Tech Valley .NET Users Group

May meeting - Tuesday 5/8/2012 - Open Q&A

Chris Miller — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:51:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: TVUG

The May meeting will have an open Q&A session. Have a question about something .NET related? Stuck on a problem with a project? Bring it in and see if the group can answer or come up with a solution. Any .NET related topic is fair game. Participation is encouraged and will be rewarded. Bring your laptops, we will have Wi-Fi connections available.

Lead ASP.NET Developer

Brian Peek — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Location: Albany, NY

NTT DATA is currently looking to hire a Senior/Lead .NET Developer.

Must have at least 5 years of ASP.NET development experience utilizng C# for web based applications.

Oracle back-end so SQL is required.

Will be working on large robust enterprise web based applications.

This is a perm position with NTT DATA located in Albany, NY.

NTT DATA hs over 55,000 employees worldwide and is considered a leader in the IT world.

NTT DATA offers growth and excellent benefits that start on day 1

Email: Salvatore.petrara@nttdata.com

A&MS (ams2.biz), is seeking a Dot NET Developer

Brian Peek — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:45:00 GMT

A&MS (ams2.biz), is seeking a Dot NET Developer located at 743 Columbia Tpke, East Greenbush, NY

A&MS is a leading provider of premium audit software to the insurance industry. Our software has been implemented by many of the largest commercial carriers and state funds in the nation.

Skills and Experience the position requires are as follows:

Experience with traditional web standards such as HTTP, HTML, XHTML, Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets and AJAX.
XML/XSL/XSLT experience.
A working knowledge of Web Services and other integration patterns and their supporting technologies.

Skills and Experience Preferred:

4+ years experience of design and development experience Windows and MS SQL platforms with VB.net, C#, ASP.net, C++ and Transct-SQL and similar.

Specific Activities for and Responsibilities:

Work with clients and colleagues to define, analyze and engineer sound IT-based solutions for their unique business processes and rules.
Integrate software solutions into a production environment.

The position is full-time, salary with benefits. We are seeking an experienced (non-manager) with 5+ to 7 years but will entertain 2 to 4 years.

Interested applicants are instructed to submit their resume accompanied with a coverletter to nperrotti@advmgmt.com.

CDPHP - Application Developer

Brian Peek — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:58:00 GMT

Application Developer

Reviews, maintains and develops applications and custom code in support of CDPHP's core processes and functions. Provides development support and custom code in support of the management, configuration and maintenance of CDPHP's core claims systems and applications during their lifecycle, specifically with Facets and its integrated systems. Responsible for and contribute to the development, testing, implementation, enhancement and maintenance of all business applications and software and custom code that support our core and engagement processes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

-BA or BS in Computer Science OR 5 years of equivalent work experience.

-Minimum 5 years experience in developing and/or maintaining complex business applications required; 3 years experience with web applications preferred.

-Experience with C#, VB.Net, XML, or Oracle/SQL Server required.

-Strong knowledge of systems analysis and writing program specifications required.

-Knowledge of healthcae and HMO processes, rules, regulations, enrollment/eligibility guidelines and reporting requirements for HMO, PPO, ASO, Medicare, Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus preferred.

Please visit www.cdphptalent.com to apply and to learn more about career opportunities with CDPHP.

CDPHP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement, on-site fitness center, community involvement opportunities, along with an environment that promotes growth and professional development.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

April Meeting, Tuesday, April 10th 2012 - Playing Games in the Cloud

Chris Miller — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:21:00 GMT

Where: New Horizions, Albany NY
When: Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Jim O'Neil, Microsoft

IMPORTANT: Please note that we will be meeting at New Horizons Albany for this event. Also note that ideally you will bring a laptop (see details below) for a hands-on opportunity.

Jim O'Neil presents:

Playing Games in the Cloud

By now you’ve heard about Windows Azure, Microsoft’s Cloud Computing platform, but perhaps you haven’t yet kicked the tires and tried it out yourself. Well, here’s your chance. With this session on the RockPaperAzure Challenge, you’ll get an overview of the Windows Azure Platform and have a chance to try it out in a fun (and potentially profitable) way – by playing a variation of the playground favorite - Rock, Paper, Scissors - in the cloud!

