A First Look at Word 2007 & Blogging

Microsoft has released Office 2007 Beta 2, and with it comes Word 2007 and it's new blogging features. This review sets the record straight, it highlights what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be kept away from at all costs.

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Microsoft Live Mail is Back for Firefox Again!

The updated version is back again, after several weeks of downtime!

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Tom's Hardware Gives Windows Vista Thumbs Up!

"Microsoft's new Vista is surprisingly entertaining. The new look of the operating system is good, and lets it outshine its Linux and Mac OS competitors. One notices repeatedly while working with this software that Microsoft scoped out its competition very carefully."

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SeeWindowsVista.com

This web site, made by Microsoft, highlights some of the upcoming programs in Vista. Programs not made by Microsoft. The web site is hosted by Tom Skerritt a.k.a David Drumlin from Contact. An interesting web site, worth a look for the design alone.

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Microsoft: No DirectX10 for Windows XP

Microsoft Corp., the worldâ??s largest maker of software, will not release next-generation graphics application programming interface (API) called DirectX 10 for the currently shipping Windows XP operating system (OS), instead, the company will keep the new API strictly for the forthcoming Windows Vista OS

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Microsoft Unveils Windows Media Photo Software

Microsoft unveiled its own version of the popular JPEG image format on Thursday at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle. Named as Windows Media Photo, the new software will be supported in the upcoming Vista and will also be made compatible with the Windows XP.

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ASP.NET v2 Personal Web Site Starter Kit for MySQL

Probably the first "Starter Kit", with all original controls for user management, for MySQL. Personal Web Site Starter Kit for MySQL is given away. Filebased image handling and more. Yes, You can program applications for free, using Microsoft technology and tolls.

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Office 2007 Gets Ultimate Edition

Just as it is doing with Windows Vista, Microsoft announced this week at WinHEC it would add an Ultimate Edition to its Office 2007 lineup. The retail package is intended for customers who don't want to deal with the hassle of choosing specific Office components they may need, as it includes everything for $679 USD.

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ASP.NET v2 Personal Web Site Starter Kit for MySQL

Probably the first "Starter Kit", with all original controls for user management, for MySQL. Personal Web Site Starter Kit for MySQL is given away. Filebased image handling and more. Yes, You can program applications for free, using Microsoft technology and tolls. cya, /PatrikB

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Microsoft at JavaOne 2006

Ten Microsoft employees amongst 14,000 Java enthusiats! Read the details of JavaOne from a Microsoftie, including the reaction to the Microsoft shirt he was wearing

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New Windows Sidebar Gadget website at Microsoft.com!

Microsoft has implemented a new website for downloading Gadgets for Windows Sidebar at Microsoft.com!

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Screen Shots of Windows Anytime Upgrade!

"Windows Anytime Upgrade is a service from Microsoft that lets you upgrade Windows Vista. Say you have Home Basic and you want to upgrade to Premium or Ultimate. Windows Anytime Upgrade lets you do just that. Here are some pics for you."

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ActiveSync 4.2 BETA available

Microsoft releases ActiveSync 4.2 BETA 1. Find the download link here.

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Windows Vista Beta 2

Windows Vista Beta 2 is now available for IT professionals and developers with MSDN and TechNet subscriptions.

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Tip to make Microsoft Windows XP more secure

"All windows user passwords are stored as hashes... which simply mean that they are encrypted to protect it. But windows uses LMhash to store the passwords which is not good news if you want to keep your data secure. Here's how you can fix this."

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Microsoft Application Verifier 3.1.0035

Application Verifier is a runtime verification tool for unmanaged code that assists in quickly finding subtle programming errors that can be extremely difficult to identify with normal application testing. Application Verifier is designed specifically to detect and help debug memory corruptions and critical security vulnerabilities. It makes it easier to create reliable applications by monitoring an application's interaction with the Windows operating system, profiling its use of objects, the registry, the file system, and Win32 APIs (including heaps, handles, locks, and more). It also includes checks to predict how well the application will perform under Least-privileged User Account operation. Running Application Verifier is easy; simply turn on the tool then run your project and go through your normal testing scenarios. When your tests are completed, view the Application Verifier logs for any errors that may have been detected. Download it Here: www.microsoft.com

Q&A: WinFX and “Modern Application

Ami Vora, Product Manager, WinFX

For developers, the software programming model is analogous to a tool box. Just as a carpenter keeps a box of tools for a variety of tasks, developers have a set of application programming interfaces, or APIs, that provide them with the different technologies they need to build various types of software applications.

