Free remote version control and Microsoft
I have come to like the Visual Studio development environment but it used to be rotten. The latest version is more standards based but integrating version control into the environment usually means Visual Source Safe (VSS) which is limited to a Local Area Network. This is not very useful for remote collaboration and I wanted something better. I think I found it.
A lack of remote version control for the Microsoft environment would require a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a paid-for VSS clone that would work over the internet. I know that Microsoft have gone on to develop the Team System but it looks complicated for basic needs. I really dislike complicated things so went looking for an easy, cheap alternative of versioning with Visual Studio integration that works over Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
I am now experimenting with a new versioning strategy: using Subversion in a free remotely hosted repository at Slik SVN and the Ankhsvn add-in for Visual Studio 2008. It seems to work reliably and is uncomplicated.
The repository at Slik is free for up to 10mb. The free account allows for remote versioning with anywhere access but is limited to one user. It is possible to add multiple projects to a single Subversion repository.
The Ankhsvn add-in for Visual Studio 2008 has a similar user experience to VSS. It has iconic references (the checkmarks in solution explorer), repository browsing, check-in and out, and labelling. There may be more stuff in there but the basics are covered off quite simply.
I can’t see too many reasons to keep using VSS right now. I’m hoping to upgrade to a multi-user Slik account and try this out on a live client project later this year. I think it’ll be great.
