October 2006 - Posts

Controlling Your Computer with X10: Adding Text-To-Speech
31 October 06 06:43 PM | Coding4Fun | 6 Comments   

This article is continuation in Controlling Contolled Home Automation series. It shows how to control your computer from light switches, motion detectors, alarm switches, and any other X10 transmitting device Tony Northrup Tony's Blog Difficulty: Intermediate Read More...

Controlling Lights with .NET
31 October 06 06:39 PM | Coding4Fun | 9 Comments   

This article demonstrates how to control lights from your computer using custom applications written in Visual Basic and Visual C#. Tony Northrup Tony's Blog Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: $50-$100 Software: Hardware: Download: Read More...

Using X10 Hardware: Computer-Controlled Home Automation
31 October 06 06:33 PM | Coding4Fun | 18 Comments   

This article showcases usage of X10 technology to interact with hardware devices. It is first article in Computer Controller Home Automation series. Tony Northrup Tony's Blog Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: $50-$100 Software: Visual Read More...

Look at me! Windows Image Acquisition
31 October 06 06:28 PM | Coding4Fun | 81 Comments   

Interfacing a Webcam that supports Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) using .Net Scott Hanselman Scott Hanselman's Computer Zen Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: $50-$100 Software: Visual Studio Express Editions , Windows® Image Acquisition Read More...

Upgrade Your Game: Space Blitz (Visual C#)
31 October 06 06:23 PM | Coding4Fun | 8 Comments   

This article enhances Space Blitz sample application by adding new features. The Z-man Andy Dunn The Z Buffer Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Basic or Visual C# Express Editions Hardware: Download: C# Download Read More...

Upgrade Your Game: SpaceBlitz (Visual Basic)
31 October 06 06:14 PM | Coding4Fun | 4 Comments   

This article enhances Space Blitz sample application by adding new features. The Z-man Andy Dunn The Z Buffer Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Basic or Visual C# Express Editions Hardware: Download: VB Download Read More...

Upgrade Your Game: TinyTennis (C#)
31 October 06 05:50 PM | Coding4Fun | 30 Comments   

This article is a part of Upgrade Your Game series of tutorials. It walks you through the game architecture components for our tribute to Pong!, which we'll call TinyTennis. The Z-man Andy Dunn The Z Buffer Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 Read More...

Upgrade Your Game: Tiny Tennis (Visual Basic)
31 October 06 05:46 PM | Coding4Fun | 9 Comments   

This article is a part of Upgrade Your Game series of tutorials. It walks you through the game architecture components for our tribute to Pong!, which we'll call TinyTennis. The Z-man Andy Dunn The Z Buffer Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 Read More...

Where Did That Sound Come From?
31 October 06 04:06 PM | Coding4Fun | 7 Comments   

This April Fools' Day article walks you through how you can programmatically change the Windows system sound events to mess with a co-worker or family member. Like many other pranks, this one requires you to have physical access to your victim's computer Read More...

What's Playing? Interfacing Your Media with an External LCD Panel using Visual Studio 2005 Express
31 October 06 12:06 PM | Coding4Fun | 9 Comments   

The demonstrates a .NET Framework-based application using Visual C# 2005 Express Edition that interfaces with a CrystalFontz XE634 4-line by 20-character or XE632 2-line by 16-character display. The application will determine the song currently playing Read More...

Creating a Research Helper
31 October 06 11:49 AM | Coding4Fun | 4 Comments   

This is a tool that searches a variety of search engines with a keystroke. Sean Campbell 3 Leaf Development Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: Download I like productivity Read More...

Building Network Utilities
31 October 06 11:35 AM | Coding4Fun | 33 Comments   

This is a simple utility that will look for devices on the network. Sean Campbell 3 Leaf Development Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Source Code: Missing! But check out this article Read More...

Filed under: utility, windows

It's Hot in Here
31 October 06 11:31 AM | Coding4Fun | 3 Comments   

The article explains how to use Visual 2005 Express Edition and the .NET Framework 2.0 to retrieve weather information not only from a Web Service, but also from a local "Phidget" analog thermometer. Discusss interfaces, dynamic assembly loading, as well Read More...

Harnessing the BackPack API - Part III
31 October 06 11:04 AM | Coding4Fun | 0 Comments   

This article is in series of BackPack API. It focuses on some of the underlying architecture of this application. Michael K. Campbell AngryPets.com :: Blog Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Read More...

Building an XSL Transform Tool
31 October 06 10:46 AM | Coding4Fun | 5 Comments   

Purpose of this tool is to apply the transformation in XSL on XML file and display the results.This tool is basically a Simple WinForm where the location of an XML file and a corresponding XSL file are specified. It then displays the results of the transformation Read More...

