You knew it was coming: Microsoft has taken Visual Studio Code to the browser with the new VS Code for the Web, a lightweight version of the super-popular code editor that runs fully online.

You knew it was coming after the debut of Visual Studio Online, which morphed into Visual Studio Codespaces, which then just became GitHub Codespaces under the direction of GitHub, which also introduced the "github.dev" trick that launches a customized VS Code instance in the browser, which can also be done just by pressing the period key in any repo.

So a fully online, browser-based VS Code was sure to come, and it has.

"Now when you go to https://vscode.dev, you'll be presented with a lightweight version of VS Code running fully in the browser," announced the dev team's Chris Dias in an Oct. 20 post. "Open a folder on your local machine and start coding. No install required."

Of course, it's described as a "lightweight" version because an online VS Code can't yet match the desktop version in functionality. For example, there's no internal debugging or terminal with VS Code for the Web.

There is local machine file access, however, enabled by the File System Access API. That allows for:

• Local file viewing and editing. Quickly take notes (and preview!) in Markdown. Even if you are on a restricted machine where you cannot install the full VS Code, you may still be able to use vscode.dev to view and edit local files.
• Build client-side HTML, JavaScript, and CSS applications in conjunction with the browser tools for debugging.
• Edit your code on lower powered machines like Chromebooks, where you can't (easily) install VS Code.
• Develop on your iPad. You can upload/download files (and even store them in the cloud using the Files app), as well as open repositories remotely with the built-in GitHub Repositories extension.

While that only works for a couple of modern browsers now -- Edge and Chrome -- those using non-supported browsers can still access local files using browser tooling.

Your mileage may vary with other experiences like code editing and navigation, which in VS Code are driven by programming language services that provide language-specific functionality. The same thing happens with desktop versions, but those language services (and compilers) are designed to work with local resources like a file system, runtime and compute environment.

Variability among those services results in these three levels of VS Code for the Web experiences listed by Dias:

• Good: For most programming languages, vscode.dev gives you code syntax colorization, text-based completions, and bracket pair colorization. Using a Tree-sitter syntax tree, we're able to provide additional experiences such as Outline/Go to Symbol and Symbol Search for popular languages such as C/C++, C#, Java, PHP, Rust, and Go.
• Better: The TypeScript, JavaScript, and Python experiences are all powered by language services that run natively in the browser. With these programming languages, you'll get the "Good" experience plus rich single file completions, semantic highlighting, syntax errors, and more.
• Best: For many "webby" languages, such as JSON, HTML, CSS, and LESS, the coding experience in vscode.dev is nearly identical to the desktop (including Markdown preview!).

Dias acknowledged that VS Code for the Web, announced as a preview, looks a lot like the aforementioned github.dev and explained the difference.

"github.dev is a customized instance of VS Code for the Web that is deeply integrated into GitHub. Login is automatic, the URL format follows github.com's /organization/repo model so that you can simply change .com to .dev to edit a repo, and it is customized for GitHub with the light and dark themes."

While VS Code for the Web isn't as tightly integrated with GitHub, it does tie into GitHub repos and also supports Azure Repos.

"To work with both, VS Code for the Web supports two routes, vscode.dev/github and vscode.dev/azurerepos. You don't have to remember that though, simply prefix whatever URL you have with 'vscode.dev,'" Dias said.

The post goes into detail about all of the above and other aspects of the new offering, such as the extension ecosystem.

"Bringing VS Code to the browser is the realization of the original vision for the product," concluded Dias, who pointed to a video 10-year history of the effort. "It is also the start of a completely new one. An ephemeral editor that is available to anyone with a browser and an internet connection is the foundation for a future where we can truly edit anything from anywhere. Stay tuned for more ...."

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More VB Metro Samples available

With the recent release of the Windows 8 Release Preview and the Visual Studio 2012 Release Candidate we also have more of the Metro samples available for VB developers.

Although not all the samples are available for VB, there is a good selection of samples showing  you how utilize much of the important functionality now available.   More samples will be made available as the all the products move towards their final RTM relase.

Resources

Windows 8 Release Preview - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/release-preview

Visual Studio 2012 RC - http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/11/en-us

Metro Style Apps - http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps/Windows-8-Modern-Style-App-Samples

SOURCE: MSDN BLogs

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SMARTDevNet presents HTML5 DevDay Davao

Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM (GMT+0800)

Davao City, Philippines

HTML5 DevDay Davao is a one-day developer event and hackathon hosted by the SMART Developer Network (SMART DevNet), the developer community for Smart Communications, Inc.'s technology platform and, the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP). We're inviting the existing and aspiring HTML5 enthusiasts to create an HTML5 web or mobile app in the afternoon after a morning of HTML5 talks from HTML5 practitioners.

HTML5 DevDay Davao is open to all developers especially those based in Davao and in Mindanao. This is a FREE event, no charge for admission, but registration is required.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

1. Register via the Eventbrite page. http://html5devdaydavao.eventbrite.com

2. Join our Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/smartdevnet to get more info about the event as these are announced.

