Microsoft Silverlight content

Using async and await in Silverlight 5 and .NET 4 in Visual Studio 11 with the async targeting pack

Microsoft Weblogs — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:13:39 GMT

Last September, I introduced the idea of Tasks in Silverlight . One of the things I really like about .NET 4.5, and the C# compiler that comes with it, is the ability to simplify asynchronous code by using the async modifier and await operator. Just yesterday...(read more)

My new role at Microsoft

Microsoft Weblogs — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:27:40 GMT

This past Monday (May 14th), I officially started a new role at Microsoft. I like to be as transparent as possible, so I thought I'd share with you all the details of this role as well as where I was before I moved to it. TL;DR: XAML. Windows. Developers...(read more)

The correct AdventureWorks database to use for Silverlight 5 in Action (and Silverlight 4 in Action) book examples

Microsoft Weblogs — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:33:45 GMT

A reader tipped me off that the AdventureWorks schema has changed since I (and my tech reviewers) last downloaded a copy. Some of the schema changes make the database unworkable with the in-book examples for Silverlight 4 in Action and Silverlight 5 in...(read more)

24 Weeks of Windows Phone Metro Design | #6 Information Architecture for a Windows Phone App

Microsoft Weblogs — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:25:21 GMT

24 Weeks of Windows Phone Design Index Tweet !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="http://forums.silverlight.net//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore...(read more)

Thank You Microsoft!

Microsoft Weblogs — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:39:54 GMT

Hello! A month ago I decided to leave Microsoft. Today, I’m writing to say thank you to all of you for your support and friendship throughout the years. It’s been quite a ride. I could write a book (or two) about all the things I learned while...(read more)

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" [An alternate implementation of HTTP gzip decompression for Windows Phone]

Microsoft Weblogs — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:56:00 GMT

The HTTP protocol supports data compression of network traffic via the Content-Encoding header . Compressing network traffic is beneficial because it reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network - and sending fewer bytes obviously...(read more)

Workaround for CA0055 Error with Silverlight Projects in Visual Studio 2010

Microsoft Weblogs — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:07:46 GMT

This connect bug describes an issue with creating certain types of Silverlight projects in Visual Studio. If you're referencing Silverlight 4 DLLs from a Silverlight 5 project, you may run into this code analysis/FXCop issue yourself if code analysis...(read more)

Released: New Version of Expression Blend for Silverlight 5

Microsoft Weblogs — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:32:38 GMT

You may have noticed that your current copy of Expression Blend for Silverlight 5 expires in the next day or two. A new version of Expression Blend Preview for Silverlight 5 is now out. Get it here . This new version has the all important go-live license...(read more)

XAML Tip: Setting Attached Properties from Code

Microsoft Weblogs — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:36:39 GMT

Recently, a reader asked how they should go about setting the Typography properties from code-behind. The original question was about Silverlight, but the approach works in WPF, Windows 8 and more. Given the following markup: <StackPanel> <TextBlock...(read more)

Tip: Binding an Image element’s Source property to a Uri in WinRT XAML

Microsoft Weblogs — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:00:23 GMT

Over the years, I've conditioned myself to use the Uri class when surfacing web URLs in my application. Early versions of Silverlight couldn't bind an image source directly to an instance of a Uri because they lacked an appropriate type converter; the...(read more)

High performance UI without compromises

Microsoft Weblogs — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:36:00 GMT

In my last post I left a teaser about more information forthcoming on XAML-DX interop. Wait no more. Jesse Bishop on my team has a post on Combining XAML and DirectX over on the Windows 8 app developer blog. This feature is especially dear to me. Its...(read more)

Maps and Ads controls for Windows 8 Metro style apps

Microsoft Weblogs — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:06:00 GMT

I wanted to highlight a couple controls that developers authoring Metro style apps will find useful. The Bing team recently announced a beta of their Bing Maps SDK with controls allowing you to integrate maps into your apps. The control targeted at XAML...(read more)

Known issues with RIA Services V1 SP2 on Visual Studio 11 Beta

Microsoft Weblogs — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:46:55 GMT

RIA Services V1 SP2 works great with With Visual Studio 11 Beta. There are a few small issues to be aware of, check out my post here: http://hashtagfail.com/post/18631640309/ria-sp2-vs11-beta ....( read more )...(read more)

Windows Phone SDK 7.1.1 Update CTP

Microsoft Weblogs — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMT

We recently released an update to the Windows Phone SDK that provides extra tools and features for developing for 256-MB devices. Most importantly, this tools update contains a new 256-MB emulator to test your applications. Keep in mind however, that...(read more)

Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Microsoft Weblogs — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:27:00 GMT

Today the Windows team announced the release of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview , coming on the heels of the Developer Preview we'd released last year. While the next best thing is still a work in progress we hope you will try it out and tell us what you...(read more)