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Windows 7 Powers Archos Internet Tablet
The Archos 9 touch-screen internet tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z515 processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. Analysts had expected it to run Google's Android OS, instead it's running Windows 7.
EC to pursue antitrust case despite Microsoft's IE decision
Saying Microsoft's decision to strip Internet Explorer from the European release of Windows 7 was insufficient, the European Commission will continue its anti-trust suit against the software company.
Six Editions of Windows 7: What's With All the Whining?
This article offers a short break-down of what each of the six versions of Windows 7 is designed for. "Starter" is for netbooks, "Ultimate" is for... well, that's hard to say.
What Are the Five Best Things About Vista SP2?
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols of Computerworld lists five nice things in SP2, but really, Microsoft would prefer you not think about Vista anymore.
Money joins Encarta in Microsoft product bin
Microsoft's Money is being scrapped due to declining sales. It won't be sold after June 30 but existing customers can continue using the product according to their user agreements.
Will Microsoft's Free Antivirus App be Worth the Price?
Microsoft is talking about releasing "Morro" as a "free real-time anti-malware" service. Translation - all of your internet traffic will be routed through a Microsoft datacenter where the application will process it, hopefully ridding it of malware, before rerouting it to you.
Train Signal Releases New SQL Server 2008 Administration Training
Train Signal is now offering a Microsoft SQL Server training course. SQL Server 2008 Administration Training is a hands-on training course for all level SQL Server administrators covering installation, configuration, optimization, and disaster recovery.
Microsoft sets record with monster Windows, IE, Office update
After last month's single patch, Microsoft set a new record with yesterday's 31 fixes, 18 of the tagged "critical".
Microsoft targets rogue anti-virus program
A program called Internet Antivirus Pro tricks people into installing it to scan for viruses. Instead it installs password-stealing software. Now the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is being updated to catch it.
Microsoft Bing: Five Areas in Search of Improvement
Bing has been out for a week now (it only seems longer because of those annoying ads) and reviewer Shane O'Neill has found a few things that need some work.
CIO Jury: Let's wait on Windows 7
The corporate "rush" to upgrade to Windows 7 may take a year or more to materialize. Most CIOs are planning to take a cautious approach to the new OS.
Preparing the Enterprise for Shift to Cloud E-Mail
As companies look to cut costs by moving systems into cloud-computing, Burton Group is providing research guidance to those looking to move e-mail to the cloud.
Windows 7 boss predicts 'modest' initial shipments
Microsoft expects Windows 7 to start slow and gain buzz, or not, after people see how it works. If you'd like to be an "early" user, Best Buy will start pre-selling the OS on June 26 in the US.
McAfee downplays service pack fail
The recent service pack for McAfee's corporate Virus scanning product, VSE 8.7, was pulled on June 2 after reports of problems. The update apparently deletes some Windows system files leaving machines unable to boot.
Desktop Orbiter 7, Because Antivirus And Firewall Are Not Enough
Desktop Orbiter 7 provides security, remote monitoring and administration for Windows desktop machines.
Outlook Synchronization for Palm Pre with PocketMirror Standard for webOS
PocketMirror Standard for webOS provides two-way synchronization between desktop versions of Outlook Contacts and Calendar and the corresponding Pre applications without cables. PocketMirror Standard synchronizes over the local Wi-Fi network.
Microsoft Prepares To Push Windows 7 Aggressively
Some analysts describe a "big demand" for a new Windows operating system while others warn that Microsoft needs to get this right the first time or else. Pricing still hasn't been finalized.
Remote Control 4.0
Using Remote Control 4.0, now available in beta, help desk staff can administer and remotely control Windows computers.
New article: How to separate email accounts and still manage them
How can you separate your various email accounts so they go into a separate email inbox for each address? That's the question reader Stephan Helgesen asked us, and we answer in depth in this week's OutlookPower.
Read this OutlookPower article.
Windows 7 vs. Linux: Beyond Thunderdome
The recommendation from Tyson Kopczynski of PCWorld, "Take a deep breath, relax, it's only an operating system."
Another bumper Patch Tuesday on the way
Patch Tuesday is only a few days away and Microsoft is expected to serve up 10 security updates for serious bugs in Windows, IE, Word, and Excel. The patch for Internet Explorer is considered "critical" for all versions, even IE 7 and 8 in Vista.
How to remove the .NET Framework Assistant for Firefox
If you installed the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 from Microsoft and find you've "accidentally" installed a Firefox extension - Microsoft has posted instructions to disable it.
Erase-O-Matic 3 Low-Cost Hard Drive And Computer Tape Eraser
Data Devices International has launched the Erase-O-Matic 3, a degausser designed to completely demagnetize computer hard drives and computer tape.
Microsoft Bing rehosts Wikifiddling as 'Reference' material
Let's say you're looking for information on spiders. if you use Google you'll probably see a Wikipedia page near the top of your search results. If you use Bing, you'll see a Wikipedia page, rehosted on Microsoft servers, labeled as "Reference".
Microsoft Fixes Bing Bug
Internet Explorer 6 users who found that Bing had taken over their search bars, may get some relief from a fix but Microsoft is still trying to convince users to move to newer versions of Internet Explorer.
Russia launches antitrust probe of Microsoft
Russia is claiming Microsoft violated anti-monopoly legislation having to do with delivery of Windows XP. It appears that, while demand for WinXP is high, Microsoft has been shipping Vista instead.
Windows 7 Release: What Happens Between Now and October 22
Now that the date has been officially announced - what about? Upgrades from WinXP or just Vista? Compatibility - will a compatibility center be available?
Vista users to get 'special deal' on Windows 7
If you buy a new computer running Vista now, Microsoft will offer you a "special deal" but they haven't clarified what the deal is.
