Error CS1061 upgrading to ASP.NET MVC3 Preview 1

I just encountered a problem upgrading a client’s website from ASP.NET MVC2 to the preview of MVC3:

Compiler Error Message: CS1061: ‘object’ does not contain a definition for ‘StartDate’ and no extension method ‘StartDate’ accepting a first argument of type ‘object’ could be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

This error happens at runtime when I go to view a particular View in the browser. The view’s Model property was not being typed as my custom type and instead was reverting to the default type of System.Object.

Turns out it’s a known bug that is caused by the fact that the particular view’s .aspx page also has a <% Import %> directive after the <% Page %> directive.

The workaround (until the next preview is released) is to swap the two lines around, so that the <% Page %> is the last directive in the file. eg.

<%@ Import Namespace="Client.Models" %>
<%@ Page Language="C#" MasterPageFile="~/Views/Shared/Site.Master" Inherits="System.Web.Mvc.ViewPage<Client.Models.CustomViewModel>" %>

Book ordering from Borders

I was looking for a book on learning about Excel pivot tables to give as a gift recently (makes a change from chocolates or a gift voucher – I know!) I found Pivot Table Data Crunching For Microsoft Office Excel 2007 on Amazon for $AU37.14 (25.93 + 11.21P&P).

Figuring it would be quicker to get it from a real bookshop, I dropped into the Adelaide Borders bookshop, but they didn’t have it on the shelf 😢

I then tried the Borders website - their online price for the same book is just $AU35.95, and they also happen to have an online price guarantee that they’ll beat Amazon’s standard price + shipping (not required in this case).

It would have been interesting to compare Borders online price to in-store price to see if they were the same. In any case, I ordered from them so we’ll see how quickly they deliver.

This all does make me wonder with the advent of Kindle eBook readers and downloadable movies what the future is for traditional book shops and video rental stores. Not particularly bright I suspect.

Update 3pm

BenMc suggested I have a look at The Book Depository. They have the same book for $AU25.33 with free shipping. Might try them next time!

Rebuilding the home PC on a budget

I purchased an Antec TruePower 550 power supply today, but unfortunately that didn’t solve the BSOD issue, so it looks like I’ll be rebuilding the computer completely. As I’ve already got a decent server for more serious computing tasks, my aim is to do this as economically as I can. I’ve come up with the following list:

I’ll need to add a video card, as my two existing monitors only have VGA input (eg. the motherboard’s DVI-D won’t be suitable).