Web Client Software Factory on Visual Studio 2008 and the MVP Bundle
The Installation
I wanted to get the Web Client Software Factory (WCSF) running under Visual Studio 2008 and also grab the Model-View-Presenter (MVP) Bundle. To make the WCSF work properly with Visual Studio 2008 takes a little bit of a hack. I found Ezequiel Jadib's post on Web Client Software Factory (WCSF) June 2007 & Visual Studio Orcas Beta 2 did the trick and applies as well to Visual Studio 2008 RTM as it did to Orcas Beta 2.
Using the MVP Bundle: a Small Problem
It all worked fine. I do recommend installing the Guidance Automation Extensions Technology Preview (July 2007 Release for Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio Beta 2) prior to the WCSF install so that you get the July 2007 CTP versus the February 2007 CTP. It is my assumption that the WCSF still installs the Feb. drop - I have not tested that assumption. I was surprised when I took one of the sample solutions in the MVP bundle, opened it up in Visual Studio 2008, went through a clean conversion of the solution and projects to the 2008 format (both leaving it as .NET 2.0 and shifting it to .NET 3.5) and then found I DID NOT have the Web Client Software Factory Guidance coming up in the context menus. Hmm... Turns out that after doing the conversion on the projects despite the fact that the .sln file contained the following bit of information it still didn't give me the guidance context I was after.
GlobalSection(ExtensibilityGlobals) = postSolution
IsWCSFSolution = True
IsWCSFSolutionWAP = True
RootNamespace = MVPQuickstart
EndGlobalSectionWhat you have to do to make the guidance package begin to function after being converted (and in reality may need to be done when you open up the package in Visual Studio 2005 even without conversion- again- I haven't checked) is to go into Tools -> Guidance Package Manager and turn on the web client guidance package. As an excuse to create a Silverlight streaming application and try the corresponding Windows Live Writer plug-in I created a small Silverlight streaming video below that shows nothing but opening the solution, converting it, and then selecting to turn on the guidance via the tools menu. I didn't take time to add sound. A lame reason for a video, I know, but it was an immediate reason to play. The video is below. Sorry- but I realize it auto starts and runs in a loop. I haven't taken the time to determine how to have it not load and run but to play on demand. It's very distracting and an endless loop. I apologize and will try to investigate and resolve this evening.