For the session, bring your laptop (Windows Vista or Windows 7)* and

Install Visual Studio 2010 Pro (or higher) or Visual Web Developer Express 2010 (a free download)
Install the Windows Azure SDK http://bit.ly/xP56oP
Provision a no-risk, free 90-day Windows Azure trial account (http://bit.ly/xrUXU2) – here’s a screencast walkthrough: (http://bit.ly/yaboao)

And we’ll cover the rest at the meeting. There’s a Kinect, Visual Studio 2010 license, and a $50 Best Buy gift card up for grabs – so get ready to Rock (PaperAzure)!

*If you don’t have Windows Vista or Windows 7, don’t let that stop you from coming! You’ll still be able to participate, we just may buddy you up with someone!

Presenter Bio

Jim O'Neil is a Microsoft Developer Evangelist for the Northeast District, including New England and Upstate New York. He joined Microsoft in April 2008 after nearly twelve years at Sybase as a support engineer, sales consultant, and evangelist for developer tools including PowerBuilder, DataWindow .NET, and EAServer (a J2EE application server). Jim is an MCPD and co-authored two books and multiple articles on application development using PowerBuilder. Prior to Sybase, he worked as a software engineer for MITRE and BDM International, Inc., developing prototypes and simulations for various DoD organizations.

Follow Jim on Twitter at @JimONeil

This will be a joint session with the Capital Area SQL Server User Group. CASSUG meets on the 3rd Monday of every month at New Horizons in Albany.

Software Application Engineer Job - GE, Schenectady

Chris Miller — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:03:00 GMT

Interested? Contact James Cronen at james.cronen@ge.com.

Location: Schenectady, NY, United States

Job Number:	1504479
Business	GE Energy
Business Segment:	Energy - Headquarters
About Us:	GE is planning for tomorrow. Where will you be? For more than 125 years, GE has been respected for its performance and innovative spirit. GE people worldwide are dedicated to turning imaginative ideas into leading products and services that help solve some of the world's toughest problems. Start your career on the right path. Join our results-oriented team at GE Energy today!
Posted Position Title:	Software Application Engineer
Career Level:	Experienced
Function	Engineering/Technology
Function Segment:	Applications and Software
Location:	United States
U.S. State, China or Canada Provinces:	New York
City:	Schenectady
Postal Code:	12345-6000
Relocation Assistance	Yes
Role Summary/Purpose:	In this role of Software Application Engineer, you will:
Essential Responsibilities	- Actively participate in a working environment where teamwork, quality, customer service and innovation are prized - Develop commercial enterprise software applications implementing common design patterns (as a member of a team) - Convert written specifications into concise, well-performing, elegant code with appropriate unit tests - Develop user interface components with a focus on performance, ease-of-use, and a positive user experience - Participate in code reviews as both a developer and a software expert in order to suggest improvements to team members’ work - Enhance and develop algorithms for our power systems analysis engines - Work closely with customers to develop new functionality to meet the changing needs of the industry - Participate in sales and marketing activities, including customer presentations - Participate in software QA process and development of QA processes - Provide consulting services to internal and external clients utilizing power system analysis tools and methodologies - Train users on the application and use of software products
Qualifications/Requirements:	- Master’s degree in power Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline (or Bachelor’s degree in Power Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of work experience in a related field / industry) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: - Ability and willingness to speak and write the English language fluently
Additional Eligibility Qualifications	GE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.
Desired Characteristics	- Experience writing software applications in an object-oriented language using C# or Java, acquired through a combination of commercial software development and applicable college coursework - Intermediate-level skills using Microsoft Office - Passion for working in an open, sharing, and supportive software development environment where colleagues welcome opportunities to assist each other with solving challenging technical problems - Bachelor’s degree in electrical or electric power engineering or another branch of engineering, computer science, mathematics or physics - Extensive experience developing object-oriented applications in C# - Familiarity with and experience implementing common design patterns - Experience with any of the following technologies: Java SE, Eclipse RCP, C, FORTRAN, XML, JavaScript, Hibernate ORM, MySQL database, PostgreSQL database, Microsoft Access, or Matlab - Strong ability to work in teams, and to work independently in providing technical services to customers Why join one great company when you can join many? We are more than 280,000 people with jobs that range from biochemist to finance specialist to wind energy engineer. We’re passionate about making life better with new ideas and technologies. We’re diverse, supporting our communities in more than 140 countries. Experience personal growth and competency development as part of the GE team. GE Energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy as well as with renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and alternative fuels. www.ge-energy.com Welcome to Tech Valley! Just 3 hours from NYC, Boston, & Montreal, Schenectady, NY is part of New York's Capital Region which includes approximately 850,000 residents & growing as it welcomes high-tech industry surrounding local nanotechnology research. Rich in history, culture & arts, the area offers a quality of life & cost of living that are among the best in the country. With strong communities, a robust business environment, & opportunity for country, suburban or downtown living, the surrounding landscape including the Adirondack Mountains & Lake George provide year round recreation. Come see why we love the Capital Region! Energy Consulting (EC), a part of GE Energy, has offices in 22 countries and offers our global clients (external & internal GE) a wide range of solutions across the entire spectrum of power generation, delivery and utilization. Our Power Economics team offers analyses focused on understanding and study of the financial and physical operation of the electric power systems including generation and grid planning, system optimization, asset valuation, competitive power markets and energy policy implications. Our Thermal Systems experts assist power plant developers and owners to select the best technology match to meet their steam and electric generation needs, while considering life-cycle costs, environmental impacts, availability, reliability and profitability. Our Power Systems team utilizes their deep knowledge of connected power grid planning, design, operation, and life-cycle management, to offer customized solutions to our global clients. Over 200 clients worldwide use our Concorda Suite of software tools to assess the economics, performance, and reliability of interconnected power systems. We also offer a full range of education courses through our Power Systems Engineering Course. To stay connected with exciting news and the latest job opportunities from Aviation, Energy and Transportation, follow us on twitter: @geconnections

