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Geek Culture / WPF Browser Application Website?

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That Guy John
15
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Joined: 30th Apr 2010
Location: United States
Posted: 5th Apr 2011 21:58 Edited at: 8th Apr 2011 03:57
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I wanted to get some feed back on this.

Oh well, FAIL!
WPF Browser Application will only run on the end users PC.
Uploaded it to one of my domains, tried everything, could not get it to launch in the browser from the server.

On the other hand, I did learn a couple things in the process. So, no harm no foul.

In the video I show it running from Wamp here on my PC



I am getting getting ready to launch another website, isn't everybody?

I want your opinion on using a WPF Browser app as the website it's self. These days the line between the web and desktop is getting blurred more and more. So, why don't I just feed the notion, huh?

If the site is based on windows development and / or distributes windows based applications you could safely assume the visitors' OS would be windows, to an extent.

I am still looking into compatability across other OS(s), being browser based it should be safe.

If you aren't familiar with WPF Apps, do a quick google search or check the Wiki.

Note: I would of course be making a html\css , php or another web standard version of the site as an alternative, but I think it would be fun to try something that isn't really main stream.. just yet.


Please give me some feed back, good or bad, but if you have a negative comment about it, please share with me what you think the issue would be.

Along the lines of, "that's a dumb idea" - will simply be ignored, unless you can explain to me the cons.

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Phaelax
DBPro Master
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Location: Metropia
Posted: 6th Apr 2011 09:27
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Would there be any performance issues to worry about in the browser? Different browser issues? Non-window users? If these answers seem obvious, I'm not that familiar with WPF browser stuff.

If you could whip up a quick mockup for us to play with I bet you'd get more feedback.

The Internet: Where men are men, women are men, and children are federal agents
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Fatal Berserker
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Posted: 6th Apr 2011 11:49
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Silverlight.
I know its compatible with Opera and IE.

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knxrb
FPSC Tool Maker
16
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Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 6th Apr 2011 19:00 Edited at: 6th Apr 2011 19:01
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WPF browser applications won't work in Firefox as there was a security risk with the addons Microsoft made for it so it's disabled by default for Firefox users (you'll just see a download dialog asking the users to download the file to their pc instead).
I also know this from my own experience making WPF browser applications.

I think they can enable it again manually, but not alot of people know it's even there so a majority of Firefox users can't see the applications.

knxrb

GUI-X9: New menu system for FPSC X9!
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That Guy John
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Posted: 6th Apr 2011 21:40 Edited at: 6th Apr 2011 22:40
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Quote: " think they can enable it again manually"


Thanks again, KNXRB.

Maybe a system of checks and a way of programmatically enable these features could be implimented.

Quote: "performance issues to worry about in the browser"


If I am not mistaking, performance is handled by the end user's / site visitor's own computer. Thank you for bringing that up. I will need to look into that further.

I am pretty sure WPF apps can be hosted on a Linux / Apache server, so I don't think the app has any dependencies on the server itself. The sever is just a home for the app. And the browser and pc does all the labor. (I could be wrong, will know for sure later tonight after I fry my brain on a test at the college here)

Quote: "Silverlight"

Yeah, I am pretty sure silverlight has a plugin / active control for most popular browsers. ( I will re-install the most widely used and test for myself once I place a simple wpf app on a server)

Quote: "If you could whip up a quick mockup for us to play with I bet you'd get more feedback.
Non-window users?
"


Sure, it will be late late tonight, but I can do that. Will put a simple app on a server and give you all the link to test compatability. It probably won't be anything pretty though.

Thank you for your feedback guys, keep it coming. Meanwhile I need to study again..

KNXRB, sent you a couple other messages on windows live.. not sure if you go them before you signed out for your tea.

[update]
I hate trying to study when something else is on my mind.

Locally testing using WAMP through IE9, I am able to access System.IO functions for paths through the browser app.
Note: the first time I visit the page it gives a securty warning "Could not be verfied", like you get when installing generic applications. Once you click Run, the following visits to the page do not show this.


So, at this point, maybe a random precautious visitor would not accept and leave to never return... not acceptable though I know.

More on WPF apps.

More on WPF Browser apps.

For wamp, I have a blog post / quick screen cast on installing it.

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PrimalBeans
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Location: The sewer.... hunting alligatiors.
Posted: 7th Apr 2011 10:00
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i would try and use something that is friendly with all vrowsers if possible. Not sure what you want to display but there should be something elses thats a little more adaptable..

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That Guy John
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Posted: 8th Apr 2011 00:25
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Sorry for the big delay.
Video added to the first post.

Should be up on one of my domains tonight.

@ PrimalBeans,

I am quite aware there are better ways of deploying a website.
I am also aware there are going to be compatability issues.

Tinkering around with the idea of a WPF website, is a way for me to give myself something productive to do while learning VB at the same time.

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MrValentine
AGK Backer
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Playing: FFVII
Posted: 8th Apr 2011 09:12
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my FB here woud be... if your playing with ActiveX which I aasume you are... take caution... althouth you may not have... "naughty" ideas about the vulnerabilities of your deelopment, but if you have loopholes in your AX coding, it can... and I am certain WILL be used by a third party hell bent on causing more hell... just please please please head my "message" to work on security as much as possible,

Other than that, seriously look into Silverlight as mentioned before by Fatal Berserker, it is supported cross platform and uses VB for coding anyway C# i believe its related to. (well it is for WM7)

Hope I shed some light here (wondering if anyone picks up on the joke here)

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xyzz1233
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Posted: 12th Apr 2011 05:48
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In my opinion, it's always better to use HTML5/CSS3 for your rich web applications. Silverlight isn't worth the trouble.
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Phaelax
DBPro Master
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Posted: 12th Apr 2011 06:01
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I only have silverlight installed for netflix, that's it.

The Internet: Where men are men, women are men, and children are federal agents
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That Guy John
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Posted: 12th Apr 2011 06:43
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Quote: "In my opinion, it's always better to use HTML5/CSS3 for your rich web applications. Silverlight isn't worth the trouble."


Current state:
I would say you are right, but I know for a fact that these newer technologies will become streamline. It happens with nearly every piece of new technology that comes out. Specially from global company giants like Microsoft, like it or not here it comes, really if you think about it.

As I said, again, this is something I am toying with. I like taking anything and everything I can get my hands on apart and try to put it back together, it's my nature. This is how I learn.

Also, on the notion of HTML5 / CSS3.. I also toy with these, but try not to lose focus on productivity and the actual necessities of the final product. Right now, for me, they are toys.

Speaking of HTML5 / CSS3, did you know there are some pretty nifty Game Engines in development using HTML5 / CSS3 and jquery? pretty neat.

Quote: "if your playing with ActiveX "

ActiveX has been around for quite some time now, still in use, still in development and widely used now. However, I understand your comment on the security issues, personally, I never install or let activeX controls run from any website minus the obvious.

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