To discuss what WinFX will mean for software developers around the world, Microsoft WinFX Product Manager Ami Vora spoke with PressPass about the programming model and the company’s vision of the modern application.

News Source: www.microsoft.com

New Windows Live Local

New capabilities include real-time traffic reporting, new ways to collect and share search results, tight integration with Microsoft Office Outlook and Windows Live Messenger, and geographic expansion to Canada and the U.K. REDMOND, Wash. — May 23, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the third release of Windows Live™ Local, the company’s online local search and mapping service that gives people the ability to quickly find maps, directions and local search information that is layered on top of rich, immersive aerial photography. Added functionality includes real-time traffic flow and incident reporting, new social networking tools that enable users to save and share their favorite local experiences, and productivity enhancements from extending the Windows Live Local experience into Microsoft® Office Outlook® and Windows Live Messenger. The service is also expanding its beta release to the U.K. and a limited version to Canada. Windows Live Local is available at http://local.live.com/. “This release is important, as it represents the first time that people can easily capture their rich local knowledge and share it with all Windows Live Local users and the Internet as a whole,” said Stephen Lawler, general manager of the Virtual Earth™ business unit at Microsoft. “Our geographic expansion and integration with popular communication tools like Microsoft Outlook and Windows Live Messenger also enable us to bring the power of Windows Live Local to many more people than we do today.” New Sharing Capabilities The following new capabilities in the online service enable the seamless sharing of localized knowledge: • Real-time traffic flow. Customizable driving directions are now even more useful with the addition of real-time traffic flow and incident reporting provided by Traffic.com. This functionality will be available only in the U.S. release. • Collections. Social networking functionality allows customers to create lists of favorite landmarks and locations, attach personal photos and save them to a Scratchpad. Collections can be saved, recalled later, “permalinked,” and shared with friends and community in e-mail or through their MSN® Spaces blog. • Integration with Windows Live Messenger. Sharing maps and location information from within Windows Live Messenger chats is easier. Users begin a sharing session from the Actions menu. People sharing a chat session can see and interact with the same Windows Live Local map and benefit from a shared mapping and local search experience. Integration With Microsoft Office Outlook Also being released today is Windows Live Local Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook. This add-in introduces Windows Live Local mapping capabilities to the Outlook Calendar, enabling Outlook users to find and print maps and directions to meeting locations from within Outlook. It also allows them to better manage their travel schedule by extending meeting times to accommodate travel time and automatically send links with mapping information about meeting locations to other people within Outlook Calendar requests. This add-in is available for users of Outlook running on Windows® XP and Outlook 2003 and can be downloaded free of charge from http://outlook.local.live.com/

Intro to Debugging STOP Errors

TheLazyadmin.com has posted an easy to understand introduction to debugging STOP errors (aka BSOD). Very straight-forward and to the point and worth a look if you've ever wondered what to do with the dump files! Full Story At Source News Source: Thelazyadmin.com

Video - Vista Beta Goes Public

Vista beta goes public

Powerpoint and Excel 2007 Beta2

Excel 2007 beta 2
Excel 2007 beta 2

Word 2007 beta 2

Word 2007 beta 2 View Image Gallery

Outlook 2007 Beta 2

Outlook 2007 Beta 2 Image Gallery

Xbox Live Spring Update

ScreenShots Gallery

Office 2007 Downloads Top 200,000

In the first 24 hours since going live, Microsoft counted 200,000 downloads of Office 2007 Beta 2. While the company provided no estimates of how many users it expected to try the new release, Microsoft officials said they were excited by the numbers. BetaNews alone pushed over 5,500 downloads of Office 2007. “We’re seeing a ton of interest in the 2007 Office system Beta 2," a company spokesperson told BetaNews. "200,000 downloads in the first 24 hours! We’re thrilled to see our customers are as excited as we are for this big milestone.” Not all was smooth sailing, however, as the rush to download left some users complaining about "server busy" errors and slow speeds.

Microsoft® Expression® Web Designer

Get It Here Free Trial Microsoft® Expression® Web DesignerCommunity Technology Preview 1 Expression Web Designer is a professional design tool to help you create modern standards-based Web sites. Expression Web Designer helps you create and work with: Standards-based Web sites Sophisticated CSS-based layouts Extensive CSS formatting and management Rich data presentation Powerful ASP.NET 2.0-based technology

ComScore-100Million Visitors to MSN Spaces

Is MSN Spaces the world's most heavily-trafficked blog service? That's the claim Microsoft made today in a press release, saying MSN Spaces had more than 100 million unique visitors in April. The data was compiled by comScore Networks Inc. of Reston, Va., an independent Internet audience measurement company. comScore says the audience for MSN Spaces has more than doubled in the past 12 months, from 41.65 million to 101 million. "Blogging as a category has shown consistent and rapid growth over the last year all around the world and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon," said Peter Daboll, CEO of comScore Media Metrix. "The trend in more user-generated content represents a shift in the way that media is created and consumed online." For those who may be dubious of Microsoft's claim, it's worth noting that Amazon's Alexa traffic rankings also show that MSN Spaces has the largest audience of the major blog hosting services, followed by Google's Blogger, Xanga, LiveJournal and TypePad (the five I chose to compare).

Xbox Live Update

Microsoft is continuing to develop exclusive content and plans to issue two major updates a year from now on. Here's a rundown of the new features that the upgrade will include: Xbox Live MarketplaceThe Xbox Live Marketplace blade is getting a make-over making it easier to sort through the increasingly bloated offerings that can be found through Live. The rework will include the addition of a New Media and Entertainment menu with the following categories:New ReleasesAll Media and EntertainmentMovie Trailers and Short FilmsTelevision, Music, Sports and MoreGaming Community VideosGame Tips and Support VideosOptional iPod Support. You might have noticed that "Television, Music, Sports and More" category. Yeah, it caught my eye too. Here's what it means: Unfortunately, it doesn't mean full length prime time shows. Instead they are focusing on short form shows. Like maybe previews of next week's show or the Gears of War special. Music videos will also be here. "We are continuing to develop exclusive content," Greenberg said, when I pressed him on the issue of the chance that prime time tv or other episodic content might be sold through Live. "Anything is possible, we have the platform for it and the partners in place." Gaming community also has some amazing possibility, but so far it looks it will be free of your buddy playing DDR. Instead expect to see things like episodes of Red Vs. Blue and tons of machinima stuff. Greenberg added that they hope to one day allow users to upload their own original content in some way. Another Marketplace addition is the Games option. In that category you'll find newly released downloads, Xbox Live Arcade, demos, trailers and videos for games, played games and the ability to sort through your game downloads by genre. In general, the Marketplace is getting a lot deeper with a lot more ways to sort and find content, something that certainly comes as a reaction to the explosion of interest to the service. Background Download ManagerActive Download will allow you to download games in the background as you do other stuff. Yes that means you can play retail games, or any other "full Xbox experience" during a download. The download manager will pause downloads automatically during multiplayer experiences. You will be able to rack up, up to six downloads at a time. Once one is completed it will go to the next. And you can see where everything stands with the Background Download Manager. "This has been our number one feature since we launched," Greenberg said. Control Marketplace VideosThe Marketplace video you download can now be rewound or fast forwarded at 2 to 16 times normal speed. You can do this with a controller or the Xbox remote control. "We realized that people wanted to be able to control that," Greenberg said. Enhanced Photo ViewingThis will allow you to preserve folders on memory cards when you transfer to your 360 and also tweaks the slidesow. Music Player and DVD Playback ImprovementsOn the DVD front, the upgrade will add a feature called DVD Bookmarking, which will allow your 360 to remember where you stopped watching a movie and automatically jump back to it when you slap it back in after a few hours of GRAW. You can even turn off the console or unplug it. They've also tweaked overall DVD performance.On the music side of things, the 360 will now remember where you were while browsing through your music. Also, now when you launch your music in the background, it will continue to play no matter what you are doing, even launching a new game or hopping around through the blades. Dashboard Boot-UpFinally, the update will add an option that you can set-up to allow you to boot up straight into the Xbox Dashboard instead of jumping to whatever CD, DVD or game happens to be in the console's tray when you start it up. "We think this is going to be the default most people are going to want," Greenberg said. Friends Status UpdateNow, like instant messenger, if you're away and your screensaver turns on (usually after 15 minutes), your Friends status will show you are away. It also will show how long you've been away. Xbox Live Vision Msoft will also be loading camera setting to the 360 so the Xbox 360 camera will be fully supported when it hits in September. You might notice some stuff in the menus you can't use, but it's there because it's embedded in the update, you might notice things like a video chat option and the ability to take your picture and use it as your Gamertag image. Woo Hoo! Here's the best news. This entire update will take less than a minute to download and apply, according to Greenberg and it will be applied directly to the console's flash memory. That means if you don't have a hard drive you will still be able to use the update. Msoft is still pushing people to connect to get the update, but if you really don't want to, rest assured you can still get it. Greenberg said the update will be added to new game discs in the near future. "This is the great example of the benefits of a unified service," Greenberg said. "We are soliciting consumer feedback and I think this addresses what a lot of gamers have been looking." He added that since the 360 launched there have been a whopping 24 million downloads. Yikes. "Marketplace has really taken off in a major way and we are scaling up for that usage," he said. Wow, this sounds like a fantastic update, but I can't help but wonder what sort of anti-piracy or chip-mod prevention stuff they may have stuffed in there as well. I guess we'll all see next week. Brian Crecente