March Meeting - Writing Asynchronous Code Using .NET 4.5 and C# 5.0

Chris Miller — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:41:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Tuesday, March 13th, 2012, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Brian Peek

A variety of new features were added to the .NET 4.5 Framework, including support for easily writing asynchronous code. This session will introduce the concepts of asynchronous programming, .NET Tasks, how to ensure your UI remains responsive, and how to do all of this properly in your own applications using the new async and await keywords. If you’re looking for ways to provide a better, smoother experience for your users, don’t miss this session!

You will learn:

Learn about the pros/cons of asynchronous code
Learn how to write and use asynchronous code in .NET 4.5
Learn how to maintain a constantly available and responsive user interface

Presenter Bio

Professional Cricket Batsman Brian Peek has worked with and now for Microsoft, sharing his fascination with software and hardware. Brian recently had a cameo appearance in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", as "Spunky". Having negotiated a settlement with Steve Buscemi, Brian's crafts are no longer available on Etsy. Brian has contributed system firmware to the team at the University of Chicago working on the artificial pinky. A noted collector of mongooses, Brian's "Mr Belvedere" recently won Best In Show at the Mid-Hudson Small Carnivore Show. Once again, Brian outsourced his bio to someone with a tenuous grip on reality.

www.brianpeek.com
@BrianPeek

Tech Valley Startup Weekend, March 2-4

Brian Peek — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:44:00 GMT

Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

March 2-4, 2012

Grand Slam Alley Accelerator
500 Federal Street
4th Floor Troy NY 12180

More information at http://techvalley.startupweekend.org/ .

UX Design Essentials Class

Brian Peek — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:09:00 GMT

Everett McKay is hosting another UX Design Essentials class in Burlington this February 13-15. If you are interested, he's knocking off a few bucks for TVUG members, bringing the cost down to $1200. If you're interested in attending, contact Everett through his site and tell him you're from TVUG!

End User Computing Developer

Brian Peek — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:55:00 GMT

Are you passionate about innovation and technology? Do you enjoy collaborating and consulting with others to solve complex business challenges? Are you interested in positively influencing how State Farm leverages technology to achieve its goals? If you answered "yes" to any of the questions then we look forward to hearing from you.

