What better way to show off your skills on a brand new technology than with a Microsoft Certification? Get ready to be a hero on Windows Server 2008, right from the start.

Be the first to know and save 40 percent on select Windows Server 2008 exams

Availability of Microsoft Certification exams will closely follow the release of Windows Server 2008. We would like you to be the first to know when these exams are available—helping you to be among the first to certify and be noticed by organizations that are eager to evaluate and deploy Windows Server 2008.

To thank you for your interest in keeping up with the latest technology from Microsoft, we invite you to register with us to receive:

•Same-day notification when the three Windows Server 2008 technology exams are available, plus a 40 percent savings code to use on any one of these three exams

•Same-day notification when the two Windows Server 2008 professional-series exams are available, plus a second 40 percent savings code to use on one of these two exams

•Register now

What better way to show off your skills on a brand new technology than with a Microsoft Certification? Get ready to be a hero on Windows Server 2008, right from the start.

Be the first to know and save 40 percent on select Windows Server 2008 exams

Availability of Microsoft Certification exams will closely follow the release of Windows Server 2008. We would like you to be the first to know when these exams are available—helping you to be among the first to certify and be noticed by organizations that are eager to evaluate and deploy Windows Server 2008.

To thank you for your interest in keeping up with the latest technology from Microsoft, we invite you to register with us to receive:

•Same-day notification when the three Windows Server 2008 technology exams are available, plus a 40 percent savings code to use on any one of these three exams

•Same-day notification when the two Windows Server 2008 professional-series exams are available, plus a second 40 percent savings code to use on one of these two exams

•Register now

Hi there Windows Ultimate Extras,

This is an automated message to remind you it has been 81 days since your last activity on October 23, 2007 when you announced 19 languages packs for Windows Vista. Très Bien!

We’d like to remind you we’ve been eagerly awaiting more “cutting-edge programs“, “innovative services” and “unique publications” from you.

As a reminder, here is your current contribution so far in the last 12 months since Windows Vista Ultimate has been on the market.
– Windows DreamScene
– Hold’ Em Poker Game
– BitLocker and EFS Tools
– 35 Language Packs

In case you’re running a little short on ideas, here’s a few simple ones to help you get back on track.
– Premium high-resolution wallpapers pack
– Premium DreamScene videos
– Arcade or puzzle games (ex. Peggle)
– Windows Media Player 11 skins or visualizations
– Windows DVD Maker menu themes
– Windows Photo Gallery slideshow themes
– Extended free trials of Windows Live OneCare
– Premium Internet Explorer 7 add-ons

If you have forgotten how to get in touch with us, your customers, we’d like to remind you of your blog at www.windowsultimate.com which you can write on to keep us in-the-loop of any ideas or progress you’re making. Don’t be afraid to post smaller but more frequent updates.

Thanks, passionate Windows Vista Ultimate users.

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080109/ultimate-extras-inactive-reminder/

Hi there Windows Ultimate Extras,

This is an automated message to remind you it has been 81 days since your last activity on October 23, 2007 when you announced 19 languages packs for Windows Vista. Très Bien!

We’d like to remind you we’ve been eagerly awaiting more “cutting-edge programs“, “innovative services” and “unique publications” from you.

As a reminder, here is your current contribution so far in the last 12 months since Windows Vista Ultimate has been on the market.
– Windows DreamScene
– Hold’ Em Poker Game
– BitLocker and EFS Tools
– 35 Language Packs

In case you’re running a little short on ideas, here’s a few simple ones to help you get back on track.
– Premium high-resolution wallpapers pack
– Premium DreamScene videos
– Arcade or puzzle games (ex. Peggle)
– Windows Media Player 11 skins or visualizations
– Windows DVD Maker menu themes
– Windows Photo Gallery slideshow themes
– Extended free trials of Windows Live OneCare
– Premium Internet Explorer 7 add-ons

If you have forgotten how to get in touch with us, your customers, we’d like to remind you of your blog at www.windowsultimate.com which you can write on to keep us in-the-loop of any ideas or progress you’re making. Don’t be afraid to post smaller but more frequent updates.

