3 comments
.NET 
Today was the last of the two Microsoft DevDays 2006. Both days I had the honor of giving a talk about windows Presentation Foundation. I must say that, even though WPF is very appealing on its own, competing with abstract stuff like Windows Communication Foundation, Window Workflow Foundation, .NET 2.0, Web Services, etc. makes it even easier to win the audiences enthusiasm. I enjoyed every single bit (even the demo bugs) of it.
The keynote on day one was very exiting to me. I didn’t have any part in it but something very strange happened there and I wonder if anybody else noticed the same thing I did. Here’s the story:
For as long as I can remember all big Microsoft events start with a very slick, clean cut and funny introduction movie. Over the years I have seen stuff like Bill Gates dancing and Microsoft Developer sharing our pain (last PDC) but Tuesday when the light dimmed and I fixed my eyes on the screen I was in for something waaaaaay cooler.
Eight man clad in long leather coats and sunglasses walked upon stage carrying a brass instrument. A (tape) orchestra started to play and soon the eight joined. This is what they played. (Click here if you do not recognize it)
I haven’t got a clue whether anybody in the audience was thinking the same thing I was: Microsoft is often called “The Evil Empire”, is this playing of the theme song part of the embrace and extend strategy? Was Microsoft aware of something similar that happened last year at LinuxWorld [1]?
No one ever referred or explained the ensemble in the keynote… I had a great time!
3 comments
Dear Erno,
I attended your presentation on the devdays.
I liked a lot. And it definately left an impression.
Today I have installed the SDK and runtimes I need to create wpf forms, usercontrols en pages….
Unfortunately I get the message that the visual designer for this type has not been implemented when trying to edit a usercontrol. Even though I have installed the development tools (orca’s ctp).
I remeber you had a very nice tool to draw stuff. I’m missing this.(although I can zoom in and out on a xaml form and page and design in a pane for example)
Do I need to install something else? Or am i using the wrong ctp of orca’s? I downloaded it from the microsoft site…..
great presentation again!
greets
Erdem
Erdem,
I’m glad you liked the sessions on WPF!
The tool I was using is Expression Interactive Designer
You can get it here but if I were you I’d wait until the March CTP come out: it will support UserControls!!!
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/interactive_designer/default.mspx
Erno
looks good Erno.
I’m gonna give it a go…
In the beginnen of the devdays they told us that WPF, WCF would be the new generation of API’s…
when I saw the 3d windows or some windows twirling around in Vista… I thought that these where build in mechanisms that I just could call on to…(maybe give in the rotating speed and direction)…
but when seeing the interactive designer now… It reminds me a bit of other tools. Like 3ds max. when seeing this I do get the impression that it takes a bit more to get those twirling windows But neverthelles it seems far more flexible. and that’s what a programming language/environment definately should have. Flexibility….
greets,
Erdem
Erdem