I've been looking around CodePlex lately and there's some really cool stuff there. For example, the source code to ASP.NET MVC.

That got me thinking, what else is out there? Here are my (current) top 5 favorite CodePlex projects.

#1. ASP.NET MVC
http://www.codeplex.com/aspnet
This project gives you access to the source code for upcoming releases that the Microsoft ASP.NET team is working on, starting with the ASP.NET MVC Framework. The project gives you a look at the design and lets you have a voice in it. You can send us feedback for the ASP.NET MVC framework through the ASP.NET MVC forums on the ASP.NET site.

#2 Script#
http://www.codeplex.com/scriptsharp
Script# enables more productive Ajax application development by allowing you to compile your C# source code into JavaScript. It allows you to use standard .NET tools like msbuild projects, Visual Studio and IDE intellisense, reflector, refactoring tools, amongst various others.

#3 AJAX Control Toolkit
http://www.codeplex.com/AtlasControlToolkit
The AJAX Control Toolkit is a joint project between the community and Microsoft. Built upon the ASP.NET 2.0 AJAX Extensions, the Toolkit aims to be the biggest and best collection of web-client components available.

#4 .NET Mass Downloader
http://www.codeplex.com/NetMassDownloader
Mass Downloader For .Net Framework which allows you do download .Net Framework source code in batch.
The tool which enables offline debugging of .Net Framework in VS2008(including Express Editions) , VS2005 (including Express Editions), and Codegear Rad Studio.

#5 MVC Contrib - MvcContrib.org
http://www.codeplex.com/MVCContrib
This project will be a series of assemblies that add functionality to Microsoft's ASP.NET MVC Framework and make the framework easier to use. *Download the MVC Framework CTP here: http://asp.net/downloads/3.5-extensions/. Download here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=105029. Some of the items to be included are ...

#5+1 ASP.NET Upload Utility: Big Mailer
http://www.codeplex.com/bigmailer
Email something huge: The big mailer project allows you to upload large files to your website and then retrieve a convenient url for email and other uses.

#5+2 Visual Studio Most Recent Files Utility
http://www.codeplex.com/vsrecentfiles
Manage your recent projects and solutions list for Visual Studio. Supports VS 2003, 2005, and 2008.

[OK, those last two are projects are mine, but they are pretty cool.]

Did I miss something spectacular? Add it to the comments below!

- Michael Kennedy

If you'v been using my Visual Studio Recent Files Utility, then you may be interested to find out that I just released it as open source on CodePlex here.

    Visual Studio Recent Files Utility on CodePlex

Enjoy!

Hi All,

I recently added my Big Mailer project to CodePlex.

     Big Mailer on CodePlex

You can download the source code among other things.

Enjoy!

I often have to send large files around by email. For example, I had to email a colleague a 10 MB file. It seems a little rude to hit him out of the blue with a 10 MB email. I wanted something cleaner and less intrusive.

So I created a simple utility I called "Big Mailer". I figured I'd blog about it and share it with the world. Feel free to use it as you see fit. This program consists of both a client and server piece that simplifies uploading content to your web site. Then the program gives you a regular web link you can send via email.

Here's a screen shot:

You can download and install it via ClickOnce here:

Install Big Mailer (700 KB)

You must have the following to use this program:

1. .NET 3.5 Framework installed on the client
2. .NET 3.5 Framework on the server
3. An ASP.NET web site to host the WCF service

After you install the client, click "Host Service" and you'll get the server side code to drop onto your ASP.NET web site. There is a test web site with instructions in that code.

If you don't have an ASP.NET web site to host the service at you can always use public services like Drop Boks (a great service!) or other file sharing sites. The benefit of this program / service is that you retain control of the files and you can conceivably send more sensitive content.

You can also just use FTP if you have that for your web site, but I hate FTP personally. I don't like fighting the firewall issues and I don't want it running on my servers.

So this program allows you to upload content of unlimited size, without FTP, without sending your files to a third party. Also, it sends everything in 16KB blocks, rather than one giant http message. So you get the benefit of both being able to send huge files (say 1 GB) and you get progress / cancel support.

One feature that's notably lacking is authentication. I'll probably release an update with security built-in. For now, take that into consideration before using it.

Enjoy!

PS - This project is now Open Source and is host on CodePlex.

Here's a followup post on the .NET ThreadPool bug that I described here:

Breaking Changes in the ThreadPool: The Movie

I have been in touch with the guys who are in charge of the ThreadPool and they have both confirmed that this is a bug and that they are planning on fixing it in .NET 2.0 SP2 - but they are not sure of the timeline for its release.

In the meantime, Vance Morrison, a .NET Runtime Performance Architect at Microsoft, has given me this work-around.

Take this "broken" code:

	private static void UseThreadPool(int count)
        {
            for ( int i = 0; i < count; i++ )
            {
                ThreadPool.QueueUserWorkItem(
                    delegate { SlowMethod(); } );
            }
        }

And add a strategic Thread.Sleep and it's fixed:

	private static void UseThreadPool(int count)
        {
            for ( int i = 0; i < count; i++ )
            {
                ThreadPool.QueueUserWorkItem(
                    delegate { SlowMethod(); } );
		Thread.Sleep(1);
            }
        }