Lance's Whiteboard

.NET CF: DateTime Picker control sample

Here is something I have been needing:

MS sample of how to create a DateTime Picker for the .NET CF

Compact Framework Reference

Stumbled onto this nifty web-based object-browser for the Compact Framework on the DevelopMentor website

.Text + Mobile Devices = Pain!

I love surfing websites from my Pocket PC + 802.11b, and with PocketFeed I rarely need to visit my desktop!

Having said that, .Text Blogs are the some of the worst sites for viewing in Pocket IE.  Not that any site is great for viewing with Pocket IE, but there are some really good Mobile-enabled sites (MSNBC, Google, TV Guide, etc.) that are quite viewable.  I wouldnt normally complain, but a 3/4 inch wide table of blog-text scrolling 1 to 3 words at a time, is unbearable...

Scott, please hear my cry!

Please download the latest Mobile Internet Toolkit update for VS.NET 1.1, spend a few minutes on the tutorials, and implement something, anything that is more consumable via Pocket PC! 

I'll even sign-up for your GDN workspace and Volunteer for this task...

Review: BoxWave MiniSync cable

I received my new Sync/Charge travel cable for the Dell Axim X5 today from BoxWave. 

When ordering this, I was looking for a good portable cable for keeping my Axim charged-up while on the road, plus the ability to sync with my PC at home whenever I need to install programs, or copy files.

After playing with the cable for a while, here are my thoughts:

• $15.50 price is far cheaper than ordering a new Sync cable from Dell, (+1)
• All of the features were as advertised, and the package was delivered via US Postal Service with decent packaging.  (+1)
• They required a Delivery Confirmation signature which forced me to go to the local Post Office to pick it up  (-1)
• The total package is nice and small (4inches long when retracted), therefore more portable. (+1)
• Plugged-in right away without any problems connecting and syncronizing. (+1)
• The interface adapter for the Dell plugged-in easily, but was also easily pulled-loose.  I would prefer a connector that somehow snapped-on to the Axim so it would stay better.  (-1)

Overall, I felt I made a good purchase, but lets see how well this thing holds-up while traveling. :)

Poking around with WinCE P/Invoke...

A few more useful links I found for C# programmers trying to overcome the limitations of interop in the .NET CF:

P/Invoke Arguments [MSDN]

Writing Unmanaged Functions for Microsoft .NET Compact Framework-based Applications [MSDN]  
by Content Master Ltd

Creating a Pocket PC DLL Using C++ [MSDN]

Basically, its time to dust-off your meager C++ skills and hack together a Native wrapper.

Up a river without a Callback!

[rant] Why oh why doesn't the .NET Compact Framework support $!%^ing callbacks!?!?

I'm sure there was a “good reason” that the CF team left-out support for delegates, or any other callback mechanism, but it totally escapes me. 

Can someone please throw me a bone here?

More .NET CF P/Invoke...

After giving up on this for the day, I discovered links to these 2 MSDN articles on N/Direct:

An Introduction to P/Invoke and Marshaling on the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework
by Jon Box, Dan Fox

Advanced P/Invoke on the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework
by Jon Box, Dan Fox

They look promising, so I'll let you know if I finally understand it after reading, digesting, and implementing.

[edited]

Here is one more that may be useful:

Writing Unmanaged Functions for Microsoft .NET Compact Framework-based Applications
by Content Master Ltd

.NET Compact Framework & P/Invoke

As you can see from the latest posts, my latest obsession is .NET Compact Framework programming for my new Dell Axim X5.   I really like the simplicity of developing for the Pocket PC with .NET.  However, as robust the framework is, it still lacks support for numerous features, such as Today Screen, Rich Ink control, and anything that requires a Callback (due to no support for Callback's in .NET CF).

Recently I was trying to display the RichInk control, and noticed there was no corresponding control in the CF.   My first thought is;  “Oh, I'll just find the Win32 function to load that control.“

4 hours later, I am digging through dozens of links using C++ in the Pocket PC API reference and have Zero clue where to start.  2 hours later, I figure-out how to invoke it via CreateWindowEx, but cannot get it to respect the Flags passed-in for NoResize, nor does it display anything remotely “Rich“ in its UI.

I understand the very basic syntax of P\Invoke in C#.  However, I am always getting lost when I want to invoke a Native control library that has no wrapper in the .NET Compact Framework.

Any suggestions on how to learn enough of the Win32 API and SendMessage to “get“ this stuff?

NOTE: I am already aware of the 3rd party “RichInk“ control by Intelliprog, but I don't want to buy it, I really want to learn this stuff!

Windows Mobile 2003 vs Pocket PC 2002

Retractable Sync/Charge cables...

Possibly the best “Killer Accessory” for PDA's and CellPhones is the Retractable Sync/Charge cable.

I just ordered the MiniSync for my Dell Axim X5 from BoxWave.  Am looking forward to seeing how well it works.