Trigger a Release add the Build to GlobalList

This was never the best solution but it worked. When a build executed it would be added to the Collections Global List. Then it could be used as the source for drop downs like Found In Build and Integrated In Build.

If you are stuck in that place between TFS 2015 U1 and U2 you have the news builds but you don't have the new Release manager yet these two PowerShell Scripts might come in Handy.

There are so many environment variables you can use to get information about the build that you are a part of, the CollectionURI, SourcesDirectory and so on. You can check them all out here.

To save space I have left out error checking.

1. Trigger a release in ReleaseManager from the 2015 vNext build

# Environment Variables

Write-Host "URI: $env:SYSTEM_TEAMFOUNDATIONCOLLECTIONURI"

Write-Host "Project: $env:SYSTEM_TEAMPROJECT"

Write-Host "Build Def: $env:BUILD_DEFINITIONNAME"

Write-Host "Build Number: $env:BUILD_BUILDNUMBER"

[string] $TFSUri = $env:SYSTEM_TEAMFOUNDATIONCOLLECTIONURI

$TFSUri = $TFSUri.Replace("/tfs/",":8080/tfs/")

write-host "URI - $TFSUri"

$binaryLocation = join-path (Get-ItemProperty $registrykey[0]).InstallDir "bin\ReleaseManagementBuild.exe"

# Call Release Management Build

&"$binaryLocation" release -tfs "$TFSUri" -tp "$($env:SYSTEM_TEAMPROJECT)" -bd "$($env:BUILD_DEFINITIONNAME)" -bn "$($env:BUILD_BUILDNUMBER)"

1. Add the Build to the GlobalList

#Use Environment Variables to get Build Information

[String] $GlobalEntryValue = "$env:BUILD_DEFINITIONNAME/$env:BUILD_BUILDNUMBER"

#Some other information that you will need

[string] $GlobalListFileName = "GlobalList.xml"

[String] $GlobalListName = "Builds - MyProject"

[string] $tfsServer = $env:SYSTEM_TEAMFOUNDATIONCOLLECTIONURI

[string] $witadmin = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common7\IDE\witadmin.exe"

#Export GlobalList

$arguments = 'exportGloballist /collection:"' + $tfsServer + '" /f:"' + $GlobalListFileName + '"'

write-host $witadmin $arguments

start-process -FilePath $witadmin -Argumentlist $arguments -wait -WindowStyle Hidden

#Add the Entry to the Global List

Write-host "Add build $env:BUILD_BUILDNUMBER to $GlobalListName"

[xml]$doc = Get-Content($GlobalListFileName)

$List = $doc.GLOBALLISTS.GLOBALLIST | ? { $_.Name -eq $GlobalListName }

$build = $doc.CreateElement("LISTITEM")

$build.SetAttribute('value',"$env:BUILD_DEFINITIONNAME/$env:BUILD_BUILDNUMBER")

$List.AppendChild($build)

$doc.Save($GlobalListFileName)

#Import GlobalList

$arguments = 'importgloballist /collection:"' + $tfsServer + '" /f:"' + $GlobalListFileName + '"'

write-host $witadmin $arguments

start-process -FilePath $witadmin -Argumentlist $arguments -wait -WindowStyle Hidden

Microsoft Events

TechNet Virtual Summit

3 days of expert content on IT shifts, career insights, security, mobility, tech innovations and more. Hear firsthand where IT is heading, from some of the best tech minds in the business. Join us online March 1-3 – right from your favorite connected device. Register here: http://aka.ms/tnvcmvp and share with your community! Note:  sessions will be delivered in PST Time.

Let's Dev This Tour in Montreal

On March 30^st, Let's Dev This Tour is coming to Montreal to present 3 different tracks on Web, Cloud and Windows 10. To know more about each session simply click on it.

Microsoft DevOps Hackathon

DevOps Hackathon is happening in Montreal on March 18-19^th and in Ottawa on March 31^st- April 1^st – Please see below call for MVP Proctors.

