The current state of Sql Server 2008 R2 seems like it has a ways to go when dealing with Sql Azure.  I tried several different ways of exporting data to load into Sql Azure and after several attempts, I have documented what I needed to move data over.  Here is a quick and dirty way of moving data from Sql Server 2008 R2 to Sql Azure:

The first thing I did was generate scripts from my local sql server 2008 R2 database.

 Next, you will have to go through the wizard steps of selecting what you would like scripted out:

The following step requires a a few checks.

• Make sure Convert UDDTs as Base Types = True
• Script Extended Properties = False
• Script Logins = False
• Script USE DATABASE = False
• Types of data to script = Schema and data (Note: If you already applied the schema, then you can choose data only)

SQL Azure currently does not support windows authentication, USE statements, extended properties, or user-defined data types.

 You now have a generated sql file. 

 Next, Open the sql file generated by the script and delete the following statement from the generated CREATE TABLE statement ( "WITH (PAD_INDEX = OFF, STATISTICS_NORECOMPUTE = OFF, IGNORE_DUP_KEY = OFF, ALLOW_ROW_LOCKS = ON, ALLOW_PAGE_LOCKS = ON) ON [PRIMARY]" )

Also, delete the ( "ON PRIMARY]" ) clause from the create table as well.

Now we are ready to connect to SQL Azure and run the script.  Make a connection to SQL Azure.

Follow Step 1, 2, and 3 below.

On connect to database, select the target database from the drop down list.

 Once connected, open Query menu and load the generated sql file.  Press F5 to execute the script.

I am porting a windows azure project over to the new build of Visual Studio 2010 RC.  I had an older project which referenced Microsoft.ServiceHosting.ServiceRuntime (which does not exist in the released version).  I went through some trials and tribulations to figure this out.  Also, I wanted to test the Bing search to see if I can research this problem completely using only Bing.  Here we go.

 The first issue when I opened and converted the project was the missing assembly references.

After doing some digging in Bing, I found the new service reference was now called -- Microsoft.WindowsAzure.ServiceRuntime.

You will also have to replace the using statements from the class files.  I did a quick replace across the entire solution to replace with Microsoft.WindowsAzure.ServiceRuntime:

After trying to build it states that the RoleManager does not exist. It needs to be replaced with RoleEnvironment. Be careful if you intend to use the quick replace. 

Next you have to replace IsRoleManagerRunning with IsAvailable:

Next, I got an error stating the role does not contain a definition for "GetConfigurationSetting".  It needs to be replaced with GetConfigurationSettingValue

Next, Error at catch(RoleException).  You need to replace with catch(RoleEnvironmentException).

Basically these are the main items that would need to be changed.  If you implemented other features of Azure (e.g. Diagnostics), then you would also have to change out to support the new version.

In Summary -

I was able to use Bing to find the information I needed :)

Updating the information was trivial.  Just had to take one error at a time.

I created a new OS using Boot to VHD.  I set up my C partition to equal 10 GB and made it dynamic.  When I booted into my system, I noticed I only had 3 GB left. I needed another 3 GB to install VS 2010.  Here i a quick tutorial of expanding the disk volume within your new OS (Boot to VHD OS).

First we need to find out the disk volume. 

I have a project I am currently working on to convert my old VHSC tapes into digital format.  I have some VHSC cassettes from 1998 that I am trying to convert over.  I know they have + / - 10 year life span and the oldest tape is going on 13 years (Not cool).  Instead of making this a mundane chore, I plan to use the latest in video streaming to convert these videos to digital format and might look at the blog storage on windows azure to store some of the videos (i.e. I might be able to pull together 1 -  2 hours of video over the past 13 years and create a playlist for family behind a password protected site - probably my blog).  Anyway, Time to get cranking.

I have an analog to digital converter so I now have some data to test in digital format (wmv).  In order to get it web ready, I need to set up my local environment to test out smooth streaming.  I don't want to do this on my production box (i.e. My office computer upstairs or my wife's business computer downstairs).  I posted a blog earlier today demonstrating how to set up a test OS for just this kind of scenario.  You can get to the tutorial by clicking the skydrive image below.

 1st step is to set up IIS7 Media Services.  You will need to go online and get the IIS Media Services 3.0.  I am downloading the 64 bit version.

2nd step is to get is installed and configured.

3rd step is to verify IIS Media Services is available.

 Scroll to the bottom and verify Smooth Streaming Icon exists (see below).

You probably want some sample data to play with.  You can download the Big Bunny Sample data by clicking the image below or clicking the following link (Big Bunny Sample Data).

I downloaded the sample to C:\inetpub\wwwroot\BigBuckSampleData.  The next step was to open IIS7 and create an applicaiton out of it. 

From IIS7, Right click on your sample data folder and select Convert to Application.  Next, select OK to accept the defaults.

Now we are ready to see what this looks like.  Open a browser and type http://localhost/BigBuckSampleData/default.html.  You will see the following screen pop up.  Click the Start Playing button.

To get more inormation about IIS7 Smooth Streaming, there is a great technical overview document online.  You can download it here. 

The technical overview contains some interesting information.  It talks about Traditional Streaming vs. Adaptive Streaming.  Here are two images from the document that demonstrate how they differ:

Good luck!

Reference Section:

Here is a quick tutorial on setting up a new OS for development purposes.  I always find myself trying to test new software but having to wait for countless (days, weeks, months - Not cool) to test the software.  Why do I have to wait you might ask.  Let's just say (NO COMMENT) :)) 

We recently had Michael Kennedy from DevelopMentor come in to give a .NET 4 Fundamentals course.  He was kind enough to share a video screencast of setting up the Boot to VHD.  I always like to have something printed in front of me so I made a PDF version of all the steps required.  He mentions some of the software and tools required during the video so I added an Appendix to the bottom of the document with links.  I am currently using this at home to test out VS2010 Beta, ESRI 9.4 (Or Version 10 since they changed the new release), Sharepoint 2010, etc...

