LAMP: Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. A pretty nice combination of technologies for easily building interactive and Database-backed Websites. I love the concept, its one that Microsoft didn't really captialize on with .NET 1.x. Sure, you had Windows as the OS, not free, but affordable for businesses. You also have IIS which is easy enough to configure and has improved considerable with the introduction of IIS6. And, yes, ASP.NET 1.x was most certainly a great web applicaiton platform. But where was the bit that that competed with MySQL? Well, that was MSDE. Enough said. Little wonder why there's been a lot of interest in SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.
But something about that offering just didn't make out the gate in time. Namely:
- Like the MSDE story, there wasn't a free GUI for working with yet. For better or worse, XM didn't make it, and SSMSEE wasn't ready at RTM. I'm glad they didn't hold up for it, but its still somewhat holding the ASP.NET 2.0 platform for going head-to-head with LAMP, IMHO.
- Towards the end of the development cycle of SQL Server 2005, the SQL Team decided that Express Edition really should support Reporting Services and Full-Text search. However, that decision was really made too late in the cycle to include them in the RTM. Microsoft said these features would be available with SP1.
And so they are. Mission almost accomplished. It turns out that a CTP version of SSMSEE is now available at [0], so you can start getting a feel for how tool will help you write great applications. Books On-Line has also been updated to reflect the changes in it. You can download that from [1]. You also download the first CTP for Express Edition with Advanced Services from [2].
I believe the March 2006 CTP version of SQL Server 2005 will show as 9.0.2040.0. Don't worry, it still runs with .NET FX 2.0.50727.42.
[0]: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=82afbd59-57a4-455e-a2d6-1d4c98d40f6e&displaylang=en
[1]: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=19db0b42-a5b2-456f-9c5c-f295cdd58d7a&displayLang=en&oRef=http%3a%2f%2fwww.microsoft.com%2fsql%2fctp_sp1.mspx
[2]: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=57856cdd-da9b-4ad0-9a8a-f193ae8410ad&displaylang=en
Oh, did I mention that if you want to win yourself $10,000 in the Made In Express contest, you can? Sounds like a heck of an opportunity for somebody not only write some really cool code but also put some green in bank.
There are days that I especially enjoy my job... like last yesterday when the company I'm teaching this week had an in-house celebration -- featuring Pizza and Beer -- and I was invited to join in. What amazed me even more is that a group of my students gave me the grand tour of this companies facilites. That really struck me as interesting though was less about the facility (don't get me wrong, they are very nice too) but how proud this group of folks were about and how much like liked working for this company. I think that says something about their employer -- they must be doing many things right to inspire this kind of pride and loyality in their people.
After that, I went back to the classroom, finished up a little bit of code that I'm going to show this morning and then made the drive over to the Broad Ripple Brewing Company. One of my students this week is also a homebrewer and appreciates good beer, and he kindly offered to take me out for dinner. That's just how nice folks in the Midwest are, so I had to go. The brew pub was most certainly English-themed as was part of the menu. I was able to get Scotch Eggs and Bangers and Mash with Peas. And HP Sauce. Just like well, nothing I've had in the UK, but certainly the type of food that the Two Fat Ladies made frequently. Had their American Porter which was certainly very good and fit nicely in the Robust Porter style. Also had their E.S.B. which was darn near perfect to the style guideline. Overall, one of the most enjoyable meals I've had on the road in a long time. Thanks to Tom, Dan and Raju for making me feel at home, too.
And I'd certainly recommend a visit to Broad Ripple Brewing Co. if and when you find yourself in Indianapolis!