MS Watch

Windows Server 2008 IIS7 Media Packs

Ankur Mittal — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:41:45 +0000

IIS Media Pack 1.0 provides media-specific extensions that make delivering media from IIS simple, and cost-effective. Building on the security, reliability and manageability of IIS 7.0, IIS Media Pack protects media assets as it increases scalability by supporting more concurrent users per server. IIS supports all media file types, including WMV, FLV, and MP4, and provides a great way to use your existing Web infrastructure to deliver compelling rich media content to clients such as Microsoft Silverlight.
With IIS 7.0 and IIS Media Pack 1.0, you can:

Save bandwidth costs by throttling the speed at which content is downloaded
Decrease network traffic by metering your media deliveries
Monetize media assets with Web playlists that personalize content and prevent ad skipping
Intelligently deliver multiple media formats from a single server, including .wmv, .flv, and .mp4 files

Get the 64bit pack @ http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=93d59f79-9555-473d-a07a-e21020d1fc25&DisplayLang=en.

Get the 32bit pack @ http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2cf81f25-1692-41f7-b916-db5c7e44e6ea&DisplayLang=en.

Source- Technet Blog

Live Search Launches “Big Ticket” promotion

Ankur Mittal — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:19:44 +0000

The Live Search team has just launched a new search promotion to encourage people to use Live Search. Dubbed “Big Ticket Search,” this promo is a contest that will run from October 31st through December 31st. Every time you perform a search at bigticketsearch.com, you have a chance to win prizes every hour, 24 hours a day. The prizes that will be given away include 2 new Mitsubishi Lancers, Raptors VIP package, Home Entertainment Systems, Laptops, $10,000 cash, Ticketmaster Gift Cards, Zunes, Xboxes, Raptors Season Tickets and Raptors Memorabilia.

After you enter in a search query in the box provided, you’ll be taken to a search results page where you’ll be informed as to whether your search was a winner or not. With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s a great time to try this out because – who knows? – you might just win some cash to go shopping with!

Source- Channel 10 Blog

Windows 7 Pre-Beta sees first security upgrade

Ankur Mittal — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:19:11 +0000

When Microsoft released an out-of-cycle patch, one of the standout inclusions was the recent Pre-Beta release of their new operating system Windows 7. The highly anticipated OS, which also comes as a source of debate for Vista fans, is affected by the same remote code execution vulnerability that affects all the other production platforms.

Earlier this afternoon, Microsoft released MS08-067, which is an out-of-cycle security patch that should be added to this month’s security patch cycle for both IT departments and home users.

The patch centers on a vulnerability in the Server service, which is enabled by default on Windows 2000, Windows XP (all versions), and Windows Server 2003. The vulnerability is triggered if the system receives a malicious RPC request.

Source- The Tech Herald

Windows 7 pre-beta build: What’s inside

Ankur Mittal — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:18:11 +0000

Microsoft isn’t going to show Windows 7 to attendees of the Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles until Tuesday, October 28. But new info about what’s part of the pre-beta build that will be provided to show-goers is beginning to trickle out.

According to a variety of sources, the build that will be distributed at PDC — and, a week-plus later, at the company’s Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) — will be one of the M3 (Milestone 3) builds. Like the build that leaked in September, this will be a 6801 numbered build, sources say. But it doesn’t seem to be the same one I saw a few weeks back. UX Evangelist blogger Stephen Chapman says it will likely be a 6801 M3 build which Microsoft finalized on October 20.

So what’s in this soon-to-be-delivered Windows 7 pre-beta build? Here are a few new features Microsoft will provide, according to various individuals who’ve had a chance to see and hear about the forthcoming PDC pre-beta build. (Note: I didn’t bother running this list by Microsoft for official comment, as I figure the response will be: Wait till Tuesday.)

Source- all about Microsoft

New Xbox Experience Download & Win

Ankur Mittal — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:17:12 +0000

The New Xbox Experience reinvents home entertainment from the inside out, changing the way we play games, watch movies and TV s

hows, and even become contestants in game shows. It all begins this fall with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social, and simple to use.