Thanks, passionate Windows Vista Ultimate users.

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080109/ultimate-extras-inactive-reminder/

January 09, 2008 (Computerworld) — A rootkit that hides from Windows on the hard drive’s boot sector is infecting PCs, security researchers said today. Once installed, the cloaking software is undetectable by most current antivirus programs.

The rootkit overwrites the hard drive’s master boot record (MBR), the first sector — sector 0 — where code is stored to bootstrap the operating system after the computer’s BIOS does its start-up checks. Because it hides on the MBR, the rootkit is effectively invisible to the operating system and security software installed on that operating system.

“A traditional rootkit installs as a driver, just as when you install any hardware or software,” said Oliver Friedrichs, director of Symantec Corp.‘s security response team. “Those drivers are loaded at or after the boot process. But this new rootkit installs itself before the operating system loads. It starts executing before the main operating system has a chance to execute.” Control the MBR, Friedrichs continued, and you control the operating system, and thus the computer.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9056378&source=rss_news10

January 09, 2008 (Computerworld) — A rootkit that hides from Windows on the hard drive’s boot sector is infecting PCs, security researchers said today. Once installed, the cloaking software is undetectable by most current antivirus programs.

The rootkit overwrites the hard drive’s master boot record (MBR), the first sector — sector 0 — where code is stored to bootstrap the operating system after the computer’s BIOS does its start-up checks. Because it hides on the MBR, the rootkit is effectively invisible to the operating system and security software installed on that operating system.

“A traditional rootkit installs as a driver, just as when you install any hardware or software,” said Oliver Friedrichs, director of Symantec Corp.‘s security response team. “Those drivers are loaded at or after the boot process. But this new rootkit installs itself before the operating system loads. It starts executing before the main operating system has a chance to execute.” Control the MBR, Friedrichs continued, and you control the operating system, and thus the computer.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9056378&source=rss_news10

Commenter Andrej Budja asks why cmd.exe is not themed in Windows XP. (This question was repeated by Serge Wautier, proving that nobody checks whether their suggestion has already been submitted before adding their own. It was also asked by a commenter who goes by the name “S”, and then repeated again just a few hours later, which proves again that nobody reads the comments either.) Knowledge Base article 306509 explains that this behavior exists because the command prompt window (like all console windows) is run under the ClientServer Runtime System (CSRSS), and CSRSS cannot be themed.

But why can’t CSRSS be themed?

CSRSS runs as a system service, so any code that runs as part of CSRSS creates potential for mass havoc. The slightest mis-step could crash CSRSS, and with it the entire system. The CSRSS team decided that they didn’t want to take the risk of allowing the theme code to run in their process, so they disabled theming for console windows. (There’s also an architectural reason why CSRSS cannot use the theming services: CSRSS runs as a subsystem, and the user interface theming services assume that they’re running as part of a Win32 program.)

In Windows Vista, the window frame is drawn by the desktop window manager, which means that your console windows on Vista get the glassy frame just like other windows. But if you take a closer look, you will see that CSRSS itself doesn’t use themed windows: Notice that the scroll bars retain the classic look.

The window manager giveth and the window manager taketh away, for at the same time console windows gained the glassy frame, they also lost drag and drop. You used to be able to drag a file out of Explorer and drop it onto a command prompt, but if you try that in Windows Vista, nothing happens. This is a consequence of tighter security around the delivery of messages from a process running at lower integrity to one running at a higher integrity level (see UIPI). Since CSRSS is a system process, it runs at very high security level and won’t let any random program (like Explorer) send it messages, such as the ones used to mediate OLE drag and drop. You’ll see the same thing if you log on as a restricted administrator and then kick off an elevated copy of Notepad. You won’t be able to drag a file out of Explorer and drop it onto Notepad, for the same reason.

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2007/12/31/6909007.aspx

Commenter Andrej Budja asks why cmd.exe is not themed in Windows XP. (This question was repeated by Serge Wautier, proving that nobody checks whether their suggestion has already been submitted before adding their own. It was also asked by a commenter who goes by the name “S”, and then repeated again just a few hours later, which proves again that nobody reads the comments either.) Knowledge Base article 306509 explains that this behavior exists because the command prompt window (like all console windows) is run under the ClientServer Runtime System (CSRSS), and CSRSS cannot be themed.

