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Windows Home Server ?Vail? to get more entertainment hooks
2008-02-26 23:16:00
While Microsoft has shared some details (and code) for its upcoming minor update to Windows Home Server , it has said next to nothing about the next major version. (Like the rest of the Windows client and server teams, the Home Server team is alternating between ?major? and ?minor? releases with its rollouts.) I?ve tracked down (thanks to sources) a couple of new bits, however. The next major version of Windows Home Server is codenamed ?Vail,? I hear. And Vail is going to include more entertainment ?capabilities.? What that means, precisely, I don?t know. Does it mean Windows Home Server will somehow become one with Windows Media Center? Again, not sure. Last year, in response to a question about Microsoft?s plans to integrate (or continue to keep separate) Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center, Todd Headrick, WHS Product Planner said: ?Time will tell ? and please don?t infer that ?time will tell? means yes. There are a tremendous number of complex issues that need to be res...
More About: Entertainment

First Look at Silverlight 2
2008-02-25 02:32:00
Last September we shipped Silverlight 1.0 for Mac and Windows, and announced our plans to deliver Silverlight on Linux.  Silverlight 1.0 focused on enabling rich media scenarios in a browser, and supports a JavaScript/AJAX programming model. We are shortly going to release the first public beta of Silverlight 2, which will be a major update of Silverlight that focuses on enabling Rich Internet Application (RIA) development.  This is the first of several blog posts I'll be doing over the weeks and months ahead that talk in more depth about it. Cross Platform / Cross Browser .NET Development Silverlight 2 includes a cross-platform, cross-browser version of the .NET Framework, and enables a rich .NET development platform that runs in the browser.  Developers can write Silverlight applications using any .NET language (including VB, C#, JavaScript, IronPython and IronRuby).  We will ship Visual Studio 2008 and Expression Studio tool support that enables great developer / designer workfl...

Microsoft announces Games for Zune via XNA Studio
2008-02-23 21:17:00
Looks like games are coming for the Zune after all! Microsoft just announced XNA Studio developers will be able to use the Zune as a multiplayer wireless mobile gaming platform. Details are sparse at this point, but it looks like it's going to be second gen Zunes only, since it was specifically mentioned that it'd take advantage of the touchpad controls. We'll let you know more as we get it.Update: Microsoft hasn't made any final decisions as to whether the specific hardware will be necessary, and has hinted that it would be up to the game developers to decide whether to make use of the Zunepad in second-gen models, or make controls work with first-gen Zunes as well.     Via: ZuneStyle.com Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Games

Microsoft Gives Students Access to Technical Software at No Charge to Inspi
2008-02-22 18:28:00
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates today will unveil a software giveaway that will ultimately provide millions of college and high school students around the world with access to the latest Microsoft developer and designer tools at no charge to unlock their creative potential and set them on the path to academic and career success. View a Webcast of Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates talking to students at Stanford University about DreamSpark, Feb. 19, 2008. The Microsoft DreamSpark student program (http://channel8.msdn.com) makes available, at no charge, a broad range of development and design software for download. The program is now available to more than 35 million college students in Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. Broad global coverage, as well as an expansion of the program to high school students around the world, potentially reaching up to 1 billion students worldwide, will continue throughout the next year. Gates wi...
More About: Software , Microsoft , Technical , Students , Charge

Live SkyDrive released, Storage increased to 5GB!
2008-02-21 21:24:00
You've made two things clear since our first release: You want more space; and you want SkyDrive where you are. Today we're giving you both. You now have five times the space you had before ? that?s 5GB of free online storage for your favorite documents, pictures, and other files. SkyDrive is also available now in 38 countries/regions. In addition to Great Britain, India, and the U.S., we?re live in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey. This release also includes bug fixes and improvements to make the site even faster and more reliable. We?re proud of this release ? so proud, in fact, that we?re officially removing the Beta tag! Check out the new version and let us kno...
More About: Storage , Live , Released

