johnvisiomvp

Behind the Windows 8 Ball.

For the past month I have been looking at converting one of my WP7 apps to Metro to run under Windows 8. The actual process of creating a new Windows 8 app is trivial, there are many templates to help in the process. Of course, I was going from an existing app and trying toContinue reading “Behind the Windows 8 Ball.”

WP7 Microsoft too straight laced?

For the latest round of updates to my apps, I was exploring the use of ads. So I was not surprised that one of the apps failed, but I was surprised by the reason. Acording to the report I was in violation of policy 3.7 “Certain types of Illegal Activity” and the comment said “ThisContinue reading “WP7 Microsoft too straight laced?”

WP7 Presentation Challenges

Back in February, I attended two all day Virtual Boot Camps at the Microsoft Office in Ottawa. Both were Interesting presentations with an interesting way to keep the presentation interesting. The events were a series of presentations, each followed by a challenge that involved what was just presented. The participants were divided into teams so that everyoneContinue reading “WP7 Presentation Challenges”

WP7 A Tale of Two App Ids

I am still fighting my way through the world of getting revenue from WP7 apps. The latest piece of insight was that PubCenter and the Marketplace have DIFFERENT App Ids. The information about adding ads to your app appear trivial, but it is not as trivial as it sounds. Yes, with the Mango upgrades, youContinue reading “WP7 A Tale of Two App Ids”

WP7 Do you want ads with that?

Contrary to what is posted, writing phone apps is NOT a road to riches. Not everyone can have the luck of writing an Angry Bird app. The actual writing of a simple app is very easy, the trick is to create something that people want. So far I have submitted five apps in the pastContinue reading “WP7 Do you want ads with that?”

WP7 Presentation App

Back in February I attended an all day Virtualization Boot Camp. I fell in love with the cocept of virtualization back in my early mainframe days. No longer did I have to go into work to do testing at 2am on Sunday that would only last a few hours (if I actually got time), I could doContinue reading “WP7 Presentation App”

Watch your Language!

The journey with WP7 continues. I have made several attempts to add multilanguage support to my WP7 apps with little success. The stumbling block in the process has been reaching the point which can be best described on a flowchart as “Magic Happens”. I am old school, so my approach to adding alternate languages is to use something likeContinue reading “Watch your Language!”

WP7 Will that be Portrait, Landscape or the other?

This week I attended a WP7 boot camp and was reminded that the phone has more than one orientation. The instructor did a Hello Phone application and should that the default behaviour is a single orientation, Portrait. She then went on to explain that with a bit of code, landscape can be supported. Actually, itContinue reading “WP7 Will that be Portrait, Landscape or the other?”

Where do I find a Visio shape for…

One of the common requests I have seen from Visio users is where do I find a shape for… Today was no different and the request was for a Map of Spain. Unfortunately, Visio Maps was discontinued several years ago and a simple Bing should many results, none that were relevant. Luckily you are notContinue reading “Where do I find a Visio shape for…”

What is the MVP Programme?

Every four months, Microsoft hands out awards for people who they believe excel at helping the various Microsoft communities. It is not a certification that can be studied for and earned. Initially, it was one person who thought that those who were helping out on the Microsoft forums deserved some recognition. It was just anContinue reading “What is the MVP Programme?”