Editor's//Comment
Windows & Doors
By David Riggs
There s an old saying you often hear when something goes wrong: Whenever a door shuts, a window opens. The irony of this adage is that, in reality, it always seems like doors blow shut when you open a window. But I guess that realism wouldn t serve the proverbial purpose, as it were. In any case, I always thought it was just a line people offered in an attempt to assuage your depression when you had blown (pun intended) an opportunity. Well, I m not fully converted just yet, but I m starting to see a hint of truth in those words.
If you flipped back to page 46 (in the August print edition) expecting to find a familiar friend, don t tear through the rest of the magazine looking to see where it s been moved. After nearly four years the GotDotNet page that has appeared uninterrupted in this magazine is gone. Did I just hear a door slam? Every issue since Vol. 1, Issue 1; in our business, that s Ripkenesque. But times change; GotDotNet has had to reallocate their resources and change their focus. Our loss. Sure, it s only one page; nevertheless, it s tough to lose such an unfaltering component of our magazine.
As we bid our GotDotNet brethren goodbye, I would be remiss to not personally and profusely thank the indefatigable Kent Sharkey for providing material every month, as well as Chris Mowrer for shepherding all that content. With its hot links, finger-on-the-pulse editorials, and endless cast of Community Who s Who, the GotDotNet page proved to be an invaluable resource for our readers, which I m sure will be missed. Don t fret just yet; GotDotNet still has lots of great stuff to offer online, so be sure to add them to your Favorites list if you haven t already (http://www.gotdotnet.com).
Now what about that window that s supposed to magically open. Do you feel a draft? Just as we were getting word that the GotDotNet resource page would be discontinued, we arranged for VBUG members to host VBUG Spotlight, a monthly column to share their thoughts about the industry, as well as some insight into some of the projects upon which they are tinkering. This month kicks off with an article by Phil Winstanley, wherein he asks the age-old question, If it s not broken, why fix it? Give it a read when you have a moment; Phil raises some interesting points about upgrading to the new version of ASP.NET.
VBUG is big across the pond, and includes groups of both VB.NET and C# developers. They ve been around since 1994, providing development resources, training, and support for its members. For more information visit http://www.vbug.com. I d like to extend a special thanks to George Gallagher for getting the VBUG ball rolling. His services, and enthusiasm, have been invaluable.
So there it is, a door shut, but a window opened. Maybe it s a coincidence, maybe not. Thanks for reading.
David Riggs is editor-in-chief of asp.netPRO and its companion e-newsletter, asp.netNOW. Reach him at mailto:[email protected].