Microsoft Tries to Force You to Use Bing
If you use Internet Explorer 6 you might have noticed a "glitch" in your search engine choice - the default changed to Bing and you couldn't change it back. That glitch may now be fixed, but...
Microsoft takes hard line on Win 7 hardware
Sounding like hardware compatibility is a thing of the past, Microsoft is touting its own brand of hardware to ensure it works with Windows 7.
Fake Outlook config scam aims to harvest logins
Beware of e-mails saying they can only be read after you reconfigure Microsoft Outlook using their handy web link. The web link is designed to hand over your passwords and e-mail settings to the hackers.
Microsoft Update Quietly Installs Firefox Extension
Earlier this year Microsoft sent out an update to the Microsoft .NET Framework via the Windows Update service. What seemed benign at the time has now been found to include an add-on for Firefox that can't be un-installed.
Bing Goes Live, Some Bloggers Shocked to Find Porn
Bing went live, two days early. The jury is still out, but there do seem to be some interesting features.
Windows Vista SP2: Readers Report Big Increases in Free Disk Space
Service Pack 2 for Vista offers the usual bug fixes and performance tweaks. But a number of people are reporting large increases in free disk space after updating their systems.
Hackers exploiting unpatched Microsoft bug ... again
In an all too familiar scenario - Microsoft announced a bug in their software last week and hackers are already exploiting it. This time it's DirectX.
David's latest CNN AC360 posts
We wanted to bring you up-to-date on some of David's latest postings on the CNN Anderson Cooper 360 site. In the past two weeks, he's published the following fun articles:
Protect yourself: Make sure check scams don't scam you!
Four unconventional picks for Supreme Court nominee
What if someone stole the Library of Congress?
Attack of the zombie computers
The Scrap Value of a Hacked PC
You don't want to bother with computer security because it's expensive and you don't have anything on your PC worth stealing? This article provides a quick run-down on what a hacked PC can be used for and has a nice chart that should be pinned to everyone's wall as a reminder.
What the Bing is Microsoft Thinking?
If names are important to people, Michael Scalisi of PC World, wants to know why Microsoft chose a name like "Bing".
Windows 7 HD and SSD Performance Analyzed
Windows Vista spent a lot of power accessing the disk, leading to slow performance. Microsoft says they've rewritten the code so Windows 7 doesn't drag you down. This article details test results for 64-bit Vista and 64-bit Win7 on several brands and types of hard drives.
Microsoft's Silverlight 3 due in July?
Microsoft's next challenge to Adobe System's flash could arrive as early as July. Along with this update to Silverlight, Microsoft is expected to release version 3 of Expression Studio.
Microsoft to integrate Groove into Office 2010
Groove collaboration software will be renamed and added as a part of Office 2010. Groove will then be the method for users to access files stores on SharePoint servers.
Hands On With Microsoft's New Search Engine: Bing, But No Boom
This article provides screen shots of the new search engine, scheduled to be released June 3, as the reviewer walks through how to use some of the features.
Windows 7 Will Ship with Very Cool Multitouch Software
Touch screens work great for small items, like phones, and larger items, like kiosks. In between is a large class of devices that might or might not work well with touch, but now, with Windows 7, you may have the option of trying it out yourself.
Critical Windows vulnerability under attack, Microsoft warns
A bug in DirectX, used by older versions of Windows, is being exploited to remotely execute code on machines. DirectX allows videos on web sites to play automatically.
New article: How to convert a PST file from an old format to a new format
Reader Jim Bush adds to the overall confusion about over-sized PST files with his questions about converting an Outlook 2002 file to Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007 format.
Read this OutlookPower article.
Search Sucks and Microsoft Is (Almost) Here to Help
Microsoft may own the desktop but Google still owns the internet search. Microsoft's current Live.com only has about 10% of the on-line searches market, something they hope to change with a media blitz for their new search engine.
Service Pack 2 for Vista and Server 2008 finally arrives
Now available from Microsoft's Download center, Service Pack 2 for Vista and Windows Server 2008 comes in 32-bit, 64-bit, IA64, and an ISO, all of which will work on multiple language versions.
5 Things I Want to Know about Bing
Ian Paul of PC World has some basic questions he'd like to ask Steve Ballmer about Kumo, or Bing, starting with "will it work as advertised".
What Exchange 2007 can't do
This is a short article providing links to white papers on risks and migration strategies and vendors in [email] archiving for Exchange 2007.
Microsoft May Rename Live Search 'Bing': Massive Ad Campaign Planned
"Kumo" is to be renamed "Bing" and Microsoft is planning a big name-recognition advertising blitz. It won't be known for a while if the new Bing is actually the old Bob in disguise.
Specs set for netbook Windows 7
A Malaysian site leaked information about specifications for PCs allowed to run Microsoft's Windows 7 Starter for Small Notebook PC software. Limits are being imposed on screen size, memory, hard disk, and processor speed.
Correcting the Rhetoric: Windows Vista Is Secure
Microsoft has taken a lot of heat for the perceived issues with Vista security. While it isn't perfect, the author of this article argues that Vista is good enough for most business situations.
Microsoft arms half-wit developers with PHP handgun
PHP is a scripting language for Web development that can be embedded in HTML. Microsoft has added support for PHP to Windows Azure. Ted Dziuba offers his thoughts on the dangers involved.
Microsoft Sets July Kill Date for Office 2000
Security updates, and other support, for Office 2000 will be discontinued July 14. Microsoft is also killing the Office Update website, effective August 1.
Microsoft set to reveal Windows 7 pricing mid-June
Undoubtedly it will cost more than MS-DOS. It may even cost more than Vista. But Microsoft won't announce prices until next month.
Microsoft IIS vuln played no role in server breach, uni says
First reports from Ball State University said the Internet Information Server vulnerability was the cause. Now that they've had time to catch their breath, they say it was misuse of a user account.
