VS2008 Web Deployment Project Released

Scott Guthrie's blog announces "RTW (release to web) support for VS 2008 Web Deployment projects".

Web Deployment projects can be used with either the "ASP.NET Web Site" or "ASP.NET Web Application Project" options built-into VS 2008, and provide a few additional build, packaging and deployment options for you to use.

It also adds additional support for:

• Easily migrating VS 2005 Web Deployment Projects to VS 2008 Web Deployment Projects
• Replacing output only if web deployment builds succeed
• IIS7 Support

SQL Server 2008 Not Until Q3 2008

The Data Platform Insider : Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Roadmap Clarification

Microsoft is excited to deliver a feature complete CTP during the Heroes Happen Here launch wave and a release candidate (RC) in Q2 calendar year 2008, with final Release to manufacturing (RTM) of SQL Server 2008 expected in Q3.

The Visual Basic Team : Hidden Gems in Visual Basic 2008 (Amanda Silver)

The Visual Basic Team : Hidden Gems in Visual Basic 2008 (Amanda Silver): "Hidden Gems in Visual Basic 2008"

0) Multi-targetting
1) Type Inference
2) If Operator
3) Object Initializers
4) Nullable
5) LINQ to DataSet
6) Syntax Tooltips
7) XML Namespace support in Intellisense
8) GoTo Type Definition
9) Type inference for loop variables
10) Performance improvements and? Non-blocking operations!