Eliot's Blog : developer

Windows 7 Developer Blog

Eliot — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:43:00 GMT

Ooh, another blog! But wait, this one's different.

Sounds so, well developer-oriented. And about Windows 7. "Uh, Duh," you may very well say.

This one's got at least one member of the ISV Evangelism team in Windows participating in this one. And there may be many other writers and developers contributing to the blog (even me, too). The elusive "J"---well, for now he's elusive---is hoping to take a more developer bent than the E7 blog. So far that one's been interesting from the perspective of the dynamics and theoretical operations inside the Windows machine, er, organization. But "J" is getting into the bits. Down and dirty with the API peeps. Look for it; it should be good times. And you don't see that every day. No you don't my man; no you don 't. (episode 11)

Anyone Going to PDC?

Eliot — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:03:00 GMT

With PDC just a few weeks away, I figure I would toss this out there and see if anyone responds.

I'll be at PDC the the afternoon of the 27th, and then all day on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. I'll mostly be spending time in the Windows pavillion and proctoring some hands-on labs from the Tablet and Touch team, but I am also very keen on hearing from attendees, especially about ways that we at Microsoft can improve the developer documentation and the developer content processes and properties. If you want to give feedback directly to the machine, drop me a line and we can set up a time to meet. I work on the team that writes the majority of the Win32 topics in the Windows SDK. I own the content for the Tablet and Touch technologies for both Win32 and the .NET Framework parts of the Windows SDK, all the content for the Windows Developer Center, and the Mobile PC dev center; and I help coordinate the content for the IE dev center, the Accessibility dev center, and the Windows Media dev center. I work directly with MSDN on all of these properties, so if you have feedback for MSDN, I can convey that to the right hands, too.

Heck, if you just want to grab a cup of coffee, let me know when you're available.

eliotgra@microsoft.com

Pen Attention - Highlights Your Pen Cursor for Presentations

Eliot — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:11:00 GMT

Kenrick, an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage, posted a blog entry in which he highlights something he calls "PenAttention." It's a little add-in he created that creates a sort of halo around the pen cursor. Usually, the cursor looks like the tip of a pen. With the add-in, you can also use the cursor as a pointing device. This is super useful when using a Tablet PC for a classroom lecture or a presentation.

Kendrick also got a nod from The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The program is free and requires .NET 2.0 or higher and Windows XP Tablet or Windows Vista with a tablet pen.

Still Time to Enter the Imagine Cup

Eliot — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:40:00 GMT

Do you know a student who is creating great UI? Or who has a passion for Accessibility UI? Or someone who can tell a great story through photography? If so, there are still four categories in the Imagine Cup that are open for submissions.

Photography (closes May 2)
Interface Design Accessible Technology Award (closes May 2)
Software Design Interoperability Award (closes May 15)
Software Design Windows Live Award (closes May 15)

The Imagine Cup is one way Microsoft is encouraging young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world – today. Now in its sixth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to be a truly global competition focused on finding solutions to real world issues. The theme this year is The Environment, and students are encouraged to submit software that has some impact on environmental issues.

Additionally, the Imagine Cup encourages entrants to concentrate on the world's rural poor:

As you explore ideas for your 2008 Imagine Cup Project we invite you to consider a particular segment of the world’s population that is underserved. Today there are over 3 billion people living under $2 a day and 1 billion people that are illiterate. This is a situation that is exacerbating the world’s poverty-wealth gap, making rural sustainability an urgent priority for governments. As the number can be telling, so are the stories of the people who are often forgotten, but who directly impact the longevity and potential of the Earth.

Here’s your chance to create relevant and sustainable technology, and make a social and economic impact to underserved communities around the world.

The competition is keen, the prizes are grand, and the excitement around the Imagine Cup is palpable. And hey, the world finals will be held in Paris, France, in July. That alone is almost enough to get me to register for a semester again.

Almost.

