Interesting Downloads for Week Ending – 06-19-2009…. - chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology.... - Site Home

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V: This document is the top-level functional specification (TLFS) of the second-generation Microsoft hypervisor. It specifies the externally-visible behavior. The document assumes familiarity with the goals of the project and the high-level hypervisor architecture.

Overview

This document is the top-level functional specification (TLFS) of the second-generation Microsoft hypervisor. It specifies the externally visible behavior of the Microsoft hypervisor, a component of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server virtualization. The document assumes familiarity with the goals of the project and the high-level hypervisor architecture.
This specification is provided under the Microsoft Open Specification Promise. For further details on the Microsoft Open Specification Promise, please refer to: http://www.microsoft.com/interop/osp/default.mspx.
The Hypervisor Functional Specifications document specifies the externally visible behavior of the Microsoft hypervisor, a component of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server virtualization. The specifications can be used to understand the functions of the hypervisor and implement a compatible solution.
Specification Outline
The following is the outline of the information contained in the complete Hypervisor Funcational Specification:

Introduction
Basic Data Types, Concepts and Notation
Feature and Interface Discovery
Hypercall Interface
Partition Management
Physical Hardware Management
Resource Management
Guest Physical Address Spaces
Intercepts
Virtual Processor Management
Virtual Processor Execution
Virtual MMU and Caching
Virtual Interrupt Control
Inter-Partition Communication
Timers
Message Formats
Partition Save and Restore
Scheduler
Event Logging
Guest Debugging Support
Statistics
Booting
System Properties
Appendix

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0c34932c-1bac-41a6-9b69-bc03d63ad739

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition VHD

Brief Description

This download comes as a pre-configured VHD and helps you evaluate the new features of Windows Server 2003 R2, the most productive infrastructure platform for powering connected applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the data center.

Overview

The Microsoft VHD Test Drive Program provides customers with an enhanced server-based software evaluation experience that’s faster, better supported and more flexible. You can now access the entire catalog of pre-configured Microsoft and partner products and solutions in the VHD format and start evaluating and testing today from www.microsoft.com/vhd.
This download helps you evaluate the new features of Windows Server 2003 R2, the most productive infrastructure platform for powering connected applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the data center. Windows Server 2003 R2 simplifies branch server management, improves identity and access management, reduces storage management costs, provides a rich Web platform. For more information about Windows Server 2003 R2, please go to www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer.
This is a preconfigured virtual machine contained within the Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format. A virtualization product that supports the VHD format is required to use this virtual machine. Microsoft Virtual PC or Microsoft Virtual Server are provided for free and can be used with these VHD based virtual machines. Please refer to the system requirements section for more details.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=7f444faa-4307-40c1-814d-f6d66888ddfd

Virtualizing Windows Essential Business Server

Brief Description

This document provides guidance for virtualizing Windows® Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008 using the Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V™ technology.

Overview

Server virtualization enables multiple operating systems to run on a single physical server as virtual machines. With server virtualization, you can consolidate the workloads of multiple servers onto a smaller number of fully utilized servers. Fewer servers can reduce hardware, energy, and management costs. By using the Microsoft® Hyper-V™ technology in the Windows Server® 2008 operating system, you can run a virtualized instance of Windows® Essential Business Server on a single server or several servers.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=933b2eb6-f3bb-47c1-a227-13bb2ccc0a94

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Management Pack for Systems Center Operations Manager 2007

Brief Description

The Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Management Pack monitors the availability of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Application Object Servers (AOS) and provides information about the AOS instances in your environment.

Overview

The Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Management Pack for Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 provides the capability for Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 to discover Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Application Object Servers. It allows you to monitor availability and view information about batch jobs and tasks, user activity, and AOS events. The Management Pack also allows you to start and stop AOS instances through the Operations Console.
Feature Summary
The Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Management Pack provides the following capabilities.

View the state of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 AOS instances
View information about AOS instances such as version and configuration information
View users connected to AOS instances
View Event Log Messages for AOS instances
View batch jobs and batch task information
Start and stop AOS instances
Receive alerts when AOS instances stop running

Please refer to the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Management Pack user guide for more details.
Release History

6/11/2009 - Original release of the English, version 1.0.0.50

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=6937a1ed-cd58-4361-bb70-76dafcdcb832

Windows TIFF IFilter Installation and Operations Guide

Brief Description

This article describes how to install and use Windows TIFF IFilter with Microsoft products that use IFilter components for indexing and full text search. It also describes how to install Windows TIFF IFilter on multiple computers by using a custom installation image and Local Group Policy Editor.

