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Microsoft has started distributing the magical GUID to shove into select testers’ registries via a batch file. For those with build string fetishes, and to ultimately improve SEO scores, here you go: 6002.16489 (lh_sp2beta.080924-1740).

Since the launch of Windows Server 2008 a lot of configuration tools have been released to help administrators get the most out of Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V Server 2008 installations.

This blog post features free configuration tools and initiatives to develop this kind of tools for Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008. You will find both graphical and command line tools to help you configure (some of the) settings in Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V Server 2008.

Full Article – http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/sanderberkouwer/archive/2008/10/14/overview-of-free-server-core-configuration-tools.aspx

Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday patched 20 vulnerabilities, more than half of them rated critical, in 11 separate security updates for Windows, Office, Internet Explorer (IE), Active Directory and the Host Integration Server.

Also for the first time, the company predicted the likelihood that hackers would come up with exploits for each bug.

“The count’s big,” said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security Inc. Eleven of the 20 flaws were rated “critical,” the top ranking in Microsoft’s four-level threat scoring system, while eight were pegged as “important,” the next step down, and one was listed as only “moderate.” Today’s update was the largest since August, when Microsoft issued 26 patches in 12 bulletins.

Full Article – http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9117179&source=rss_topic125

The Windows team is readying second service packs (SP2) for Vista — and for its server complement, Windows Server 2008 — and is aiming to deliver these SP2s before it releases Windows 7, according to my sources.

I’m hearing that Microsoft already has delivered a beta of at least Vista SP2 to select hardware and software partners, the same way that it has been providing a hand-chosen few with early builds of Windows 7. I noticed that Microsoft has put up a place holder Knowledge Base article on October 2 regarding the forthcoming SP2 betas. (I see a couple of other bloggers saw this, as well.)

Full Article – http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1643

With Windows Vista finally behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the next Windows client release, which is currently codenamed Windows “7”, though Microsoft has used other code-names, like “Vienna” and “Windows Seven” in the past.

Clearly, what’s needed is a central location for accurate information about Windows 7. This is it.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/windows_7.asp

With Windows Vista finally behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the next Windows client release, which is currently codenamed Windows “7”, though Microsoft has used other code-names, like “Vienna” and “Windows Seven” in the past.

Clearly, what’s needed is a central location for accurate information about Windows 7. This is it.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/windows_7.asp

Following in the footsteps of the iPhone, Google’s Android seeks to do Apple one better by completely opening up its mobile platform, and by making it available for free to all handset makers and mobile network operators. The first Android phone, the cunningly named T-Mobile G1, arrives this month. And while it may be a while before we fully understand the impact that an open platform will have on the mobile market, make no mistake: Android is now a first-class player in this crucial industry, taking its place alongside Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and iPhone.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/google_android_preview.asp

Back in July, I first discussed Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience, the upcoming major new user interface update for the Xbox 360. Today, the software giant revealed that this experience will rollout to Xbox 360 users on November 19, so it’s time to begin paying a bit more attention to the coming changes. First up, the new Games Marketplace, which is being redesigned to better showcase downloadable games and downloadable content for retail games.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xbox360_newx_preview_gm.asp

I’m reading more and more about Windows 7 lately as PDC approaches and Microsoft begins revealing more snippets of information about its most secretive product ever. In most of that coverage, I’ve noticed an assumption that Windows 7 is going to be the final name of the product. I’ve been guilty of leaping to that conclusion myself.

But a reader asked the other day why Microsoft is calling it Windows 7, and as I worked on my response to that question, it struck me that it’s entirely possible, even likely, that the next release of Windows will get a new name before it hits the streets. (Keep reading, and I’ll give you a chance to compare your prediction with mine.)

Full Article – http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=558

Never has such a good idea been so badly bungled. Microsoft originally envisioned Windows Ultimate Extras as one of many differentiators for its high-end Windows Vista Ultimate edition. Of course, back in mid-2005, when these plans were unfolding, Microsoft was still struggling to define the various Vista product editions. It planned a Small Business edition, for example, but ultimately decided against it. And for Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft originally planned to include a number of features that never came to fruition, including a Game Performance Tweaker, a podcast creation utility, online “Club” services, extended A1 subscriptions, free music downloads, free movie downloads, Online Spotlight and entertainment software, preferred product support, and custom themes. (I first revealed these plans in my September 2005 article, Windows Vista Product Editions Preview.)