New article: Visnetic MailFlow can automate your organization's mail processing
This week, we'd like to spotlight a neat tool we've been sniffing around for quite some time. It's called Visnetic MailFlow and is published by Deerfield.com. We've know the Deerfield people for years now, use their Visnetic MailServer within our internal mail processing environment, and know they make good-quality stuff.
Read this OutlookPower article.
Microsoft Changes Stance on Virtualized SQL Server Failover Clusters
Last year Microsoft stated it did not support SQL Server in a virtual cluster. Now they've changed their minds and will support virtual clusters for SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008.
Microsoft's Kumo: already a step behind?
Kumo is expected to debut next week. But Yahoo and Google are upgrading their search engines with the same enhancements and may beat Microsoft to the punch.
With Kumo Search Ready, Microsoft Renews Yahoo Talks
Microsoft is releasing Kumo Search. Yahoo has started a "smart ad" system. Now that each company is feeling more comfortable in their prospects, talks on collaborating have restarted.
Many top companies still infected with Conficker
Microsoft released the required patch back in October 2008. So why is Conficker still finding almost 50,000 new PCs to infect every day?
Microsoft's Next-Gen Search Engine Kumo Expected Next Week
Kumo, expected to be Microsoft's replacement for Live Search, may make its debut next week. As yet, no announcement has been made as to its final name or what it will look like.
Microsoft IIS hole fells university server
The vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Information Services software undoubtedly seems like a gaping hole to administrators at Ball State University. Their servers were breached soon after Microsoft confirmed the WebDAV vulnerability.
Sophos Beams Up Free Klingon Antivirus App to Star Trek Fans' PCs
KAV (Klingon Anti-Virus) is a free, Klingon language version of Sophos' Threat Detection Test. This article includes a link to the download.
Web Site Hijack Morphs, Continues to Grow
The Gumblar web attack has changed its stripes. Instead of downloading its malware from the "gumblar" domain, it's now using a "martuz" domain. This article includes links to sites with information on identifying the parasite.
Microsoft warns of IIS zero-day vulnerability
Internet Information Server (IIS) versions 5.0-6.0 are affected by a vulnerability allowing an attacker to gain access to sensitive data using WebDAV. Microsoft has offered workarounds to close the flaw.
How to Enable OpenType Ligatures in Word 2010
For those who love type, Microsoft Word 2010 will offer the ability to use OpenType ligatures. This page shows how to enable the feature.
Microsoft IIS6 bug exposes sensitive files sans password
Microsoft's Internet Information Services version 6 has a bug that could allow a simple attack to succeed in reaching password protected files and folders without using the password.
Windows 7: Small Improvements Make Big Splash
There were a few features of Windows Vista that people hated. Microsoft got the message. The changes have been incorporated into Windows 7 and a few new features have been added.
Microsoft Readies SharePoint Server 2010 Beta
Beginning in July, SharePoint Server 2010 beta will open to an invitation-only group of customers. This will allow Microsoft to focus on specific deployment scenarios.
New Technique's Gonna Find Out Who's Spammy or Nice
A new way of separating valid e-mail from spam may allow mail admins a breather. The new technique involves calculations based on e-mail timestamps.
New article: Incident report: denial of service attack against ConnectedPhotographer.com
You may have noticed that Connected Photographer has been offline for the past few days. It's back, and what happened makes for quite a story.
Read this OutlookPower article.
When Google Goes Down, It Falls Hard
Google was down for 2 hours yesterday, but you may have noticed that as they re-routed traffic to a site unable to handle the flood. Still, the chart is impressive.
Unsafe at any speed: Memcpy() banished in Redmond
Function calls like Memcpy() have been blamed for a number of security vulnerabilities in various software. As part of it's secure development lifecycle, Microsoft is banning memcpy() and a couple of other functions.
Enterprises give thumbs-down to Windows 7
It hasn't been released yet and already enterprises are treating Windows 7 like they have Vista. The reason being given this time is budget cuts.
Microsoft slapped for Windows-only Office patch
Patch Tuesday offered up 14 fixes for PowerPoint, but only if it was the Windows version. The same vulnerabilities exist in Office for the Mac but Microsoft didn't patch them.
Microsoft to demo PHP kit for the cloud
The PHP software development kit for Windows Azure will be offered through a technology preview under a BSD license with a functionally complete version due this fall.
DotNetPanel Launches New Windows Hosting Control Panel Website
DotNetPanel has redesigned its website to showcase its hosting control panel products and services with a user-friendly interface. DotNetPanel is available in free, standard, and enterprise versions.
Microsoft matches VMware with live hypervisor migration
According to Microsoft, Windows Server 2008 R2 will include the ability to migrate between two CPUs of the same make. Previous versions had required CPUs be the same model.
IT pros push back on Microsoft volume license deals
Volume licenses for Microsoft products typically cost millions a year. With companies clamping down on expenses, such payments are harder to justify.
Microsoft slings out Office 2010 technical preview
This "by invitation only" preview is expected to go out in July. The more public, official, beta is expected in the second half of this year.
Windows 7 by the Holidays: Here is Microsoft's Game Plan
"Just in time for the Holidays", in Microsoft speech, seems to be October 7, so maybe they mean Halloween instead of Christmas. This article includes links to help you determine if your present computer will run Windows 7 or if you need to save up to upgrade your hardware too.
Microsoft updates Office to address serious PowerPoint vulnerabilities
This month only one Security Bulletin was included for Patch Tuesday, however, it contains fixes for 14 vulnerabilities in PowerPoint.
Microsoft Urged to Give Vista Ultimate Users Free Windows 7 Upgrades
Part of the extra cost of Vista Ultimate was the promised "Ultimate Extras". Unfortunately, the much-hyped extras failed to appear or to please buyers and the concept has been dropped from Windows 7.
