Technologies to focus on

When people find out I work for Microsoft they often ask “so what technologies should I be aware of that are coming down the line?”. Of course I’m a developer-focused person so my answer is always relevant to developers. And actually it’s a really valid question right now because 2007 is a big year for us in terms of developers.

We have two big US events this year, neither of which is guaranteed to happen every year but both of which are run when we have something particularly relevant to say:

1) Mix07

2) The PDC (professional developers conference)

 

We will be running UK events that mirror both of these, with a mix “style” event – like mix only better :-) – likely to happen in June. Earmark June 20/21 for now.

Both of these events will feature some big announcements so it’s worth knowing about them even if you can’t attend.

So what about those technologies? None of these is likely to come as a big surprise but here’s what we’ll be focusing on in the coming months:

· Windows Live. There will be quite a bit of movement here, see http://dev.live.com

· WPF/E. If you haven’t come across this yet take a look at the wpf/e development centre. Be aware of two thing: that WPF/E is just a code name so there's a proper product name on the way, and that what you see today is only a piece of what this technology will become

· .NET Framework 3.5

· Visual Studio Orcas

· Expression product range

· Longhorn Server

· SQL Server “Katmai”

I’ll post additional entries relating to these technologies, and especially highlighting where we’re running relevant activities in the UK.

Comments

• Anonymous
  March 19, 2007
  Ian:  The Mix07 link doesn't work... well its just added the link onto the end of the blogs.msdn.com/ianm.... url. Mark

• Anonymous
  March 19, 2007
  Thanks Mark. Fixed

• Anonymous
  March 19, 2007
  What's this? A non-competition related blog entry? SHOCK HORROR :D

• Anonymous
  March 20, 2007
  Looking forward to the full wpf/e release, have some great things in mind!

• Anonymous
  March 20, 2007
  Hi ian at last an article , that's not about the  competition!!! I looking forward to what you are doing with windows live because at the moment, the search is really not up to scratch and needs to be improved, (it's got a lot off stick in the press). It also needs a filter for spyware/phishing websites.  

• Anonymous
  March 21, 2007
  If you are not going to the US to attend the PDC and/or MIX events this year, you will have an opportunity

• Anonymous
  March 21, 2007
  Time to start pestering the boss for a trip to PDC :)

• Anonymous
  March 21, 2007
  Microsoft has announced that PDC will take place this year, October 2007. Apparently they'll be mirroring

• Anonymous
  March 21, 2007
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  March 23, 2007
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  March 25, 2007
  Hi Christopher, I'll keep you informed. We're likely to see some movement over the next couple of weeks.

• Anonymous
  March 28, 2007
  19/20 June is "Oxford Computer Group presents The European User Group for Microsoft IDA Technologies".  If   the mini-MIX or whatever it'll be is going to be held at Reading (big assumption!) on 20/21 June then surely there's a clash? Events links are: https://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-GB&eventid=1032335457 https://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-GB&eventid=1032335458

• Anonymous
  May 17, 2007
  The comment has been removed