Creating an alarm clock - how hard is this?

[chris128]

I've done a fair bit of VB.NET programming for desktop apps in the last year or so but have never needed to do anything with the compact framework / windows mobile before. However, I now have a phone running Windows Mobile 6.1 and the alarm on it does not work how I want it to, so I was wondering how hard it would be to make my own. So basically all I am looking for is just your thoughts on how hard this would be before I go installing the SDK and spending ages trying to make it - I mean is it as easy as it would be with a desktop app, ie just using a couple of timers to play a sound file... I dont even know if you have timers in the compact framework or how hard it would be to play a sound file..

Your thoughts please

Thanks
Chris

[petevick]

Hi,
you have timers, and you can play sound files using the playsound API.

There are plenty of 3rd party (freeware and paid) apps out there too that have alarm functions. You could either use on of those, or use them for ideas

[chris128]

OK cool, I know there are a few third party alarm clocks but I fancy trying to make my own still First problem I have encountered is that when I try and install the Windows Mobile 6 SDK it says I need to have Visual Studio 2005 SP1 or higher installed... and I've got Visual Studio 2008 Standard installed :S

[gep13]

Hey,

Do you also have Visual Studio 2005 on your machine?

The SDK works in both Visual Studio 2005 and 2008, so you will need to have 2005 correctly updated before the install can happen.

Gary

[chris128]

Nope I dont have 2005, just 2008 Standard edition

[gep13]

Hmmm, that is strange?!?

What about any Express Editions of Visual Studio?

Gary

[petevick]

Hi,
you need professional edition up to develop for smart devices if i remember correctly

[chris128]

Nope nothing but VS 2008. I guess I could reinstall VS and see if that sorts it out..

EDIT: Just seen petevick's reply - thats a shame if thats true. I had read that you couldnt use the express edition but didnt see anything mentioning that Standard edition wouldnt work either

[gep13]

Hi,
you need professional addition up to develop for smart devices if i remember correctly

Ah, good point!!

[gep13]

Actually, no, according to this:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...cz(VS.80).aspx

It should be supported.

Gary

[chris128]

Actually, no, according to this:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...cz(VS.80).aspx

It should be supported.

Gary

Thats what I thought, just the express editions that couldnt do it

[petevick]

HI,
sorry about that - was VS2005 pro and above.

The 6.1 emulators are downloadable - try those?

[chris128]

but I dont just want an emulator, I want to be able to build the programs in VS and debug them in VS.

I'm on Vista 64 bit if that makes any difference?

I'll try reinstalling VS 2008 tonight and see what happens.

[gep13]

As a check, once you get Visual Studio installed, do a Microsoft Update to make sure that all Service Packs etc are installed, and then try installing the SDK again.

Gary

[chris128]

Will do, but I know its on SP1 for VS 2008 as I had to install that to get the improved WPF designer. The SDK installer did originally complain that I hadnt got Compact Framework 2.0 installed even though I had the Compact Framework 3.5 installed, so I downloaded 2.0 and installed that as well and that stopped it moaning about that part.

[gep13]

Hey,

It might be one of these situations where there are some pre-requisites that are required, but the installer doesn't do a good job of telling you about them.

I personally haven't had a problem getting this installed with VS 2008, having said that though, I believe I have all the frameworks, including the compact ones.

Hopefully Microsoft Update with sort out anything that is missing.

Gary

[chris128]

Apparently it is VS 2008 Pro that I need see here: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/For...5-61dbe5a23c8f
It looks like Visual Studio 2005 Standard has support for this but Visual Studio 2008 Standard does not!

[chris128]

So... anyone know any good free alarm clock apps for WM6.1 ?

[gep13]

That's a shame!! Have you got any opportunity to upgrade the Version of Visual Studio that you have? MSDN Subscription, Student License etc?

I have never played with any of these, but seems like there are a few...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1...le+alarm+clock

Hope that helps!!

Gary

[chris128]

Nope I dont think there is any way I can get an upgrade through work and I am not going to upgrade to the Pro edition just for this... so looks like I'm going to have to use one someone else has already made.

EDIT: I've installed one called PocketClock Pro or something like that, has lots of features and you can set loads of alarms so hopefully that will do the trick. Still a shame I couldnt make my own though.

[gep13]

Yeah, it is a shame!!

You could always make a push to get your company to become a Microsoft Partner, that is what I did, means you get lots of free licenses, including Visual Studio 2008 Team Edition, with MSDN Premium Sunbscription

Gary

[chris128]

Dont you have to pay for that as well though? and have X amount of people that have passed microsoft exams? I'm sure thats what we did at my last company

[gep13]

Hey,

There is a fee that you have to pay, but in terms of the licenses and benefits that you get, it is really a no-brainer. That is how I sold it to my bosses.

There are different ways you can do it, one of which does involve certified developers, but the main route that we took was to get one of our products "Windows Certified" by a testing body. Once you have that, you get loads of partnership points, which in conjunction with Customer References, can get you over the amount of points you need.

Gary

[chris128]

Ah I see, well the place where I work is an IT Support company, not a development house, we (well, I mean me) just sometimes make the odd little app to help us do things so thats how I managed to convince my boss to get me Visual Studio Standard Edition - There is no way he would get Professional Edition anytime soon as we dont need to make any apps at the moment, I just still use the VS installation for my own programming interests

[gep13]

Ah, I see. That is a different situation then.

Bit of a shame though.

Gary