Responsibilities:
* Create new and/or modify existing software and databases to meet business requirements including intranet site development, as well as the design, coding, testing, implementing, and formal acceptance of business solutions
* Make modifications to existing code
* Analyze the business/system requirements and develop technical specifications for business applications
* Provide high level design solutions, problem resolution, long-term maintenance, and enhancement services for custom developed business applications using Enterprise development tool-sets
* Research and apply new technology trends as it relates to the End User Computing (EUC) development environment

Requirements:
* BS degree in Computer Science or Engineering
* 3+ years of experience with full life-cycle application development
* 3+ years of experience with C#
* 3+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (specifically creating and supporting complex SQL queries)
* Microsoft Office (specifically Access and Excel)
* Strong communication and consulting skills

Additional areas of expertise desired:
* ASP.NET
* Design Patterns
* LINQ
* Microsoft Team Foundation Server
* .NET Framework
* Object Oriented Programming
* Visual Studio 2008/2010

About:
Our commitment to customers makes us the No. 1 insurer of cars and homes in the United States and an insurance leader in Canada. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies.

This same commitment to our work force is how we got here and how we stay here. Our 90-year track record highlights State Farm as an employer of choice committed to providing career opportunities that last a lifetime.

From diverse backgrounds and talent, to meaningful work and comprehensive benefits, "Like a good neighbor..." isn't just a slogan. It's who we are and how we do business.

To apply, please visit: www.statefarm.com/careers Job Id #28985

February Meeting, Wednesday Februrary 15th - ASP.NET MVC 3

Brian Peek — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:05:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Wednesday February 15th, 2012, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Joseph Payette, Jr.

Please note we are meeting on Wednesday the 15th instead of Tuesday the 14th!

Topic: ASP.NET MVC 3

ASP.NET MVC gives you a powerful, patterns-based way to build dynamic websites that enables a clean separation of concerns and that gives you full control over markup for enjoyable, agile development. ASP.NET MVC includes many features that enable fast, TDD-friendly development for creating sophisticated applications that use the latest web standards.

Presenter Bio

As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Greane Tree Technology, Joseph Payette, Jr., leads his team of Agile software developers to create custom, standards-based, web, database, mobile and enterprise software. Joe and his team have enjoyed applying their ingenuity and skill to systems as diverse as a statistical tool for an international drywall manufacturer, a player-ranking system for a leading online gaming platform, a community-building database for technology companies, and a reservations system for New York City nightlife. Joe earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and has many years of experience in all phases of software development, including analysis, architecture, coding and quality control. Joe is expert in technologies such as Ruby on Rails, .NET, PHP, Java, C++, AJAX, MySQL, and MSSQL, but he is always on the lookout for new tools to help Greane Tree Technology communicate more clearly, work more efficiently, and meet customer specifications more elegantly. Joe is an active contributor to area user groups, including the Tech Valley Ruby Brigade, the Tech Valley .NET User Group, the Capital District Linux User Group, and the Capital District Java Developers Network.

January Meeting, Wednesday January 11th - Developing Metro-style Applications in Windows 8

Brian Peek — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Wednesday January 11th, 2012, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: John McConnell

Update: John's session code can be found here.

Please note we are meeting on Wednesday the 11th instead of Tuesday the 10th!

Topic: Developing Metro-style Applications in Windows 8

Microsoft's announcement of Windows 8 represents a major change in the Windows development landscape, with the inclusion of HTML/CSS/JavaScript as first-class development languages for Windows "Metro" applications. This presentation will explore the new Windows 8 architecture and development practices for Metro apps, and will focus on the new Windows Runtime and Windows Javascript libraries, which are central to Metro application development. Come watch John fumble-finger his way to building a Metro style application before your very eyes.

Presenter Bio

John McConnell is currently an Enterprise Architect at Fletcher Allen Health Care, where he has also been a Windows Systems Engineer and ASP.Net web developer since 2001. He also teaches at Champlain College and runs Faster Than Light Technologies, a health-care and technology consulting firm. Prior to working at Fletcher Allen, he worked in Information Technology at companies from the very large (a Fortune 5 company) to the very small (a company of 25 consultants). He has worked in Redmond, WA as part of the Microsoft Exchange development team, and has developed and supported mission-critical WinForms, WPF and ASP.Net web applications for more than twenty years in a variety of industries and disciplines. John lives in Middlesex, VT with his wife and three daughters, two cats he pretends to dislike, and a fat raccoon he would kill if only he could catch the SOB. He lives on twitter at john0831vt and blogs at http://john0831.wordpress.com

.NET Web Application Developer

Brian Peek — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:40:00 GMT

IC Source, Inc., a fourteen year old technology company in Saratoga NY, is seeking a mid level .NET Web Application Developer.

