In a recent episode of "Hanselman Today," Scott Hanselman engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sean Walker, the founder of Octane Labs and the original creator of DotNetNuke (DNN), about the evolution and sustainability of open-source projects. This discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities facing developers and maintainers in the open-source community.

The Legacy of DotNetNuke

Sean Walker reflects on the history of DotNetNuke, which was first released in 2002. He emphasizes its longevity and adaptability, noting that it has remained relevant due to a strong community backing. Walker explains that while DNN began as a hobby, it quickly gained traction, leading to the establishment of DNN Corp to support its growth. The transition from a purely open-source project to a commercial entity was driven by the need for resources to maintain and enhance the platform, illustrating a common path for successful open-source projects.

The Role of Community in Open Source

Walker attributes much of DNN's success to its community. He argues that a vibrant community not only sustains a project but also fosters innovation through contributions and extensions. This collaborative spirit is crucial for maintaining relevance in an ever-evolving tech landscape. As Walker puts it, "It was always intended to be a platform... with lots of extensibility points," allowing developers to create tailored solutions that meet diverse needs.

Challenges of Monetizing Open Source

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the financial sustainability of open-source projects. Walker acknowledges that many projects struggle to generate revenue despite their widespread use. He warns that without a sustainable business model, successful projects can quickly become burdensome for maintainers who may feel overextended without adequate compensation.

Walker highlights the misconception that sympathy alone can sustain open-source projects: "Sympathy is not a business model." He stresses the importance of developing a viable business strategy from the outset to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the demands of maintaining popular software.

The Uncanny Valley of Open Source

The conversation also touches on what Walker describes as the "uncanny valley" of open source. Many developers find themselves investing significant time into their projects without seeing a return, leading to frustration and burnout. Walker suggests that crossing this chasm requires not only technical skills but also business acumen—a combination that not all developers possess.

Corporate Responsibility in Open Source

Towards the end of their discussion, Hanselman and Walker ponder why large corporations do not invest more heavily in critical open-source projects. They note that while companies like Microsoft have made strides in supporting open-source initiatives, there remains a disconnect between corporate funding and project sustainability. Walker suggests that rather than sporadic donations, there should be structured support systems where corporations can contribute meaningfully to ensure the longevity of essential libraries and frameworks.

Conclusion

The dialogue between Hanselman and Walker sheds light on the intricate dynamics of sustainable open source. As technology continues to evolve, so too must the strategies employed by developers and corporations alike to support and nurture these vital resources. The future of open source hinges on recognizing its value—not just as free software but as an essential component of modern development ecosystems deserving of investment and support.

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 https://www.youtube.com/@dotnet

Premieres

November 15

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM GMT+1

Build intelligent apps on .NET using Azure Communication Services

Milan Kaur

In this session, we will cover the details of building intelligent communication applications using .NET. Attendees will explore how to leverage the latest features of Azure Communication Services and Azure Open AI to create robust and scalable communication apps on .NET. We will cover how to add messaging channels such as SMS, WhatsApp and audio video capabilities into your AI apps using the latest gpt models.

November 15

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM GMT+1

Secure intelligent apps with .NET 9 on App Service

Jeff Martinez

Make secure calls to Azure OpenAI from a .NET 9 app hosted on App Service

November 15

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM GMT+1

Beyond GitHub Copilot Tips and Tricks

April Yoho

In this session April will take you beyond simple prompts with GitHub Copilot. We will look at how to build a testing suite for your .NET code and follow the journey alongside GitHub Copilot from beginning to end. We'll also explore the end to end capability of GitHub Copilot workspaces and how it can help with the start of an issue, through to planning and delivery. A true DevOps copilot when developing your .NET code!

November 15

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM GMT+1

Smart UI Powered by AI 🚀

Sam Basu

It is the age of AI and there are some big opportunities for .NET developers - infuse apps with solutions powered by Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), as well as, boost developer productivity. .NET client apps can benefit from AI-powered Smart UI Components, like AI Prompts, Smart Grid/ComboBox search with Local Embeddings and searching/manipulating PDFs with Semantic search. Enterprise workflows often require working with desktop apps and document processing - rich text editing could make users productive with AI-powered completions, while spreadsheets could perform formulations/automations. Web developers could dynamically style web UI components with AI-powered theming or get contextual assistance while writing Blazor code in a browser REPL. Towards developer productivity, GitHub Copilot could be extended with custom chat agents to preserve developer context and get deeply contextual code completions, powered by documentation RAG. Let's explore what's next for AI-powered .NET UI towards wonderful UX and optimized developer productivity tools.

