Visual Studio Express Team WebLog

XNA Game Studio Express opens game development to everyone

VSExpress — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 20:57:00 GMT

Today, Microsoft announced XNA Game Studio Express, a revolutionary set of tools based on the XNA platform and built on top of Visual C# 2005 Express Edition that enables anyone to easily create games for both Windows and the Xbox 360 console.

12 Finalists Announced in $10,000 Made in Express Contest!

VSExpress — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 20:03:00 GMT

What do an all terrain self-maneuverable robot, an instant IM translator, and a curmudgeon chat bot all have in common? Answer – they are all being built by finalists in the Made In Express Contest. These lucky twelve from seven countries are hard at work building their projects and competing for the $10,000 grand prize!

The real fun of the contest is that you get to actively participate. Follow along as the finalists blog their plans, post their code, and discuss the trials and tribulations of building their projects. And at the end, you get to vote on the $1,000 Community Choice award!

Check out the projects and subscribe to the RSS feed to start tracking the fun at www.MadeInExpressContest.com.

Introduction to Programming LEGO MINDSTORMS

VSExpress — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:58:00 GMT

Ever wanted to build your own robot? Using the LEGO MINDSTORMS kit, and the Microsoft .NET Interface, you can start experimenting with robotics and control your robot from your PC, automatically maneuver around obstacles, and even play music!

Check it out at Coding4Fun!

Upgrade Your Game!

VSExpress — Wed, 17 May 2006 22:34:00 GMT

"wcha-wcha-wcha"

I know you recognize that sound - that's right, Ms. Pac-Man and all your favorite arcade games are back! If you register your copy of Visual Studio Express, you could win your own Namco arcade game machine.

Unleash the arcade in your PC and learn how to write your own arcade games using the Visual Studio Express Editions. The Game Resource Center includes tutorials and videos to walk you through creating games like Tiny Tennis, Space Blitz, and Crusader.

Check it out at UpgradeYourGame.com

Coding Basics - Express Webcast Series

VSExpress — Tue, 02 May 2006 19:34:00 GMT

We've compiled a mix of live and on-demand webcasts specifically for Visual Studio Express Edition users. Tune in and learn how to create a Rocket Commander game, program your Lego Mindstorms robot, host your own website, understand your SQL Server Express database, and much more!

Coding Basics: Tools for the Hobbyist Developer

Drumroll please.... Visual Studio Exress is Free Forever!

VSExpress — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:31:00 GMT

They say if you love something, set it Free. And we've done just that. With over 5 million downloads, we were definitely feeling the love for the Visual Studio Express Editions!

Some of the most innovative technology ideas are created at 3am in someone's living/office space in their home - not in corporate cubicles. We want to make sure we're supporting these grassroots, hobbyist developers by lowering the barrier to entry. By keeping Visual Studio Express free to download, we hope to encourage the democratization of development, and make sure everyone (yes, even your Mom) has access to the tools needed to create some really cool software applications & websites.

Tools for your imagination

Visual C++ 2005 Express Forums

VSExpress — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 01:24:00 GMT

Questions about Visual C++ Express Edition? Or having trouble getting started with C++? Ask questions and get help in the Visual C++ Express Edition Forum

Find A Hoster!

VSExpress — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 01:15:00 GMT

Need to get your website live quickly and cheaply?
Find a Microsoft partner to host your ASP .NET web site for a discounted price. Or sign up for a free 30-day ASP.NET 2.0 hosting account from Microsoft at VWD Hosting.

Coding4Fun: What's Playing?

VSExpress — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 00:49:00 GMT

Interfacing Your Media with an External LCD Panel
Create an application that will determine the song currently playing in either Windows Media Player or iTunes and output the title, artist name, album and song length to an LCD panel.

Coding4Fun: Creating a Wallpaper Cycler

VSExpress — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 23:14:00 GMT

Arian Kulp's Wallpaper Cycler
Create a wallpaper changer for your desktop! Put your favorite images into a folder and this application will automatically cycle through these images each time it starts.

MSDN Library Resources for Visual C++ Express Edition

VSExpress — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 23:20:00 GMT

New to Visual C++ Express? You'll find the following useful information in the MSDN Library:

Getting Started with Visual C++ Express
Programming Guide
Deployment
Best Practices
Reference Section
Code Samples

The Code Room: Breaking Into Vegas

VSExpress — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 23:09:00 GMT

An entertaining clip from MSDN TV - it's funny watching web developers try to act! You could say it's a geeky version of Ocean's 11.

"In this episode of The Code Room watch the White Hats and Black Hats battle for the security of Las Vegas. Will the Hackers gain control of The Plaza's online money management system?"

The Code Room: Breaking Into Vegas

Heard in the Forums: How to launch Internet Explorer from a Windows Form?

VSExpress — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 23:01:00 GMT

Ever wanted to know how to use a text box and button control to launch a URL in an Internet Explorer browser? Learn how to do this and find more answers to your questions in the Visual C# Forums.

Webcast: Using the My Namespace

VSExpress — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 21:50:00 GMT

Using the My Namespace webcast explores a new object available to Microsoft Visual Basic developers, the "My" object. For more Visual Basic webcasts, check out the Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Webcast Series page.

Seize the $10,000!

VSExpress — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 02:57:00 GMT

So, we all have one. You know, that "stroke-of-genius" idea that hits you while slathering shampoo in your hair on a Monday morning. Well, here's the moment to do something about it - Carpe Diem and all that!

Made In Express Contest

Just write up a short paragraph of your idea, and you're in the running - only rule is that it has to be something you created using Visual Studio or SQL Express. If your idea is selected among the top 12, you'll get an opportunity to build it and win $10,000! Some nice pocket change, plus you'll be famous!

Imagine the possibilities....