BlogMS - Official Microsoft Team Blogs : Announcements

Microsoft Live@edu

Daniel Good — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:16:00 GMT

Microsoft Live@edu is an entire suite of online hosted services designed for and offered especially to educational institutions at no cost to the institution. It combines rich Microsoft-hosted services, including university-branded Windows Outlook Live, Office Live Workspace and SkyDrive storage to help students manage their studies, share and store information, collaborate with other students in real time and stay connected more easily with friends and family on campus and after they graduate. With enterprise-class hosting that is integrated with the school’s existing infrastructure, Live@edu relieves schools of the burden and cost of maintenance and design of these types of advanced, yet expected, communications services, giving them back time and money for more strategic projects, while offering students access to e-mail and documents via their PCs, mobile phones and online. Outlook live is on Outlook 2010

KEY FEATURES: Free student email and online tools

Provide a co-branded hosted Exchange solution at no cost with Outlook Live (10GB/user)
Equip your students for the real world with Microsoft tools
Help to keep your students’ data private and promote online safety
Excite students with 25GB of online storage on Windows Live SkyDrive
Simplify online collaboration and document sharing with Office Live Workspace
Give your university a reliable and easy-to-manage Microsoft solution with enhanced security
Supported on all popular browsers on Windows or Mac, including Firefox and Safari

For further information visit: http://www.microsoft.com/liveatedu

For other great free services and online services visit the BlogMS Resource Guide to free Software and Online Services.

Windows Phone ANNOUNCED - Windows Mobile 6.5, My Phone and Windows Marketplace for Mobile

Daniel Good — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:04:00 GMT

On October, 6th 2009 - Microsoft announced the new launch of 30 new Windows Mobile 6.5 phones. You can read the official press release or read the announcement on the official team blog.

Two fantastic additional services have also launched:

My Phone, a free service that syncs data from a phone -- like pictures, music and text messages -- to a Web portal for safe keeping. If a phone is stolen, left behind, sandwiched between couch cushions or otherwise lost, My Phone can locate it, ring it (even if on vibrate), lock it or wipe it clean of personal information. And when you buy a new Windows phone, My Phone will restore contacts, photos, videos and messages right back to the new device.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile, Discover apps that unlock the power of your Windows® phone, Shop securely and with confidence and download instantly to your phone.

For further information visit the Product Website where you can also access additional downloads free extras.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 - Released to Manufacturing (RTM)

Daniel Good — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:53:00 GMT

Microsoft Exchange 2010 was released to manufacturing (RTM) on Thursday October 8^th.

This Release to Manufacturing (RTM) milestone means we are on our way to general availability and the launch at Tech·Ed Europe 2009 (http://www.microsoft.com/europe/teched/) in early November. If you will not be attending Ech-Ed Europe in Berlin, you can access resources from the Web (www.thenewefficiency.com) to be part of the launch.

To find out what's new in releae check out: (http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2010/en/us/whats-new.aspx)

Additional Resources:

· http://www.microsoft.com/exchange - Product Website

· http://msexchangeteam.com/ - Official Team Blog

Microsoft Security Essentials - RELEASED - free for home PC's

Daniel Good — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:18:00 GMT

On September, 28th 2009 Microsoft released Microsoft Security Essentials free for genuine copies of Microsoft Windows. Read more about the release the Microsoft Malware Protection Center team blog or read the official press release.

Qouting the team blog "Microsoft Security Essentials is a new, no-cost, anti-malware solution for genuine Windows PC consumers that provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious threats. It is a lightweight, effective and modern anti-malware which runs on 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP SP2 and higher, and on modern consumer form-factors such as netbooks."

Visit the Microsoft Security Essentials Website to download your copy now..

For more free software and services check out the BlogMS resource guide to Microsoft Free Software and Online Software.

Summary of articles from new blogs added to directory on the 28th September

Daniel Good — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:12:04 GMT

Following the update and addition of 10 new blogs to the Microsoft Team Blogs Directory on the 28th September please find a summary of articles published between 1st August 2009 and 28th September 2009.

Microsoft Team Blogs Directory updated - Now 262 blogs!

Daniel Good — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:22:00 GMT

The Microsoft Team Blogs Directory has been updated to include the following team blogs. Ten new blogs have been added to increase the total to 262!

