We recently tried to schedule a few events for ISVs in Alberta on Windows application compatibility but were unable to get enough interest to justify the cost of an in-person classroom event.  So we decided to move the event to an online webcast.  We’ll open the microphones and make this a full two-way webcast which makes this a great virtual platform to get any Windows compat questions you have answered.

Registration info is below, please join if you can.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032430407&IO=jH1S9xSSmqvOtGT3hPLFFA%3d%3d

Thanks,
Jamie Wakeam
ISV Software Architect Advisor
Microsoft Canada

Staying connected on the latest events and details from Microsoft can be a full time job, trust me I know!  One of the methods we use to keep ISVs in the loop is via our monthly ISV newsletter.  You can sign up for this newsletter and others here.  To help spread the word I’ve included a copy/paste of the most recent issue below.

Thanks,
Jamie Wakeam
Software Architect
Microsoft Canada

In a country like Canada where there are two official languages it makes good business sense to design your applications with localization as a strategy. Windows Presentation Foundation provides the means to localizing applications. There are a few localization strategies available to developers. There are 3 that I’d like to touch base on in this article:

• Localizing WPF using resource in a .resx file format
• Localizing WPF using LocBaml
• Using a database to store localized information

Localizing WPF Using .resx Files

The .resx resource file format consists of XML entries, which specify objects and strings inside XML tags. One advantage of a .resx file is that when opened with a text editor (such as Notepad or Microsoft Word) it can be written to, parsed, and manipulated. Apart from any binary information stored in a .resx file it is completely readable and maintainable.

There are 7 key steps in creating a localized resource using this approach:

1. Create a new or open an existing WPF project, add a resource file and call the new resource file Resource1.resx.
   
   
2. Add an entry in the Resource1.resx file. Call the entry something you’ll remember. You will need to use this name to connect it with object that will use this text later on. Originally this method will have its scope set to internal, be sure to change the scope to public in the code behind.
   
   
   
   
3. In the main form XAML file add namespace to window definition (e.g. xmlns:Resources="clr-namespace: WPFLocalizationRESX")
4. In the controls content bind the resource to the control (e.g. <Label Content="{x:Static Resources:Resource1.Label1}" Margin="1,1,1,1"/>)
5. Copy the resource file created in step 1 and rename it to Resource1_fr-CA.resx.
6. Change the text of the resource entry in Resource1_fr-CA.resx
7. In App.xaml.cs add a constructor to set the CurrentUICulture. Be sure to add the using directives using System.Globalization; and using System.Threading;
   

The sample project included with this blog entry is a demonstration of using .resx files to localize your applications. By changing the Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture; line in the App.XAML.CS:App class you can simulate how your application will behave based in different cultures. For example changing the previous line to Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = new System.Globalization.CultureInfo("fr-CA"); will simulate a French Canadian culture.

Using this approach has a couple of things going for it. First there is good support for editing .resx files within the Visual Studio environment. It also provides focus at the resource entry level.

There are however a couple of issues that may present obstacles to integrating this approach in your project. Binding the control for the text that needs changing requires that the XAML be changed to point to the resource file and binding using this method can only be applied to dependency properties in the XAML.

Localizing WPF using LocBaml

Microsoft has published a utility that will parse a resource DLL created by a WPF application. That utility is called LocBAML. The source code for LocBAML can be found here.

In order to develop an application that can be localized using LocBAML follow these steps:

1. Specify a culture in the project file using the <UICulture> tag (e.g. <UICulture>en-CA</UICulture>)
2. Add Uids to you XAML files. Uids are used to keep track of changes to your XAML files. To add Uids to your files run updateuid on your project file (e.g. msbuild /t:updateuid WPFApp.csproj).
3. Build the application. This will create the main application assembly and a language resource assembly. If your current local settings are set to English Canadian the resource assembly will be created in the ..\Debug\en-CA\ directory.
4. Copy the LocBAML.exe file to the resource assembly directory and run LocBAML.exe on the resource assembly.
5. Running LocBAML.exe will create a CSV file listing all the components and their text values. Syntax for the switches used by LocBAML.exe are:
   1. parse or -p: Parses Baml, resources, or DLL files to generate a .csv or .txt file.
   2. generate or -g: Generates a localized binary file by using a translated file.
   3. out or -o [filedirectory]: Output file name.
   4. culture or -cul [culture]: Locale of output assemblies.
   5. translation or -trans [translation.csv]: Translated or localized file.
   6. asmpath or -asmpath: [filedirectory]: If your XAML code contains custom controls, you must supply the asmpath to the custom control assembly.
   7. nologo: Displays no logo or copyright information.
   8. verbose: Displays verbose mode information.
6. Create a new resources assembly by running LocBAML.exe using the /generate switch (e.g. LocBAML.exe /generate en-CA/WPFApp.resources.dll /trans:WPFApp.csv /outc:\ /culture:fr-CA
7. Now you’re able to create a new culture specific folder to store the resource. In step 5 we built a French Canadian resource so the correct folder would be fr-CA. Copy the assembly built in step 5 into the fr-CA directory.

Using LocBAML to create culture resources has a couple of advantages over the .resx method mentioned at the beginning of this article. Localization can be performed without the original source and localization does not need to be part of the development process. In addition binding to properties requires no change to the XAML and any change can be bound to any property.

LocBAML focused resource granularity is at the BAML resource level and will overwrite any existing CSV files. The tool will also fail to generate correct CSV files if a resource contains a comma.

Using a database to store localized information

If your application is connected to a database it is possible to store string translations in the database and query for the appropriate string translation at runtime. Binding data in XAML is inherent in the mark-up language.

Here are an excellent series of articles describing how to connect to different data sources using XAML. In short an application developer can bind at runtime to the results of a database query and display the resulting text to the user.

Best Practices for WPF UI Design

When you design a WPF based UI, these are a few best practices to keep in mind:

• Write your UI in XAML; avoid creating UI in code. When you create your UI using XAML, you expose it through built-in localization APIs.
• Avoid using absolute positions and fixed sizes to lay out content; instead, use relative or automatic sizing.
  • Use SizeToContent and keep widths and heights set to Auto.
  • Avoid using Canvas to lay out UIs.
  • Use Grid and its size-sharing feature.
• Provide extra space in margins because localized text often requires more space. Extra space allows for possible overhanging characters.
• Enable TextWrapping on TextBlock to avoid clipping.
• Set the xml:lang attribute. This attribute describes the culture of a specific element and its child elements. The value of this property changes the behaviour of several features in WPF. For example, it changes the behaviour of hyphenation, spell checking, number substitution, complex script shaping, and font fall-back. See Globalization for the Windows Presentation Foundation for more information about setting the xml:lang Handling in XAML.
• Create a customized composite font to obtain better control of fonts that are used for different languages. By default, WPF uses the GlobalUserInterface.composite font in your Windows\Fonts directory.
• When you create navigation applications that may be localized in a culture that presents text in a right-to-left format, explicitly set the FlowDirection of every form.

References:

WPF Application Quality Guide
How to: Localize an Application
Globalization for the Windows Presentation Foundation
LocBaml Tool Sample

Thanks,
John Hinz
ISV Developer Advisor
Microsoft Canada

The world of online computing is continually changing. Today many ISVs are exploring how cloud computing can give them a competitive edge and optimized delivery model for their solutions. Microsoft has recently announced that the Windows Azure platform will reach production status in 2009 and we want to ensure you understand how to best leverage this extensive platform.

Please join Microsoft Canada in an interactive virtual round table discussion with Sr. Architect Eugenio Pace and Architect Advisor Jamie Wakeam as we explore Microsoft’s cloud computing platform. We will ensure you gain a full understanding of the many cloud opportunities enabled by Windows Azure and discuss the challenges and solutions you may encounter.