Microsoft To Announce WorldWide Telescope On February 27
2008-02-21 01:32:00
A source close to Microsoft says the company will launch new desktop software called WorldWide Telescope on February 27 at the TED Conference in Monterey, California. Our guess is that this is what Robert Scoble was talking about last week when he said he saw a new Microsoft project that brought him to tears. The service will be accessed through a downloadable application - Windows only for now is what we hear. Users will be able to pan around the nighttime sky and zoom as far in to any one area as the data will allow. Microsoft is said to be tapping the Hubble telescope as well as ten or so earth bound telescopes around the world for data. When you find an area you like, you can switch to a number of different views, such as infrared and non-visible light. Dan Farber posted his own educated guess that the project might be WorldWide Telescope, based on the fact that Curtis Wong and Jonathan Fay were involved, and he?s right. Last year Fay gave a presentation called ??The WorldWide...
More About: Technology , Worldwide

Blu-ray Xbox 360 Planned By Microsoft
2008-02-19 15:37:00
Rumours were circulating today that Microsoft is set to dump HD DVD and bring out a Blu ray Xbox 360 by as early as May 2008. The move will allow the Company to go head to head with the Sony PS3 gaming console which has been credited with being one of the main reasons that retailers have preferred Blu-ray over Toshiba?s HD DVD. Insiders at Microsoft in the USA have told SmartHouse that Microsoft has already configured a standalone Blu-ray player that can be connected into an Xbox 360 and that subject to internal marketing and sales approvals the model could be on sale within 3 months. The Company has also been working on a built in Blu-ray player however insiders are claiming that Microsoft see the HD format battle moving online with consumers offered 1080p movie and content files as a download as opposed to having to buy a HD DVD or Blu-ray disc. Both Intel and Microsoft have been supporters of the HD DVD format that is set to be killed off this week. Continue At Source Taimur Asad...

Microsoft Updates Popfly
2008-02-18 12:53:00
An updated version of Popfly has been released with feature addition as:  Data sources, a.k.a. yellow blocks.  For everyone who has ever wanted to bring their own data into the mashup creator, we present the data source editor: comma separated values are converted into yellow data source blocks for use in the mashup designer. Improved search interface.  Search for projects and users through the search bar located at the top of most pages. We’ve improved searching in Popfly Explorer as well. Build a better block.  For the block creators out there, you now have the ability to upload images or any other supporting files to your block. Comments on profile pages.  Reach out to other community members through profile page messages. Better ways to invite friends.  We’ve improved the intelligence of the contact list import feature – find your friends who already have Popfly accounts, and invite others to play around with Popfly. New blocks. MovingSlideshow (smooth panni...
More About: Microsoft , Updates , Microsoft Updates

Photo Album: Scorpio - Launch Event
2008-02-17 00:54:00
Scorpio - Launch Event ScorpioScorpio - Product BoxScorpio - Product Box (2)Scorpio - Box (Inside)Scorpio - Box (Inside) (1)Scorpio - Product DiskScorpio - Product Box & Documentation FileScorpio - Product Box & Documentation File (1)Scorpio - Product Box (Backside)Scorpio - ContractMore Photo s...
More About: Photo Album , Scorpio

Using Windows Server 2008 as a SUPER workstation OS
2008-02-13 20:03:00
Windows Server 2008 is the best OS to be released till date from Microsoft's stable. And the moment I got hold of the RTM build I could not resist installing it on my workstation. Due to the nature of my work I always prefer running a Server OS on my main workstation... I have been running Windows 2003 disguised as XP (with all the themes and stuff) all these days. So here is my tale of how I went about setting up Windows Server 2008 to look and fell like its desktop counterpart Windows Vista. 1. Enable Hardware Virtualization My workstation is a x64 machine with hardware virtualization capabilities. This means I can run Hyper-V on my machine. Even if your machine's hardware supports virtualization it is most likely not going to be enabled by default. You have to enable it via your BIOS setup. 2. Install the latest Graphics and Audio drivers Being a server OS Windows 2008 carries with it basic graphics and audio drivers. To utilize the full strength of your hardware ensure yo...
More About: Windows , Super , Workstation

