MSDN Flash - Volume 16, Number 1: January 9, 2012

Article
01/09/2012

Get the Web Matrix 2 Beta
WebMatrix is an all-in-one tool that lets you install, develop, optimize, deploy, and manage sites from templates or applications. Get started faster than ever with inspiring and functional new features.

Building HTML5 Applications: Using HTML5 Canvas for Data Visualization
The new HTML5 canvas element gives you the power to create and manipulate images and animations on the fly. It's not just for complex projects like games. Brandon Satrom demonstrates how you can use it to do some pretty cool data visualization as well.

Your Featured Content

Get Started with the Next Version of ASP.NET
Learn about the new features in Visual Studio 11, ASP.NET 4.5, Web Pages 2, and MVC 4. Watch videos, read tutorials, and download the new bits to get started now.

Autoscaling Application Block for Windows Azure
The Autoscaling Application Block takes advantage of the elastic nature of Windows Azure by automatically handling changes in load levels and scaling out or throttling accordingly. This will help meet necessary SLAs and reduce the number of manual tasks that your application operator must perform, while staying on budget.

Windows Template Library (WTL) 8.1 Released
Windows Template Library (WTL) is a C++ library for developing Windows applications and UI components. It extends ATL (Active Template Library) and provides a set of classes for controls, dialogs, frame windows, GDI objects, and more.

MSDN Webcast: Cloud + Mobile Game Scenario - Build Rock Paper Azure on Windows Phone
This end-to-end scenario talk demonstrates how Windows Azure enables and extends the reach of mobile applications with the example of the classic Rock-Paper-Scissors game played on the phone against a service hosted in the cloud.

Bytes by MSDN Interview with Mary Jo Foley
Mary Jo talks about the excitement around Window 8, how everyone can be a part of it, Metro style apps, integration between apps, and more. Mary Jo also discusses why she thinks Microsoft doesn't have to be like Apple.

Bytes by MSDN Interview on Visual Studio 11 with Cameron Skinner
Cameron talks about the exciting new features in the Visual Studio 11 Dev Preview, particularly the Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) toolset, including: requirements storyboarding tool, managing product backlog through web portal, a feature to keep devs in the zone, and more.

Windows Azure Toolkit for Social Games
The Windows Azure Toolkit for Social Games makes it easier for developers to quickly build social and casual games using Windows Azure. The Toolkit ships with all the great things you expect, including documentation, easy setup, and a new version of the content installer.

Windows with C++: Thread Pool Timers and I/O
Kenny Kerr finishes his series on the Windows 7 thread pool by delving into timer objects and I/O completion objects.

How to Use C++ AMP from C# Using WinRT
Take a look at how accelerating your C# apps on GPUs and other heterogeneous hardware is easier in Windows 8 using WinRT.

Windows Azure Office Hours, Featuring Mike Benkovich and Mark Russinovich
This week we bring Mark Russinovich to the show to get insight into Windows Azure and how to use the platform. Windows Azure Office Hours is an unstructured weekly event where you can get your questions answered live.

TechNet Radio: How to Avoid Scripting Pitfalls
In Episode 3 of his PowerShell Best Practices series, Ed Wilson guides us through combating a lack of cmdlet support to properly planning for and testing each of your separate functionality components, so that you can easily troubleshoot.

MSDN Flash - Volume 16, Number 1: January 9, 2012

Additional resources