Team Systems

I recently learned the difference between Visual Studio Team Systems (VSTS) and Visual Studio Team Foundation Server (VSTF).  I had thought these products were the same thing.  VSTS is just a very souped up version of VS.Net.  It has different flavors (which is a problem in my opinion – I will need to use all of these tools as a Consultant) and is just a conglomeration of tools such as a profiler, Unit test, MSBuild, Code coverage, FXCop, Prefast, App Verifier, etc.  The coolest feature I have seen for IT Development is in the Architect Version.  Microsoft’s version of UML (called SDM – System Definition Model) is very cool.  This will eliminate the problems of deployment across domains and trying to get Forms Authentication working on an IIS box that doesn’t support it, etc.  Of course Borland has announced it will create a version of UML 2.0 that will be an add-in to VSTS.  VSTS will chip with VS.Net 2005 (which will probably be released shortly after the Sept. PDC.) 

VSTF is very difficult to install (http://samgentile.com/blog/archive/2005/02/19/12495.aspx).  It will include a new CM system in SQL, Domain Specific Languages (App blocks on steroids).  VSTF will integrate with Office and MS Project Server because it uses Sharepoint as a portal.  It will also include bug tracking and team collaboration.  It is a long overdue tool from Microsoft.  Of course pricing is still an issue.  MSDN Universal Subscribers will have to choose one flavor of VSTS and VSTF is still up in the air.

Here are some useful links:

New MSF Agile

http://dotnetjunkies.com/WebLog/davidb/archive/2005/02/17/54851.aspx

http://www.theserverside.net/news/thread.tss?thread_id=31918

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/teamsystem/workshop/msfagile/default.aspx

Blogs

http://blogs.msdn.com/team_foundation/

http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar

Best Reflector Site I have seen.

http://www.freewebs.com/csharp/Reflector/AddIns/