How to run Windows Server 2008 for 240 days without activation legally!
2008-02-12 20:00:00
Microsoft published an article that describes in detail how to automatically extend the evaluation period for Windows Server 2008 to 240 days. How to install Windows Server 2008 without activating it 1. Run the Windows Server 2008 Setup program. 2. When you are prompted to enter a product key for activation, do not enter a key. Click No when Setup asks you to confirm your selection. 3. You may be prompted to select the edition of Windows Server 2008 that you want to evaluate. Select the edition that you want to install. Note After Windows Server 2008 is installed, the edition cannot be changed without reinstalling it. 4. When you are prompted, read the evaluation terms in the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then accept the terms. 5. When the Windows Server 2008 Setup program is finished, your initial 60-day evaluation period starts. To check the time that is left on your current evaluation period, run the Slmgr.vbs script that is in the System32 folder. Use the -dli switch...
More About: Days , Activation

Beta Announcement: Project Hana (MOF v4)
2008-02-10 22:37:00
Interested in improving your IT Service Management?  Optimize your IT Processes with Hana (MOF v4) Hana guidance provides a structured approach for IT process optimization.  Hana integrates MSF and MOF, plus extends the guidance to include planning and governance. Hana enables you align IT with your business goals, deliver IT as a service, and leverage compliance activities to optimize your people?s effectiveness.   HANA Life Cycle Model   Guides Available in this Release This beta includes the following documents: · Hana Beta Reviewers Guide 3 · Business/IT Alignment SMF · Change and Configuration SMF · Customer Service SMF · Financial Management SMF · Problem Management SMF · MOF Overview · Mapping Spreadsheet (earlier versions of MOF to version 4.0) · Design and Deliver Phase Overview · Operate and Support Phase Overview · Plan and Optimize Phase Overview · Manage and Adapt Integration Layer Overview · Build SMF · Deploy SMF · Envision SMF · Governance, Risk, and Compliance SM...
More About: Announcement , Project

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise - RTM Screenshots
2008-02-07 13:54:00
Yesterday I installed Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and found the OS rock solid. The last build I tried before this was Release Candidate 0. I have taken some screenshots from RTM (Build: 6001.18000.080118-1840) x86 version of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise. Screenshots could be found in Photos section. Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

Photo Album: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
2008-02-07 13:52:00
Windows Server 2008 EnterpriseWindows Server 2008 BoxWindows Server 2008 InstallationWindows Server 2008 BootscreenWindows Server 2008 LoginWindows Server 2008 Login (1)Windows Server 2008 DesktopWindows Server 2008 Desktop (1)Windows Server 2008 Start MenuStart Menu on Windows Server 2008Windows Server 2008 Server ManagerMore Photo s...
More About: Windows , Photo Album

Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 to Man
2008-02-04 20:31:00
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released to manufacturing today and will start being available to customers in March, starting with Microsoft Volume Licensing customers. Windows Server 2008 was also released to manufacturing today and will be available for purchase to new customers on March 1. Microsoft Volume Licensing customers with active Microsoft Software Assurance coverage or an Enterprise Agreement will be able to download the server software toward the end of February as part of the joint Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 ?Heroes Happen Here? launch event. Where: http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windows vista/default.aspx http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/featur es/2008/feb08/02-04WS2008.mspx How: Windows Vista SP1 includes quality improvements that help enhance reliability, security and performance. Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of past server solutions and helps give organizations a sol...
More About: Windows , Windows Vista

