Can Someone Please Help Me Create a Blog Reader App For My Blog?

Question

Hi ! I am trying to create a blog reader app by using RSS feed for my blog. I found this tutorial on MSDN here Create a Blog Reader using C# and XAML
But the problem is, it says some parts will not work with VS 2013. I even tried to follow each step of the tutorial but get stuck with some "navigation parameter" type-casted to a class. I couldn't understand what do I replace that with as it was
never declared earlier somewhere. Can someone help me with the code? Please, I will be very thankful.
I am using VS 2013 Community update 4 and Windows 8.1

Answer 1

Here is the code and the error i am facing. I tried my best to do other changes like styles for buttons, textblocks etc that are new in 8.1
protected override string DetermineVisualState(ApplicationViewState viewState)
// Update the back button's enabled state when the view state changes
var logicalPageBack = this.UsingLogicalPageNavigation(viewState) && this.itemListView.SelectedItem != null;
var physicalPageBack = this.Frame != null && this.Frame.CanGoBack;
this.DefaultViewModel["CanGoBack"] = logicalPageBack || physicalPageBack;
// Determine visual states for landscape layouts based not on the view state, but
// on the width of the window. This page has one layout that is appropriate for
// 1366 virtual pixels or wider, and another for narrower displays or when a snapped
// application reduces the horizontal space available to less than 1366.
if (viewState == ApplicationViewState.Filled ||
viewState == ApplicationViewState.FullScreenLandscape)
var windowWidth = Window.Current.Bounds.Width;
if (windowWidth >= 1366) return "FullScreenLandscapeOrWide";
return "FilledOrNarrow";
// When in portrait or snapped start with the default visual state name, then add a
// suffix when viewing details instead of the list
var defaultStateName = DetermineVisualState(viewState);
return logicalPageBack ? defaultStateName + "_Detail" : defaultStateName;
errors:
Error 1
An object of the type "System.Object" cannot be applied to a property that expects the type "Windows.UI.Xaml.Data.IValueConverter".
I am using it here
<TextBlock Text="{Binding PubDate, Converter={StaticResource dateConverter}}"
//DateConverter.csusing System;
using Windows.Globalization.DateTimeFormatting;
using Windows.UI.Xaml.Data;
namespace WindowsBlogReader
public class DateConverter : Windows.UI.Xaml.Data.IValueConverter
public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, string culture)
if (value == null)
throw new ArgumentNullException("value", "Value cannot be null.");
if (!typeof(DateTime).Equals(value.GetType()))
throw new ArgumentException("Value must be of type DateTime.", "value");
DateTime dt = (DateTime)value;
if (parameter == null)
// Date "7/27/2011 9:30:59 AM" returns "7/27/2011"
return DateTimeFormatter.ShortDate.Format(dt);
else if ((string)parameter == "day")
// Date "7/27/2011 9:30:59 AM" returns "27"
DateTimeFormatter dateFormatter = new DateTimeFormatter("{day.integer(2)}");
return dateFormatter.Format(dt);
else if ((string)parameter == "month")
// Date "7/27/2011 9:30:59 AM" returns "JUL"
DateTimeFormatter dateFormatter = new DateTimeFormatter("{month.abbreviated(3)}");
return dateFormatter.Format(dt).ToUpper();
else if ((string)parameter == "year")
// Date "7/27/2011 9:30:59 AM" returns "2011"
DateTimeFormatter dateFormatter = new DateTimeFormatter("{year.full}");
return dateFormatter.Format(dt);
else
// Requested format is unknown. Return in the original format.
return dt.ToString();
public object ConvertBack(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, string culture)
string strValue = value as string;
DateTime resultDateTime;
if (DateTime.TryParse(strValue, out resultDateTime))
return resultDateTime;
return Windows.UI.Xaml.DependencyProperty.UnsetValue;
Error 2
The name "DateConverter" does not exist in the namespace "using:WindowsBlogReader".
(DateConverter.cs is a class, I really don't understand why this error comes, i have decalared a local resource in app.xaml for it)
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<local:DateConverter x:Key="dateConverter"></local:DateConverter>
Error 3
'WindowsBlogReader.SplitPage.DetermineVisualState(Windows.UI.ViewManagement.ApplicationViewState)' is a new virtual member in sealed class 'WindowsBlogReader.SplitPage'
Error 4
'WindowsBlogReader.SplitPage.DetermineVisualState(Windows.UI.ViewManagement.ApplicationViewState)': no suitable method found to override
Here is the visual state code for my 1st Page : ItemsPage.xaml
<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<!-- Visual states reflect the application's view state -->
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="ApplicationViewStates">
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenLandscape"/>
<VisualState x:Name="Filled"/>
<!-- The entire page respects the narrower 100-pixel margin convention for portrait -->
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenPortrait">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0"
Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonSmallStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemGridView"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Padding">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="96,136,86,56"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<!--
The back button and title have different styles when snapped,
and the list representation is substituted
for the grid displayed in all other view states
-->
<VisualState x:Name="Snapped">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0"
Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonSmallStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="pageTitle"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0"
Value="{StaticResource HeaderTextBlockStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="Visible"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemGridView"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="Collapsed"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
Visual State code for SplitPage.xaml (2nd Page)
<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<!-- Visual states reflect the application's view state -->
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="ApplicationViewStates">
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenLandscapeOrWide"/>
<!-- Filled uses a simpler list format in a narrower column -->
<VisualState x:Name="FilledOrNarrow">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="primaryColumn" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Width">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="420"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView" Storyboard.TargetProperty="ItemTemplate">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource NarrowListItemTemplate}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Padding">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="60,0,66,0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<!--
