In another example of Microsoft listening to it’s customers, it was recently announced that the Unit Testing capabilities currently only offered in Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Developers, Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Testers and Team Suite will be available in the professional editions starting with the “Orcas” release.

As I stated on my last post, a lot of newsworthy items have taken place while I was basking in the sun in Scottsdale, AZ last week. Including the announcement by Soma that Expression Web and Expression Blend will be available to anyone with an MSDN Premium subscription. I was prepared to write a long write up of the events that transpired behind the curtains that made this happen, but I see my cohort Kevin Hammond has already writtenan insightful behind-the-scenes look.

“What happens when a group of passionate evangelists, Microsoft MVPs, Microsoft Regional Directors get together, listen to customer feedback and advocate on behalf of you, the developer and the customer? Massive changes to existing go-to-market plans and more products at your disposal to make building the best applications ever even easier!!”

I invite you over to Casa de Hambone to see what it takes.

Technorati tags: expression web, expression blend, msdn subscription

Returning from a week with the family in Scottsdale, AZ, basking in 90 degree weather, and then returning to Chicago and it’s 32 degree weather is enough to really screw someone up! It turns out while I was gone, a lot of newsworthy items have taken place. Before I get to that though, I have to share this little nugget from my vacation.

While out in Scottsdale, we paid a visit to the nearest Barnes & Noble to see if anything would strike our fancy while poolside. After scanning the Computers, Sci-Fi/Fantasy (I’m trying to get into the genre and maintain my geek card, if you have suggestings, let me know) and Business sections, I eventually picked up “The Google Story“. (Nothing like reading a tale of young-billionaires to make you feelbetter about yourself) Fast forward a couple days to Monday and I’m sitting poolside, while the wife and kids are frolicking in the water, reading my new book. After a while,I catch a glimpse of two guys talking to one another while they’re pointing at me. (Hmm?) I come to the realization (or I hope) that they are referring to my book. Sure enough, one of the gents scurries off somewhere and the other one comes up to me and the following conversation takes place…

Some Dude: “Do you mind if I take a look at your book?”

Me: “Uh, sure.”

(Dude flips through page after page)

Me: “Are you in it?”

Some Dude: “No, but the guy I’m with is. He’s the CEO of Ask.com“

Me: “Ah.”

Some Dude: “Yep. There he is. Thanks.”

Me: “No problem”

This just goes to show you that you have no idea who you may be sitting next to at any one time.Even the pool at the Westin Kierland in Scottsdale.