Kevin S. Goff: Stages of Data

11/25/06: Newest Baker's Dozen article

My newest Baker's Dozen article in Code Magazine, 13 Productivity Tips for Generating PowerPoint presentations, is available.

The article and the timing is an interesting sequence of events - last year I wrote some code to generate PPT slideshows from within a .NET application, and wrote a Baker's Dozen article based on the code.   Rod Paddock/CoDe weren't able to use it, purely for space reasons.  So they just decided to tuck it away, in case I ever needed to take an issue off.    Good thing they did!  I needed to take an issue off a few months ago, when I was finishing the book.

I've received some nice feedback from developers who are generating PPT output from a .NET application.

At some point, I plan to do an update to the project using VS  Tools for Office.

The next issue of the Baker's Dozen will feature a redux of my Crystal Reports article from two years ago - should be out sometime in late December.   I'm currently working on two Baker's Dozen articles - 13 tips for implementing common design patterns in C# 2.0, and a special 13 tips for moving from VFP  to .NET, as part of the next CoDeFocus issue.  So between that and my contract gigs, I've got plenty to keep me busy and out of trouble, haha.

KG

11/25/06: Last CodeCamp for '06

I'll be at Central PA CodeCamp this coming Saturday (Dec 2), at Harrisburg Area Community College.   I'm doing three sessions on .NET generics, T-SQL 2005, and building distributed reporting solutions.   My friend John Baird will be doing a session on test-driven development, and there are some good sessions on SharePoint and SQL Integration Services.

The user community in Harrisburg is a great  (and sharp) group of people - I spoke at their User Group and CodeCamp last fall, and am looking forward to this one.

I'd like to thank all the people who have attended my sessions this year in NYC, Philly, NJ, Boston, Richmond and Montreal.  I've received great feedback that improved my sessions.  I've also had the chance to talk regularly with guys like Don Demsak, Miguel Castro, Peter Laudati, Frank LaVigne, and many others. 

KG

11/25/06: My new book is out!

Hi, all....my new book is out - you can order it from Amazon, or get the e-book version from Apress.

I started this about a year ago, and I feel about 10 years older!!!  Over a year ago, Apress saw my Baker's Dozen articles in CoDe magazine, and asked me if I was interested in writing a book.  Rod Paddock contributed two chapters on ActiveReports and SSRS 2005. 

I've started a new blog category under 'Reporting Book' - so feel free to post book comments under this category.  I'll use this category for any post-publication information.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving/weekend. 

Now listening to:  Cannonball Adderley...the man is so much fun to listen to.

Peace out...KG