Virtual PC 2007 SP1 is available!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=28c97d22-6eb8-4a09-a7f7-f6c7a1f000b5&displaylang=en

via Virtual PC Guy’s Blog:

Virtual PC 2007 SP1 now available

PowerCommands 1.1 is a set of useful extensions for the Visual Studio 2008 adding additional functionality to various areas of the IDE. The source code is included and requires the VS SDK for VS 2008 to allow modification of functionality or as a reference to create additional custom PowerCommand extensions. Visit the VSX Developer Center at http://msdn.com/vsx for more information about extending Visual Studio.

Download PowerComamnds here : http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/PowerCommands

This is an updated version of the System Preparation tool (Sysprep.exe) for Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3, as contained within the file deploy.cab.

The System Preparation tool
The Windows XP System Preparation tool enables administrators to prepare Windows XP system images as part of an automated deployment. You can use the System Preparation tool to perform the following tasks in a manner that is supported by Microsoft:

• Prepare Windows for duplication from one computer to another computer.
• Change security identifiers (SIDs) and other system and configuration settings to make them unique.
• Configure user-specific information to be customized by the end-user when Windows starts the first time.
• Create images of operating systems.
• Duplicate disks.
• Automate the Windows mini-Setup program.
• Perform auditing tasks.

The Sysprep.inf file
The Sysprep.inf file is the answer file for the Sysprep.exe program. To build the Sysprep.inf file, run the Setup Manager Wizard. Select the Sysprep Answer file option.
The Deploy.cab folder
The Support\Tools\Deploy.cab folder includes detailed documentation that describes the latest features of the deployment tools and how to use them. The documentation includes the Sysprep.exe program.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=673a1019-8e3e-4be0-ac31-70dd21b5afa7&DisplayLang=en

This blog entry covers a issue that some customers have encountered with the release of SP3 for Windows XP. The service pack supports the use of the /integrate command to integrate(or also called slipstream) SP3 into a Windows XP flat. It is supported to run the command with the following media

Windows XP Professional RTM

Windows XP Professional SP1

Windows XP Professional SP2

The problem arises if the /integrate command is run under Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. The /integrate process will not report any error and appear to work but if you try to install from the media your product key may not be accepted. Luckily the fix is easy. Run the /integrate command under Windows XP or Windows Server 2003. For more information around this issue see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;950722

Author:
Scott McArthur
Support Escalation Engineer
Microsoft Corporation Enterprise Support

In this article, we will look at five features of Windows Vista that are often misunderstood, provide their background and rationale, and present the straight scoop on how to deal with them. Based on feedback from IT professionals, these features are: User Account Control, Image Management, Display Driver Model, Windows Search, and 64-bit architecture.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1c15d3c5-a926-4703-a788-fab165e23dc7&displaylang=en&tm

Today, Microsoft announced the release of Windows Essential Business Server 2008 release candidate 0 (RC0) and the pending release of Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 RC0. Both products, along with Windows Home Server, are now marketed as being part of the same product family, called Windows Essential Server Solutions. More interesting, perhaps, Microsoft will also announce pricing and licensing terms for the new products today.

As a refresher, SBS 2008 is, of course, the next-generation version of Microsoft’s popular SBS product line. Like its predecessor, it will come in Standard and Premium versions, but there are some differences this time around: The Standard edition includes 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition, Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0, Exchange Server 2007, and Windows Live OneCare for Server, and integration with the Web-based Office Live Small Business services. Premium edition adds a second copy of Server 2008 (either 32-bit or 64-bit, your call) and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition (again, 32-bit or 64-bit). You may recall that SBS 2003 R2 includes SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition, so there’s an upgrade there. But also new in SBS 2008 is the fact that the second copy of Windows Server and SQL Server are now licensed to be installed on a second server.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/sbs_ebs_2008_preview1.asp

Google Friend Connect lets you grow traffic by easily adding social features to your website. With just a few snippets of code, you get more people engaging more deeply with your site.