The ideal candidate will possess the following education and/or experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, or related experience.
Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of ASP.Net / VB.Net.
Visual Studio 2003, 2005, 2008.
Net Framework 2.0 – 3.5.
MSSQL 2005, 2008.
Advanced knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
XML.
AJAX is a strong plus.
Telerik and ComponentArt experience a plus.
VMware / Virtualization experience a plus.

The Ideal candidate will also possess the following skills:

Self motivated, detail-oriented and organized.
Willing to undertake a wide range of technical responsibilities and expand their skill set.
Customer focused and driven to enhance end-user experience.
Experience with hardware and software issues.
Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Other duties may be assigned as required.
Design, develop and maintain new and existing web and desktop applications/systems.
Perform complete testing of applications, engaging staff as necessary.
Participate in priority setting sessions and design meetings.

We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits.

Please email resume with salary requirements to hr@icsource.com.

.NET/Oracle Developer for 18 Month Project in Albany, NY

Brian Peek — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:44:00 GMT

Responsibilities/Requirements:
The following activities are indicative of the assignments/outcomes expected of this individual:
- participation in requirement and design sessions
- modeling and documenting solutions for changes and enhancements
- assist the Application Development team in preparing technical designs and perform construction activities
- will work as part of the development team to perform technical activities related to writing the instruction code using WCF, WPF and .net and testing modules and components
- will participate in the integration of components and linking the new architecture to the existing platform to ensure functionality is correctly developed
- support the application through the testing and implementation phases, including product test, stress/load test etc.
- developing appropriate system documentation
- facilitate the knowledge transfer between the Technical IT staff and the Program staff responsible for testing, training, and implementation
- assist Implementations staff, when needed, reviewing system release notes

About:
Tailwind Associates is an Information Technology Consulting firm located in Schenectady, NY. Please visit us at www.tailwindassoc.com. Our client is NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

How to Apply:
Please respond to:

Sherri Gallup, CIR
Sr. Technical Recruiter
Tailwind Associates
sgallup@tailwindassoc.com
Phone: 518-579-3020 x 115

December Meeting, Tuesday December 13th - Brian Peek demonstrates the Kinect for Windows SDK

Chris Miller — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:57:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Tuesday, December 13th, 2011, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Brian Peek

Join us as Brian Peek demonstrates the basics of using the Kinect for Windows SDK including: how Kinect works, installing and setting up the Kinect sensor, setting up the development environment, reading camera, depth and skeleton data, understanding what depth data is and how it works, skeletal tracking and working with the Kinect microphone array to record audio and use speech recognition.

Before our presentation, we will be holding our officer elections and soliciting feedback on last month's Q&A session.

Presenter Bio

Brian Peek is an internationally respected cricket player, gourmet chef, and the house DJ for the State Department. His crocheted masks of Steve Buscemi sold out on Etsy in a mere 2 hours. When he is not on tour, he works on stuff for a boutique software company located on the left coast. His recipe for Blue Waffle was highest downloaded recipe on the FoodTV website during all of 2010. He once made Criss Angel cry. This is what happens when he lets someone else post his bio.

Greane Tree Technology seeking 2 .NET Developers

Chris Miller — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:07:00 GMT

Position 1 -

Requirements:

Associate‘s degree or US equivalent degree.
5 years experience developing web sites.
4 years experience with HTML, CSS, XSL and XML.
4 years experience with Visual Basic.Net.
2 Years experience developing and deploying stored procedures and Data Transformation Services in MS SQL Server.
4 years experience with database concepts and SQL commands in MS SQL Server.
4 years experience with MS Windows Desktop & Server Operating Systems.
2 years experience using IIS v 6.0 or greater.

Also Desirable:

Two or more years developing web applications on an n-tier environment involving all phases of a Systems Development Life Cycle.
Two or more years experience with Web Services.
Two or more years experience since 2005 with Visual Studio.NET Version 3.0 or greater.
Two or more years experience with AJAX.
Two or more years experience with Visual Basic 6.0.
Two or more years experience with ASP.Net.
Two or more years experience with ASP.
Two or more years experience with ADO.Net.
Two or more years experience with IIS Version 6.0.
Two or more years experience with Java Script.
Two or more years experience designing, developing, implementing and supporting Purchase Request/Purchase Order tracking systems.
One year or more experience designing, developing, implementing and supporting a web-based invoice management solution.
Bachelor of Science degree in business, MIS, or computer applications.
Two or more years experience in analyzing data requirements and normalizing data.
Two or more years experience in building and maintaining database structures (schema, tables, views, indexes, etc.) in MS SOL Server.

