Vista is fast on HP Mini

I’ve always been wondering why netbook can’t run Vista properly.  Somehow a lot of review have put it that if a netbook is using Vista it will take a performance hit.  A modern processor at 1.6Ghz and 1GB of RAM can’t run a modern Vista OS?  I know that Vista is resource hungry but I don’t think it is that resource hungry.  After some thoughts, I felt that the reason might be due to the slow hard disk that most netbook are using, since Vista is always doing file indexing on the fly and will thus cause a performance dip if the hard disk is slow.

After trying out Sony Vaio P at the Sony shop, it is confirmed that Vista felt sluggish on the Vaio P which is using a 1.3Ghz Atom but with 2GB of RAM.  But I still have my doubts. Then when I get my hand on a HP Mini 1000 (1012TU), I’ve decided to install a dual boot Vista on top of the XP to try out the theory.  I was thinking that if it is slow then I’ll just turn off the file indexing and see whether the speed will become decent.  However, after successfully getting Vista installed, I feel that it is fast, as fast as the XP that was originally installed and I did not do any tweaking and this is even with Aero turn on!  This confirm the theory that with 1GB of RAM Vista should be as fast as XP.

So why is it that people are saying that netbook can’t take Vista?  I feel that this is because the manufacturer want to sell the netbook cheap, the first netbook came installed with Linux but Linux is not something that people are comfortable to use (not all people, at least) and soon people are asking for a Window version.  But if HP, Dell, Lenovo and what not put Vista on their netbook, the cost will be much higher than those netbook that comes with Linux.  Thus Windows XP came into the scene.  Being cheaper than Vista, manufacturer can thus keep the price range of netbook.  To justify the choice, they make use of the negative image of Vista, since netbook comes with cheap setup, it can’t run Vista.  And it seems like they are successful in this marketing gimmick.

Vista launch press coverage inaccuracies, corrected

With all the big hoo ha and bashing of Windows Vista on the web, a web post finally do some justice.  A point that I especially like is:

“Any “expert” that says that you should not buy Windows Vista for security should be locked up and never allowed to write ever again.

As  a developer I know for a fact that patching an inherent flaw within the software architecture does not solve the problem entirely.  This is especially true when security is concerned.  This is like when a weak point is found in a defence wall and breached, patching the hole later on does not give you a stronger wall.  The whole structure of the wall has already been weakened and thus future breach will be possible.

The "Wow" starts now!

This is an event that I need to go.  Its sort of a wrap up for the journey that was started on September 2005, when I attended the Professional Developer Conference at L.A. and first saw an updated Windows Vista that is very similar to the one launched worldwide on 30th January 2007.  A journey that “wow” me, not because of Windows Vista itself, but because of the new platform that software developer can now leverage on.

Its a Wrap!

Vista Fiesta!

Finally!  Some information on the Windows Vista launch date in Singapore!  Its Fiesta indeed!  2 days after the world wide launch of Windows Vista, the Wow is coming to Singapore!

Where is the launch party?

So the day of Windows Vista Launch is here, 30th Jan 2007.  I’ve read about the launch party in New York: the wall dancers that pull down the flag which make up the Windows Vista logo that signify the start of the “Wow”.  Eager to see or even read about the launch event that will happen in Singapore, I’ve check out our local computer store.  One of our major computer store, the Challenger, even had the original Windows XP shelves change to bare the Windows Vista Logo, though the products on display are still Windows XP.  Puzzled, I ask the store assistant and the store assistant told me that they are indeed selling Windows Vista.  I was so happy and immediately follow the store assistant to check out the Windows Vista they are selling.  I was to be disappointed again, they are selling Windows Vista alright, but the OEM version, a version that is use by computer manufacturer to install on new PC.  A version with just a transparent slim plastic box which seems to mean that Vista is not launch in Singapore.  Yet.  Checking with Microsoft Singapore website?  No news.  Local Sony, HP websites are still selling PC that is preloaded with Windows XP.  No deal.  The only OEM that sell PC with Windows Vista is Dell, and they are saying that it is a special promotion period until 5th Feb.

Thus on the launch day of Windows Vista, nothing seems to have change in Singapore, no launch party, no Windows Vista.  Guess the wait is still on.