Get Ready for VistaSpeak

Like all Windows before it, Windows Vista will introduce a number of new technologies and features--and, as usual, Microsoft has coined terms (most of them trademarked) for each and every one. Here's a quick glossary. BitLocker: Drive-encryption technology designed to safeguard data from unauthorized users. The feature is primarily intended to protect systems that have been stolen or hacked. Certified for Windows Vista: The wording on a sticker indicating that a peripheral or non-PC device can take advantage of features in Windows Vista, such as SideShow. This is a step up from Works With Windows Vista. FlexGo: A Microsoft-backed program to sell PCs in emerging economies using the pay-as-you-go model that has proved successful for cell phones. Individuals in developing nations would be able to take home a $600 PC for as little as $250 to $300, but it would have usage-monitoring software on it, and after a certain amount of time, the PC would shut down until the owner purchased cards for additional system time. After the owner had made enough additional payments, they would own the system outright. OCUR (OpenCable Unidirectional Receiver): Devices such as TV tuners that will leverage Windows Vista's HDTV features, including support for one-way CableCards, digital video recording, and the ability to stream recorded programs to Media Center Extenders throughout a home. ReadyBoost: A cheap alternative to buying extra RAM, ReadyBoost lets your PC use free memory on a USB flash drive to augment RAM. You'd need, at a minimum, a drive with 256MB of free space that can read data at 2.5 megabits per second and write at 1.5 mbps; to qualify for a Windows Vista logo, the drive would need 500MB of space and have read/write speeds of 5 mbps/3 mbps, respectively. ReadyFetch: Technology that's supposed to speed up system performance by optimizing system memory based on monitoring how you use your PC. SPR (System Performance Rating): This is basically a benchmark that assigns a numerical rating (on a scale of 1 to 5) to your system and identifies components that are slowing it down. It's accessible from the Vista Control Panel. Windows Connect Now: Technology designed to simplify setup of network devices in general and Wi-Fi devices in particular. Based on the Wi-Fi Alliance's forthcoming Simple Config, Connect Now technology would make Wi-Fi devices that use it instantly visible to a designated Registrar (for most people, this would be a Windows Vista PC) that would configure it over the air after the user had verified ownership by typing in a PIN provided with the device. When Vista ships, it will not support wireless configuration of the first Connect Now router in a home; you'll still need to go through the ethernet hookup. Microsoft expects to release a software update that will enable wireless setup for initial routers or access points. Windows Rally: A family of technologies designed to simplify setup, security, and management of networked devices. Rally technologies include Windows Connect Now for easy Wi-Fi setup; Plug and Play Extensions (PnP-x) for easy installation of networked-connected devices; and the Link Layer Topology Discovery protocol for easy discovery of networked devices. Windows SideShow: Technology that affords access to data on Windows Vista PCs--even when they're hibernating--from auxiliary displays on a range of devices, such as a small LCD on the lid of a closed laptop or a Windows Mobile Smartphone. You could use a SideShow device to check an Outlook calendar or contact data, and third-party developers will be able to write SideShow-aware applications. Windows Vista Capable: Wording on a sticker that indicates a PC will be able to run Windows Vista, but without all its bells and whistles. Not as good as Windows Vista Premium Ready. Windows Vista Premium Ready: A sticker with this phrase indicates that the PC can run Windows Vista with its most resource-intensive options, including the Aero interface. Better than Windows Vista Capable. Works With Windows Vista: This designates a peripheral or device that won't crash if you use it with Windows Vista, but doesn't particularly benefit from use with the operating system. Not as good as a Certified for Windows Vista sticker. XPS (XML Paper Specification): A new XML-based document format that's compatible with the XML file formats in Office 2007 and offers some of the benefits of Adobe's PDF. An XPS document viewer is integrated into Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista, and the OS also can create XPS documents from other applications through the use of a virtual print driver.

Video of Vista Beta 2 in Action

CNET has a video look at Vista beta 2 release in action.

