I appreciate your help.

Here is the link:  http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2269NE6JXES

PS -- please feel free to send this link on to any of your friends and colleagues -- the more folks we get to take the survey the more meaningful the results will be!

Making the very complex... awesomely simple

www.johnspence.com

www.flycasterandcompany.com


John B. Spence
P.O. Box 357606
Gainesville, FL 32605-7606

Office: 386-418-8870 Ext. 1
Cell: 352-316-4026

On Sunday April 1, 2007 I received the following letter from Microsoft.  Needless to say I was so glad they weren't kidding.

Dear Dennis Bottjer,

Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2007

Microsoft(r) MVP Award!

The Microsoft MVP Award is our way of saying thank you and to honor and support the significant contributions you make to communities worldwide.

As a recipient of Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional award, you join an elite group of technical community leaders from around the world who foster the free and objective exchange of knowledge by actively sharing your real world expertise with users and Microsoft.  Microsoft salutes all MVPs for promoting the spirit of community and enhancing people's lives and the industry's success everyday.  To learn more about the MVP Program, visit: www.microsoft.com/mvp.

Your extraordinary efforts in Visual Developer - ASP/ASP.NET technical communities during the past year are greatly appreciated.

Receiving the Microsoft(r) MVP Award means so much to me.  It is a HUGE honor to be recognized and be in the company of some of my Geek Idols.   I would like to thank several people for their role in helping me receive this award. 

First, I would like to thank Joe Healy (www.DevFish.net) for nominating.  I remember setting a goal with Joe about two years ago at a pub club to achieve MVP and now I've made it.  Joe is larger than life and sometimes he pushed me so much that he fustrated the hell out of me!  But 9 times out of 10  he was giving me the proverbial (sometimes literal) slap or kick I needed.   Joe thanks for all your coaching and support.   Next, I would like to thank Russ Fustino who like Joe has been a good friend to JaxDug and too me personally.  Russ has always been encouraging and just a good friend.

Over the past year I have had the opportunity to work very closely with Jeff Barnes who is the Architecture Avangelist for Florida while starting our Jacksonville, ArchSIG.  Jeff has made the long drive to Jacksonville many times to support our group.

Colin Cole with Microsoft's Financial Services Group has patiently answered my many questions in meetings.

Dave Strommer is the former president of JaxDug, the co-founder of DrowningInTechnicalDebt.com, a great friend, and mentor.  Dave was one of the first friends I made when moving to Jacksonville and has been one of the biggest influences on my professional life.

Roy is a fellow DrowningInTechnicalDebt.com blogger, a great friend, and my sounding board.  He always talks sense into me and makes me prove my ideas.

Scott Roycraft is a fellow DrowningInTechnicalDebt.com blogger and an amazing developer.  I have learned much from him.

John Arcidiacono a ideal co-worker and friend is always willing to share his knowledge and help out.

Craig Davis - Exploding Jello My Friend...

Vinay Ahuja - You have been my right-hand-man.  I can always count on you for advise.  Couldn't have done last years code camp without you.

Shawn Weisfeld - We're partners in crime!  We represent North Florida! Orlando and Jacksonville. 

Andrew Connell,  Doc Holliday - Thanks for a great share point SIG and all your great presentations.

Rob Howard - Thanks for giving me a community server license to run www.DrowningInTechnicalDebt.com.

David Silverlight - Community-Credit Rules! I love my missile launcher.

All my code camp buds, family friends, and anyone else I might have missed. 

THANK YOU!