Go ahead, buy that PC

To help you in making that decision on whether to buy a new PC this holiday season or to wait until Windows Vista is launched, Microsoft announced the Express Upgrade program.  This program allows any Windows Vista Capable PC bought between 26 October 2006 and 15 March 2007 to be upgraded to Windows Vista or even Office 2007 if that PC comes pre-installed with Office 2003.  This program is provided by Microsoft for a nominal fee.

The catch is that, it is still unknown what this “nominal fee” will cost you and which edition of Windows Vista this program will get you.  Thus it is still best to wait for PC manufacturers to announce their own program which will definitely be some form of free upgrade.  But with this push from Microsoft, you can be sure that a free upgrade is definitely on the way.

Updated: In US, Gateway and Dell have announced that customers who buy systems from now till March 2007 will get free upgrade to Windows Vista when the OS is shipped.  Dell on the other hand is going to charge customers US$45 for a Windows XP Home to Windows Vista Home Basic upgrade and shipping/handling cost for a Windows XP Pro to Windows Vista Home Premium upgrade.

It is also available to those on CPP

Microsoft will also let those users who have Windows Vista RC1 (which means that they are on Customer Preview Program, CPP) to download RC2 as well.  Those who are interested can visit this page.  The download will be for a limited period only.  Microsoft also states that RC2 will not receive as much support as RC1 via Windows Update and that RC2 might not be able to upgrade to the full RTM version when Windows Vista ships.

Windows Vista RC2 is available

Yes, it is now available to tech beta testers and soon MSDN subscribers will be able to download it.  RC2 will be the last preview build for Windows Vista.  Microsoft is targeting 25th October to release Windows Vista to those who are holding the enterprise volume license (or something like that).  Thus normal user should be able to purchase it come next year’s January.

The First Release Candidate for Windows Vista

Finally, the highly anticipated RC1 (Release Candidate 1) of Windows Vista has been released.  Build 5600 of Windows Vista is now the official RC1 at least according to Paul Thurrott’s RC1 review.  I can’t verify whether Beta Testers have received this RC1 or not, as it is weekend and I am not at work.  However, MSDN subscribers have not received it; I can verify this because MSDN subscribers can access their account online, and I’ve log on to my account and checked; The latest is still August CTP (Build 5536).  This means that I can only get my hand on RC1 when I get back to work on Monday.

If you are interested in knowing what is new since Beta 2, you can check out Paul Thurrot’s review that I have linked in the first paragraph.

Problem with Volume

Microsoft took a big knife and chop away the old audio architecture in Windows XP.  With that gone, they came up with a new audio architecture from ground up, aiming to make audio in Windows Vista less affected by any sudden peak in CPU usage.  When they are at it, they also make audio easier to use by changing the perspective from devices to end points like speakers, and headphones.

All these changes should be all well and good for users of Windows Vista, however, it make the job of audio application developer so much harder.  For example, in the midst of all these changes we lost the ability to change the master volume.  At first this seems to be OK, as Windows Vista implemented per-app volume and any application that is changing the master volume through the MMSystem API, Windows Vista will route it to the per-app volume.  However, it turns out that for certain media stream, this is not working, which is especially true for MIDI.

After several days of hard work, I’ve finally managed to chop up my application and make the old master volume into a brand new volume that truly affect only my own application.  But I’ve decided not to take part in Vista’s per-app volume eco-system; My argument is that since this is a feature that is being push by Microsoft, they have the responsibility to make it work for all application.

Microsoft still targeting November

Seems like Microsoft will be releasing their up and coming OS, Windows Vista, this November after all.  After several votes of “no-confidence” from online journalists, beta testers and die-hard supporters, Microsoft has instead crank up the gear and shifted into fast speed.  July saw the coming of the July CTP at the end of the month.  Then 1 week later, interim build 5483.  Another week later, interim build 5492.  This thursday, we saw the coming of interim build 5520.

So… Yes, they are definitely in the fast speed lane and November is the goal they are heading for.

