Search results matching tags 'community', 'Cloud Computing', and 'Azure'

The Windows Azure Software Development Kit (SDK) and the Windows Azure Training Kit (WATK)

BuckWoody — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:40:40 GMT

Windows Azure is a platform that allows you to write software, run software, or use software that we've already written. We provide lots of resources to help you do that - many can be found right here in this blog series. There are two primary resources you can use, and it's important to understand what they are and what they do.

The Windows Azure Software Development Kit (SDK)

Actually, this isn't one resource. We have SDK's for multiple development environments, such as Visual Studio and also Eclipse, along with SDK's for iOS, Android and other environments. Windows Azure is a "back end", so almost any technology or front end system can use it to solve a problem.

The SDK's are primarily for development. In the case of Visual Studio, you'll get a runtime environment for Windows Azure which allows you to develop, test and even run code all locally - you do not have to be connected to Windows Azure at all, until you're ready to deploy.

You'll also get a few samples and codeblocks, along with all of the libraries you need to code with Windows Azure in .NET, PHP, Ruby, Java and more.

The SDK is updated frequently, so check this location to find the latest for your environment and language - just click the bar that corresponds to what you want:

http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/develop/downloads/

The Windows Azure Training Kit (WATK)

Whether you're writing code, using Windows Azure Virtual Machines (VM's) or working with Hadoop, you can use the WATK to get examples, code, PowerShell scripts, PowerPoint decks, training videos and much more. This should be your second download after the SDK. This is all of the training you need to get started, and even beyond. The WATK is updated frequently - and you can find the latest one here:

http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/develop/net/other-resources/training-kit/

There are many other resources - again, check the http://windowsazure.com site, the community newsletter (which introduces the latest features), and my blog for more.

Hello Seattle….I’m Listening….. The Windows Azure Team Wants Your Feedback

BuckWoody — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:37:54 GMT

That line (well, the first part anyway) is from the TV Show “Frasier”, set here in Seattle in the U.S. I’m putting on my studio headphones, leaning over the Internet and listening intently. The Windows Azure team wants to hear from you.

And we’re happy to respond – as we have already. You’re always welcome to let us know what you want for us to work on, but I wanted to bring two particular items to your attention this week:

The Windows Azure Management Portal team is working to improve the portal user interface. A very critical aspect of this effort involves doing research with you, by collecting data and your feedback in a variety of ways, such as surveys, interviews, usability studies and site visits.

To that end, we are creating a panel of subject matter experts and Windows Azure end users that are interested, willing and able to provide feedback that we will be asking for on a fairly regular basis (probably about once or twice a month). Some of the studies we would be needing your help with will require interview sessions or surveys that could last more than 30 minutes, others will be very brief questions about the UI that we need quick feedback on. For the lengthier research studies, we will provide a gratuity (as long as you are allowed to accept it).

If you are interested in this opportunity to take part in user experience research that will inform the Azure Management Portal design and interaction model, please contact Sabina: sawebb@microsoft.com. Likewise, if you have any questions about user experience research and the expectations for the subject-matter expert panel, please send Sabina a note.

The next place we could use your advice is on the documentation for Windows Azure. We’re taking the approach of writing what you want to know more about, instead of dictating that to you. You can go to this site, and vote for your topics or submit new ones.

Here’s wishing you good Azure health. :)