By default, Visual Studio displays a "Start Page" when you open it. The Start Page is linked to a Microsoft website that is updated on a regular basis. An example of the Start Page is shown in Figure 1 [2]. You can control the display of the Start Page and the source of its content in Visual Studio Tools, Options menu, item Environment, Startup, as shown in Figure 2 [3].

A recent article posted to the Start Page is titled "Top 15 Things to Love About Visual Studio 2008." There were two items in the list that immediately caught my interest:

• Visual Studio 2008 can be configured to compile applications for previous releases of the .NET Framework, in addition to the 3.0 version of the framework.
• By registering your download of Visual Studio Express with Microsoft, you’re entitled to access the Microsoft Connect content for the product.

The first item, previous version compilation support, solves a big problem for programmers who would like to use the current version of Visual Studio but need to support applications on previous versions of the Framework. In most companies, it is usually easier to update the programmer tools than it is to install new versions of the Framework on servers and user PCs where the applications will be deployed. Rather than have to wait for a company-wide update of the Framework, programmers can install Visual Studio 2008 and start taking advantage of its features.

The Microsoft Connect website (http://connect.microsoft.com [4]) was new to me. After I was on the site, I enrolled to activate my access to the additional Visual Studio content for which I was eligible. The additional content includes tools, graphics, collections, and training materials that are not otherwise available.

The Start Page is a good way to stay current with new .NET and Visual Studio technologies as they become available. You don’t need to check it on a daily basis, but an occasional read through the items listed on the Start Page might yield some interesting and useful information.

Craig Pelkie has worked as a programmer with IBM midrange computers for many years. He has also written and lectured extensively on AS/400 and System i technologies, including client/server programming, Client Access, Java WebSphere, .NET applications for the System i, and web development. You can reach him at cpelkie@systeminetwork.com [5].