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46 Screenshots of Windows Vista Beta 2

Microsoft is unveiling Beta 2 of Vista. One of the significant differences in Beta 2 is that the implementation of UAC (user account control) privilege elevation is much more intrusive. Also, the elevation dialog doesn\'t just pop up; it switches Vista into what Microsoft calls \"secure desktop\" mode. Here\'s 46 images of Beta 2.

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WinFS at Tech Ed 2006, in Boston!

Learn about Microsoft\'s vision for Integrated Data â?? a single platform for storing and accessing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data. See how WinFS, Microsoft\'s new relational filesystem for Windows, delivers on this promise.

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Vista, Longhorn, Office Betas - Simultaneously

In an unprecedented move, Microsoft Tuesday simultaneously released beta versions of its three major upcoming software releases -- Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Windows Server, code-named Longhorn.

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Ballmer - Possible Further Vista Delay!

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has played down the recent slide in the software giant\'s share price but hinted at a possible further delay to the release of its new operating system.

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Windows Server Roadmap Updated

Expect Longhorn Server Beta 3 in the first half of next year, but no Windows Server \'Centro\' for mid-size businesses until 2008. And there might be a Windows Server Branch Office in the future, after all.

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Gates Sees Cross Platform Gaming

Increased compatibility between Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game system and their upcoming Windows Vista operating system was among the key messages delivered by Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo.

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Intel, Microsoft for Pay-As-You-Go PCs

The pay-as-you-go model enabled by FlexGo makes PCs more accessible by reducing the initial cost and enabling customers to pay for computers through subscriptions or as they use them, through the purchase of prepaid activation cards or tokens.

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Microsoft Close Activation Loophole

Microsoft is closing a loophole that enabled unscrupulous resellers to use Windows XP product keys that were stolen from large OEMs. The result: customers who purchase Windows on a new PC may not be able to reinstall their operating system without first calling Microsoft.

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Office 2007 - Microsoft Developer Video Tutorials

Original tutorial Videos from the Microsoft DPE team

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Windows System Requirements -1990-2006

TechWeb compiled the Microsoft's stated requirements for each major Windows release since 1990's Windows 3.0. It also lists the average prices for desktop computer -- monitor included -- and portable PCs have been noted for all releases except Windows 3.0...

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Afraid Of Re-installing Windows XP?

This site has a very useful tutorial if you have an old and slow XP machine with hundreds of programs and you want to re-install. This site will show you how to save your old partition in a virtual machine, and have a nice, new install of Windows.

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Microsoft throws a wrench at xbox360 modchippers

A pop-on modchip for the DVD drive firmware hack was possible and in the works, Microsoft fixed that by coating the firmware chip on all sides with epoxy - the pictures do the talking. The leads needed for the firmware otherwise are all over - making modchips quite hard to make.

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XBOX 360 HDMI Cable Announced

After Microsoftâ??s HD DVD announcement at E3, people were wondering whether HD DVDs would be capable of playing at full resolution on analog component cables, since there was no HDMI cable available for the 360. Well, that particular question hasnâ??t been solved, but we do know that there is an HDMI cable for the 360.

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Merrill Lynch: "Xbox 360 to top PS3"

Analysts at Merrill Lynch believe that the Xbox 360 will win the next console war, because of pricing. The report states: "The PS3 will not only be significantly more costly than Xbox 360 at launch, but will continue to operate at a cost disadvantage for several years..."

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Download. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

Microsoft has released the beta version of its Vista Upgrade Advisor software for download. It will let people know what hardware must be upgraded in order to get the best experence from Vista.

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Ten Reasons to Love WMP 11

Ten of the best reason to love the new iTunes-esque Windows Media Player 11. "Call it the vastly improved Microsoft digital music universe."

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Windows Live Search on the Desktop

Microsoft is planning to launch a client-side application that gives users Windows Live Search - on the Desktop.

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Microsoft Set to Unveil Windows Live Search

Microsoft's new product will be called Windows Live Search, said Kirk Koenigsbauer, a general manager in Microsoft's information worker division. That's the same name of Microsoft's new Internet-only search product, also in test form, but Koenigsbauer said there are no plans to combine the two.

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New Vista Photo Gallery Screenshots!

The Microsoft Blog has some new screenshots and an overview of Windows Vista's Windows Photo Gallery, which houses both photos and videos. Vista's Photo Gallery is also full of wizards for all of the important media management tasks. It will have wizards for mobile device synchronization, CD/DVD creation, photo printing, and e-mail. - ars

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Microsoft Photography Blog

Microsoft's Photos and Imaging Experience Team launches a new blog focusing on new Photo and Imagery features coming with Windows Vista!

