Entries for keeron

Official release (1.0) of Windows API Code Pack for .NET framework [Official release (1.0) of Windows API Code Pack for .NET framework]

keeron — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:09:36 GMT

If you are looking for developing for Win7/Vista using C#/.NET, this is a great start. These is the first full (1.0) release of the Windows API code Pack - library that provides access to a ton of Win7, Vista features from any .NET language.

There's lots of C# and VB.NET samples.

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WindowsAPICodePack

The Windows SDK should also release soon ...

in reply to Official release (1.0) of Windows API Code Pack for .NET framework

Vista SP1 beta release today [Vista SP1 beta release today]

keeron — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:59:09 GMT

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/09/24/sp1-beta-release-available-today.aspx

"Today we release the Beta of windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) to a private group of Beta testers via connect.microsoft.com. Brandon over on the Windows Experience blog has installed and regularly uses SP1 on all of his machines (as do I) and discusses the more notable elements of it. We'll review some of the changes made in SP1 later this week on the blog; what’s more, our VP of Product Management, Mike Nash, answers questions about Windows Vista and SP1 in a video on Channel9. Meanwhile, I invite you to read the SP1 white paper we published last month.

We also released today five reliability packages via connect.microsoft.com for testing by selected members of the community. These packages consist of numerous improvements to Windows Vista based on user feedback, and while they will also ultimately be part of SP1, we're working to make them available before the final version of SP1 is released so that your Windows Vista experience is the best we can make it. But for now, they're still undergoing testing and will come your way once they're ready for prime time.

The same goes for SP1: keep your eyes peeled and stick with us here on the blog, as we'll let you know how SP1 is progressing."

Yeah, I know I am quoting the article and not adding anything :) (sorry Raymond!) But this is great news! I am in the beta program, so lets see when we get the email.

From what I "hear", the performance fixes done are really great.

Now waiting for the beta download and C9 exclusive (can we get the vidoe of them signing off, like we got for the Longhorn server beta)

- Keeron

in reply to Vista SP1 beta release today

Silverlight has RTM'd! (1.0) ... Linux support coming too [Silverlight has RTM'd! (1.0) ... Linux support coming too]

keeron — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:47:32 GMT

C9 video (posted few seconds back)
http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/robert/archive/2007/09/04/silverlight-1-0-has-rtmed-announces-linux-support.aspx

"Microsoft has released Silverlight 1.0 to the web today, and announced that they have partnered with Novell to build the Linux implementation of Silverlight, called Moonlight. That means that Silverlight now has support on all 3 major OS platforms"

in reply to Silverlight has RTM'd! (1.0) ... Linux support coming too

C9: Visual Studio 2008 Shell interview, please? [C9: Visual Studio 2008 Shell interview, please?]

keeron — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:32:21 GMT

Charles / Rory,
Could you guys get hold of someone from the VS extensibility team and go over this newly announced product? (VS 2008 Shell). The concept is pretty cool and I can see a lot of uses for this, but more info would be good.

Some links:
http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde/archive/2007/06/04/visual-studio-2008-shell.aspx

http://msdn.com/vstudio/shell

- Keeron

in reply to C9: Visual Studio 2008 Shell interview, please?

Announced at TechEd - Microsoft SDK for OpenXML (.NET API) [Announced at TechEd - Microsoft SDK for OpenXML (.NET API)]

keeron — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:00:58 GMT

This is pretty cool... just announced at the TechEd, APIs for working with OpenXML using .NET. The APIs are built on top of the System.IO.Packaging APIs (.NET 3.0). A couple of open source projects (CodePlex and elsewhere) started on this, but good to see something coming out of Microsoft. (could be the same project, since I think the one at CodePlex was by an MS employee)

http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde/archive/2007/06/04/microsoftsdk-for-open-xml-formats.aspx

in reply to Announced at TechEd - Microsoft SDK for OpenXML (.NET API)

Beta testers start your download !! Vista Pre-RC1 [Beta testers start your download !! Vista Pre-RC1]

keeron — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 03:48:23 GMT

http://www.longhornblogs.com/robert/archive/2006/08/24/Windows_Vista_Pre_RC1_Is_Available_Now.aspx

Now back to downloading ....

in reply to Beta testers start your download !! Vista Pre-RC1

Google WiFi launched - Free in CA (Trusted testers) [Google WiFi launched - Free in CA (Trusted testers)]

keeron — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 03:25:49 GMT

http://wifi.google.com/city/mv/apmap.html

Select spots, and only few "trusted" testers.

