Derek's Blog

Compact Framework: Getting the MACAddress!

DerekMitchell — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:53:00 GMT

One of my clients needed the device MACAddress for one of their security procedures. The Symbol EMDK does allow you to do this but I like to stay away from deploying additional assemblies if possible. So I started scouring the web. There are numerous...(read more)

Improving Compact Framework compilation speed

DerekMitchell — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Sometimes .NET CF compilation is very slow. To improve the compilation speed use this neat little workaround. Navigate to this folder: C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5 Look for the file called “ Microsoft.CompactFramework.Common.targets ”. Make...(read more)

So what will Windows Mobile 6.5 really look like?

DerekMitchell — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:16:23 GMT

Jeff Kirvin came across two images that France Smartphone posted. Looks interesting – check it out ....(read more)

Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Emulator Images

DerekMitchell — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:15 GMT

The Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Emulator Images are now available. The package adds emulator images to Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008 that let you test applications for Windows Mobile 6.1.4, including Internet Explorer Mobile 6. The emulator images...(read more)

Tired of waiting for your app to deploy?

DerekMitchell — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:58:36 GMT

If your .NET CF application is taking a long time to deploy each time you run it from Visual Studio the chances are you have not unchecked the deployment option. Right click your solution, choose Properties and navigate to the Devices tab. This is checked...(read more)

Regex Love

DerekMitchell — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:49:38 GMT

Carole asked me for a quick way to validate some barcode formats for a client. When the barcode is scanned on the device it may only accept a format which looks like this: 1 to 5 digits + "”.” + 6 digits In other words, at least one but no more than...(read more)

Help wanted: AbleCommerce Theme Developer

DerekMitchell — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:30:01 GMT

I’m looking for an AbleCommerce 7.0 developer to do some work on the DEVBUZZ store. I want the store theme (or skin) to provide a seamless transition to pages like this: http://www.devbuzz.com/Windows_Mobile_Development.aspx . Please send me an estimate...(read more)

Help wanted: Community Server Theme Developer

DerekMitchell — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:27:31 GMT

I’m looking for a Community Server developer to do some work on the blogging section of the site. The blogging software is Community Server version 2008.5 and I want the blogs skinned with a theme that will provide a seamless transition to pages like...(read more)

Identifying your SQL Server Version

DerekMitchell — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:55:50 GMT

I learned something new today. For years I’ve been using ‘select @@version’ to identify the version of SQL Server on a server. This gives you a number and then I normally hunt around the web to find out which service pack corresponds to this number. Today...(read more)

Update Day – Visual Studio 2008 SP1 and SQL CE 3.5 SP1

DerekMitchell — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:26:27 GMT

The lengths I go to when performing Visual Studio updates only seem odd to the uninitiated. I’ve been burned so many times applying simple patches to Visual Studio or trying out Beta framework extensions that I now do a full disk image before I update...(read more)

SQL Server Compact 3.5 Books Online

DerekMitchell — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:16:30 GMT

Finding downloads on the Microsoft site is getting harder and harder. I’m not sure how they do it, it's almost art. The latest linking obfuscation is to embed their download links in like this: “ads.jiwire.com/JOS.aspx ?” – not sure what this achieves...(read more)

Mobile Apps Today

DerekMitchell — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:59:19 GMT

The release of the iPhone 3G and the incredible hyperbole that has surrounded it begs the question, “What is it about mobile applications that keeps us coming back for more?” My first “pda” experience was the SHARP YO-370. This 128KB organizer provided...(read more)

Instant C#

DerekMitchell — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:28:31 GMT

If you ever find yourself converting VB.NET projects to C# then have a look at Instant C#. In the past I’ve always been a little leery of these automated tools – perhaps I’m too much of a control freak but I’ve used Instant C# a few times and it is very good....(read more)

Pasting Code Snippets to Blogs

DerekMitchell — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:26:15 GMT

Found this great post by Brig Lamoreaux where he compares the different Live Writer plug-ins that you can use to paste code snippets from Visual Studio into your blog posts....(read more)

Device Emulator - Default Output Location on Device

DerekMitchell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:06:00 GMT

If you’re like me and you get tired of configuring the Device Emulator every time you use it then you’ll know that the Device Options allows you to preset the Emulator properties......(read more)