Introduction to the Personal Web Site Starter Kit
31 October 06 10:45 AM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

The Personal Web Site Starter Kit is a great way to learn the fundamentals of how to build a site. It uses some of the strongest features from the latest release of ASP.NET. It is still a valuable resource to use for learning on how to create an application Read More...

Filed under: starter kit, web

Harnessing the BackPack API - Part II
31 October 06 10:43 AM | Coding4Fun | 0 Comments   

This article is in series of BackPack API. The focus of this article is on another key consideration and needed component of the final application: local storage of BackPack data. This facilitates BackPack off-line,(need to operate against a local copy Read More...

Building a Web Site with ASP .NET 2.0 to Navigate Your Music Library
31 October 06 10:40 AM | Coding4Fun | 34 Comments   

This article focuses on a common solution for managing shared music files. It is accomplished by keeping shared music files on a single computer and have other computers' media libraries point to, and stay current with, the files on that computer. Jeff Read More...

Harnessing the BackPack API - Part I
31 October 06 10:38 AM | Coding4Fun | 0 Comments   

This article discusses how to set up a free BackPack account, grab the XML Token needed to interact with the BackPack web service, and delve into connecting to the server to send commands and data back and forth. Michael K. Campbell Difficulty: Intermediate Read More...

Building a Family History Web Service
31 October 06 10:37 AM | Coding4Fun | 3 Comments   

In this article review of Family History Web Service is made. It shows a client application built for collecting data about shared ancestors. Its developed using the Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition. Peter Bernhardt Difficulty: Intermediate Time Read More...

Displaying Your iTunes Library
31 October 06 10:33 AM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

iTunes allows to play and organize music collection, as well as buy individual songs from their online store. All the information stored using iTunes is stored as XML; that allows to display music library in different formats. In this article some of Read More...

Setting Wallpaper
31 October 06 09:51 AM | Coding4Fun | 30 Comments   

This sample application allows you select an image and set it as wallpaper. Sean Campbell 3 Leaf Development Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: Download Interacting visually Read More...

Ask the ZMan: Applying Textures, Part 2
31 October 06 09:50 AM | Coding4Fun | 4 Comments   

Part 2 of a three part series explaining the addition of textures to DirectX Primitive shapes.This column covers how to get a different texture on each side of the box. ZMan The ZBuffer Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Read More...

Ask the ZMan:Applying Textures, Part 1
31 October 06 09:50 AM | Coding4Fun | 6 Comments   

Part 1 of a three part series explaining the addition of textures to DirectX Primitive shapes.This column covers how texture coordinates are stored inside the mesh object, the relationship between the texture coordinates and the texture, and the most Read More...

Ask the ZMan: Applying Textures, Part 3
31 October 06 09:50 AM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

Part 3 of a three part series explaining the addition of textures to DirectX Primitive shapes. ZMan The ZBuffer Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: C# Download C# Download Read More...

When AutoCorrect Goes Bad
31 October 06 09:49 AM | Coding4Fun | 3 Comments   

This article showcases AutoCorrect feature of Microsoft Word 2003 and creates a sample application around it. Dan Fernandez Dan's Blog Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Basic or Visual C# Express Editions , Microsoft Read More...

Kid's Programming Language
31 October 06 09:48 AM | Coding4Fun | 12 Comments   

Kid's Programming Language (KPL) is a language modeled on the simplicity and readability of BASIC, but it is a structured rather than linear programming language. KPL lets kids see eye-catching and immediate results from their programs, while teaching Read More...

Do You Like Me? Check This Box! Blogging with the Logitech io2 Digital Pen
31 October 06 09:48 AM | Coding4Fun | 6 Comments   

Interfacing Logitech io2 Digital Pen using .Net. Application allows to write up a blog post using the digital pen and paper, dock the pen, then from the Logitech organizer software select a menu my plug-in will and the digital ink would be transferred Read More...

Is that you? Writing Better Software for Cool USB Hardware
31 October 06 09:47 AM | Coding4Fun | 11 Comments   

Interfacing wireless PC lock using .Net. This application allows you to perform some actions when you leave ( like locking your computer, turning down the volume) and running certain tasks when u arrive back. Scott Hanselman Scott Hanselman's Computer Read More...

Everyone Loves Babies! Webcams and Motion Detection
31 October 06 09:45 AM | Coding4Fun | 14 Comments   

Interfacing AIC250 Network Camera using .Net. Application allows to take digital snaps and stream them using MotionJPEG technique and publish live video on website. Scott Hanselman Scott Hanselman's Computer Zen Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: Read More...