But why can’t CSRSS be themed?

CSRSS runs as a system service, so any code that runs as part of CSRSS creates potential for mass havoc. The slightest mis-step could crash CSRSS, and with it the entire system. The CSRSS team decided that they didn’t want to take the risk of allowing the theme code to run in their process, so they disabled theming for console windows. (There’s also an architectural reason why CSRSS cannot use the theming services: CSRSS runs as a subsystem, and the user interface theming services assume that they’re running as part of a Win32 program.)

In Windows Vista, the window frame is drawn by the desktop window manager, which means that your console windows on Vista get the glassy frame just like other windows. But if you take a closer look, you will see that CSRSS itself doesn’t use themed windows: Notice that the scroll bars retain the classic look.

The window manager giveth and the window manager taketh away, for at the same time console windows gained the glassy frame, they also lost drag and drop. You used to be able to drag a file out of Explorer and drop it onto a command prompt, but if you try that in Windows Vista, nothing happens. This is a consequence of tighter security around the delivery of messages from a process running at lower integrity to one running at a higher integrity level (see UIPI). Since CSRSS is a system process, it runs at very high security level and won’t let any random program (like Explorer) send it messages, such as the ones used to mediate OLE drag and drop. You’ll see the same thing if you log on as a restricted administrator and then kick off an elevated copy of Notepad. You won’t be able to drag a file out of Explorer and drop it onto Notepad, for the same reason.

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2007/12/31/6909007.aspx

Terminal Services Gateway in Windows Server 2008 — in combination with the new remote desktop client — has a powerful secure connection to network resources from remote locations. It’s a feature that deserves some attention.

Remote connectivity is becoming a corporate staple, allowing employees to work remotely from home, a hotel or from a client’s network. This is a convenient way to be productive without being in the office, but it is a headache for system and security administrators.

http://searchwinit.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid1_gci1289106,00.html?track=sy520&asrc=RSS_RSS-11_520

Here was an interesting little conversation that took place on one of our internal discussion lists today:

One person was trying to back up his documents directory. So, he’d use Robocopy to copy the files over. For example, he would use the following command line:

robocopy c:usersdocuments e:documentsbackup-january

Then, he’d click over to this directory in Windows Explorer, and he couldn’t see e:documentsbackup-january, he would see e:documents.

Huh?

To find out what is going on, you’ll have to view some hidden system files. From Windows Explorer, select Organize -> Folder and Search Options. On the View tab, select the option to show hidden files and uncheck the option to hide protected operating system files. Now, in the documents directory, right click on desktop.ini and select edit. Here is mine:

[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%system32shell32.dll,-21770
IconResource=%SystemRoot%system32imageres.dll,-112
IconFile=%SystemRoot%system32shell32.dll
IconIndex=-235

The LocalizedResourceName is what is making things interesting here. No matter what you call this directory, Explorer is going to display the LocalizedResourceName.

That’s handy when you don’t live in the US. You see, on Windows Vista, we don’t give different names to directories based on locale. c:program files is always c:program files. It doesn’t matter what locale you are sitting in. But if you don’t speak English, you’d probably prefer to see this in your own language. That’s what this desktop.ini option will do for you.

This is a change from what we did in the past. Say you are from Germany. On Windows XP, you had c:programme. That’s not where program files actually live any more. To keep applications working, we have a directory junction there, and to keep explorer showing you want you understand, we have the localized name.

But this can mess you up when you’re making copes that include this desktop.ini and you want to rename it. Delete the desktop.ini file, and things will probably begin to make more sense to you.

http://blogs.msdn.com/cjacks/archive/2008/01/07/why-can-t-i-rename-a-copy-of-my-documents-folder-on-windows-vista.aspx

Here was an interesting little conversation that took place on one of our internal discussion lists today:

One person was trying to back up his documents directory. So, he’d use Robocopy to copy the files over. For example, he would use the following command line:

robocopy c:\users\\documents e:\documentsbackup-january

Then, he’d click over to this directory in Windows Explorer, and he couldn’t see e:\documentsbackup-january, he would see e:\documents.

