(This is a trackback post from Randall’s blog : http://blogs.msdn.com/randalli/archive/2008/08/28/just-published-wss-and-moss-sdk-1-4-download-and-online-msdn-library-8-29-2008.aspx  Thanks Randall!)

Hello SharePoint Developers!

We are excited to announce the availability of the latest updates to the online MSDN Library + the downloadable SDKs for both MOSS 2007 and WSS 3.0!

In our never-ending efforts to improve the customer and partner experience, we are announcing the sim ship of both the online MSDN Library and the downloadable SDK! No more confusion about what’s the latest version: August is August!

> Download the MOSS SDK 1.4 <

> Download the WSS SDK 1.4 <

The August 2008 update is version 1.4 and reflects feature enhancements that were part of the recent Infrastructure Update.  For more information on SharePoint Products and Technologies updates, you can start here on TechNet.

Which SDK do I need to download?

If you are only writing code that utilizes the Windows SharePoint Services platform, you can download the WSS SDK.  However, if you want the superset of all documentation and samples, you should install the MOSS SDK, and then you’ll get all the platform and technology information as well.  You don’t need to download both, but you will need to uninstall all previous versions.

Note The SDK 1.4 downloads are full releases that include all previous tools and documentation.

What’s New in this release?

The SDK updates in 1.4 include:

• New Federated Search Samples:

• Custom Federated Search Web Part with a Credentials UI (also available at MSDN Code Gallery)
• Federated Search SQL Server Connector (also available at MSDN Code Gallery)
• Federated Search HTML to RSS Connector (also available at MSDN Code Gallery)
• Federated Search Virtual Earth Map Connector (also available at MSDN Code Gallery)

· Updated documentation files, including updated, offline versions of MSDN Library Technical Articles and Developer Guides
What’s New in the MOSS SDK 1.4 Documentation
What’s New in the WSS SDK 1.4 Documentation

· Lots of new documentation for Records Management APIs.

· Microsoft.Office.RecordsManagement.Holds

· Microsoft.Office.RecordsManagement.InformationPolicy

· Microsoft.Office.RecordsManagement.PolicyFeatures

· Microsoft.Office.RecordsManagement.RecordsRepository

· Microsoft.Office.RecordsManagement.Reporting

· Microsoft.Office.RecordsManagement.SearchAndProcess

While you’re updating your SharePoint development tools…

You can also update the Visual Studio Extensions for SharePoint Services.  Here is the link to the installer: VSeWSS 1.2.  The extensions were updated on 7/1/2008 and now work with Visual Studio 2008!

Don’t forget to download the user’s guide: version 1.1

I received a sad email yesterday, as did most .NET developers.  Lutz decided finally after quite a few years and much negotiation to turn Reflector over to Red Gate.   I also like RedGate's sql tools, and I hear they have excellent customer support, but it does make you wonder how the product will evolve and extend.  

Perhaps Lutz may consider a lead role with Red Gate as well.  I for one would not have minded shelling out some cash to support Reflector and Lutz had it been asked, but I suppose the support for the tool and it's extensions can be overwhelming for a single person.   The extensions themselves are powerful, and I hope those folks contributing continue to do so.

One things for sure, Lutz will always be welcome at my doorstep.
He certainly is one of the most talented .NET folks out there in the wild today. 

:)

After more than eight years of working on .NET Reflector, I have decided it is time to move on and explore some new opportunities.

I have reached an agreement to have Red Gate Software continue the development of .NET Reflector. Red Gate has a lot of experience creating development tools for both .NET and SQL Server. They have the resources necessary to work on new features, and Reflector fits nicely with other .NET tools the company offers.

Red Gate will continue to provide the free community version and is looking for your feedback and ideas for future versions.

For news and updates on Reflector, sign up for the .NET Developer’s Newsletter from Red Gate. To find out more about the agreement, see the interview on Simple Talk.

SharePoint Hyper-v/SVVP support preliminary guidance is now live, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc816955.aspx.  Product Team Blog has also been posted, http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2008/08/18/update-on-virtualization-support-for-sharepoint-products-and-technologies.aspx

Enjoy!

This has been the recurring theme for many new MCS staff.. Why would enterprise customers want to pay large hourly rates and travel expenses for us to come on-site?

I finally realized it's not just our in-depth technical expertise and top-notch consulting skills (oh, and we write unbelievably great quality code too..) but it's what some of our customer's employees look like when they have hit a "dead-end".  It must be the effect of doing too many Google searches seeking technical information that doesn’t help them anyhow.

To see what I mean, I snapped a picture at a recent customer visit, of just one such "skilled information worker" (Sorry all you IW folks, no offense):

So, as you can see, they undoubtedly fare better with our skin in the game!

-E-