.NET Framework 3.0 or (The Framework Formerly Known as WinFX – TFFKAWFX – or more simply The Framework) has hit the RC1 milestone. Congratulations to the entire Microsoft team. We’re getting very close to a time when we can deploy production applications* using Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) aka Indigo, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) aka Avalon, Windows CardSpace (WCS) aka InfoCard, and Windows Workflow (WF) aka No Widely Spread Codename. You can get the latest bits here**:
- Microsoft Pre-Release Software Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 – Release Candidate
- Readme for Microsoft Prerelease Software .NET Framework 3.0 (Release Candidate Build)
- Microsoft® Windows® Software Development Kit (SDK) for RC 1 of Windows Vista and .NET Framework 3.0 Runtime Components
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code Name “Orcas” Community Technology Preview – Development Tools for .NET Framework 3.0
- Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2005 Extensions for Windows® Workflow Foundation Release Candidate 5
* We’ve got GoLive licenses for the technologies, but I know my clients want RTM before they’ll even consider it for their projects.
** As of this writing, NetFx3.com still points to the July CTP bits. I would expect it to point to the RC1 bits within the next few days.