Hello. I am Paul Kinlan.

This post discusses the differences between using error codes and exceptions for error handling in application programming. It references an article by Damien Katz that explores the topic in detail, highlighting the challenges of proper error handling, even in critical systems. The article uses analogies and strong language to make its points. It also links to the original article and a Digg story about the topic.

I'm excited to share (even though it's old news) that all Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions (Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual J#, Visual C++, and Visual Web Developer Express) are now permanently free! This is a game-changer for aspiring developers, opening up access to powerful tools for Windows and ASP.Net development. While there are some limitations (like only one project per solution), the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Check out the official announcement and some cool new tools!

In this first part of my series on C# Trackback implementation, I delve into the Trackback Ping functionality, providing a comprehensive code explanation. While I remain unconvinced about the overall effectiveness of Trackbacks, exploring the implementation in C# has been an interesting coding exercise.

This is the second part of my series on implementing trackback functionality using C#. I've provided the complete source code, which is free for anyone to use and adapt. This post dives deeper into the intricacies of trackbacks and how to use them within your C# applications. Click the "read more" link for the full article and source code. If you find it useful, consider giving it a digg!

While ASP.NET 2.0 offers improvements and reduces code in certain areas, it's not a magic solution that eliminates all development challenges. It doesn't significantly impact the time spent on data access and business logic layers, despite the addition of new server controls. Although there are aspects I dislike, such as personalization, it's worth exploring further.

The Nintendo DS is vastly outselling the Sony PSP in recent sales figures, by a ratio of nearly 7 to 1. This trend suggests a decline in the PSP's market performance.

This blog post shares a method for integrating Google Calendar into a website using PHP and JavaScript, based on an article from ajax.phpmagazine.net. The author also expresses interest in syncing their Blogger blog with their calendar.

Microsoft plans to upgrade the Xbox 360's CPU in early 2007. The new CPU is expected to generate less heat and consume less power. While some consumers are threatening returns, this upgrade is a standard practice in the console industry and will likely result in a cooler, quieter console rather than a faster one. Sony, for example, made similar upgrades to the PS2 after its initial release.

Google's new data protocol, GData, has me wondering about the future of Blogger. Will Blogger integrate with GData? Blogger already uses Atom, so will that make integration easier? Or will Blogger's slow pace of development prevent them from adopting GData anytime soon? I'm skeptical.

Code optimization is crucial, especially for critical sections of an application. Before jumping into optimization, profiling is essential to pinpoint actual bottlenecks. Relying on assumptions can lead to wasted effort on non-critical areas. While I haven't personally experienced the Java-specific examples mentioned in the linked article, the core message about profiling holds true regardless of the programming language.