Huh?

To find out what is going on, you’ll have to view some hidden system files. From Windows Explorer, select Organize -> Folder and Search Options. On the View tab, select the option to show hidden files and uncheck the option to hide protected operating system files. Now, in the documents directory, right click on desktop.ini and select edit. Here is mine:

[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21770
IconResource=%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-112
IconFile=%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll
IconIndex=-235

The LocalizedResourceName is what is making things interesting here. No matter what you call this directory, Explorer is going to display the LocalizedResourceName.

That’s handy when you don’t live in the US. You see, on Windows Vista, we don’t give different names to directories based on locale. c:\program files is always c:\program files. It doesn’t matter what locale you are sitting in. But if you don’t speak English, you’d probably prefer to see this in your own language. That’s what this desktop.ini option will do for you.

This is a change from what we did in the past. Say you are from Germany. On Windows XP, you had c:\programme. That’s not where program files actually live any more. To keep applications working, we have a directory junction there, and to keep explorer showing you want you understand, we have the localized name.

But this can mess you up when you’re making copes that include this desktop.ini and you want to rename it. Delete the desktop.ini file, and things will probably begin to make more sense to you.

http://blogs.msdn.com/cjacks/archive/2008/01/07/why-can-t-i-rename-a-copy-of-my-documents-folder-on-windows-vista.aspx

http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/ces08.asp

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 6, 2008 — At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President of the Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach today unveiled several new entertainment services and partnerships, including new deals with Disney-ABC Television Group, NBC Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), that demonstrate how software is improving people’s ability to connect with their favorite content and communities through new and expanded forms of entertainment experiences.

Gates talks with Channel 10 about the state of consumer electronics, what he thinks is important and where this is all going.

In his 11th CES opening keynote address, Gates looked at the sweeping changes since 2001 that have created the first true Digital Decade, including the continued expansion of the popularity of Windows-based PCs, the growing prevalence of broadband networks, the spread of mobile phones and the advent of portable digital media devices.

“Since I first started talking about the Digital Decade in 2001, the speed with which digital technology has become central to the way we work, learn and play has been amazing,” Gates said. “But in many ways, we are at the very beginning of the transformation that software will enable. During the next Digital Decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive and more fulfilling in profound and exciting ways.”

Gates went on to outline his vision for the next Digital Decade — an era in which dramatic advances in hardware and software will make the power of computing a ubiquitous part of day-to-day life. Gates referenced how natural user interfaces will more closely reflect the way people interact with each other. High-definition experiences will be nearly everywhere. Services-connected devices running on the Web and huge amounts of storage accessible via the Internet will mean that information and capabilities people want will be available instantly and seamlessly, no matter where they are.

Partnership With NBC Universal for the First “Long-Tail” Olympics

A joint Microsoft-NBC Universal announcement provides just one indication of the power of software to change the way people experience online entertainment. NBC Universal and Microsoft will raise the bar for live and on-demand Internet broadcasting through an exclusive agreement where Microsoft and NBC will deliver NBCOlympics.com on MSN, the official U.S. online home of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the first “long-tail” Olympics, online viewers will have access to more than 3,000 hours of live and on-demand content so they can watch their favorite athlete or sport, regardless of whether the sport has seven fans or 7 million. NBCOlympics.com on MSN will be available free and powered by Microsoft Silverlight technology, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering high-quality video experiences on the Web.

“With Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology and MSN’s enormous reach, we will be positioned on NBCOlympics.com to enable Olympic fans to tailor their Olympic online viewing experience — they can watch Olympic sports content when and where they want,” said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics. “An on-demand Olympics means online viewers will be able to return to their favorite Olympic moments over and over or watch a performance they may have missed for the first time.”