Overview

This document describes how to install and use Windows TIFF IFilter with Windows Desktop Search and other Microsoft products that use IFilter components for indexing and full text search. It also describes how to install Windows TIFF IFilter on multiple computers in a domain by using a custom installation image and Local Group Policy Editor.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d220d961-5130-4279-b913-28b5f4be7a57

IT Manager: Platform Solution Blueprint – Unified Communications

Brief Description

IT Manager: Platform Solution Blueprint – Unified Communications
The Unified Communications (UC) Platform Solution Blueprint Poster by Advaiya gives IT managers a comprehensive view of how UC technologies work within their IT environment.

Overview

This printable color poster illustrates where UC technologies fit in the IT manager’s environment. With this poster IT managers can easily see the relative relationships of the critical solution patterns for UC and how they fit together. IT managers also learn about the stages of UC adoption as well as how a platform aligned solution contributes to the success of their IT infrastructure.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=a691cba5-51cb-488a-8d08-4b12ce5b90dc

Understanding the Host Integration Server Client

Brief Description

This white paper discusses the HIS Client, including installation, configuration, architecture, and best practices.

Overview

This white paper discusses the Microsoft® Host Integration Server (HIS) Client. Topics include the installation and configuration of the HIS Client as well as details around some of the underlying HIS client/server architecture and how HIS resources are located by the HIS Client. In addition, some guidance is given around best practices for the HIS Client.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=fafcf170-ad84-4f80-84b7-97e351e761dd

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V version 1) Planning, Deployment and Operations Guide

Brief Description

This documentation provides information to help you plan, install, configure, test, deploy, and operate servers and clients in a Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization environment.

Overview

This document includes the user guide shipped with the MED-V version 1 software. MED-V uses Microsoft Virtual PC to provide an enterprise solution for desktop virtualization. With MED-V, you can easily create, deliver and manage corporate Virtual PC images on any Windows®-based desktop. MED-V is an integral component of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, a dynamic solution available to Software Assurance customers, which helps reduce application deployment costs, enables delivery of applications as services, and helps to better manage and control enterprise desktop environments.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=fc7bef1d-2830-4848-8ed5-af555998650a

Group Policy Preference Migration Tool (GPPMIG)

Brief Description

The Group Policy Preference Migration Tool (GPPMIG) is a console application designed to migrate PolicyMaker items to Group Policy preference items in the same or a different Group Policy object (GPO).

Overview

For users of PolicyMaker Standard Edition 2.x and PolicyMaker Share Manager, the Group Policy Preference Migration Tool (GPPMIG) is a console application designed to migrate PolicyMaker items to Group Policy preference items in the same or a different Group Policy object (GPO). Migration is necessary because PolicyMaker extensions can only edit PolicyMaker items, and Windows Server 2008 and the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 can only edit preference items. Also, PolicyMaker client-side extensions (CSEs) only process PolicyMaker items, and Group Policy preference CSEs only process preference items. GPPMIG does not migrate PolicyMaker Application items or Mail Profile items because Group Policy Preferences do not included client-side extensions for these item types.
For information about how to use GPPMIG, see article 959963 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base, How to Migrate PolicyMaker Items to Group Policy Preference Items Using the Group Policy Preference Migration Tool (GPPMIG), at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=155092.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=35791cb6-710b-48c4-aaa1-90db170bcf2a

Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) 4.0

Brief Description

MOF 4.0 is practical guidance for IT organizations. With the release of version 4.0, MOF now reflects a single, comprehensive IT service lifecycle—it helps IT professionals connect service management principles to everyday IT tasks and activities and ensures alignment between IT and the business.

