Articles

Background Tasks in Windows 8.1

Windows Store apps are designed to remain alive and connected even when they are not running. Your app may need to fetch data from a remote server, download large files in the background, scan the file system for changes, or connect with a web service to retrieve updates while the user is performing other tasks. Fortunately, the Windows Runtime (WinRT) provides a mechanism referred to as background tasks that provides this functionality. In this article, Microsoft MVP for Silverlight Jeremy Likness shows you the variety of tasks that are available from updating information on the lock screen, raising alerts from incoming messages, to playing audio in the background and receiving data only when the connection is not metered.

By Jeremy Likness - Jul 29, 2014

Service-Orientation Principles with Java Web-Based Services

This chapter visits each of the eight service-orientation principles in depth to highlight considerations specific to design and development with Java.

By Thomas Erl, Raj Balasubramanian, David Chou, Thomas Plunkett, Satadru Roy, Philip Thomas, Andre Tost - Jul 29, 2014

Introduction to "SOA with Java"

Thomas Erl et al. describe the objectives and organization of their book, SOA with Java: Realizing Service-Orientation with Java Technologies, explain who the book is for, and what is not actually covered.

By Thomas Erl, Raj Balasubramanian, David Chou, Thomas Plunkett, Satadru Roy, Philip Thomas, Andre Tost - Jul 28, 2014

iOS Developer's Cookbook: Sprite Kit Label Shadows

Let your Sprite Kit labels pop by automatically adding shadows. Shadow node children add contrast and visibility.

By Erica Sadun - Jul 28, 2014

Organizational Culture Considerations with Agile

The organizational culture impacts to an Agile transformation are profound. Successful implementations need support from the team members, management, and executives to embrace new ways of completing work and collaborating. Every role in the organization will be affected in some way, and by understanding what is different and what drives success in each role, we are better positioned for the increase in productivity, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction that can be delivered by becoming Agile.

By Sondra Ashmore, Kristin Runyan - Jul 24, 2014