PCs, tablets, win8

[DarkDragon]

But the Xbox does not accept any such user programming, because it is not such a computer; it is a purpose-built console for playing games.

When did that change? It always allowed user programming afaik. Same for Nintendo Consoles or Playstation. There even has been announced a open beta of the playstation sdk for their mobile platforms: http://www.playstation.com/psm/developer/index_e.html

[TI-994A]

it's all a matter of terminology.

the Xbox is a computer, regardless of whether or not you have the tools to program it. What the Xbox is not, which I think is the point you're trying to make, is a PC.
Really, the only thing stopping someone from programming one is software. Given the right software, any of us could program an Xbox; just as any of us could program a smartphone with the right tools.

Sure, and you could probably even develop a spreadsheet application that would run beautifully on the Xbox. But would Microsoft publish it? No, because they manufactured it to be a game machine. Bottom line: a device is characterised by the purpose it was built for, and not by the sum of its components.

Like the Xbox, a DVR has an almost identical design to that of a PC, but that still does not make it a computer; it’s a video recording device, just like the Xbox is a game console. Almost all electronic devices are run by some form of microprocessor or another, and with greater consumer demands, more are starting to sport even displays and storage devices. If you continue to maintain this same logic, you’d be calling everything computers in no time.

It always allowed user programming afaik. Same for Nintendo Consoles or Playstation. There even has been announced a open beta of the playstation sdk for their mobile platforms: http://www.playstation.com/psm/developer/index_e.html

No. Only certified content from registered developers will be published. Even Sony's Open Beta program is only meant for beta testing purposes; you'd have to be a registered developer before your content can be validated for sale.

[Thorium]

Technicly it is a computer. The context of my statement was that you wrote the surface is Microsofts first self build computer. From a technical standpoint the XBox is a computer and Microsoft build it, so they allready had experience with building computers.

It always allowed user programming afaik. Same for Nintendo Consoles or Playstation. There even has been announced a open beta of the playstation sdk for their mobile platforms: http://www.playstation.com/psm/developer/index_e.html

No. Only certified content from registered developers will be published. Even Sony's Open Beta program is only meant for beta testing purposes; you'd have to be a registered developer before your content can be validated for sale.

Which is the same on many smartphones.
Indiprogramming on the XBox is allowed. There is even a Linux distro for XBox (which is not certified).

[TI-994A]

Technicly it is a computer. The context of my statement was that you wrote the surface is Microsofts first self build computer. From a technical standpoint the XBox is a computer and Microsoft build it, so they allready had experience with building computers.

Hi Thorium! I knew exactly what you meant, and I was just having a little fun with the discussion; I especially owe a good thanks to IdeasVacuum.

To be honest, I've been seriously blocked on a new UI design that I've been working on, and nothing seems to fit well. It's not a coding problem, just a design and layout matter.

Good programming practices usually call for dynamically resizable windows with proportionately resized layout and controls. But what would you consider to be the rationale behind this requirement?

[Danilo]

- Announcing Windows Phone 8

[TI-994A]

With the recent unveiling of their new Windows Phone 8 specifications, Microsoft has introduced yet another flavour to their Windows 8 family. Now, we have Windows 8 for both tablets and desktops, Windows RT for tablets, and Windows Phone 8 for mobile phones. And the best thing is, the three are not compatible!

- Windows 8 apps will run on desktops, laptops and Intel Tablets
- Windows RT apps will run on ARM Tablets and desktops in WinRT mode
- Windows Phone 8 apps will run only on the new Windows mobile phones

The new mobile phones running Windows Phone 8 will be backward compatible with all existing Windows Phone 7 apps, but they will not be able to run Windows RT-based Metro apps. And as a special thank you, all current users of Windows Phone 7 will not be able to upgrade to this new version.

Instead of offering greater cross-compatibility, they seem to be splintering the platforms further.

Way to go, Microsoft!