Position 2 -

Requirements:

Associate‘s degree or US equivalent degree.
5 years experience developing web sites.
4 years experience with HTML, CSS, XSL and XML.
4 years experience with Visual Basic.Net.
2 Years experience developing and deploying stored procedures and Data Transformation Services in MS SQL Server.
4 years experience with database concepts and SQL commands in MS SQL Server.
4 years experience with MS Windows Desktop & Server Operating Systems.
2 years experience using IIS v 6.0 or greater.

Also Desirable:

Two or more years developing web applications on an n-tier environment involving all phases of a Systems Development Life Cycle.
Two or more years experience with Web Services.
Two or more years experience since 2005 with Visual Studio.NET Version 3.0 or greater.
Two or more years experience with AJAX.
Two or more years experience with ASP.Net.
Two or more years experience with ADO.Net.
Two or more years experience with IIS Version 6.0.
Two or more years experience with Java Script.
Two or more years experience designing, developing, implementing and supporting Purchase Request/Purchase Order tracking systems.
Bachelor of Science degree in business, MIS, or computer applications.
Two or more years experience in analyzing data requirements and normalizing data.
Two or more years experience in building and maintaining database structures (schema, tables, views, indexes, etc.) in MS SOL Server.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer.

Please submit a cover letter describing your skills and motivation, as well as a resume to Joseph Payette Jr., Chief Technology Officer via email at jpayette AT greanetree DOT com.

Greane Tree Technology is a fast-growing software development firm specializing in web and desktop software development. Located in downtown Troy, Greane Tree helps clients leverage technology to operate more efficiently, and more competitively. For more information on Greane Tree please visit: www.greanetree.com

November Meeting - Tuesday 11/8/2011 - Open Q&A

Chris Miller — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:38:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Tuesday, November 8th, 2011, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Peter Lanoie

The November meeting will have a change in format. Peter Lanoie will be leading an open Q&A session. Have a question about something .NET related? Stuck on a problem with a project? Bring it in and see if the group can answer or come up with a solution. Any .NET related topic is fair game. Participation is encouraged and will be rewarded. Bring your laptops, we will have Wi-Fi connections available.

Presenter Bio

Peter Lanoie has been a web and .NET developer for the last 11 years and has been working at Cengage Learning for the last 5 years. He is particularly interesting in build systems and process automation. Outside of work he does woodworking and home improvement. He even installed plumbing for an in-house compressed air system. He lives in Clifton Park with his wife and two young children.

His blog can be found at http://www.compiledthoughts.com/ and he can be reached through his twitter account @peterlanoie.

.NET Software Developer at Versatrans

Brian Peek — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:28:00 GMT

Tyler's Versatrans Solution, located in Latham, NY, has been a leader in student transportation software for over two decades. We are seeking a Software Developer to join our Software Development Team.
The focus for this position will be with the development of the Tyler framework. This is a generic corporate application framework based on Microsoft .NET 4.0 technologies, which multiple Tyler divisions leverage for application development. The individual filling this position will work on the framework with a specific focus on the needs of the next generation of Tyler’s Versatrans Solution.

You should possess a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Math or equivalent plus at least two (2) years of software analysis and development experience. Experience with Microsoft.NET 4.0 technologies, service oriented architecture, SQL Server 2008, and Entity Framework 4.0 required. Familiarity with WCF and RIA Services, MVVM, Silverlight 4, Managed Extensibility Framework and Windows Identity foundation desired. You should also possess excellent analytical, problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills as well as be able to prioritize and complete multiple tasks in a fast paced, technical environment. Familiarity with SQL Server Management Studio, Visual Studio 2010 and Team Foundation Server 2010 desired.

For more information, please visit https://jobs.tylertech.com/employmentopportunities/default.aspx .

Tyler Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

October Meeting - Tuesday 10/4/2011 - Introduction to OData

Brian Peek — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:27:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Tuesday, October 4th, 2011, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Victor Castro

Due to some scheduling conflicts, we will be holding our October meeting one week early. We hope you can attend!