Now you can enter the Download & Win Sweepstakes for your chance at some big prizes.

We’ve got a million Microsoft Points
to give away, so don’t miss your chance!

To enter, just register your gamertag by downloading the NXE Download & Win Gamer Picture, and then download any of the premium Marketplace content listed below.

The NXE Download & Win entry period begins at 6:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT) on November 19, 2008, and ends at 11:59 pm PT on November 23, 2008. The more you download the more entries you receive, up to a maximum of ten entries per person.

Before registering for the sweepstakes, make sure your Xbox LIVE account information is accurate! Potential winners will be notified by the sweepstakes administrator and have their prizes shipped using the contact info (e-mail, phone, and address) on their Xbox LIVE profile. If your contact info is not up-to-date you will be disqualified from winning a prize.

Check your account information here.

Sweepstakes Registration
You must register for the sweepstakes before the end of the entry period on November 23, 2008 by downloading the New Xbox Experience Download & Win Gamer Picture:

Before November 19:

Sign in to Xbox LIVE Marketplace
Select Game Store
Select All Games
Select New Xbox Experience
Select NXE Download and Win Gamer Picture from the list of available content and select Confirm Download
Upon the successful completion of the Gamer Picture download, you will see a Thank You for Registering message.

After November 19:

Sign in to Xbox LIVEMarketplace
Select Themes & Gamer Pictures
Select AllThemes & Gamer Pictures
Select All
Select New Xbox Experience
Select NXE Download and Win Gamer Picture from the list of available content and select Confirm Download
Upon the successful completion of the Gamer Picture download, you will see a Thank You for Registering message.

You may also access the free NXE Download and Win Registration Gamer Picture via the banner ads running on the Xbox LIVE dashboard.

Sweepstakes Entry
You will automatically receive one entry into the sweepstakes when you download the New Xbox Experience (automatic) and redeem Microsoft Points for downloadable Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in any one of the following categories:

Movie
TV Show
Full Arcade Game
Xbox Originals
Game Add-On
Music Video

There is a maximum limit of ten total entries per person.

Prize Information
After the sweepstakes is over, 46 winners will be selected from all eligible entries to receive the following prizes:

One Grand Prize: 500,000 Microsoft Points
Five First Prizes: 50,000 Microsoft Points
Ten Second Prizes: 10,000 Microsoft Points
Thirty Third Prizes: 5,000 Microsoft Points

The Play & Win and Download & Win promotions from Xbox.com are an easy way to jump in and interact with the Xbox LIVE community. It’s easy to enter and you could win some great prizes. Look for more exciting Play & Win promotions in the future!

Source- XBOX Press Release

Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008: EBS and System Center

Ankur Mittal — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:46:00 +0000

SBS 2008 and EBS 2008, previously known by their respective codenames of Cougar and Centro, are important because they are based on the all new server technologies that include Windows Server 2008 and Exchange Server 2007. Additionally, both products use System Center Essentials as a primary management platform and require 64-bit CPUs. SBS 2008 is a single-server solution for up to 75 desktops, with an optional second SQL server, which can run a 32-bit OS.
System Center Essentials 2007 SP1 is installed automatically on the first server that is built, the Management Server. The Essentials EBS instance is modified from a default Essentials by adding management packs for Exchange 2007, Forefront Server Security (for Exchange 2007), and Forefront TMG (former codename ISA Server Nitrogen). There is also an EBS management pack that we’ll take a closer look at in a moment. Essentials agents are automatically deployed to the Security and Messaging servers, and the Essentials product features are pre-configured during the EBS install.

Read more here

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release to Automatic Updates

Ankur Mittal — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:45:00 +0000

Microsoft is committed to providing quality products to customers. As part of this commitment, we would like to remind you that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will be released to Automatic Updates shortly. The third service pack to Windows XP includes the previously released updates and hotfixes to Windows XP, creating a new baseline for servicing.