iPhone clone powered by Windows Mobile 6 could be coming from China
2008-02-04 12:47:00
It's iPhone clone running Windows Mobile 6, that even has motion and light sensors! And this Windows Mobile logo instead of Apple logo on the back of the phone - is just precious... Information from the hardware vendor follows.   Operating System: Windows 6.0 mobile pocket PC Support 26 languages RF frequency: GSM / EDGE; / GSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900 LCM: TFT 3.2 inch, QVGA 240 x 320 resolution front camera of actual 3 megapixels ,behind camera of actual 2 megapixels ,both CMOS high-definition camera 1Gb+512 Mb RAM (DDR) system memory built-in Bluetooth 1.2, support A2DP standards and the use of Bluetooth stereo headphones built-in GPS satellite navigation system, Wi-Fi wireless Internet access support for Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT, Html, enable you to do online business anywhere agenda, music, photos, business cards and other information easily synchronized with the computer (ActiveSync4.5 synchronization software) built-in Media Player, with PC synchronizat...
More About: China , Iphone

Windows DreamScene now available on Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2
2008-02-01 20:13:00
I just checked for updates on my PC running Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 RC Refresh 2 and got an update to install Windows DreamScene as an Ultimate Extras download. So it seems like finally Microsoft has made Windows DreamScene available to SP1 users.    Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Dreamscene

So much for Windows 7 (Seven) .. !
2008-01-28 17:17:00
This past week saw all sorts of news & rumors on different sites about Windows 7; from leaked screenshots/videos to leaked ISO's on torrents.. Windows 7 had it all! While all this was going on, I randomly found this wallpaper (not official ofcoarse) of Windows 7 while surfing internet and thought of sharing it with you all. If anyone find the original author of this wallpaper then please let me know so that I could give him/her the due credit. In mean time, enjoy this peaceful Windows 7 (Seven) wallpaper: Wallpaper: Windows 7 (Seven)Resolution: 1280x800 (16:9 Widescreen)Size: 170 KB   Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

1 year old today!
2008-01-27 08:42:00
January 27, 2008 marks the completion of first year for this blog.  I started writing this blog on January 27, 2007 just a couple of days before Microsoft shipped Windows Vista to consumers. Have a look at my first post here titled "Lets make a difference!". In this last one year, I have received close to 50,000 unique hits (49,472) to be exact and ofcoarse a bit of recognition on the web too ;) Looking forward to the year ahead i.e. 2008!             Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: General , Today , Year

Microsoft's Redmond HQ Gets Ready For Windows Server Launch
2008-01-27 07:17:00
With the clock ticking toward its Feb. 27 product launch -- and cold, snowy weather blanketing its Redmond , Wash., campus -- Microsoft employees are battening down to get Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 out the door. During a mid-January visit to Microsoft's headquarters, employees walked determinedly from one office building to another, where recently installed Starbucks coffee machines were in constant use. Ping-pong tables sat unused, and the company cafeteria was mostly empty. The campus baseball field and soccer pitch were more tundra than playgrounds. With barely a month to go before its most important product launch since the release of Windows Vista a year ago, Microsoft still has some work to do. Microsoft has booked the time and the place -- the morning of Feb. 27 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles -- for the official launch of Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Visual Studio 2008. But Visual Studio 2008, which shipped in November, is the only one of the...
More About: Launch , Ready

Vista's 'Wow' v.s. XP's 'Soar'
2008-01-26 10:13:00
You be the judge! Windows Vista Wow Ad     Windows XP Soar Ad Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2
2008-01-25 15:06:00
MIcrosoft released Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2, wonder why they don't just call it Release Candidate 3.Microsoft said it will just be released to the 15,000 official beta testers who can download it through Windows Update.     Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Windows Vista