Link – http://www.google.com/friendconnect/

It can be argued that Microsoft’s main focus with Windows Vista was security. While sceptics try to claim that there has not been much improvement, Vista does appear to be Microsoft’s most secure OS to date.

Nevertheless, it’s far from perfect, and not only on the security front. While many tests show that Vista outperforms XP on some high-end computers, the average computer system does not run Windows Vista as well as it does Windows XP. This will of course change as the average computer becomes more powerful and as Microsoft tweaks the operating system (SP1 already offers some help), but the fact of the matter is that Vista is recognized as a slow operating system.

Full Article – http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2008/05/12/gates-windows-7-will-take-less-memory-be-more-efficient

It can be argued that Microsoft’s main focus with Windows Vista was security. While sceptics try to claim that there has not been much improvement, Vista does appear to be Microsoft’s most secure OS to date.

Nevertheless, it’s far from perfect, and not only on the security front. While many tests show that Vista outperforms XP on some high-end computers, the average computer system does not run Windows Vista as well as it does Windows XP. This will of course change as the average computer becomes more powerful and as Microsoft tweaks the operating system (SP1 already offers some help), but the fact of the matter is that Vista is recognized as a slow operating system.

Full Article – http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2008/05/12/gates-windows-7-will-take-less-memory-be-more-efficient

REDMOND, Wash. — May 12, 2008 — The final frontier got a bit closer today as Microsoft Corp. officially launched the public beta of its WorldWide Telescope, which is now available at http://www.worldwidetelescope.org. WorldWide Telescope is a rich Web application that brings together imagery from the best ground- and space-based observatories across the world to allow people to easily explore the night sky through their computers. WorldWide Telescope has been eagerly anticipated by the astronomical and educational communities as a compelling astronomical resource for students and lifelong learners, and as a way to make science fun for children.

“The WorldWide Telescope is a powerful tool for science and education that makes it possible for everyone to explore the universe,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “By combining terabytes of incredible imagery and data with easy-to-use software for viewing and moving through all that information, the WorldWide Telescope opens the door to new ways to see and experience the wonders of space. Our hope is that it will inspire young people to explore astronomy and science, and help researchers in their quest to better understand the universe.”

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/may08/05-12WWTPR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases

A detailed comparison of Visual Studio 2008 is available.

Full Article – http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/products/cc149003.aspx

Shows you how to make a virtual machine highly available. You will do this by creating a simple two-node cluster and a virtual machine, and then failing over the virtual machine from one node to the other.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=cd828712-8d1e-45d1-a290-7edadf1e4e9c&displaylang=en&tm

These samples demonstrate many of the new features available with Visual Basic 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 including hundreds Language Integrated Query (LINQ) samples. These samples are broken down into the following areas:

Application Samples

These samples use various features to make end user applications like a threading application or a game or showing how to use Microsoft Excel from within VB

Data Samples

These samples show various data features like binding to databases and OCS

Language Samples

These samples show various language features like API calls and generics. These also include a comprehensive list of beginner and advanced LINQ samples

Server and Component Samples

These samples show how the VB Language can access component services like WMI and comports

Tablet PC Samples

These samples show how the VB language can be used for applications like speech recognition or text recognition

WCF Samples

These samples show how WCF (Windows communication foundation) can be used to make and consume services

Winform Samples

These samples show various winforms applications like GDIText and combo box examples and user controls

Full Article – http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/vbsamples

ZDNet article features the new HTC Diamond phone that brings some of the cool to Windows Mobile devices and then some. The phone will feature Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, a 3.2MP camera, Opera Mobile browser and TouchFLO 3D interface. View a video of the new HTC Diamond on the HTC Home.

Full Article – http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=1068

A week after deciding not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download site as planned, Microsoft has begun pushing the collection of updates and fixes through those channels again.

On May 6, Microsoft both released officially SP3 and resumed automatic distribution of Windows Vista SP1. Distribution of both of the Windows service packs was halted when Microsoft discovered a compatibility glitch involving them and Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System, according to company officials.

Here’s Microsoft’s update on the situation, via a spokeswoman:

Full Article – http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1381