Google's SOAP search API now closed!

This is interesting... google has closed their SOAP-based Search API. I know the AJAX based one is now there but surely the SOAP one was a great way of "web servicing up" their search interface, with the corresponding WSDL providing a comprehensive service description. Perhaps the SOAP one was too flexible, allowing UI "cloaking" of the google engine behind the searching and manipulation of the search results?

Visual Studio 2005 SP1 now released

For those developing for .Net 2 or 3 using VS 2005, I think this SP1 is worth installing. I installed it yesterday and all seems fine so far (or you can wait for me to have problems first!).

Tip: if you have installed WAP (web application projects add-in), uninstall it first and then install SP1, as this service pack now has this included. WAP is my preferred project model for ASP.Net development (the "web site" model is fine for quick demos but is of little use [my opinion] for larger projects). I do know developers who prefer the "web site" model though... so each to their own I guess.

Vista launch event in the UK for developers

Microsoft have organised a Vista and 2007 Office System launch event (January 19-20th 2007) for developers, hosted at their Thames Valley Park Offices, Reading UK. Within a few days of announcing it, registration was closed (fully subscribed), although they are also streaming all sessions 'live' as a virtual event online. I'll give this latter choice a go and see how well it works... their intention is also to make it 'interactive' via blogs and interactive chat. Be interesting to see how well this all works in practice.

See day one agenda (sessions) and day 2 agenda (hands-on workshops).