Microsoft gives Indigo preview

Microsoft on Wednesday plans to release the first preview version of Indigo, giving developers a chance to test drive the new communications subsystem for Windows. Set for general availability in 2006, Indigo is intended to make it easier for developers to build secure, reliable Web services. The technology will be part of the next release of Windows, code-named Longhorn, but will also be available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, Microsoft has said.

The Indigo release is a "community technology preview" and precedes the first official beta test version, which is due by the end of June. While some of Microsoft's preview releases are not complete, this preview of Indigo includes all the features of the first beta, said Ari Bixhorn, a lead product manager at Microsoft. "The community technology preview helps developers plan their development cycle by getting an early idea of how Indigo works," Bixhorn said. Additionally, Microsoft is looking for feedback on Indigo from developers, he said.

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