Rudi Grobler

Well, the extended deadline for the Podder skinning competition is fast approaching (4th August 2008). Today is my last day at the office (Tech-ed preparation) so I decided to post what I have… I created 2 skins and both of them are pretty simple:

The old skin (WMP11), and

And my slightly newer skin (iTunes)

Here is the source

Both these skins are based on design work done by Jose Fajardo

If you have time this weekend and want to also enter, here is the basics:

• Follow these instructions on how to create a blank skin (or download the template here)
• Binding to the collection of available podcasts (Master)

<ListBox IsSynchronizedWithCurrentItem="True" ItemsSource="{Binding Path=Podcasts}" />

• Binding to the collection of episodes for the selected podcast (Detail)

<ListBox x:Name="_podcastsListBox" IsSynchronizedWithCurrentItem="True" ItemsSource="{Binding Path=.}" />

• Add buttons to play, pause and stop active episode

<Button Content="Play" Command="Play" />
<Button Content="Pause" Command="Pause" />
<Button Content="Stop" Command="Stop" />

• Bind slider to current volume

<Slider Minimum="0" Maximum="100" Value="{Binding Path=EpisodePlayerSettings.Volume}"

• Information about active episode

<TextBlock Text="{Binding Path=EpisodePlayerSettings.ActiveEpisode.Name, Mode=Default}"/>

• Information about active podcast

<TextBlock Text="{Binding Path=EpisodePlayerSettings.ActivePodcast, Mode=Default}" />

This is just the basics to get started… but dig round in this applications architecture… It’s a learning experience!

For more information

The WPF Podcatcher Series - Part 1 (Introducing Podder)

The WPF Podcatcher Series - Part 2 (Structural Skinning)

The WPF Podcatcher Series – Part 3 (The Podcast Management Conundrum)

And if you want some inspiration, check out this creative skin created by Gary Winter