Optional Actions

If you wish to prevent users from installing Windows XP SP3 through Automatic Updates, Microsoft recommends you take one or more of the following steps:

1. Download and deploy the Windows Service Pack Blocker Kit. The Blocker Toolkit is available in the Microsoft Download Center.

2. Deploy an update management solution that provides full control over the updates you deploy to computers in your network (Compare Update Management Solutions). IT Administrators using an update management solution should use their product’s standard features, rather than the Blocker Toolkit, to control SP1 distribution.

Source- MSDN Blog

Language Portal Search Tool – Bidirectional Search Enabled!

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:07:00 +0000

The Language Portal Search Tool now offers bidirectional search functionality. Up to this month, search was only possible from English to target language. Going forward, it is also possible to look up English terms entering a target term into the search text box. When using target to English search, the name of the target language needs to be selected in the drop down list entitled “Language” (same as for English to target search). Then check the checkbox “Reverse search direction”.

Step-by-step description of reverse search:

1. In the search text box, enter a non-English IT term, for example “klicken” (the German term for English “click”).

2. In the language drop down list, select the language affiliated with the non-English search term (in this case, “German”).

3. Select the check-box “Reverse search direction”.

4. Click on the “Search” icon.

The search tool will now display the English term(s) and strings associated with German “klicken”.

Source- Technet Blog

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for Microsoft Office Outlook

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:05:00 +0000

This download installs Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for Microsoft Office Outlook and the related Release Notes (Read me).
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for Outlook enables access to the same data through Outlook as Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for Outlook with Offline Access allows data to be taken offline.

Download here

Windows SteadyState 2.5

Ankur Mittal — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:05:00 +0000

Windows® SteadyState™ 2.5 is now available on Windows XP and Windows Vista. Whether you manage computers in a school computer lab or an Internet café, a library, or even in your home, Windows SteadyState helps make it easy for you to keep your computers running the way you want them to, no matter who uses them.
Windows SteadyState runs on genuine copies of Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, and Windows Vista Starter. And, Windows SteadyState is offered free of charge to Windows Genuine Advantage customers!
SteadyState Helps Make it Easier to Manage Your Shared Computers Shared computers are commonly found in schools, Internet and gaming cafés, libraries, and community centers. It is increasingly common for owners, teachers, or non-technical personnel to manage shared computers in addition to their many other responsibilities.
Managing shared computers can be difficult, technically challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. And what’s more, without system restrictions and protections, users can inadvertently change the desktop appearance, reconfigure system settings, and introduce unwanted software, viruses, and other harmful programs. Repairing damaged shared computers can require significant time and effort.
User privacy is also an issue for shared computer environments. Shared computers often use shared user accounts that make Internet history, saved documents, and cached Web pages available to subsequent users.
Windows SteadyState provides a more effective way to help defend shared computers from changes by untrusted users and unwanted software installations. It can also help safeguard system resources.
Windows SteadyState Features Windows SteadyState includes the following features to help you manage your shared computers:

Getting Started – Provides the initial steps to help you during your first time use of Windows SteadyState.
Windows Disk Protection – Help protect the Windows partition, which contains the Windows operating system and other programs, from being modified without administrator approval.Windows SteadyState allows you to set Windows Disk Protection to remove all changes upon restart, to remove changes at a certain date and time, or to not remove changes at all. If you choose to use Windows Disk Protection to remove changes, any changes made by shared users when they are logged on to the computer are removed when the computer is restarted
User Restrictions and Settings – The user restrictions and settings can help to enhance and simplify the user experience. Restrict user access to programs, settings, Start menu items, and options in Windows. You can also lock shared user accounts to prevent changes from being retained from one session to the next.
User Account Manager – Create and delete user accounts. You can use Windows SteadyState to create user accounts on alternative drives that will retain user data and settings even when Windows Disk Protection is turned on. You can also import and export user settings from one computer to another—saving valuable time and resources.
Computer Restrictions – Control security settings, privacy settings, and more, such as preventing users from creating and storing folders in drive C and from opening Microsoft Office documents from Internet Explorer®.
Schedule Software Updates – Update your shared computer with the latest software and security updates when it is convenient for you and your shared users.