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My C# program threw an exception from the following method: SizeF size = Graphics.MeasureString( text, font ); Unfortunately, the exception’s message was rather obscure: “Parameter is invalid.”  After an investigation, I discovered the error occurred because the font had been previously disposed.  Unfortunately, the Font class does not have the typical IsDisposed property, so there Related posts: Change Font Size Convert Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Change Font Style

Do you need help convincing your boss that your company needs to upgrade to Visual Studio 2010?  Or perhaps you are looking for additional ammo in your .NET vs. Java religious wars with your programming colleagues? Microsoft has produced a Silverlight-based “Myth Busting Matrix” for Visual Studio.  This nifty web tool details the benefits of upgrading Related posts: Microsoft Unveils Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0 Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0 Beta 2 Documentation Available for .NET Framework 4 and Visual Studio 2010

The second beta version of Visual Studio 2010 and Microsoft .NET Framework v4.0 are now available.  VS 2010 and .NET 4.0 deliver significant new capabilities and improvements.  The Beta 2 release was focused on performance, stability, and the integration of the overall feature set.  The development team is awaiting our feedback on the product and Related posts: Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1 Now Available for MSDN Subscribers Visual Studio "Orcas" and .NET 3.5 Beta Available Microsoft Unveils Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0

The good news is that Microsoft .NET Framework is installed on a majority of Windows PCs.  The bad news is if you are developing an application with the newest version of .NET (3.5), nearly half of Windows PCs cannot run your app. Story at DevTopics Related posts:Determine Installed .NET Versions from a Web PageWindows SDK for Windows Related posts: Determine Installed .NET Versions from a Web Page Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1: RC Microsoft Sets Windows 7 Pricing and Upgrades

Microsoft has launched a new WebsiteSpark program for independent Web developers and companies that build Web applications and Web sites for others.  The program enables qualified developers to receive FREE software, support and business resources from Microsoft for three years.  The purpose is to help independent Web developers expand their business and build great Web Related posts: Free Developer Tools Microsoft to Share .NET Framework Code Microsoft Unveils Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0

Silverlight is a Web application development framework similar to Adobe Flash.  Microsoft has just released Silverlight 3, a major update that delivers many new features including: Hardware graphics acceleration, which lowers CPU usage and enables 1080p HD video over the Web. Support for H.264 video, AAC audio and MPEG-4 content. Smooth media streaming over HTTP. 3D-perspective Related posts: Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 Released Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1 Released Visual Studio "Orcas" and .NET 3.5 Beta Available

Microsoft is applying its Community Promise to the C# programming language and Common Language Infrastructure (CLI).  This means that anyone can freely build, sell, distribute or use programs with C# and the CLI without signing a license agreement or otherwise communicating to Microsoft.  This applies to all distribution models including open source and GPL.  Under Related posts: Blogs from Microsoft C# Development Team Microsoft to Share .NET Framework Code Microsoft Unveils Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0

Microsoft has announced retail pricing for Windows 7 that includes an option to preorder the operating system at a substantial discount.  From today through July 11, U.S. consumers can preorder an upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7 Home premium for $49 or Windows 7 Professional for $99.  However, XP customers must do Related posts: Determine Windows Version and Edition with C# Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1: RC Microsoft to Share .NET Framework Code

If you encounter this warning while compiling a Windows Form application in Visual Studio: The service System.Windows.Forms.Design.IEventHandlerService already exists in the service container. Parameter name: serviceType The solution is not very obvious, and the help provides no guidance.  After a little experimenting, I discovered an easy solution: Exit Visual Studio. Open Explorer, and navigate to the folder Related posts: Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1 Released Adding Assemblies to the Visual Studio "Add Reference" Dialog Web Service Stumper: “Ambiguous Type”

Most programmers know that throwing exceptions takes a relatively long time to execute versus normal processing.  Some say throwing exceptions is as much as two orders of magnitude slower (that’s 100 times slower to non-geeks) than passing arguments.  However, another article claims there’s almost no impact to throwing exceptions, unless you are running your Related posts: Enumerate Collections without Exceptions Top 10 .NET News Stories of 2008 Hello, World