Improved FTP Capabilities
Expression Web 3 has upgraded its built in FTP client with the addition of two secure transport protocols: FTPS and SFTP. FTPS (FTP Secure) is an extension to the basic FTP protocol which includes support for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol or Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a new, as yet not fully ratified, alternative to FTPS. So if your web host supports either of these standards, it is no longer necessary for you to launch a separate file transfer client application in order to securely transfer your files to and from your remote web host. Support for each of Expression Web 2's other file transfer protocols, Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions, WebDAV and File System, continues in Expression Web 3. Expression Web 3's new FTP client now also includes a multithreading capability that applies to both FTPS and SFTP file transfers as well as to basic FTP. So if you have sufficient bandwidth, your uploads (and downloads) can complete far more rapidly than under Expression Web 2.

Figure 7. Expression Web 3 adds two new secure file transfer protocols to the list of supported connection types. Also shown here is the ability to control the maximum number of multi-threaded data transfer connections.

Rich Content Insertion
More and more web sites include rich content such as audio, video, animations and interesting photographic effects such as Silverlight DeepZoom. Expression Web 3 assists in the placement of these types of assets by scripting the controls needed to host these assets. Just select the desired media type control from the Insert menu and then specify the media source.

Figure 8. This flyout illustrates the different rich content objects which can be instantly scripted into your web page.

Value Added Bundled Applications
Expression Web 3 includes full copies of both Expression Encoder 3 and Expression Design 3. The process of converting video files originating from webcams, camcorders or PC screen capture into formats which can be used for delivery from the web is called encoding. Expression Encoder 3 is capable of outputting in various formats, most importantly the popular VC-1 and H.264 formats. Expression Encoder 3 includes basic editing capability (cuts/splices, titles, captions, etc.) as well as strong publishing capability which includes a large set of Silverlight media player templates. Moreover, Expression Encoder 3 is now integrated directly into Expression Web 3 in order to facilitate the direct and convenient placement of output from Expression Encoder 3 into web pages under development in Expression Web 3. Expression Design 3 is a vector graphics design application along the lines of industry leader Adobe Illustrator. As part of the Expression Studio, Expression Design 3 has been designed to integrate well with both Expression Web 3 and Expression Blend 3 so that graphics designed in Expression Design 3 can be easily transferred to the latter two applications.

New Lower Price
Despite the inclusion of Expression Encoder 3 and Expression Design 3, the new price of Expression Web 3 is 50 percent less expensive than Expression Web 2. Moreover, the new price ($149) is reduced to just $79 if you are a registered owner of any Microsoft Expression product, any Adobe Creative Suite product, or any Microsoft Office product. Expression Web 2 was already a compelling product for PHP developers. An impressive list of new features, headlined by SuperPreview, Snapshot and a significantly improved FTP client--all at half the price--make this an even more appealing product today.

Resources
Free 60-day trial of Expression Web (from Microsoft.com)

What's New in Expression Web 3 (Review article by Expression Web author, Cheryl Wise)

First Impressions Expression Web 3 (Expression Web Resource - Ian Hayes)

Expression Web 3 Tutorials and Templates (Pat Geary)

This Is Expression Web 3.0 (Morten Rand-Hendriksen)

Expression Web 3 Release Notes (A handy checklist of potential issues and suggested work-arounds)

* This article was commissioned by and prepared for Microsoft Corporation. This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.