Pirated Windows 7 Builds a Botnet With Trojan
Pirated copies of Windows 7 are being re-built and released to the unsuspecting with an embedded Trojan.
Messageware Announces OWA Beta for Exchange 2010 (E14)
Messageware announced a public beta for their Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access (OWA) productivity and security solutions for Exchange 2010 (E14). This free Public Beta includes extensions for Messageware OWA Print, Messageware ActiveSend, and Messageware.
Microsoft to offer fake Windows 7 updates
Starting tomorrow, Microsoft will test the update program in Windows 7 by issuing mock updates. As many as 10 "test updates" will be issued over the next week.
Has Microsoft gone mental?
Microsoft is "giving" people a whole year, until June 1, 2010, to use Windows 7 for free. But. Since they're in the business of selling software - beginning March 1, 2010 your "free" operating system will start shutting down every two hours until you "upgrade" by buying a full copy of the OS.
Windows Server 2008 R2: 3 Key New Features
The Release Candidate for Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available. The final version of the server OS is expected to be released about the same time as Windows 7. This article discusses three new features of the new server software.
Researchers release Win 7 rootkit exploit code
As yet, it's a proof-of-concept rootkit for Windows 7. Unfortunately, such concepts have a history of going wild soon after they're discussed. Vbootkit 2.0 can be stopped by the BitLocker harddrive encryption offered in Enterprise and Ultimate version of Win7.
Microsoft, Intel goof up Windows 7's "XP Mode"
The Windows 7 "XP Mode" looked good on paper. But, when people started trying it out, they ran into problems. It seems the feature only works on either Intel's VT or AMD's AMD-V chips - but not even all of them.
ZeusTracker and the Nuclear Option
The "nuclear option", telling an infected PC to destroy itself, has been around for some time. Most cyber-criminals don't use it because they want the infected machine working for them. Recently someone triggered the ZeusTracker system to "kill" over 100,000 machines.
New article: How to make Outlook launch an app at a specific time?
Is it possible to use Outlook to start another application at a specific time? Read on, and learn more.
Read this OutlookPower article.
ERP-Link and Nintex Join Forces on iNet SAP/Microsoft Interoperability Platform
ERP-Link Corp. and Nintex are working to integrate the ERP-Link iNet SAP-Microsoft interoperability platform and Nintex Workflow 2007 applications. The aim is to provide seamless access to SAP data in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server applications.
Speed Test: Windows 7 May Not Be Much Faster Than Vista
Microsoft has been claiming that Windows 7 is much faster than Vista is. However. Recent tests showed only a 5 percent improvement.
Microsoft under fire for ODF glitch in Excel
After getting dinged for the lack of spreadsheet interoperability in Office 2007 SP2, Microsoft claims the problem is in ODF, not their code.
Leveraging SharePoint for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Transparency
On May 12, 2009, at 10 am PT, Dux Raymond Sy will host an hour long webcast discussing ARRA and how SharePoint can be leveraged as an ARRA reporting platform. Registration is required.
Windows 7's "XP Mode" Won't Run on Some CPUs
The "XP Mode" of Windows 7 has some fairly stiff hardware requirements, meaning it won't run on just any machine. This article includes a list of processor types, and model numbers, that won't run it.
Windows 7 will boost SSDs, says Microsoft
Solid-state disks (SSDs), at least newer ones, will allow Windows 7 to run faster. Older SSD running Windows 7 will still face sluggishness issues.
Win 7 RC fails to thwart well-known hacker risk
In Windows 7, as in all Windows versions since NT, Windows Explorer hides the extensions of known file types. While it sounds innocent, this "feature" has been exploited by virus writers since it was introduced.
Windows 7 on an entry level netbook: first look
Microsoft claims it works, but in this article David M. Williams demonstrates what that might mean on an Acer Aspire One.
Microsoft: We're not ditching Vista until at least 2011
Microsoft won't be killing Vista until at least January 2011 even though many of those "users" aren't using the operating system. They even plan to offer consumer patches until April 2012.
Microsoft's Windows 7 test implies holiday launch
It was about five months between the Release Candidate of Vista and the official launch. If Windows 7 follows the same time-table, release of the final version would occur at the beginning of October, in time for holiday PC sales.
Who Knew Microsoft Still Had It in for IBM?
With claims that WebSphere runs faster on Windows Server 2008 than on any of the Unix or IBM Power systems, it seems Microsoft is staging a showdown.
Cyber Victims Retaliate by Inventing Own Aggressive Website Security Software
SecureLive was developed after two victims suffered losses from website hacking, despite having Internet security software installed. This website security solution utilizes artificial intelligence to block, tag, track and report hackers to authorities.
Office 2007SP2 ODF Interoperability Very Bad
This post provides a link to a page detailing the testing done on several office packages, including OpenOffice, Google, KOffice, Lotus Symphony and Microsoft Office. The results are not encouraging.
Windows 7: How to Get the Release Candidate
Tomorrow is the day Microsoft releases the Windows 7 Release Candidate. This article includes FAQs on how and when you can get your copy (if Microsoft's website holds up), what versions are available, and how you can upgrade.
New Microsoft tool gets handle on JavaScript
Microsoft's new Visual Studio 2008 AJAX Profiling Extensions, which measures JavaScript performance, is an add-on to tools available in Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition and Visual Studio Team Suite.
Microsoft Offers Secure Windows - But Only to the Government
The US Air Force now has their own "secured" version of Windows XP. The rest of us will have to wait.
