The Insider News

Sergey Barskiy's Blog[^]:

I have a project I am working on for the client that targets Azure. I wanted to move up to .NET 4.5 to take advantage on async/await keywords and other improvements. It is a an MVC 4 project. Of course in order to run .NET 4.5 on Azure, you have to update your project configuration. Here's how you do it...

Devlicio.us[^]:

I’ve been responsible for the technical evaluation portion of some developer interviews recently. I stumbled through the first few, unhappy with my aged and worn approach of asking questions, having the candidate write pseudo code on a white-board, and so. A friend challenged me: he said that the interview should be a positive experience for the candidate even if they don’t get the job. With that in mind, here’s what I decided to do.

The Windows Blog[^]:

Just under a year ago, we unveiled a set of SkyDrive APIs that made it easy for developers on modern mobile platforms to provide their users with the ability to access their SkyDrive content in their favorite apps. And since then, we’ve been working at how we could continue to make this easy for more and more developers.... We also continue to be impressed by the broad range of ways in which developers building apps of all kinds are using the SkyDrive APIs to build great experiences for their users.Here, we wanted to highlight some new additions that we find compelling—IFTTT, DocuSign and SoundGecko.

bitsavers[^]:

This manual supersedes all earlier information about the FORTRAN system. It describes the system which will be made available during late 1956, and is intended to permit planning and FORTRAN coding in advance of that time. An Introductory Programmer's Manual and an Operator's Manual will also be issued.

Build New Games[^]:

Scott Hanselman dubbed JavaScript the assembly language for the web and the number of compilers targeting JavaScript seems to confirm that statement. While there are many attempts at improving the JavaScript development experience through a different language, not all of them will be relevant to a game developer. In particular, you probably want to avoid one that will add overhead to the JavaScript virtual machine (VM) and slow it down. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the different approaches that are out there.

Ars Technica[^]:

Internet Explorer 10 is a fast browser with good standards compliance, and the version of Internet Explorer 10 included with Windows Phone 8 is no exception, as it's almost identical to its desktop sibling. But Internet Explorer 10 has a problem: Web developers don't expect to see it on the mobile Web. The mobile Web is dominated by WebKit-based browsers, and mobile sites tend to be developed exclusively for, and tested exclusively on, WebKit browsers. A similar problem exists for tablets.

ZDNet[^]:

The centre of gravity may not have fully shifted yet, but it's moving. Big Windows, as many insiders have called it, will be replaced by Bigger Windows, one that works at cloud scale to deliver information and services to smart end points. Tomorrow's Microsoft will be built around Azure. That strategy means more and more collaboration between the different parts of the organisation as what were in the past standalone applications become services that are consumed by other services.

ComputerAndVideoGames.com[^]:

Nintendo insiders speak: How Microsoft and Sony were a handshake away from thwarting the Wii, and how its motion controller was born on an airplane... Tom Quinn, a serial inventor based in California, is described by some as "the man who invented the Wii". That's not an accurate statement, of course, but it's not an entirely false one either.

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows[^]:

Sales of Windows 8 PCs are well below Microsoft’s internal projections and have been described inside the company as disappointing. But here’s the catch: The software giant blames the slow start on lackluster PC maker designs and availability, further justifying its new Surface strategy. But Windows 8’s market acceptance can be blamed on many factors.

PCWorld[^]:

I don’t want to teach anyone how to cover their illicit tracks better, or how to have a more clandestine affair, but let’s take a look at where Petraeus and Broadwell went wrong so you can understand how to cover your tracks better in general, and how to secure your email and protect your privacy online.