AprilR's WebLog : Surface

Surface Hardware - Closed System

AprilR — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:43:00 GMT

We get a lot of inquiries about upgrading this or that in the Surface tables. This is not supported, and as our hardware test guru mentioned, everyone should consider the table a closed system - like an XBOX. The software and hardware components are developed and tested with this in mind, so messing with any components or even unsupported drivers can cause your Surface to have errors, performance issues or even stop working altogether.

For questions about your Surface and table, make sure you are checking the Community site for information, especially before changing the configuration of your table.

http://community.surface.com/

New to Surface? Check out the partner site:

http://partner.surface.com/EN/Pages/default.aspx

AprilR

The Microsoft Surface Team developer contest!

AprilR — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:31:00 GMT

Win a Microsoft Surface!~

WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW…..

Create the most innovative, next-generation application experience for Microsoft Surface and enter to win a Microsoft Surface developer unit! Partner companies who want to develop on the Microsoft Surface platform. First time using Microsoft Surface? Even better. The touch first challenge is a great opportunity to try the Microsoft Surface SDK Workstation Edition, so start developing and you could win the grand prize.

WHERE

On Facebook - check it out: http://www.facebook.com/pages/touch-first-developer-challenge/99041713561

WHEN

It’s happening, now! Enter today. The Challenge continues through Monday, October 12, 2009, at 5 PM PST.

Ten finalists will be selected and notified through a Facebook message on or around Friday, October 15, 2009.

HOW

1. Join the Microsoft Surface QuickStart program and download the Microsoft Surface SDK 1.0 SP1.

2. Design an application built on the Microsoft Surface platform. Submissions will be accepted on either the workstation or developer unit editions of the SDK.

· Application must be based on WPF or XNA to qualify.

· Entry must also apply to one (or more) of the following six industries:
Automotive, Retail, Healthcare, Financial, Hospitality, and/or Public Sector.

3. Create a short video highlight of the application in action. Upload the video to the Microsoft Surface Facebook fan page and complete the entry. Judges from the Microsoft Surface team will review the application alongside all other entries. The most innovative and creative application will win the challenge.

4. Upload and complete the Contest Submission Form on the Surface QuickStart site at:

https://partner.surface.com/login/signin.aspx

5. Email the form to surfacep@microsoft.com.

Have Fun!

Getting my head around multiple users, multi-touch

AprilR — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:29:00 GMT

I'm nearly one week in to the new team and I've already absorbed a lot - from project issues and product planning, to people and processes. Part of my learning plan on the new team, however, is to also get to know the product itself.

This article came through my mail box today, which is good timing. I've been grappling with this myself the past week. I've been trying to think of all of the different things I do collaboratively, and not just in working with others in parallel or through divide-and-conquer. The value of Surface is in the ability for multiple people to work on something together - at the same time, on the same device. v1 of Surface already provides some digital forms of analog activities, like working on a puzzles and looking at pictures.

But what other types of applications would be valuable to a group of people wanting to do something together?

aprilr

Moving on again!

AprilR — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:10:00 GMT

Hey there blog readers :) Just a quick post to let you know that I am moving again - this time to Microsoft Surface

I have been in our Developer Division for 11 years; I have had a great time working on the development of Microsoft Help 3.0, and unforgettable times working on the Visual C++ team. I've enjoyed communicating with all of you over these past few years, too!

But, I am definitely ready to take on a new challenge. I'll be utilizing my project management skills and exploring application of recently learned skills from the UW Bothell MBA program in tackling a new product, business and customer base.

SO, if you want to keep up with the latest on Help 3, make sure you subscribe to the Help 3 team blog and if you use Twitter, follow @Help3! Soon we will be posting a great guide about the new "platform."

If you want to keep up with Visual C++, you probably already know about the C++ Team Blog.

Thanks for all of your comments and support. I hope you follow me to the new world of Surface, too!

April