Bye Bye Hour Glass, Hello Blue Circle

Windows Vista July CTP (Build 5472) springs a surprise.  The “Busy” hourglass has been replaced by a revolving blue circle.  If you have tried out the Internet Explorer 7 Beta 3, you will be familiar with the new “Busy” or “Working in the background” animation of the mouse cursor; the “Busy” animation while a web page is loading is also using a revolving blue circle.

Seems like the Windows Vista is really getting a “wax and polish” for each version that came out after the Beta 2.  I believe that more changes will be coming our way.

Windows Vista should be delayed?

I’ve just got back from a week long vacation and stumble upon a post which doesn’t seems good for Windows Vista.  One of the beta tester and outright supporter of Windows Vista, Robert McLaws, had declared that Vista needs more time.  He finds that Windows Vista is still not stable enough to call for a Release Candidate.  Though newer interim build had solved some of the stability and performance issues of the Beta 2, newer bugs came popping out.  He recommends that Windows Vista be delayed by another 4-6 weeks, so that the whole Vista team can get their acts together to deliver a fantastic OS.

One interesting thing that he pointed out is that developers have been using too much of “by design” or “not reproducible” to close bugs report.  This is something quite common for software developers, once a bug can’t be reproduce they tend to move on quickly to another bug.  This will cause inaccuracy to any software report as potential bugs will stay hidden by the tag of “by design” or “not reproducible”.  Developers should always find time to try and reproduce any bugs that are “not reproducible”, so as not to leave any hidden “surprise” for the customers.  For my company, we will not close any bugs that are tag as “by design” or “not reproducible” automatically, developers will need to work with the testers and convince the project engineer that these bugs are really “by design” or “not reproducible”.

Did you download a copy?

What is your guess?  How many people downloaded the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview Program (CPP)?  Apparently, Microsoft has not release this information yet.  However the bandwidth needed to cater for everyday download had reached a stage whereby increasing the bandwidth some more will potentially bring down the whole Internet!

Incidentally, if you have not download a copy, the Customer Preview Program has already been closed.

Finally, Microsoft is going to change that ugly theme

This is one benefit of releasing beta software for users to try out; Users can then feedback on what they dislike about the software.  With so many negative feedback, Microsoft is finally going to change the theme that is shown when Windows Aero^TM cannot be enable, known as the Windows Vista Basic theme.

You can see from the diagram above, the middle window is the old look for the Windows Vista Basic.  The new look (the window at the bottom) in my opinion is much better, at least now it convey a certain professionalism instead of the half-hearted effort that was done for the old look.  Though I would prefer that Microsoft enlarge the 3 top-right buttons some more, ditched the old icons for the 3 buttons and use the icons that the Aero theme is using (the difference is small, but the Aero’s icons look nicer).  This is what I feel from looking at the picture, I am sure seeing the new theme in action would give a different perspective.

Windows Vista Beta 2 is looking good

After using Windows Vista Beta 2 (Build 5384.4) for about one whole day, I find that this is the most polish Windows Vista OS ever since Microsoft releases CTP build at the PDC 05.  It seems that Microsoft has gotten their act together to deliver a much better experience.  The look and feel are all iron out nicely with more consistency.

Performance is also much better.  It used to be that after you login, you’ve got to wait a while before you can get hold of the command to order the computer around.  This time round a fade out and fade in, then you can straight make use of the quick launch bar, the start menu or even right click to personalize your computer.  Even the installation take shorter time than last build.

Its getting better and better; I am looking forward for the actual release so that I can use it daily for all my regular business.

Windows Vista Beta 2 is out – But its not for public yet

So Windows Vista Beta 2 (Build 5384.4) is out for Connect (those who are in the Beta program) and MSDN Subscribers.  I am currently downloading the iso and hopefully will be able to install it come tomorrow.  During the keynotes for WinHEC, I think it is also mentioned that public will be able to get their hands on Windows Vista Beta 2 by this coming few weeks.  So anyone who is not on the above 2 programs will need to be patience and wait for it to go public.

I believe a bunch of bugs has been solved for this Beta 2 and hopefully there will also be some performance boost from the last CTP.

Capable or Premium Ready?

Microsoft has officially announce the actual system requirement to run Windows Vista when its launch in Jan 2007.  A logo system will also be implemented so that consumer will know whether the system they buy now will be able to run Windows Vista or not.  A system that has a logo of Windows Vista Capable can run Windows Vista’s core experiences at a minimum.  Core experiences of Windows Vista include things such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability.  Some features like the Windows Aero Glass effect will need additional hardware upgrade.