Acer Spills Windows 7 Release Date
23 October 2009. That's the magic date according to two Acer executives. Obviously, Microsoft is upset to hear the news.
Eager Windows 7 Testers Crash Microsoft Server
Eager MSDN subscribers once again crashed Microsoft's servers. Yesterday's snafu was at first attributed to a change in security screens leading to the download site.
Win 7 RC bogged down - Twitter's going wild
The Release Candidate for Windows 7 is now available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. If you have trouble connecting, it may not be due to popularity.
Windows 7's 'XP Mode' May Not Work on Many PCs
If you have an "older" computer, or you didn't buy the "right" version of Windows 7, the new XP Mode won't work for you.
Windows 7 free for a year
Many beta packages expire, and stop working, after 60 to 90 days. Microsoft is offering the Release Candidate of Windows 7, starting May 5, with an expiration date of June 1, 2010, a whole year away.
Panda Cloud Antivirus hits Internet for free
For those tired of hosting processor and memory intensive anti-malware programs locally, Panda is moving to centralize this filtering and updating routine into the Internet cloud. Windows users can download and install a small pop-up dashboard.
Report: Conficker in attack mode
Conficker is turning infected machines into spam servers by installing a second virus.
Find IT Jobs at the MSEmploy Canada Career Fair
On May 6 in Mississauga, Ontario at the Microsoft Canada Head Office - MSEmploy Canada is sponsoring a career fair to connect job candidates with expanding IT companies.
IE8 Released As Critical Update For XP
Microsoft prefers to keep your machine updated, whether you're interested or not. In that vein, it seems Internet Explorer 8 has been made a "critical update" for WinXP machines. This short item provides several links to related articles, including instructions to prevent/delay the update.
New article: Troubleshooting poor performance between Outlook and ACT! 2009
Well, we're definitely not ACT experts here at OutlookPower, but we can get you started on some good, general, problem solving techniques.
Read this OutlookPower article.
omNovia Web Conference Announces Compatibility with Microsoft Internet Explorer 8
omNovia Technologies, Inc. announced its web conference platform is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 enabling presenters and attendees to use omNovia Web Conference without the need for any upgrades.
Office 2007 Service Pack 2 Now Available for Download: SP2 Overview
Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Office 2007 is being touted as a performance enhancer, with speed increases of up to 35%. Other changes include improved charting in Excel.
Windows 7's 'XP Mode': A Great Idea, on Paper
Randall C. Kennedy, of Infoworld.com, thinks creating a VM for WinXP isn't one of Microsoft's brighter ideas. He feels their App-V would have been a better solution.
Microsoft: Windows 7 Changes Feature to Fight Malware
After Conficker made itself at home, on several million machines, using the AutoRun feature, Microsoft will be changing the way AutoRun works under Windows 7.
Conficker.E set to self-destruct next week
Conficker.E, which made its way onto computers at the beginning of April, is expected to self-destruct on May 5. Meanwhile, Conficker.C continues to generate revenue by selling fake anti-virus software to victims.
Windows 7 Release Candidate Leaked Online
Yet another version of Windows 7, this time build 7100, has been leaked to file-sharing sites. Build 7100 is thought to be the Release Candidate, which will be available to MSDN customers on April 30.
Windows 7 gets virtual 'XP mode'
In another bow to the continued popularity of WinXP - Windows 7 is expected to include a Windows XP virutal machine.
Microsoft unfurls BizTalk Server 2009
BizTalk Server 2009 is now available for MSDN customers and will be released to the rest of the world on May 1. The new version of BizTalk Server works with Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 SP1, SQL Server 2008, and the .Net Framework 3.5 SP1.
Hands On: Running Windows 7 on a Netbook
Microsoft can't seem to make up its mind about Windows 7 and netbooks, even announcing a Starter version specifically for the small computers. Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols of Computerworld decided to run some tests on his Dell Mini 9 to see how it worked.
Microsoft revenue plunges 6% on slow PC sales
While Chrysler and GM might be envious a drop of only 6%, for Microsoft, which hasn't seen a drop in 23 years, it probably feels like an abyss has opened under them.
Windows 7 and the Linux lesson
Ubuntu 9.04 - the release candidate - was posted April 16. The final code was promised, and posted, on April 23.
Windows 7 - the release candidate - may be available on May 5. Or it may not. However, no real change is expected between the beta, released in October, and the final version, expected sometime late this year. So why can't Microsoft release software faster?
David's appearances
Our own Editor-in-Chief David Gewirtz will be talking about China (friend or foe?) today on WDEL 1150am at 5:35pm EST (it'll be a short interview).
Also, if you haven't caught David's latest articles for CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, here's a list of his three most recent contributions: Thespies who wear sweatpants, Infrastructure or chotchkes?, and Is Chinafriend or foe?.
Learning SQL, Second Edition - Master SQL Fundamentals
This edition of "Learning SQL" has been updated to include MySQL 6.0, Oracle 11g, and Microsoft's SQL Server 2008. The author covers SQL fundamentals such as writing database applications, performing administrative tasks, and generating reports.
Microsoft's idea of Family Protection? Block Google
Microsoft has been pushing Windows Live as "family friendly". How friendly is it? It seems, if you follow their directions to install "Windows Live Family Safety" on your PC, you can no longer use Google's search.
MessageSolution Releases Enterprise Email Archive Professional Edition
MessageSolution, Inc. announced the release of Enterprise Email Archive Professional Edition, an on-site email archiving solution for Microsoft Exchange Server and IBM Lotus Notes Domino Server.
4 All Memory is Stepping in this Earth Day
4AllMemory.com has put together a contest in honor of Earth Day on April 22. By sending in old tech products each entrant will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 shopping spree to 4 All Memory.
Analyst: Good Time to Plan Windows 7, Office 2010 Purchases
Upgrading is costly. This article offers some tips on buying volume licenses from Microsoft to save some money.
