.net_2.0

New Ajax ToolKit Out..Links..

Today was released a new 'official' release of the Ajax Toolkit.  It apparently solves some issues with viewstate, gives the modalpopup some additional scenarios to be worked in, and a few other updates...but.

If you run a DGS (dynamically generated site), you'll still need to modify the ExtenderBase so that the url points to the raw url and not the FilePath (see previous blog entries) - however next release will have that issue fixed (Thanks Shawn).    Additionally, there is still the issue with databound objects remaining hidden (such as the dropdownlists) when a ModalPopup is invoked and closed - hopefully that will get fixed less maybe I will try and substitute DDLs with some other control.  However, new functionality with the modal allows for invoking in other scenarios which should be a relief for some.  For instance I believe it is now possible to have the target outside the modal and update panel that contains it.  That actually will be interesting code to look at to see if that property can be applied to other controls.

Which leads me to a bunch of links for the readers as trying to find any code examples is difficult at best.

Links you may or may not find useful:

• Rick Strahls Blog - Considering his investment with his own software business, this guy really gets down and dirty with exposing issues and solving them.  And he is alot like me - not afraid to buck popular opinion but to call it like it is.
• SimoneB's Blog - One of the few Microsoft Ajax oriented blogs that actually addresses issues with code examples and great explanations without the fluff. 
  
• BigBold.com - If you are looking for code snippets Java or otherwise - a decent resource.
• InfinitiesLoop - If you want to learn the down and dirty details of how to build dynamic controls and understanding viewstate (among other things - a must read blog as what he actually writes about you'd spend $100 for three books and never even scratch the surface)...
• EggHeadCafe - Now, I remember this domain from the BBS days. Maybe I am wrong but this is Peter Blombergs Site and back in the days before the internet - he was right up there for the top online systems in the analog world.  Even now - still cruising strong and provides a plethora of great articles and how-do-you-do-it articles.  One article in particular - which addresses to a limited extent what I I wanted to accomplish but not have to code that much....is this. ASP.NET AJAX Automatically Saving Web Form Data
• WebReference - A great source for learning Javascript and the likes...
• htmlgoodies.com - Another great resource for handling the DOM, scripts, etc.....
• slayeroffice.com - Javascript and in-depth articles about fallacies with programming the client-side browser.
• quirksmode.org - free online Ajax book...
• Ajax Tutorials - LInks to other Ajax articles
  
• Using Libraries from Partially Trusted Code 
  
• CSS Filter Examples
• Yahoo Interface Library
• Srivalli Chavali Blog: Embedding static files inside a .NET assembly
• Java2s.com
• Damian Mehers Blog - Several decent articles on how to create your own extenders using the Toolkit.
  
• WordPress - Index on Ajax articles
• ThinkVitamin - An interesting site with various articles on design and programming.  Not .Net specific but some interesting reading.
• VS and .Net Crazy - CSS examples..
• Petzold Book Blog - A must read actually.  Not totally all technical none the less very interesting analysis and article content..

• Benchmark studies - For those of you whom may have never seen this stuff check out the link below.  I was involved in most of the studies (Particulary the Doculabs and the Middleware Project which not only did I design the network / testing platform but also the methodology and execution thereof).. From a coding perspective - starter kits are great but if you want to learn how to code reliable, scalable, and high performance applications I do recommend getting to understand the benchmark studies over the starter kits.
  
  

• Ajax Patterns (wiki)
  
• 
  

And that concludes the entry - if you have some great Ajax, Microsoft oriented links to share please leave a comment (and you may do so anonymously)..I excluded the regular blogs that are found readily on Asp.Net such as Scott's etc - simply because they are easiest enough to find - not because they are not useful (quite the contrary).   Besides it'd be safe to assume you already have them bookmarked...