Programming Atlas Published

I am happy to announce that Programming Atlas has recently been published. The book features all Atlas features you would like to know about and more. As my publisher writes:

Learn how to deliver richer, more interactive web experiences to your users using ASP.NET Atlas, Microsoft's new framework for building Ajax-savvy web sites. Web developers of all persuasions have embraced the Ajax suite of technologies (JavaScript, HTTP, XML and more) as a way to implement pages that are faster, livelier and more desktop-like in their behavior. Now Atlas brings the power of Ajax to ASP.NET 2.0 developers with controls, script libraries and server support that delivers engaging results without the pain that writing complex JavaScript can entail. Better yet, Atlas web pages are standards based and even run cross-browser.
Programming Atlas is not just another "drag and drop" ASP.NET 2.0 book, but dives into the technologies that make it work. You'll begin with a tour of the technologies most often associated with Ajax, from JavaScript and XMLHttpRequest to JSON and the DOM. With the fundamentals in place, author JavaScript expert Christian Wenz unpacks the Atlas framework and shows you how to put its tools to work. You'll learn to:

• Understand the architecture of Atlas and the role played by server conrols, such as ScriptManager and UpdatePanel
• Use core Atlas controls and extenders to build more interactive pages with text fields that autocomplete, user input that is validated, controls that can be dragged and dropped, and much more
• Bind, display, and update data without causing the entire page to refresh and use the Atlas web services bridge to consume third-party services beyond the domain of your application
• Incorporate Microsoft Virtual Earth into an application, use Atlas with Web Parts, and create a Windows Live Gadget
• Use Atlas with PHP and explore other non-Microsoft Ajax tools for ASP.NET

I put a lot of hard work into this book and am very pleased with the results. I have also heard that some translations into other languages are on their way, too, so you might be able to read about Atlas in your native language, soon.
Actually, I have one copy more than I need. So if you can identify the animal on the cover, leave a comment and an email address. The first blog reader with the correct answer will get the book shipped to his home. No purchase necessary.
Update: We have a winner; the correct solution can be found on the O'Reilly website for Programming Atlas.

One question I get a lot: How is the book affected by the recent announcement regarding Atlas' roadmap and name change? Well, it is of course hard to say what will change by splitting Atlas up into the Microsoft AJAX Library and the ASP.NET 2.0 AJAX Extensions. I do expect, however, that existing applications will be rather easy to migrate, but who knows at this time. We will of course make sure that readers of the current edition of the Atlas book will have a smooth migration, as well, by providing them additional information once we have it. Also, make sure to check this blog frequently for updates on Atlas.