Microsoft has put in place the preparations for Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 ready for Mix 08.
A full features page has been revealed which lists the following additions to Internet Explorer:

• Activities
• WebSlices
• Favorites Bar
• Automatic Crash Recovery
• Improved Phishing Filter

Activities allow users to lookup/send information in a right-click contextual menu, such as retrieving an address map from Windows Live Maps, submitting a story to Digg, sharing a page on Facebook etc. WebSlices allows users to crop a specific area section of a site and bookmark it. Improvements have been made to the phishing filter which continues to block known Phishing sites and now blocks sites known to contain malicious software that could harm users’ computer or steal their information.
Perhaps one of the best new features is Automatic Crash Recovery which recovers your tabs if your browser crashes. It is widely expected that Microsoft will release the first beta of Internet Explorer 8 at this years Mix 08 which begins today.

View: Internet Explorer 8 New Features
View: Internet Explorer 8 Download Page

This document provides more detail about the notable changes made to Windows Vista in Service Pack 1, which were focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards.

Link – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d69c4e1b-c81a-41be-b1f5-66e615ba5912&DisplayLang=en

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) tools company Zend Technologies is announcing this week that its Zend Core product will run on the Windows Server 2008 platform, providing parity between Windows Server and Linux in running PHP.

version 2.5 is certified for Windows Server 2008. “The certification means that customers who choose to use it on Windows Server 2008 know that it will work as it should,” said Andi Gutmans, CTO and co-founder at Zend.

Microsoft and Zend have been collaborating to enable PHP applications to run on Windows. Microsoft has a feature called FastCGI intended to enable PHP to run reliably on Microsoft’s platform, said Gutmans. Users also need Microsoft Internet Information Server to run PHP on Windows, he said.

“Now that Zend and Microsoft delivered the technology, we’re going to be working with customers on adoption. We’re also going to be targeting some of the hosting companies,” to entice them to use the product, said Gutmans.

All Zend products are to support Windows Server by the end of the year, he said.

CHICAGO – Microsoft is developing a number of tools and technologies designed to make it easier to manage users in Active Directory and for companies to confirm identities with partners.

Prototype of the tools were shown Monday at NetPro’s annual Directory Experts Conference (DEC) conference and focus on a simple interface that streamlines the discovery of user and schema information. The federation tools provide a simple UI that fronts canned and customized PowerShell-based scripts that build federations via Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and lets companies securely share data.

Full Article – http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/030308-microsoft-simplify-directory-management.html?fsrc=netflash-rss

This article is based on a prerelease version of Windows Server 2008. All information herein is subject to change.

A common misperception about Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is that in order to use it, you must deploy native IPv6 addressing and routing, which requires a detailed analysis of IPv6 addressing schemes, router updates and configuration, and a rollout schedule. Although this should eventually be done for native

IPv6 connectivity, you can easily deploy tunneled IPv6 connectivity using the Intra-Site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP). With tunneled IPv6 connectivity, hosts that support ISATAP can communicate using IPv6 traffic that is encapsulated with an IPv4 header (the IPv4 Protocol field is set to 41). ISATAP traffic can traverse an IPv4-only intranet, so you can begin testing IPv6-capable applications immediately, without having to wait for a native IPv6 infrastructure.

ISATAP is an address assignment and automatic tunneling technology defined in RFC 4214 that provides unicast IPv6 connectivity between IPv6/IPv4 hosts across an IPv4- only intranet. ISATAP hosts use a logical tunneling interface that is assigned ISATAP addresses, which have the form UnicastPrefix:0:5EFE:w.x.y.z (when w.x.y.z is a private IPv4 address assigned to the ISATAP host) or UnicastPrefix:200:5EFE:w.x.y.z (when w.x. y.z is a public IPv4 address assigned to the ISATAP host). UnicastPrefix is any 64-bit unicast address prefix, including link-local, global, and unique local prefixes. Examples of ISATAP addresses are 2001:DB8::98CA:200:131.107.28.9 and 2001:DB8::98CA:0:10.91.211.17.