HOW TO JOIN THE HACKATHON

 1. Form a team of 2-4 members in advance. If you don't have a team going to the hackathon, you are encouraged to find other hackathoners who don't have any teams yet. If you still don't have a team just before the hackathon begins, the organizers wil try to find you a team. A team must have a minimum of two members.

2. Join our Facebook Group at https://facebook.com/groups/smartdevnet/ - we will be announcing a Hackathon Signup page here where you will need to provide details of a) your app name and description, b) the team name, and c) your team members.

3. Get ready with your ideas for an HTML5 app. Teams are allowed to have pre-work. You can also start working on your HTML5 app on the day of the hackathon itself.

4. At the end of the hackathon, all the groups registered for the hackathon will need to present their app via a live demo. The order of the presentations will be drawn by lots. Teams who are not registered cannot do a live demo and will not be eligible for any of the prizes.

5. We encourage everyone to join a team - even if you registered just to observe, you are strongly encouraged to be a participant-observer. 

PROGRAM:

0830-0930am Registration

0930-0945am Welcome, Let's Get Started by Paul Pajo, SMART DevNet

0945-1015am HTML5 Basics by Ronald Ramos, SMART

1015-1045am Great Websites with HTML5 by Eric Su, Piclyf.com

1045-1100am Announcements

1100-1130am Cross Platform HTML5 Mobile Development by Bob Reyes, Mozilla PH

1130-1200pm Cross-Platform iOS/Android HTML5 Transitions on Tablet Tips & Tricks,

                     by Dan Delima, Google

1200-0130pm LUNCH

0130-0145pm SMART DevNet: The Elevator Pitch by Jim Ayson, SMART DevNet

0200-0215pm Developer Story: SMART API application by Maui Millan (SMART / Mobile Tao)

0215-0230pm Hackathon Rules by Paul Pajo, SMART DevNet

0230-0245pm Break

0245-0545pm HACKATHON

0545-0645pm Presentations

0645-0745pm Judging

0745-0815pm Awards

ELIGIBILITY

• The HTML5 DevDay Davao is open to all developers of all ages.

PROCESS

• At the end of the hackathon proper, teams will do a live demo of their HTML5 apps.
• The app must use HTML5 and optionally the SMART APIs either as concept and/or prototype
• Teams will undergo final judging by presenting their project to a panel of judges who will identify the winners.
• All decisions of judges are final. Scores will not be made public.

PRIZES

• The following prizes will be awarded to the winning teams for the best use of HTML5 and the SMART APIs: We have awesome phones + other awesome stuff for the winners!

HTML5 APP DEMO

• Teams are expected to bring their own laptops. Internet access will be provided at the venue.
• The order of presentation will be determined by drawing lots.
• Each presenter is given three (3) minutes to explain the entry and two (2) minutes to answer questions during the Q&A.

CRITERIA

• The app must be in HTML5 & functionality is preferred
• An App that people want - 25% (convince us market NEED for your app)
• An App whose time has come - 25% (convince us of the app's TIMING)
• An App that's clever (really!) - 25% (convince us of the app's INGENUITY)
• An App that's properly mashed-up - 25% (convince us of the app's INTEGRATION)
• Did we tell you we have a prize for apps that connect to SMART APIs?

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The team warrants that the entry is their original idea and does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party. Participants are responsible for securing appropriate protection for any Intellectual Property (IP) contributed by the team members or their parent institutions. In the absence of such protection, participants should restrict themselves to non-enabling disclosures of their IP. Entries that have won major awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in any international, national or school competitions cannot be entered. Wireless service applications that are already in commercial production may not be entered. Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) & University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) shall not be liable to any participant for commercializing ideas that have been independently developed but are similar in concept to submitted entries.

WAIVER

Participants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Mechanics and by the decisions of the organizers and/or the judges, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this contest. By joining the contest, the participants agree to waive any right to claim ambiguity or error in these Official Mechanics. Except where prohibited by law, the winners consent to the use of their name and/or likeness by SMART and USEP for advertising and publicity purposes without compensation.

Each participant agrees that SMART and USEP and its parent companies, agents, representatives, affiliates, and employees will have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind resulting from his participation in the contest, or resulting from the acceptance, possession, or use of these prizes, nor in any way are responsible for any warranty, representation, or guaranty, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including but not limited to the quality, condition, or fitness.

Each participant agrees that SMART and USEP and its parent company, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, affiliates, and employees will have no liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damages of any kind resulting from the use of the entry, unless such entry has been formally offered by SMART and USEP to the public as a service or a product. Each participant warrants that it holds the necessary intellectual property right(s) over the entry, undertakes sole responsibility for any adverse or infringement claim(s) thereon, and further holds Smart and USEP, its directors, officers, employees, agents, parent company subsidiaries and affiliates free from any liability arising out of such adverse or infringement claim(s) including claim(s) for damages.