Five Windows 7 Features IT Must Prep For Now
Many corporate IT shops will be upgrading from Windows XP. This article mentions five differences between WinXP and Windows 7 that may interest you.
ECIS Provides A History of Microsoft's AntiCompetitive Behavior
Business isn't always pretty. This rather lengthy article includes excerpts from, and a link to the PDF, a report titled: Microsoft - A History of Anticompetitive Behavior and Consumer Harm from the European Committee for Interoperable Systems.
New article: Once more into the breach: where's my missing mail?
It's one of the most common questions we get and, fortunately, we have some great answers.
Read this OutlookPower article.
What's New in Windows Server 2008 R2 Active Directory
This free webcast will be presented by Brian Desmond and Laura E. Hunter on Friday, April 24 at 10 am PT. More than half of the 90-minute webcast will be reserved to answer your questions, registration is required.
MS lifts kimono on Windows 7 security features
At the RSA Conference on Monday, Microsoft described some of the security features of Windows 7. This article includes links to 2 charts listing all the security features.
Microsoft gears up for Windows 8
Keeping to their idea of a new OS every 18 months, Microsoft is posting job openings for people to work on Windows 8 even as they continue layoffs.
Microsoft Leaks Windows 7 RC Delivery Date
Those who are part of Microsoft's Partner program will be able to download the Release Candidate of Windows 7 beginning May 5. MSDN and Technet subscribers may be able to download the OS before May 5.
Microsoft Applications From China Mine the Web
Programs to aid translation and track human relationships are being developed by researchers in Beijing. Entity Cube maps a person's connections to friends and colleagues when a search is made on their name.
Is Windows 7 for Netbooks a Non-Starter?
A "stripped down" version of Windows 7, called Starter, is being positioned to replace Windows XP on netbooks but its limitations may kill its appeal.
7 Simple Steps to Email Compliance for 2009 Webinar Playback Now Available
IT legal expert, Randy Kahn, details best practices and real world strategies for information management, governance, retention and email compliance issues in today's legislative and economic realities in this recording of an earlier webcast.
Clamp down urged on staff flouting security rules
You can require people to use secure passwords and even to change them regularly. It's a lot harder to prevent them from writing those passwords down and sticking them on their monitors. Experts want companies to expend more effort towards training users on security.
Five Steps to Ditching Malware
Short of disconnecting from the internet, there are ways to clean up an infected machine. However. The first step is not to install new anti-malware software.
IBM, Oracle, Sun pile in on anti-trust suit
Microsoft's problems with the European Commission's anti-trust suit got a little stickier when The European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), a trade group representing rival software companies including Oracle, Sun and IBM, entered the argument as an interested party.
Outlook Import Wizard: Save Time and Effort Importing E-Mails into Microsoft Outlook
OutlookImport.com's Outlook Import Wizard allows you to import saved .EML and .MSG e-mail files into MS Outlook.
Microsoft supplies Interpol with DIY forensics tool
With the proliferation of electronic devices even a simple mugging might be solved through digital footprints. Microsoft has offered "Cofee" (Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor) as a thumb drive with applications police can use.
Microsoft Office for Mac fix falls at first hurdle
Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.7 update, to patch some remote code execution vulnerabilities, was released Tuesday. By Wednesday there were multiple posts on MacInTouch from users complaining about installation failures. The "fix" may require complete re-installation of Office.
Microsoft cut 'n' shuts search engine with bribery machine
Last year Microsoft started its Cashback service for people using Live Search, but... Not only was Live Search less than popular, the Cashback service had some problems.
Microsoft Improves, Rebrands Managed Security Offering
Microsoft is rolling its cloud-based e-mail security service into their Forefront security product group and will rename it Forefront Online Security for Exchange.
Study: Spammers scourge to inbox and environment
McAfee, Inc., the security firm, estimates there were 62 trillion junk messages generated last year alone. This mass of spam has been estimated to use enough electricity to power over 2 million homes.
First look: Exchange 2010 beta shines
While Exchange Server 2007 presented administrators with a steep learning curve, the beta version of Exchange 2010 looks to offer more refinements and fewer major changes.
Windows 7: Tips, Tricks and Tweaks
These tips for Windows 7 are based on the beta version, so things might change, but, if you run the beta this article provides a number of useful tips to make Windows 7 behave.
Clock starts ticking: Office 2010 will definitely ship in... 2010
Office 2010 will come in two versions: 32-bit and 64-bit. And. It has officially been named Office 2010, perhaps because it will actually ship then.
New article: 8 simple tips for email management in Microsoft Outlook
If you use Outlook, you should definitely download this book. This is a great guide that will almost definitely save you some hassle and frustration.
Read this OutlookPower article.
New article: How to reduce stress in this crazy, crazy world
Tomorrow is tax day, there's rush hour traffic, your next project deadline, a least favorite co-worker, your teenager's plans for spring break, Al-Qaida's plans and your recent investment portfolio. Notice your stress level shifting into high gear? This interesting article by stress management expert Larry Green can help you manage that stress in one simple lesson.
Read this OutlookPower article.
Learn to Program, Second Edition
Chris Pine has used feedback from readers to update the content of this book and make it clearer. Then he updated the examples to use the latest stable version of Ruby so you will be more familiar with common Ruby techniques.
IT job losses fuel innovation, tech startups
Losing your job can force you into reconsidering a lot of things. Some people have taken their severance packages and started their own companies.
Warning over PCs still at risk from Conficker
Conficker may have turned into a "ho-hum" threat but, by some estimates, 20% of the PCs out there still haven't been patched against it. MS08-067, the patch, has been available since October 2008.
April Shower of Critical Microsoft Fixes
Patch Tuesday offers five patches to fix ten critical flaws, including one in Excel, and eleven lesser vulnerabilities.
