Marco Casario | RIAvolutionize the web

Developing with Adobe AIR and Microsoft Silverlight Crash Course

I've just found this interesting track at the Web Directions conference that this year has some  Rich Internet Application tracks :

Developing with Adobe AIR and Microsoft Silverlight

Web Directions focusses on practical and inspiring concepts, technologies and techniques for people whose day to day job is building web sites, applications and services. It’s for web designers, front and back end developers, product managers, Information Architects, and anyone else responsible for building great web solutions

Understanding Microsoft WPF, Silverlight and Blend 2

Yesterday and today I'm attending a training on Windows Presentation Foundation and Silverlight at the Microsoft headquarter in Italy.

I finally understand a lot of things about WPF, Blend 2, Silverlight and it's now more clear to me.

At the end of the training I'll post some of the notes I took.

PS: Thanks to Scott and Roberto of  Microsoft for the opportunity :)

Flex vs Silverlight round 2

I wrote some times ago a post titled Flex vs Microsoft Silverlight took some notes and trying to show advantages/disadvantages to use Flex or
I'm playing around with Silverlight (while I use to work hard hard with Flex as you probably know) and I discovered that none mechanism to create and handle data binding exists at the moment.

As I wrote on the Chapter 1 of my upcoming book (sorry for the marketing activity ;)), Flex Solutions:Essential Techniques for Flex 2 and Flex 3 Developers, one of the features of Flex  that you use more during the development phase of an application is data binding.  For data binding in Flex, we mean the process which binds an object to a component in such a way that the latter becomes automatically added when the value to which it is binded changes. In Flex there are three methods to create a data binding: 

• Using the curly braces syntax
• With the <mx:Binding> tag defined in the MXML code
• Declaring the BindingUtils method with Actionscript

The first beta of Microsoft Silverlight doesn't allow developers to have the support for data binding. Even JavaFX doesn't forget to support this important feature :
Carrying that approach to data binding, JavaFX is supposed to enable developers to create and configure components by automatically synchronizing application data with GUI widgets. Sun also claims that the language is far more scalable for the Java environment compared to other scripting languages, as it is supposed to be able to handle very large programs in Java. (via ComputerBusiness)

Flex wins this second round !

Flex 2 vs Microsoft Silverlight - First Round

Microsoft Silverlight has been announced and you can find many posts and articles around the net about this technology.
I was very interested about Silverlight and I tried to go deep to better understand what it offers and how it could differ from Flex 2.
I would like to create a comparing table to

These are notes I wrote so far :

- Starting from the scratch : the Silverlight plugin has about 0% penetration at the moment. Flash player is everywhere
- Silverlight seams to be very .Net dependent. Flex is totally independent to server side technology used
- It does not offer J2EE integration and enterprise messaging. Flex offers  Flex Data Services (now Livecycle Data Services)
- No support for Linux browsers/systems. Flash Player runs on Win, Mac, Liunux, Sun Solaris
- SOA( WebServices and XML) based services only. Flex has three RPC services : HTTP, SOA and Remote Object (with AMF3)
- Low information about Silverlight Mobile. Flex is not mobile (so far) :))

Instead, what impressed me it's the video capabilities of Silverlight. At the moment this is the only feature that could compete with the Flash Player capabilities.

It leverages the VC-1 codec and it supports HD DVD and Blu-ray and the DRM features.

In the next days I'll feel more confident so I'll give you more detailed informations and comparing notes.

Microsoft released its hosted streaming service (for free) :Silverlight Streaming

Microsoft is out with its proposal for hosted streaming service tat runs both on Windows and Mac :

Microsoft Silverlight Streaming by Windows Live is a companion service for Silverlight that makes it easier for developers and designers to deliver and scale rich media as part of their Silverlight applications. The service offers web designers and developers a free and convenient solution for hosting and streaming cross-platform, cross-browser media experiences and rich interactive applications that run on Windows™ and Mac.

The storage and delivery is free up to 4 GB,                         with outbound streaming up to DVD quality (700 Kbps).

Microsoft brand-new home page !

I saw the new Microsoft Home page only today, but I discovered that it was published on 14th December. This is a clear signal ;)
Frankly speaking I found the new desing more usable and it makes easier to quickly search for different stuff on Microsoft site.
But they removed the Flash content on the center for a simple image ;)
I'd love to see some use of ajax or something like that for the search feature !

