Depending on the situation, I could be working on the development of a website while working completely off a local copy of the database. Later I may need to point the web pages to a different database for testing that could be on one of the other corporate machines. Lastly, I could need to point the development to the live production server.

I used to accomplish this by having multiple versions of the web.config file that would point to each location. Now instead I add all the connection strings into a single web.config file and then comment out all of those that I’m not using.

I use Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 Express as my development tool and I can easily manage the web.config file internally and use one-click toolbar buttons to comment or uncomment out portions of the code.

Now I don’t have to worry about maintaining multiple web.config files and making sure I mirror any changes in one with all the others. Now I just use one file and have all the connection strings available at anytime as needed.

Image: Screen capture of web.config development interface

Post from: EveryJoe

Using Multiple Connections for ASP.NET Development

I was messing around while at work and reading the different gaming blogs that I tend to read and came across a news announcement over at Play-Girlz. The announcement made mention that the new Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar is extending its beta testing to more people.

So, I made a bee-line on over to the website for the game and decided I should sign up, because it’s a new type of adventure and me, being the Adventuress extrodinaire that I truly am need a new and EXCITING past time.

Because I don’t have ENOUGH TO DO, what with playing World of Warcraft all weekend on my cute little gnome (more on that later).

The game looks pretty good, but reminds me of World of Warcraft. There’s only a few races to choose from… well at least from what I can find and I… just don’t know. All the races are the same if you’re playing Alliance side on WoW, except for the fact that gnomes have been made into hobbits, which is a DAMN SHAME.

I LURVE THE GNOMES.

Plus, I feel The Lord of the Rings is a bit overdone as of late. KIND OF LIKE STAR WARS. GARRRR.

Here are some of the key features of the game, as quotith from the websitith:

Experience Classic Tolkien: Meet famous characters like Gandalf and the Fellowship. Explore legendary locations like the Prancing Pony and Rivendell! Battle deadly enemies, including Nazgûl, Trolls, and Uruk-Hai!

Defeat the Shadows of Angmar: Join with the Fellowship and fight against the forces of Sauron. Confront the forces of the Nazgûl Witch-king in the North. Protect the Shire and root out evil on Weathertop.

Explore Ancient Lands: Journey through Middle-earth to collect valuable Tolkien lore, knowledge, and artifacts that bring your hero greater powers. Complete ambitious quests of courage and exploration that bestow compelling character traits.

The screenshots are lovely though. Check them out:

Before brain eating monsters attacked…

BRAIIIIINS

We will vanquish the brain eating monsters!

Not if we don’t eat your brains first!

After you’ve stopped the brain eating monsters for killing the entire planet. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.

More news to come if they approve me for a beta tester and if they don’t THEY WILL BURN IN HADES!

MUAHAHAH!

Post from: EveryJoe

The Lord of the Rings: Online