Thom Robbins: Mobile Development

Want to try it out?

Sun, 15 Aug 2004 02:09:17 GMT

Is anybody besides me becoming an RSS junkie? Actually, that was a loaded question as it seems to be affecting many people. As part of the upcoming Mobility Day I’ve been putting together a variety of different samples to show. I started doing a simple feed reader to show some concepts of the Compact Framework, ADO and XML usage. It quickly became much more and finally evolved into a quite useful application. When I combined this application with my recent OS upgrade and the T-Mobile all you can eat data plan for my Pocket PC Phone, I was completely hooked. Both I and several others have been testing it over the last week and have given very positive feedback. I wanted to open it up to others and hope that they will use it and provide some feedback. What do you like? What do you hate? What do you want?

I designed the interface to take advantage of several different areas of the Compact Framework. I definitely ran into some of the short comings of the Compact Framework. The good news is that these are being added in 2.0. The most important problem was rendering HTML within my application. Well no worries, the folks at OpenNETCF solved that problem. Definitely, have some great stuff!

I wanted to do a quick introduction to News Reader an RSS reader written entirely using the Compact Framework 1.0.

Here is the startup screen

Here is the Read screen

Here is the message screen

Here is a short list of some of the features that I wanted to highlight

Maintains the last download date for feeds.
Maintains a local XML file with your posts.
Allows the deletion of individual messages or an entire feed.
Automatic retrieval of feed information based on an RSS URL.
Multiple feed retrieval based on selection
Able to consume both RSS 1.0 and RSS 2.0 feeds.
Maintains the local feed list using OPML

Please feel free to download the following files and let me know your feedback, bugs or comments that you may have.

Here are the links for download:

Pocket PC/Pocket PC Phone (Complete package)

Other CAB Files (CABs only)

OpenNETCF CABS (CABs only)

Installation instructions:

Extract the device specific zip files into a directory on your local machine.
You will need two CAB files. One is for the News Reader application. The second is for the OpenNETCF controls.
Copy these two files to your device.
Tap the two CAB files. This will install the application and remove the local copies of the CAB files.

Mobility Final Lineup

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 02:27:44 GMT

We have the final line up all set! If you haven’t registered there is still time.

Windows Mobile Developer Day

Date: August 18, 2004

Time: 8:30-4:15

Event Description:

Is your code going mobile? Have you wanted to learn how to develop and implement mobile solutions within your applications? Using nothing but the code these sessions will help you learn how you can develop and implement these types of solutions. Come and join us for a one day Developer’s solution workshop. These sessions are designed to provide a complete overview of the Compact Framework from the ground up and how it can be used within your application environment.

Time	Topic	Presenter
8:30-9:00	Registration/Welcome	Tom Cochran/Thom Robbins
9:00-10:30	Introduction to the Compact Framework	Thom Robbins
10:30-10:45	Break
10:45-12:00	Occasionally Connected Application Development	Duane Laflotte
12:00-1:00	Lunch
1:00-2:30	Data Storage Best Practices	Chris Pels
2:30-2:45	Break
2:45-4:00	Compact Framework Tips and Tricks	Don Sorcinelli
4:00-4:15	Wrap Up/Give Aways

Dataset,DataRow and other things

Sun, 08 Aug 2004 03:00:34 GMT

Question: I am trying to understand the dataset and how I can use it. It looks like a really powerful feature but it has an incredible amount of objects. It seems to me that I should be able to do simple things like create and edit values. But for the life of me I can’t seem to figure out how it works. Do you have some simple example that show how you can create a dataset and then update the individual rows?

Answer: Sure – here are some examples.

The following creates a dataset that we can use in the later examples.

' create the item table

Dim tblitem As DataTable = New DataTable("item")

Dim itemid As DataColumn = New DataColumn("itemno", _ Type.GetType("System.Int32"))

Dim colititle As DataColumn = New DataColumn("title", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

Dim colipubdate As DataColumn = New DataColumn("pubdate", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

Dim colidesc As DataColumn = New DataColumn("description", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

Dim colilink As DataColumn = New DataColumn("link", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

‘ create the columns

tblitem.Columns.Add(itemid)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colititle)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colipubdate)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colidesc)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colilink)

‘ add it to the dataset

ds.Tables.Add(tblitem)

Create a datatable from the dataset and insert a datarow.

Dim dt As DataTable = ds.Tables("item")

' get the datarow

Dim dtrow As DataRow

dtrow = dt.NewRow()

dtrow("itemno") = 10

dtrow("link") = "http://www.msn.com"

dt.Rows.Add(dtrow)

Select the new row and edit the value

Dim dr As DataRow() = dt.Select("itemno=10")

If dr.Length > 0 Then

dr(0).Item("link") = "http://www.test.com"

End If

dt.AcceptChanges()

Windows Mobile Developer Day

Thu, 22 Jul 2004 21:25:54 GMT

Windows Mobile Developer Day is fast approaching. Please make sure that you register and attend! We have some great speakers lined up around some awesome content.

Hope to see you there!

Windows Mobile Developer Day

Date: August 18, 2004

Time: 8:30-4:15

Event Description:

Agenda:

8:30 – 9:00 – Registration

9:00 – 10:30 - .NET Compact Framework Overview.

10:30 – 10:45 – Break

10:45 – 12:00 – Occasionally-Connected Application Development.

12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 – Data Storage Best Practices

2:30 – 2:45 – Break

2:45 – 4:00 - .NET CF Tips and Tricks

4:00 – 4:15 – Wrap Up/

Code Camp II: The Return!

Thu, 22 Jul 2004 15:20:34 GMT

*********CALL FOR SPEAKERS*********

Developer Code Camp II: The Return!

October 16/17, 2004

October 16 – 8:30 AM – 9PM

October 17 – 8:30 AM – 4PM

Microsoft Waltham

Schedule: http://radio.weblogs.com/0131777/CodeCamp2/code2.htm

General Call for Speakers

Code Camp II is looking for speakers and session leaders.

Code Camp II: The Return is looking to be even bigger and better than anything we have done before. The secret is you! This is a New England developer community based event that requires both speakers and attendees. The continuing goal of the Code Camps series is to provide an intensive developer to developer learning experience that is fun and technically stimulating. The primary focus is on delivering programming information and sample code that can be used immediately. The event is free and all slides, manuals and demo code are provided free!

This two day camp is hosted in our Waltham facility. As a community based event this is a general call for speakers and session leaders to help make this event a success. Based on your feedback, Code Camp II will now feature two types of 1.5 hour sessions and three defined tracks

Do you have something to say?

Requested Session Types:

Code focused presentation – These are presentations that include both power points and code demos. Given the audience that is attending it is important that a large amount of the presentation is focused on code and coding related techniques. Sample topics include How To and Best Practice Sessions.

Chalk Talks – These are new to the Code Camp. These sessions are designed as a facilitated discussion around a specific topic. No pre-canned demos, or pre-prepared code samples allowed! They are presented as a free form facilitated discussion that leverages the expertise of the presenter and the combined knowledge of the group to explore a specific topic.

Additionally, based on feedback we are sponsoring the following three tracks. All presentations must fall into these tracks to be considered. One of the strongest pieces of feedback from the last Code Camp was to provide a better organized set of tracks:

Code Camp Tracks:

Smart Client – This track is designed for presentations or chalk talks on topics related to Smart Client related development topics. This includes Windows Forms applications, Microsoft Office or mobile devices.

Web Track – This track is designed for presentations or chalk talks about Web based development that includes ASP.NET and Web Services.

Data Track – This track is designed for presentation and chalk talks about data storage technologies that includes SQL Server and XML.

********Submit Your Sessions********

Please complete the following and return it to trobbins@microsoft.com by September 15.

Once your session abstract is received we will review and provide scheduling for the selected sessions by October 1. All slides and code samples for the presentation must be delivered by October 14. If we are unable to fill all the time slots for the two days, the code camp will be shortened. It is the community that makes this event a success!

Name:
Company:
Email:
Phone:
Session Type:	Chalk Talk/Presentation (Select one)
Track:	Web/Smart Client/Data (Select one)
Level	200/300/400
Session Name:
Session Description:

Visual Studio 2005 - Mobile Intro

Tue, 15 Jun 2004 10:31:16 GMT

I recently completed some prototyping with a customer around the new mobile features of Visual Studio 2005 using the May preview. I thought it would make an interesting post with some of the screen shots and the things that struck me.

At the onset using the smart device application is fairly straight forward.

The emulators have changed significantly. This includes the ability to have multiple states and emulators.

The most startling visual difference was around the actual picture of the device within the IDE. This skin is completely customizable.

You can even interact with the device skin. If you notice, as I hold the cursor over it, the fact that it is a power button comes up.

Not only can I hover on it. But when I click it, I end up directly in the code that handles it!

Windows Mobility Day - Are you coming?

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 00:37:14 GMT

Windows Mobility Developer Day is getting closer! We are starting to lock in the speakers and the content. Keep an eye here for more information.

Window Mobile Developer Day

Microsoft Office Waltham
201 Jones Road
Waltham Ma

Have You Registered?

Agenda:

8:30 – 9:00 – Registration

9:00 – 10:30 - .NET Compact Framework Overview.

10:30 – 10:45 – Break

10:45 – 12:00 – Occasionally-Connected Application Development. (Chris Pels)

12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 – Data Storage Best Practices (Laflotte, Duane)

2:30 – 2:45 – Break

2:45 – 4:00 - .NET CF Tips and Tricks

4:00 – 4:15 – Wrap Up/

Announcing Windows Mobile Developer Day!

Sat, 08 May 2004 22:50:28 GMT

I have been hearing that many of the developer community are increasingly writing mobile applications. Based on this feedback – I am happy to announce that we have scheduled:

Windows Mobile Developer Day

8/18/2004 9:00 AM - 8/18/2004 4:15 PM
Welcome Time: 8:30 AM

Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00 – Registration
9:00 – 10:30 - .NET Compact Framework Overview
10:30 – 10:45 – Break
10:45 – 12:00 – Occasionally-Connected Application Development
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 – Data Storage Best Practices
2:30 – 2:45 – Break
2:45 – 4:00 - .NET CF Tips and Tricks
4:00 – 4:15 – Wrap Up (Cool Give Aways!)

Stayed tuned for more information as we start to lock down the agenda and speakers!

Got Internet Connectivity?

Mon, 02 Feb 2004 03:07:39 GMT

I just finished assisting on a project with a customer that was rolling out a really cool .NET based Pocket PC Phone application. One thing we found we needed was a quick way to check for an Internet connection. We originally, figured that we would just call the Web Service and if it failed we would know we didn’t have a connection. They had some business requirements that prevented this. Instead of that we decided that it would be easier and cleaner to do just do a quick test for connectivity.

Here is the general function we came up with:

Imports System.Net

Public Function GotInet() As Boolean

Dim webrequest As HttpWebRequest

Dim webresponse As HttpWebResponse

Try

webrequest = CType(webrequest.Create("http://mycompany.com"), HttpWebRequest)

webresponse = CType(webrequest.GetResponse(), HttpWebResponse)

webrequest.Abort()

' check the response to make sure that we got something

If webresponse.StatusCode = HttpStatusCode.OK Then

GotInet = True

End If

' was there an error?

Catch weberror As WebException

GotInet = False

Catch except As Exception

GotInet = False

End Try

End Function

Not incredibly pretty but definitely functional. A return value of true would then trigger the firing of the Web Service call.