XBox360 Live on Mobile

EngadgetMobile reported that Microsoft announced their Xbox Live concept and extends it to the PC, Windows Mobile and even Java-enabled phones.
Whether you're at your PC or rocking a mobile, you'll be able to track your gamer tag, message friends, purchase content for that device or set it to download to another device, and of course compare rankings with your buddies on various gaming titles.

Microsoft XBox 360 announced for November worldwide

Microsoft had already announced plans to launch the Xbox 360 console this year in the United States ahead of the holiday season, which begins in late November.

Next InternetExplorer will support RSS

via CNET:

Company will build support for Really Simple Syndication into the
next version of Internet Explorer, as well as into Longhorn.

Microsoft plans to make Really Simple Syndication a whole lot simpler. Really.

The software maker said on Friday that it will build support for RSS into the next version of Internet Explorer, as well as into Longhorn, the Windows update scheduled to arrive next year.

"We really think that RSS is going to be key to how people use the Internet in the future," said Gary Schare, a director of strategic product management for Microsoft's Windows unit. "Because of that we are betting really big on RSS in Longhorn by integrating RSS throughout the operating system."

Read the entire article.

Video-Filled Text with XAML

via XAML Share site I found an example that uses the Outlined Text custom control :

Notes:

You may need the latest drivers for video in Avalon to work correctly. The below download includes a little water video.

XAML:

<MediaElement Name="myMediaElement"/>

Code Behind:

        private void WindowLoaded(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {

            OutlinedText myVideoText = new OutlinedText();
            myVideoText.TextContent = "RELAX";
            myVideoText.FontFamily = new FontFamily("Arial Black");
            myVideoText.FontSize = 200;

            myMediaElement.Source = new MediaTimeline(new Uri("water.mpg", UriKind.Relative));
            myMediaElement.Clip = myVideoText.TextGeometry;
        }

Web Services Enhancements for Microsoft .NET

via MSDN:

Web Services Enhancements for Microsoft .NET (WSE) is a supported add-on to Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework providing developers the latest advanced Web services capabilities to keep pace with the evolving Web services protocol specifications.

Download the Technology Preview of Web Services Enhancements 3.0 Get an early version of Web Services Enhacements 3.0 with better security support, policy enhancements, MTOM support, integration with Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2, and more.

Download the Technology Preview of Web Services Enhancements 3.0 Get an early version of Web Services Enhacements 3.0 with better security support, policy enhancements, MTOM support, integration with Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2, and more.

AJAX for .NET 2.0

via MSDN blogs :

The Asynchronous Javascript and Xml Pattern for dynamic web apps has a new implementation for .Net 2.0
http://ajax.schwarz-interactive.de/csharpsample/default.aspx

Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Overview

I found a nice article about Microsoft Windows Mobile 5. It's a rich overview of new features of MS mobile OS.

With Windows Mobile 5.0 Microsoft has focused on refining the existing concept of the Pocket PC and Smartphone. Rich Hall covered the high level changes in his article “First Look… Windows Mobile 5.0” Pocket PC Magazine, July 2005. This article expands on the new features of Windows Mobile 5.0 based on working with it.

Also check these articles :

Preview of the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 (Magneto)

Introducing Windows Mobile 5 from MSDN

Microsoft working on file-sharing application

via CNET NEWS :

Microsoft is working on its own file-sharing application, code-named Avalanche.

Unveiled at a Microsoft open house by its United Kingdom researchers in Cambridge, the project is the company's own take on peer-to-peer file-sharing technology such as BitTorrent.

While Avalanche is based on a different system than BitTorrent, both are essentially used for the same purpose--to distribute large files between a number of users. In BitTorrent's case, that's largely downloading Linux distributions and cracked versions of movies.

A Microsoft spokesman, however, said there was to be no network naughtiness with Avalanche: "It includes strong security to ensure content providers are uniquely identifiable and to prevent unauthorized parties from offering content for download."

BitTorrent works essentially by breaking the information, or files, down into chunks. To build up a BitTorrent file, a user needs all the chunks. Some, however, are made available more often than others, which can create problems. In the Avalanche P2P equivalent, not all the chunks are needed to complete the file. The downside of the Avalanche system is that users can actually end up downloading more chunks than they need. But, claims Microsoft, because the load is spread more evenly, it can be more efficient.