Hit ABC and Disney Channel Programs Join Xbox Live Video Lineup; MGM Brings Legendary Library of Films to Xbox LIVE

Bach announced that hit TV programs from ABC Television and Disney Channel will join the Xbox Live programming available for download directly to the Xbox 360 console. In addition, MGM will bring its library of hit movies.

Under the agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group, later this month, all U.S. Xbox LIVE members will begin to have access to select TV shows and movies from the ABC Television Network, ABC Family, ABC News, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as part of an agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group. More than 500 hours of content, in both standard definition and high definition when available, will be offered including hit ABC Television shows “Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives.” Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after they air on television.

Under the agreement with MGM, Xbox 360 will offer MGM’s legendary movie library on demand for Xbox 360 including such titles as “Rocky,” “Terminator,” “Legally Blonde,” “Silence of the Lambs” and “Barbershop.” United Artists, an MGM sister company, will also make select films available on demand.

With more than 10 million Xbox LIVE members and more than 3,500 hours of premium content, Xbox 360 has established itself as a premier platform for on-demand TV shows and movies, including impressive high definition experiences, for TV.

“Xbox LIVE Marketplace is the destination for high-definition movies, TV shows and music videos,” Bach said. “And, with the new Disney-ABC and MGM partnerships, we are bringing even more compelling high-definition content to people through their Xbox 360.”

Xbox 360 on Track to Register Biggest Year in Video Game History

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivers his keynote address to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 6, 2008.

Click for high-res version

According to Bach, the continuing success of Xbox is another indication of the power of digital technology to transform the way people access and experience entertainment of all kinds. Sales of 17.7 million consoles this holiday season surpassed original expectations and put Xbox 360 on track to register the biggest year in video game history as U.S. consumers spent more on the Xbox 360 platform in 2007 than on any other gaming platform.

“With its continued momentum in games, accessories and digital entertainment via our leading online service Xbox LIVE, and record-setting games and accessory attach rates, evidence is everywhere that Xbox 360 is thriving,” Bach said.

Zune to Launch in Canada; Zune Social Grows Rapidly

Adding to the entertainment momentum, Bach announced that Zune will be available in Canada in spring 2008, the first time the family of digital music players will be available outside the U.S. Microsoft also announced that since the November launch of Zune Social, more than 1.5 million people have joined the music-focused social network, demonstrating how Zune is tapping into consumers’ desire to share their musical passions with their broader community.

Windows Vista Hits 100 Million Licenses; Shows Latest “Fashion” PCs

During the keynote, Gates talked about the ongoing transformation of the personal computer and he shared sales figures for Windows Vista that indicate that the PC and the Windows platform remains a central catalyst for the advances of the Digital Decade. According to Gates, the company has sold more than 100 million Windows Vista licenses to date.

“For more than 25 years, Windows has unlocked the power of personal computing,” Gates said. “Now we are expanding Windows to go where you want to go and do what you want to do on PCs, the Web and mobile devices. The result is connected experiences that extend across people’s lives, interests and communities, at home and at work.”

In additi
on to technology advances that continue to make PCs more powerful, more portable and more affordable, there is a growing emphasis on style. Independent research firm Forrester Research Inc. has predicted that the period between now and 2012 will be the “Age of Style” for the consumer PC industry, with “strategists and marketers weaving design concerns into their thinking about every facet of their company’s strategies as style and design becomes a critical brand attribute.” (“The Age Of Style In Consumer PCs,” Forrester Research, June 25, 2007). Examples from several hardware manufacturers were shown in a video during the CES keynote, including these:

•

ASUS-Lamborghini VX3. Available in the first quarter of 2008, this PC is ultrathin and lightweight, and comes with a 12.1-inch-wide LED backlit panel and premium leather-bound palm rest with exquisite stitch detailing reminiscent of that in a Lamborghini automobile.

•

Lenovo IdeaPad U110. Available in January 2008, this super-slim notebook weighs just over two pounds and is embellished with a tendril texture etched into a red metal cover and includes a Dolby Home Theater system and optional Solid State Drives.

Robbie Bach, Microsoft President, Entertainment and Devices Division, speaks during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 6, 2008.

