Want to learn to develop Windows 8 Apps, for free?

And get yourself ready for the 70-480 exam not free anymore L

Microsoft have some great content up on the Microsoft Virtual Academy to help you self-study and up skill yourself. In this post I am covering the free tools that Microsoft have out there for helping you learn and develop in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3, mainly for the purposes of developing Windows 8 Store apps.

 

Software

Firstly you need the software on your local machine to practice on and develop. Microsoft provide a light free versions of Visual Studio 2012. These are called Express editions and there are a few versions targets at different functionality Web, Windows 8, Windows Phone etc… Don’t worry about the 30 day trail and activation you will need to get an activation key but this is free. They are limited compared to the full versions but more than enough to get started and to develop some great Windows 8 Store apps. You can get your copy below:

http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads#d-2012-express

 

eLearning

Now you have your installation installed and ready to go. How do I learn? Microsoft have done a great job of putting together resources to help you learn, up skill and certify for Visual Studio 2012. My favourite resource at the moment is Microsoft Virtual Academy, the relevant video to get you started in developing Windows 8 Apps using HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3. They have a track with CBT nugget style videos from MS Evangelists Jeremy Foster and Michael Palermo. The course focuses on using HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript to implement programming logic, define and use variables, perform looping and branching, develop user interfaces, capture and validate user input. Once you sign up you can also vie with other Microsoft Virtual Academy students both in your local region for bragging rights in the top ranking weekly. If you want to take it to the next level this course also covers the topics for the 70-480 Exam Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3.

https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/learn-html5-with-javascript-css3-jumpstart-training

 

eBook

To expand on and reinforce what you cover on the videos Microsoft have also provided an ebook/manual “Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS and JavaScript”. This is a full ebook not just a couple of sample chapters it is a full book aimed at getting you up to speed and developing your first apps.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/10/29/free-ebook-programming-windows-8-apps-with-html-css-and-javascript.aspx

 

Code Samples:

For inspiration and demonstration there are many code samples and examples of apps.

For Windows 8 sample apps: (Broken down C++,C#, JavaScript and VB.NET)

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

For snippets of code, mini apps and examples of functionality there is codeSHOW:

http://codeshow.codeplex.com/

If you have any legit, free resources please post them.

Last Chance to upgrade your MCSA 2003 or MCSE 2003

This July 31^st will be the last day to upgrade your MCSA 2003 to MCSA 2012 and or upgrade your MCSE 2003 to MCSA 2012 so can you upgrade to MCSA 2012 and what is the best path?

If you have completed the MCSA 2003 or MCSE 2003, you have few options.

 

Option 1: Upgrade just to MCSA Server 2008:

Take and pass exams 70-648 and 70-646.

For prepping up for the exam there are lots of resources out there. There are MS Press books, Official MS courses and eLearning courses to help you prep.

Once you have passed both exams you are then a MCSA Server 2008 and now have another choice to make to either stay at that point or to upgrade your newly achieved MCSA 2008 to MCSA 2012.

 

Option 2: Upgrade your 2003 all the way to 2012

Once you complete the upgrade to 2008 as mentioned in Option 1 you can then upgrade your MCSA 2008 to MCSA 2012 with one exam, the 70-417 Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012. Passing the 70-417 will give you the MCSA 2012, provided you already have the MCSA 2008/MCITP:SA

 

Option 3: To start from scratch from the MCSA 2012 track.

To achieve the MCSA Server 2012 without prerequisite certification you can take 3 exams 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412. There are currently loads or resources out there for this including free and paid resources MS Press books, Official Training MeasureUp sample exams as well as MCSA in 90 day programmes and Virtual Academy videos.

Although this is not really an upgrade option, it same number of exams, 3, as doing the MCSA 2003 Upgrade to 2008 to 2012 and is focused on one version of the technology.

 

Which option is best for you?

Well a lot depends on you, the question that will really decide is “Can you complete the 70-648 before the 31^st of July” if not then your only option is option 3. If you can get it done the choice is yours to either get the MCSA 2008, and/or MCSA 2012 or just to start from scratch for the MCSA 2012.

The opinion of some of our Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCT’s) is to go straight for the MCSA Server 2012. They reasoned that it is easier to focus on a singular technology version and to the longevity it provides compared to the older technology.