With this interactive LiveMeeting session, we will devote a portion of the session to provide everyone participating an opportunity to pose questions and opinions for the presenters and your industry peers.

• No travel required!
• To encourage interactive participation through Microsoft LiveMeeting, attendees who register before Friday May 15^th will be eligible to receive a complimentary Microsoft LifeCam.
• Registration is limited to 15 attendees per session, Certified and Gold Certified partners only with the ISV competency.

Please register by emailing your interest to Jamie Wakeam or John Hinz.

Western Session: May 27^th, 2009
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST)

Eastern Session: May 28^th, 2009
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EST)

This interactive LiveMeeting session is applicable for senior technical decision makers, including:

• Chief Technology Officers
• Chief/Sr. Architects
• Directors and VPs of Development

Thanks,
Jamie Wakeam
ISV Software Architect Advisor
Microsoft Canada

Later in the month Adam Gallant on of our local Visual Studio specialists is going to join me for a webcast outlining some of the great features for ISVs in the suite of products.  This will also coinside with some very agressive discounts in market now.  Here are the details and I hope you can join us:

Visual Studio Team System provides software development organizations with comprehensive capabilities for supporting software development projects, to help address all the roles that play part in delivering products to customers.

In recognition of the critical role Gold Certified and Certified partners play in the overall success of the Microsoft ecosystem, we’re excited to announce the special promotion offering of Microsoft® Visual Studio® Team System 2008 Team Editions or Microsoft Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite at approximately 65% off of Open Value ERP for purchases made between April 15, 2009 through June 26, 2009. These offers are available exclusively for active Microsoft Partner Program Gold Certified and Certified partners and partners are referred to their preferred reseller or distributor for fulfillment. See terms and conditions for additional details .

Join us on a webcast to learn about:

1. The functionality you are missing in the test and architecture editions of Visual Studio, including the exciting new capabilities coming with VSTS Visual Studio Team System 2010, that can help improve the productivity and capabilities of your software teams.

2. The limited time promotion and how you can take advantage of it.

Register now! http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032416140&Culture=en-CA

Thanks,
Jamie Wakeam
ISV Software Architect Advisor
Microsoft Canada

Later in April, Stephen Giles and I will be hosting a three part series on SQL Server 2008.  There is so much amazing functionality in SQL 2008 that we get questions on all the time that we felt a three part series would be a good way to get everyone up to speed quickly.  Full details are below.

Thanks,
Jamie

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This three-part webcast series will focus on highlighting the value of migrating to SQL Server 2008. This will include information on the new features of SQL Server 2008 and why you should migrate even if you don’t intend to use any of these new features.

Session 1:

Helping to increase productivity in dealing with the new world of data

This session will discuss many of the new data types SQL Server 2008 introduces. Even if you don’t make use of the new data types there are new data driven features that you will want to know about to get the most out of SQL Server 2008.

This session will discuss:

1. Filestream
2. Hierarchy ID
3. Spatial Data types
4. Changes to full text indexing

April 23, 2009 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Session 2:

Embracing Business Intelligence

Many existing applications today are looking for ways to gain deeper insight and analysis into the data stored within. SQL Server 2008 builds on the strong set of Analysis and Reporting tools offered in SQL Server 2005.

This session will discuss:

1. How to incorporate reporting services into your existing applications

2. Improvements to Reporting Services including:

• Implication of no longer requiring IIS
• The flexibility introduced by the Tablix property
• The flexibility introduced by the Tablix property
• Improved visualization
• Report builder 2.0

We will also spend some time in this session looking forward to the future version of SQL Server, codenamed Kilimanjaro.

April 23, 2009 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Session 3:

Immediate Rewards

In the third and final session of this series we will look into the features that ISVs can leverage “Out-of-the-Box” to help improve the performance, reliability and management of their applications without changing a line of code.

This session will discuss:

1. Transparent Data Encryption
2. Compression
3. Resource Governor
4. Plan Freezing

April 23, 2009 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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This series is open to all ISVs free of charge from Microsoft. Feel free to join us for one, two or all three webcasts as applicable to you.

