I attended a Microsoft Developer Network's (MSDN) Roadshow last week. This one was to introduce some features of Windows 7, the new O/S which is scheduled for release this fall and the recently released IE8 browser. There are some nifty new feature but nothing that really turned my head;The first one of these roadshows I went to years ago was for the release of the original .NET framework which I did not totally understand at the time only to find out that my lack of understanding resulted from the fact that the framework was still being developed and parts were totally amorphous at that point. The roadshow this year interested me more in the fact the the .NET framework is pretty much filled in. If I were cynical I would think that the framework is Microsoft's attempt to stop thin-client computing, and while I occasionally still run into a real hardcore advocate of thin-client computing though most seem to have given up the thin vs. fat debate. The most interesting thought I as the speakers talked about the new operating system and browser was that Microsoft is moving to an appropriate sized client, For business applications they have done a pretty good job despite the bloatware which is the Office suite. For the home user they are now pushing their Home Server product which seems designed to run on top of whatever the central computer there is and handle functions which are usually better centralized like some file serving functions and being the central back up point for all the machines on the network. The O/S seem to now be set up to have individual machines take on specific roles rather than a one-size-fits-all mentality. They have been moving in this direction but went whole hog with Vista to choppy results. Win7 seems to be a result of reflecting on the matter and creating more rational outlines. The original idea of the .NET framework was to use the client-server architecture widely used on the internet in all applications and the new O/S finally gets around to implementing it.