OData, Open Data Protocol, is a web protocol for querying and updating data over HTTP using open web standards. In this session we will go over the details of how OData facilitates the consumption and publication of data. We will explain OData syntax and definitions. In the end we'll go over how to get started writing your OData service and how to consume open services in your own applications.

Presenter Bio

Victor has 10+ years of experience as software architect and developing web applications across multiple industries; from customer facing applications to B2B system integration and data warehousing. In the last few years Victor has focused his energy in the e-Commerce domain and has been recognized in the Microsoft Commerce Server community with a Microsoft MVP award. Victor is an early adopter of technologies and is always looking for innovation while improving business efficiency through software. Victor is currently the Director of E-Commerce at The Vermont Teddy Bear Company (www.vermontteddybear.com) and its sister companies (www.pajamagram.com and www.calyxflowers.com). Prior to that, Victor was the VP of Development at a boutique consulting firm focused in providing E-Commerce services to Internet Retailer's top 500 companies. His blog can be found at www.victorocastro.com and he welcomes comments/questions at vcastro@gmail.com or through his twitter account @vcastro (twitter.com/vcastro).

Techapalooza 2011, Thursday Sept 22 at RPI's EMPAC

Chris Miller — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:20:00 GMT

Techapalooza is back! Tech Valley's premier event technology professionals will be held this year from 5-9 on Thursday Sept 22 at RPI's EMPAC. You can sign up and get the details at http://www.techapalooza.org/.

Pre-registration is required. Registration is $10 and you will receive a free drink ticket at the door. The first 100 attendees the night of the event will receive an official Techapalooza t-shirt. Free parking will be available in the parking garage. Also check out the Techapalooza Mobile app. Written in Flex, it runs on both iOS and Android devices. TVUG will have a booth - stop by and say hello, hope to see you all there!

We are also looking for volunteers to help man the TVUG booth for part of the time.

September Meeting, Tuesday 9/13/2011- Lessons learned after implementing Microsoft Team Foundation Server (TFS) 2010

Chris Miller — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:12:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Tuesday, September 13th, 2011, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Geoff Brooks

WERCS recently finished a year-long project implementing Microsoft Team Foundation Server (TFS) 2010 for all developers and testers. This presentation will discuss the lessons learned about adopting the TFS platform in a mid-sized software shop.

Presenter Bio:

Geoff is Chief Software Architect at The WERCS Ltd. In Latham, NY and has been with The WERCS for 16 years.

WERCS (Worldwide Environmental Regulatory Compliance Systems) markets software and services to industrial customers to advance their Global Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability efforts.

Geoff has participated in the evolution of WERCS from COBOL to Access 2.0 to Visual Basic 6 and finally (?) to ASP.NET and currently oversees the development and testing teams based in Latham, Mexico and India.

Vermont Code Camp, September 10th, 2011

Chris Miller — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:53:00 GMT

Vermont Code Camp 2011 will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 8am–6pm at Kalkin Hall on the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, VT. This will be the third annual Vermont Code Camp.

Last year, 125 local nerds participated in the 2010 edition of Vermont Code Camp. Four rooms provided concurrent sessions on .NET, PHP, Ruby, Python, and more throughout the day. Two of the rooms had .NET topics and another had sessions on free/open source software. There was a fourth room where developers were introduced to various technologies that they may not use every day. Check back for details about Vermont Code Camp 2011 or follow them on Twitter.

Attendees and presenters from TVUG would be welcome. Visit http://vtcodecamp.org/ for more details

Pro ASP.NET MVC 2 Framework (reviewed by Joseph Payette Jr)

Chris Miller — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:57:00 GMT

ASP.NET MVC 2 is a delightful read for anyone wanting to learn more about the Model View Controller (MVC) design pattern based on Microsoft technologies. The author, Steven Sanderson, first sets the groundwork for the example store application by explaining and demonstrating Test Driven Design methodology. This methodology is exercised in subsequent chapters as he explains and describes the core components of MVC with ASP.NET. Each core component chapter is given a thorough explanation; using the Repository design pattern and concentrating domain logic within the model layer, restricting domain logic and compartmentalizing common action behavior into filters within the controller layer, and composition of data into view models within the view layer. Furthermore, the author dives into the depths of the ASP.NET MVC processing pipeline, by discussing routing, controller discovery, action invocation, and view rendering. The book ends with deploying an ASP.NET MVC project and integration features with existing ASP.NET Platform features. An overall excellent book for anyone wanting to learn ASP.NET MVC, or brush up on their web application skills.

