NYTimes Reader - WPF's First Killer App
Is it worth the prerequisite runtime installation of the .NET Framework 3.0? I think so. It was mistakenly "released" earlier this week, but only for @nytimes.com and @microsoft.com users. Today it's available to everyone.
The look and feel is very nice. The initial sync of content is a smidge slow, but it can be schedule and run in the tray. The NYTimes Reader can be run with just the arrow keys and page-up/down keys and includes the new scaling and text-flow techniques introduced by WPF which means it looks good on the largest or smallest of screens.
The same page appears in the left screenshot resized very small and to the right maximized. Notice the number of columns changes and the image adjusts to an appropriate position.
You can register (free) and download the NYTimes Reader yourself and enjoy. It's a great example of what WPF can do without being garish. It's a clean and elegant and ultimately newspaper-like experience, and it has full-screen mode - always a plus.
The only think that could have made it a nicer experience would have been support for ClickOnce, but they apparently wanted their installer to warn the user about the need for the .NET Framework 3.0 and walk them through it, which I understand.
You might think, why download an app like this that only gets Times content? Well, there's a crapload of content and it just about justifies an app...you get the whole paper. But for me, this app is a harbinger of what the first awesome WPF RSS Reader should look like. If this is what FeedDemon could do for my feeds (Nick, are you listening?) that would be utterly wonderful.
This app has just the right design, font style, font anti-aliasing and font scaling, to make reading a newspaper on your an enjoyable tasks. Go get it.
UPDATE: I just realized that this feels a lot like PointCast. I bet some of these young Web 2.0 kids don't remember PointCast and we'll see history repeat itself, this time with WPF and RSS.
About Scott
Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.
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As for a WPF-based RSS Reader, well the new version of Microsoft Codename Max gives a taste of things to come with its inbuilt RSS news support. Very nice.
cheers,
I'm glad to hear your positive review of the Times Reader.
Personally, I use it every day. There are still a bunch of ways it can be improved...but I love it already.
Floyd-
Windows Vista includes .Net Framework 3.0. On Windows XP SP2 or Windows Server 2003, you'll need to install .Net Framework 3.0
-Rob Relyea
Program Manager, WPF Team
Its like all my text based news.. only.... like 1970s cool...
wow...
what has been done and cannot been done without WPF ?
thanks
Dror
Please excuse my ignorance, but I'm having trouble understanding something. I know .NET 3 includes WPF. You can install .NET 3 on WinXP SP2. But, I thought WPF depends on new technologies only available in the Vista OS (vector graphics, glass, etc), so what's the point of installing WPF on WinXP SP2? Am I wrong? Can WPF applications run on WinXP SP2?
1. Integrates into Vista search -- Windows key -- type a term -- results will include articles from the NY Times. Awesome!
2. WPF and resolution independence: Open up windows magnifier. Zoom around the rest of your desktop. Now mouse-over the NY Times Reader. :)
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Thanks for the update.
BTW. Love Hanselminutes. Please do DNR TV soon!