Building a Custom eBay Watch List Using the SOAP API
31 October 06 09:43 AM | Coding4Fun | 28 Comments   

Keeping a track on changes on eBay using its web service. Alan Lewis Alan Lewis Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions , eBay web service Hardware: Download: C# Download VB Download If you're like Read More...

Harnessing the BackPack API - Part IV
31 October 06 09:41 AM | Coding4Fun | 0 Comments   

This article is in series of BackPack API. This IV adds the ability to remove, or delete pages, notes, tasks, etc. Michael K. Campbell Contact Michael K. Campbell Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3-6 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Read More...

Creating a System Monitor
31 October 06 09:39 AM | Coding4Fun | 9 Comments   

This is a utility that can host “monitors” and provide a means to communicate to the user in a configurable, extensible way. Jeff Key Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 3-6 hours Cost: Free Software: Hardware: Download: C# Download VB Download Introduction Read More...

URL Buddy
31 October 06 09:38 AM | Coding4Fun | 6 Comments   

This is a utility that allows the user to determine what the URL is so we can concentrate on making fix-ups (incase of broken URL's), if required, and present the link to the user. Jeff Key Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Read More...

Poor Man's Power Monitor
31 October 06 09:32 AM | Coding4Fun | 8 Comments   

This is an application that makes it really easy to know how much power you were using, and specifically where that power was going. Sean Campbell 3 Leaf Development Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Read More...

A Simple RSS Feed
31 October 06 09:30 AM | Coding4Fun | 24 Comments   

The article describes a control that fetches an RSS feed from a site of interest and organizes that content for display on a web page. Peter Bernhardt Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Read More...

Where the Heck am I? Connecting .NET 2.0 to a GPS
31 October 06 09:25 AM | Coding4Fun | 26 Comments   

This article explains how to connect to GPS device using .Net 2.0 and determine someone’s location. Scott Hanselman Scott Hanselman's Computer Zen Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 3-6 hours Cost: $100-$200 Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Read More...

Using the Amazon Web Service
31 October 06 09:24 AM | Coding4Fun | 15 Comments   

This article demonstrates consuming a Web service. It uses Amazon Web services to build an application that searches for books, music or movies based on keywords. Peter Bernhardt Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Read More...

Using the Google Web Service
31 October 06 09:12 AM | Coding4Fun | 11 Comments   

This article demonstrates consuming a Web service. It uses Google Search Web services to build an application that searches for given keywords. Peter Bernhardt Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Read More...

How To Create A Dynamic Email Signature
31 October 06 07:25 AM | Coding4Fun | 7 Comments   

a simple dynamic signature, an image that aggregates news from an RSS 2.0 (Rich Site Summary) syndication feed and auto-updates itself." After reading this article, you too will be able to build your own email signature that can be optionally used together Read More...

Visual Foos 2005
31 October 06 07:07 AM | Coding4Fun | 7 Comments   

In this article, I'm going to cover a few ways to harness the power of Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005, and a free foosball table to create the ultimate break room accessory. Kevin Marshall, Clarity Consulting Inc. Kevin's Blog Difficulty: Advanced Read More...

Designing FreeCell using Expression and Visual Studio Toolsets
31 October 06 09:49 AM | Coding4Fun | 5 Comments   

This article re-creates the game FreeCell using the January CTP and Visual Studio 2005 Express. Unni Ravindranathan Unni's Blog Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 3-6 hours Cost: $50-$100 Software: Visual Studio Express Editions , Microsoft Expression Read More...

Filed under: gaming, card and board games

Rob's Image Shrinker
31 October 06 06:41 AM | Coding4Fun | 9 Comments   

In this article, we will create an application to resize images to desired size. Rob Miles Crazy World(tm) of Rob Miles Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: C# Download VB Download Read More...

Hidden Image Game
31 October 06 06:22 AM | Coding4Fun | 1 Comments   

In this article, we'll create a Hidden Image game. We'll demostrate few features available in Windows Forms in Microsoft .NET 2.0 for creating a consistent and user-friendly interface. Michal Altair Valášek Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Read More...

Extending the Screen Saver Starter Kit with Microsoft Visual C# Express
31 October 06 05:57 AM | Coding4Fun | 1 Comments   

In this article we'll concentrate on the Screen Saver Starter Kit. First we'll explore the functionality that comes with the application as it ships, and then we'll make a couple of adjustments to personalize it and to demonstrate another very powerful Read More...

Creating an Application Template
31 October 06 05:48 AM | Coding4Fun | 7 Comments   

This article will walk you through the steps needed to make your own project template. It uses the EmptyProject sample from the Microsoft DirectX SDK to make a Visual Studio template. Glenn Wilson Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Read More...