Pro ASP.NET MVC 2 Framework, 2nd Edition
By Steven Sanderson

ISBN13: 978-1-4302-2886-8
776 Pages
User Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Publication Date: June 30, 2010
Available eBook Formats: EPUB, MOBI, PDF

Review copy provided courtesy of Apress

Summer meeting - Monday, August 8th - Effective UX Prototyping with Everett McKay

Chris Miller — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:23:00 GMT

Where: Tyler Technologies, Latham, NY
When: Monday, August 8th, 2011, 6:30-8:30PM
Who: Everett McKay

Software prototyping is an important UX design skill that many people “just do” but effective prototyping requires crucial knowledge and practices that aren’t obvious. In this talk, Everett will explain prototyping and its goals, compare prototyping to sketching, and explore the different types of prototyping. He will then characterize effective prototyping and explain why those characteristics are so important.

Everett will review several commonly available prototyping tools (including SketchFlow), and evaluate their pros and cons. He will conclude by working through some examples so that you can see effective prototyping in practice.

If you or your team is prototyping now or considering prototyping in the future, this talk is for you!

Presenter Bio:

Everett McKay is the principal of UX Design Edge, a user experience design training and consulting firm specializing in helping non-designers based in St. Albans, Vermont.

UX Design Edge's flagship course is UX Design Essentials Workshop, a two-day onsite course where your team members can improve their UX design skills "by doing" by redesigning your own app or site, and User Experience Design Basics, a three-hour online training course that covers the essential, practical skills non-designers need to get started in UI design. Everett is now working on UX Design for Silverlight, a public two-day course that gives Silverlight developers the essentials they need to know about UX design.

Previously, Everett was a program manager at Microsoft for nearly 10 years. He was on the Windows 7 and Windows Vista teams, and was responsible for managing, writing, and driving the Windows User Experience Interaction Guidelines. This role enabled Everett to develop expertise across a wide range of user experience specialties and act as an in-house consultant to help teams across the company do their best work.

Please Note:

Tyler Technologies has moved to a new facility, down the road from the previous location.

Tyler Technologies
2nd Floor
23 British American Blvd
Latham, NY 12110

The slide deck that Everett used for this presentation has been posted on his blog. You can download it from here.

Senior Software Engineer, .NET

Chris Miller — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:23:00 GMT

Tyler Technologies in Latham, NY is looking for a Senior Software Engineer with C# and ASP.NET experience

Job Responsibilities

Research

Researches new technologies, development techniques, innovations and standards
Provide technological recommendations to the software architect

Design

Builds proto-types to demonstrate design concepts
Apply design patterns during development
Develop system and functional specifications
Establish measurable performance requirements
Performs product design & programming activities involving multiple modules & subsystems

Develop Applications

Develop, create and test prototypes
Integrate subsystems
Participate in peer code reviews
Perform unit testing and rework code
Revise and adapt existing code
Write and document/comment code
Validate design scheme and models

Tests and Validates Applications

Develop test cases and perform testing throughout development cycle
Work with Quality Assurance staff for quality assessment/review
Document test results, interpret results & make recommendations
Validate user documentation

Implement and Support Documentation

Comment code in accordance with Tyler standards
Write test cases and technical specifications in accordance with Tyler standards
Support customers in software implementation as needed
Work with technical support staff to troubleshoot client issues

Technical Lead Responsibilities

Serve in the role of Technical Team Lead for research, design and/or development teams
Mentor team members on technical issues.
Ensure team members follow all requirements and specifications
Advise management of all project needs and risks

Position Qualifications: (Job Related Skills, Abilities, Education & Experience)

BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience
5 years of experience developing software applications with Microsoft .NET development technologies minimally including C#, ASP.NET, and SQL Server
5 years of development experience in a senior software engineer role
5 years of experience in object oriented design and analysis, including top-level system design and architecture
5 years of experience in design and development of multi-tier applications, preferably browser based
3 years experience applying various software development life cycle methodologies
Strong analytical, communication and problem solving skills with a keen attention to detail
Experience with web application architecture design patterns such as MVC or MVVM preferred
Experience with enterprise architecture/SOA and development of services highly preferred

To apply, please contact tyler@tvug.net