Hi there! Thanks for reading. To make sure you don't miss future updates, please move this email to your primary inbox, mark it as important, or even drop a quick reply like "yes." This really helps improve the visibility and ensures my newsletters reach you reliably. Today, we're diving into:

• GitHub’s significant steps toward securing developer accounts with 2FA.

• What to look forward to at GitHub Universe 2024.

• Updates in GitHub's project and dependency management workflows.

• The introduction of new file formats and improved container support in .NET 8.

• A reality check on AI myths and the future of software developers.

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GitHub Digest

Enhancing Developer Security: GitHub's Massive 2FA Initiative

GitHub has significantly boosted two-factor authentication (2FA) adoption, securing millions of developers and strengthening the software supply chain.

The blog details GitHub's year-long effort, including research and gradual rollout, to ensure a seamless experience for developers enabling 2FA. By emphasizing stronger authentication methods like passkeys and reducing reliance on SMS, GitHub aims to safeguard against account takeovers and enhance overall security across its platform, setting a standard for others in the industry.

GitHub Universe 2024 Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Having experienced the vibrant atmosphere of GitHub Universe 2023 myself, I'm excited to invite you to join this year's edition—GitHub Universe 2024.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the event promises an even bigger and more inspiring gathering at the new Fort Mason Center venue. Engage with over 100 sessions across five stages, featuring the brightest minds in tech, and explore the latest in AI, developer experience, and security.

With substantial early bird discounts, this event is a must-attend for developers seeking to propel their skills and network.

GitHub’s New Auto-Close Issue Workflow

A much-needed feature has finally been added to GitHub! The new auto-close issue workflow in GitHub Projects now allows issues to be automatically closed when moved to the "Done" column on a project board.

Previously, dragging an issue to the "Done" column did not change its open status, which was a gap in the workflow for many of us. This update simplifies project management, saving time and reducing manual errors by aligning issue status with its actual progress.

Dependabot Joins GitHub Actions: A Seamless Integration for Enhanced Workflow

GitHub has rolled out a new feature that integrates Dependabot updates directly into GitHub Actions, mirroring the explicit workflow integration previously seen with GitHub Pages.

This change allows for Dependabot operations to be managed within Actions, ensuring a more streamlined workflow without additional cost. By enabling Dependabot in this way, users gain better performance, increased error visibility, and a smoother experience in managing dependencies directly within their CI/CD pipelines.

Coding Corner

Debunking AI Hype: Are Developers at Risk of Obsolescence?

This piece by Steven Giesel critically examines the alarmist claim that AI could replace human programmers within five years.

Highlighting the limitations of current AI technologies, such as the inability to refactor or fully understand problem and solution spaces, Giesel reassures that software engineering remains a robust field.

His experience points out that coding is merely a part of the broader problem-solving process that AI is far from mastering. The article urges caution against the overhyped AI narratives circulating online.

Microsoft Open-Sources MS-DOS 4.0

Microsoft has released the source code for MS-DOS 4.0 under the MIT license, a move that celebrates software heritage and supports educational and preservation efforts.

This release includes historical binaries, and documentation, and is part of Microsoft's broader commitment to open source. This initiative allows enthusiasts and developers to explore the early days of personal computing and contributes to digital archaeology, underscoring the impact of MS-DOS in the evolution of modern computing.

.NET Nook

The New .slnx File Format in Visual Studio

Visual Studio is set to revolutionize .NET project management with the introduction of the .slnx file format.

This XML-based solution configuration simplifies the traditionally complex and Guid-heavy .sln format, making merging more straightforward and less error-prone. Still in preview, with potential changes ahead, .slnx supports the latest versions of Visual Studio and Rider, offering a cleaner structure for improved collaboration and version control in software development environments.

Crafting Your Custom Copilot

Discover the approaches for building personalized AI copilots using Microsoft's Azure AI Studio and Microsoft Copilot Studio, as detailed in this two-part blog series.

The article explores low-code solutions to enhance customer service experiences, integrating generative AI models with unique data sources through the Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pattern.

This guide provides a roadmap for leveraging Microsoft's ecosystem to develop AI-driven applications tailored to specific business needs.

.NET 8 Enhances Container Support: Simplified Builds and Advanced Security

.NET 8 marks a significant advancement in container technology with streamlined publishing workflows and enhanced security features. Key updates include non-root images for security, reduced image sizes for performance, and integrated image publishing capabilities.

This version introduces dotnet publish as the primary method for container publishing, emphasizing ease and efficiency by automatically selecting the best base images and configurations for your projects.

Closing Thoughts

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I'll be taking a short holiday, so there won't be a newsletter next week, but I look forward to reconnecting soon.

Stay curious and keep exploring!