Overview

Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0. MOF 4.0 is designed to help IT professionals quickly access useful, relevant content. It contains practical guidance—not just theory—and its streamlined approach makes it possible to use either the entire framework or one process from a particular service management function (SMF).
Using MOF for ISO/IEC 20000. This guide will help IT management, staff, and service providers to understand ISO/IEC 20000 requirements and help them use MOF as a means to streamlined and efficient implementation. The guide enables users to take informed steps toward ISO/IEC implementation, make cost-reducing process improvements, and increase organizational efficiency and flexibility. Ultimately, the steps outlined in this guide will help an organization meet ISO/IEC 20000 requirements and deliver effective IT services.
Cross Reference ITIL V3 and MOF 4.0. This guide compares the similarities and differences between two of the leading service management frameworks—the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Microsoft Operations Framework. In an environment where IT organizations are challenged as never before to deliver better IT services at lower costs, these service management frameworks offer best practice guidance for service improvement. This guide provides background information on IT Service Management (ITSM), introduces ITIL and MOF, and then discusses the two frameworks’ alignment, cross referencing, and application. It will enhance readers’ understanding of the main characteristics of these frameworks and how they align.
Planning for Software-plus-Services: A MOF Companion Guide. This guide provides a framework for considering and planning a software-plus-service strategy, using concise guidance and strategies from MOF 4.0 core content. The steps in this guide can be used to evaluate how software-plus-services will best help an organization. This is the first of the MOF companion guides, which apply MOF 4.0 principles to specific activities—making MOF’s guidance even more practical and usable.
MOF to COBIT/Val IT Comparison and Cross-Implementation Guide: How to Leverage MOF in a COBIT/Val IT Environment. This guide connects MOF, COBIT, and Val IT, enabling IT operations managers and professionals to understand how to best meet the mounting challenge of managing IT services in a way that appropriately demonstrates compliance. The guide describes the three frameworks, discusses their relationship to each other, and offers tips and techniques on how to use MOF to achieve the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) objectives defined in the COBIT and Val IT governance frameworks. This guide will ultimately help users understand how MOF aligns with and supports the governance frameworks as well as the vital role MOF plays in integrating GRC capabilities into the daily operations of delivering high-quality and reliable IT services. To launch the download of this guide, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151989.
MOF Job Aids. These templates, worksheets, and tools help IT pros apply MOF 4.0 guidance to specific scenarios and challenges.
IT Pro Quick Start Kit. Save time and money by learning more about MOF 4.0. The IT Pro Quick Start Kit gives an overview of MOF 4.0 and provides the tools to start using it today. The kit includes links to presentations and data sheets, information on MOF, compliance, and training and certification, ready-to-use graphics, and supporting materials.
To learn more, visit www.microsoft.com/MOF.
Send questions or feedback to us directly at mof@microsoft.com.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=457ed61d-27b8-49d1-baca-b175e8f54c0c

Windows Server Hyper-V Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Brief Description

This management pack supports monitoring of Windows Server Hyper-V systems.

Overview

This management pack supports monitoring of Windows Server Hyper-V systems. This includes monitoring coverage of Hyper-V host servers, including critical services and disks, and Hyper-V virtual machines, including virtual components and virtual hardware.
Feature Summary
This management pack provides the following functionality:

Management of critical Hyper-V services that affect virtual machines and host server functionality
Management of host server logical disks that affect virtual machine health
Full representation of virtualization in a single Hyper-V host server, including virtual networks, virtual machines, and guest computers
Monitoring of virtual machine hardware components that affect availability

Release History

6/19/2009 - Original release of the English version, version 6.0.6633.0

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=502e7a26-2fea-4052-89fd-8f75142de4f2

Solutions & Solution Development

BizTalk Server 2009 Installation and Upgrade Guides

Brief Description

Download the installation and upgrade guides for BizTalk Server 2009, BizTalk Server RFID 2009, and BizTalk RFID Mobile 2009.

Overview

The installation guides explain how to install BizTalk Server 2009, BizTalk Server RFID 2009, and BizTalk RFID Mobile 2009. The upgrade guide explains how to upgrade from BizTalk Server 2006 or BizTalk Server 2006 R2 to BizTalk Server 2009.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=9c697e02-d1bc-4684-8748-28b3a292d5bf

Setting up a BizTalk WCF Receive Location for Message Security Using Certificates

Brief Description

This paper explains how to secure a WCF endpoint in BizTalk Server using certificates.

Overview

This white paper is a walkthrough for setting up a WCF service for message security in BizTalk Server 2009 or BizTalk Server 2006 R2 using certificates. It mainly focuses on a BizTalk orchestration exposed as a WCF service hosted in IIS, although the process is the same for a typical WCF service.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4810904a-c224-4ef5-9c67-038cc276b869

Microsoft CCR and DSS Toolkit 2008 R2

Brief Description

The CCR and DSS Toolkit allows developers to create applications that are highly parallelised and distributed across a network

Overview

The Microsoft® CCR and DSS Toolkit 2008 delivers a set of .NET and Compact Framework class libraries and tools that enable developers to better deal with the inherent complexities in creating loosely-coupled concurrent and distributed applications. The Toolkit is designed to help developers take advantage of the Concurrency and Coordination Runtime (CCR) and Decentralized Software Services (DSS) originally released as part of Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio. Microsoft CCR and DSS Toolkit 2008 targets early adopters by providing access to select technologies today; transitioning to Microsoft's .NET Framework in the future.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=a45f8e09-907c-4280-bece-7d22d827646c

Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 R2 Express Edition

Brief Description

Microsoft® Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition is a freely available .NET-based programming environment for building robotics applications. The Express Edition is fully functional version but has a feature set that better targets the non-professional developer and hobbyist.