Microsoft Learning
	Beta Exams Announcements	RSS	Added
Office Online			New Category
	Inside Office Online	RSS	Added
	Office Online Clipart and Media	RSS	Added
	Office Online Templates	RSS	Added
Partner and Customer Resources
	Microsoft Valuable Professional MVP Award Program	RSS	Title Updated
SQL and Business Intelligence
	Gemini	RSS	Added
Virtualization
	Dynamic Data Center Alliance	RSS	Added
Windows Desktop and Embedded
	Windows Media Center	RSS	Added
	Windows Portable Devices	RSS	Added
	Windows Printing	RSS	Added
Windows Server and Infrastructure
	Windows Public Key Infrastructure PKI	RSS	Added

New Free Software: Windows Live Movie Maker (Released to Web)

Daniel Good — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:34:00 GMT

Microsoft has released a new version of Windows Live Movie Maker as part of a refresh to the Windows Live Essentials download. Windows Live Movie Maker is the first application designed for Windows 7 and is built to make beautiful movies from your photos and videos very quickly. Download the new Windows Live Movie Maker to get an immediate (and free!) upgrade to your Windows Live experience.

Read the official announcement on the Microsoft Live team blog for insight into the features and a video to introduce you to this new version, or visit the Windows Live Website. For more great free resources and online services check out the BlogMS Resource Guide.

Introducing Windows Live Movie Maker

Windows Live Movie Maker is one more example of why Windows Live Essentials are must-have applications for people using Windows. With the goal of making it easy to communicate and share with the people you care about, we’re continually updating these applications to ensure they take advantage of the best Windows has to offer. With today’s release, you will be able to see a variety of ways Windows Live Movie Maker takes advantage of Windows 7 including expanded support for HD video so you can create great looking movies using the most popular devices on the market – including your mobile phone or Flip Video camcorder.

PASS2009 The Premier Conference for SQL Server Professionals, WA, Seattle, November 2nd-5th 2009 - Registration is OPEN

Daniel Good — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:25:00 GMT

Increase Your SQL Server Value.

Now more than ever, people and businesses need new skills and knowledge to remain competitive and thrive. Join thousands of SQL Server professionals at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle from Nov 2-5. Return to work and do your job better, faster, easier–right away. Register now.

Microsoft is a Premier sponsor of this event and will be delivering Keynotes! Four top Microsoft SQL Server executives will take center stage in a series of can’t-miss keynote addresses at PASS Summit Unite 2009

Visit the official public SQL PASS website: http://summit2009.sqlpass.org/

Hear from past attendees about the "Best Thing I Learned at PASS Summit"

Exclusive Q&As with PASS Summit 2009 speakers: SQL Server MVP Andrew Kelly says wait stats can't wait when performance is on the line—and more!

Connect at Summit! Learn about networking opportunities, including a new, 2-hour workshop on Networking to Build Business Contacts

Get ROI info to help justify your attendance or download the ROI pdf

Microsoft announces BI Conference 2009 postponed to 2010; recommends PASS Summit for BI content

Professional Developers Conference: PDC09, Los Angeles, November 17th-19th 2009 - Registration is OPEN

Daniel Good — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:24:00 GMT

The Professional Developers Conference (PDC) is Microsoft’s premier gathering of leading-edge developers and architects. Attendees come from around the world to learn about the future of Microsoft’s developer platform, exchange ideas with Microsoft technology experts, and network with fellow professionals. This is the conference you need to attend if you want to stay ahead curve, and get a head start on planning your company’s products and technology investments.

Register by September 15^th and receive $500 off your conference pass – that’s the best discount you’ll get for PDC09. Visit us online at www.microsoftpdc.com and learn more about the future-focused content, industry-leading speakers and other great opportunities you’ll get at PDC09.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU AT PDC09

KEYNOTES

PDC is where our biggest names make the biggest announcements. Learn about the future of the Microsoft developer platform straight from the people who make it happen - Microsoft's Chief Software Architect, Ray Ozzie, and the President of Server and Tools, Bob Mugila.

SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

For the first time ever, participate in a perfect storm of brilliance, insight, experience, and vision as we bring together Microsoft’s Technical Fellows for the Technical Leaders series of sessions at PDC09. These are the big brains that develop and drive technical strategies for Microsoft and the industry, and this is a series you won’t want to miss.

