Solving the n+1 problem in Linq to SQL, using projection

Rick Strahl has a nice solution for mitigating the n+1 problem in Linq to SQL. The n+1 problem is a situation where, as you iterate over a set of query results in a list view, one or more additional database queries are fired for each row in the list. Since database calls are relatively expensive, you want to keep these to a minimum. ..

A simple way that Apple can improve iPhone battery life and user experience

I dig my iPhone, but when I switched over from my Blackberry, I was very surprised at how many steps it takes to find out about new email. ..

When Apple aligns with a carrier, act II

Apple is not really a partnering company. They make their own hardware and software — and services like .Mac Mobile Me — to ensure a certain user experience. This is their offer, and it works. ..

A thought experiment: serial vs parallel

Now that solid-state drives are arriving in the mainstream, I’ve been thinking about the implications of serial vs parallel and how they affect overall perceived performance. And by “perceived” I mean, what does the client — both the technical and human variety — experience? ..

Compile-time checking of views in ASP.Net MVC

I noticed that syntax errors in my views were not being caught during the build process — instead I would find them at run-time when I actually hit the view. ..

Is Google building an anti-spam empire?, or, size matters

Google acquired reCAPTCHA today, a company that provides a simple means of adding a spam-limiting mechanism to your site. (I’ve implemented it several times and I recommend it to clients.) ..

The dullest blog

I navigated on my computer to the web site called “The dullest blog in the world”. I was mildly amused for several minutes. After which, I visited other web sites. ..

Your bottleneck is you, or, why I’ve stopped worrying about performance

Provocative headline, no? Let me explain. Like Jeff Atwood, I consider end-user performance to be a feature. Pages should snap. It sends a very positive signal to customers, IMHO. And the site should snap with 10 or 10,000 users. ..

What the heck is going on with Intel’s next-generation SSDs?

Intel first announced its second generation consumer solid-state drives on July 21. There were plenty of positive reviews at the time, and the price drop combined with better performance made me ready to take the plunge. ..

Quickie geek quiz #4

For fabulous prizes, or perhaps a hearty attaboy, the question is: People are throwing things at you and yelling “horn high yo”. Who are you, and what are they asking you to do? ..