Windows 7: 83% Of Businesses Won't Deploy Next Year
It takes time for most large companies to roll out a new operating system. Most larger companies won't even start to deploy Windows 7 for at least a year.
Microsoft: have it your way on IE 8
Microsoft would very much like you to upgrade your version of Internet Explorer to 8. They're sending notices to Automatic Update users about IE8 but will still allow users to block the upgrade.
Microsoft downsizes Seadragon and Photosynth brains
Microsoft's Live Labs is experiencing a brain drain. Some people will be moved to various product groups while others may be let go.
Conficker Doomsday Worm Sells Out For $49.95
It sounds like an April Fool's joke, hold computers around the world hostage, terrorize people into thinking the worst, then try to sell them a fake anti-virus package. In the meantime, all the infected machines are now part of a botnet army to send out yet more spam.
Xenocode Removes Barriers to Silverlight Distribution
Xenocode announced availability of the online Xenocode Silverlight Sandbox allowing developers to distribute Silverlight-based applications without the need for installation of the Silverlight runtime or administrative privileges.
Opinion: Microsoft's 'Apple Tax' Needs a Refund
There's a lot of Apple Bashing going on, much of which has to do with price. But by the end of the day you've spent a lot of hours with the operating system, which has little to do with the price of the hardware.
Microsoft ordered to pay Uniloc $388 million
Not that $388 million is a drop in the bucket but... Microsoft has been ordered to pay Uniloc in a patent infringement case involving a software installation program.
New Conficker variant downloads an 'unknown' payload
Perhaps the "1", in April 1, was actually followed by another number. Conficker is updating itself with help from the Waledac botnet. Researchers don't yet know what it has downloaded.
Enterprises will ignore Office web apps
Having your homework or favorite recipes saved on someone else's server may be acceptable to most people but companies are having trouble convincing themselves that storing their confidential business information on another company's servers is a good idea.
Microsoft Preps 8 Security Bulletins for Patch Tuesday
Next week is Patch Tuesday and Microsoft is expected to include a fix for an Excel bug that's been under attack recently. Microsoft has warned a similar bug exists in PowerPoint.
Germany Fines Microsoft for Anticompetitive Office Pricing
Saying Microsoft was pressuring retailers to sell software at a specified price, Germany has fined the company for 9 million Euros.
Atom chip to support Windows 7
Intel will implant support in its Atom chips for Starter and Basic editions of Windows 7.
Windows XP Will Linger as Users Skip Vista for Windows 7
Companies with volume licenses for Windows operating systems will be allowed to "downgrade" their Windows 7 licenses for XP or Vista. Meanwhile, to keep tests clean Microsoft is requiring beta testers to revert to Vista before installing the Release Candidate of Windows 7.
Spam overwhelms e-mail messages
A recent survey by Microsoft confirms what mail administrators everywhere know, more than 97% of all e-mail is unwanted spam, often laden with malware.
New article: Why your Outlook rules might be client-only, and how to fix them
In this helpful article, David Gewirtz explains when a rule is assigned as client-only, and how you can control where your rules run.
Read this OutlookPower article.
Silverlight strikes out with MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB.com) will be using Adobe's Flash player, not Microsoft's Silverlight, to stream games to subscribers this year.
Windows 7 Upgrade Options Limited for Some
Microsoft is restricting the number of machines at a given street address that will be allowed to upgrade to Windows 7. This means companies with more than 25 machines may need to buy a Software Assurance maintenance contract to get licenses.
Office 14 Web Apps: Microsoft Takes on Google Docs and Netbooks
When it's released next year, Microsoft's Office 14 will be known as Office Web Applications. Office 14 will replace Office Live Workspace as it competes with Google Docs.
Microsoft killing free XP support next week
If you're running Windows XP or Office 2003, starting next week you will have to pay for any service calls to Microsoft.
Conficker leaves security industry looking clueless
Conficker didn't do much damage, to computers, on April 1. However. The computer security experts who tracked it, forecasting doom and gloom, are looking less impressive.
Even dirtier IT jobs: The muck stops here
While they may not be in quite the same category as cleaning out pig pens or shearing alpaca, some IT tech jobs are far from glamorous. This article lists seven dirty IT jobs.
Windows XP Death Date Pushed Beyond Windows 7 Release
Windows XP is still popular. So popular that Microsoft is having trouble killing it off. The news is that Microsoft will continue to sell news licenses for XP after May 30, 2009.
Microsoft seeks the right touch for Surface
Researchers at Microsoft are looking at the gestures people use to communicate in an effort to improve those used for touch-screen interfaces.
Conficker Scareware Scammers Use Symantec as Lure
Conficker's legacy may not be the non-event of April 1, instead it may be the number of people scammed into buying fake antivirus software.
Review: IE8 Features Good, But No Need To Switch
While you might want to consider upgrading, Internet Explorer 8 doesn't offer a compelling reason why you want to go to the effort.
Microsoft warns of active attacks on PowerPoint flaw
Beware: those PowerPoint slides may be loaded with malware. There is currently no patch for the flaw which affects Office 2000 SP3, Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP3, and Office 2004 for Mac.
'Land a Tech Job' with GigFish, a New Online Job Site for the High-tech Sector
Demand for high-tech jobs remains positive. GigFish offers their new, low-cost online job site for the high-tech sector.
Conficker an April Fool's joke? Maybe not
Now that April 1 has come and gone with little activity from Conficker, was it all a joke or was the date misinterpreted?
US states may seek Microsoft anti-trust extension
Microsoft may not be out of the anti-trust doghouse yet. Several states have requested continued oversight after some Windows Vista promotions caused complaints.
Clean Tech Understimulated, Venture Money Down 48%
Venture capital has grown scarce recently. Unfortunately, it seems to be scarcer in some sectors than others.