Overview

Microsoft® Robotics Developer Studio 2008 R2 Express Edition enables hobbyists and non-professional developers to create robotics applications targeting a wide range of scenarios.
Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio supports a broad set of robotics platforms by either running directly on the platform or controlling it from a Windows device through a communication channel such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®.
In addition to providing support for Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 R2 Express Edition provides a visual programming environment which allows developers to create applications simply by dragging and dropping components onto a canvas and wiring them together.
The powerful Visual Simulation Environment provides a high-fidelity simulation environment powered by NVIDIA™ PhysX™ engine for running game-quality 3D simulations with real-world physics interactions.
To help developers getting started, the studio contains extensive documentation and a large set of samples and tutorials that illustrate how to write applications ranging from simple "Hello Robot" to complex applications that simultaneously run on multiple robots.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=f9d8ddca-ab60-4c62-9770-2aaa87dfd01e

Microsoft .NET Micro Framework Porting Kit Version 3.0

Brief Description

Now Free - the .NET Micro Framework Porting Kit allow you to adapt the Version 3.0 runtime to your specific hardware in the supported toolchains (Note: there is a service pack available for this release)

Overview

The Microsoft® .NET Micro Framework is a platform that enables developers to more quickly develop embedded systems that are smart, securely connected, and easier to manage. With the version 3.0 release, the .NET Micro Framework enables developers to create powerful embedded systems that are more securely connected through a variety of wired and wireless protocols. With this Porting Kit you’ll be able to create, modify, and build Micro Framework firmware images that are customized to your needs. Using the Solution Wizard, you can select the right set of features, libraries, and memory settings to provide the optimal image size for your needs. You can then write new drivers, leverage native code routines through interop, and deploy them on your device hardware. To get started, please read the introductory material in the Porting Kit documentation. The documentation contains a lot of useful information on the Micro Framework architecture, build system, driver model, libraries, and how you these are used to create a new firmware image for your hardware. In addition, we are extending our very successful newsgroups to include groups specific to porting as well as the SDK so that you can exchange information with other engaged in the same process. You can find links to these newsgroups and other useful information at http://microsoft.com/netmf. As described in the Porting Kit license agreement, you are free to use this Porting Kit to build as many firmware images as you would like for testing purposes. The Porting Kit generates “evaluation firmware” images that are limited to 30 days of use. As soon as you decide to go to production, or even before that, please contact us at netmfbiz@microsoft.com to begin the process for licensing the unrestricted version of the firmware libraries. These are identical to the libraries already in the kit, but are not limited to 30 days of use. The Micro Framework Porting Kit supports the adaptation of the platform to specific hardware for processors using the RealView, Keil and GCC toolchains for the ARM processors (including Cortex) and the xxx toolchain for the ADI Blackfin processors (others?). This package comes with sample port for the following processors:

Atmel SAM9261_EK development board (Atmel AT91SAM9261)
Atmel SAM7X_EK development board (with the latest 512KB flash processor part)
Phytec phyCORE-ARM7/LPC2294
Rapid Development Kit PCM023 for NXP LPC2294 processor
Crossbow MOTE2 platform from Crossbow (for Marvell PXA271 processor)
Freescale i.MXS development kit (Freescale MC9328MXS)board for i.MXS processor

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=42ce8508-ff00-4ab8-8495-df587d77a8f2

.NET StockTrader Sample Application

Brief Description

This application is an end-to-end sample application for .NET Enterprise Application Server technologies.

