This week, we have been working hard on new accessibility training for the web and released the updated 3D Manipulations in Windows Touch sample. We shared some of the work that has been done to update the developer center.
Releases for this week
Accessibility Training for the Web
The accessibility training for the web includes a CD with resources for accessibility development as well as new planned content for the MSDN library and the developer center. The Microsoft Accessibility Tools and Training resource CD includes the accessibility guide for business and organizations, the accessibility guide for government organizations, and accessibility training courses, tools, and other resources to help developers worldwide create technology products, services, and web sites that are accessible to people with disabilities and to enable business leaders to make better informed technology decisions. The official download is not yet available but we have an unofficial release of the accessibility training DVD available online. All of the release materials will be available from the Windows Accessibility Developer Resources page on the developer center.
3D Manipulations for Windows Touch
This sample demonstrates some advanced concepts for Windows Touch manipulations:
- Integration with Direct3D
- Creating Custom Gestures
- Smoothing Windows touch input by normalizing messages
If you are developing multitouch applications for Windows, this sample demonstrates some very useful techniques. The attached documentation walks you through the code and helps to clarify the details of the sample.
For more information on Windows Touch Programming, check out the Windows Touch learning path on MSDN: http://msdn.com/windows/touch
Developer Center Updates
We have been working to define some templates for presenting content on the developer center. The most important part of this to this reorganization of content is going to be ensuring that the actual resources (videos, code, articles) are clearly called out on pages and are consistently organized across Windows features, scenarios, and how-to's. To address this, we have created a simple template that will be used for content curators to highlight resources for their particular feature area. The name "resource page" seems to be sticking for this page type for now.
The following high level designs reflect where content should appear on resource pages based on their content. The colored content is the core of the page with beginner in green, intermediate orange, advanced red:
Resource Page:
| Resource page with video:
|
Generically, resource pages should just have content organized by the point, beginner to advanced developer. If a page has videos on it, they should be placed within the video flipper and propped to the top of the page in order from beginner to advanced developer. Various content types should be called out with iconography either at the reorganization launch or on iterative releases.
Other News and Updates
See Also
My name is Gus Class, I'm 29 years old, and I have been passionate about computers for my entire life. My first computer was an Apple IIgs and I begged my parents to get a PC (a 386!) around the time I had turned 7 or 8 which they begrudgingly caved in on. I came online for the first time in the early 90s through the Prodigy service which led me to the BBS scene and opened doors for learning the ins and outs of computing. I taught myself how to program in my teens, took vocational classes in high school on network administration through a magnet program, and earned a bachelor's degree in Computing and Software Systems through the University of Washington in 2003. In an effort to round out my education, I earned an MBA in 2008 while working full time at Microsoft.
I am currently a Content Project Manager at Microsoft where I have worked for the past 5 years. My work there has included writing sample code, creating compelling documentation to help developers adopt Windows features, managing sites, connecting with the developer audience through social media, mentoring and growing new hires and peers, developing tools to enhance productivity, and attending conferences as a Microsoft representative.
I enjoy a plethora of hobbies including rock climbing, DJing, electronic music production, recreational programming, creating web sites, playing and creating video games, and hanging out with social media mavens.
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