Release.This.Release.That

What an exciting week! I've been busy keeping up with all the product previews and CTPs that have been announced and/or released throughout the week. Looks like things are really really getting interesting here. There are so many updates and I really don't know where I should start. I will just type whatever I remember...

Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite Release Candidate has been released and accomodating it is SQL Server 2005 September CTP. I'm so glad that both products are compatible now and I can install them on a single machine. If you are a MSDN subscriber, go grab them today!

Windows Vista September CTP (Build 5219) is also released to beta testers and PDC 2005 attendees, spotting new UI goodies such as the Sidebar and Gadgets. Unfortunately, I don't have a powerful graphics card to enjoy all the UI effects. *Sob* *Sob* Probably, will install it later. You can view the demo here.

Following Windows Vista is also the announcement of Windows Workflow Foundation, a programming model that allows developers to easily develop and integrate workflow solutions into their applications on a common framework. Like the Windows Presentation Foundation and Windows Communication Foundation, it will be part of the WinFX family and you can try them out with the WinFX SDK September CTP.

Also on development stuff, there is the announcement of Language Integrated Query (LINQ) that allows developers to query relation and XML data directly from C# or VB.NET. Cool huh?! Honestly speaking, I have not look at this yet. Also, brace yourself for C# 3.0! Looks like this language is growing more and more powerful (and complex too!). You can check it out by participating in the C# 3.0 Language Enhancements Live Chat. (If you have not learn your C# 2.0, you better start hor.)

Moving to the end-users department, we have Office 12 that spots a new intuitive UI that focuses more on context-driven rather than command-driven. You can read about it here or better still, see it here. Lastly, entering into the creative market, meet the Expression range of products. You can read all about it here.

Wow! There are so many new releases and it just makes me go crazy. There's also Biztalk Server 2006 and a new Sharepoint Portal Server coming. Looks like there are going to be lots of blockbuster releases in these few years.

Anyway, I can't possibly keep up with all of them so I better stick to the ones that are within my radar. Now... lemme see... when is that Team Foundation Server Beta 3 coming....