When working with web applications we tend to use MSDeploy for distribution. Our TFS build box, as well as producing a _PublishedWebsite copy of the site, produce the ZIP packaged version we use to deploy to test and production servers via PowerShell or IIS Manager To create this package we add the MSBuild Arguments …

To make sure all our Word documents are consistent we use a Word template that include VSTO action pane. This allow us to insert standard blocks of text, T&C and the like, and also makes sure document revisions and reviews are correctly logged. We have used this for years without any issues, but I recently needed …

Day one at Build brought a lot of anticipated announcements with a great mix of surprises and totally awesome demo’s. The main overall push was the One Microsoft, in essence Microsoft has managed to bring all of their eco-systems into sync, the bottom line developer code can be used and reused across Windows 8, Windows …

TFS 2013.2 got RTM’d last night and is available on MSDN; interestingly Visual Studio 2013.2 is still only an RC, we have to wait for that to RTM. As we had a good proportion of our team at Build 2014 I took the chance to do the upgrade today. It went smoothly, no surprises, though the installation phase (the middle …

Just been renewed as an MVP once again! Great way start Build :)

I am pleased to announce details of the Black Marble Virtual Pet Sanctuary! It has been estimated that in the EU alone over 2.1 billion virtual pets/avatars or other cyber creatures, are rotting away due to neglect. Soon to be enacted EU Regulations, the European Virtual Pet Law (2014) about the long term treatment and …

Looking forward to speaking at Techorama in May, great range of speakers and subjects. Hope to see you there, for ticket details see http://www.techorama.be/tickets/

Our testing environments are based on TFS Lab Management, historically we have managed deployment into them manually (or at least via a PowerShell script run manually) or using TFS Build. I thought it time I at least tried to move over to Release Management. The process to install the components of Release Management …

It’s a busy week. I’m speaking at the [Black Marble-hosted GWAB2 event](http://www.blackmarble.co.uk/events.aspx?event= Global Windows Azure Bootcamp 2) this Saturday, along with Steve Spencer and Andy Westgarth. Richard and Robert will also be on hand which means between us we should be able to cover questions on much …

Background The TFS Community Build Extensions provide many activities to enhance your build. One we use a lot is the one for StyleCop to enforce code consistency in projects as part of our check in & build process. In most projects you will not want a single set of StyleCop rules to be applied across the whole …