November 15

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM GMT+1

Deep dive on native AOT

Michal Strehovský

Native AOT has been part of .NET since .NET 7. With each release we're extending the areas where it can be used. From console apps in .NET 7, through ASP.NET web APIs in .NET 8, to MAUI in .NET 9. It is your best bet if you need your .NET app to start fast and use as little memory as possible. But how does native AOT actually work? Why does it start so fast? How can we fit an entire .NET runtime, the base class libraries, and your code in a 1 MB executable file? In this talk we'll peek into the internal workings of native AOT compilation and look at what it does at run time.

November 15

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM GMT+1

Create great MIDI 2.0 apps using Windows MIDI Services and C#

Pete Brown

The open source Windows MIDI Services project (https://aka.ms/midi) is nearing its first consumer release, and is getting ready to be in-boxed in Windows. In this session, learn about what the new MIDI stack brings, and then learn how to use the developer preview bits available today to create MIDI 2.0 and MIDI 1.0 apps for Windows, including virtual devices, USB, and more, all using C#.

November 15

8:30 PM - 9:00 PM GMT+1

Audit Like a Pro: Securing Your NuGet Packages

Jon Douglas, Andy Zivkovic

In this session, we will explore the importance of regularly auditing your NuGet dependencies to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. You will learn how to use various tools and techniques to scan your dependencies, understand common vulnerabilities, and take proactive steps to secure your .NET projects. By the end of this session, you'll be equipped with practical strategies to ensure your code remains secure and up-to-date in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

November 15

9:00 PM - 9:30 PM GMT+1

"Intelligenize" your WinForms Apps for an amazing new customer experience!

Klaus Loeffelman

WinForms has been a cornerstone of countless mature LOB applications for nearly 30 years, encapsulating critical domain knowledge. They are the perfect candidates for retrofitting AI- and LLM support, but: modernizing such systems in a feasible way excludes starting from scratch - "intelligenizing" existing functionalities is the efficient way to go. Let's explore how the new .NET 9 features can support you to combine AI/LLMs into your existing LOB to achieve stunning results in minutes. Join us to discover new AI tricks for even the most mature dog and take your WinForms LOB apps to the next level! Highlights: * Combine WinForms components with Semantic Kernel * The Speak-German-in-just-2-Minutes AI-WinForms App! Seriously! Would I lie to you? 😊 * Discover the next level: Intelligent Assistant UI Controls for LOB Apps * Write graphic-rich, high-performance chat-assistant controls with WinForms Blazor Hybrid

November 15

9:30 PM - 10:00 PM GMT+1

Exploring the New Fluent UI Blazor Library: Next-Gen Web Components and Architectural Innovations

Vincent Baaij, Denis Voituron

Join us for an in-depth session on the upcoming new major version of the Fluent UI Blazor library, which introduces cutting-edge Web Components and significant architectural changes. This session will cover: - Overview of New Features: Discover the enhancements in the new Fluent UI Blazor library, including updated Web Components - Architectural Changes: Learn about the major architectural shifts that improve performance, scalability, and maintainability. - Migration Guide: Yes, there will be a lot of breaking changes! But we will guide you with practical tips and best practices for migrating your existing projects to the new version - Hands-On Demos: See the new features in action with live coding demonstrations.

November 15

10:00 PM - 10:30 PM GMT+1

The force is strong in LLMs - building an open source Star Wars inspired copilot in .NET

Jim Bennett

In the Star Wars universe, many pilots have an astromech copilot. Luke had R2-D2 in the back of his X-Wing for example. As developers, we too have copilots. Although these are not as cool as R2, and don’t help us blow up the Death Star, they do help us with our day to day tasks like writing code. Whilst copilots can be boring, Jim thought it would be fun to create one inspired by Star Wars to help him with important tasks, such as describing his Lego collection (Star Wars Lego of course), and helping him write code, all done in the style of a Jedi. In this session, Jim will walk you through the steps to build your own copilot, using the Pieces .NET SDK. By leveraging this SDK, your copilot can not only access an LLM of your choice from a range of cloud and on-device models such as Microsoft Phi and OpenAI GPT-4o, but you can also add assets to your chat’s context, such as code, documents, and plans for the Death Star. And just like a Jedi can sense the living force, this copilot can sense your presence and answer questions without needing additional documentation, such as summarizing your research on Wookiepedia. And best of all, reply like Yoda, it can! By the end of this session, you will be able to complete your apprenticeship and build your own open source AI copilot.