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Microsoft redesigns MSN.com!

Yahoo! copycats! The new design looks much much better though.

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Microsoft's Search for Success

Microsoft unwraps a new product to find data on PCs, the Internet, and corporate intranets. Google, are you watching this?

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Data-mining Pioneer Joins Microsoft

Rakesh Agrawal, who is credited with creating data mining, or the science of extracting trends from large and often disparate databases, has left IBM to become a Microsoft technical fellow in the company's Search Labs.

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20 Questions About Windows Vista

Confused about the future of Vista and what it'll mean to you & your organization? Join the club. Microsoft has been touting it for about 5 years, but there have been so many delays, miscommunications and myths about it that it's hard to separate fact from fiction. Here is the truth, everything from its ship date to hardware requirements & beyond.

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Want party with Anna Kournikova?

Microsoft Local Live has released a new cool feature where you can see where your favorite celebrity is hanging out. I know what bar I will go to next time I'm in Miami!

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MicroSoft Debuts DreamWeaver Killer - Free Beta

Microsoft® Expression® Web Designer Community Technology Preview 1

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MSN's new portal for Online Services

Looks like Microsoft has created a new page that brings all of the "wonderful" Microsoft Online Services and presents them in one site. Click the link to check it out.

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Microsoft teams up with Chinese handset developer

"Microsoft China will push for wider adoption of Windows Mobile and Windows Media software with mobile handset developer China TechFaith Wireless, the two companies have announced..."

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MTV and Microsoft -Challenges iTunes

Should be intersting to see this unfold, though I'm not prepared to throw everything I've got into the ring just yet....

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Microsoft File for Intellectual Property Lawsuit

"...Lucent also sued Microsoft directly in April, alleging infringement of one Lucent patent. In its counterclaims, filed on Monday, Microsoft alleges that Lucent infringes on several of its patents."

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Microsoft Launches CodePlex

The Redmond software giant is building a community site for hosting projects that are available via Microsoft Shared Source, the GPL and a host of other licensing mechanisms.

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Vista style Task tips (winxp)

Free Visual Task Tips. Hover over open or closed tasks in your task bar and get the image of whats going on in that program. Really cool. A function that has been on OSX for quite some time. Now on win xp and being tested on vista.

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Running Windows on Linux

I wonder why anyone wants to do that? But it might come handy when you do.

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Windows Live Mail NOW SUPPORTS FIREFOX!

Windows Live Mail now works with Firefox when using the new Windows Live Mail viewing mode, rather than the Classic viewing mode.

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Demo of Xbox 360 Gesture Recognition

GestPoint has some cool gesture recognition going on with two of the upcoming Xbox 360 Eye-Toy cameras. Using two instead of one, they can detect motion in 3d space. Using your finger or other body part, you can direct a sword or other objects on the screen up, down, left, right, in, and out. The fun part is the in and out.

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Microsoft: "Project Bronx" for Mobile Services - Leaked

"an effort within Mobile Information Worker group that aims to bring Microsoft Office experience to all mobile phones using SMS."

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Microsoft Announces Spectacular Windows Vista Title Lineup

Momentum for games on Windows accelerates with new showcase games, breakthrough DirectX graphics technology and Xbox Live online gaming capabilities.

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Phoning Home with Microsoft MSN Messenger

Two new cordless home phones from major electronics makers that went on sale May 8 are helping Microsoft's MSN Messenger leap from the PC and into more office cubicles and living rooms.

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The benefits of working at Microsoft

I was messing around yesterday and I came across the benefit page for working at Microsoft. I got to the bottom of the list and I found the "best" benefit of them all. Check it out. "Free Beverages: Choose from a variety of free soft drinks while working at Microsoft."

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Photo Gallery: Microsoft's Workplace of the Future

"Microsoft sees Tablet PCs as a possible tool for biometric logins--authentications employing things like fingerprints and handwriting--in place of usernames and passwords."

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Windows Live Messenger 8 Beta available as public download

Microsoft today announced that the new Windows Live Messenger Beta is now available broadly to the public for download at the Windows Live Ideas Web site.

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The non-stop 'Halo' effect

Marvel Comics and Microsoft's Bungie Studios, which developed Halo and Halo 2, have teamed up on the Halo Graphic Novel, a 128-page full-color hardback. It's due for release July 12 ($24.99).

