Summary: Atlas - Microsoft's Web Client Framework API

What is Atlas?

Atlas is the codename for Microsoft's up and coming Web Client Framework API. AJAX seems to be the buzzword of choice for this type of technology these days, but there is much more to the framework than just a communications architecture.

What can we expect from Atlas?

Here's a summary from an official weblog entry from Nikhil Kothari that I think sums it up best:

"Atlas aims to simplify and make the development of these rich Web applications in a cross-browser fashion more approachable, work well with existing server-side infrastructure, and then further push the boundaries of what can be done in this realm with better integration with asp.net on the server, and with new client capabilities."

What do we know?

Well this weblog entry from Scott Guthrie provides the most detail that I've seen thus far.

When will we know more?

The public unveiling of Atlas is supposed to be at PDC '05, so we'll have to wait until then. :(

The clouds have lifted...

PDC is now over and Atlas is available in preview. :)
Nikhil Kothari has posted about the Atlas architecture
SomPost has posted color coded listings of Atlas JavaScript files.
Also, this video interview of Scott Isaacs right here on Channel9 provides a neat introduction to Atlas and the new MSN Web Experience, plus some cool demos

How is Atlas related to FireAnt

According to this post from Omar Shahine who is working on Kahuna, the next version of the Hotmail client, FireAnt may have been the inspiration that finally got the wheels turning inside of Microsoft in terms of designing a rich web client framework. That said, Atlas != FireAnt.