MSDN Flash - Volume 20, Number 5: March 7, 2016
Top News Worldwide
Free Microsoft Press eBook: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2016, Preview 2
Pre-order Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition, shipping March 30
Download Windows 10 IoT Core Insider Preview for Raspberry Pi 3
Get ready for Build 2016 online – join the mailing list and add a reminder to your calendar
Your Featured Content
Visual Studio and SDK Updates for Microsoft Band
Create custom tile layouts, and drag elements into the visual layout of a Band and generate code easily by using Visual Studio Designer. SDK updates allow you to get daily values for steps and calories, and Universal Apps to receive tile events from the band.
XAML for Windows 10: Layout
Skill up on layout concepts in XAML. Explore common controls and learn to use Custom Panels, Relative Panels, and Grids to lay out the UI of your Windows 10 apps. We’ll also examine a variety of design patterns.
Easy data access – Windows Store Analytics API now available
Get analytics information for your Windows Store apps without having to log in to Dev Center and choose specific reports. Using a REST API you can retrieve the information on app and in-app purchase acquisitions, ratings and reviews, as well as app health.
Save 35% at the Microsoft Press Developer Reference Series sale
Save 35% on all developer reference books and eBooks at the Microsoft Press Store. Use discount code DEVSALE during checkout. Offer ends March 31, 2016.
How Azure ML Helped Predict the Results of the NCAA “March Madness” Tournament
Improve your “March Madness ” bracket by using Azure Machine Learning! Tune in for this insightful interview as Jennifer Marsman welcomes Damon Hachmeister to the show as they discuss just how Damon used Azure ML to improve his rankings in last year’s NCAA tournament.
Build and print from a 3D model to fit an existing component
The Maker Show dives into designing a 3D part to print and marry up to an existing part or assembly. Learn how to use a 3D modeling tool to provide control over interfacing with all of the shapes, faces, and features of an existing part.
Edge of the Web: Automated Testing in ASP.NET Core 1.0
In this DevRadio Edge of the Web session, Shahed Chowdhuri shows us how to do automated unit testing in ASP.NET Core 1.0 (formerly known as ASP.NET 5) and setting up Visual Studio so that you can quickly test your apps in the real world.
Stuck on an older C++ toolset version? Move to Visual Studio 2015 without upgrading your toolset
Are you currently developing your C++ projects in an older version of Visual Studio? If your reasons for avoiding the all-new features in VS 2015 are covered in the linked post, then read on: we may have good news for you.
VorlonJS – A Journey to DevOps
New in the Vorlon journey: Using deployment slots in Azure Web App, understanding infrastructure as code on Microsoft Azure with Resource Manager deployment templates, and building a release workflow that automatically deploys apps across different environments.
DevOps on Demand: Automate to Migrate
Improve agility, reliability, and profitability by automating your workflow. Here’s how you can automate your environment with Chef and Microsoft Azure.
Deliver better software, faster – DevOps Fundamentals Series
Don’t miss out on improving your processes. Get the basics for software engineers from DevOps Fundamentals.
Make Your HTML / JavaScript Faster – Web Performance 101
In this episode of Practical Performance Tips to Make Your HTML / JavaScript Faster , Technical Evangelist Doris Chen discusses fundamentals of web performance, methods for performance tuning, and common pitfalls you should avoid in performance optimization.
Free, fast, and powerful – Visual Studio Emulator for Android
Robert Green and Nick Landry tour Visual Studio Emulator for Android. It supports multiple Android versions and screen sizes, plus the full range of sensors, including accelerometer, screen orientation, SD card, battery, multi-touch, GPS, camera, audio, and keyboard.
Better Together: PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) and Puppet
Puppet Labs is in the studio to talk about PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) and demo integration between DSC and Puppet.
Events
DEVintersection – questions answered, strategies defined
April 17–22, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Microsoft execs Scott Guthrie and Steve Guggenheimer kick off this post-BUILD event, diving into Microsoft Azure, ASP.NET 5, Visual Studio 15, data science, DevOps, IoT, Angular 2, and open web technologies. Attendees taking workshops choose a Surface 3, Xbox One, or a Microsoft Band 2.
Microsoft Cloud Roadshow – build your cloud skills
Through May 23, 2016, worldwide
At this free technical training event, learn best practices and gain insight directly from the experts who build and run cloud services across Office 365, Microsoft Azure, Windows 10, and more. You’ll learn something new and walk away ready to apply your new skills.
Student News
Get Rolling with Raspberry Pi and Windows 10 in 5 Minutes
Learn how you can get your Raspberry Pi 2 running in about 5 minutes using the new “IoT Dashboard” app for Windows 10 IoT Core.
Boost your mobile apps today
Make your mobile app more interactive with features like offline data sync, single sign on, auto scaling and push notifications. Get Azure Mobile Apps through Microsoft Imagine by activating your Azure student offer today, and take advantage of these features.
Get Xamarin for free
Tired of trying to port your apps to iOS, Android, Mac and Windows? Give users the chance to play your game on any device. Get Xamarin today, available to students at no cost from Microsoft Imagine.
How to learn software development fast
Enjoy the wit and wisdom of Bob Tabor as he explains how the best way to learn software development is to actually write software applications. He promotes the value of getting hands-on in order to learn, and possibly get hired. Bob’s own experience informs his advice, and you’ll find lots of helpful information in his blog post.
Resources
Downloads and tools for Windows 10
Get started with app development
Try Microsoft Azure for 1 month free
Microsoft Virtual Academy – new training
Testing tools for web developers
Get the latest information from Channel 9
Free software and training for startups from Microsoft BizSpark
Code editing tools for building and debugging modern web and cloud applications
This newsletter contains information based on your preferences. Customize which topics you receive. Changes will be reflected in the next newsletter sent after your confirmation.
You can also see a version of the newsletter containing all topics.