Saturday, December 12, 2009
Data from Microsoft SQL server in Windows 7 Gadget
So I recieved another of the fan mails with the following questions. If you come across similar issues feel free to email me.
- Is there any sample code to use web service to pull the data from Microsoft SQL server 2005/2008?
- I have an icon/image to refresh the data on the Gadget.. is it possible to change the cursor to wait/ progress till the data gets refreshed?
- Is it possible to show spinner on clicking the OK button in the settings page?
- Is it possible to show some alerts upon clicking the OK button in the settings page?
The Sitemeter Gadget chapter 9 uses Ajax to pull data from online web service and sitemeter uses database in the background to pull and display data. so as long as your web service is able to pull and display data in the form of TEXT, XML, RSS, ATOM, JSON, HTML and HTML, you can display it in the Gadget.
Search for this functionality in JavaScript in an html page. Gadget main page is essentially an html page and you can inlcude a JavaScript file which can be used to change the cursor.
Yes, we do this in blog gadget(loading animation) chapter 8
Most of the widgets, allows for message alert, you should also check debugging section to see how to use JavaScript and VBScript alert boxes, look also the last chapter Tips and Tricks
Labels: Book, gadgets, user query, windows 7
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Secure Login to an API from Windows 7 Gadget
Recently I got an email from a reader asking for advice on login and session management with multiple html pages in a Windows 7 Gadget. Here is the problem and the workaround.
I'm trying to build a gadget which logs on the a HTTPS server and retrieves & shows data. I am trying to post login credentials to a server, but get an error 'access denied'.However, it is possible to change the settings of IE to allow cross-domain data access.But that's not ideal, users would need to change there settins which could be complex for them. I am wondering if there are alternate options for login, maybe you know any. Using a website instead of posting/retrieving data via an API might be a solution. It is way we can facilitate a secure login via HTTPS and show data (and stay in control). Also I was wondering if you there are ways to encrypt data within a Gadget. I believe this is not ideal, since a gadget can easily be reverse engineered.
Cross domain access is allowed in the Gadget, and you can create a REST based API (similar to Facebook/last.fm/flickr) for login to it. There are some javascript libraries which can be used for encryption, The best way would be to create a COM object in C++ or VB and let that handle the login/ encryption (see chapter 9 with MRU example ) part.
If you are creating your next windows 7 gadget and come across any problem, send me an email I would be happy to help.
Check out: The Best Windows Vista Tips and Tricks!
I'm trying to build a gadget which logs on the a HTTPS server and retrieves & shows data. I am trying to post login credentials to a server, but get an error 'access denied'.However, it is possible to change the settings of IE to allow cross-domain data access.But that's not ideal, users would need to change there settins which could be complex for them. I am wondering if there are alternate options for login, maybe you know any. Using a website instead of posting/retrieving data via an API might be a solution. It is way we can facilitate a secure login via HTTPS and show data (and stay in control). Also I was wondering if you there are ways to encrypt data within a Gadget. I believe this is not ideal, since a gadget can easily be reverse engineered.
The Possible Workaround
Cross domain access is allowed in the Gadget, and you can create a REST based API (similar to Facebook/last.fm/flickr) for login to it. There are some javascript libraries which can be used for encryption, The best way would be to create a COM object in C++ or VB and let that handle the login/ encryption (see chapter 9 with MRU example ) part.
If you are creating your next windows 7 gadget and come across any problem, send me an email I would be happy to help.
Labels: gadget, user query, windows 7