This webinar is applicable for many members in your organization, including:
• DB Administrators and Managers
• Developers and Managers
• QA Engineers and Managers
• Directors and VPs of Development

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We have several upcoming Microsoft Windows 7 events that are planned for the Canadian market. We’ve been advertising these events on DiscoverMetro and through our normal communication channels. However, given the amount of excitement and questions around Windows 7, I thought it would be beneficial to send this quick summary email.

We have three Canadian events planned in the near future:

1. Windows 7 Developer Overview Webcast – To help get us all orientated on the exciting new features in Windows 7, I’ll be giving a quick one-hour overview webcast later this week; Wednesday March 11^th 2PM EDT. Full details and registration links are directly below in this email.
   
2. Windows 7 Metro 3-day Training Events – Mississauga March 25^th, Vancouver April 15^th - This will be a 3 day hands on developer workshop learning about application compatibility and new features your app will be able to take advantage of in Windows 7. Full details and registration links are in the second section directly below.
   
3. Windows 7 Application Compatibility Workshops – A ½ day application assessment performed by a consultant who specializes in Windows Vista/Windows 7 application compatibility. After attending this 1:1 session you’ll know exactly what if any application compatibility issues you face. More details to come soon with labs starting in April. Please contact me directly if you are interested.

As always, please let me know if there are any questions.

Thanks,
Jamie Wakeam
ISV Software Architect
Microsoft Canada

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Event:           Microsoft Windows 7 – Developer Overview: Helping your apps run on Windows 7
Date:             March 11^th, 2009, 2:00PM Eastern Time
Location:       Online LiveMeeting
Registration: Microsoft Events

Event Overview

Are you an ISV looking to get a better understanding of Windows 7? The beta has been out for a while now and the excitement is building fast. Don’t get caught with an incompatible application and don’t miss out on exciting ways to enhance your application experience on Windows 7.

Attend this webinar to learn all about the newest operating system from Microsoft and how to position your application for the ultimate experience running on Windows 7. This Webcast will provide you with an overview of:

• New improved fundamental features
• New improved user interface features
• Understand how investments in Windows Vista-based application compatibility will help you in Windows 7
• How to help your desktop applications be compatible on Windows 7
• How you can take advantage of specific enhancements of Windows 7 in your applications

This webinar is applicable for many members in your organization, including:

• Product Managers
• Desktop Developers
• QA Engineers
• Managers, Directors and VPs of Development/Product Management/QA

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Event:           Windows 7 Metro Training Event Mississauga
Date:             March 25^th – 27^th, 2009
Registration: Login to the DiscoverMetro.net portal (For ISV by invitation only)

Event:           Windows 7 Metro Training Event Vancouver
Date:             April 15^th – 17^th, 2009
Registration: Login to the DiscoverMetro.net portal (For ISV by invitation only)

Event Overview

Windows 7 enables developers to build applications on a solid foundation; enable richer application experiences; and integrate the best of Windows and web services. The features and technologies of the Windows 7 operating system enable you to build the next generation of software applications.

This event represents your opportunity to gain advance access to technical features and solution scenario information enabling you to build solutions on the new platforms.   This is a special event organized specifically to share Microsoft’s early, forward-looking plans with our closest partners and customers.  You will have the opportunity to provide feedback directly with Microsoft product architects.  A current Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is required for this event.

Topical agenda includes:

• Graphics Improvements
• Multi Touch and Ink
• Security
• Application Instrumentation, Diagnostic and Performance Tools
• Application Compatibility Overview
• Sensor Platform and Location
• Power Management
• Background Services and Process
• New Taskbar
• Open Packaging Conventions

Attendee Prerequisites

This is a fast-paced, three day event designed for experienced software developers and solution architects.  Familiarity with Microsoft platform technologies and development tools is recommended.  Registration is open to all partners enrolled in the Server Metro program.  Please review the details herein and register to reserve your seat today.

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