Ok, I admit it – I can be a little bit silly sometimes. I saw some entertaining articles on some popular tech websites today (e.g. gizmodo.com) and was inspired. Inspired, that is, to do something a little less… useful. So, I quickly coded up a little Silverlight 3 application using Blend 3 Preview, Visual Studio, and a little too much time to myself.
Since this was a quick code-up job, I will apologize in advance for not snazzing it up very much. Nonetheless, it does the trick.
So, here’s the challenge: can you figure out what this Silverlight application does? By the way, no cheating! Don’t spoil the surprise by cracking open the XAP or opening it up in reflector. I promise I’ll reveal the answer soon. In a few days, I’ll post the source (it’s tiny) and let you play around with it!
Note – running the app requires Silverlight 3, which you can get here.
Give it a shot, and leave a comment if you figure it out! The app follows…
Update: 5/19/2009 1:22 AM: I have revealed the secret of the app! Take a look!
Update: 7/11/2009 9:45 PM: Samples updated for the release of Silverlight 3!
#1 by Klinger on May 9, 2009 - 8:22 pm
Hi David,
.NET Ria Services is awsome (I am using it combined with CAL).
I am also using the Activity Control and it helps a lot with the async model.
Now, regarding this little app:
The interesting bit is that you can navigate the datagrid and dataform using the chart control points.
The DateTime control and Reset button do not
appear to do anything useful.
#2 by david.poll on May 9, 2009 - 8:31 pm
I’m glad to hear you’re using .NET RIA Services and the activity control!
So, for this little app… keep on hunting! The Reset button does indeed do something, but I won’t tell you what (not yet, at least!). I left a few hints in my blog posting — we’ll see if anyone’s able to find it!
#3 by Deven on May 11, 2009 - 6:02 am
On changing the X Y coordinates on the DataForm the chart is updated as well. I still do not see what Reset and calendar are for.
#4 by david.poll on May 11, 2009 - 8:50 am
Keep on trying! The behavior you found is pretty cool — but still not it. You’ll know it when you see it — it’s pretty blatant once you’ve caused the easter egg to appear. For clues, check out some of the links I referenced in my original post (don’t forget to consider the date of the posting!).
Or, hang tight — I’ll eventually post the secret.
Don’t forget — this was done for fun and to experiment with SL3 — anything that seems too business-y might just be there to throw you off!