Windows Vista SP1 released to testers via connect

Today Microsoft release the Beta version of windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) to a private group of Beta testers via connect.microsoft.com

Microsoft also released five reliability packages via connect.microsoft.com for testing by selected members of the community.  These packages consist of numerous improvements to Windows Vista based on user feedback, and while they will also ultimately be part of SP1, Microsoft would be working to make them available before the final version of SP1 is released so that the Windows Vista experience is the best they can make it.  But for now, they're still undergoing testing and will come your way once they're ready for prime time.So hope to see these five reliability packages soon incorporated in Windows Vista SP1.

Unfortunately, the Vista SP1 is not public yet, but I suspect they will do a preview soon.

Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate 0 available for download

Microsoft has reached another milestone with the initial Release Candidate (RC0) of the highly anticipated Windows Server 2008 operating system, now available for download.

Packed with new features, Windows Server 2008 provides customers with the most versatile and reliable Windows platform yet. Technological advancements, such as server and presentation virtualization capabilities, Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0, Server Core, PowerShell, Network Access Protection, Server Manager, and enhanced networking and clustering technologies provide customers with a security-enhanced, easy-to-manage platform. All of these feature improvements provide customers with the most integrated Windows solution to date. For example, IIS 7.0, Microsoft’s platform for developing and reliably hosting Web applications and services, is experiencing strong customer momentum, with more than 13 hosting companies offering IIS 7.0 and more than 1,200 customers who have deployed it via the GoLive license.

To download or to obtain the product key if U have already got the Windows Server 2008 RC0 DVD visit here-http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/audsel.mspx

Source- Microsoft Press release

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 released

Today Microsoft released the latest version of Service Pack for MS Office 2003.This service pack is hardly of 117.7 Mb but Microsoft says it to be an important update to  Microsoft Office 2003 Service pack 2 so everyone using Ms Office 2003 must download and update it.

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 is the culmination of several years of improvements in the product suite," the company said in a Microsoft white paper issued upon the service pack's release. "SP3 improves the productivity and user experience of home and office users, strengthens defenses against malicious software, and helps IT administrators comply with regulations and protect confidential information.

Microsoft® Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3) represents a major evolution in security for Office 2003. It further hardens the Office suite against potential attacks and other security threats. This service pack also includes fixes that have been previously released as separate updates for Office 2003.

Go here to read what has changed overall.

Download links for Office 2003 Service Pack 3:
Excel Viewer
Office (complete package)
Office MUI Pack
Office Proofing Tools
OneNote
Outlook Live
Project
Project MUI Pack
Project Server
Project Server MUI Pack
Sharepoint Portal Server
Visio
Visio MUI Pack
Windows SharePoint Services
Windows SharePoint Services Language Template Pack
Word Viewer

Microsoft Office 2003 SP3 Available Tomorrow

A third service pack for Office 2003, promising improved security and enhanced compatibility with Windows Vista, Office 2007, Internet Explorer 7 and Windows SharePoint Services, will be available starting tomorrow (September 18), Microsoft officials say.

You can learn about and download Office 2003 SP3 from Microsoft's Office Update or Microsoft Update pages, or just navigate directly to the free download. (These links aren't live as of this writing, and the Microsoft spokesman who e-mailed me late today didn't know exactly when they'd go live, but 6 a.m. PDT was his best guess. But don't complain to me if they don't work then--just give it a few hours.)

The download will be 120MB for the U.S. version and "no larger than 140MB" for other languages, the spokesman wrote. Office 2003 customers who use Microsoft's AutoUpdate feature will be notified of SP3's availability "over the next few weeks," the spokesman wrote.

SP3 appears to address a variety of generally minor annoyances and bugs across the suite. Some examples:

With the update installed, if an Office 2003 user packages a PowerPoint presentation created in Office 2007, and the presentation is then re-opened in Office 2007, data from the original Office 2007 version will now be available.

If you try to open a corrupt or damaged Excel file, you'll now be given the option of trying to repair the file. And when opening a spreadsheet with Excel Macros across a slow network, you'll be presented with the macro security warning.

A bug that causes Word 2003 to crash when you tried to copy a Webmail message into Word using Internet Explorer 7 has been fixed. If you create a Word document from an online template, the macros, toolbars and auto text entries will no longer vanish when the document is closed and reopened.

You'll now be able to install Access Add-ins in Windows Vista.You'll be able to open an Access Database Project created in a different version of Access, then immediately create an Access Database Extension without an error. Moving the mouse of pages of a tab control in Access 2003 will no longer cause flickering.

The complete list of fixes and changes is too long to repeat here, but you'll be able to download a White Paper with the gory details from the sites listed above. And we'll be checking out SP3 ourselves to see if it causes any problems.

