Outlook (finally) coming to the Mac

When Microsoft releases its next version of Office for Mac late next year, it will include a capability that will finally bring it into parity with its Windows counterpart: Outlook for Mac.

This new application will not be merely an "Outlookized" version of Office for Mac 2008’s Entourage – Outlook’s weaker sister – but be fully new app, written from the ground up in Cocoa, Mac OS X’s collection of frameworks, APIs, and runtimes.

Speaking to reporters today from his offices in Redmond, Eric Wilfred, general manager of Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU), also said that the new Outlook for Mac will have a new database. "We are refreshing not just the front end, but the guts of the application," Wilfred said.

Link – http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/13/outlook_for_mac/

SQL Server 2008 R2 August CTP Available Today

Today we are excited to announce the availability of the first community technology preview (CTP) of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 for MSDN and TechNet subscribers, with the CTP generally available on Wednesday, August 12th.

Building on the momentum of SQL Server 2008, “R2” improves IT efficiency by reducing the time and cost of developing and managing applications; empowers end users to make better decisions through Self-Service Business Intelligence and enables organizations to scale with confidence by providing high levels of reliability, security and scalability for business critical applications.

Link – http://blogs.technet.com/dataplatforminsider/archive/2009/08/10/download-sql-server-2008-r2-august-ctp-today.aspx

Judge bans Microsoft Word sales

A US federal court has ordered Microsoft to pay over $290m (£175m) for wilfully infringing on a patent by Canadian firm i4i.

The patent relates to the use of XML, a programming language that allows formatting of text and makes files readable across different programs.

XML is integral to Microsoft’s flagship word processing software Word.

Texas district court judge Leonard Davis also filed an injunction preventing Microsoft from selling Word.

Link – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8197990.stm

Two new Windows Live services coming soon: Documents and Devices

Our friend Picturepan2 from LiveSino.net has discovered two new services coming soon to Windows Live Wave 4: Windows Live Documents and Windows Live Devices. Here’s a screenshot showing the two new services added to the header of an internal testing website:

Windows Live Documents and Devices

Link – http://liveside.net/main/archive/2009/08/08/two-new-windows-live-services-coming-soon-documents-and-devices.aspx

Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7

Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 enables IT administrators to manage roles and features that are installed on remote computers that are running Windows Server 2008 R2 (and, for some roles and features, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003) from a remote computer that is running Windows 7. It includes support for remote management of computers that are running either the Server Core or full installation options of Windows Server 2008 R2, and for some roles and features, Windows Server 2008. Some roles and features on Windows Server 2003 can be managed remotely by using Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7, although the Server Core installation option is not available with the Windows Server 2003 operating system.

Download – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7d2f6ad7-656b-4313-a005-4e344e43997d&displaylang=en

Microsoft Word – The New Find Experience

I’m sure many of you are wanting to know more about Office 2010. If you one of those searching for information then you should check out the Microsoft Word Blog, which has posted all about the Search / Find features supported in the latest release.

Link – http://blogs.msdn.com/microsoft_office_word/archive/2009/08/11/the-new-find-experience.aspx

Expression Studio Tutorials

The Expression team released four great Expression starter kits, why not take a look.

Introduction to Prototyping with Sketchflow in Expression Blend 3
Discover Sketchflow, a new feature set in Expression Blend 3 that helps you define the concept for user experiences in early stages of the design process. From sketches to wireframes to protoypes of simple or high definition, Sketchflow provides you the right tools to communicate your ideas and gather feedback from others.

Venture into Gaming with Behaviors in Expression Blend 3
Learn more about how to build a traditional "bricks" game using Expression Blend 3 Behaviors. Simply drag and drop Behaviors over objects in your artboard to easily add powerful and sophisticated functions like animation, physics, interactivity, data connection, effects and more. All without coding. The ever growing Behaviors Gallery at expression.microsoft.com is always available for you to download new behaviors.

Discovering SuperPreview in Expression Web 3
Learn more about SuperPreview, a new visual diagnostics tool in Expression Web 3. In this Starter Kit you will be provided with detailed guidance on how to leverage SuperPreview to diagnose issues across multiple browser, all with full rendering fidelity and detailed control.

Support for Silverlight in Expression Web 3
Learn how to leverage the new and easy to use Silverlight support features in Expression Web 3. Then take your websites and publish them to an FTP location without having to leave Expression Web.

