Introducing photoSuru: Feature Overview

Introducing photoSuru, the new rich client photo-viewing experience built with the Syndicated Client Experiences (SCE) Starter Kit and .NET 3.5 SP1. PhotoSuru is a sample application which allows users to browse web-based photo collections anytime, anywhere in a performant, intuitive, and fun experience using only a rich RSS feed and the power of WPF.

PhotoSuru is a sample application which was designed to lay the foundation for building rich client multimedia viewing experiences in WPF. With fast performance, optimized adaptive layout, and intuitive, simple navigation, photoSuru was created as one take on a rich client experience for viewing photos offline or online.

Sync

The content in photoSuru is fed to the application via a rich RSS Feed which is generated by a web photo service. Photos are pulled in through a web photo service to the local computer enabling photoSuru to work completely offline. Subscription Center will manage syncing the content in the background whenever a network connection is available, which means that the content is always up-to-date, even when the application isn't running. The details page in Subscription Center will show the user what's new and allow them to jump straight to the latest content.

Dynamic Layout

Core to a great content viewing experience is high fidelity display and ease of use on any screen. Resize photoSuru to any dimensions and it will dynamically re-layout the content to make use of the screen real estate in the most optimal way.

Navigation

Users can browse through photos in the traditional manner by clicking on Next/Prev buttons, or can lean back and relax using a remote control, touch flick gestures, keyboard arrows, or five-button mouse. PhotoSuru’s content is available anytime, anywhere, regardless of whether or not an internet connect is available. Since all of the photos are cached locally, there’s no load time or dependency on network connection speed. As a result, navigating through your photos has never been quicker. Users can flip through photos instantly without waiting for them to download.

Quick Access Keyboard Shortcuts

PhotoSuru also has a full complement of quick access keyboard shortcuts.

APPLICATION
F12	Toggle navigation UI visibility
F11	Toggle full screen view
F10	Move focus to navigation menu
F9	Toggle between viewing mode in combination
F5	Sync now
/	Move focus to search textbox
Escape	Restore viewing mode to regular screen; navigation UI becomes visible

ALBUM NAVIGATION VIEW
Left Arrow J	Navigate to last photo in previous album
Right Arrow K	Navigate to first photo in album
Down Arrow M SpaceBar Mouse scroll down	Navigate to next album
Up Arrow I Mouse scroll up	Navigate to previous album
Enter	Enter tabbed mode where arrow keys can be used to move focus between photos in albums and galleries.
Escape (tabbing mode)	Exit tabbing mode
Enter (tabbing mode)	Navigate to selected photo
Home	Go to top album in current gallery
ScrollPageUp (Tablet Touch / Stylus)	Go to next album
ScrollPageDown (Tablet Touch / Stylus)	Go to previous album

PHOTO VIEW NAVIGATION
Left Arrow J	Navigate to previous photo
Right Arrow K	Navigate to next photo
Enter	Go to current album
Ctrl + Ctrl mousewheel up	Zoom in
Ctrl + Ctrl mousewheel down	Zoom out
Ctrl >	Rotate Clockwise
Ctrl <	Rotate Counter-Clockwise
Ctrl P	Print
Ctrl D	Toggle simple description visibility
Ctrl R	Toggle rich description visibility
B	View current photo in browser

SLIDESHOW
Media Play / Pause	Start / Pause Slideshow
Media Stop	Stop Slideshow
Left Arrow Key	Navigate to previous photo
Right Arrow Key	Navigate to next photo

Search and Tag Explorer

PhotoSuru also introduces an innovative new way to browse through photos. Search using the "explore:" prefix or click on a photo’s tag to jump to the Tag Explorer and explore photos from every album by topic.

Effects

Under the "FX" Panel, photoSuru also offers a variety of fun effects to apply to photos, including Magnify, Grayscale, Ripple, Swirl, and others. The Slideshow also demonstrates a variety of effects which are possible with WPF.

Reading Mode

In addition to a great photo-viewing experience, photoSuru also takes advantage of WPF's advanced text and typographic features to create a rich, aesthetic reading experience to go along with photos. To access the reading mode, turn on photo descriptions using the Description button and click on the "More…" button.

Setup

With photoSuru, we’ve taken advantage of the .NET Framework’s new Client Profile to create a fast, seamless install experience with a custom branded installer. Only one window, three clicks, and 3-8 minutes will install and launch the application and the .NET Framework on a clean XP machine.

Learn more

If you’re interested in learning more about photoSuru or the Syndicated Client Experiences (SCE) Starter Kit, please visit our homepage on WindowsClient.net.