I think there are three main components to every coding project.... application, logging, and reporting.

Of course you have to have the application code, but why do we often leave off the other two?  It seems that even the smallest of projects require some level of logging/reporting, yet we often leave these off.  

Not having some basic logging features will result in poor debugging later because you can't trace a problem.  You don't have to log every little thing, but just enough to help locate a problem should something come up.

Reporting... eventually, someone will ask "how many times did... " or "what is the percentage of...".  Add a basic reporting mechanism to your application, so that you can, at least, answer the big questions.

For small applications, I have begun making a habit of using simple XML files to keep track of logging and reporting info.  It doesn't have to be complicated, in fact, the simpler the better.  A simple solution is likely to get used more!

It looks like the location of ASP.NET Temporary Files has changed in .NET 3.5.

I found the new location today, and it was in the Windows User's AppData folder.  Here is an example path...

C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Temp\Temporary ASP.NET Files\

Previous to 3.5, the temp files could be found in...

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\framework\v2.0.50727\Temporary ASP.NET Files\

I don't usually have to be concerned with these files, but on occasion the cached files can cause problems with project builds.  Some build issues can be resolved by deleting all the files in the Temporary ASP.NET Files folder.

I was importing CDs into iTunes and noticed a few usability points about the song grid...

First I saw that all text columns and headers are aligned left.  The header text being directly in line with the column text.  The exception to this rule is fields where there are divisions such as ":" (colon) or in other grids maybe a "." (period).  In iTunes the song length field has a colon ":" to separate minutes and seconds.  This is the only field that is aligned right.  I assume the reason to be because the seconds portion is always fixed at 2 characters, where as, the minutes varies from one to two.  Aligning right, assures a nice straight line along the aligned edge.

Another thing I noticed is how sorting is indicated.  The sorted field has an arrow indicating the sort direction.  If you change fields, the arrow moves to the new field.  This seems to keep the interface from getting too cluttered with little icons and arrows... keeps it clean!

Lately, I have heard more about Cloud Servers than real clouds.  You know, the big fluffy white things floating up in the sky.

I was in fifth grade when I met my first love at the beach.  It was fun and innocent.  One memory I have from that is sitting on the beach looking up at the sky and imagining the clouds to take on forms of real things.

Clouds, Sunsets, and Sunrises are regularly available sources of inspiration, yet we so often fail to appreciate them.  Cloud 365 creator, Kelly Delay, decided to let the sky inspire him 365 days a year, and he was kind of enough to share it with the world.

Check out the beautiful cloud photography at his site Cloud 365 Project. Then, get outside and let the beauty of God's creation inspire you.

Kelly dedicates his project to 6 areas: Art, Learning, Determination, Process, Pattern, and Observation.  What could I do to apply these things in my life on a daily basis?