TFS Build - Deploying an MVC Web Site Project with mixed platforms x86 - x64

The Problem
Recently I was working on a project that had mixed platforms (x86 and x64) assemblies. The project would build locally in visual studio 2013, but not on the TFS build server
I was building the project as Any CPU in the project configuration.

The Fix
Set the MSBuild Platform settings to X86 from Auto.

The Configuration
Visual Studio 2013
MVC 5 Web Application
TFS 2010 / TFS Build Server
Windows 2008 / IIS 7 web deployment

I hope this helps someone else out in the future, it took be a good part of a morning to figure this one out.

Translation in visual studio

I was working on a recent project where the code was written in English, but the comments were in Chinese. I do not know the Chinese language, but wanted to see the comments.

Installing the translator http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/f2321406-c5bb-42b7-9660-dfacd313eeed/view/Reviews extension to visual studio 2013 I was able to read the comments.

It worked great, translated flawlessly.

TFS Build - Delete Build Output Directory

used this Code Project post to clean up my build server.  It kept on running out of space.  This worked like a charm.

http://www.codeproject.com/Tips/527142/TFS-Stop-running-out-of-disk-space-on-your-build-s

Foo Bar - What is it?

What is Foo and Bar and why do computer science teachers use it so much?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foo_bar

Google Glass

Got the opportunity to try out Google Glass yesterday.

The Good Stuff
1. It can translate for you.  Look at some Spanish text, and it will convert it to English.  It does other languages to.  I cannot understate how cool this was.

2. Google hangouts is pretty cool.  And unlike usual hangouts you the person you are hanging out with sees what you see not you.

3. Directions were pretty nice.  Driving in your car with the directions would be really handy.  No more glancing down at your phone to follow your route.

4. The basic content like CNN was nice.  You could watch new videos.  Everything was displayed as Google cards.


What Needs Work
 The Battery life was pretty bad. We used it for about 30 minutes, and it was already down to 40%.  It got hot, really hot.  In fact glass told me it had to cool down.

Only geeks would think glass is a fashion statement.  I felt a bit dorky wearing it.  I don't see a Kardashian wearing this thing around with a matching Gucci bag.  

The navigation was a bit challenging.  You scroll by a touch pad on the side of the glasses.  I took a picture and tried to send it but picked the wrong contact. I hope they enjoyed the photo.

Synopsis 
I am sure in a few years Google will perfect Glass. Google will get RayBan's or Oakley to create a stylish version. We will all remember life without Glass.

Machine Key when load balancing asp.net web applications

If you are load balancing ASP.net web applications you will need to generate a encryption key and add it to the web.config or machine.config on each machine in the load balanced server farm.

If you don't add this you will get the error


To do this
1. Go to this site and create a key.  It even created the whole tag for you so all you have to do is copy and paste it into your web.config or machine.config

http://aspnetresources.com/tools/machineKey

2. add the new key in your web.config or machine.config

Visual studio 2012 and 2013 Create Unit Test Context Menu

In visual studio there was a handy context menu to create unit tests for you without a bunch of boiler plate coding.

In visual studio 2012 and 2013 this is missing.

This visual studio plugin build by the ALM rangers works great.

http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/45208924-e7b0-45df-8cff-165b505a38d7

To install this in visual studio go to the menu

1. Tools -> Extensions and updates
2. search for unit test
3. click on and install the unit test.  you will need to restart visual studio.


4. now you can right click on your method and create a shell of a unit test.

5. you will get a bunch of cool ways to customize and create your new unit test.