Microsoft Command Shell beta 1, codename Monad, released

Microsoft has released Beta 1 of the Microsoft Command Shell,  a separate software program that provides direct communication between the user and the operating system.
You can use the command shell to create and edit batch files to automate routine tasks. For example, you can use scripts to automate the management of user accounts or nightly backups. You can also use the Windows Script Host, CScript.exe, to run more sophisticated scripts in the command shell. You can perform operations more efficiently by using batch files than you can by using the user interface. Batch files accept all commands that are available at the command line. For more information about batch files and scripting, see Using batch files

To download the new bits, please visit BetaPlace.

Microsoft offers beta of Adobe rival, code-named Acrylic

via CNET News:

Microsoft has released a test version of a new professional graphics tool code-named Acrylic.

The software is based on Expression, the graphics application Microsoft acquired with its 2003 purchase of Hong Kong company Creature House, the software giant said on its Web site.

Microsoft describes the software--currently available as a 77MB free download--as bringing together pixel-based painting and vector graphics features. These capabilities will put the product squarely in the market currently dominated by software maker Adobe Systems with its pixel-focused Photoshop and vector-driven Illustrator products.

Acrylic appears to support opening and exporting to Photoshop and Illustrator file formats, as well as other standard graphics formats. In addition, the application appears to be able to export to Adobe's Portable Document Format, or PDF.

However, Microsoft noted Acrylic would not currently save pixel-type data to formats other than its native XPR file type.

Although a Macintosh version of Expression was available before the Microsoft purchase, the software giant said the test version of Acryclic cannot be used with the Apple Computer platform.

The test software, or beta, also has a limited life; it will expire Oct. 1.

Microsoft has recommended relatively high system specifications for Acrylic, saying consumers should preferably run the software on an Intel Pentium 4 machine, with Windows XP Service Pack 2, 512MB of memory, 500MB of disk space and a pressure-sensitive graphics tablet supporting the WinTab interface.

eTest applications for Windows Mobile 5.0 software for Pocket PC

via Microsoft :

We’re pleased to release localized Emulator Images that enable you to test your applications for Windows Mobile 5.0 software for Pocket PC. These images can be used in conjunction with the Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK includes an emulator that uses a virtual machine to run the full WM 5.0 Pocket PC independent of your main operating system on the same machine.

WindowsMobile 5 updates and .NET Compact Framework Version 2.0 beta

New features in Exchange Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 deliver complete mobile messaging solution, draw industry support.

ORLANDO, Fla. — June 6, 2005 — Today at Microsoft® Tech•Ed 2005, Microsoft Corp.’s largest annual technology education conference, Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft, announced the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile™ 5.0, software based on wireless features coming in Exchange Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2) to address requests by business customers for a faster, more direct messaging experience, improved security management, and better cost efficiencies and scalability in their mobile messaging solutions. In addition to providing IT administrators with the ability to better manage and protect information on a device, the feature pack includes Direct Push Technology, which keeps the business user’s Outlook® Mobile up to date by delivering information quickly and directly to a Windows Mobile-based device from Exchange Server, without requiring businesses to pay for additional and costly servers or middleware.

See the entire Microsoft Answers Call From Businesses With Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 Press Release

NET Compact Framework version 2.0 beta 2 will run applications built with both .NET Compact Framework 1.0 and 2.0 beta 2.

This release supports Windows Mobile Software for Pocket PC 2003 Pocket PC, Microsoft Windows Mobile™ version 5.0 for Pocket PC and Smartphone, and Windows CE .NET 5.0.

Download the NET Compact Framework version 2.0

Share your Avalon code

XAMLshare is a central place for designers, developers, or anyone else to find and share XAML samples, controls, and styles for user interfaces based on Microsoft "Avalon". Look around to learn what "Avalon" and XAML can do!

MEDC (mobile and embedded developer's conference ) 2005 videos

Mike Hall has lots of videos from the mobile and embedded developer's conference that was held earlier this week here in Las Vegas.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Microsoft has wrapped up development on the first major update to its Windows Server 2003 operating system and released it for download.

Learn About and Install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

The MS Overview :
Install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to help secure your server and to better defend against hackers. Windows Server 2003 SP1 enhances security infrastructure by providing new security tools such as Security Configuration Wizard, which helps secure your server for role-based operations, improves defense-in-depth with Data Execution Protection, and provides a safe and secure first-boot scenario with Post-setup Security Update Wizard. Windows Server 2003 SP1 assists IT professionals in securing their server infrastructure and provides enhanced manageability and control for Windows Server 2003 users.