In this issue I'd like to share a few items of interest to folks building Windows Store apps:

Choosing a Language

Kraig Brockschmidt on choosing a language for your Windows Store app. This is a topic that comes up from time to time, and I think this is one of the better discussions of the topic.

Create Great Apps

Another question that comes up frequently regarding the Windows Store is some variant of "how do I get more downloads?" or "how do I get my app featured?" While it would be great if I could wave my hand and get your app featured in the store, the reality is that only a very few apps will be featured, and there's a lot of competition for those slots.

Pete Brown has a good answer for these questions, and that's Create Great Apps. Pete makes a strong case that if you want better visibility for your app, there's simply no substitute for making a great app, and he has loads of specifics on things you can do to get there, from a focus on design and differentiation, to leveraging some of the unique features of Windows Store apps like the Search contract. A must-read for anyone who takes seriously the desire to improve their app-fu.

Visual Studio 2012 in 10 Minutes

I'll close this issue with another gem from Kraig, his 10-minute overview of Visual Studio 2012 for Windows 8. For folks who've not yet gotten familiar with this version of Visual Studio, it's a great introduction:

Until next time...happy coding!