WPF 

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) is Microsoft’s next generation user interface design technology.

WPF makes it easier than ever to create great applications with immersive user experiences. Microsoft uses it inside Windows Vista – and you’ve only got to look at the awesome visual effects there to see the creativity WPF delivers. With Microsoft’s new Expression toolset and Visual Studio 2008 it has never been easier for developers and designers to collaborate effectively.

It’s even got its own language – XAML – which allows the creatives and the techies to talk to each other! Producing great software involves a number of factors, including among others appearance, user interaction and performance. In the past, when the performance people met the UI guys and the design doyennes, nobody could really communicate with each other on the same level. Now, however, with XAML, teams can build user interfaces without having any knowledge about .NET development.

WPF’s appeal runs a little deeper though. For years we have seen onscreen software in films containing amazing visual effects with simple and easy to use interfaces. As impractical as they may be, Hollywood has been making the point that the white text boxes on grey screens that make up the bulk of contemporary software is simply not good enough. Users are increasingly demanding better experiences from the software they use and companies are waking up to the fact that better and easier to use software increases productivity and reduces training costs. The toolset to create these applications is clear. The solution is WPF.