Premium Ready PC will give you even better Windows Vista experience like the Windows Aero user experience (actually currently other than the Windows Aero glass effect, I don’t know what “even better experience” gives).  Below is a summary of the requirements.

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:

• A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
• 512 MB of system memory.
• A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
• 1 GB of system memory.
• A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero.
• 128 MB of graphics memory.
• 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
• DVD-ROM Drive.
• Audio output capability.
• Internet access capability.

How to use that Aero Glass API?

I have a comment asking me “how do i add instal the shell api on my xp machine”.  The answer to this question is actually quite simple; Just install the latest Windows SDK onto your XP machine and you will get the header file to those Aero API.

However, you can’t test your program under Windows XP; Those API will simply fail.  Desktop Window Manager’s API will only function under Windows Vista.  So you will need the latest compatible Windows Vista CTP build to verify your program.  Have fun!

Microsoft is Gearing Up to Release Public Beta 2?

C|Net news has reported that a top engineer at Microsoft has issued a challenge over the weekend to his Windows Vista team: Find and fix a bug in the current code and earn US$100.  The one who fixed the most bugs before Monday will also get an extra US$500.

Will we see a much stable OS in the upcoming public beta 2 release because of this?  Hmmm…. I hope so, though the current build is already quite stable.

Glass? Can’t see which is the active window?

So Paul Thurrott is reviewing again.  I must says that his review is often times quite good.  But this time round I feel that he is trolling.  Is it because he had run out of ideas to write already?

User Account Protection might be a bit annoying now, but I believe this is what interim and CTP releases are all about.  That is to find out what is wrong with the code and UI.  Although Microsoft claims feature complete but it doesn’t mean that UI can’t be tweak for better usability.  I have confident that Microsoft will get this right.

Glass window don’t highlight focus window, thus user won’t know which window is in focus?

Come on, I can tell which is the focus (or topmost) window with just one look.  I don’t even need to guess like what Mr. Thurrot is suggesting.  50% chance to get it right?  I believe you can do better than that.  The one on the right is the focus window, how do I tell?  Notice the close button is highlighted with a red tint but the one on the left is not?  That is the indication, the focus window is the one with the tinted red close button.  Not obvious enough?  I don’t think so.

Media Center is ugly?  This is so subjective.  I happens to think that the look is OK.  The navigation is also pretty OK, although I think that it needs some polish.

I feels that so far Windows Vista is quite OK as a successor to Windows XP.  It does not disappoint me.  Of course the performance needs to go up another few notches but other than that it is pretty OK.  I am actually looking forward for the launch day in January 2007.

So rumour is just rumour

There was a rumour at a popular Windows website (the same one that I have mentioned before) saying that Microsoft is going to release another build of Windows Vista (specifically build 5365) this week to their beta testers.  This would be the second such release before an actual CTP release.  The one that has been released to beta testers is build 5342.

But it is just that, a rumour.  Nothing more.  However, I was actually looking forward to the said build, as rumour also has it that this build will be a lot faster in performance and much more stable as well.  A bit disappointed that it turn out to be just another rumour, but Paul Donnelly, from Microsoft, who confirm that the release is a rumour did say that they are preparing for a release but just not plan for this week.  He hope that it will be sooner than later.

I am still eagerly waiting for the full public beta 2 (rumour has it that it should be release around the last week of May, but again, just another rumour).

Glass, more glass please

Using the aero glass API, developer can bring in more glass into the application window, instead of just at the chrome (which is provided free of charge by Windows Vista).

Tim Sneath, Windows Vista Technical Evangelist, blog about how to add glass to a Windows Form application using, you guess it, C#.

The one single API that is important here is the DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea().  From the name of the API, it seems that it is just instructing Desktop Windows Manager (DWM) to extend the chrome area into the client area.  I should think that when the theme change to Aero Diamond, then we will also get diamond free!

OK, where’s my glass?

Windows Vista is delayed till January 2007

So its official.  It has been delayed.