MVP Open Day 2016 – this year's Canadian MVP Open Day will take place on Friday, May 6^th, 2016 (8:30am – 5pm EST). Please make sure you register here. 

ITI Cloud Roadshows: Join local IT professionals and Microsoft MVPs in the following cities:

• Winnipeg - Saturday February 27th at the Millenium Library - Downtown
• Toronto –  Monday February 29^th at the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Vaughan
• Ottawa -  Wednesday, March 2^nd at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre
• Montreal – Thursday, March 3^rd at the Delta Hotel Montreal

   

MVP Days Community Roadshow: coming to Toronto Feb 29^th, Ottawa Mar 2^nd, and Montreal Mar 4^th, 2016. We are hoping you are able to register for these events. Please help us spread the word.

SharePoint Saturday Montreal: Register for the 4th Edition of SharePoint Saturday in Montreal on April 2, 2016. Five tracks offered: IT Pro, Dev, End-User, Business Customer Showcase and Data SQL. Call for Speakers and Sponsors are open!

Prairie Dev Conference: 2-days Development Conference happening in Winnipeg on April 11-12^th, 2016 - http://www.prairiedevcon.com/

MVP Community RoadShow

There's just one week left for MVPDays Community Roadshow in Toronto!

We would love to see you there!

Please use the Promo Code "CDNMVP" to register for FREE !

Make Web Not War

Make Web Not War brings together Canadian web dev experts to talk about modern web standards, Open Source, and Open Data innovations. Learn about the latest IETF & ECMA web standards, how to run and contribute to open source projects, the importance of open data in the world of journalism, open government, and more. Live online Feb 5, 2016. Participation is free. Register to receive exclusive content to accompany the live presentation.

URL: https://aka.ms/mwmvp

LET’S DEV THIS!

#LetsDevThisToronto

Awesome apps are built a certain way – that way may be different for each and every one of us. On February 10, Microsoft DX is coming to Toronto with Let's Dev this Tour to help you learn how to build awesome apps for web, cloud and Windows 10 using latest standards and tools. The day will be full of great workshops, hands-on-labs and consultations with experts.

1 DAY. 1 VENUE. 3 DEEP DIVE WORKSHOPS – WEB. CLOUD. WINDOWS 10.

Pick a primary workshop, then pop in and out of all three based on the topics that interest you the most.

SPACE IS LIMITED per workshop so please reserve you seat now.

MVPDays Community Roadshow 2016

MVPDays is a series of one day events that focuses on content for IT and Dev Professionals sharing their knowledge allowing local communities to learn more and advance their skills based on real world experiences.  The majority of the sessions are Content will focus on the following topics: 

• Cloud
• IT PRO
• SharePoint / Office 365
• Development

It will be held in the following cities:

• Toronto Feb 29, 2016 
• Ottawa Mar 2, 2016
• Montreal Mar 4, 2016

More great resources from Microsoft

Looking for some good resources for Windows 10 and VS 2015?

You're welcome.

Ways to learn how to develop Windows 10 applications

Here is a bunch of links to resources that will help you get up to speed on what's new for developing Windows 10 applications.

Want to download Visual Studio SKU's including VS 2015 click here

Everything you needed to know to write applications using MS Tools

    Windows 10 and what's new

    Get Started

    Design

    Develop

    Publish

Want to take Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) Windows 10 Courses click here

Channel 9 has some great windows 10 related videos here

Teaching Students how to program with Python @ Synergy

Next week I will be going back to school. Well sort of.

I am going to teach a one day seminar on programming to students grades 6-12 at Synergy.

Synergy is a summer experience program offered by the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University for students in grades 5 -12.  It affords students the opportunity to experience business as a field of study in a post-secondary setting.

I'm teaching the class using Python and Visual Studio.

Should be a lot of fun.