Well I started to get into using ASP.NET in VS.NET 2005 CTP this morning, and I definately have to say, its much further along than the windows forms.  So far I'm really impressed with it, and I would like to share some of my experiences & impressions:

• When adding a Web.config file to a web site, the debug attribute in compilation is set to "false". Why is that? When I'm developing an application in this stage, I want it set to "true".
• I miss not having "Add new Webform" or "Add new User Control" from the context menu for a project.  I realize that they're are more options that you can choose from, but sometimes all I need is a webform/user control.  Maybe we could see these come back, which will not prompt you like in VS.NET 03, but will add the file, then automatically allow you to edit the file name?
• I like the new interface to open up websites, with the ability to choose your site via UNC, Local IIS, FTP, Remote Sites (FP Extensions?), and Source Control.  I've not tested all of these, but probably will in the near future.
• Typing HTML is now XHTML compliant! VS.NET auto-reformats it so it is complaint.
• When I attempted to add a new item, no templates were visible, however I didn't know I had to choose a language...after doing so, the templates were populated in the list view.
• The new Wizard control is very sweet...though adding controls to different wizard steps produces duplicate control ids.

And then I stopped - because I couldn't figure out how to add code classes to perform actual processing logic...that will wait till later...however, I do have a major rant about this...

<rant>
I really hate how web applications are now supposed to be built.  We have to use a "Code" folder to place all code which is to be compiled whenever you view a webpage.  We have no option to "Build" projects, or web applications anymore...so finding syntax errors, or incorrectly referenced namespaces requires you to go to your web browser, hit refresh, and see the detailed error report.  So - why do I hate this, well I want to know what my build errors are prior to viewing the webpage, I want to build assemblies...so to sum it up... I want the old functionality back!  Now, if they're is a way of doing this (and I believe there is), please let me know.  I only say this because we're breaking a HUGE enterprise rule, and that is deploying source code with applications, and when you're developing applications for clients, this is a big NO NO because the source code could fall into someone's lap that isn't supposed to have it.
</rant>

Now that my rant is over, please let me know how to develop like this, I really hate not having that functionality present, or very apparent.

I just finished watching Scott Guthrie's episode on MSDN TV on "Data with ASP.NET in Visual Studio 2005", and I definately have to say that this is one of the better demonstrations of databinding I've seen for Whidbey.  During the first half of the demo, it was the "quick-n-dirty" way of creating data-bound pages, which in corporate environments, have no play for "reality".  This half went back to my earlier rants (which I can't find :( ) about why some properties are set the way they are...and that is to provide the quickest & dirtiest way of providing a working demo for non-technical users in the least amount of time.

However, the second half of the demo was right up every enterprise and corporate developers alley... databinding with the use of business tier objects.  This was by far the best & easiest example of how to do this.  Being able to do this in future versions has really amazed me, only because this is THE only way business applications should be using databinding.

Great job & Thanks a TON Scott!!

Well, I just finished installing VS.NET 2005 CTP, and first I have to say - great job on the installation VS.NET Team!  This was the shortest install I've ever seen for VS.NET.  It didn't eve look like the thing was installing, I thought I was still installing Pre-Reqs...but no - its done.  Here were some of my first impressions/insights/notable items:

• The splash screen is funky, some text is overlayed on the image, and the separate images for whats installed look like crap...but I digress because it is a non-Alpha version.
• Upon the first launch, I had to choose some layout that I really didn't understand... and well, I chose the wrong one, and my solution explorer/class view were on the left, and toolbox was on the right.  After trying to just drag them over there, I realized you had to make them sticky prior to moving it.  Bug? I think so.
• I definately like the new look of it, very Office 2003 ish...though, I wish it could support my current theme like Office 2003 products.
• Startup time is tremendously faster...but I haven't opened up any projects yet, or started VS.NET with any projects, so who knows about that.  It is much obliged on the speed increase though :)
• Some of the icons in the menus are still "old" looking.  Its really hit & miss on which ones are updated and which ones are not.  Am I really that picky?
• I'm definately diggin' all the new project types.  You've really outdone yourself on these.  Even the Excel and Word Applications/Templates are in there.  I'm not really sure why I would want to use those, but I'm sure theres a reason.
• I like the option to automatically add a project into source control right when you're creating it.  Saves a lot of headache later on when you're trying to figure out how to do it.
• So I launched up a Windows Forms app... I definately like the new look of the toolbox & tabbed items... Another thing to note, the grid lines are gone...and I really can't find out how to turn them on.  I guess I'll just get used to not having them.
• Woah - the properties for a project got revolutionized...instead of a dialog window...now its all in the editor area.  Very sweet lookin too.  It does seem a little laggy switching between everything, but maybe thats just VPC for ya.  Either way, still uber cool looking.
• When in Debug mode, and an exception is thrown, a very nice window is shown... Well, mostly nice - its using Magenta for most of the window...eek!
• I did get my first error message trying to preview data after I setup a data connection. Doh!  Mental note...don't do that again.
• Dropping components with no UI is done just like before, however a nice Magenta (why magenta?) area is shown instead.  Uber ugly, but I can live with it.
• Ohh - found some more magenta, the grid lines for the "Task List" are the pretty color we've all got to know and love.

Well, I think thats about it for tonight...very cool stuff.

Okay, so you just finished downloading the massive 2.67 GB .IMG file from MSDN, and go figure, you don't have a DVD burner available.  Time's crunching away until Apprentice starts, you haven't eaten, and all you want to do is get VS.NET 2005 CTP installed on that freshly installed VPC image.

But wait, theres a problem, that darn .IMG file is for burning DVDs only...VPC can't mount it. Man, that sucks - so with the help of a little Googling, I found Undisker which allowed me to open the .IMG file and extract the contents to my hard drive.  And the crowd goes wild!  Now, I have 5 minutes left until Apprentice, can I get it started installing?