Outlook from the Managed World
31 October 06 05:36 AM | Coding4Fun | 17 Comments   

In this article, we will step through creating an email message and a contact using VSTO. Sean Campbell Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio 2005 Hardware: Download: C# Download VB Download When I read the announcement Read More...

Giving Computers a Voice
31 October 06 05:20 AM | Coding4Fun | 24 Comments   

This article demonstrates how easy it is to enable managed applications to finally talk back using Microsoft's Speech API (SAPI). Matt Harrington Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: Read More...

Filed under: media, windows

Creating an Alarm Clock in the System Tray
31 October 06 05:08 AM | Coding4Fun | 32 Comments   

In this article, we will create an alarm clock application Arian Kulp Arian Kulp's Blog Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: C# Download VB Download Ever since the earliest versions Read More...

Building an Automatic Pattern-Based File Router
31 October 06 04:14 AM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

This article implements a File Router, which monitors a path on the hard drive and moves files to appropriate locations based on matching certain patterns. Arian Kulp Arian Kulp's Blog Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Read More...

Keeping Track of Time
31 October 06 04:14 AM | Coding4Fun | 11 Comments   

In this article, we will learn to create a basic time tracking tool which sits quietly in the system tray Arian Kulp Arian Kulp's Blog Difficulty: Easy Time Required: Less than 1 hour Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Download: Read More...

Redirecting Outlook Reminders
31 October 06 04:11 AM | Coding4Fun | 8 Comments   

Today's article will guide you through creating an add-in to Outlook 2003 to send alerts to another computer when a reminder is raised. Sean Campbell Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: Free Software: Visual Studio Express Editions Hardware: Read More...

Reusable Body Parts
30 October 06 10:39 PM | Coding4Fun | 1 Comments   

Clint Rutkas What screams Halloween more than fake body parts? Fake body parts that twitch and are covered with blood. The second thing that screams Halloween is causing some mischief. Black cats of Hardware I got to say, I love Phidgets . They are relatively Read More...

Filed under: events, halloween

Scary Halloween Application
30 October 06 10:06 PM | Coding4Fun | 6 Comments   

Build an application that will drip animated blood down your victim's computer screen for a scary Halloween treat! Brian Peek ASPSOFT, Inc. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: Less than 1 hour Cost: Free Software: Visual Basic or Visual C# Express Editions Read More...

Filed under: events, halloween

Motion-Detecting, Blood Squirting Halloween Skull
30 October 06 09:43 PM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

Create a scary surprise for your Halloween trick-or-treaters! With some off-the-shelf components and a bit of code, you can have some fun with your visitors... Brian Peek ASPSOFT, Inc. Difficulty: Intermediate Time Required: 1-3 hours Cost: $100-$200 Read More...

Filed under: events, halloween

New to Coding4Fun
30 October 06 09:04 PM | Coding4Fun | 0 Comments   

Welcome! This page is dedicated to helping folks new to Coding4Fun. Navigating the Site Coding4Fun is broken into five main categories with subcategories Events Halloween Holidays April Fool's Day Events and Webcasts Windows Productivity Utility Media Read More...

Filed under: about

What is Coding4Fun?
30 October 06 08:15 PM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

What is Coding4Fun? Coding4Fun is our Web site dedicated to showing off fun and cool hardware and software projects. We know there's lots of developers who code for fun and we want to show off the cool work developers can do when they combine smarts and Read More...

Filed under: about

Everyone Loves Babies! Webcams and Motion Detection
30 October 06 02:05 PM | Coding4Fun | 3 Comments   

In the belated seventh installment of the "Some Assembly Required" column, Scott Hanselman extends, with permission, Andrew Kirillov's Motion Detector to .NET 2.0 and ClickOnce. He also works around some of the quirks in the AirLink AIC250 Network Camera Read More...

Tips and Tricks for Lego Mindstorms Programming
26 October 06 03:46 PM | Coding4Fun | 2 Comments   

Get up and running quickly with LEGO Mindstorms on your PC and to take best advantage of the .NET power now available for it. This article shows you some of the quirks and pitfalls of setting up your system and acquaints you with the challenges of programming Read More...

Introduction to Programming Lego Mindstorms
26 October 06 03:34 PM | Coding4Fun | 11 Comments   

Get started programming LEGO MINDSTORMS with this article that shows you how to get set up and introduces the key components you need to program LEGO MINDSTORMS with Visual Studio Express. SharpLogic Software SharpLogic Software Difficulty: Intermediate Read More...