News
Microsoft Releases First Preview of Expression Web Designer
Microsoft has released the first community technology preview (CTP) of its
Expression Web Designer tool targeted for designers producing professional
Web sites.
Expression Web Designer, previously codenamed "Quartz," is one
of three new design tools, all with the Expression brand but aimed at distinctly
different roles in the Web publishing process, coming from Microsoft. The company
began the first and second previews for two other Expression-branded design
tools three months ago.
Codenamed “Sparkle” and “Acrylic,” the two products
already in preview are dubbed Expression Interactive Designer and Expression
Graphic Designer, respectively.
Expression Web Designer is meant for -- prosaically enough -- Web site
designers. Among many features, Web Designer will provide real-time standards
validation; Microsoft has often been criticized in the past for not
fully supporting established Internet standards. Among those supported are
XHTML. The new package will also provide an accessability checker to make
sure that sites conform to standards for screen readers.
In addition, the Web design tool has extensive support for cascading style
sheets (CSS) as well as ASP.net 2.0, according to company statements.
Microsoft
officials have not yet said when the three Expression products will be released.
To participate in the CTP, go here.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.