We're not even to beta yet, but we already have not one, but two 3rd party XAML viewers targeting existing versions of the .NET Framework. Wow.

In a recent interview of Don Box by Mary Jo Foley, I expressed my disappointment over the dullest of both the questions and the answers. Uncharacteristically ducking criticism, Don provided details of my frequent stays at his house suggesting an unhealthy love of his pets (which I love the normal amount, I promise). While this was amusing, it doesn’t give anyone any more information than Mary Jo’s interview did.

Anyway, talking about it on the phone just now, Don agreed with me that the interview turned out much less interesting than he intended and promised to make amends. Specifically, he said, “Chris, send me 10 questions and I’ll answer them.” So, here’s your chance. Reply to this post with the hardest hitting, most revealing questions and I’ll pick the best 10 to send along to Don. Don’t hold back — all questions are fair, although I’ll focus first on Indigo, then Longhorn, then technology in general before getting to Don’s own love of his pets (for example). Here’re some questions to seed your thinking:

-How does the version of Indigo shipping with Longhorn relate to what’s currently being used internally at MS? How does it relate to what you actually plan on shipping?

-What should an ASP.NET or WSE programmer *really* do today to prepare for Indigo?

-What’s the biggest surprise about the inner workings at MS?

-If you could do one thing to change MS, what would it be?

-If you could do one thing to change the IT industry, what would it be?

-How can ISVs be successful in the current IT industry?

-What’s the next big thing that’ll change the IT industry?

-What do you think is cool that doesn’t get enough attention?

-Has family scrutiny caused you to stop dressing your pugs in clown suits before expressing your love for them?

Scott Rosenberg appreciates how important blogs are when it comes to exposing Microsoft inards as Longhorn is developed. Except for the fact that Scoble's not a programmer and I'm not an architect, he does a pretty good job.

With the increasing number of folks pinging me about submitting Longhorn articles, I thought I'd point folks to the MSDN Article Submission Guidelines, which describe how to establish a relationship with MSDN Developer Centers for article submission (MSDN Magazine has a separate process for now). Unless you've got a track record and can talk a Developer Center into a series right off the bat, you're likely going to be working gratis on the first few articles 'til you've established a reputation, but it's a nice way for new authors to see their name in lights. If you've got a Longhorn-specific article idea, you can also send it directly to me for a slightly quicker way to get it into my hands.

I’m in Minnesota over the holidays, so I thought I’d drop in on the Twin Cities .NET User Group for a short discussion of Longhorn. Please keep in mind that this talk is purely shelfish on my part — I learn best by telling the story.

Here.

Mary Jo Foley interviews Don Box on the origins of Indigo, the status of SOAP, the definition of SOA and Miguel de Icaza. Unfortunately, Mary Jo doesn’t dig for any dirt and Don doesn’t volunteer any, so it’s a relatively boring interview. Luckily, it’s short.

Here. Give Microsoft formal feedback on Longhorn so that we can act on it more effectively.

Here. Matthew Ellison, from WinWriters.com, discusses his highlights of the new help system in Longhorn.