Do I care?  Yes I think I do.  Its a disappointment.  After waiting for a September 2006 release, it is now a January 2007.  But I would rather get a quality software rather than a half-baked one.  So a delay really is better than Microsoft rushing the product and then users need to wait for a service pack to solve their problems.  So I hope Windows Vista will really be a good one after 2 delay.

But I think that a January 2007 date is all thanks to PC makers since businesses can still get their hands on Windows Vista in November 2006 as long as they purchase volume license.  PC makers can’t really get their act together to release their PC pre-installed with Windows Vista earlier if Microsoft release Windows Vista in November (at least they can’t meet the holiday season).

So those people who DIY their system got to wait 2 more months to a January 2007.

Windows Vista Product Lineup

Microsoft has finally make it official.

“the Microsoft^® Windows Vista product lineup will bring clarity to customers’ digital world by helping them easily accomplish everyday tasks, instantly find what they want, enjoy the latest in entertainment, improve the safety of their personal information, stay connected at home or on the go, and help ensure PCs are up-to-date, more secure and running smoothly.

There are a total of 6 versions, 2 for businesses, 3 for home users and 1 for emerging markets.  Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise are for businesses.  Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate are for home users.  Windows Vista Starter is for emerging markets.

Windows Vista Enterprise is only available for business customers participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program and it will contain certain features that is only available in this version.  Windows Vista Starter is only for emerging markets, giving these markets a basic and low-cost OS.  The rest of the versions will be available for retail and on new PC.

Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Starter will not contain the new user interface Windows Aero.  The Home Basic only comes with the classic look and feel of Windows and the Starter will be a much simpler OS which only available in 32 bit.  The rest of the versions will let users experience the new Windows Aero, including the now so famous Aero Glass.

Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate will also get the new Vista Media Center capabilities.  Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise on the other hand will get the all new tablet PC capabilities.

The interesting thing to me is that if Home Basic does not contain the Windows Aero, what is the price point that it is going to launch?  If this package is of the same price as the current Windows XP, then Microsoft is really trying to collect a premium for their latest Windows Aero.  I hope this is not the case.

Windows Vista Feb CTP and WinFX Feb CTP

So they are officially released.  Although, currently only Beta Testers can get their hands on Windows Vista Feb CTP, but it will be out soon for the MSDN subscribers.  In this feature complete build, Windows Sidebar finally make a debut and user can now try out the new rss feed gadget that lies on top of the sidebar.For WinFX Feb CTP, it is now publicly available.  There will be some changes as compared to the Jan CTP that will break any application that was build base on Jan CTP.Since the Windows Vista Feb CTP came out on 22nd Feb, the popular rumour “starter” is wrong again.

Microsoft is shipping 2 Beta 2 for Windows Vista

Jim Allchin, Co-president of Microsoft, has confirmed that there will be 2 release for Windows Vista Beta 2.

“We’ll produce one this quarter and one next quarter. We’re targeting each CTP at a particular audience. The one coming up this quarter will be targeted toward our corporate accounts.

From what I know, ever since the first CTP for Windows Vista (which came out during the PDC 05), every build has been tagged as Beta 2.  You can see this tag at the lower right of the desktop once you startup Windows Vista.

Community Technology Preview

People who are familiar with the traditional software development milestones will know about Alpha, Beta, and RC.  As in the schedule for a particular software release will be like this, start out in Alpha, where by important features are in but most things are not that stable, this stage is normally for internal testing only.  Then when the software is stable enough for more people to test, it will go into Beta stage.  And after a few iteration, in a final Beta, all features will be in and the software will be consider feature complete.  After that the software will go into RC stage (RC stands for Release Candidate), and the software is being prep for the final release.

It all started with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.  Microsoft decided to try a new method of releasing software for external testing and they called it Community Technology Preview (CTP).  The CTP will be release monthly and feedback from external tester can then be gotten far more frequently than traditional milestones.  CTP being a preview, will also put less pressure on developers.  In between CTP, there will also be Beta and RC milestones.  For Visual Studio 2005, the CTP program was a success, this success prompted Microsoft to try out the CTP program for Windows Vista as well.