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Microsoft: Let's Make More Deals

With its increased emphasis on video content, the software giant is slowly refashioning itself as a media powerhouse

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MS Plans Windows Live Answer Service

Microsoft confirmed Friday that it plans to debut a new Windows Live service in the coming months that would allow users to ask questions and receive responses from fellow users. Additionally, the answers to these questions would be searchable.

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Cross-Platform Online Gaming from Microsoft

Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates on Tuesday announced a cross-platform gaming service that integrates games played on cellphones, Xbox 360 consoles and the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.

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Windows Live Account coming " mid to late May"

Yet another Microsoft service is being converted to "Live" - this one manages your Live ID and provides multiple credential support.

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5 ways Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 helps you get more done

Tabbed browsing is the first item. I buy that. RSS support - isn't RSS for wasting time? Other dubious tools for getting more done are the IE7 search bar and a new phishing filter. Awesome!!!

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Hackers Expected To Target Microsoft Exchange

Security experts are warning users to brace themselves for the imminent arrival of a worm that could wreak havoc with Microsoft Exchange, thanks to a bug in the program.

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Microsoft Previews Windows CE 6 Operating System

Microsoft have announced the availability of a beta release of Windows® CE 6, the next generation of its industry-leading, real-time software used to build customized operating systems for devices such as Internet Protocol (IP) set-top-boxes, Global Positioning System (GPS)-based devices, and industrial automation and medical devices.

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New Portable Xbox Concept Picture

The image provided is one of the most recent concepts to pop up on the interweb and likely will not be the final design, though it does seem quite certain that Microsoft wants a piece of the portable gaming pie currently occupied by the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS.

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Google to Make Microsoft Play Fair

"We just see the history of that company behaving anti-competitively and...not playing fair," he said. "So I think we want to...look at the areas where that power can be abused."

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Microsoft or Google customer support?

Well who do you think is the best in customer support this guy rates Microsoft better than google

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The big three from E3

While things here are not as huge as last year, the show got hot and exciting very quickly. The big three (Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo) have had their press conferences and announced the new games, system changes, new functionality, and accessories, now it is our turn to give you a taste of our mind.

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Microsoft Pushes The X-factor

Microsoft wants to shed Xbox's hardcore image and attract a wider audience for the 360 console. Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Game Studios, says when first entering the console market in 2001, the company had to fight to earn credibility among dedicated gamers and convince consumers that Xbox was not just "a PC in disguise".

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Halo 3 trailer released!

The true Halo 3 trailer is finally released. Four versions (WMV High, Low and Quicktime High, Low) are available and linked to be downloaded directly from Microsoft's website. Right click...save as. The new music sounds great too.

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Microsoft Press Briefing Now on Xbox Live

Microsoft has just released its Press Briefing video onto Xbox Live for download. Good for those who missed it when it happened live.

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Microsoft.com makes Valid HTML

The Microsoft.com homepage now validates HTML 4.01 with the W3 validator, but still presents a lot of errors that need to be addressed. Is this the first step in the move to standards-based coding? Or is it because of IE7 coming out? Your opinion wanted.

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Microsoft launch Windows LIVE QnA

Windows Live QnA gives us an opportunity to showcase unique knowledge â?? provided, filtered, rated and approved by human beings â?? not available anywhere else.

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First potential virus risk for Windows Vista found

With the approach of vista, a virus writer has now published the the first example of a malicious code that targets Microsoft's upcoming vista!

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ASP.NET 2.0 Provider model

Describes the design and operation of the various built-in providers that Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 uses for state management services.

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Microsoft's Plan to Map the World in Real Time

Researchers are working on a system that allows sensors to track information and create up-to-date, searchable online maps.

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Flashed based Windows Live 'Insider Club'

Microsoft launches Flashed based Windows Live 'Insider Club'

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Microsoft Wants in on the Online Storage

Microsoft Online Storage

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Windows Live mail Desktop download

Microsoft is working on a Desktop mail client. It is fully integrated with the new Windows Live Mail and has the looks of Windows Live Messenger (Download included).

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Windows Live mail Desktop download

Microsoft is working on a Desktop mail client. It is fully integrated with the new Windows Live Mail and has the looks of Windows Live Messenger (Download included).

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'Critical' Windows, Exchange fixes coming

As part of its monthly patching cycle, Microsoft plans on Tuesday to release three security bulletins with fixes for flaws in Windows and Exchange.

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Windows Good, Linux Bad!

There is an article about a this who says that linux is cancer and microsoft gods gift to us.

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Microsoft to spend $1.1 billion for online R&D this year

Specifically, research and development spending in the company's MSN online division will reach a projected $1.1 billion in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. That's more than double the $500 million spent on MSN research and development in 2005. Is it enough to save them with all the problems we've heard about?