Source: blogs.pcworld.com

Join the Microsoft Student rockstar contest!!!

Few days ago Microsoft announced the 2nd edition of the Student Rockstar contest. Calling out all young technology enthusiasts to learn more about Microsoft technologies, share knowledge, participate in competitions, projects, events, quizzes, and much more. For these activities, you earn points and get a rank in the contest, which eventually determines your rewards and opportunities. This is the perfect chance to try your luck at becoming a Microsoft Student Partner or win XBoxes, Windows mobile phones and flash drives.

Register before 25th Sept 2007 to win 50 bonus points!
Also an exciting competition is being held by Microsoft- “Light Up Your College” – that gets your creative juices flowing and gives you the chance to design an innovative website for your college, using Microsoft Next Web technologies.
So, if you’re interested in web development, you can make this your first step to real life assignments and in the run, win prizes worth Rs.50,000 !
Find out more… http://www.studentrockstar.com/LightUpYourCollege.aspx

This contest is only for the students studying in engineering colleges in India.

So hurry up friends and join the student rockstar contest here- http://studentrockstar.कॉम

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Microsoft unvails three new mice!!!!

Microsoft today unvailed the three new mice-$50 Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 and $50 Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000 and the big Microsoft^® Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 worth 100$

Microsoft^® Mobile Memory Mouse 8000

 

• Transceiver with 1 GB Flash Memory -The transceiver is also a fully functional flash drive, so you can store and transfer files and free up USB ports.
• 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology-The 2.4 GHz wireless USB mini-transceiver connects wirelessly right out of the box with virtually no interference, and up to 30 feet of wireless range.
• USB Rechargeable with Magnetic Connectors-Simply snap in the magnetic connectors to charge while working, using the included USB transceiver.
• High Definition Laser Technology-Microsoft High Definition Laser Mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking.
• Battery Life Indicator-You won't get caught with a dead battery—the Battery Status LED Indicator glows red when the battery is running low.

Notebook Laser Mouse 7000

• 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology-Confident wireless connection with up to 30-foot range, even in crowded wireless environments.
• High Definition Laser Technology-Microsoft High Definition Laser mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking.
• Magnifier-Point and click to enlarge and edit detail using the Magnifier*.
• 4-Way Scrolling-Scroll four ways for greater efficiency and comfort with Tilt Wheel Technology.
• Flip 3D-Easily flip through all open windows with Flip 3D.
• Battery Life Indicator-You won't get caught with a dead battery—the Battery Status LED Indicator glows red when the battery is running low.

Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

• Transceiver Free Convenience-Enjoy reliable, transceiver-free wireless connection to your Bluetooth® PC (requires computer enabled with Bluetooth® Technology).
• High Definition Laser Technology-Microsoft High Definition Laser Mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking.
• Battery Life Indicator-You won't get caught with a dead battery—the Battery Status LED Indicator glows red when the battery is running low.
• Ergonomic Design-Point and click in comfort—ergonomic design helps you work longer without discomfort.
• Back Button-Use the Back button to easily navigate between folders and Web pages, or press the wheel for auto-scroll.
• Scroll Wheel-Save time and effort with the scroll wheel—navigate documents and Web pages without using the on-screen scroll bar.

More info can be found here

Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000
Mobile Memory Mouse 8000

The Ultimate Steal Offers Students Easy Access to Microsoft Office 2007

Microsoft today announced The Ultimate Steal, a limited-time promotion for college students starting today in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and starting Sept. 20 in Spain, Italy and France. PressPass spoke with Alan Yates, general manager of Microsoft’s World Wide Education division, to discuss how the company has responded to student feedback and provided an easy way for students to acquire Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007.

PressPass: The Ultimate Steal sounds like a great deal. What are the specifics?

Yates: We definitely think it’s a great deal. It gives students easier access to our premium productivity suite Office Ultimate 2007, which includes tools they’ll be able to put to good use in their studies such as Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007.

Beginning Sept. 12, Microsoft will launch a special Web-based promotion exclusively for students called The Ultimate Steal. Students who are actively enrolled at eligible educational institutions will be able to acquire Office Ultimate 2007 via the Web at the low student price of US$59.95. Calling this promotion "The Ultimate Steal" is spot on when you consider that this is a savings of over 90 percent of the retail price of Office Ultimate 2007. The retail price is what students might think they would have to pay, when much lower pricing such as this has been available to students for many years.

Outside of the US, a one-year subscription license will also be offered for £12.95/€ 18.00/C$22.00 in addition to the perpetual license.  The Ultimate Steal promotion will expire on April 30, 2008.

Source: www.microsoft.com