Sales Are Looking Good--if you're stocking laptops

Eliot — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Last week I published an article in the Mobile PC Newsletter (brash and brazen plug, go subscribe through https://profile.microsoft.com/. You just need a Windows Live Passport.) that Mobile PC Growth in India Is Almost 20 Percent in 2007. And then today I saw an article in Ireland's Silicon Republic that talks about how Notebook momentum is driving European PC growth. To quote:

European demand for notebook computers showed no signs of abating in the past year and resulted in over 88 million devices shipped in the region but going into 2008, connectivity alliances between PC vendors and telcos will transform the shape of the market.

The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) PC market recorded an outstanding year in 2007, according to IDC’s latest tracker, as PC shipments increased 15.9% year-on-year.

Those are some mind-boggling numbers. There are a lot of machines out there that need good software to perform well. A LOT.

The other thing I think is interesting is that this means that we're definitely shifting to where more and more people are using mobile PCs--notebooks, Tablet PCs, UMPCs, desktop replacements--and the applications that run on them. We're talking about a computer that's only sometimes plugged in, encounters multiple networks through a session, relies on power management to make it through the day, and is asked to work well indoors, outdoors, in coffee shops, on my desk, and in someone else's home. There are the obvious hardware needs--take for instance that it must weigh less that 8 pounds (I hear you laughing)--but there are also many software considerations.

I worked on the team that spent two years documenting the considerations for Mobile PC Developers. You can find them all in the User Experience Guidelines for Developers in MSDN. I think we did a good job laying out the various categories unique to notebook development. I know the APIs are not that difficult, because I understand them. And yet I see precious few applications availing themselves of power management, network location, and Tablet and Touch technologies.

I wonder why. Seems to me that anyone whose app absolutely shone on notebooks, Tablet PCs, UMPCs, and other portable computers would stand to make a huge splash, earning enough money that, as former governor Haley Barbour said yesterday, "they could burn a wet mule."

Well, you know what I mean.

Power Management in Windows Vista

Eliot — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:29:00 GMT

Stephen, a program manager on the Windows Kernal team, posted a response to a question in the General Windows Vista Development Issues forum, and I thought it could bear repeating here. The original question was about how to control the processor throttle in Windows Vista. Apparently, some of the calls that used to work in an application geared to Windows XP were not acting the same way in Windows Vista. Here's Stephen's response:

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 use a new power policy infrastructure and API. This page details all the power APIs and indicates what is supported by the various Windows versions:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa373163(VS.85).aspx

While some of the older APIs are supported in Vista, it is recommended that you use the new APIs on Windows Vista and later versions.

To give some background, in Windows Vista a power plan (sometimes called a power scheme) contains the power setting values that are actually in effect on the system. A power plan is uniquely identified by a GUID and contains an AC and DC values for each power setting. There can only be one power plan active at a time on the system. The current plan can be obtained using the PowerGetActiveScheme.

Like power plans, power settings are also identified by unique GUIDs and include a friendly name, description, allowable values, and default values for AC and DC. Power setting values can be modified using the PowerWriteACValueIndex and PowerWriteDCValueIndex routines. Note that you must call PowerSetActiveScheme after modifying any of the power settings in order to activate the new values.

Specifically to your question, there are two settings that allow you to adjust the minimum and maximum state for processor power management. These are expressed as a percentage of the maximum processor frequency. Here is a summary of these two settings:

Description	Minimum processor performance state. The performance state is specified as a percentage of maximum processor frequency.
GUID	893dee8e-2bef-41e0-89c6-b55d0929964c
PowerCfg Alias	PROCTHROTTLEMIN
Minimum Value	0
Maximum Value	100
Label	Percentage (%)
Hidden	No

Description	Maximum processor performance state. The performance state is specified as a percentage of maximum processor frequency.
GUID	bc5038f7-23e0-4960-96da-33abaf5935ec
PowerCfg Alias	PROCTHROTTLEMAX
Minimum Value	0
Maximum Value	100
Label	Percentage (%)
Hidden	No

Additional information on Vista power policy is described in detail in the following whitepaper:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pnppwr/powermgmt/PMpolicy_Vista.mspx

Cheers,

Stephen [Microsoft]

