VistaDb - fully managed and typesafe embedded SQL database
VistaDb 3.2 is the world’s first fully managed and typesafe embedded SQL database engine built for Microsoft .NET, Compact Framework and Mono.
Managed code represents source code that executes within the .NET memory space and that is managed entirely by .NET and the Common Language Runtime (CLR). Managed applications let .NET protect a computer or device by preventing rogue or malicious code from directly accessing a computer’s resources such as memory or hard disks where damage can be done. Typesafe means that an application uses the native .NET data types. In other words, no pointers!
VistaDB is the lightweight alternative to SQL Server 2005.
It was during Rojit’s business development work that we came across this person Anthony Carrabino, owner of VistaDB. Since I was also there working on some project at that late hour, Rojit asked me to join him and we both had a good talk with Anthony and we never felt that it was our first chat with him. We just introduced ourselves and he was so good, so responsive and he was giving us tips on how to go ahead in our goal. He told us about his company, how he started it and how he has been fully involved in marketing vistaDB. He was so kind us to send across one copy of vistaDB to try it out.
I remember the last time we spoke to him, it was before he joined Microsoft, he gave us the news and he was quite excited and he told us that it has not been announced officially yet, but he has planned to join the company. I am sure Anthony, you must be enjoying the new company.
Usage of AJAX among .NET developers
I came across this survey results about usage of AJAX among .NET developers and it is really interesting to know the survey result, though it is not as accurate as it is based on a very limited number of responses, but it does gives us a fair idea. Also it is interesting to know that in the Commercial Tools section, Telerik Radcontrols got the highest number of votes. We have also seen that most of our clients do prefer to use Telerik Controls and we have used the same in many projects we have done.
Survey Results
| Answer Options | Response % |
| ASP.NET Ajax | 73,7% |
| AJAX Control toolkit | 49,6% |
| Ajax.Net Professional | 13,3% |
| jQuery | 11,7% |
| Prototype | 11,5% |
| Raw Ajax | 11,3% |
| Script.aculo.us | 9,7% |
| Ext JS- Javascript Library | 6,1% |
| Yahoo! User Interface Library | 5,5% |
| Infragistics | 4,9% |
Commercial tools
| Option | Response % |
| Telerik RadControls | 11,7% |
| Infragistics | 4,9% |
| ComponentArt | 3,6% |
| DevExpress | 0,7% |
| ESRI Web ADF | 0,3% |
| Backbase | 0,1% |
The hard core developers
| Option | Response % |
| ASP.NET MVC | 45,5% |
| MonoRail | 27,3% |
| SubSonic | 13% |
| WCSF | 9% |
And what if you are not using ASP.NET Ajax? The other preferred options among .NET developers
| Option | Response % |
| Ajax.NET Professional | 33,1% |
| Raw Ajax | 24,4% |
| Prototype | 23,6% |
| jQuery | 21,3% |
| Script.aculo.us | 15% |
| Telerik radControls | 12,6% |
| Ext JS - JavaScript Library | 12,6% |
Partial Rendering vs Core ASP.NET library usage
| Option | Response % |
| Partial Rendering / Update Panel | 91,8% |
| Ajax Library | 53% |
Referrals - an easy way of getting work!
Recently, we have been trying to check out other means of getting clients in a move to expand our business. So far most of our projects have come to us through word of mouth and through referrals from existing clients. Working and dealing with such clients who are referred by our existing clients is so easy because in that scenario, the person has already done his bit of work by checking out the satisfaction level, efficiency, performance and our delivery criteria. So in such cases, our work becomes so easy as we may be just one company bidding for that project and there is 99% chance of getting the project if the delivery timeframe and project budget matches with that of the asking client.
Whereas to market your services and get a new client, requires so much of hard work. You study the requirements, do your own research, prepare a long proposal only to keep hoping for the best. There are so many competitors all eyeing to get the project and sometimes the competition is so tough with many companies ready to do the work at a much lesser budget. In such a competition, you are trying to sell your services through means of your communication which may be a simple chat, email service and letting the other person know that you and your company is really able to perform the desired tasks in a very efficient manner. So I feel it all depends on how you present yourself to the potential client, whether you have understood the requirements in detail or not, have the required skillset or not and whether you are giving your services within your potential client’s budget or not.
So I truly believe that it is best to give good service to your clients, who in turn can get good work for you and you have to not really go through a whole sales cycle for getting a BIG FAT CLIENT 
