Much like Sony, Microsoft appears to be struggling to get software out in any sort of timely fashion these days. Some speculate it is because they have lost focus as a company while others still, suspect that there is actually a rabid Tux the penguin roaming the halls and eating any designer who has managed to make any sort of progress on their specific projects…

One of the star attractions of Microsoft’s Mix ‘06 confab in Las Vegas next week may not make an actual appearance.

For a few months, Microsoft officials have been telling testers to expect a first Community Technology Preview (CTP) code release of Expression Web Designer to debut during Microsoft Mix, which kicks off on March 20. That event is the Redmond software maker’s first conference aimed as much at professional designers as Microsoft’s traditional audience of developers.

But testers now say they are hearing they will not be getting a first CTP of EWD, code-named “Quartz,” next week after all. And Microsoft officials are declining to comment on when the company plans to deliver the first build of Web Designer.

Nonetheless, Microsoft has slated several sessions at Mix ‘06 that will show off the expected tool and highlight how early private testers have been using the code. And a number of testers are anticipating Web Designer’s promised capabilities. Source: Microsoft Watch

Tags: microsoft’s designer tools, microsoft mix, quartz, web designer