Prism Module Loading "Incorrect Format"

We ran across this this morning where a colleague was trying to load a module she had built from a DirectoryModuleCatalog into the shell of our Prism application. She was getting an error that the module could not be loaded, an error which included "An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format." We stripped the module down to the bare bones, but still were getting the error. In fact, when we tried debugging, the debugger never even got into the constructor of the module. 


A little research suggested that maybe the Unity dlls being referenced were different, which wouldn't surprise me since VisualStudio seems to go out and add whatever dll might be registered that it thinks fits the bill when you load up a project that another developer had started. After checking and re-checking the references for both the shell and module projects, we determined that probably wasn't it.


Then I found a bit about the build configuration. Her plugin was being built with an X86 target platform and the shell was being built for 'Any CPU' on her x64 machine. Voila. She went into Properties > Build for the Module project and changed the target to x64 (interestingly Any CPU was not available, which is maybe another issue), and the module loads into the shell as expected.

A Letter to Colorado Rep. Laura Bradford

Jan. 31, 2012

Ms. Bradford,

Hugh White, the Senator from Tennessee who succeeded Andrew Jackson, once said, "When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power."

I made the mistake of getting into my car and driving back home to Brighton after enjoying a Rockies game and some beers downtown back in June. It was very irresponsible of me and I am very ashamed for having done it. I was pulled over by Brighton Police less than two miles from home and subsequently was arrested and convicted of a DUI.

I have done everything I have been ordered and advised to do and have finished most of those things early. I have completed 48 hours community service, paid thousands of dollars in fines and fees,attended a MADD victim's panel, done random breathalyzers 3 times per week, completed 24 hours of mandatory alcohol education and another 40 hours of alcohol therapy with another 12 hours left to complete. I went without being able to drive for 30 days mandated by the DMV, about another 30 days because they couldn't find the correct paperwork from my insurance company, and must go the next 2 years with an ignition Interlock system in my vehicle. Not only do I get to face scorn of those around me every time I start my car, but I also cannot travel for work since I cannot rent a car, putting my job in some jeopardy.

It was my first offense.

I impart this to you because you will not have the opportunity to gain the full extent of the implications of driving while intoxicated that my family and I have had the privilege of learning. Luckily I did not have to learn of the more sever consequences that some good people I have had the privilege of meeting have endured - causing damage and going to jail, or even worse hurting or killing another person. So far I have spent at least $3370 on DUI expenses, not including loss of work and vacation time to make scheduled hearings and probation appointments and other unrecorded expenses I paid with cash. The Interlock system is about $70/month and I will have 3 more months of alcohol therapy plus breathalyzers which will add at least another $1500 to that total. It just cash terms the DUI will easily cost me $5000. For that money I could have taken a helicopter home that unfortunate night.

With your position you do not have to deal with that. I am sure the bad press you are getting now is awful. Frankly, I'm sure that most of it is hypocritical coming from many people who have taken drinks and then driven home. As so many of my friends have told me, "That could have been me." But in a few months your bad press will be gone, and me and those without legislative privilege will still be blowing in straws to start our cars. However, with that position you have, you also have a lot of power to take Senator White's full advice and make positive change. Perhaps you will consider donating a portion of that $5000 or so you would have incurred to MADD. I know when I attended the impact panel they could have used more than the $5 I was able to donate. Perhaps you will consider attending an impact panel in your area? I wouldn't expect you to attend the education or therapy sessions that your legislative peers have mandated for anyone who gets caught with alcohol in their systems and isn't in the state legislature, but perhaps you will pick up the materials that every attendee is required to buy?

A few other things that I learned from this experience: Alcohol stays in your system much longer than they say. Your body doesn't process a drink an hour: It's more like a drink every two hours. Carrying a breathalyzer in your car will probably keep you out of more trouble than carrying a gun in your car will get you into. You can purchase breathalyzers on Amazon for around $150. Finally, it's not worth it to EVER get behind the wheel after drinking, even after one drink.

I hope you do not resign from your office, but instead use it to make some positive change in regards to drinking and driving. One thing that personally really bothers me is that a bar patron in Denver cannot hail a cab from the curb, but instead has to make a call or find a designated cab stand. I think more people drink and drive because of this. I've found that the other people I am in classes with generally are all good people who have made a very stupid mistake. There are very harsh consequences of getting caught with that in Colorado. You are really pretty fortunate that you don't have to deal with most of them.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Rice

Brighton, CO