Click for high-res version

New IPTV Experiences; Microsoft Mediaroom Now on 1 Million Set-Top Boxes

Other announcements highlight the ongoing impact that digital technology and software plus services are having on the way people experience television. Showtime Networks Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s TNT and CNN networks all introduced new TV applications capable of delivering the most advanced digital TV services on the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform, which is enabling over 20 of the world’s leading broadband service providers to deliver advanced digital TV services.

Examples of innovative new television experiences include the ability to view NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from the driver’s vantage point by choosing from a series of in-car cameras on broadcasts by TNT; to watch boxing matches by selecting different camera angles and audio feeds on Showtime; and to access the richness of CNN.com’s 2008 presidential election coverage while watching CNN’s television broadcast.

Microsoft also announced that Mediaroom is now running on 1 million set-top boxes worldwide and unveiled a new offering called DVR Anywhere, giving customers the flexibility of watching their recorded programs on multiple TVs in the home.

In addition, Microsoft announced that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will support Extender for Windows Media Center, enabling televisions to stream HD content from any Windows Vista-based PCs with Windows Media Center over a wired or dual-band Wireless-N home network. This partnership builds on strong momentum and a growing set of online services, including the recent beta release of Windows Media Center Internet TV, which offers more than 100 hours of ad-supported entertainment from MSN Video, including full-length shows, music concerts and movie trailers.

New Interfaces Drive Future of Computing: Speech, Vision, Touch and More

Examples of the growing prevalence of more natural user interfaces were also on display during the keynote. Bach previewed a new version of Tellme, Microsoft’s integrated voice-and-visual mobile service that enables people to use voice commands to say what they want and see the answer on their phone’s screen. The new service uses Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities to identify the caller’s location, yielding results that are significantly more relevant. Tellme is available today on AT&T Wireless and Sprint phones and will be available in future versions of Windows Mobile.

For example, a person can “call” the Web on a mobile phone and say “movies” and the software will recognize where the person is located and send to that mobile phone’s screen a list of the theaters closest to that location. Furthermore, Microsoft gave an early glimpse of how future versions may also offer the ability to purchase movie tickets from a mobile phone and share the movie information with friends and family via a text message.

Bach also demoed voice-activated technology for the car, including Sync, a fully integrated in-car communications and infotainment system for mobile phones and digital music players that has been available in select Ford models since September. Ford Motor Co., which expects to sell more than 1 million vehicles with Sync by early 2009, unveiled the new 911 Assist feature that connects drivers with emergency services in the case of an accident or emergency.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 6, 2008 — At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President of the Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach today unveiled several new entertainment services and partnerships, including new deals with Disney-ABC Television Group, NBC Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), that demonstrate how software is improving people’s ability to connect with their favorite content and communities through new and expanded forms of entertainment experiences.

Gates talks with Channel 10 about the state of consumer electronics, what he thinks is important and where this is all going.

In his 11th CES opening keynote address, Gates looked at the sweeping changes since 2001 that have created the first true Digital Decade, including the continued expansion of the popularity of Windows-based PCs, the growing prevalence of broadband networks, the spread of mobile phones and the advent of portable digital media devices.

“Since I first started talking about the Digital Decade in 2001, the speed with which digital technology has become central to the way we work, learn and play has been amazing,” Gates said. “But in many ways, we are at the very beginning of the transformation that software will enable. During the next Digital Decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive and more fulfilling in profound and exciting ways.”

Gates went on to outline his vision for the next Digital Decade — an era in which dramatic advances in hardware and software will make the power of computing a ubiquitous part of day-to-day life. Gates referenced how natural user interfaces will more closely reflect the way people interact with each other. High-definition experiences will be nearly everywhere. Services-connected devices running on the Web and huge amounts of storage accessible via the Internet will mean that information and capabilities people want will be available instantly and seamlessly, no matter where they are.

