Vista

The Buffered Animation API makes it easy to make animations without flickering. Learn how to use this Buffered Animation API.

Learn how to fixing flickering issues when drawing graphics by using double buffering.

Explore the challenges of developing an MFC application to use on Vista and non-Vista platforms in the context of Vista's new Command Link Button style.

Walk through the development of a simple guitar tuner Vista sidebar gadget and in the process learn a little bit about Silverlight, XAML, and Vista gadgets.

Microsoft Foundation Classes continue to play an important role for C++ developers. Discover how to upgrade an existing application with MFC 9's full support for the Windows Vista look-and-feel.

By Matt Goebel Explore the common pitfalls of Vista development, some quick workarounds, and best practices. Learn about the UAC, Virtualization, impact on pre-installed .NET Frameworks, common program compatibility issues, and guidelines for UI/UX design.

For long-term Visual C++ developers, the CryptoAPI will be a familiar part of your programming toolkit. If you're developing Windows Vista applications, though, you should be applying the new Windows Cryptography API: Next Generation.

Windows Vista introduces a new security concept called User Access Control (UAC), where local administrators have two access tokens—one representing the privileges of a normal user and the other holding the elevated privileges of the local administrator account. Here, you will learn how to properly implement the UAC to provide a rich user experience.

Windows Vista brings tablet-style development to the mainstream by incorporating ink functionality directly into the core operating system. The greater availability of operating system support for ink is complemented by new Vista drivers from digitizer OEMs that provide the same functionality as a full TabletPC device, greatly increasing the potential client-base for ink enabled applications. This article will look at how an existing application can work with new forms of input without a major re-design.

Within the new threading and synchronization APIs that Microsoft added to the Windows SDK for Vista, condition variables dramatically simplify the semantics of lock acquisition and management.