Are you one of them? (if so, how's the speed)

in reply to Google WiFi launched - Free in CA (Trusted testers)

AOL Employee Handbook [AOL Employee Handbook]

keeron — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:51:38 GMT

Well if you are planning to do an internship or work at something other than "customer relations" this might not be helpful...

http://consumerist.com/consumer/exclusive/aol-retention-manual-revealed-188005.php

Edit: Site's down
http://www.duggmirror.com/tech_news/Details_of_AOL_customer_retention_manual_revealed!/

in reply to AOL Employee Handbook

Symantec sues Microsoft [Symantec sues Microsoft]

keeron — Thu, 18 May 2006 23:58:35 GMT

Let the battles begin!

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B74A06C55-9F29-4A59-B69A-F5EAB75D96B6%7D&siteid=google

"....Symantec Corp. said that it filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corp., alleging the world's largest software firm misappropriated Symantec intellectual property and breached a contract between the two companies."

(Any idea what technology they are talking about ? Its some feature in Vista, is it the TFS? )

in reply to Symantec sues Microsoft

Microsoft Rock [Microsoft Rock]

keeron — Sun, 14 May 2006 05:35:00 GMT

Microsoft Rock (no pun intended)

Wow...

(Posting the indirect link to the article as the comments on the digg.com article were funny)

http://digg.com/software/Microsoft_sets_to_stop_piracy..._by_sending_in_a_rock_

They should get Rock (the moviestar) to do the ad

Jamie, quick ... use your skills and give us a "Rock"park

in reply to Microsoft Rock

Drag-drop your windows taskbar buttons ! [Drag-drop your windows taskbar buttons !]

keeron — Thu, 11 May 2006 17:45:23 GMT

W33bo might like this :-)

Source: Digg.com

http://www.freewebs.com/nerdcave/taskbarshufflev10.htm

- Keeron

in reply to Drag-drop your windows taskbar buttons !

Experiences with UI Automation framework and Winform Apps [Experiences with UI Automation framework and Winform Apps]

keeron — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 20:36:09 GMT

UI Automation (UIA) is the new framework by MS (supposed to replace the MSAA accessbility framework). They've included this in the WinFX SDK, but from reading the sdk/articles it looks like you can use it with any managed (or even unmanaged) application.

Wanted to get a sense from anyone who has used the UIA framework for their managed (Winforms) apps.

Our product is based on Winforms/.NET 2.0, but instead of standard controls we have a Office 07 look/feel and that brings other issues like navigation and control support (from UIA framework). There are no real "menus" or toolbars...

I am guessing the UIA framework doesn't really care about the type of UI.. I can use the button control (from the framework) for my Ribbon tabs, etc..

Has anyone used this in their business apps or even small projects? Care to post some sample code (there is good SDK / msdn articles on the UIA, but I can't find a small end-to-end sample app anywhere).

in reply to Experiences with UI Automation framework and Winform Apps

How would you integrate Vista features into your current app? [How would you integrate Vista features into your current app?]

keeron — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 03:54:47 GMT

This might belong to the techoff forum, but here it goes anyways -

I am interested in knowing how existing applications will take advantage of the Vista features (i.e. deep integration into Vista)? This mostly goes for the medium to large sized applications who can really use the various features Vista provides (for developers). However, anyone is free to chip in :)

Our product is significantly large...and we can use almost every feature Vista has to offer (for integration). Things like RSS feeds for event, search/organization of files, XPS printing, Avalon/Indigo, Vista user interface - the glass, task dialogs, aero wiards, restart manager, least-user security/esclation of rights, etc ... and the list goes on.

But trying to put these at once is not possible...so I've started out with existing released product (works on XP/Win2k3/Vista) but does not take any advantage of Vista.. I get the free stuff like cool controls, file open dialogs modified for vista, etc... but not much. Just wondering how much people are planning to change their products (initially and then latest releases).

One drawback is that there arent many sample applications or code given by Microsoft (PDC had some great demos and sessions, but for most non-attendees there isnt much to see). Also, the SDKs are lacking the kind of samples you need to get started with your current application.

Thoughts?

in reply to How would you integrate Vista features into your current app?

December CTP for Vista - setting the enviornment for Windows SDK [December CTP for Vista - setting the enviornment for Windows SDK]

keeron — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 19:25:55 GMT

I have installed the December CTP components:

Vista 5270
Windows SDK (WinFX, Vista Platform SDK, etc)
WinFX Runtimes and Extentions for VS 2005 incl. Cider

I am trying to use the Vista specific APIs in a simple Windows based app. Currently just playing with the Task Dialog APIs, but I also noticed some of the samples in the SDK don't work in Vista (if they are using Vista-specific APIs).

Here's what I've tried:

1. Just run the VS 2005 from start menu, create a simple MFC app and write the task dialog sample using SDK documentation. It's not finding the task dialog header definations. I've tried including the right header file, changing the VC include directories, etc.

