mySQL / Microsoft SQL server / Visual Studio 2010

Well almost the end of the year.
I am satisfied with my goals,
but really want to kick it into high gear in 2011...

I have classes in SQL this quarter and am looking to expand on what is presented.
I downloaded mySQL and installed...
Here is a link and also a link to a very helpful tutorial to get started:
mySQL: http://www.mysql.com/
mySQL tutorial: http://www.lynda.com/home/DisplayCourse.aspx?lpk2=770

My class is in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 which can be downloaded from Dreamspark as a student with a valid .edu email...


To day I am going to post a exercise on how to make a Splash Screen in Microsoft Visual Basic...
This exercise is from the book:
Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Programming for the Absolute Beginner by Jerry Lee Ford, Jr.
( It is proving to be a very helpful book! You should get it or subscribe to books 24/7 )

Adding a Splash Screen to Your Application

One thing that you might want to do to spice up your application is to give it a splash screen. The IDE makes the creation and setup of a splash screen very straightforward. All that you have to do is create a new form and then tell the IDE to make it your application’s splash screen.

Definition

A splash screen is a window that appears briefly when an application first loads. Application developers use splash screens to display product information or to distract users while their application loads.

The following example demonstrates the steps involved in adding a splash screen to your Visual Basic applications.

1. Open a new Visual Basic Windows application project, and expand the default form to approximately twice its normal size to make it distinguishable from its splash screen. Place whatever controls you want on it.
2. Click on the Project menu and select the Add Windows Form option.
3.   Select the Splash Screen and click on the Add button. A window named SplashScreen1 is added to the project.
4. The IDE will display the SplashScreen1 form. At this point you may add a Label control to the form and specify whatever text you want to have displayed. Optionally, you may add a PictureBox control to display a graphic. Visual Basic will automatically display text on the splash screen form representing your application’s name, version, and copyright date. You do not need to modify this information. Visual Basic will supply this information for you.
5. Click on the Properties option located at the bottom on the Project menu. A new window will appear in the IDE.
6. Make sure that the Application tab is displayed.
    
   Configuring a Visual Basic application to begin by displaying a splash screen.
7. Using the Splash screen drop-down list at the bottom of the window, select SplashScreen1 as your application’s splash screen.

Now, close the Properties window and press F5 to run your application. Just before the main menu starts, you should briefly see your splash screen appear. After a moment, it will close and your application’s main window will be displayed.

 A splash screen gives the application developer a chance to share additional information with the user before the application starts.

The application’s main window appears as soon as the splash screen closes.

Happy Holidays!

-A