Out with the C++.NET and in with the C#.NET!

After completing my ping utility in C++.NET, it was time to create a deployment scheme (installer). I searched high and low for a packaging wizard but came up empty handed. I finally turned to good ol' Google and realized that VC++.NET Express 2008 doesn't come with the deployment tools!!! I'm not sure what MS was trying to accomplish with that seeing as how C# and VB.NET both come with deployment wizards. So, I finally snapped and ported the C++.NET app to C#.NET and released it. < /rant >

I'm still doing some brainstorming for my next application (or most likely another Vista Sidebar Gadget). I'm currently working on a web browser in C#.NET that will allow users to alter the appearance of the interface a lot. It's still in its infancy but it already has the basic framework setup.

I will also be re-opening the Auto-Ping Sidebar Gadget that I made a few days ago to add some functionality. It also needs a picture for uploading to Windows Live Gallery. The first release already has 91 downloads as of this moment. I will probably add stricter rules to the ping reply parsing and also allow more user-defined controls (such as ICMP TTL and TimeOut).

I searched for a C# compiler earlier that could output native op-codes or even assembly, but only found a sketchy wonder-tool that costs ~1,000 USD. I will keep searching, but I have a feeling that short of writing a custom CIL parser + compiler, it will be a lost cause to seek native output for such tasks as OSDevelopment and non-.NET-frameworked environment applications.

Stay Tuned,
Josh