Overview

This application is an end-to-end sample application for .NET Enterprise Application Server technologies. It is a service-oriented application based on Windows Communication Foundation (.NET 3.0) and ASP.NET, and illustrates many of the .NET enterprise development technologies for building highly scalable, rich "enterprise-connected" applications. It is designed as a benchmark kit to illustrate alternative technologies within .NET and their relative performance.
The application offers full interoperability with J2EE and IBM WebSphere's Trade 6.1 sample application. As such, the application offers an excellent opportunity for developers to learn about .NET and building interoperable, service-oriented applications.
The new download includes the automated setup for the .NET StockTrader 2.04 and the Configuration Service 2.04, with associated technical documents that explain how to run and reconfigure the .NET StockTrader service-oriented application. Additional documentation in the download provides the steps necessary to implement the Configuration Service 2.04 in your own applications and services for central configuration management; distributed caching; load-balancing and failover across clustered service nodes. The new sample includes:
· .NET StockTrader 2.04 composite Web application and middle tier services.
· New modes for Advanced Web Service (WS-*) message-level security and interoperability with a variety of non-Microsoft platforms via the SOA architecture.
· Configuration Service 2.04with technical guides and samples.
· Capacity planning tool for running multi-agent benchmarks against the .NET StockTrader services.
· WSTest 1.5 Web services benchmark.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=9a60f0c0-007e-4d49-b061-fbe26c28302e

2009 Worldwide Partner Conference Breakouts for Microsoft Dynamics

Brief Description

2009 Worldwide Partner Conference Breakouts for Microsoft Dynamics

Overview

2009 Worldwide Partner Conference Breakouts for Microsoft Dynamics

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4d35c9bd-a519-40ce-b46e-0e0788a769ec

Microsoft Small Basic

Brief Description

A simplified programming language and environment to help teach programming to beginners

Overview

Microsoft Small Basic is a project that is aimed at making computer programming accessible to beginners. The project comprises a simple programming language that gathers inspiration from the original BASIC programming language; a modern and attractive programming environment; and rich, extensible libraries. Together they make programming fun for kids and adults alike.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b006d58d-c2c7-44ad-936b-e7e2d7de793e

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB971930)

Brief Description

This update helps make websites designed for older browsers look better in Internet Explorer 8. To take advantage of this update, you must have “Include updated website lists from Microsoft” selected in Internet Explorer’s Compatibility View Settings.

Overview

Windows Internet Explorer 8 improves browser interoperability and advances the Web by delivering a better implementation of Web standards. While this is a move in the right direction, users might encounter compatibility issues with some sites that still rely on the behavior of previous versions of Internet Explorer. Microsoft understands the shift towards standards compatibility with Internet Explorer 8 may take some time to complete for each organization or webmaster. To bridge this transition, we offer the Compatibility View list. The list helps make websites designed for older browsers look better in Internet Explorer 8.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=7568dfb4-277a-4c0d-9e8f-dfee2214d473

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Vista x64 Edition (KB971930)

Brief Description

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e8aacf4d-5144-4ddd-af07-7149793915e1

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Vista (KB971930)

Brief Description

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=f6f5c1d6-9f02-45b0-bbb2-6c6f5df5c61d

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate R2 Release Candidate x64 Edition (KB971930)

Brief Description

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=117b5a87-75d6-4fc0-9721-e2116539f5ea

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 (KB971930)

Brief Description

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=86f161b1-46e4-48bb-a064-e2ff9ee13f8c

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition (KB971930)

Brief Description

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=aec1d2e2-eae0-4cdd-b16c-4cc02f5e50eb

Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate for Itanium-based Systems (KB971930)

Brief Description

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e3f02273-393a-419e-95f8-0664256e3d92

Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.5: Videos and Tutorials

Brief Description

Learn about version 5.5 of the Application Compatibility Toolkit including prerequisites, creating an inventory, analyzing compatibility data, and mitigating compatibility issues.

Overview

Learn about version 5.5 of the Application Compatibility Toolkit including prerequisites, creating an inventory, analyzing compatibility data, and mitigating compatibility issues.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=53050cca-65aa-41e9-b9c8-8024e85bc5bb

DirectX Video Acceleration Specification for H.264/AVC Decoding

Brief Description

Defines extensions to DirectX® Video Acceleration (DXVA) to support decoding of H.264/AVC video.

Overview

Defines extensions to DirectX® Video Acceleration (DXVA) to support decoding of H.264/AVC video.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=3d1c290b-310b-4ea2-bf76-714063a6d7a6

Microsoft HealthVault Connection Center Beta 2 for Windows XP

Brief Description

HealthVault Connection Center is software from Microsoft that you can download for free. It runs on your computer and enables you to transfer measurements from health and fitness devices (such as blood pressure monitors, pedometers, glucometers and many others) via your computer to your online HealthVault account.

