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In contrast to the poorly defined Windows DNA (Distributed interNet Architecture), .NET is a tangible and easily defined software product. It is an application framework, meaning that it provides applications with the system and network services they require. The .NET services range from displaying graphical user interfaces to communicating with other servers and applications in the enterprise. It replaces Windows COM (Component Object Model) with a much simpler object model that is implemented consistently across programming languages. Many developers following the .NET story assume that Microsoft will port .NET to non-Windows platforms, but no such plans have been announced. A healthy skepticism should be brought to any evaluation of .NET.