 The beautiful thing I love the most about Boot to VHD is the ability to stroke up your new OS and have all CPU, RAM, USB devices from the hardware dedicated to your new instance.  I have used VMWare for years and I always had to allocate 2 Gig of Ram and leave the other 2Gig so my host OS can still function.  Not anymore!!!

I posted a tutorial to my  skydrive account.  I hope this is helpful if you are looking to get this set up.

I was installing Visual Studio 2008 / SP1 on a new Windows 7 64 bit machine.  I wanted to share some of the hoops I had to jump through and hope it saves you time.  The first thing I noticed was it install was pretty slow - be patient. 

The Visual Studio installed with no problems but I got to a message prompt asking me to close the machine debug manager process.  It stated that the machine debug manager was open.  I did not see any application using it and it did not give the process ID.  I ended up killing the mdm.exe process and everything went like clockwork until the end.  Hope this saves someone else a bit of time while installing!

Microsoft announced the launch of an exciting new search product called Bing ™.  The new site will begin rolling out on June 1st and will be available to the world on June 3rd at http://www.bing.com/. Location information, mapping, and imagery are important investment areas for online search.

On June 1, Microsoft's mapping platform brand will change from Microsoft Virtual Earth to Bing maps for enterprise. Bing maps for enterprise is the mapping platform that underpins the Bing maps service (Bing.com/maps) and serves you and the thousands of organizations that use Microsoft mapping technology on their Web sites and in their applications.

 FAQ

Q. How will this affect my organization’s solution?
A. If you are using our mapping APIs, you will see the Bing watermark on content starting on June 1. This is a logo change only. This update will not introduce changes in performance or functionality of your application. The contract for your mapping service does not change in terms or duration. There is no action that you need to take.
Q. Do the API calls change?
A. No, the API calls will not change. They will still refer to Virtual Earth and MapPoint to help make sure that your implementation does not break and you do not need to make changes.
Q. Will the API Terms of Use change?
A. The API Terms of Use will be updated to replace the Microsoft Virtual Earth name with Bing Maps for Enterprise, but there is no other change to the terms.
Q. What if I have implemented the logo myself?
A. If you are not implementing the logo through the Virtual Earth, MapPoint Web Service, or Multimap APIs, please update your application to use the new Bing logo by September 1, 2009, at the latest. Logos may be obtained from your Microsoft contact for use with the mapping content in your application.
Q. My organization is featured in a Virtual Earth case study or press release. Will you be updating it with the new brand?
A. All new case studies and press releases after May 28, 2009, should feature the new brand. We will be updating some case studies to reflect the new brand and will contact you if necessary. We will not be updating press releases that predate the change.
Q. What if I refer to the Microsoft Virtual Earth brand on my Web site?
A. If you refer to Microsoft Virtual Earth on your Web site, we would like you to change your implementation to use the new name as soon as possible. If you would like to use the Bing logo or brand treatments on your Web site, please contact your Microsoft contact for approval and permission.

Thanks for inviting me to speak at the Mobile Alabama .NET User Group.    I enjoyed meeting everyone and I hope the presentation was informative.  Here are the Slides / Demo from the presentation.  Click the links below to download.

Feb. 16, 2009 — Today at Mobile World Congress 2009, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer along with key mobile partners, HTC, LG and Orange, unveiled new Windows® phones featuring new user-friendly software and services. The next generation of Windows® phones will be based on Windows Mobile 6.5 and feature a new user interface and a richer browsing experience. In addition, Windows® phones will feature two new services: My Phone, to sync text messages, photos, video, contacts and more to the Web; and Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, a new marketplace that will provide direct-to-phone mobile applications and can be accessed from both the phone and the Web.

“Windows® phones bring together the best of the Web, the PC and the phone so you can connect instantly to the experiences you care about, no matter where you are,” Ballmer said. “We’re working with partners across the industry to deliver a new generation of Windows® phones that break down the barriers between people, information and applications and provide great end-to-end experiences that span your entire life, at work and at home.”

Windows Mobile 6.5 Delivers New User Experience

The new Windows Mobile 6.5 home screen keeps people up-to-date on important information by providing a dashboard-like experience to items such as new e-mails, texts, missed calls and calendar appointments. It also includes an improved touch-screen interface, making it easy to take action with a finger, and an updated version of the latest Internet Explorer Mobile browser, which in a third-party research study sponsored by Microsoft supported execution of up to 48 percent more assigned tasks than the other browsers and phones studied.

My Phone Service Connects the Phone to the Web

The free My Phone service will enable people to access, manage and back up their personal information on their device to a password-protected Web-based service, making it easier to upgrade phones without the worry of losing important information. With automatic syncing and backup, users can count on their contacts, appointments, text messages and other information being kept up to date and easily restored should they lose or upgrade their phone. Consumers also will be able to automatically upload photos and video from their Windows® phone directly to the My Phone service, making it simple to preserve content that, in the past, would have lived and died on the phone. The My Phone service is currently available in a limited invitation-only beta.

Rich and Integrated Marketplace Service Will Offer Easy Access to Mobile Applications

The new operating system features Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, a rich and integrated marketplace for searching, browsing and purchasing mobile applications from Windows® phones or from a PC by simply using a Windows Live ID. The new marketplace will be included with all Windows phones based on Windows Mobile 6.5, which will help consumers to easily find, install and experience those applications that fit their needs and make the phone truly personal. Developers, who have already built over 20,000 applications for Windows® phones, will be able to offer applications to customers through the marketplace via a simple security and compatibility check from Microsoft.