Zune 2.3 Update To Fix Bunches
2008-01-24 16:03:00
Wow. There are a ton of bullet items in this patch! The following was posted by Cesar in the Zune .net forums? Fixed top crashing bugs submitted by users Fixed bug where Zune software thinks the device memory is full (but isn?t) Key Marketplace fixes Allow users to view top music videos in marketplace Misc improved error messaging including splitting sign-in issues into 4 separate errors for customer and support benefit Retrieval of subscription download history no longer stalls if the content is revoked Better handling of accounts that have expired credit cards Podcasts with spaces in their name can now be subscribed to Marketplace no longer blocks explicit content purchases when parental controls are set to allow Points balance label is now updated when user purchases new points Key Player UI fixes Allow zooming in/out (2x, 4x, fullscreen) during video playback to prevent stretched playback Ability to switch Zune to GDI mode through command-line parameter Key Podcast ...
More About: Update , Bunches

Build Your Valentines card using Silverlight and Windows Live Services
2008-01-22 19:12:00
Check this cool Valentine's Day card brought to you by Microsoft Silverlight and Windows Live teams , Share the love.Just go to http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/shar ethelove/default.html and start building your own Valentines Card . You can add any photos from your flickr account or Windows Live Spaces, then you can type your message to be sent and select a nice tune to make it musical and send this valentine card! Source: meraTechPort Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Services

Real meaning of "Security" ? - flashback to Office XP
2008-01-20 12:13:00
The uneXPected eXPerience on Office XP...   Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Security , Meaning , Flashback , Real

90's flashback: Funny Microsoft Windows 95 video with Matthew Perry, Jennif
2008-01-18 04:00:00
  Matthew Perry Jennifer Aniston Windows 95 guide Part 2 Matthew Perry Jennifer Aniston Windows 95 guide Part 3 Matthew Perry Jennifer Aniston Windows 95 guide Part 4 Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Video , Funny , Microsoft Windows

Microsoft to release Windows Vista Plus Pack
2008-01-16 23:52:00
Microsoft seems to be preparing to release an unusual "Vista Plus Pack" on February 15th. Based on the provided box art, the Plus Pack appears to be a collection of four casual games that are "Enhanced for Windows Vista". The listing for the software was found on Future Shop's online catalog by MadDoggyca in our forums. Details below:Release s 15 Feb/08. User-friendly software combines the features of Vista Home Basic with even more impressive and user-friendly capabilities. Features Windows Aero, an efficient and visually stunning interface that makes it easier to accomplish multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all of your open applications and documents.FEATURES: By integrating search throughout the operating system, helps you quickly find and organize large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos, and music. Includes Windows Tablet and Touch Technology that enables you to interact with your Tablet P...
More About: Microsoft , Windows Vista

Sign up for Windows Sever 2008 Launch events worldwide
2008-01-16 00:44:00
Be a part of history! Sign up for the biggest software launch of 2008: For other cities and countries, see source     Source: www.microsoft.com Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Windows , Events , Launch , Worldwide

Microsoft Student Experience beta site launched
2008-01-15 23:55:00
Microsoft has launched Microsoft Student Experience beta, a site for the Students. It has various links to sections like Academics, Careers, Socialize. It provides links to various discounted software and offers. Hope such offers are offered to Students Worldwide.And lots of cool 'How -to' and I hope lot more will be kept added to the list. And also a download section with lots of good ones. Check out! Source: meraTechPort Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Microsoft , Beta , Site

Windows Mobile 7 to have Zune, Touch Interface, Motion Gestures and more!
2008-01-15 02:44:00
Windows Mobile 7 will have Zune built in, and use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not?  The guys over at InsideMicrosoft seem to have gotten their hands on some confidential internal-use-only documents that detail tons of information about the up-coming Windows Mobile 7 complete with images!!  Check out what we might expect:   Windows Mobile 7 will ... emphasize the use of touch on the device, as well as motion gestures created by using the device. It is, absolutely, Microsoft?s effort to beat back the iPhone, and the iPhone is referenced several times in the document. Windows Mobile 7 will use touch gestures, similar to how the iPhone does. You will be able to flick through lists, pan, swipe sideway, draw on the screen. A lot of emphasis has been put on making navigation easier and doing away with scrollbars, including a new scroll handle that allows for multiple ways of finding items extremely fast.                   Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, some...
More About: Windows , Motion