But after the first 2 CTP for Windows Vista (the Sep CTP and the Oct CTP), the suppose Nov CTP turns out to be too bugy for external release.  After some delay Microsoft finally announce that they will not release monthly CTP as it is too taxing on resources.  However, the CTP program has also been successful, but instead of monthly CTP they will now release CTP as frequent as possible.  Furthermore, they will skip Nov CTP and will release Dec CTP instead.  A public Beta 2 will aslo be release sometime in the Q1 of 2006.

Now Microsoft’s co-president Jim Allchin is saying that they will concentrate instead on the CTP approach and will drop the traditional milestones method.  This really make me wonder, is the CTP approach really better or am I missing something?

Why do I need Vista – take 3

In my last post, I’ve forgotten to talk about another major improvement in Windows Vista.  This is in their audio architecture.  Microsoft has always let user interact with devices in the audio environment.  For example if you go to Windows XP control panel and then find and launch Sounds and Audio Devices, you will get to choose the default playback device and the default recording device from one of the tab page.  Microsoft is going to change this in Windows Vista, users are going to interact with speakers, headphones, microphone etc., which is more natural for most people.  You will want to lower the volume of your speakers if you find that the sound coming out from your computer is way too loud and not that of the playback device.  Furthermore, you will be able to adjust the volume of system sound and leave the volume of your MP3 playback at the same level.  This will make sure that when you are listening to your favourite music on the headphones, a sudden new mail notification will not make you deaf.  Finally, the audio will also be more smooth even when there is a sudden surge in CPU usage.

Why do I need Vista – take 2

There is a comment about my previous post on Windows Vista.  I have to say that to a certain extent, I agree with the comment.  The look and feel of Windows Vista is going to be just “incrementally better”.  But the user experience is going to be substantially better, at least from the look of the current build, it has the potential to be substantially better.

For example:

1. Microsoft is going to take bulky dialog boxes (that give too much information) and simplify them to become much more task oriented.  When user need more information, they can then follow the link that is on the simpler dialog
2. Another aspect would be security, it would be much harder for spyware and virus to attack Windows Vista, and user can then feel more secure when surfing the Internet
3. The revamp of the Graphic pipeline will mean that for the first time adding a decent 3D Graphic card will make your system become much more responsive as all graphic related rendering will then be offload to the GPU

Google and Apple started to talk about having a indexed file system so as to enable a better desktop search after Microsoft announce their intention at PDC 2003.  Both Google and Apple then race to beat Microsoft by coming out with the desktop search way before Microsoft did.

Having said that, I find that the “spectacular improvement” might not come from the OS itself but by the tools that Microsoft is going to make available for developer to use.  Namely, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation and Windows Workflow Foundation.  You can take a look at this video for a glimpse of what can happen in the future.

Why do I need Windows Vista?

Manuel Clement, Designer of Microsoft’s upcoming Expression Suite (a set of tools to aid in software development), blog about why you will need Windows Vista after people keep insisting that Windows Vista is actually Windows XP SP3 and nothing more.  He gave a list of 15 things that differentiate Windows Vista from Windows XP.

My take is that people are falling into the trap of negative publicity.  After Microsoft announce that it is removing WinFS (the future storage system that will revolutionize how we interact with Computer), skeptics are putting off Windows Vista as just another service pack.  After playing around with Windows Vista December CTP for about 2 weeks, my  point of view is that Windows Vista is a substantial step forward.  Though it has its own set of problems now, it is still in beta, when it finally ships, it will be better than Windows XP.

Feature Complete Windows Vista and Blu-Ray support?

Rumour has it that Microsoft going to release Windows Vista Feb CTP in the week of Feb 15 and that a week later they will add Blu-Ray support into their internal build.  I am still quite skeptical about the rumour “starter” but I will go with it for now.  See whether he is going to be right this time.

Move aside Blackcomb, here comes Vienna!

So it has been confirmed.  That the codename for the version of Windows after Windows Vista is going to be called “Vienna”, no more “Blackcomb”.  According to a Microsoft spokesman the codename has always been selected base on locations in the world known for great “vistas“.

Another month Another CTP

Windows Vista development is heating up.  Jan CTP (Community Technology Preview) has been released for Windows SDK, WinFX Runtime and Visual Studio 2005 Extension for WinFX.  You can get the load here.