This is is my weekly link post.  It is here that I note the web sites and posts that I have run across that interest me – whether it be related to work or play.

Application Development/Design

• Jeff Atwood talks about a great C# compiler trick in his post Department of Declaration Redundancy Department.
• Richard Dingwall talks about the C# var keyword in his post C# 3.0’s var keyword: Jeff Atwood gets it all wrong.
• Marco Russo provides some great information on LINQ joins in the article To join or not to join: that is the question (in LINQ).
• JP Hamilton explains how to compile code dynamically using the .NET Framework in his post Dynamic Compilation.
• David Vidmar explains an issue he ran into in his article LINQ: Detecting if entity is already pending insert.
• BlackWasp has posted a couple of informative articles. Converting an Entire Array to a New Type ~ Speed Test: Try / Catch Block
• Rick Strahl asks the question What makes a Guru?. Great post.
• Jason Young gives a great review of the book Agile Principles, Patterns and Practices in C#.
• Tutorial Video(s):  How Do I: Work with Nested Master Pages to Create Standard Content Layouts
• Article(s) from Code project: Delegates, Events, Event Arguments & How They Fit Together ~ Convert to TryParse ~ C# Coding Practicies Guide
• Tip(s): Use the immediate window as a glorified calculator or side-debugger within your debugger

SQL Server & PowerShell

• Craig Baily has posted some great information on SQL Server 2008.
• Simon Sabin has posted some great information on the new features of SQL Server 2008. MERGE and optimistic concurrency ~ MERGE/TVP data access pattern w/ DataAdapters ~ MERGE and Table Valued Parameters
• Mark Garner has posted about a list of Very Cool SQL Utilities.
• Found this article on InfoQ about SQL Server PowerShell Extensions.

 Houston Area & Regional Technology Events

• Houston Area User Group Meetings – This is my monthly listing of Houston area user group meetings.

Internet, Software and General Technology

• Chris Love reviews a Regular Expression Visualizer – A Must Have Tool.
• Max Poole reviews SlickEdit Tools. 
• Jay Smith has posted on a couple of software releases. Windows Live Writer CTP Released ~ ReSharper 4.0 Gone Gold!

Self-Improvement, Productivity and Career

• Misty Kahn talks about Using Outlook to Get Back on Track. Welcome back Misty.
• The Positivity Blog gives us 7 Ways to Reduce Stress With a To-Don’t List.
• I’m always looking for ways to eat healthier (even though I don’t like veggies). I ran across a post from TechieMom on what Plan of Action (with eating) to take depending on your mood. If you are an emotional eater, as I am, there is some good information here.

Sports, Entertainment and Everything Else

• Pictures of the ice on Mars from the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
• News came this week (from the Phoenix Lander) of water on Mars. Very cool stuff…
• Timbuk2 is an interesting messenger bag manufacturer that allows you to totally customize your bag. It’s a little pricey, but I had fun customizing.
• Steve Muth has posted an interesting article on his very cool Astronomy blog that talks about a Quest for a new home: Moon, asteroid or Mars.
• Review of the mid-season finale of Battlestar Galactica. If you have not seen the episode, you might not want to read the review.
• Ran into a review of the new series Fringe on Ain’t it Cool News.
• Movie Trailers:  Wall-E ~ Wanted ~ Mirrors
• Funny Dilberts this week:  6/16 ~ 6/21 ~ 6/22

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Great Link Blog Sources

• Jason Haley – Interesting Finds
• Steve Pietrek – Links
• Arjan Zuidhof – LinkBlog
• Christopher Steen – Link Listing
• Mike Gunderloy – Double-Shot
• David Vidmar – Links of the week
• Sam Gentile – New and Notable
• Chihn Do – Finds of the Week
• Craig Bailey – On Microsoft
• Alvin Ashcraft – Daily Links
• Chris Alcock – Morning Brew
• Darren Stokes – Visual Studio Links
• Chris Love – Links of the Week
• Scott Koon – Links
• Michael Koby – Daily Links
• Dilip Krishnan – Weekly SOA/MS Crumbs

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Happy Surfing.