title: Windows Identity Foundation does not officially support SAML 2.0; use WIF CTP or stick with SAML 1.1?
body: <p>We would like to use SAML 2.0 for a Single Sign On solution. As a typical Microsoft shop, we prefer to use Microsoft components as much as possible. Windows Identity Foundation supports SAML 2.0, but the extension is still in Community Technology Preview (CTP) for more than a year, with no information anywhere on future course. See <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/b/alikl/archive/2011/05/16/windows-identity-foundation-wif-extension-for-saml-2-0-protocol-community-technology-preview-ctp.aspx">http://blogs.msdn.com/b/alikl/archive/2011/05/16/windows-identity-foundation-wif-extension-for-saml-2-0-protocol-community-technology-preview-ctp.aspx</a> </p>
  
  <p>I came across an inspiring article by Michèle Bustamante: <a href="http://www.devproconnections.com/article/federated-security/generate-saml-tokens-using-windows-identity-foundation">http://www.devproconnections.com/article/federated-security/generate-saml-tokens-using-windows-identity-foundation</a>  She actively promotes WIF + SAML 2.0, but nowhere in the article she talks about CTP or final release. Neither could I reach her for a clarification.</p>
  
  <p>With this background, is it safe to use WIF Community Technology Preview for SAML 2.0 or stick with SAML 1.1? Does SAML 2.0 offer significant advantage over SAML 1.1? Is the future of SAML 1.1 in question?</p>
  
  <p>Any other alternatives?</p>