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Apple, MS, labels partner for DDEX

Apple, Microsoft, the big four music labels, and five others have joined together to form a new organization dedicated to developing and maintaining a robust framework of communication standards to support the digital distribution of digital content.

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Microsoft launches AdSense-alike adCenter

Today brought Microsoft's official announcement of adCenter. adCenter sounds like a clone of Google and Yahoo!'s ad networks but with a few twists.

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ODF for MS Office - Open office to supply MS Office Plug in.

Just because Microsoft refuses to support ODF (Open Document Format) never meant that someone wouldn't write a plug-in to enable Microsoft Office users to read and write ODF documents. Well, it's happened.

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Sony, Apple, Microsoft, & Others Form Digital Exchange Group

A consortium of eleven companies, including EMI Music, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group; Apple Computer Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and RealNetworks, have joined together to form DDEX, short for The Digital Data Exchange.

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Thanks to Microsoft, this ad's for you

Microsoft aims at enabling smarter advertising technology on the Web to specifically target you. Thereby enabling advertisers to tag you with smart technology, specifically targeting you with advertising.

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Microsoft to acquire Yahoo! announced same day MSN AdCenter Launches?

Microsoft to buy Yahoo!? Could it be possible? This single transaction could change the face of search marketing forever. Wiping out the old Overture/Yahoo! Guard, and making way for Microsoft AdCenter to reign supreme - which was released today! Coincidence? we think notâ?¦

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Update/Proof: Turn a counterfeit copy of Windows XP into a free Vista licen

Some of you (and Microsoft US of course too!) didnâ??t believe in us when we wrote five days ago (http://www.msblog.org/?p=556) about an offer from Microsoft to purchase a genuine WindowsXP Home or Pro copy and youâ??ll get Vista for free. Here is a proof.

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Microsoft girds for new battles

The Redmond, Wash., software maker gets ready to throw more of its billions of dollars at new business efforts, particularly its online services. Its researchers are also keeping busy.

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Microsoft & Qualcomm Agreed to Work On Wireless Products Together

The two are working together to cut cost and development time on wireless products. This will improve moble software and phones.

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Microsoft unwraps online advertising central

In an effort to attract more pay-per-click advertisements, Microsoft has launched the Microsoft AdCenter. The service aims to allow for more relevant online advertisements to be displayed, which should lead to increased revenues for Microsoft and higher conversion rates for advertisers.

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Ballmer details MSN spending plans

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Thursday detailed just how much of Microsoft's extra spending will be devoted to bulking up its Internet services business.

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Microsoft makes Massive bet on in-game ads

After already making a big bet on advertising, Microsoft on Thursday made a Massive one.

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RSA: Microsoft to shelve token support in Vista

Microsoft has shelved plans to include built-in support for RSA Security's tokens in Windows Vista, even though the company has been testing out the authentication technology for almost two years. In February 2004, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said that Windows would be able to support easy integration with RSA's popular SecurID tokens. That meant businesses would find it far easier to deploy a two-factor authentication system for logging on to networks and applications. However, almost two years after the SecurID beta-testing program kicked off, RSA's chief executive, Art Coviello, disclosed that Windows Vista will not natively support the technology. More info can be found at :Source

Typed too fast? Google profits from your typo.

How Google makes money from your mistakes.

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Windows Codename Fiji, next OS for Micrsoft?

Just when you thought windows Vista would be the last and final blow from Microsoft....there comes a new windows operating system called :Codename Fiji

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Super Cool your Xbox 360

Is your Xbox 360 over heating? Do you not want to go through all the pains of voiding the warranty and liquid cooling it? Then my friends, stick this on your Xbox's back.

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Now your Xbox 360 can blog

Simply enter you Live gamertag and 360voice.com will automatically, based upon what you did that day, create a blog entry for your 360. The blog is updated once a day and even offers RSS feeds to your own, and others 360's blogs.

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Google complaining that Microsoft plans to steal traffic and advertisers

Google has complained to the Justice Department and European Commission that Microsoft's new search engine plan will let them steal traffic and advertisers, according to a front page story set for Monday's New York Times

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Xbox 360 to retain 1st mover advantage for at least 2 years

A massive 188-page report from Wedbush Morgan Securities analysts Michael Pachter and Edward Woo details why they think the Xbox 360 will retain its first-mover advantage -- for two years, anyway -- and how Sony is more interested in the HD format wars than the console battle.

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