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Service Pack 2 for the 2007 Office System will be made available to Windows Server Update Services in April, classified as a service pack.

Service Pack 2 includes some significant work, including: built-in ability to save as ODF & PDF formats, improvements to Outlook’s performance and calendar reliability, significant bug fixes for charts in core Office applications, the ability for client service packs to be removed using an uninstall tool, and a host of customer-requested improvements to the Office Server products.

It is also a rollup of all fixes that have previously been released for Office 2007 products.  Additional information will be posted to the Office Sustaining Engineering blog later this month.

\\ Bink.NU

Windows Server boss Bill Laing said in an interview Friday that the server version of Windows 7 will ship this calendar year.
Using a little bit of deduction, I’d say that means Windows 7 continues to be tracking ahead of schedule. Although Laing’s comments referred to Windows Server 2008 R2 and not to the desktop version, server products traditionally ship after desktop operating systems based on the same code base, owing to greater testing needs.

Full Article – http://www.osnn.net/comments.php?shownews=15375

With Windows 7, Microsoft is hoping to have an operating system that people won’t want to downgrade from. That said, it does plan on offering users that option.
Downgrade rights have long been a part of the Windows license for certain versions, particularly for businesses. That said, the option gained notoriety with Windows Vista. With Vista, the downgrade right was not only marketed by computer makers, but, once Microsoft stopped selling XP, some PC makers sold Vista machines that were “pre-downgraded” to Windows XP.

Full Article – http://www.osnn.net/comments.php?shownews=15377

For what it’s worth, Windows Mobile 6.5 is shaping up to be quite a modern-looking mobile operating system, even if its new looks are only skin deep.

In one of the latest builds to have leaked (among the many that has), build 21202 for those of you playing at home, are the much talked about bundled designer themes, including but not limited to the pink and white Gingham by Isaac Misrahi. It is now revealed some of the other designers are Ron Arad, Vera Wang, Rock and Republic and Diane von Fürstenberg. Simply said, they look great.

Full Article – http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090406/sneak-peek-at-windows-mobile-65-themes/

Back in February, I wrote an article, Windows 7 Product Editions, in which I discussed the various SKUs (stock keeping units, or product editions) that Microsoft would provide with its next operating system. Now, with nearly fully-functional versions of each product edition available to the public, I thought I’d provide a series of tables comparing each Windows 7 product editon, similar in scope to the work I did documenting Windows Vista. It’s early yet, and things will no doubt change, so I’ll be updating these tables as needed going forward. But even at this early stage, I believe these tables will help you pick which Windows 7 product edition makes the most sense for you, based on your needs and wants. Let’s dive right in.

Note: This is a preliminary list. If you see anything missing, or would like to see a certain feature added, please contact me.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus_compare.asp

As an early and vocal proponent of Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader (see my review), and a daily user ever since the first generation device showed up at my home in November 2007, I feel more experienced than most to review its sequel, the Kindle 2. Other reviewers have spent, perhaps, too much time focused on the Kindle 2’s svelte, more iPod-like form factor and too little time on what really matters in what is, after all, just an electronic book. That is, while the Kindle 2 is certainly prettier than its predecessor, I feel that a more important question is whether the new device is “better” than the original. And I mean that from a number of perspectives: Value and cost, usability, and functionality.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/mobile/kindle2.asp

Windows Server 2008 R2 and the Windows 7 client were made for each other – and made to provide better and more secure computing when used together. DirectAccess is a new feature that allows Windows 7 users to establish a remote connection without a VPN, and the Remote Workspace, along with Presentation Virtualization and Remote Desktop Gateway can allow users to access their company desktops from anywhere, safely and securely. In this article, we will look at these and other features that make the Server 2008 R2/Windows 7 combination the best bet for organizations looking to improve the security of their Windows-based networks.