ASP.NET MVC 1.0
ASP.NET MVC is a free, fully supported, Microsoft product enabling developers to build web applications using a model-view-controller pattern. ASP.NET MVC is being released under the Microsoft Public License (MS-PL).
Microsoft previews .Net cloud enhancements
.Net Services is a component of Microsoft's Azure Services Platform for cloud computing. The Community Technology Preview of .Net Services M5 (Milestone 5) offers support for standards including REST, ATOM, JSON, SOAP, and HTTP.
Microsoft introduces Windows Server OS for small businesses
Windows Server 2008 Foundation, unlike Windows SBS (Small Business Server), doesn't require purchase of client access licenses. Instead, companies will pay for licensing user accounts, with each license limited to 15 user accounts.
Conficker War Room! Your Front Row Seat For Cyber Armageddon
In honor of April Fool's Day, and reminiscent of Y2K, Wired.com is offering minute-to-minute coverage of the Conficker attack.
Conficker Set to Strike: Protect Yourself with These Tips and Tools
Tomorrow is the day Conficker is supposed to wreck havoc on the internet. While security experts aren't certain what will happen, this page offers some tips to help you get ready.
TomTom to pay Microsoft to end patent fight
In a somewhat uneven trade, TomTom will pay Microsoft for use of eight patents while Microsoft will not pay TomTom for use of its four patents.
Microsoft kills MSN Encarta
Encarta, Microsoft's online encyclopedia, will be shut down in October. People are not using the service as they did in the past.
I'm InTouch 7.1 - remotely access 64-bit computers
Communique Laboratory Inc. announced the release of version 7.1 of the I'm InTouch remote access solution. I'm InTouch allows users to remotely access their PCs using any computer or wireless device with an Internet connection. Version 7.1 includes support for 64-bit Windows computers, new setup-free remote printing, and faster initializing of remote control sessions.
Busted! Conficker's tell-tale heart uncovered
Researchers found Conficker's magic thumb-print, enabling them to easily identify infected machines. Starting today, many anti-virus firms will release signature files enabling scanners to detect the malware.
MPAA Negotiates With ISPs to Disconnect or Penalize Copyright Offenders
How do you penalize a copyright pirate? Hollywood thinks the best way is to cut their electronic grappling line. Movie and recording studios are negotiating with ISPs to have third-time offenders denied internet access.
The 10 Worst Microsoft Product Names of All Time
Microsoft has a real knack for picking confusing names for their products. Harry McCracken lists ten Microsoft products with their "official" names and what they should have been called.
GhostNet Highlights Evolving Threat Environment
The GhostNet ring targeted some 1300 computers around the world. Unlike many cyber attacks, this one was extremely sophisticated, targeting not only computers but the video cameras and microphones attached to them.
New article: What to do when attachments won't get through
In this article, we help a reader find out how to make sure attachments get delivered. Reader Kelly Hinnenkamp asks us about sending attachments to a particular user. Apparently, most attachments are delivered just fine, but one user just doesn't get his attachments.
Read this OutlookPower article.
I'm a PC, and this time Microsoft's buying
Microsoft's new message may be "I'm a PC and I'm cheaper to buy." After recruiting "market researchers" from Craigslist, Microsoft provided the camera crew and cash as volunteers tried to buy a computer.
Microsoft's New Message: Windows Is For Losers?
How do Microsoft's new ads play? At least one writer thinks they aren't much better than the Gates/Seinfeld ads.
When to move off XP, onto Windows 7
While some companies have hung onto Windows XP, foregoing the upgrade to Vista, waiting for Windows 7 may mean not upgrading until 2011. In the meantime, applications and hardware are looking for something more from the operating system.
25 Things You Didn't Know About Microsoft
Or maybe you do know about Bob, and Melinda, and SANDS, and... This is a slideshow of 25 "lesser known" items about Microsoft.
Microsoft updates WGA in Windows XP Pro
Microsoft is updating the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program for XP so it can continue to check for illegal copies of the operating system.
Microsoft slates May date for Windows 7 RC download
Mark your calendars. Circle the month of May. Sometime during that month Microsoft will release the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
Vote: Will Conficker Botnet Trigger 'Unthinkable Disaster'?
The experts don't know. So. Here's your chance to vote. Will Conficker kill the internet or will it be merely ho-hum?
Panda Releases Free Security Tool for Autorun
Panda USB Vaccine is available as a free download from the anti-virus software company Panda. The download disables the Windows Autorun feature preventing malware, such as Conficker, from installing itself.
PC security forces face April 1 showdown with Conficker worm
Security researchers are still not certain what Conficker is going to do, they just know it's supposed to happen on April 1 and it will involve more than 10 million computers.
Leaving PCs on overnight costs companies $2.8B a year
Workers leave PCs turned on overnight for a number of reasons, but the bottom line means: leaving them on is costing companies money.
LANrev Releases LANrev 5.1 for Mac OS X and Windows
LANrev LP has released LANrev 5.1 for Mac OS X and Windows to automate patch and software distribution, asset inventory, power management, license monitoring and security configuration.
Microsoft tie-up bolsters SuSE Linux 11
You want to run Linux but need to interact with Microsoft Windows? SuSE Linux Enterprise 11 from Novell might be the answer.
Windows 7 interfaces you nearly had
Every software project has items that don't make it to final release. One item that didn't make it into Windows 7 was called the Bat Signal.
Adoption of Internet Explorer 8 Slows To 2.02 Percent
What would happen if Microsoft released software and no one bought it? So far, IE 8 is following in Vista's footsteps with a low adoption rate.
Microsoft sued over Windows Update
BackWeb Technologies, Ltd, of Israel, is the latest company to sue Microsoft. It seems Microsoft's Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) infringes on four patents filed by BackWeb Technologies.
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