If you’ve tried this you know that simply returning “null” when a generic type is returned won’t compile.

That’s where the default keyword comes in very handy. Straight from MSDN:

Given a variable t of a parameterized type T, the statement t = null is
only valid if T is a reference type and t = 0 will only work for numeric
value types but not for structs. The solution is to use the default keyword,
which will return null for reference types and zero for  numeric value types.
For structs, it will return each member of the  struct initialized to zero or
null depending on whether they are value  or reference types. For nullable
value types, default returns a System.Nullable<T>, which is initialized like
any struct.

In my case just needed to use:

return default(T);

Everything went together pretty smoothly and I am really happy with the performance. The overall WEI came out at 7.4. Here’s the breakdown:

Processor: 7.5
Memory (RAM): 7.5
Graphics: 7.8
Gaming graphics: 7.8
Primary hard disk: 7.4
Windows 7 Professional

Was a little surprised my lowest score was the hard drive because I splurged and got an SSD – but it’s just a number. The overall performance is by far the best I’ve ever owned.

Not going to go into detail on the build process itself – it was pretty straightforward. But here’s a parts list of the items I purchased for the build (all from newegg.com).

OS: Windows 7 Professional 64bit (system builders license)
Case: Cooler Master HAF
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366
Processor: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core
RAM: Crucial 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (x3 – 12 GB total)
HDD: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5″ 128GB SATA III
Seagate 750GB Barracuda (already had this from a previous build)
ODD: Generic Lightscribe DVD burner (already had this from a previous build)
Video Card: SPARKLE SXX4701280D5-NM GeForce GTX 470 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5
Misc: CPU Cooler – Cooler Master Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
Rosewill RX-C200P 2.5″ SSD / HDD Plastic Mounting Kit for 3.5″ Drive Bay

After completing the build, I can say the following:

• The Cooler Master HAF is HUGE, but it is equally excellent. Lots of thought went into making the case fantastic. Really easy to put various components in and tons of room to move around in. If the size is not a factor for you GET THIS CASE.
• Was not as impressed as I thought I would be with the SSD, performance is WAY better than a regular disc but maybe my expectations were too high. It didn’t help that the SSD came with absolutely nothing to help in installation – no cables, no mounting bits. For the price they should have made some effort there.
• Not sure how I feel about the Sparkle video card yet, so far performance is great – have yet to stress it much but that will come soon once I get COD – Black Ops installed (YES!). The build quality of the card itself concerns me some – seemed a little flimsy. Will have to let it run for awhile before I make that call on this one.
• I also went ahead and replaced my old keyboard and mouse with a Das Keyboard (if you’re a programmer you NEED this keyboard) and a Logitech G9x. Both are awesome and I highly recommend.
• Overall am VERY happy with the build. Total price came in around $1,800 which is about what I had planned – granted I did have a couple pieces on hand already.

If you need this information check it out.

Check out these links for some more info:

Windows Phone 7 Main Info Site
MSDN Developer Event

Check it out here.

Just add a “.” (period) after “localhost” in the url like so:

http://localhost./default.aspx

or with the port info:

http://localhost.:1234/default.aspx

Either configure the tag in the configuration files of the load balancer or configure session affinity in the DNS of the load balancer.

For details check out the original post:

Validation of view state mac failed.

• Robot Magazine, general robot information – covers the full spectrum of robots and related news.
• Servo, covering the world of personal robots.
• Nuts and Volts, the magazine for the electronics hobbyist.

Tried various things that didn’t work until I stumbled on how to skip that particular rule check.

Open a command prompt and run the SQL Server install from there. Specify where the setup.exe program is and run it with the SkipRules flag set.

For example: “d:\setup /ACTION=install /SkipRules=VSShellInstalledRule”

And I didn’t have to uninstall/reinstall VS 2008!

Let me know of any good kits I’ve missed.

Bioloid
Very cool, comes in various kit levels from beginner to expert.

• Robotis – manufacturers information
• Trossen Robotics – available here among other places

Lynxmotion BRAT and Scout
Lots of customization options to fit whatever budget you have.

• Lynxmotion – manufacturers also can purchase directly from them
• BRAT Build Guide – from Robot Mag.

Hitec Robonova
Can also buy this pre-built.

• Hitec – manufacturers site
• RobotShop – good sellers, I’ve purchased from them with no issues.

Not real familiar with the following robots, but here you go:

• Robobrothers – Robophile
• Kondo – KRH Series
• Aldebaran – Nao