Partnership With NBC Universal for the First “Long-Tail” Olympics

A joint Microsoft-NBC Universal announcement provides just one indication of the power of software to change the way people experience online entertainment. NBC Universal and Microsoft will raise the bar for live and on-demand Internet broadcasting through an exclusive agreement where Microsoft and NBC will deliver NBCOlympics.com on MSN, the official U.S. online home of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the first “long-tail” Olympics, online viewers will have access to more than 3,000 hours of live and on-demand content so they can watch their favorite athlete or sport, regardless of whether the sport has seven fans or 7 million. NBCOlympics.com on MSN will be available free and powered by Microsoft Silverlight technology, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering high-quality video experiences on the Web.

“With Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology and MSN’s enormous reach, we will be positioned on NBCOlympics.com to enable Olympic fans to tailor their Olympic online viewing experience — they can watch Olympic sports content when and where they want,” said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics. “An on-demand Olympics means online viewers will be able to return to their favorite Olympic moments over and over or watch a performance they may have missed for the first time.”

Hit ABC and Disney Channel Programs Join Xbox Live Video Lineup; MGM Brings Legendary Library of Films to Xbox LIVE

Bach announced that hit TV programs from ABC Television and Disney Channel will join the Xbox Live programming available for download directly to the Xbox 360 console. In addition, MGM will bring its library of hit movies.

Under the agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group, later this month, all U.S. Xbox LIVE members will begin to have access to select TV shows and movies from the ABC Television Network, ABC Family, ABC News, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as part of an agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group. More than 500 hours of content, in both standard definition and high definition when available, will be offered including hit ABC Television shows “Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives.” Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after they air on television.

Under the agreement with MGM, Xbox 360 will offer MGM’s legendary movie library on demand for Xbox 360 including such titles as “Rocky,” “Terminator,” “Legally Blonde,” “Silence of the Lambs” and “Barbershop.” United Artists, an MGM sister company, will also make select films available on demand.

With more than 10 million Xbox LIVE members and more than 3,500 hours of premium content, Xbox 360 has established itself as a premier platform for on-demand TV shows and movies, including impressive high definition experiences, for TV.

“Xbox LIVE Marketplace is the destination for high-definition movies, TV shows and music videos,” Bach said. “And, with the new Disney-ABC and MGM partnerships, we are bringing even more compelling high-definition content to people through their Xbox 360.”

Xbox 360 on Track to Register Biggest Year in Video Game History

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivers his keynote address to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 6, 2008.

Click for high-res version

According to Bach, the continuing success of Xbox is another indication of the power of digital technology to transform the way people access and experience entertainment of all kinds. Sales of 17.7 million consoles this holiday season surpassed original expectations and put Xbox 360 on track to register the biggest year in video game history as U.S. consumers spent more on the Xbox 360 platform in 2007 than on any other gaming platform.

“With its continued momentum in games, accessories and digital entertainment via our leading online service Xbox LIVE, and record-setting games and accessory attach rates, evidence is everywhere that Xbox 360 is thriving,” Bach said.

Zune to Launch in Canada; Zune Social Grows Rapidly

Adding to the entertainment momentum, Bach announced that Zune will be available in Canada in spring 2008, the first time the family of digital music players will be available outside the U.S. Microsoft also announced that since the November launch of Zune Social, more than 1.5 million people have joined the music-focused social network, demonstrating how Zune is tapping into consumers’ desire to share their musical passions with their broader community.

Windows Vista Hits 100 Million Licenses; Shows Latest “Fashion” PCs

During the keynote, Gates talked about the ongoing transformation of the personal computer and he shared sales figures for Windows Vista that indicate that the PC and the Windows platform remains a central catalyst for the advances of the Digital Decade. According to Gates, the company has sold more than 100 million Windows Vista licenses to date.

“For more than 25 years, Windows has unlocked the power of personal computing,” Gates said. “Now we are expanding Windows to go where you want to go and do what you want to do on PCs, the Web and mobile devices. The result is connected experiences that extend across people’s lives, interests and communities, at home and at work.”