November 15

10:30 PM - 11:00 PM GMT+1

Boosting WPF Performance - Upcoming Improvements

Ashish Kumar Singh

This talk will focus on performance improvements in WPF DataGrid and other areas in WPF. We will be exploring the work in progress and improvements lined up in WPF for upcoming .NET releases. Join us to learn how to take full advantage of the performance enhancements in WPF and deliver responsive, high-performing applications.

November 15

11:00 PM - 11:30 PM GMT+1

Infuse AI in your Windows apps with .NET

Nikola Metulev, Alexandre Zollinger Chohfi

Join us for a demo packed session where you will learn what you can do with AI on Windows and how to add AI based features to your Windows apps to delight and empower your users. With Windows Copilot Runtime, developers can leverage APIs backed by on-device models such as Phi Silica and use frameworks and tools to leverage the latest open source or proprietary models locally within their apps

November 15

11:30 PM - 12:00 AM GMT+1

Maximizing Productivity: Cloud Development with Visual Studio and Dev Box

Sebastian Hernandez, Vedha Ranganathan

Discover how Microsoft engineers have revolutionized their .NET development with Microsoft Dev Box and Visual Studio. Learn how they have streamlined their development processes using various task-focused cloud development tools. Gain practical insights into coding, testing, and deploying applications from the cloud, and explore the latest and most advanced features of Visual Studio and Dev Box.

November 16

12:00 AM - 12:30 AM GMT+1

How Fidelity uses .NET MAUI for Cross-platform desktop

David Ortinau, Matthew Faust, Kevin Bieri

Kevin and Matthew join us from Fidelity to share their experiences and successes using .NET MAUI to power the next generation of their Active Trader Pro desktop client. We'll get into: Optimizing UI Dispatch for MAUI Applications WebView Pooling and Optimizations for OSX and Windows MDI multi-window desktop interfaces Controlled Initialization and Shutdown sequences for MAUI Dynamic Context Menus

November 16

12:30 AM - 1:00 AM GMT+1

AI at the Edge with Meadow and .NET

Adrian Stevens

Explore the intersection of AI and edge computing with Meadow and .NET. This talk delves into implementing TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers on the Meadow F7, empowering developers to run machine learning models directly on microcontrollers. We'll also examine innovative AI sensors from companies like Useful Sensors, such as the Tiny Code Reader and Person Sensor, which offer plug-and-play AI functionalities. Join us to learn how to harness these tools to create intelligent, efficient, and responsive edge devices.

November 16

1:00 AM - 1:30 AM GMT+1

MVVM Building Blocks for WinUI and WPF Development

Michael Hawker, Sergio Pedri

Embark with us on a hands-on journey to acquire the foundational elements of modern Windows app development. We'll show you how XAML, Data Binding, and MVVM come together to empower your development process, increase agility, and simplify your codebase! You'll end up with the essential skills to start crafting applications with WinUI or WPF and empower yourself to create robust, scalable, and maintainable Windows applications.

November 16

1:30 AM - 2:00 AM GMT+1

Easy CQRS with Data API builder and SQL Server

Jerry Nixon

CQRS can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, we'll show you how to implement CQRS effortlessly using Data API builder and SQL Server. By separating your read and write operations, you’ll boost performance, scalability, and maintainability. You'll see how to set up a scalable, secure API with REST & GraphQL endpoints—no code required. Whether you’re working in the cloud or on-prem, we’ll help you streamline your architecture and speed up your development process.

Upgrading a Module

1. Open your module solution and select the Client Project.
2. Navigate to the Packages section and update the third-party component to the latest version.
3. Select the Server Project and navigate to its Packages section.
4. Update the third-party component to the latest version in the Server Project as well.
5. In the Server project, navigate to the wwwroot folder and expand the "_content\Third-Party Component Name]" folder.
6. Delete all contents within the third-party component folder.
7. Perform the same deletion in the Oqtane.Server wwwroot folder, under the "_content$$Third-Party Component Name]" folder.
8. Right-click on the third-party component package icon and select "Open Folder in File Explorer" from the context menu.
9. In File Explorer, open the folder named "staticwebassets".
10. Copy all contents from "staticwebassets" into the "_content\Third-Party Component Name]" folder.
11. Build your module.