2. Run the SDK command prompt, and then start devenv.exe from there... repeat step 1 ... no gain.

3. Run the Sdk prompt, use nmake and makefile and compile a simple C++ program that launches the task dialog.

In all cases its complaining about the header and function definations for these Vista specific APIs. Its finding the header files, except its just using the VC++ version or the default (and not the Windows SDK version that defines a newer set of APIs).

How are you guys programming on Windows Vista? Anyone has expereince using these vista-specific APIs? these would be the TaskDialog, RestartManager, IFilter, etc..

FYI, some of the samples compile on XP ... but they don't work well because the OS isnt supporting these features. Right now I can't even get the compilation done in Vista.

Thanks,
Keeron

in reply to December CTP for Vista - setting the enviornment for Windows SDK

Start your downloads! The Decemeber CTP for Vista is out! [Start your downloads! The Decemeber CTP for Vista is out!]

keeron — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 17:05:57 GMT

It's bigger and better!

(I just looked at the post few seconds back, so not sure if the download links are up, but if not they will be soon. Today was the day it was forcasted)

http://blogs.msdn.com/tomarcher/archive/2005/12/19/505502.aspx

This is looking to be the best CTP ever! Tools from the Orca release of VS are there, new Platform SDK, Vista build, WinFX runtimes! WoW!

- Keeron

in reply to Start your downloads! The Decemeber CTP for Vista is out!

Breaking news: US Air marshals fire shots at a man (bomb threat) [Breaking news: US Air marshals fire shots at a man (bomb threat)]

keeron — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 21:56:43 GMT

http://cnn.com (or if you are fox fan, http://foxnews.com)

This was a working feed but seems to have problems (MSNBC) - http://www.11alive.com/video/speedera_live.asx

"A man was shot dead Wednesday by an air marshal at Miami International Airport after saying he had a bomb, according to several sources familiar with the incident. He was chased from the plane and shot on the walkway between the aircraft and the terminal, a Department of Homeland Security official said. Armed SWAT officers and law enforcement vehicles surrounded the American Airlines Boeing 757, which was en route from Medellin, Colombia, to Orlando, Florida."

Update: seems like they didnt find any bombs in the luggage. Seems odd that he'd have a bomb in the first place (luggage was gone thru atleast 2 checkpoints). But the analysts were dicussing what the airmarshals did was the right thing, given the circumstances and security measures they have in place. Unfortunatly he was not carrying a bomb (was mentally ill as per his wife), but if he was indeed carying one......

in reply to Breaking news: US Air marshals fire shots at a man (bomb threat)

And so it begins again ..... (Nov. Vista CTP, Build 5259) [And so it begins again ..... (Nov. Vista CTP, Build 5259)]

keeron — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 22:31:27 GMT

Longhornblogs: http://www.longhornblogs.com/robert/archive/2005/11/22/15309.aspx

Neowin: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=400858&st=0

Can anyone confirm if this is compatible with the recently released Nov. WinFX CTP and VS 2005 RTM?

<praying> (please come soon on MSDN ..... ) </praying>
<waiting/>

- Keeron

in reply to And so it begins again ..... (Nov. Vista CTP, Build 5259)

WinFX CTP build for VS 2005 RTM (the real links!!) [WinFX CTP build for VS 2005 RTM (the real links!!)]

keeron — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:08:58 GMT

http://blogs.msdn.com/brada/archive/2005/11/18/494283.aspx

Ok, this is the real deal! Have already started installing the runtimes....

Wooohooo!! VS 2005 RTM, here we come :-)

EDIT: The link for VS Extensions for WinFX Nov CTP is not working. Either Brad's blog page, or the link given by Microsoft on their winfx download bar (right-side navigation when you are downloading the SDK). Hopefully they fix this soon..but until then we can go ahead and install all the other things (this is the last piece of the puzzle).

in reply to WinFX CTP build for VS 2005 RTM (the real links!!)

Sub-windows (MDI) in Avalon? [Sub-windows (MDI) in Avalon?]

keeron — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 17:45:40 GMT

Before anyone jumps on me :) I know you can do this via HWND interop and using WinForms, but I am trying to find alternatives (for a reason).

I know it's been done...one of the developers (msn space blog), Mentas, had a screenshot of it in Avalon - but with nothing more (no info on how did, or what he used). Chris Anderson has been doing it for some time with his AvPad (his 2nd version of XamlPad). The latest sources don't seem to work with Sept. CTP and the code is too confusing to abstract out (just the MDI part).

Couple of other people at MS have also mentioned this, and almost everyone says Interop is the best way, but for certain things (like small property windows or dialogs) you probably want to use Avalon for the 'coolness' factor. So, how do we do it?

Anyone working on a sample, or prototype that would like to share the code/ideas?

in reply to Sub-windows (MDI) in Avalon?

