Longhorn Server: Top Ways to "Light Up" your applications
In this post I'm taking a bit of different tack. I've been talking quite a bit lately to IT Pro's about all the new features in Longhorn Server. But this week I'm attending the Longhorn Touchdown training in Sydney which is training we provide that is focused on developers. I'm in the room with developers and I'm trying to understand how they will view a major operating system upgrade such as Longhorn Server. Anthony Borton is running the training and I thought it would be a good idea to post some things developers need to think about when it comes to writing applications for this new platform. We are also seeing the gap between IT Pro and Developer getting smaller as we get closer to the release of Longhorn Server. Both developers and IT Pro's need to understand what is on offer Windows Powershell is one such example that allows IT Pro's or developers to write very powerful scripts for common everyday administrative tasks. There is more and more crossover happening nowadays that's for sure.
So with this is mind we have some top ways to "Light Up" your applications for Windows Longhorn Server. They are:
- Build More Flexible Web Applications
- Build Connected Systems
- Develop "Single Sign-On" Identity-Aware Applications
- Design Highly-Manageable Applications
- Develop More Reliable Applications
- Go Virtual
- Build Scalable Applications
Rather than reinvent the wheel with more details on the above please refer Jason Olson's blog and in particular his post on this very topic. Jason provides many links to more detailed information on the above topics so check out the details to see how to write the best applications for Longhorn Server.
So what I'm seeing now is less of a gap between the Developer and the IT Pro. My take is we all have to understand what each other is doing so in the end we have a much more managed and reliable infrastructure. This is going to take understanding on both sides to get there but I see Longhorn Server one of the most important steps in that direction.
For IT Pro's out there check out the Longhorn Server TechCenter for all the details that you need and for Developers check out MSDN for more.
So developers talk to the IT Pro's in your organization and try and understand what they do and IT Pro's you should do the same. And one last thing. Developers need to realize that IT Pro's don't just hit next all the time and then Finish or OK at the end! 
Coatsey that was a special note just for you mate!
Cheers, Jeffa
Green Day - American Idiot - Jesus of Suburbia: Jesus of Suburbia/City of the Damned/I Don't Care