Upgrading a Theme

1. Open your theme solution and navigate to the Packages section.
2. Update the third-party component to the latest version.
3. Navigate to the wwwroot folder and expand the "_content\Third-Party Component Name]" folder.
4. Delete all contents within the third-party component folder.
5. Perform the same deletion in the Oqtane.Server wwwroot folder, under the "_content\Third-Party Component Name]" folder.
6. Right-click on the third-party component package icon and select "Open Folder in File Explorer" from the context menu.
7. In File Explorer, open the folder named "staticwebassets".
8. Copy all contents from "staticwebassets" into the "_content\Third-Party Component Name]" folder.
9. Build your theme.

Troubleshooting

• If you encounter the error: "Conflicting assets with the same target path '_content/[Third-Party Component Name]/ ....'", follow these steps:Open your .csproj file.
• Add the following ItemGroup:

xml
<ItemGroup>
    <Content Remove="wwwroot\_content\**\*.*" />
    <None Include="wwwroot\_content\**\*.*" />
</ItemGroup>

• Save the project file and recompile.

Final Steps

After completing the upgrade process for either modules or themes, make sure to thoroughly test all functionality to ensure everything works as expected. By following this guide, you can keep your Oqtane modules and themes up-to-date with the latest third-party Blazor components, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

The 5.2.4 release is a maintenance release and includes usability, security and performance improvements.

This release has been upgraded to the latest .NET SDK version 8.0.10 which includes security patches for any issues identified in prior .NET 8 SDK releases from Microsoft.

To date, the open source project has recorded over 2646 pull requests from 57 contributors and has published 49 official releases, which ranks it among the most active open source projects within the .NET Foundation. The Oqtane framework continues to evolve at a rapid pace to meet the needs of the .NET community. The 5.2.4 release is available for download on GitHub.

Changes in v5.2.4

#4744 Added additional external login providers in User Settings @sbwalker

#4743 Added missing localization keys in User Settings @sbwalker

#4742 Fixed sorting of Site.Languages property @sbwalker

#4741 Removed Name column from Language table and populated value dynamically using CultureInfo @sbwalker

#4739 Added Discord community button to README @thabaum

#4736 Updated MySQL.Data to version 9.1.0 @thabaum

#4732 Added full page refresh to affect language changes in static rendering @sbwalker

#4731 Sorted Recycle Bin items by Deleted On date in descending order @sbwalker

#4729 Localized names of languages based on users UI culture @sbwalker

#4728 Set HttpOnly to false for Localization cookie @sbwalker

#4727 When displaying Database Type use SQL Server rather than LocalDB to avoid confusion @sbwalker

#4726 Added support for PrincipalSchema when creating foreign keys (credit @Hypnodude) @sbwalker

#4725 Changed language cookie to disable HttpOnly property as it needs to be accessible by JS Interop in Interactive rendering @sbwalker

#4724 Updated .NET MAUI project to .NET 8.0.10 @sbwalker

#4723 Added support for image resizing via querystring parameters in files page @mdmontesinos

#4715 Updated framework to .NET 8.0.10 @leigh-pointer

#4715 Updated System.Text.Json to 8.0.5 to resolve critical security issue @leigh-pointer

#4712 Added ability to set Secure and SameSite properties on JS Interop SetCookie method @thabaum

#4708 Fixed typo in startup.cs @thabaum

#4705 Fixed hard deletion of pages from Recycle Bin causing DbContext error @maurocavallin

#4702 Added defensive logic if ModuleState is null in ModuleMessage @sbwalker

#4696 Fixed null reference exception when deleting a setting which does not exist @sbwalker

#4691 Prevented invalid parsing of page querystring parameter in Pager component @zyhfish

#4689 Updated framework dependencies and incremented version to 5.2.4 @thabaum

#4687 Added some clarity to the help text for database fields @sbwalker

#4686 Added validation of recipient email address to Notification scheduled job @sbwalker

#4683 Simplified configuration of external login providers ie. Microsoft Entra, etc... @sbwalker

#4682 Displayed progress indicator during download of framework in System Update @sbwalker

