How 12 Year Old Kids Develop Apps

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Shaymaa

Where do you go to learn about designing games? Programming? Creating apps? Thomas Suarez, a self-taught teenaged developer, has used trial and error to help him create his apps like “Bustin Jeiber” (a whack-a-mole game) and “Earth Fortune.” Now he wants to help other kids learn how to do that by starting an App Club in his school. Below is a presentation that the 12-year old Thomas had given at TEDx and I think we can all learn something from him.

At Microsoft we have various programs for students that they can use to help develop their personal and technical skills. For more information check out:

Let us know, using the comment field below, if you have a .NET club at your school and what Windows 8 or Windows Phone apps you are building!

Students, submit your proposals for Imagine Cup 2013!

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Shaymaa

Microsoft’s Imagine Cup is the world’s most prestigious student technology competition, bringing together student innovators from all over the world. If you have a great idea for a new app, bring it to life through Imagine Cup. With Microsoft resources and support, you can make a great app and bring your dreams to life!

You’re ready to go big? So are we. Across the Gulf this year, we’re giving away fantastic prizes such as internships, holiday packages and more. We are looking to make you a star! At the worldwide finals, Microsoft is giving away more than $300,000 (U.S.) in prizes and we’ll fly every finalist team to St. Petersburg, Russia, in July 2013 for the thrilling showdown at the Worldwide Finals.

File Downloads

“For many years, my experience in mentoring Imagine Cup teams has been very rewarding. Since we started integrating Imagine Cup into CS Capstone classes, we broke the boundaries of the traditional classroom environment. The new approach generated a motivating and inspiring environment that unleashed the creative abilities of students.”

Amir Zeid

Amir Zeid, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Department of Computer Science and Information Systems
American University of Kuwait

Want to compete?

Simply sign up at: https://compete.imaginecup.com/user/registration
Submit project brief before February 1, 2013!
Get your resources: http://compete.imaginecup.com/resources

Startup Weekend Kuwait 2013

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Shaymaa

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.

We are happy to announcer that we have opened registration for Startup Weekend Kuwait. Check the registration button above and choose the ticket of your skills accordingly. Registration is free of charge for all. Looking forward to seeing you all on 31st of January!

Be sure to join us, register at: http://swkuwait.eventbrite.com/

Your Guide to Building a Windows Phone 8 App

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Shaymaa

Here are the resources to building your first application on Windows Phone:

To get started:

If you’ve submitted apps in the store, share them in the comments and I will be sure to check it out!

Your Guide to Building a Windows 8 App

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Shaymaa

Here are a bunch of resources to help you get started in building your Windows 8 application!

To get started:

Get Windows 8: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/download-shop
Create an account at the Windows Dev Center to submit your app: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/windows
Get the Tools & SDK
Optional, get free Design Assets

Top developer resources

Top UX resources

Still not enough? Here are some other resources:

Why Windows 8: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/msdn/windows8/whyw8apps.html
Getting Started: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229512.aspx
Building Windows 8 Apps Lab: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34619
Windows 8 Ads in Apps SDK: http://advertising.microsoft.com/windowsadvertising/developer
Best place to go to for everything else: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516.aspx

If you have built an app and submitted it in the store, post a link in the comments and I will definitely check it out.

Dream Good.

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Shaymaa

1. Work more and better
2. Work by a schedule
3. Wash teeth if any
4. Shave
5. Take bath
6. Eat good — fruit — vegetables — milk
7. Drink very scant if any
8. Write a song a day
9. Wear clean clothes — look good
10. Shine shoes
11. Change socks
12. Change bed cloths often
13. Read lots good books
14. Listen to radio a lot
15. Learn people better
16. Keep rancho clean
17. Dont get lonesome
18. Stay glad
19. Keep hoping machine running
20. Dream good
21. Bank all extra money
22. Save dough
23. Have company but dont waste time
24. Send Mary and kids money
25. Play and sing good
26. Dance better
27. Help win war — beat fascism
28. Love mama
29. Love papa
30. Love Pete
31. Love everybody
32. Make up your mind
33. Wake up and fight

Woody Guthrie’s New Year’s resolution list, 1942.

Shay’s Back!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Shaymaa

So, it’s been a while and I am back! I will be using this space to write about technology & education. Cheers!

Shaymaa Al-Terkait

education.microsoft.dinosaurs.gadgets.robots.tea