By Greg DeMichillie [bio]
Posted: Nov. 6, 2006                             Purchase a copy of this report

The following an excerpt of a Research Report published by Directions on Microsoft, an independent research firm focused exclusively on Microsoft strategy & technology. More samples of our content, as well as a list of upcoming articles and reports are also available.

Free! Executive Summary

Microsoft is expanding the .NET Framework's libraries to include sophisticated graphics, better support for Web services, workflow programming to capture business processes, and a new user interface for authentication

Free! The .NET Framework

The .NET Framework 3.0, the latest version of Microsoft's application development platform, introduces major new components for graphics, Web services, workflow, and authentication

Graphics Framework Built Around XML

The Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) brings high-end graphics to mainstream developers, but Microsoft must overcome IT skepticism that such graphics are necessary, or even desirable, in business applications

Communications Layer Targets Web Services

The Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) aims to simplify Web services, but interoperability will depend on key Web service standards and customers' ability to adapt to a new style of programming

Workflow Strategy Converges

The Windows Workflow Foundation will include a run-time engine, tools, and programming interfaces to simplify the creation of workflow-oriented Windows applications; however, Windows Workflow Foundation is a developer-only technology

CardSpace to Aid Online Log-On

Better security and user convenience are goals of CardSpace, a Windows user interface for log-on and data submission to online services

Challenges and Future Directions

The .NET Framework is a critical piece of Microsoft's developer strategy, and version 3.0 include a number of new features, but the update comes at time when Microsoft is facing renewed competition, most notably from Adobe

Resources

A list of resources with more information on the .NET Framework 3.0