#4681 Added disclaimer to System Update feature @sbwalker

#4677 Signed out the principal when it is rejected due to security stamp changes @sbwalker

#4676 Fixed issue when adding a new site to existing installation using separate database on IIS @sbwalker

#4673 Fixed remote login issue which could occur if multiple users have the same email address @sbwalker

#4672 Fixed database installation issues when running on IIS @sbwalker

#4670 Removed unnecessary usings in IMultiDatabase @thabaum

#4668 Fixed scroll position in enhanced navigation by introducing #top pseudo-anchor @sbwalker

When it comes to Blazor development, the Oqtane framework offers an exciting evolution for developers looking to build modular, scalable applications. Recently, I came across an exceptional article on the official Oqtane blog, titled "Migrating a Standard Blazor Application to Oqtane" (which you can find here), and I can’t recommend it enough. This post provides an incredibly valuable guide for anyone considering making the leap from a standard Blazor application to the Oqtane ecosystem.

One of the standout qualities of this post is its clarity. The migration process can seem daunting at first glance, especially when you’re dealing with concepts like modularity and multi-tenancy. The article breaks down these critical components in a way that is both insightful and digestible, making the transition feel far more approachable. The emphasis on the importance of understanding Oqtane's unique architecture — and not merely treating it as a Blazor plug-and-play framework — is a crucial takeaway that all developers should internalize.

The blog post’s authors also do an excellent job of walking through the foundational concepts in Oqtane without overwhelming the reader with jargon. This thoughtful approach makes it a valuable resource for developers at all levels, from those just dipping their toes into Oqtane to more experienced professionals seeking a deeper understanding of how to integrate their existing Blazor applications.

What I particularly appreciate about this guide is that it goes beyond merely answering the question, “Can I migrate my Blazor application to Oqtane?” and instead provides a detailed explanation of how to do so in a way that aligns with Oqtane’s modular philosophy. The post emphasizes the importance of refactoring existing code to fit Oqtane's structure, highlighting that while it may require some upfront work, the long-term benefits — modularity, scalability, and ease of maintenance — are well worth the effort.

If you’re a Blazor developer looking to elevate your projects with Oqtane’s robust framework, this blog post is an indispensable read. It offers practical, actionable advice that can save you significant time and headaches during the migration process.

For anyone considering making the switch to Oqtane, I highly recommend checking out this comprehensive guide. It’s an invaluable resource that provides the right mix of theory and practical advice, ensuring a smoother transition and greater success in your development journey.

We're thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our groundbreaking DynamicForm Custom Control SDK! Set to launch at the end of September, 2024, this powerful toolkit will empower developers to create and deploy custom controls with unprecedented ease and flexibility.

Empowering Developers, Enhancing User Experience

In the world of web development, form creation has always been a balancing act between functionality and customization. We've listened to your feedback, and we're excited to bridge this gap with our new SDK.



The 5.2.0 release is a significant update that includes a native search solution, support for custom text editors, and various usability, scalability, and performance improvements.

Key features include:

1 Native Search Solution:

• Two main extensibility points: an interface for indexing module content and an interface for creating custom Search Providers.
• Default Search Provider uses a standard inverted index stored in the Oqtane tenant database (supports SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL) and requires no additional infrastructure.

2 Custom Text Editors:

• New extensibility model for creating and integrating custom text editors.
• Default editor based on QuillJS (version 1.3.7) with an alternate TextArea editor included for demonstration.

3 Framework Updates:

• Upgraded to the latest .NET SDK 8.0.7, which includes security patches.
• Updated critical dependencies: System.Text.Json and ImageSharp, to the latest secure versions.

The project has seen over 2499 pull requests from 57 contributors, published 45 official releases, and is one of the most active open-source projects within the .NET Foundation. The 5.2.0 release is available for download on Github and is in production on several websites.

Three new controls hit the toolbox. The first is Captcha, this control request the user to enter a (n) of characters to continue. The second is the International Tel number control. This control is a telephone input with a dropdown country code selector. The third is reCAPTCHA, this requires a key to be set up in your appsettings.config file. The reCAPTCHA is v2 so displays a checkbox "I am not a Robot"

With this release the focus was related to making the DynamicForm component run smoothly in Static Render mode. This has now been achieved and along with that a new control added to the toolbox CheckBoxList. I dont think it needs much explaining.