What is Microsoft® BizSpark

Microsoft BizSpark is a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups.
BizSpark provides software, support and visibility to Startups:
Software: BizSpark provides entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and productions licenses of server products, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.
•All the software included is equivalent to a Microsoft® Visual Studio® Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN® Premium subscription. Additionally, VSTS Team Foundation Server (Standard Edition) is available for use by the entire development team.
•Expression® Studio Version 2
•Production use rights to host a “software-plus-services” solution (developed during participation in the BizSpark Program, on any platform) over the Internet, with regard to the latest versions of Microsoft products including:

Link – http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/Default.aspx

What is Microsoft® BizSpark

Microsoft BizSpark is a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups.
BizSpark provides software, support and visibility to Startups:
Software: BizSpark provides entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and productions licenses of server products, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.
•All the software included is equivalent to a Microsoft® Visual Studio® Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN® Premium subscription. Additionally, VSTS Team Foundation Server (Standard Edition) is available for use by the entire development team.
•Expression® Studio Version 2
•Production use rights to host a “software-plus-services” solution (developed during participation in the BizSpark Program, on any platform) over the Internet, with regard to the latest versions of Microsoft products including:

Link – http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/Default.aspx

Windows 7 jump lists come to Chrome

Google Chrome fans who live on the edge and use the developer’s build now get access to one of the best features in Windows 7. Browser jump-list access had previously been limited only to Internet Explorer, but Chrome version 3.0.197.11 supports it.

imageThe jump list, accessible by right-clicking on the Chrome taskbar icon or by holding down the left mouse button and dragging, mimics the Internet Explorer jump list. What IE calls "Frequent", Chrome labels "Most Visited Sites", but both merely show your most frequently visited Web sites. Both lists of URLs are configurable, so you can remove sites from the list.

Running SQL Server on Windows 7

Did you know that you can run SQL Server on Windows 7. To enable support for this you must download and install the latest service pack, for SQL Server.

The following version is required –
– SQL Server 2005: SP3 is required
– SQL Server 2008: SP1 is required
– SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP3:Supported without any additional updates

They can be download from the following website –
– SQL Server 2008 SP1 on Microsoft Update
– SQL Server 2005 SP3 on Microsoft Update

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Microsoft has just published the first public test build of the next database software, “SQL Server 2008 R2”. The download was published on MSDN + TechNet on the 10th of August, and will be publicly available on the 12 August.

image

Take a look at the SQL Server website for more information – http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/r2.aspx

NOTICE: Regarding Windows 7 “E” Versions

Microsoft have update their website to reflect the decision of scrapping the E edition of Windows 7.

We are intent on providing people with the best possible experience using their PCs with Windows. Building on that important principle, we will ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe as in rest of the world on the worldwide launch date of 22 October, 2009. This version of Windows 7 includes Windows Internet Explorer 8 to help people get the most from their PCs and the Internet. We will not ship E editions of Windows 7, which would not have included Internet Explorer. Customers who pre-order Windows 7 will receive versions of the product that include Internet Explorer. Customers participating in the Windows Upgrade Option available with select new PCs running Windows Vista will also receive versions of Windows 7 that include Internet Explorer. Customers in Europe will also be able to choose between upgrade and full versions of Windows 7.

Link – http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order-ended.aspx

NOTICE: Regarding Windows 7 “E” Versions

Microsoft have update their website to reflect the decision of scrapping the E edition of Windows 7.

We are intent on providing people with the best possible experience using their PCs with Windows. Building on that important principle, we will ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe as in rest of the world on the worldwide launch date of 22 October, 2009. This version of Windows 7 includes Windows Internet Explorer 8 to help people get the most from their PCs and the Internet. We will not ship E editions of Windows 7, which would not have included Internet Explorer. Customers who pre-order Windows 7 will receive versions of the product that include Internet Explorer. Customers participating in the Windows Upgrade Option available with select new PCs running Windows Vista will also receive versions of Windows 7 that include Internet Explorer. Customers in Europe will also be able to choose between upgrade and full versions of Windows 7.

Link – http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order-ended.aspx

Microsoft at home website

Have you ever wondered how to do some of the basics tasks, on you Windows PC? Then the following site is for you. Microsoft has put together a verity of tips and tweaks for every day users.

The website provides useful information on how to keep your computer running in tiptop condition, all the way down to watching videos, and taking pictures.

Why not head over at take a look – http://www.microsoft.com/athome/default.aspx

There is also a business version, which is designed to help you at work – http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/

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