Full Article – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc194397.aspx

Microsoft Corp.’s Visio, best known as software for making static flow charts, is evolving into a tool for creating ‘live’ data-fed diagrams akin to Web 2.0 mashups.

Microsoft also plans to inject business process management (BPM) features into Visio so that charts will not only be able to view processes in real-time, but possibly also able to execute changes in their workflow.

“Right now if you want to execute a process, you have to hand this off to BizTalk or Visual Studio to do all of this coding,” said William Golding, Microsoft’s director of product management for Visio, in a Tuesday interview.

Full Article – http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=web_services&articleId=9061138&taxonomyId=61&intsrc=kc_top

The Exchange Load Generator (LoadGen) document describes installing Exchange Load Generator on a client computer and then steps through configuring, creating, running, customizing, repeating, and stopping the test. Information is provided about the user interface, the XML configuration file, and the command-line program, each of which performs specific functions of the tool. Additionally, there are topics for using System Monitor and LoadGen data, things to consider when looking at test results, and consolidating System Monitor data and analyzing LoadGen. Non-task descriptions include operational recommendations, features of the tool, and a reference of performance counters.

Exchange Load Generator is used as a simulation tool to measure the effect of MAPI clients on Exchange servers. LoadGen enables you to test how a server that is running Exchange responds to e-mail loads. To simulate the delivery of these messaging requests, you run Exchange Load Generator tests on client computers. These tests send multiple messaging requests to the Exchange server, which causes a mail load. LoadGen is useful for administrators who are sizing servers and validating a deployment plan. Specifically, LoadGen helps determine whether each of your servers can handle the load that they are intended to carry. Another use for LoadGen is to help validate the overall solution.

The Exchange Load Generator and the accompanying documentation replace the Load Simulator tool and information.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7534cb2-4234-41f1-b0b2-ed9f376b4cb2&DisplayLang=en

You might be running Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 Domain Controllers at the moment and you’re looking to replace these servers with Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers to utilize the new features of Windows Server 2008. You might also be looking to replace your aging Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 Domain Controllers with spanking new Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers, while keeping your Active Directory running smoothly.

This post intends to help you with this transition in a structured, balanced and thorough way and describes:

• Choosing between In-place upgrading, transitioning or restructuring
• Reasons to transition to Windows Server 2008
• Steps to transition
  • Prepare your Active Directory environment
  • Installing the first Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller
  • Installing additional Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers
  • Taking care of Flexible Single Master Operations and Global Catalogs
  • Checking proper installation and replication
  • Demoting Windows Server 2003 Domain Controllers
  • Raising the domain functional level
  • Raising the forest functional level
• Concluding

Full Article – http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/sanderberkouwer/archive/2008/03/02/transitioning-your-active-directory-to-windows-server-2008.aspx

Welcome to the Works with Tool for Windows Server 2008

To earn the Works with Windows Server 2008 designation, you will use the Works with Tool.

Works with Tool:

• Completely a Wizard based tool. No learning curve.
• Testing can be run on physical box or through remote access.
• Test Server and Client components for compliance and compatibility in under 2 to 4 hours.
• View comprehensive report and logs at any time during testing.

Server and Client components will be tested with the Works with Tool on x64 versions of:

• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
• Vista Ultimate or Enterprise

Install all application prerequisites, prior to testing:

• Applications
• .NET
• IIS
• Devices and Storage depots
• Server Features and Roles
• etc.

Always use latest Works with Tool from the Innovate On web site, where you can:

• Download the Works with Specifications
• Download the Works with Test Framework
• Learn about Windows Server 2008 and the Logo Program
• Learn about other free tools to use during your development cycle

Full Article – http://blogs.msdn.com/wslogo/archive/2008/02/27/welcome-to-the-works-with-tool-for-windows-server-2008.aspx

One of Microsoft’s mystery men behind the cloud, David Treadwell, has gone public with a number of updates coming to Microsoft’s evolving Windows Live development platform.

(Treadwell, Corporate Vice President of Windows Live Platform Services, is one of the folks in charge of the four Live platform layers outlined by Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie last year.)

Microsoft has shared bits and pieces of its Live development-platform strategy over the past year or two, but nothing much recently.

