Microsoft has released Beta 2 of Expression Blend.

New features include direct creation of controls by dragging styles onto the design surface, inner exception details (much needed!!), and improved value editors for things such as BitmapEffects, ListItems, TabItems, etc.

Check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/expression/

Blend | Downloads | WPF

Comments [5]  |  Trackback

After a lot of planning, recording mishaps (a perfect take lost due to my idiotically forgetting to press the RECORD button), tweaking, lots of coffee, Andy's vein's popping with an OD of sugar, some more tweaking, and some masterful digital artwork and editing, the revolUXion is finally released to manufacturing.

Keep watching this space, Andy's blog, and/or http://ux.nukeation.com for the public release on February 1, 2007.

Now, we've been very cheeky about revolUXions, but now here's the whole story:

WPF is out. But we're lacking good resources that tell you HOW some of the deep features work, or how to get started to experiment (do note, for developers there are some resources, but designers are mostly in the dark). Everyone is talking potential but no one is talking real concepts. Even some "great literature" on WPF out there is too hello-worldly. I'm sorry to say many a good developer are taking weird routes to doing things in WPF.

Bottomline: we need information on how to implement WPF into new projects. How to add a designer to your team, or work remotely with one. How to create a new level of interactivity that no doubt looks good but also makes your application and the end-user's task much more efficient.

There are full time designers working in Flash, Web, or other media who have the potential to build some great things in WPF, but it's too new for them and risky. I won't say I want Flash'rs to leave Flash. This is not a Microsoft propaganda machine, for the record. If you're looking for some decent new technology and TONS of earning opportunities, then WPF, Expression and WPF/E can give you that.

Developers are about to find out that their familiar world of Windows Forms is about to turn different. Yes, it's an eventuality we have to face: WPF is going to replace Windows Forms in the near future. It is the evolution of Windows Forms, and a revolution for User Experience.

Join us this Thursday (1st Feb), and we'll do our best to give you a wide spectrum of topics without wasting too much of your time, and maybe even help you get an idea or two for how WPF can help you do your job easier.

revolUXions | WPF

Comments [3]  |  Trackback

.NET 3.0 is out.

WPF is out.

Blend is almost out.

WPF/E has been reveleaded and will soon also be out.

Clients are asking about WPF and WPF/E.

Developers are asking about WPF and WPF/E.

Non-Microsoft technologists are asking about WPF and WPF/E!

But there is NOTHING comprehensive out there to teach you how to REALLY use it. Nothing but developer samples.

How do you REALLY get the full potential of WPF to work in your app?

Has anyone even told you that WPF is the successor to Windows Forms?

How do you get a designer to work with a team of developers and share code? Without needing Source Control!

How does a team of developers work with a designer and not mess up his graphics?

As you can see there are too many questions and too few answers.

So what makes WPF greater or more exciting than say LINQ or WCF or something like that? No doubt those are great and useful technologies but to quote Andy, "They're just evolutions. WPF is a revolution!"

That's where we come in. A designer (me) and a developer (Andy Eick). We will show you EVERYTHING that has ANYTHING to do with WPF. With the generous help of people like Carl Franklin (.NET Rocks, Pwop Productions) and Leon Brown (UX and Expression Product Lead, Microsoft), we're creating a new series of screencasts that will give you highly concentrated doses of WPF.

So stay tuned to the revolUXions feed here. We're going live very soon.

revolUXions

Comments [2]  |  Trackback

This thing started catching attention before it was even announced.

It's hot and it's coming soon.

The ultimate WPF resource. The only hint I can give you so far is - it's powered by Pwop.

.NET | Aesthetics | Geek Stuff | Graphics | WPF | WPFE | revolUXions

Comments [4]  |  Trackback

...that one M. Andrew Eick of Farmington Hills, MI, USA is the most awesome guy on the planet. Even if his printer doesn't have any ink.

Thanks, man!

[Edit: Now if this isn't link love, nothing is! :)]

My Insignificant Life | Purely Idiotic Stuff

Comments [4]  |  Trackback

I'm still finding that many people are still not trying WPF. Many don't know where to start. So to help people adopt WPF, Andy Eick and I are creating some cool "learning material".

Instead of assuming we know what you - "Joe Developer" or "Joe Designer" - want to know more about in WPF, we'll just ask you.

What do you want to learn about in WPF? Does databinding interest you? Or maybe custom controls? Or scalable layouts? Or the declarative XAML?

Post a comment and leave your thoughts. We will make sure we do our best to satisfy your questions in our "learning material". Really. Free training material tailored to your needs - what more could you ask for?!

Keep reading Andy's blog and mine for updates.

.NET | Code | Geek Stuff | Microsoft | Windows Vista | WPF | WPFE

Comments [0]  |  Trackback

I've just been informed that I'm now officially a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Client Application Development.

Thanks to Abhishek Kant at Microsoft for pushing me for it.

To recieve an autographed photo of me send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Ego Dept. @ Nukeation Studios. :)

.NET | Geek Stuff | My Insignificant Life

Comments [2]  |  Trackback