Friday, December 19, 2008

PDC version of "Quadrant" - some limitations and questions

"Quadrant" is a visual tool for models created with the code name “Oslo” platform. There's a PDC virtual machine with "Oslo" and "Dublin" and it includes pre-alpha version of  "Quadrant", documentation and some Hands-On Labs. "Quadrant" seems to be cool, but PDC version has some limitations.

Quadrant

  1. You can create instances and custom views of models, but editor for creating model schema with "M" language will be integrated in next builds.
  2. You can make new model with "M" using Intellipad or Visual Studio and import compiled "M" image to "Oslo" repository. But current version of  "Quadrant" can't read models other than Microsoft samples !  I have tried to read my model and "Quadrant" Explorer has found it in Microsoft.Repository.Load only. Other people also have the same problem.
  3. What about more advanced customization than changing icon, category, default view, size of columns, adding property to display? How can I change f.e shape for instance of model? How can I write custom designer like workflow designer or business process designer?

I wait for next CTP of  "Quadrant" to read my models from repository.

BTW I'm keen on "Oslo" technology, so I wrote post with my questions about "Oslo" in community forum.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Silverlight Toolkit December 2008

This post will be about new version of Silverlight Toolkit.

In the December 2008 release Silverlight team has included: 100 new features and bug fixes, 3 new themes (Whistler BlueBureau Black, Bureau Blue), better design-time support, charting improvements, and enhanced UI Accessibility features.

WhistlerBlue   BureauBlack   BureauBlue

For more information about changes  you see: