>>>>>>>>(UPDATE - Sorry - Thought I had selected Windows Phone category..)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I just tried making a sample Silverlight wp7 app in VS2010 (with SDK7.1). Works fine in the emulator.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Then I wanted to try it on my phone.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Obviously I'm an idiot for thinking I should be able to deploy or debug to my Windows Phone Device (selectable from VS2010) via USB with Zune installed and connected to the phone.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I get an error that my phone is not developer unlocked (why?).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Further research says I need to go to AppHub to register (why? - I'm trying to publish my app to my phone directly.).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I go there and fill in everything until the (apparently) last step - AppHub wants $99/year to register (WHY?? - I'm trying to publish my app to my phone directly!!). I skip that step.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>OK - I try to use Windows Phone Developer Registration. No way - my AppHub registration is incomplete - I haven't paid my $99/year extortion fee!!!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Am I missing something, or is Microsoft the blood-sucking money pit people say it is, and my windows phone development is at an end?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I hope I'm missing something.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>If I actually pay the extortion fee and build/test an app I want employees here to use (not public, not for sale), how the hell do I deploy the application?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>A nice walk of 15 or 20 minutes is recommended <g>.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>We've all been there with the frustration level. Sometimes it really is better to just let it go and do something else for a while.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>(spoken like a true Polonius)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Time is an issue on this, as the development team at my day job is looking at mobile development direction and budgeting for this year, and naturally it came up as a task today with a report and estimate due date of tomorrow.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>It seems Microsoft is learning to put the screws to mobile developers from Apple.
>>>>>
>>>>>Sorry, understood now. Goofy deadlines like tomorrow, we've all been there, too.
>>>>>
>>>>>Separately and unrelated, I can't imagine why Microsoft would try to put the screws to Apple mobile developers. Or even think they could. The smartphone and tablet markets are dominated by one overlord, Apple, and one worthy challenger, Android, and neither of them is spelled Microsoft. They can huff and puff all they like. They can spend bazillions on ads, marketing, giveaways, etc. but ultimately it comes down to what customers want. In the new markets they seem tone deaf. JOMO, of course.
>>>>
>>>>I should reword my comment as it can be interpreted multiple ways..
>>>>
>>>>It seems Microsoft is learning from Apple to put the screws to mobile developers.
>>>>
>>>>IOW Microsoft is adopting some of Apple's money sucking methods. Microsoft just doesn't wrap it with trendy colors and commercials so it is more noticable.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Oi! ;-) It's totally unsurprising that I spring to the defense of Apple but in this case it's easy. iPhone and iPad developers do so voluntarily. I haven't noticed any of them in chains. Some make money, sometimes a lot of it, doing something they enjoy doing. Where's the problem?
>>
>>I know. Apple developers develop solely for the peace, joy, and contentment of it.
>>
>>>
>>>I also agree with Viv that the app approval program benefits everyone, especially consumers. I doubt Apple is taking in more money from app developers than it spends on the testing. As a consumer it's nice to know that the app you're about to buy and use, even if it only costs a dollar, has gone through at least some testing. Otherwise you could be wasting your time with some 14 year old kid in the Philippines who doesn't know error handling from shinola.
>>
>>So, you send all your apps to Microsoft for certification before putting them in production?
>
>If they had such a program for Windows apps, yes, I would. I am a good developer but have my blind spots, as we all do, and would rather find out about the bugs beforehand.

They do. See http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ireland/archive/2009/01/12/windows-7-application-certification-simplification-of-process.aspx

Start doing it. Let us know your progress. I'm sure Viv is doing that now :P

>
>I will not try to talk you out of your hatred of Apple. They're dethpicable! Others I respect feel the same way and I recognize it is a lost cause.