In additi
on to technology advances that continue to make PCs more powerful, more portable and more affordable, there is a growing emphasis on style. Independent research firm Forrester Research Inc. has predicted that the period between now and 2012 will be the “Age of Style” for the consumer PC industry, with “strategists and marketers weaving design concerns into their thinking about every facet of their company’s strategies as style and design becomes a critical brand attribute.” (“The Age Of Style In Consumer PCs,” Forrester Research, June 25, 2007). Examples from several hardware manufacturers were shown in a video during the CES keynote, including these:

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ASUS-Lamborghini VX3. Available in the first quarter of 2008, this PC is ultrathin and lightweight, and comes with a 12.1-inch-wide LED backlit panel and premium leather-bound palm rest with exquisite stitch detailing reminiscent of that in a Lamborghini automobile.

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Lenovo IdeaPad U110. Available in January 2008, this super-slim notebook weighs just over two pounds and is embellished with a tendril texture etched into a red metal cover and includes a Dolby Home Theater system and optional Solid State Drives.

Robbie Bach, Microsoft President, Entertainment and Devices Division, speaks during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 6, 2008.

Click for high-res version

New IPTV Experiences; Microsoft Mediaroom Now on 1 Million Set-Top Boxes

Other announcements highlight the ongoing impact that digital technology and software plus services are having on the way people experience television. Showtime Networks Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s TNT and CNN networks all introduced new TV applications capable of delivering the most advanced digital TV services on the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform, which is enabling over 20 of the world’s leading broadband service providers to deliver advanced digital TV services.

Examples of innovative new television experiences include the ability to view NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from the driver’s vantage point by choosing from a series of in-car cameras on broadcasts by TNT; to watch boxing matches by selecting different camera angles and audio feeds on Showtime; and to access the richness of CNN.com’s 2008 presidential election coverage while watching CNN’s television broadcast.

Microsoft also announced that Mediaroom is now running on 1 million set-top boxes worldwide and unveiled a new offering called DVR Anywhere, giving customers the flexibility of watching their recorded programs on multiple TVs in the home.

In addition, Microsoft announced that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will support Extender for Windows Media Center, enabling televisions to stream HD content from any Windows Vista-based PCs with Windows Media Center over a wired or dual-band Wireless-N home network. This partnership builds on strong momentum and a growing set of online services, including the recent beta release of Windows Media Center Internet TV, which offers more than 100 hours of ad-supported entertainment from MSN Video, including full-length shows, music concerts and movie trailers.

New Interfaces Drive Future of Computing: Speech, Vision, Touch and More

Examples of the growing prevalence of more natural user interfaces were also on display during the keynote. Bach previewed a new version of Tellme, Microsoft’s integrated voice-and-visual mobile service that enables people to use voice commands to say what they want and see the answer on their phone’s screen. The new service uses Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities to identify the caller’s location, yielding results that are significantly more relevant. Tellme is available today on AT&T Wireless and Sprint phones and will be available in future versions of Windows Mobile.

For example, a person can “call” the Web on a mobile phone and say “movies” and the software will recognize where the person is located and send to that mobile phone’s screen a list of the theaters closest to that location. Furthermore, Microsoft gave an early glimpse of how future versions may also offer the ability to purchase movie tickets from a mobile phone and share the movie information with friends and family via a text message.

Bach also demoed voice-activated technology for the car, including Sync, a fully integrated in-car communications and infotainment system for mobile phones and digital music players that has been available in select Ford models since September. Ford Motor Co., which expects to sell more than 1 million vehicles with Sync by early 2009, unveiled the new 911 Assist feature that connects drivers with emergency services in the case of an accident or emergency.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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Tune in to the next episode of scripting WinRM—the intriguing new technology that promises to make remote management of your computers much easier. As Part 2 proves, working with the raw XML data returned by WinRM is not nearly as daunting as you might think. The Scripting Guys show you a simple way to parse and format XML data—without having to rely on the XSLT transform. If you somehow, inexplicably, failed to catch Part 1 in the November issue, you’ll probably want to look at that column first.

What you definitely don’t want to miss is Dr. Scripto’s Scripting Perplexer, the new brainteaser now appearing in every Hey Scripting Guy! column.

While you’re at it, take a look at all of the scripting coverage in our TechNet Magazine archives.

Posted: Monday, Janua