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What is 'Prometheus'
• What is RadControls “Prometheus”?
• How is RadControls Prometheus different from Telerik’s current web controls?
• How is it going to be introduced?
• What’s included? What’s coming next?
• What does the Beta “Go live” tab mean?
• What are the next steps for me?
• 5 reasons why you should try “Prometheus” now
• What is the lifecycle for the existing RadControls for ASP.NET?
• Confused? Additional information and help.
What is RadControls “Prometheus”?
Telerik RadControls code-name "Prometheus" will be the successor of RadControls for ASP.NET . The new product line represents the future direction of the Telerik web development tools, and is closely aligned with Microsoft’s roadmap. The first version of the suite bears a Beta tag and will be launched commercially with Q1 2008 in April.
ASP.NET AJAX will be the future of ASP.NET. Naturally, RadControls “Prometheus” will be the future of RadControls for ASP.NET. Furthermore, the new suite of controls will pave the way for seamless integration with the new Microsoft Silverlight framework.
The code-name is borrowed from Greek mythology. Prometheus brought fire to the people as he had sympathy for humanity. Prometheus was also a brother of Atlas (the code-name of ASP.NET AJAX). More information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus
How is RadControls Prometheus different from Telerik’s current web controls?
The “Prometheus” controls are built entirely on top of ASP.NET AJAX, utilizing its common client-side framework and programming model. This however, does not result in mere AJAX capabilities, which have been present in the RadControls suite for ASP.NET since 2005. RadControls for ASP.NET was the first component suite to introduce across-the-board AJAX functionality, as well as the first suite to provide seamless support for Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX back when it was still in CTP stage.
In contrast, the new “Prometheus” suite will open brand new horizons for developing rich internet applications, blending the difference between the desktop and the web. The toolset leverages completely the framework-level functionality of Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX and offers similar programming model on the client and on the server.
As a result, “Prometheus” will allow us to introduce a number of new features and performance optimizations, which are hard or impossible to implement in the regular ASP.NET suite. The integration and API models of the controls will also be better, due to the common framework they share (“Prometheus” is shipped as a single assembly - Telerik.Web.UI.dll.) It is important to note that RadControls “Prometheus” will work only on ASP.NET 2.0 and 3.5 because of the underlying ASP.NET AJAX framework.
How is it going to be introduced?
“Prometheus” is now available with a Beta “Go-live” license and includes 18 controls: RadScheduler, RadToolTip, RadColorPicker, RadSlider and the new versions of RadGrid, RadEditor, RadMenu, RadTreeview, RadComboBox, RadChart, RadAjax, RadDock, RadWindow, RadCalendar, RadInput, RadSplitter, RadUpload and RadSpell. With the Q1 2008 release all products from the RadControls suite for ASP.NET will receive their “Prometheus” counterparts. In April 2008 when the suite is complete, and enough feedback is collected, “Prometheus” will be officially released as the next-generation RadControls for ASP.NET.
The introduction of the “Prometheus” product line will be a gradual process, since we want to hear your feedback and implement your suggestions. We see it as imperative to give you enough time for field-testing and to involve you closely during the whole process, rather than “surprise” you with a totally changed product portfolio overnight.
We believe that the benefits and practical applications of the new Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX framework are yet to be realized. Its adoption will be supplemented by the release of Visual Studio 2008, which brings new tools for easier client-side development. So once the frameworks picks up speed and you start looking for next-generation web tools for professional development we will have “Prometheus” ready for prime time.
What’s included? What’s coming next?
As of Q3 2007 RadControls "Prometheus" includes 18 controls. With the Q3 2007 and Q1 2008 releases all products from the RadControls suite for ASP.NET will receive their “Prometheus” counterparts.
Please, note, that RadControls for ASP.NET and the new “Prometheus” controls can easily coexist so feel free to mix and integrate them as you please. This allows you also to use some of the new controls that are only present in “Prometheus” in existing applications.
What does the Beta “Go live” tab mean?
RadControls “Prometheus” will remain with a Beta “Go live” tag until it is commercially released in April 2008. Due to the entirely new programming model and the dependency on the Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX framework, it is important that you have enough time for field testing and adoption, while we also have time for implementation of important suggestions you might come up with.
The “Go live” license, however, means that you can start using “Prometheus” in new projects and will receive the same level of support as the regular RadControls. With every RadControls for ASP.NET suite license you will receive a matching “Prometheus” license with the respective support plan. Customers with valid subscriptions will automatically receive “Prometheus” licenses in their accounts.
What are the next steps for me?
For existing applications there is basically no need to do anything. You don’t have to start using “Prometheus” counterparts to get AJAX functionally either. As mentioned before, RadControls for ASP.NET are AJAX enabled and can fully interoperate with Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX. If you need to use one of the new “Prometheus” controls or any of the new features and optimizations, which are not present in the regular ASP.NET suite, you can absolutely do so as both suites can safely coexist.
As of Q3 2007, our recommendation is to use the new “Prometheus” counterparts for all new applications. All controls which are already ported to the "Prometheus" suite are with production quality and you will be able to take advantage of the unique new features and performance optimizations.
It is important to note that due to the new programming model of the underlying ASP.NET AJAX framework, some of the “Prometheus” controls will not be backwards compatible with their RadControls for ASP.NET counterparts. This is another reason why you might consider starting experimental work at an earlier stage. After all, the earlier you start the easier it will be for you to get used to the new client-oriented development paradigm that is pushed my Microsoft.
5 reasons why you should try “Prometheus” now
- you get new controls which are not present in the RadControls for ASP.NET
- you get new features and performance optimizations that are impossible to implement in the regular suite
- you can use new controls in existing applications without a problem
- you will have plenty of time to get used to the new ASP.NET AJAX programming paradigm
- you will receive the same level of support as the regular RadControls for ASP.NET
What is the lifecycle for the existing RadControls for ASP.NET?
The introduction of the “Prometheus” controls will not affect Telerik’s support for the existing RadControls for ASP.NET. Although new controls will be only added to “Prometheus”, all existing controls will continue to be enhanced with new features. It should be noted that the new releases of the classic ASP.NET controls will not be mirror versions of their “Prometheus” counterparts, as there are features which will be very hard or impossible to implement due to the underlying architectural differences in the two suites.
In 2008, “Prometheus” will be officially launched and existing RadControls will only receive bug fixes and minor enhancements. The products will be fully supported, though, through at least 2010, after which only “extended support” for the RadControls for ASP.NET will be offered.
We would like to note that we are open to changes based on the feedback we get from the community. Our #1 goal is to serve you well and we will act according to the needs of the greater part of the community.
Confused? Additional information and help.
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