Vista-style dialogs and applications - Which SDK to use? [Vista-style dialogs and applications - Which SDK to use?]

keeron — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 04:14:25 GMT

okay I have a question and it could be a simple (silly) one, but I am struggling to find an ans:

What should I use to create Vista style dialogs, wizards and apps in general? I have the PDC build installed (also had Beta 1 previously) but didnt find anything installed (SDKs) by default. I just downloaded the Longhorn Beta 1 SDK from MSDN (the only one I could see that relates to Vista) - but that just looks like a normal Platform SDK - nothing about the Vista guidelines.

I am refering to the Vista UX guidelines and they talk about the new dialogs, wizards, controls etc that apps should use (if deployed on vista), but how??!

I am pretty sure the APIs are both managed and unmanaged (so win32 apps can use them), and its definately different than WinFX, so where is it guys? Any blogs/samples you've come across?

Thanks

in reply to Vista-style dialogs and applications - Which SDK to use?

Avalon (WinFx Beta 1) "Digital Ink" samples / TabletPC SDK [Avalon (WinFx Beta 1) "Digital Ink" samples / TabletPC SDK]

keeron — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 05:28:54 GMT

WinFX library (@ msdn) recently got updated with the Beta 1 SDK, and they've added some new samples - the most exciting according to me - Digital Ink / tablet pc sdk usage in Avalon

http://winfx.msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/wcp_conceptual/html/652a0023-44e3-4b97-927f-bd323732a6ce.asp

3 out of 4 samples work well with the WinFX RC1 and VS 2005 Beta 2 (There is no visual studio integration for VS 2005 B1 and WinFX Beta 1). The really cool sample, Handwriting recognition, didnt work :( I am guessing its a Beta 1 thing, since after Beta1 RC SDK was released I havent seen any detailed sample or discussion on this feature (or even detailed samples on InkCanvas).

If you are really excited about Avalon or a avid Tablet PC dev, try those samples out. (and please tell me how the heck to get that handwriting thingy going ... its looks so awesom! - especially since I don't have a tablet ;) )

Great work by the Avalon team - all we need (apart from the final release of the sdk :) ) is great samples like these .......

- Keeron

Edit: The handwriting sample just crashed on me (you'll need the tablet pc sdk for this, and possibly a reboot - but a reboot didnt seem to help avoid the crash). You can run the other samples without the tablet pc sdk.

in reply to Avalon (WinFx Beta 1) "Digital Ink" samples / TabletPC SDK

MS updates their Genuine Windows Validation (after hacker attack?) [MS updates their Genuine Windows Validation (after hacker attack?)]

keeron — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 19:07:50 GMT

Tried to download the image version of the WinFX SDK (the web version was released few days back) and saw a new Windows Validation:

Try it out your self:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/exeValidation.aspx?FamilyID=64193cc5-d566-402c-a211-ba48b312cf6d&displaylang=en

There's a "enter verification code" box (extra step compared to last time). I don't how the earlier method was hacked and how to bypass this, but this now looks like a much improved method and harder to bypass/hack (ofcourse, if you are pirate and you love your job, you'll find your way :) )

(if this indeed is a step forward by MS to respond to the hacker attack) Way to go microsoft! Great job

- Keeron

in reply to MS updates their Genuine Windows Validation (after hacker attack?)

WinFX Beta 1 SDK available (7/29/05) [WinFX Beta 1 SDK available (7/29/05)]

keeron — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:44:32 GMT

Seems like its available again (web install I guess, not the actual MSI)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=23a22468-5807-4ff7-a363-ce6fe69b8f04&displaylang=en

- Keeron

in reply to WinFX Beta 1 SDK available (7/29/05)

Help - .NET framework, WinFX (Avalon, Whidbey on Longhorn Beta 1 [Help - .NET framework, WinFX (Avalon, Whidbey on Longhorn Beta 1]

keeron — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:19:57 GMT

Help ! :)

I've managed to install longhorn beta 1 on a VPC. It runs fine, but seems to be lacking .NET framework (I can't also find signs of WinFX SDK).

Tried to go to Add/Remove programs and see if I can "Add" these, but nope. The ISO image does not seem to have a easily identifiable folder for the framework or the SDK.

Any idea where they are or how to install them?

I have Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 ISO, but the setup seems to be failing on longhorn. The setup screen points me to a known issues page but nothing helpful with regards to Longhorn beta 1 install.

- Keeron

in reply to Help - .NET framework, WinFX (Avalon, Whidbey on Longhorn Beta 1

Windows Vista (Longhorn Beta 1) on MSDN [Windows Vista (Longhorn Beta 1) on MSDN]

keeron — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 18:15:25 GMT

http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/

Windows Vista™ Beta 1 Available to MSDN Subscribers
MSDN subscribers now have access to Windows Vista™. Download Beta 1 and start testing your applications today!

I don't see it in my list yet (I have professional subscription)

in reply to Windows Vista (Longhorn Beta 1) on MSDN