Overview

What’s new in this release
HealthVault Connection Center 2.1 provides quick and easy upload of device data to HealthVault and helps you use the data with Web sites and applications that work with HealthVault. This most current release includes the following improvements:

New uploads from your health and fitness monitoring devices take much less storage in your HealthVault account, so you can take frequent readings from multiple devices and always have plenty of space.
For each device you use, direct links to Web sites that work with your data make it easier to track your health and fitness and meet your wellness goals.
A more streamlined HealthVault Weight Gadget (formerly known as HealthVault Gadget) lets you upload your weight in one click from the Sidebar on your Windows Vista desktop.
You can opt to allow the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program to send information to Microsoft (anonymously and automatically) about how Connection Center performs on your computer. We aggregate data from all participating users and learn from it to improve future Connection Center releases.
Also at your option, you can send an error report about any trouble in the installation process. Doing so allows us to send you a solution, if one is available, and make improvements.

If you already have HealthVault Connection Center installed
We encourage you to get the most from your personal health or fitness devices by upgrading to this release. To check which version you have on your computer, simply click Help and then click About. If your version number is lower than 2.1.2034.4210, you should upgrade to this version.
If you use HealthVault on more than one computer, we strongly recommend upgrading to the new version on both or all of them. Using different versions of HealthVault Connection Center on different computers may cause duplication of data in certain scenarios.
About HealthVault Connection Center
HealthVault Connection Center is software from Microsoft that you can download for free. It runs on your computer and enables you to transfer measurements from health and fitness devices (such as blood pressure monitors, pedometers, glucometers and many others) via your computer to your online HealthVault account.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=73b45ded-c81c-4505-a1a7-2dd3686e95b1

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Client Help Files for Russia and Eastern Europe

Brief Description

This file includes setup, conceptual, procedural, and form Help for the various countries/regions of Eastern Europe for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009.

Overview

The individual GLS layers for the Eastern Europe countries of Czech Republic, Latvia, Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and Hungary have been merged to create a single GLS layer to better support multinational deployments of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009. Help files have also been merged and added to the application.
Some Help topics are common to all countries/regions within the Eastern Europe consolidated layer, and they are prefaced with (EEUR). Help topics that discuss functionality for a specific country or region are prefaced by the three-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) codes for the country or region.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1de107d2-605f-43db-b156-c1d765a2e3a2

MSDN Community Distribution CD June 2009

Brief Description

MSDN Community Distribution CD Image Download

Overview

Download our Community Distribution CDs as ISO images, burn and distribute them among your friends and colleagues.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=052b7046-b8d0-47aa-b0af-d5f5a51944f2

.NET Rocks! - David Hayden on the Unity Framework

Brief Description

David Hayden talks to Carl and Richard about the Microsoft Unity Framework

Overview

David Hayden is an independent consultant in Sarasota, Florida offering consulting, mentoring, and development services on architecture and best practices in .NET. David is a Microsoft MVP in C#, speaker, MSDN Forum Moderator, Enterprise Library Community Leader, and advisor to Microsoft Patterns & Practices. He spends much of his time helping companies and development teams leverage the proven practices and productivity benefits of Enterprise Library and Software Factories. In addition to his personal blogs at DavidHayden.com and CodeBetter.com, David also runs PnPGuidance.net, which offers numerous articles, screencasts, sample downloads and other resources covering best practices in .NET.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=820b590e-f837-4e7c-907a-22efd2f8ce74

Bing API Web Page Error Toolkit

Brief Description

Customizable, search-enabled Bing API-powered pages that replace dead-end 404s.
Re-architected to maximize deployment ease and minimize impact on your server

Overview

Customize your 404 error pages with the Bing API Web Page Error Toolkit
For large web sites with extensive amounts of content, 2 to 10 percent of traffic is looking for pages that either don’t exist or have been moved. Most web servers return a generic 404 error page or a sitemap when a user’s desired page cannot be found. These unhelpful pages often result in a dead end for users.
With the re-architected, easily deployed Web Page Error Toolkit, you can create dynamic 404 pages that contain customized error messages along with search results seeded with relevant keywords to help your users move past the missing page and find the information they need.
The Toolkit is a customizable ASP.net application that replaces the default error page on your IIS server. The process works as follows:

A user's browser sends a request for a page that no longer exists at the request URL.
Your server identifies a 404 and executes the Toolkit.
Toolkit extracts keywords and renders them back to the user's browser.
User's browser sends a request to Bing API.
Bing API returns appropriate results to user's browser.
User's browser renders results in the context of the page that you have customized.

