Is Microsoft dead?  You may hear this theory floating around some tech podcast roundtables.  I am not one that buys into this type of thinking that much. 

A couple of reasons are highlighted in the podcast including: research.microsoft.com and a recent reference graphic in InfoWorld.com on 10.03.05 entitled "The New Playbook" that lists a "staggering" number of new Microsoft technologies that should be out before the end of 2006:

• Active Directory Federation Services [id mgmt in AD]
• Dynamics [consolidated business solutions]
• Centro [combo server, Exchange, security for the midrange]
• Language Integrated Query (LINQ) Project [.NET database language]
• Microsoft Expression [new graphics and Web design tool]
• Microsoft Visual Studio for Applications [.NET developer tools]
• Office "12" [revamped with support for workflow]
• Project "Atlas" ASP.Net [client scripting framework]
• Visual Studio 2005 [integrated .NET dev tool]
• Vista [next generation client OS]
• Windows Communications Foundation (WCF) [Web services protocols]
• Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) [richer GUI API with 3D visualizations]
• Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere [portable version of WPF]
• Windows Server 2003 Identity Management [id mgmt tools]
• Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF) [programming model for workflow]

Over the next year "success in integration" is actually going to be the metric for success for Microsoft, and to execute on that they will need to turn up the volume on their developer & power-user evangelism.

Take $5 off any order of $30 or more at GoDaddy.com! [Use code "TECH4".]

GotoMeeting & TechPocasts.com event for October 2005 being planned.