Two new resources have just been published to help you learn about Windows 8.

Windows 8 “Camp in a Box”, RTM Edition

[Update 10/1/2012 – Camp in a Box RTM version]

Recently updated for Windows 8 Release Preview, the Windows 8 “Camp in a Box” includes a variety of content from the Windows 8 Developer Camp event series that’s now underway:

• Session Slides – 20 presentations covering development and design topics
• Hands-on Labs – Available in C# and JavaScript, covering topics such as touch, views, contracts (search/share), media, state, settings, tiles & notifications, and more.
• Samples – Including HTML, XAML, and C++ versions of the “Contoso Cookbook” Metro style app as well as an HTML “Platformer” game.
• Resources – Links to some useful sites

After installing, you’ll find a “Default.htm” link on your desktop. Open it to get launch a content directory:

Of course you can also open the directory where you installed the Camp in a Box, but the HTML interface is a friendly way to begin exploring.

Windows 8 Release Preview Virtual Labs

[Update 7/23/2012 – JavaScript labs now available!]

The “Camp in a Box” is great for downloading labs to work on your own machine, but there’s now another option as well...

The Windows 8 Virtual Labs let you dive in and learn about Windows 8 development without having to install everything on your own machine.  It uses an ActiveX control to let you connect to a remote server where everything is configured and ready for you.

You can work (in 90-minute segments – and yes, you can get more as you need) on this set of C# labs, all updated for Release Preview:

• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 1 - Creating a Windows 8 Metro Style App - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 2 - Orientation, Snapping, and Semantic Zoom - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 3 - Searching and Sharing - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 4 - Application Bars and Media Capture - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 5 - Process Lifetime Management - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 6 - Settings and Preferences - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 7 - Tiles and Notifications - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 8 - The Windows Store - C#
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 9 - Touch and Pointer Input – C#

There are now 8 JavaScript labs available as well:

• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 1 - Creating a Windows 8 Metro Style App – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 2 - Orientation, Snapping, and Semantic Zoom – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 3 - Searching and Sharing – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 4 - Application Bars and Media Capture – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 5: Process Lifetime Management – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 6: Settings and Preferences – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 7: Tiles and Notifications – JavaScript
• MSDN Virtual Lab: Windows 8: Lab 8: The Windows Store - JavaScript

Enjoy!
-Chris