MSDN Flash - Volume 11, Number 13: June 18, 2007

From the Editor

To enable developers to create, manage, and deploy Microsoft Windows client applications more rapidly, Microsoft is working on new tools and an easy-to-implement application framework for .NET client development, code-named "Acropolis." And you can help create the future of .NET client development by downloading the pre-release tools and framework to participate directly in product design and development. "Acropolis" is a set of components and tools intended to make it easier for developers to build and manage modular, business-focused, client applications for Microsoft Windows on the .NET Framework.

Speaking of .NET, the hosting options for Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services are significantly enhanced in the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0. Discover how to extend the hosting model to include Windows Services and self-hosting options, and explore the IIS and Windows Activation Services hosting options available for WCF services in the Windows Vista Technical Article Hosting and Consuming WCF Services. The article discusses extending the hosting model to include Windows Services and Self-Hosting options and explores in detail IIS hosting (versions 5.1, 6.0, and 7.0) and Windows Activation Services (WAS) hosting options available for WCF services.

There's a good chance that you have at least played around with Windows PowerShell and maybe you've joined the growing ranks of devotees. Either way, you'll be interested to learn what's in store for the future of the powerful scripting language. For that, check out the video discussion Windows PowerShell: Origin and Future in which Bruce Payette, one of the original PowerShell team members and author of the Windows PowerShell, discusses the design goals and origins of the PowerShell language and the futures for V2.

If you are a software architect, have thought about becoming a software architect, or just want to know what it is a software architect actually does, there is a new site on MSDN called Skyscrapr devoted to everything about architects. For instance, can you name the three different classifications of architects? Go here to check your answers. And for more see the MSDN Solutions Architecture Center.

Do you have a Facebook account and want to learn how to do more with it, like creating cool, fun Windows applications and Web sites? The Facebook Developer Toolkit offers a full complement of components, controls and samples for developing applications using the Facebook Platform. The kit also includes Visual C# and Visual Basic wrappers for the Facebook API. You can use the Facebook Developer Toolkit to build applications using Windows Forms, ASP.NET or WPF. With Visual Studio Express Editions and the Facebook Developer Toolkit, you'll have the tools you need to get going.

Thanks for reading.
Editor, MSDN Flash

Keep those cards and letters coming!


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