Brian Hitney
developing on the microsoft stack
Migrating a Blog to Windows Azure Web Sites
For many years, I’ve hosted my blog on Orcsweb. I moved there about 5 years ago or so, after...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 08/07/2013
Taking your Apps to Market
I’ve written a lot of apps (and have used a lot of apps) so one thing I’m always on the lookout for...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 08/06/2013
APIMASH Quakes & Astronomy
A bit overdue, but I just realized I never really announced the APIMASH project we’ve been working...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 07/31/2013
Building for Cost Part 2
In the last post, we looked at ways to separate content using different pieces of Windows Azure for...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 07/29/2013
Building for Cost using Windows Azure
One of the great advantages of having a green field cloud-based infrastructure is being able tailor...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 07/24/2013
Windows 8 to 8.1 App Considerations: Screen Size
One of the most frequent questions/concerns I’m seeing in community is: what application...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 07/12/2013
Creating a Great Mashup Part 3
This post details features used by Earthquake Explorer, a Windows 8 app that displays earthquake...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 07/09/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 2) APIMASH – Earthquake and Messier Sky Object API Starter Kit for Windows Store Apps
My latest DevRadio episode has been published – here are the details! Abstract: In today’s episode...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 06/19/2013
Creating a Great Mashup Part 2
This post details features used by Earthquake Explorer, a Windows 8 app that displays earthquake...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 06/17/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 7) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps – Authentication Tips and Tricks
At long last! Our final installment to the series – check it out! About this Video: Wrapping...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 06/14/2013
Creating a Great Mashup using Windows Azure
This post details features used by Earthquake Explorer, a Windows 8 app that displays earthquake...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 06/12/2013
APIMASH and Intro to Game Dev Raleigh
I’m really excited to be hosting a few events in the Microsoft Raleigh office focused on Windows 8...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 05/23/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: Spring Azure Update Review - IaaS, Web Sites, Licensing and more!
Abstract: Brian Hitney and Peter Laudati review and demo some of the latest updates and features...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 05/20/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 6) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps – Adding Authentication
Abstract: In Part 6 of of their “Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 apps”...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 05/08/2013
Windows 8 “Elev8” App Challenge
We’re coming up on the annual Code Camp here in Charlotte, and this year, we thought it would fun to...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 04/17/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 5) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps – Adding Push Notifications
Abstract: In Part 5 of of their “Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 apps”...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 04/15/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 4) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps – Azure Mobile Services
Abstract: In Part 4 of of their “Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 apps”...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 04/08/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 3) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps – ASP.NET Web API
Abstract: Back for part 3 in their series for “Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 03/29/2013
Bing Maps Mashup in Dark Skies
I’ve gotten a few requests about how to do a mashup in Dark Skies … so, thought I’d do a blog post...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 03/15/2013
Compressing as Individual Files in Folder
Let’s see how long it takes Jim Christopher to jump in with a better PowerShell solution. :) I had a...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 03/06/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 2) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps
Abstract: Peter Laudati, Brian Hitney and Andrew Duthie are back for part 2 of their series and in...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 02/20/2013
Skipping SSL Connections Locally
When developing locally, often times you don’t want to use SSL for a variety of reasons. ...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 02/19/2013
WinRT RoamingSettings and Serialization
Recently, a colleague of mine, Adam Hoffman, posted a great tip on serializing a generic...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 02/18/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 1) Using Windows Azure to Build Back-End Services for Windows 8 Apps
Abstract: Peter Laudati and Brian Hitney welcome fellow Developer Evangelist, Andrew Duthie to the...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 02/07/2013
Win8 Apps: Check for Network Connectivity
A lot of apps require internet connectivity to function – like my app, Dark Skies. One...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 02/05/2013
Short Post: #AmusingCode
This put a smile on my face today: void App_UnhandledException(object sender,...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 02/04/2013
Side Loading Windows 8 Apps
At the Columbia Windows 8 DevCamp this weekend, the topic of side-loading apps came up in a few...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/24/2013
Dark Skies for Windows 8 Updated
I’m happy to finally have the next update to Dark Skies in the Windows 8 store! In the initial...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/21/2013
Microsoft DevRadio: How to Integrate TFS Projects with Windows Azure Web Sites
Never too late to post! Here’s an episode of DevRadio Peter and I did on TFS Projects in...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/21/2013
Dealing with Expired Channels in Windows Azure Mobile Services
What’s this? Another Windows Azure Mobile Services (WAMS) post?! In the next version of...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/18/2013
Upcoming Events
Lots of great events coming up in the Carolinas: 1/18/2013 Charlotte, NC: We’re hosting...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/17/2013
Scrubbing UserId in Windows Azure Mobile Services
First, many thanks to Chris Risner for the assistance on this solution! Chris is part of...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/10/2013
Calling Stored Procedures from Windows Azure Mobile Services
I was surprised, yet delighted, that Windows Azure Mobile Services uses a SQL database. ...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/07/2013
Best Practice for Sending Windows 8 Tiles from Mobile Services
Those that know me know I am not a fan of javascript, in pretty much all of its forms (including...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/07/2013
Rock, Paper, Azure Re-launch!
I’m a little late getting this out (pesky vacations and all) but we re-launched Rock, Paper, Azure...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 01/04/2013
Windows 8 Pop Up (and Under), Setting up Family PC Settings
The worst best part about being the Microsoft guru when a new OS ships is configuring PCs for family...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 11/13/2012
Azure this Week!
Lots of things going on in Windows Azure this week! First up, I’ll be presenting at the TRINUG...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 11/12/2012
A Windows 8 Feature You Won’t See or Talk About, but Everyone Loves
I’m going to talk about one of my favorite Windows 8 features – it’s one that everyone will love,...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 11/09/2012
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 2) Windows Azure Web Sites Explained
Peter Laudati , Brian Hitney and Windows Azure Technical Evangelist Brady Gaster conclude their...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 10/23/2012
Microsoft DevRadio: (Part 1) What is Windows Azure Web Sites?
Peter Laudati and Brian Hitney welcome Windows Azure Technical Evangelist Brady Gaster to the show...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 10/15/2012
Microsoft DevRadio: How to Get Started with Windows Azure
Peter Laudati and I kick off our new Windows Azure series by giving us a tour of what’s new in Azure...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 10/11/2012
Windows 8 DevCamp Charlotte 10/12!
Don’t forget – we have our weekly Windows 8 DevCamp in Charlotte tomorrow, 10/12! In this week's...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 10/11/2012
Windows 8 Event Resources
Here are some resources for the Windows 8 Events we’re doing today in Raleigh: Slides and Cookbook...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/25/2012
Coding for Kids #3. Bugs!
In the first post, we introduced the problem. We’re writing a program that solves the problem...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/21/2012
Windows 8 DevCamp: Raleigh
Microsoft RD Jim Duffy and I are hosting a series of events, kicking off with a Windows 8 DevCamp in...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/18/2012
Coding for Kids #1. The Beginning.
My daughter, a 5th grader, has shown an occasional interest in programming but having so many...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/18/2012
Windows 8: Cannot Connect to Printer
I have a Canon MP830 USB printer hooked up to my always on workstation at home, and this is shared...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/17/2012
VS2012 Launch Event Materials
[Post to be edited soon] This post contains all of the information needed for the Visual Studio 2012...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/12/2012
Charlotte Windows 8 DevCamp 9/8/12
This coming Saturday, 9/8/12, we’re putting together a 1 day Windows 8 DevCamp! Check out the...
Author: Brian T. Hitney Date: 09/06/2012