WORKSHOPS

Join us a day early (on November 16) for a full day of in-depth content delivered by recognized industry leaders. Workshops are available exclusively to attendees – they will not be made available online.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Not only will you get great content and speakers, you’ll also get early access to the technology and opportunities to meet one-on-one with Microsoft developer technology experts and fellow professions at our special events.

Further Information

Even if you can't make it to Los Angeles, or just want to keep your finger on the pulse you can keep up to date with the What's Happening feed for the latest breaking news, and also the Sessions feed. These two PDC09 feeds will be included into the BlogMS weekly updates. Recent articles:

ADVANCE NOTIFICATION: July 28, 2009 (Out-of-Band) Microsoft Security Bulletin Release - Internet Explorer and Visual Studio Products

Daniel Good — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:56:00 GMT

What is the purpose of this alert?

This is an advance notification of two out-of-band security bulletins that Microsoft is intending to release on July 28, 2009.

One bulletin will be for the Microsoft Visual Studio product line; application developers should be aware of updates available affecting certain types of applications.

The second bulletin contains defense-in-depth changes to Internet Explorer to address attack vectors related to the Visual Studio bulletin, as well as fixes for unrelated vulnerabilities that are rated Critical.

New Bulletin Summary

Bulletin ID	Maximum Severity Rating	Vulnerability Impact	Restart Requirement	Affected Software
Visual Studio	Moderate	Remote Code Execution	Requires restart	Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, Microsoft Visual C++ 2005, and Microsoft Visual C++ 2008
Internet Explorer	Critical	Remote Code Execution	Requires restart	Internet Explorer on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008

Bulletin ID

Maximum Severity Rating

Vulnerability Impact

Restart Requirement

Affected Software

Visual Studio

Moderate

Remote Code Execution

Requires restart

Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003,

Microsoft Visual Studio 2005,

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008,

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005, and

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008

Internet Explorer

Critical

Remote Code Execution

Requires restart

Internet Explorer on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008

The full version of the Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for this month can be found here at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-jul-ans.mspx.

Although we do not anticipate any changes, the information provided in this summary is subject to change until the release. At this time, no additional information on this bulletin such as details regarding severity or details regarding the vulnerability will be made available until the bulletin is published.

Public Bulletin Webcast

Microsoft will host two public Webcasts to address customer questions on the bulletin release. For more information please visit the Microsoft Security Bulletin and Webcast landing page at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/summary.mspx.

Regarding Information Consistency

We strive to provide you with accurate information in static (this mail) and dynamic (Web-based) content. Microsoft’s security content posted to the Web is occasionally updated to reflect late-breaking information. If this results in an inconsistency between the information here and the information in Microsoft’s Web-based security content, the information in Microsoft’s Web-based security content is authoritative.

If you have any questions regarding this alert please contact your Technical Account Manager or Application Development Consultant.

Thank you,

Microsoft CSS Security Team

For further information please refer to the

Virtualisation Support Wizard (ESSENTIAL READING!) - Are you sure you are supported?

Daniel Good — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:17:00 GMT

The Microsoft Virtualization Support Policy Team has worked to clearly define virtualization support policies in what is becoming an increasingly complex area of support. We are glad to announce that the Virtualization Support Wizard is now LIVE and available for your use:

http://www.windowsservercatalog.com/svvp.aspx?svvppage=svvpwizard.htm.

RECOMMENDED CALL TO ACTION: If you are currently running a project where you are deploying Microsoft software on a virtualized platform, I strongly recommend that you use this wizard to check that your configuration is supported. If you have any issues or concerns you should contact your Microsoft Account Manager.

By using this wizard you can easily find out if your Virtualization configuration is supported and conveniently access related product-specific resources (such as KB articles) immediately at this centralized public website! This guidance takes into account Microsoft Hyper-V in addition to other third-party virtualization solutions.

There are additional resources available to you here on the Virtualization Troubleshooting and Support TechCenter on TechNet:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/cc150661.aspx

It's OFFICIAL - Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 have released to manufacturing (RTM)

Daniel Good — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:03:00 GMT

Microsoft announced today (Wednesday 22nd July) that testing for Windows 7 (build 7600) and Windows Server 2008 R2 has been completed. Both products have officially been released to manufacturing (RTM). You can read the official press release here.

Windows 7 will be generally available to customers around the world on October 22nd. Microsoft Partners, OEMS, Business Customers, IT Professionals and Developers can find out when they will receive the release in this team blog article.

Windows Server 2008 R2 will be generally available on or before that date, read more about the release in the team blog article.

Additional Resources:

Windows Team Blog, http://windowsteamblog.com
Windows Server Blog, http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver
Partner Web sites, http://readyset7.com and http://talkingaboutwindows.com/Default.aspx
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for businesses, http://www.microsoft.com/windows/default.aspx and http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/R2.aspx

Microsoft Team Blogs Directory - Updated 21st July 2009

Daniel Good — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:29:00 GMT

The Microsoft team blogs directory has been updated with the following blogs: There are now 249 blogs showing on the list:

General
	Microsoft Unlimited Potential	RSS
	The Data Privacy Imperative	RSS
Microsoft Licensing
	Microsoft Volume Licensing	RSS	News Feed
Software and Web Development
	Windows 7 for Developers	RSS
Windows Mobile
	Windows Mobile - NEW	RSS
	Windows Mobile - OLD	RSS

Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (13-16 July) - News Summary

Daniel Good — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:21:00 GMT

The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is an annual gathering where Microsoft Corp.’s partner community will network and build connections, share best practices, and learn new skills and techniques. At WPC09 — July 13–16 in New Orleans — Microsoft shared its strategies and visions for addressing the challenging economy, saving customers money, and helping partners and customers compete confidently. Steve Ballmer, Stephen Elop, Kevin Turner, Allison Watson and many other executives will share their vision for the company and kick off a year of product launches like no other in Microsoft history.

The blog post references the press releases and features stories from the conference. For further information visit the Microsoft PressPass Virtual Press Room where you can find additional resources including Videos, Transcripts, Executive Bios, Analyst Reports, White Papers, Fact Sheets and Case Studies.

Press Releases

Microsoft Recognizes Outstanding Partners' Achievements July 14, 2009
Microsoft Charts New Paths for Partners With Software Plus Services July 14, 2009
Microsoft Unveils Windows Azure Platform Business Model, Bringing New Revenue Opportunities to Partners Worldwide July 14, 2009
Microsoft Announces Go-To Market Program for Hosting Providers July 14, 2009
Microsoft Debuts New Partner Opportunities at Global Conference July 13, 2009
Microsoft Debuts Community-Centric Partner Network July 13, 2009
Microsoft Office 2010 Hits Major Milestone and Enters Technical Preview July 13, 2009
Microsoft Announces First Major Milestone in the Banking Industry Architecture Network alliance July 13, 2009
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Passes 1 Million User Mark and Expands xRM Initiative July 13, 2009
Microsoft Announces 2009 Partner of the Year Awards Finalists and Winners June 24, 2009

Feature Stories:

Microsoft Streamlines Its Licensing Structure July 14, 2009
Microsoft Partners Head to New Orleans for WPC09 July 13, 2009
Microsoft Surface Partner Program Offers "QuickStart" to Creating Microsoft Surface Applications July 13, 2009
Priming the Pump: Expanding Services Ready Program Widens the Pipeline for Partners July 13, 2009
Microsoft Equips Microsoft Dynamics Partners to Seize Vertical Opportunities July 13, 2009
Microsoft Primes Partners for Success at Worldwide Partner Conference July 6, 2009
Technology Can Help Build Success for Smaller Companies May 26, 2009
Jumping Into the Cloud – Advice for CIOs May 20, 2009

Microsoft Security Essentials (BETA) - free for home PC's

Daniel Good — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:58:00 GMT

In November 2008 Microsoft announced plans for Microsoft Security Essentials code named Morro. In June a beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials was officially announced on the Microsoft Malware Protection Center team blog for up to 75,000 individuals.

The beta release is currently only available only to customers in the United States, Israel (English only), People's Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).

Visit the Microsoft Security Essentials Website for further information and check back regularly for updates.

For more free software and services check out the BlogMS resource guide to Microsoft Free Software and Online Software.