Yesterday, we hosted a chat on Twitter featuring Windows 8 developer evangelists Andrew Parsons and Dion Hutchings along with Windows Phone tech evangelist Kiran Balijepalli. Thanks for participating and asking questions about developing Windows Store apps with Windows 8. Be sure to go through the conversation that we have recapped below and don’t forget to check out the Windows 8 Getting Started Guide and start developing apps today!
What is your favorite part about being a Microsoft Evangelist?
ANDREW: My fave part of being an evangelist: interacting with student devs who keep me excited about tech.
DION: My favourite part of being an evangelist is building and presenting demos
KIRAN: My favorite part of being a MS evangelist is helping students worldwide build innovation on MS platforms
Would you please recommend a dependency injection framework that works with both Win8 & WP8?
KIRAN: For DI and IOC containers, Unity, Unity Container, NinjectCastle , CastleWinsor, StructureMap. MVVM IOC and DI well-articulated example here. Download the code sample.
I am stuck at adding code to the event handler, I’m a beginner, can you help?
DION: Are you using C#/XAML? If so user input events sample will help.
How do I start developing apps?
ANDREW: Try here: Windows 8 Getting Started Guide. The "Camp in a Box" training materials are a fantastic walkthrough for getting started with Windows 8 app dev.
What is your favorite app and why?
ANDREW: I am still using TapTiles every day. I'm a gamer, so my fave was always going to be a game, and this one uses touch well
KIRAN: My first love goes to XBOX, SkyDrive & IE10.
How do I sell my apps?
KIRAN: Explore here and learn how to reach to millions of customers by selling your app.
DION: Remember if you want to publish an app to the store students can get a free account learn more at DreamSpark.
If I’ve developed iOS or Jellybean before, how do I switch to Windows?
KIRAN: If you are an iOS or Jellybean developer use all your skills to build cool apps on Windows 8, find resources here.
How do I add a Facebook login to my Windows 8 Store app?
DION: Great question - I would use Windows Azure Mobile Services for user login.
I want to start developing games. Could you suggest to me a starting guide to become a gamer?
ANDREW: Check out @bobfamiliar's post here.
How do I implement ads into my app?
ANDREW: Microsoft has a site that’s REALLY clear on how to get started if you want to put ads in your app.
What advice do you have for students who want to work for Microsoft one day?
ANDREW: Want to work for MS? Always be true to your passion and be happy within yourself. It can take time (was 18 years for me).
DION: An internship is a good way to go.
My app has been rejected, what do I do next?
ANDREW: Check out the common mistake areas and how to fix and contact Windows Store support if necessary.
How do I test and debug my app?
KIRAN: Go here - Windows 8 Testing and Debugging your app.
Is there any type of local data persistence that you prefer for Windows 8 over others?
KIRAN: MVVM Light Tool& MVVM MS framework, check this example.
I'm creating an application with DirectX. My question is if i have to manually release the device after the app closes?
KIRAN: A range of HW supports power efficient Window RT, high end Gaming DT, Multiple GPU... DIrectX/ C++.
Do you have any MVVM tips for C++ coders?
KIRAN: Sample HiLo is great example of MVVM for C++ coders.
Where should I look to learn more about user experience?
KIRAN: Learn why it is so cool to build immersing user experience apps on Windows 8.
Where can I get some Windows 8 samples?
ANDREW: You can grab some fantastic examples of developing Windows 8 features here.
How can I grow my developer skills?
ANDREW: A way to challenge yourself if you're dev'ing Win8 apps: Imagine Cup Brain Games Challenge.
Any other tips for beginning developers?
DION: Remember if you want to publish an app to the store, students can get a free account with DreamSpark.
Was the chat with helpful to you? Share your key takeaways in the comments below. Stay tuned for more app development chat opportunities with Microsoft Evangelists.