Microsoft’s new design tools: Who really believes them?

Get a grip, people. Microsoft is sending out mixed messages, in terms of its Web-design-tool strategy.

First, there's the positioning. Redmond's "we plan to complement, not compete with Adobe" rhetoric — which I'm doubtful anyone who knows Microsoft will buy for a second.

And then there's the partitioning. Microsoft's decision not to make available its new design products available via its traditional developer channels, like Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN). Already, that move has got some Microsoft customers up-in-arms.

On December 4, Microsoft shared more specifics on its somewhat murky strategy for its Expression design tools and Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere (WPF/e) Web- presentation software. Microsoft is making available for download and/or purchase on Monday the following products:

• The first public beta of Expression Blend (the product formerly code-named "Sparkle," and, later "Expression Interactive Designer");

• A new Community Technology Preview (CTP) build of Expression Design (the product formerly code-named "Acrylic," and, later, "Expression Graphic Designer");

• The final version of Expression Web (the product formerly code-named "Quartz," and later "Expression Web Designer") and

• The first public CTP test build of WPF/e.

Microsoft is planning to release the final versions of its Expression tools either as standalone entities, or as a complete suite. If you buy the Expression Studio suite — which is set to ship in Q2 of 2007 — you get Blend, Design, Web, a new digital-asset-management tool called "Media" (based on the iView Media Pro technology Microsoft bought in June); and a copy of Visual Studio. Microsoft is pricing that bundle at $599 (estimated retail price) — which is considerably less than Adobe Systems charges for Creative Suite 2. (CS2 Standard costs roughly $899; Premium, $1,199.)

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=128