Microsoft Continues More Openness for Developers

Eliot — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:47:00 GMT

Well, just as I was finishing the last entry, mail comes screaming in from Steve Ballmer. I general take a gander at the CEO's mail, and I was glad I did this morning. There has been an announcement about how Microsoft will continue to drive to make our platforms more open to interoperability and innovation. I'm sure that the words were carefully chosen, so I will let the press release do the talking:

Microsoft today announced a set of broad-reaching changes to its technology and business practices to increase the openness of its products and drive greater interoperability, opportunity and choice. These changes are codified into four new interoperability principles and corresponding actions: 1) ensuring open connections; 2) promoting data portability; 3) enhancing support for industry standards; and 4) fostering more open engagement with customers and the industry, including open source communities.

Highlights:

Press Conference Call with Steve Ballmer, Ray Ozzie, Bob Muglia and Brad Smith: 8:30 am PST, Feb. 21

Video Clip: Tom Robertson, General Manager, Interoperability and Standards (.wmv file, 44 sec)

I have to tell you, as the owner of a large developer documentation set, this makes me both happy and nervous. We've been trying to ensure all of our docs are complete and accurate for years, and I think we've succeeded to a great extent. On the other hand, this sounds like there may be more work heading my way in future releases. That's OK by me. It's a weird sort of job security. Sort of. =:7P

TechEd is Around the Corner

Eliot — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:37:00 GMT

Seriousy, is it June already? Is it time to plant the tomatoes? Are the kids getting ready for summer break? Of course not, but it is now the time to register for TechEd. Do it today and save yourself $200 (US) with an early bird discount.

Speaking of birds (I so rarely get to use a good segue), this is the PERFECT time to submit a proposal for a birds-of-a-feather session. Want to talk with other Tablet PC developers about ink on the Web? Need dire information about app compatibility? Got an itch to drive Silverlight extensions? Go ahead, suggest a session; moderate it. What the heck, you're almost certain to make new contacts and discover important information. Overall, TechEd is about the combination of technology and community. What better way to get value from attending than to drive the discussion?

Here's the skinny straight from the TechEd 2008 homepage for developers:

Tech·Ed U.S. 2008 Developers is Microsoft’s premier technical education conference just for developers. For four days, you and over 5,000 of your peers have endless opportunities to learn about Microsoft’s latest cutting-edge technologies. What better way to start your experience than with a keynote from Bill Gates.

Be a part of the experience
* Design a personalized schedule from 16 Technical Tracks
* Advance your development skills in one of over 340 Breakout Sessions
* Go deep with Microsoft experts in one of more than 220 Interactive Theaters
* Take your time and drill down on a specific task in over 145 Hands-on Labs
* Be a part of this year’s first U.S. Tech·Ed for Developers, June 3-6, 2008 in the Orange County Convention Center, North/South Building, Orlando, Florida.

And if you go, please stop by the Windows Vista booth and say hello. I'm part of the community, too.

Have I Mentioned MIX?

Eliot — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:43:00 GMT

If you don't know about it by now, it's probably too late to get a ticket, but MIX08 takes place March 5-7 in Las Vegas. But if you're a web developer, you probably already knew that, too.

Although it may be too late to attend in person, MIX08 will have tons of content up on its main website and also on www.visitmix.com. You can subscribe to The Signal, a weekly podcast that connects you to behind-the-scenes activity related to MIX08. They’ll interview speakers, attendees, staff, and other notables.

And don't forget to MIXTIFY.

mix•ti•fy [micks-tuh-fahy]
— verb (used with object), -fied, -fy•ing.
1. to share with everyone you know the coolness that is MIX08!
2. to download the latest and greatest MIX stuff by checking back often!

I was lucky enough to attend MIX last year for the launch of Silverlight. That was just an amazing conference, not only for the rock-solid technology that Silverlight offers, but also because Expression Studio came out at the same time. Happening technology with easy-to-use, feature-rich collaborative tools? Even I could handle that.

Beyond the new releases, MIX is a wonderful place for Web development and design discussions. Take a look at the agenda, and once the party starts, check for webcasts, notes, code, and more. And um, if you have an extra ticket, let me know.

