.NET Framework 3.0 has been released

The .NET Framework 3.0 has officially been released! You can download the .NET Framework 3.0 components here.

For those who already have the .NET Framework 2.0 installed, this .NET Framework 3.0 redistributable package installs only the new Windows Vista components: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), and Windows CardSpace (WCS, formerly “InfoCard”).

After you install it, make sure you check couple of XAML demo applications from:

mobiform

Avalon Clock
Paint Factory Demo

Karen Corby

Woodgrove XBAP
FontPlayer XBAP

I’m sure that both XUL and MXML fans will have something to comment about XAML and XBAPs. Maybe AJAX fans too.

VHDs - Microsoft's virtual appliances

Following VMWare’s model of virtual appliances, Microsoft started to offer also, as free downloads, preinstalled virtual machines under the name of pre-configured Virtual Hard Disks (VHD).

Although at this moment the offer is limited and includes mostly Microsoft products (Windows Server 2003 R2, Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2005, etc), it is expected to see more in the near future due to VHD Test Drive Program that address to Microsoft partners willing to distribute there applications in a VHD container.

VoIP Phone Systems for Windows

While most free or open source SIP servers are Linux based (see Asterisk), it’s always nice too see solutions for other platforms as well. A few months ago I evaluated OnDO SIP Server a SIP Registrar and Proxy Server for Windows. This post will present another two, even more interesting products:

Yate http://yate.null.ro/
This VoIP server/client, developed by a Romanian company is continuing to receive good reviews from all over the place. Written in C++, with support for popular scripting languages such as PHP or Python, the software is portable between Linux and Windows.

3CX Phone System http://www.3cx.com/
Although not open-source, 3CX Ltd offers a free edition, supported by forums of their Windows Based PBX system.

No-hassle free remote access for home users

Implementing remote access strategies is a common practice in corporate world. While these companies have budgets for buying special hardware or software and hiring qualified IT personnel, the same thing is not true for home users.

This post presents 2 simple and free methods that home users can successfully implement in order to make their PC or home network securely available from any point on the Internet. Users may have zero knowledge about routers, NAT, port forwarding and still enjoy the benefits of remotely access the home PC while visiting a friend, being at school or traveling far from home.

LogMeIn Free
This solution offers the easiest remote access for home and personal use. LogMeIn lets you access your Windows PC from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer connected to the Internet and a web browser or any web-enabled Pocket PC device.


Hamachi + UltraVNC
While not as straightforward as the solution presented above, this combination of free software has its own advantages. Not only that allows you to easily transfer files between the local and target computer but lets you also play almost any LAN game you may have. You can even try your old IPX games with a friend over internet.

Cool VNC Derivatives

RealVNC
http://www.realvnc.com/

RealVNC is produced by a UK company founded by the team that designed and implemented the original VNC software. Besides the free version the company offer also 2 commercial editions packed with extra features plus a KVM-over-IP based on VNC protocol.


Ultr@VNC
http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/

This free software, based on the same VNC protocol, brings interesting features such file transfer and an improved video driver for free. From the same site you can download also several interesting add-ons such as: NAT-to-NAT (allowes for connections between UltraVNC viewer and server behind NAT routers without any router modification) and SingleClick (customizable mini UltraVNC server for help desk support).


CrossLoop
http://www.crossloop.com/

This is more about P2P than VNC. In fact the application allows you to establish a P2P connection between 2 firewalled computers. On top of this connection the software runs a VNC derivative (TightVNC). For supporting sessions, the software seems like a perfect alternative to expensive commercial solutions.