The page respects the narrower 100-pixel margin convention for portrait, and the page
initially hides details to show only the list of items
-->
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenPortrait">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonNormalStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="Collapsed"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Padding">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="100,0,90,60"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<!--
When an item is selected in portrait the details display requires more extensive changes:
* Hide the master list and the column is was in
* Move item details down a row to make room for the title
* Move the title directly above the details
* Adjust margins and padding for details
-->
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenPortrait_Detail">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonNormalStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="primaryColumn" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Width">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="Collapsed"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.Row)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="1"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.RowSpan)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="1"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="titlePanel" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.Column)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="1"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetailGrid" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0,0,0,60"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Padding">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="100,0,90,0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<!--
The back button and title have different styles when snapped, and the page
initially hides details to show only the list of items
-->
<VisualState x:Name="Snapped">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonSmallStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="pageTitle" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource HeaderTextBlockStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="primaryColumn" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Width">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="320"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="Collapsed"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView" Storyboard.TargetProperty="ItemTemplate">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource NarrowListItemTemplate}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Padding">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="20,0,0,0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<!--
When snapped and an item is selected the details display requires more extensive changes:
* Hide the master list and the column is was in
* Move item details down a row to make room for the title
* Move the title directly above the details
* Adjust margins and padding for details
* Use a different font for title and subtitle
* Adjust margins below subtitle
-->
<VisualState x:Name="Snapped_Detail">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonSmallStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="pageTitle" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource HeaderTextBlockStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="primaryColumn" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Width">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemListView" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="Collapsed"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.Row)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="1"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.RowSpan)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="1"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="titlePanel" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.Column)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="1"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<!--<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetailTitlePanel" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.Row)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>-->
<!--<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetailTitlePanel" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Grid.Column)">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>-->
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetail" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Padding">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="20,0,20,0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemDetailGrid" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0,0,0,60"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemTitle" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource TitleTextBlockStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemTitle" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="0"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<!--<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="itemSubtitle" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource CaptionTextStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>-->
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
and finally , a Basic Page(DetailPage.xaml)
<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<!-- Visual states reflect the application's view state -->
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="ApplicationViewStates">
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenLandscape"/>
<VisualState x:Name="Filled"/>
<!-- The entire page respects the narrower 100-pixel margin convention for portrait -->
<VisualState x:Name="FullScreenPortrait">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0"
Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonNormalStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<!-- The back button and title have different styles when snapped -->
<VisualState x:Name="Snapped">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="backButton"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0"
Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonSmallStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="pageTitle"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Style">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0"
Value="{StaticResource NavigationBackButtonSmallStyle}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="contentViewBorder"
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="20,5,20,20"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>