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Programming with RFID Reader

Im back again this time i will show how to use RFID Reader in VB6 Currently im developing Loadable E-Pass System for a confidential client and i want to share some of of codes regarding RFID and VB6. These is pretty straight forward i used MSCOMM (serial library in .NET) component in order to read /write buffer connected to PC's serial/usb port. This is done by using the oncomm() event in order to read all the buffers send by the RFID interface without using the timer control.

Private Sub Form_Load()
On Error Resume Next

' Fire Rx Event Every Two Bytes
MSComm1.RThreshold = 2

' When Inputting Data, Input 2 Bytes at a time
MSComm1.InputLen = 2

' 2400 Baud, No Parity, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit
MSComm1.Settings = "2400,N,8,1"

' Make sure DTR line is low to prevent Stamp reset
MSComm1.DTREnable = False

' Open COM1
MSComm1.CommPort = 1
MSComm1.PortOpen = True

If MSComm1.PortOpen = False Then
MsgBox "RFID not Connected!! system will shutdown!!"
End

End If



End Sub

Private Sub Form_Unload(Cancel As Integer)
If MSComm1.PortOpen = True Then
MSComm1.PortOpen = False
End If

End Sub



Private Sub MSComm1_OnComm()
Dim sData As String
Dim lHighByte As Long
Dim lLowByte As Long
Dim lByte As Long

' If Rx Event then get data and process
If MSComm1.CommEvent = comEvReceive Then
    sData = MSComm1.Input ' Get data
    lHighByte = Asc(Mid$(sData, 1, 1)) ' get 1st byte
    lLowByte = Asc(Mid$(sData, 2, 1))  ' Get 2nd byte
    lByte = JoinHighLow(lHighByte, lLowByte)
    
    strnumber = CStr(lByte)
    
    
    ItemDatabase.txtID = strnumber
 
      

End If
End Sub

Private Function JoinHighLow(lHigh As Long, lLow As Long) As Long
JoinHighLow = (lHigh * &H100) Or lLow
End Function

Updates:
USB to RS232 converter compatible:
Download and install prolific drivers.

For more info please download the sample project Happy coding for Design projects, custom web and windows application, please visit

Facebook Fan Page

http://www.facebook.com/emondsoft/

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Scientists develop flush-efficient toilet system that can turn waste into energy

Scientists from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University aren't keen on being wasteful -- that's why they've developed a toilet that uses 90% less water than other commodes and is capable of generating energy. Aptly named the No-Mix Vacuum Toilet, the porcelain pedestal's pot divides waste between two partitions -- one side for liquids, the other for solids -- and uses vacuum tech reminiscent of airline lavatories. Flushing solid and fluid wastes with 1 and 0.2 liters of H2O, respectively, the can will be able to route refuse to external processing facilities. Fertilizer ingredients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous would then be harvested from liquids. Similarly, methane can be coaxed from solids for conversion to electricity or as a replacement for other natural gasses. Two of the university's restrooms are slated to have the toilets installed in the near future, and the team expects the thrones to roll out worldwide within three years.


Source: Engadget

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The PayPal Prepaid MasterCard now available.

Paypal is rolling out their PayPal Prepaid MasterCard to participating 7-Eleven franchises and company-operated stores across the nation. 


– Don Kingsborough, Vice President of Retail and Prepaid, PayPal


"Today I’m excited to tell you that we’re rolling out our very popularPayPal Prepaid MasterCard to participating 7-Eleven franchises and company-operated stores nationwide. The PayPal prepaid card is a great way for our 110 million customers to access their PayPal accounts offline and unlock more benefits – like online rewards, an optional savings account, real-time account alerts via text message and online budgeting tools. Offline, the card can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs while money can be loaded onto the card through direct deposit from your PayPal account or at more than 130,000 reload locations throughout the U.S. including Safeway and Walgreens.

Our customers tell us that they want more convenience, flexibility and choice when it comes to their money and we’re uniquely positioned to give them just that. Offering the PayPal Prepaid MasterCard in more convenient locations, like 7-Eleven’s 5,500 stores, brings our members more flexibility by making it easier to access their money both online and offline."

"Stay tuned as we roll out the PayPal prepaid card in even more retail locations later this year…but in the meantime, stop by to check it out for yourself and tell us what you think!"

Source: Paypal

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SmartGlass SDK Released To Developers By Microsoft

Pumped to use Microsoft's upcoming Surface and Windows Phone 8 devices to help you bolster your gamerscore? Sit tight -- SmartGlass development starts now. Microsoft is now making the Xbox SmartGlass Software Development Kit available to partners with agreements to develop content for the Xbox 360. Approved developers can download the SDK from the Microsoft Game Developer Network, replete with a SmartGlass JavaScript library, the Xbox SmartGlass Studio and a sample application. Redmond hopes the SDK will give developers a head start on building applications for the technology before it launches later this year. Of course, if you can't wait to see what developers are cooking up, you can always just check out our hands-on again.

Source: Microsoft Game Developer Network

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