Create a Location Search Application Using the Microsoft Virtual Earth API

Microsoft's Virtual Earth exposes an API that will let you build map apps easily. Find out how to get started building this application that takes latitude and longitude inputs or does a general location search.

Using Amazon.com’s E-Commerce Web Service

Amazon's E-Commerce service is so popular for good reason. Learn how to build a simple Windows applications that will give you the foundation to do a whole lot more.

Using the Blogger ATOM API

To allow third-party applications to manage your blog, Blogger introduced the Blogger Atom API to allow programmers write applications that interact with Blogger programmatically.

Execute a Long-Running Workflow Using Persistence in Windows WF

If you're experimenting with workflows it won't be long before you find that you need to run a workflow that is too long to execute directly from memory. A workflow that needs hours-or even days-to conclude requires you to persist the workflow instance to an external medium so that the workflow can be continued later.

PING))) Ultrasonic Sensor

If you want to measure distance in your electronics project, I strongly recommend the PING))) ™ Ultrasonic sensor from Parallax. The PING)))™ sensor measures distance using sonar; an ultrasonic (well above human hearing) pulse is transmitted from the unit and distance-to-target is determined by measuring the time required for the echo return. Output from the PING)))™ sensor is a variable-width pulse that corresponds to the distance to the target.

Say tuned for instructions on how to connect the PING))) sensor to your .NET project! ;-)

Using Phidgets Components in Visual Studio 2005

If you are using Phidgets parts in your hardware project and want to control them from within .NET, you should download the .NET wrapper for Phidgets from http://grouplab.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/software/Phidgets.NET/PhidgetSetup-alpha.msi. This download will install a set of controls in the ToolBox in VS 2005. You can then drag and drop the controls and use them like all other controls. More info here: http://grouplab.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/software/Phidgets.NET/

Programming Windows Mobile 5.0 Applications Using the .NET Compact Framework

Microsoft has recently launched the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform for Pocket PCs and Smartphones. With the proliferation of Windows Mobile-based devices in the marketplace, companies are gradually mobilizing their enterprising applications to let their staff gain the competitive mobile advantage. Check out my article on Windows Mobile 5 programming in the Sep/Oct issue of CoDe Magazine.