With the emphasis at Microsoft on trustworthy computing, each edition of the server and client operating systems gets more secure. Windows Server 2008, and especially its latest incarnation, R2, provides IT administrators with many built-in security mechanisms. However, securing the server is only half the battle. The client machine is often targeted for exploit – especially in today’s mobile world where users connect from laptops that leave the company premises and thus are not always under the absolute control of the IT department. If your organization needs a high level of security (and in the current compliance-mandated environment, who doesn’t?), you should be planning ahead for the deployment of the Windows 7 client in combination with Windows Server 2008 R2 as soon after the Win 7 release as possible. Let’s look at some of the advanced security features you’ll be able to take advantage of by doing so.

Full Article – http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Windows-Server-2008-R2-Windows-7-More-Secure-Together.html

Just when I thought the flood of interim Windows 7 builds had come to a close, Microsoft contacted its TAP partners this week and alerted them that a new build, build 7068, was being made available for testing. This build gives us the best look yet at what’s coming in the Windows 7 release candidate (RC), and it’s the first to include the option to install any of the final SKUs (product editions), as shown in the shots below.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_7068.asp

Windows 7 Home Basic, like Starter, does not allow the user to change the desktop background from a Personalize interface, though you can right-click images and use them as wallpaper in this version. I can only assume this is a temporary condition, as Microsoft has stated again and again how much its users love to customize their PCs with photos and other wallpapers. As one might expect, Home Basic is much like Starter in other areas. While there’s no three-app limit, there’s no Aero and the system only comes with basic features and games.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_7068_06.asp

On Wednesday, April 1, the latest variant of the Conficker (also known as Downadup and Kido) work will download new instructions. The sophistication of this worm and its botnet have many concerned, although the amount of legitimate concern is a matter of debate.

If you’re concerned, then here are the eight most important things to know about Conficker, updated on Monday morning:

1. Researchers have discovered what they’re calling a signature for Conficker, and developed a scanner based upon the technology.

Full Article – http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344074,00.asp

On Wednesday, April 1, the latest variant of the Conficker (also known as Downadup and Kido) work will download new instructions. The sophistication of this worm and its botnet have many concerned, although the amount of legitimate concern is a matter of debate.

If you’re concerned, then here are the eight most important things to know about Conficker, updated on Monday morning:

1. Researchers have discovered what they’re calling a signature for Conficker, and developed a scanner based upon the technology.

Full Article – http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344074,00.asp

Last week, Microsoft hosted its annual MIX web development conference in Las Vegas. MIX is smaller than other Microsoft shows–much smaller than TechEd, WinHEC, or PDC. But it’s no less important. In fact, with the computing world transitioning inexorably to cloud computing, one could make the argument that MIX will eventually rival TechEd in its importance to Microsoft’s customer base.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/server/ms_web_platform.asp

Ever since Outlook 2007 was released it has had major performance issues with larger PST and OST files. After a couple of months a pre-SP1 patch (April 13 2007) softened the issue, but Microsoft still recommended keeping your OST small. Still major disk activity when launching Outlook.

Now MS has released a pre-SP2 performance update for Outlook and WOW! Now we are where it should have been at RTM. With this new patch, new OST/PST guidelines are posted:

Full Article – http://bink.nu/news/finally-outlook-2007-performance-update.aspx

Start evaluating Office Communications Server today. Office Communications Server 2007 R2 delivers streamlined communications for your users so they can find and communicate with the right person, right now, from the applications they use most (like Office Outlook).

Download – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=3bfe2fb6-493b-42d6-859e-eddddf04e2e8

Thanks to eagle eyed Neowin visitor ThePhoenix, we’ve spotted that Microsoft have published the Windows 7 RC page at TechNet a little too early.
The page indicates it is due to be published in May 2009 and that the Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010. It has been rumoured that the RC will be ready in April for testers but Microsoft could make the RC available publicly in May if this publishing mistake is correct.
According to Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, the build will be available broadly so this is a clear confirmation that Microsoft plans to push the near final build out to potential customers and enthusiasts world wide, very soon.

Fill Article – http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/03/26/microsoft-hints-at-windows-7-release-candidate-for-may