The Toolkit enables you to use the Bing API to return results for the specified domain and locale, control the number of results returned on your page, choose whether to offer spelling corrections, and customize your error message.
You also have the option of choosing from several keyword extraction strategies that are included with the install, or providing your own implementation.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=deca3e03-4f93-46d1-affc-493c0e02eb63

Deep Zoom Composer

Brief Description

Prepare images for use with the Deep Zoom feature in Silverlight 2

Overview

We are pleased to present a technology preview of Deep Zoom Composer, a tool to allow the preparation of images for use with the Deep Zoom feature currently being previewed in Silverlight 2. The new Deep Zoom technology in Silverlight allows users to see images on the Web like they never have before. The smooth in-place zooming and panning that Deep Zoom allows is a true advancement and raises the bar on what image viewing should be. High resolution images need to be prepared for use with Deep Zoom and this tool allows the user to create Deep Zoom composition files that control the zooming experience and then export all the necessary files for deployment with Silverlight 2.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=457b17b7-52bf-4bda-87a3-fa8a4673f8bf

Security, Policy & Compliance

IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide

Brief Description

This Solution Accelerator provides you with a method to develop IT infrastructure threat modeling processes for your environment and prioritize your IT infrastructure security investments. The guide describes and considers the existing Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) threat modeling process and uses it to establish a threat modeling process for IT infrastructure.

Overview

The IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide provides an easy-to-understand method that enables you to develop threat models that can help prioritize investments in IT infrastructure security.
This Solution Accelerator consists of a release notes document Release Notes.rtf and a single compressed file, IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide.zip, which includes the following components:

IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide.docx. This Microsoft Word document provides guidance to help IT professionals develop and implement threat modeling processes for their IT environments. It includes the following chapters:
- Overview
- Chapter 1: IT Infrastructure Components
- Chapter 2: The IT Infrastructure Threat Model Portfolio
- Chapter 3: Applied Example – The Threat Modeling Process
IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide.pptx. This Microsoft PowerPoint document is designed for use in a learning or lecture environment to present the concept of IT infrastructure threat modeling.

Send questions or feedback to us directly at secwish@microsoft.com.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e1d53e3f-a512-4668-85b3-169a777fc58f

Microsoft Forefront Codename "Stirling" Beta Privacy Statement

Brief Description

This document describes the privacy policy for Microsoft® Forefront Client Security.

Overview

This document describes the privacy policy for Microsoft® Forefront Client Security.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d34c6d9c-a555-4432-bb32-af21f5a6feab

Hotfix and Security Update List: Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2

Brief Description

Hotfixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2

Overview

Windows Server® 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista® Service Pack 2 include all the previously released updates for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista. This document contains the list of Hotfixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2. Many of these updates are available to the public on the Microsoft® Download Center and Windows® Update, while others are only available to specific customers or partners. It is a standard practice to include all of these updates in a service pack, and they are included in Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d8b2cf4b-a2df-4664-8dd8-e840001e33f3

Other

Digital Literacy: Case Studies

Brief Description

These case studies describe how governments and organizations are using Microsoft Digital Literacy to increase access to essential computing skills all over the world.

Overview

Learn how governments and organizations are using Microsoft Digital Literacy to build essential computing skills access all over the world. From schools to workforce development centers to community technology learning centers, Microsoft Digital Literacy is helping individuals develop new social and economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Impacting Social Change Through Access to Computing Skills
In the twenty-first century knowledge economy, access to essential technology and computing skills is an important predictor of life opportunities. This white paper explores current technology drivers—including global Internet access, Web 2.0 technologies, and ubiquitous computing—and how the essential computing skills curriculum offered by Microsoft Digital Literacy has affected individuals in different geographies and socioeconomic circumstances all over the world.
Microsoft Digital Literacy Inspires High School Girls at DigiGirlz Dubai
The Gulf Region’s first ever DigiGirlz Day introduced more than 200 high school girls to technology career opportunities in hopes of reducing the UAE gender gap in information technology (IT). The girls participated in technology workshops and panels, met with Microsoft employees, learned about new technologies, and had the opportunity to take the Microsoft Digital Literacy Certificate Test on site.
Texas Offenders Acquire Technical Skills and Renewed Hope for the Future
The Wynne Computer Recovery Program provides offenders in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with technical computing skills, which they use to refurbish computers for Texas schools. In 2008, the program trained 45 computer technicians, and these offenders refurbished 3.3 million pounds of computer equipment, achieving 45 Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credentials along the way. To date, the Wynne Computer Recovery Program has delivered over 23,000 computers at a $12M fair market value (FMV) to Texas school districts.
Integrating Microsoft Digital Literacy Enables Law Enforcement Education
In the last decade, using computers to teach traditional classroom topics has revolutionized the teaching profession. Today, an increasing number of vocational fields are also starting to benefit. In Sacramento, California, a program is helping veteran trainers in vocational fields like law enforcement and fire science bring technology to their non-traditional students.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=f855ac81-a543-4881-8290-850a6f6cc99e