Treadwell — in a February 27 entry on the Windows Live Dev blog — said to expect Microsoft to unveil these Live platform updates at its Mix ‘08 conference next week a number of updates, including:

Full Article – http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1226

On the heels of rollup 6 for Exchange 2007 RTM we released few days ago, we have just released rollup 1 for Exchange 2007 SP1.

• if you are for any reason still on Exchange 2007 RTM, then rollup 6 for RTM is for you
• if you have already deployed Exchange 2007 SP1, then rollup 1 for SP1 is for you

More information can be found here:

Description of Update Rollup 1 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1

Microsoft has a growing number of beneficiaries to whom it must simultaneously appeal. There are OEM partners who want Windows Server to drive sales, and clients who at the same time plead for no more disruptions.

LOS ANGELES (BetaNews) – The big message from Microsoft’s gala launch on Wednesday had to do with changing the world, and the role information workers may play to that end. Yet Microsoft’s own business customers are looking for operating systems to stop making sweeping changes to the way they work, to stop forcing them to make plans around Microsoft’s itinerary…and the company’s own program mangers are acknowledging this new reality.

“Both our customers and our partners don’t want major changes in the operating system every two years,” said Bob Visse, senior director of the Windows Server Marketing Group, in an interview with BetaNews on Wednesday, the day of Windows Server 2008’s official release. “So we’ve committed to being on a regular cadence of doing a major release every four years, plus or minus a few months, and a minor release every two years.”

Full Article – http://www.betanews.com/article/Windows_Server_2008_To_keep_things_stable_you_need_new_hardware/1204264821

Put your ears to the ground, my friends, for the Beast of Redmond may be stirring. I’ve heard that Microsoft has begun briefing its large enterprise clients on an expansive and detailed strategy for moving its software business into the cloud. If the report proves correct – and I make no guarantees – the company will unveil the strategy to the public either next week or the week after.

It’s been two and a half years since the famous Halloween memos in which Bill Gates and Ray Ozzie warned Microsoft’s top executives and engineers that a “services wave of applications and experiences available instantly over the internet” was approaching and that it would reshape the traditional software business. Since then, Microsoft has been fairly quiet about its plans for riding this new wave. It’s rolled out, in a piecemeal fashion, some modest new web applications for consumers and small businesses, but these moves have largely been on the periphery of its business.

Full Article – http://www.roughtype.com/archives/2008/03/rumor_microsoft.php

The Windows Live Messenger Library allows third parties to securely provide web based instant messaging to their users. The WLML is a JavaScript client library; thirdparty.com has full control over the user experience. The library exposes the core text-based messaging functionality, contact list and presence management. WLML works cross browser and cross platform on Windows and Macs.

Key Takeaways

· End Users can now interact and share experiences with their Messenger contacts in more places (more securely than other libraries).

· ThirdParty.com can increase stickiness by delivering immersive, differentiated experiences and can increase reach by leveraging their user’s social relationships from Windows Live Messenger.

· Developers can use JavaScript (which they already know) or C# (via Script#) to fully define the messaging experience cross-browser without needing to develop their own messaging platform.

· Microsoft can increase the overall value of the Windows Live network and provide a safer alternative to rogue web Messenger libraries.

Full Article – http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde/archive/2008/02/28/windows-live-messenger-library-beta-released.aspx

Largest enterprise launch in company history includes Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008; focuses on security, Web, virtualization and better business intelligence.

225 events around the world and joined by more than 4,000 customers and partners, Microsoft Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer today showcased the next generation of infrastructure and application platform products, including Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

The launch represents a major milestone to help customers on the road to Dynamic IT, Microsoft’s initiative to help customers optimize their people, processes and technology, and in turn position IT as a strategic asset for their business. These new enterprise products help customers more efficiently and securely manage their entire infrastructure and move to a virtualized environment while also delivering business intelligence and next-generation Web experiences to boost business results. The theme of the events, “Heroes Happen Here,” highlights the outstanding work that IT professionals, developers and partners do every day to create solutions and cutting-edge applications that keep global commerce and industry running.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-27HeroesHappenHerePR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases