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Microsoft offers its version of an Ajax framework called Atlas, which integrates cross-browser script libraries with ASP.NET server-side development.

Atlas serves as an extension to ASP.NET, as the official Microsoft site for the technology explains, and provides developers with the ability to create pages with a rich interface and rapid server communication.

Recently, general manager of the .NET Development Platform Scott Guthrie posted a video demonstrating the development of ASP.NET 2.0 applications using Atlas.

His 18-minute walkthrough first creates a ToDo List with ASP.NET 2.0, then goes back and uses Atlas to add useful client-side features to it.

Accomplishing those development feats requires use of the Atlas Control Toolkit, available for download from the Atlas website.

The site advises that the Toolkit is an early preview version, and developers could "experience some issues" with using it.

Several controls and extenders come with the Toolkit, as one would expect.

The Toolkit contains Helper Classes, and Project and Item Templates for Visual Studio 2005 (Visual Basic and Visual C# users), so developers can build controls and extenders beyond what the Toolkit contains.

The samples that come with the Toolkit may be sampled online. On the Atlas website, visitors can play with DropShadow or ModalPopups to see how they can enhance the user experience.

To prod more Atlas adoption, Microsoft is showing off a Showcase of sites created with Atlas technology.

Websites like Pageflakes and Squeet use Atlas to power their applications, and demonstrate how others might consider using Atlas in their next great project.

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David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.