Thursday, December 20, 2012

Team Foundation Service Online Pricing

If you're looking to use TFS but don't want to setup a server yourself this is the way to go.  I use this for all of my non open source projects.


Pricing Information - Team Foundation Service:

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Back On Track, Surface, SimpleHealthTracker Update

    It's been a while since I last posted.  I've just been busy.  Started a new gig and finally put the last cog in the machine that was my master degree.

I've been looking to get the Surface for a tablet, especially the pro version:



    I was able to go to Bestbuy just yesterday, although not specifically to play with one, and after using it and many of the Android counterparts I can honestly say that I prefer the screen and behavior or Windows (RT in this case).  However, I wasn't fond of the touch cover since I couldn't tell how hard to press in order to register a key stroke.  My guess is that with some time I might pick it up.  However, I would like to check out the type cover in order to gauge the different between the two.

    One thing that strikes me is the price.  Granted, I've read plenty about how it's either too expensive or on par with the Mac Book Air.  If the surface ran a Intel Core-i7 it would be a no brainer.  But with the i5 it's harder to take the dive given the plethora of Ultra-books and cheap laptops at the same price point.  However, I'm in the market for both a tablet and laptop and in the end I might just take the plunge in order to get a two-for-one.  Ultimately I would like to see Microsoft introduced some discounts and bundle/package specials in order to get the price down $100-$200 more.

    In other news I'm about to release the next version of my health tracking app.  This version brings custom tags for saving records.  You can add and delete as many as you want.  However, records will persist with the tag until manually deleted.  I thought this was the best approach for consistency and backward compatibility   This is only for the paid version so get buy it!

SimpleHealthTracker For Windows Phone 7+

SimpleHealthTracker For Windows Phone


Here's the link:  Simple Health Tracker

Saturday, November 10, 2012

First Look: Windows Phone 7.8 On a Lumia 900

First Look: Windows Phone 7.8 On a Lumia 900:

I think people who bought a pre 7.8 device are foolish if they thought (or rather expected) an upgrade to windows phone 8.  Not that they are wrong in their assumption but mostly misguided.  If you haven't been in software development for sometime it's easier to think that changing hardware should not be a reason to change the software.  Therein lies the misguidance.  More often than  not, if you deviate from your regular hardware requirements it becomes harder to keep multiple version in sync using the same software core.  Believe me I don't just say this because I read about it but because I have had to deal with it.  Give that, when I purchased, no less switched from Verizon to ATT, my Nokia Lumia 900 I did so with the very thought that I might not be able to upgrade to the latest windows phone version, namely Windows Phone 8.  That did not persuade me one bit.  I needed a phone not only to test and write apps against but one that was more consistent than the HTC that I had purchased years earlier.  With that in mind I knew of the rumors of WP8 and possibly not supporting older hardware platforms yet I still forged ahead.  And here I am knowing that my phone cannot be upgraded to the latest but some variant (7.8) and still I'm satisfied because the concept (metro-esque) and the stability it has given me will sustain me until I am eligible for the next upgrade.  However, given the choice and very small price tag I would definitely upgrade to WP8, without having been left out in the dust as many proclaim.  Probably because I keep current with my WP news rather than by word of mouth.  However, this must be better explained in the future to avoid confusion for those who don't  keep up with latest news or don't know that there is something else in the pipeline.


'via Blog this'

Thursday, May 31, 2012

AudiblePi

AudiblePi:

I have an update forthcoming which should fix an issue with playing notes after restarting the app.  And a future update to allow for more digits, although canned, up to 1 million and possibly more.

'via Blog this'

Friday, February 17, 2012

Texas Holdem Calculator

Texas Holdem Calculator:

'via Blog this'

The first app is off and running. It's been a joy from concept to implementation but hold on, I'm not done! The next version includes skydrive integration allowing you to load your own starting hands to look at. Think you're a pro and have a winning strategy, simply create your own starting hands, right now you can use the samples in the code, and save them to skydrive. The new version allows you to save them directly to your phone and view them.

Some of the skydrive concepts were borrowed from this :

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/MetroSky-A-Complete-4250b80f, but I'll be honest the code is a bit much still it shows the basics of using the Live Sign-in control for Windows Phone 7. Feel free to give it a try and submit feedback.

Monday, January 16, 2012

my apps

Just received confirmation that my free app is ready to be published. It's my first attempt at developing an from conception to production. Hopefully it will receive a warm reception, given that it's free and all.


Oh yeah!

'via Blog this'

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Nokia Lumia 900 - Nokia - USA

Nokia Lumia 900 - Nokia - USA:

'via Blog this'


I wish I were on AT&T, regardless of the chatter about subpar network coverage. I would give up a little coverage for a fantastic phone. Oh well, for now I stay with the Big Red Giant (Verizon).

More: