In most companies there are always some things that would get coded "if they
could get around to it" - but of course, no one ever really does.
At one point in my career, I volunteered to spend a couple hours every night
of my own time to work on those kind of "non-mainstream" projects. By doing
this, you will (I assume) have the opportunity to hit each of the areas you
mentioned below - but in a specific way that your employer would care about.
You also have the added benefit that whatever you create will likely get
used.
Some extra advice - the key here is delivery. Taking on something and not
delivering on it is ... well, not good. You can potentially do yourself
more harm than good if you develop the reputation of not completing a
project you started. If you can, get a list of potential projects, research
them and find the one you believe you are most likely to be able to do in a
week or less. Make sure your don't let your work in the "non-mainstream"
areas impact your daily responsibilities.
Run static code analysis tools (e.g. fxcop, or the VS2005 equivalent) and
then take the time to understand the failures it complains about. Find a
mentor and go over your code with them to improve your design skills.
Over time, projects that you didn't think could get done in a week you will
be able to do in a day. Between fxcop and code reviews you will know how to
create rock-colid code from the start, and that kind of initiative should
certainly impress your employer. In the very unlikely event that they
don't, you've greatly increased your skillset and won't have any trouble
finding an employer that would be more appreciative.
Hope this helps.
"Jeff" <it************@hotmail.com.NOSPAMwrote in message
news:ea**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
Hey
.NET 2.0
I'm about to start learning C# 2.0. I want to develop an C# 2.0
application which I can use to impress my employer. I think it's much more
fun to program on something I find inspiring... I've spent some hours
thinking on what to program... but all which comes to me are accounts
software.. which I find a bit boring, because so many already exist..
Basically I want to develop an application where must demonstrate Active
Directory, XML, Web Sevices.. and lots of other subjects within C# 2.0
I also want to have fun doing it, I think I'll learn C# 2.0 faster if I
have fun doing it!
Any suggestions on what I should "try" to develop.. any suggestions are
welcome :-)
Jeff