MSDN Flash - Volume 17, Number 21: October 21, 2013

Top Stories

New Guide: Building a Release Pipeline with Team Foundation Server 2012
This guide from Microsoft patterns & practices with hands-on lab is designed to help testers and developers understand the role of dev ops within the team and workflow and to build a continuous delivery release pipeline using Team Foundation Server ALM tools.

Programming the Nokia Sketch Effect in Windows Phone 8
The Nokia Imaging SDK for Windows Phone 8 enables powerful photo effects in real time when taking pictures with Nokia Lumia smartphones. Author Srikar Doddi builds a Windows Phone 8 app that explores the new capabilities.

Challenge Your Language Skills and Technical Knowledge with MSDN Translation Wiki
With MSDN Translation Wiki, you can earn points and medals for your translation contributions to the MSDN Library Visual Studio content in 13 languages. Visit the Community Translate Page and start contributing. Learn more and give feedback at our Localization team blog.

Your Featured Content

Windows 8.1 Preview: New APIs and Features for Developers
Windows UX continues to evolve - it's getting easier to develop, test, and submit apps to the Windows Store. Check out updated and new app samples for developers. App Builder provides tools, tips, and frameworks for creating Windows 8 and Windows phone apps.

Game Developers Conference Next Discounts
November 4 - 7, 2013, Los Angeles, CA
Receive discounted conference passes or free expo passes to GDC Next and the App Developers Conference. To receive 10%off conference passes, register using code TPMSAA72. To join us with a complimentary Expo Pass, register using code TPMSEX39. Visit us at the Microsoft Developer Lounge #324.

Download Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server is a key ingredient of the Cloud OS. With Windows Server in conjunction with the developer technologies in the Cloud OS, you can build modern business applications spanning on-premises and public clouds. Download now and receive resources from the experts.

Developer App: Code Writer
Building apps using Windows 8? Edit documents with features you'd normally find only in desktop apps. Code Writer is helpful when editing any text-based file, doing code reviews, or presenting code samples. Apps. Quests. Rewards. Join App Builder and get 1,000 points to start.

Get Started with App Builder Rewards
Earn points by attending fun events, completing quests, and coding apps. Cash in your points for cool stuff like #Xbox games, #Windows8, and more. Join today - and get all the tools and resources you need to build and market amazing apps.

Deploy on-Premises or in the Cloud
Use Windows Azure to develop and test applications faster, at reduced cost, and then deploy them. Go into production on Windows Azure, or export your VM and go live on premises or with a hosting provider. The choice is yours. Learn more and try Windows Azure for free.

Design Your Windows Phone App for Different Sizing
Windows 8.1 introduces a new windowing model. Depending on screen resolution, users can run up to four apps at the same time, per screen. Learn how to design your app to work with the new window size model.

Introducing Windows Phone Preview for Developers
Windows Phone Preview for Developers gives the developer community access to prerelease builds of Windows Phone updates on your dev phone before operating system updates are generally available to consumers. Read the blog for more information and download the Windows Phone SDK.

October 29: Microsoft Insights 2013
Join us live for an engaging panel discussion on the changing employment landscape, plus an in-depth interview with Jeremy Foster, Microsoft Technical Evangelist, and Chris Gardner, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Senior Software Engineer at T&W Operations, Inc. They'll address the skills you need to position yourself ahead of the pack and capture interesting and important projects. Plus they'll share the wealth of resources available from Microsoft to help you gain those skills.

ALM and TFS Symposium Coming to Irvine, CA, October 22
October 22, Irvine, CA
Join us for a fresh look at releasing higher-quality applications faster through agile testing. Learn how Microsoft's ALM solutions can help you reduce project backlogs, respond to business requests, and deliver higher quality faster than ever before. Registration is free, but space is limited.

Visual Studio 2013 available for download
Visual Studio 2013 is the best tool for developers and teams to build and deliver modern, connected applications on all of Microsoft’s platforms. From Windows Azure and SQL Server to Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8, Visual Studio 2013 supports the breadth of Microsoft’s developer platforms.

Download Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express CTP2
This free, feature-rich edition of SQL Server is ideal for learning, developing, powering desktop, web and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs. This release includes the full version of SQL Server 2014 Management Studio instead of SQL Server 2014 Management Studio Express. Download now and receive resources from the experts.

AppLocker Design Guidance
Learn how to establish trust between a computing platform and the code it is asked to run. This guide describes the end-to-end process for developing, testing, and deploying AppLocker in a way that minimizes the impact on business operations.

October 25: Developing SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions Jump Start
Learn everything you need to know about developing SharePoint Server 2013 core solutions: the skills common to most SharePoint development, and how to work with back-end data, UI, and security. This Jump Start will help you prepare for exam 70-488 toward the MCSD: SharePoint Applications certification.

Localization Best Practices for Windows Phone App Development
Jerry Nixon and Dan Zucker from the Windows Phone team discuss why you should consider localizing your apps. Developers who localize their apps more than recover their costs, frequently doubling downloads. Learn best practices and tools you can use to make this happen for you.

My App in 60 Seconds - Developer Edition: Draw a Stickman
Jonathan Peppers, lead developer at Hitcents, describes how his team developed and launched Draw a Stickman Epic for Windows 8 using C# and the cross-platform framework MonoGame. Join App Builder for tools, tips, and frameworks to create your own Windows 8 and Windows phone apps.

How to Get Started Developing for Windows Phone
Use this step-by-step guide to get the tools you need, build your first app, and test it on your own phone. Find out how to make the most of the platform, tools, and samples. Get suggestions for your next steps. Sign up for App Builder Rewards.

Get Started Building Games to Publish with the Unity Game Starter Kit
It's easy to start building games for the Window platform when you follow the 5-step tutorial that walks you through creating a simple game using the Unity Game Starter Kit for Windows Store and Windows Phone Store. Download the Unity game starter kit.

Attend Office 365 Ignite Summits 2013 - Three Amazing Cities: Prague, Washington, D.C., and Dubai
October 22 - 24, Prague, Czech Republic
November 5 - 7, 2013, Washington DC
November 19 - 21, 2013, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Learn from Microsoft product experts from across the company. More than 70 technical sessions covering Office 365, Developer, Exchange, Project, Visio/Visio Services, SharePoint, and Yammer. Reserve your spot today. Ignite is free of charge, however a no-show fee applies.