Visual Studio 11 Express–No Mas Desktop

In an article written on PCWorld it appears that in the Express versions of Visual Studio 11 there will be no support for creating desktop applications, everything is geared toward the new Metro interface in Windows 8.

For those of you that know me or have read some of my postings about Windows 8 either here or on Facebook, you know I’m not a huge fan of Windows 8. I appreciate the fact Microsoft is trying to expand and grow out from their desktop centric world but this really adds another slap in the face to existing users. Users that are desktop based and not mobile based.

For those of you whom have not tried Windows 8 yet or are aware of the changes it brings, Windows 8 has changed the interface from the normal that you are used to. It now uses what is called “Metro” which is a block icon style layout. It does look cool I will give Microsoft that and does somewhat eliminate that messy old desktop.

“That is cool! What’s wrong with that?” you may ask. Nothing, if you’re on a mobile device. Anyway, I won’t get into why I don’t like Window 8 for desktops here.

In the new express version of Visual Studio 11 (The free versions of Microsoft’s development platform) they have removed the support for building desktop applications. Instead, developers will be forced to design strictly for the Metro interface. Now if you’re all into designing for the mobile world, this is great news, you now have a dedicated Microsoft IDE in which to do that. But if you’re like me and develop primarily for desktop applications, then you’re out of luck. Luckily Microsoft is still making the previous versions available but they won’t contain all the libraries for Windows 8. Luckily in the VS11 Web builder edition, you can still do good old fashioned HTML and Java script development without having to be forced to the Metro only interface.

This move by Microsoft is another huge gamble on their belief that Windows 8 will be adopted by the public like Ralphie on Christmas morning finding his Red Ryder BB gun. Will I stop developing because of this? Probably not. In fact, I may start developing more for the mobile market than before but I will continue to develop for the desktop world as well. Let’s just hope Microsoft doesn’t shoot their eye out with this move.

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Related articles

• Free Windows 8 desktop app development is dead (go.theregister.com)
• Free Desktop Software Development Dead In Windows 8 (developers.slashdot.org)
• When Windows Runs Only on Old Form Factors (Desktops) (techrights.org)

HP Discover 2012 - An epic event

HP Discover 2012, my registration is done, my hotel reservations are done and my tracks and sessions are all lined up. All I have left to do is pack my bags and head out!

 

Last years Discover event was mind blowing, well at least to me as it was my first one. All of HP’s products and services under one roof, all the people and sessions were just simply awe inspiring. I’ll admit I was a little (ok, a lot) overwhelmed as I treated this as the one and only conference I’ll probably ever get to go to. I loaded up my days with sessions around Quality Center and attempts at certifications. I was exhausted by the time I got home and my brain hurt!

This year I’m a lot more relaxed as I have a feel for how things will go and I have a more narrowed track session. I’m still focused on Quality Center/ALM but more along the lines of HP’s Performance Center. I survived the upgrade and have gotten a lot of ALM experience under my belt, Performance Center is next on the list. I’m also set up to be more involved in the community and working the Vivit booth.

One of the sessions I have is the Vivit presented “Deep Dive into ALM”. I have a lot of experience from the admin side of ALM but not as much as I would like in regards to the actual use of it. I know enough to get myself in trouble but some of the deeper aspects like scripting the workflow, cross project reporting and sharing of recourses between projects and the OTA still elude me. A lot of my users are asking for things like this and I can’t always deliver what they want, I’m hoping that the deep dive will address some of these issues I have and help me to be a better admin.

I’m also attempting my certification for ALM administration this year. I’m optimistic it will go well, better than last year. There is a new test provider which I feel good about as I walked away from last years tests feeling I really wasn’t given the right tests or the test I signed up for.

I also signed up for the free membership in HP Connect. I’m not sure if it will benefit me any but I’ll check it out.

I’ve been pretty active in the HP Forums and the various QC/ALM groups on LinkedIn and I look forward to meeting some of the folks I’ve talked with. I’m curious to see if the assistance I offered helped them and to get some feed back on things I could do better on. I’m not a consultant or charge for my help, I’ve been down the road of where some of those folks are now and know how confusing or frustrating things can be. If I can offer my help and help them get through their issues that’s payment enough for me. I’m happy where I am and maybe someday I might explore the consulting side of things but I’m in no hurry.

If you’re going to be at Discover this year, look me up! I would love to talk shop with you!

What:	HP Discover 2012 Learn about HP Discover 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada - June 4-7, the ultimate showcase technology event for business and IT professionals to learn, connect, and grow.
When:	Monday, June 4, 2012 (all day)
Where:	The Venetian 3355 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109   United States

 

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CNET: 10 awesome ways to use a USB flash drive http://t.co/EQW06xCE Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/CNET/status/198093398740189185 Sent via TweetDeck (www.tweetdeck.com)

Windows 8 - Compaq Mini 110 (blech!)

Last night I was noted and did the live upgrade to Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my Compaq Mini. The installation went pretty flawless and "most" of my software & documents were retained. I was running Vista prior to the upgrade and figured I couldn't go from bad to worse but I think im at the border.

I will admit my mini runs a heck of a lot faster and boots up faster but the metro interface is useless as my max resolution is 1240x600 and 8 wants 1240x780 to allow the metro apps  to function.

Besides that I can't really tell if all mymini apps are still there. Im not impressed with Windows 8 so far. It feels like Microsoft is considering their users to be idiots. Give them a simple interface, they don't need anything else.

Right now I would avoid Windows 8 like the plague and stick with windows 7 if you have a desktop or laptop. Now if you only surf the web, Facebook and twitter and are on a Windows phone or tablet then you might do ok. But if you are a power user, stay away.

Introducing Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Looks like the Windows 8 Consumer preview is available. I'm not sure if there is a trial period or if it's completely unlocked. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go download it.

Introducing Windows 8 Consumer Preview:

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It’s the end of the world as we know it…

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December 21st, 2012 has been touted as the end of the world…according to the Mayan calendar.

I’ve been picking up on all the hype over the past few months and just sort of absorbing it in. The continual conspiracy theories and rumors around why they ended on that specific date. I remember when the y2k scare was going around, the fear of the world ending because all of the computers were going to shut down! Oh the horror! Basically the programmers just programmed up to that time and then stopped so they could work on other parts. More than likely planning on getting back to updating that part of code later.

Well that got me to thinking and I developed some theories of my own. Maybe the person who made the calendar ran out of rock and never got around to getting any more? Maybe it was his turn to be the ritual sacrifice? Maybe he got busted by the prince on having an affair with the princess? Maybe that’s the day they ascended back to the heavens?

There’s all sorts of theories on why it ends at this date. Personally I think that’s as far as they got for their day (It really was a very impressive feat, figuring the calendar up to that date!) and just said ‘Ok, that’s enough for now, I’ll finish it later.”

Honestly, I’ll admit I’m not really that worried. I mean if it is the end of the world then so be it, nothing I can really do to prevent it. So instead I plan to make the most of this year. Learn a new programming language, achieve some certifications and take a well deserved rest while painting the house. Ok, that may not seem like a rest but to me it is!

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Tips for staying on top of tech | TechRepublic

Great article from TechRepublic on staying up on tech news. If this is one of your 2012 resolutions then here is a good start!

Tips for staying on top of tech | TechRepublic:

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