Yup, I will write some web 2.0 again, but I have to rearrange my articles first to meet the current change of web 2.0, including the new paradigm of Web Form 1.0 as a true web application. Stay tuned!
Guys, now WPF/E has been released as the first CTP! Which is now we can immediately try and develop using it.
What is WPF/E anyway? Well, according to Microsoft WPF/E site:
"WPF/E” is the Microsoft solution for delivering rich, cross-platform, interactive experiences including animation, graphics, audio, and video for the Web and beyond. Utilizing a subset of XAML (eXtensible Application Markup Language)-based Windows Presentation Foundation technology, “WPF/E” will enable the creation of content and applications that run within multiple browsers and operating systems (Windows and Macintosh) using Web standards for programmability. Consistent with Web architecture, the XAML markup is programmable using JavaScript and works well with ASP.NET AJAX. Broadly available for customers in the first half of 2007, “WPF/E” experiences will require a lightweight browser plug-in made freely available by Microsoft."
Which means, WPF/E is a Microsoft "adapter" to enable many kinds of web browser, non-Microsoft platform, and others to run WPF. Currently, WPF/E can run under MacOS X version 10.4.x, also runs under IE 6/7, Firefox 1.5.0.8 and Firefox 2.0, next stop will be for Opera 9.x and others. Can it be used to create killer web 2.0 website? Yes, it can, but we should dive into this first.
Current CTP of WPF/E is WPF/E December 2006 CTP, and it's only intended for .NET 3.0 RTM version, previous version can't be guaranteed to work. You can download the December CTP and also the WPF/E SDK for the December CTP release.
Happy WPF coding!