Windows Vista Developer Center Updates

Eliot — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:08:00 GMT

I just want to get more details in about how the Windows Vista Developer Center has a fresh look and lots of new content. Since becoming the content manager for the site in December, I've been working with members of the Windows Partners Program team, Windows Product Planning, Developer Platform Evangelism, and MSDN to determine how best to get content--real, useful content--up on the developer center. Our first phase of implimentation went live last week, and I can't believe I haven't blogged about the details until today.

Some of the things we added:

A full page explaining the value proposition of Why Develop for Windows Vista
Functionally sorted features of What's New in Windows Vista, with links to reference materials for each feature set
An updated list of downloads and samples
Over 60 "How-do-I" videos showing how to code with managed and native APIs
Relevant links from Code Gallery projects
Webcasts, virtual labs, blog aggregates, and much, much more

But I know that I missed something. Probably a lot of somethings. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of the redesign and also what you like to see added or changed.

Thanks, and Happy Valentine's Day

Developer Security Enhancements in Windows Vista SP1

Eliot — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:33:00 GMT

This comes via Michael Howard's Web Log. Take a look at the full post, but here are some salient bits.

New NX APIs added to Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 and Windows Server 2008

In the interests of helping secure the platform, we want more people to opt-in to using Data Execution Prevention (aka DEP aka NX), and we have lowered the barrier to entry for application developers in Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 and Windows Server 2008.

We've added some new APIs that allow a developer to set DEP on their process at runtime rather than using linker options. The new APIs also give developers some more flexibility if your application uses an older version of the Active Template Library (ATL.)

...

The most important API added is SetProcessDEPPolicy, which sets the DEP policy for the running process. You would normally use this function pretty early in main.

The function takes only one argument: the policy setting. The possible values are:

0x00000000 Turn off DEP for this process (Why are you doing this?)
PROCESS_DEP_ENABLE Enable DEP for the process.
PROCESS_DEP_ENABLE | PROCESS_DEP_DISABLE_ATL_THUNK_EMULATION Enable DEP for the process, and disallow ATL thunks.

The last option is the killer argument - if you build an application that hosts components that might not be DEP compatible because they were built using an older version of ATL, you can still use DEP for your process.

Ink-Enabled WinForms controls for applications

Eliot — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:58:00 GMT

Looking for Tablet PC controls to add to your application? Of course, the Mobile PC Developer Center has the InkListBox Control – English, InkShortcut Control Code Sample, InkNumber Sample, InkSecureSignature Sample, and the ScalableInkPicture Sample. Beyond that, the Microsoft Health Common User Interface (CUI) puts together a slew of pen-friendly controls to be used in end-to-end medical applications.

Microsoft has been working with the National Health Service (NHS) in England to improve patient safety by creating a common look and feel for NHS systems through the NHS Common User Interface (CUI) Program. This partnership initiative is in conjunction with the UK government agency called NHS Connecting for Health. Microsoft is now publishing the Design Guidance produced through this collaboration and providing the healthcare community with access to the associated Toolkit controls.

The Microsoft Health Common User Interface (CUI) provides Design Guidance and controls which allow a new generation of safer, more usable and compelling health applications to be quickly and easily created. Their site is aimed at user interface designers, application developers, and patient safety experts who want to find out more about the benefits of a standardized approach to user interface design.

With the Microsoft Health CUI you can:

Interactively browse and download the available Design Guidance documents
Interact with on-line implementations of the available controls and samples that implement the guidance
View the delivery roadmap for future areas of the Design Guidance and controls and learn about the delivery lifecycle that is used to create them
Download and install the controls for use in Microsoft Visual Studio
Provide feedback and suggestions through the Microsoft Health CUI community project on CodePlex

You can view the project on CodePlex: http://www.codeplex.com/mscui

In addition, the full website is available at http://www.mscui.net/Default.aspx

The available controls include:

AddressLabel
ContactLabel
DateInputBox
MonthCalendar
PatientBanner
TimeInputBox
TimeLabel