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_ff_extras.asp

Download here: English | Chinese Traditional (ZH-TW) | All Other LanguagesClick to view licensing terms

Licensing Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008

• Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is a stand-alone product that will be available via the Microsoft Download Center free of charge.
• Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 does not require CALs for the product itself.
• CALs will be required for all Windows Server virtualized operating systems which are hosted on Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008.
• Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 will be available in the following languages:
  • English (EN-US)
  • German (DE-DE)
  • Japanese (JA-JP)
  • French (FR-FR)
  • Spanish (ES-ES)
  • Chinese Hong-Kong (ZH-HK)
  • Chinese Simplified (ZH-CN)
  • Korean (KO-KR)
  • Portuguese (Brazil) (PT-BR)
  • Chinese Traditional (ZH-TW)
  • Italian (IT-IT)
  • Russian (RU-RU)

Source: HV

Microsoft is putting the finishing touches on its suite of Microsoft-hosted services known as the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS).

Microsoft is going to deliver a near-final Release Candidate test build of BPOS on September 26 and is telling users that a final build of the BPOS product should be released within 30 days, according to a September 25 posting to the Microsoft Online Services blog. From the new entry:

“On that date, BPOS will be available for purchase in the United States. Those that are in the BPOS TAP (Technology Adoption Program) program or are current Beta users will continue to enjoy the service free of charge until 30 days after GA (general availability).”

Full Article – http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1609

On Monday, Sept. 29, Microsoft is launching the SQL Server 2008 Experience online at http://www.SQLServerExperience.com. With more than 500 short videos in 11 different languages, the SQL Server 2008 Experience is a Web site that helps Microsoft’s global customers and partners learn more about SQL Server 2008, Microsoft’s recently released data management and business intelligence platform. SQL Server 2008 provides a trusted, productive and intelligent data platform for business-critical applications. The launch of the SQL Server 2008 Experience kicks off a worldwide readiness outreach that will reach over 350,000 customers, partners and community members through in-person events over the next year.

Visitors to the SQL Server 2008 Experience can expect the following:

•Brief interviews with the SQL Server Engineering team, providing a behind-the-scenes view of the many technologies in SQL Server 2008

•Guidance on a wide range of topics such as business intelligence, compliance, upgrades and application development, including videos from customers showing how SQL Server 2008 is helping them be more successful. Customers that will be featured include Xerox Corp., Baltika Breweries and DriveCam Inc.

•Great deals on SQL Server 2008 books, courses and exams offered by Microsoft Learning

When: Sept. 29, 2008, at 8 a.m. PDT

Where: Online at http://www.SQLServerExperience.com

Article – Microsoft.com

SQL Server 2008 is a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform for all your data needs. SQL Server 2008 delivers on Microsoft’s Data Platform vision by helping your organization manage any data, any place, any time. It enables you to store structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, such as documents, images and music, directly in the database. SQL Server 2008 delivers a rich set of integrated services that enable you to do more with your data such as query, search, synchronize, report, and analyze. Data can be stored and accessed in your largest servers within the data center all the way down to desktops and mobile devices, enabling you to have control over your data no matter where it is stored.

This fully functional trial software will automatically expire after six months. You can obtain the fully licensed version at any time.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6b10c7c1-4f97-42c4-9362-58d4d088cd38&DisplayLang=en

SQL Server 2008 is a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform for all your data needs. SQL Server 2008 delivers on Microsoft’s Data Platform vision by helping your organization manage any data, any place, any time. It enables you to store structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, such as documents, images and music, directly in the database. SQL Server 2008 delivers a rich set of integrated services that enable you to do more with your data such as query, search, synchronize, report, and analyze. Data can be stored and accessed in your largest servers within the data center all the way down to desktops and mobile devices, enabling you to have control over your data no matter where it is stored.

This fully functional trial software will automatically expire after six months. You can obtain the fully licensed version at any time.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6b10c7c1-4f97-42c4-9362-58d4d088cd38&DisplayLang=en