HITECPartnerMap2009

Brief Description

Learn which Microsoft Hospitality Partners will be showcasing their solutions at HITEC 2009.

Overview

Visit these Microsoft Hospitality Partners at HITEC 2009 to learn more about solutions that can improve operations, generate new revenue streams and enhance the guest experience.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=39eda6d6-519f-4bef-a0ee-5b326618f5c7

HITECBoothGuide2009

Brief Description

See what Microsoft has to offer at HITEC 2009.

Overview

This guide describes what Microsoft will showcase at HITEC 2009.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=5770a8bd-8232-44d6-9550-213dc45f856a

HITECTagPartners2009 - English

Brief Description

Overview

To play the Microsoft “TAG You’re It!” game just download the Tag reader to your phone and you will be ready to go! Simply visit all of the Microsoft partner booths listed below and ‘snap’ the tag in the partner booth. Once you ‘snap’ all the tags you will be entered into the drawing for your chance to win Zunes, LifeCams, and software! Two winners per show day will be drawn! For complete contest rules, visit the Microsoft Concierge station.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=868823b2-c3f9-4169-a260-0f38b6e976d4

MicrosoftSmartSaverGuide - English

Brief Description

Overview

Microsoft's Smart Savers Guide to Success: 15 great ways financial services entreprises can cut business operating costs, reduce risks, and grow in the new economy

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0313be7a-fcc3-4ffd-9317-9b5c4593c4f7

WHDC White Papers and Documentation

Brief Description

WHDC white papers and documentation for driver and hardware developers

Overview

White papers, documentation, and other resources for driver and hardware developers from the WHDC Web site.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=9a138e5f-df06-467c-89fe-c463f1c8216f

Office Live Update 1.4

Brief Description

The Office Live Update 1.4 for Microsoft Office Live Workspace beta makes working with Microsoft Office programs faster and lets you access workspaces from Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Overview

Office Live Workspace is a free Web-based service for storing and sharing documents online. The Office Live Update 1.4 installs (1) Performance updates to make using Office Live Workspace with Microsoft Office programs faster; (2) Office Live Add-in for Microsoft Office to enable you to access your workspaces directly from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; (3) Microsoft Office Live Workspace Plug-In for Firefox to allow users of the Mozilla Firefox browser to use Office Live Workspace with Microsoft Office
The Office Live Update 1.4 auto-detects and installs these necessary updates to ensure optimum performance:

MSRC 9x0 Cumulative Security Update
Update for Office 2007 (KB951944)
Update for Windows Vista (KB 933860)
Update for Windows Vista (KB 945145)
Update for Windows Vista (KB 945435)
Update for Windows Vista (KB 948531)
Windows Live Sign-in Assistant

The Office Live Add-in installs new menu options in the 2007 Microsoft Office system and a toolbar in Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Office 2003. You can use these menu options and toolbars to open documents located in Office Live Workspace directly from Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You will also be able to save files directly from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to Office Live Workspace.
If you use the Firefox browser, the Office Live Workspace Plug-In for Firefox lets you open, edit, and save Microsoft Office documents in Office Live Workspace directly from the browser using Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Firefox is a registered trademark of the Mozilla Foundation.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=36bac9da-1ee4-40df-b06c-a327269f2b63

Microsoft Select License, Open License, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) License, and Full-Packaged Product (FPP) License Downgrade Rights

Brief Description

License Downgrade Rights

Overview

Downgrade rights grant the right to use prior versions of Microsoft software. Microsoft Volume Licensing programs include specific downgrade rights. The chart below compares volume licensing downgrade rights with those acquired through OEM and FPP licenses.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4f4b3cfd-7f4e-46cb-8117-8275f7683d3f