We're one step closer to the launch of Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 with Microsoft's announcement today of the release to manufacturing (RTM) of these long-awaited developer tools. For subscribers, they are available today for download from MSDN. The launch is scheduled for February 27th, 2008.

The importance of these tools to the WindowsDevPro audience interested in application lifecycle management (ALM)--and developers and IT pros alike need to care about this--is summed up in this quote from Melinda Ballou, Program Director, Application Life Cycle Management and IT Management Services, “Global businesses demand software creation that encompasses emerging Web 2.0 environments, web services, workflow, information query and other areas for distributed development and deployment. Improved and integrated development and ALM tools that enable support across these areas with quality, change management, design along with effective process and organizational strategies are increasingly critical to IT and business success.”

 http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/nov07/11-19developerqa.mspx