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Longhorn has now been given a name by Microsoft, Windows Server 2008. All the features mentioned in the post before like the new Windows PowerShell (Monad) are most likely to be included, but here is what Microsoft have to say about their new operating system:
However, as the web address clearly shows, Microsoft are a little slow in renaming it to 2008, as it is still LHS (longhorn Server).
Download: Windows Server 2008 (Still Beta 3)
Watch: Naming of Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is the next generation of the Windows Server operating system that helps information technology (IT) professionals maximize control over their infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities, leading to a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment than ever before. Windows Server 2008 delivers new value to organizations by ensuring all users regardless of location are able to get the full complement of services from the network. Windows Server 2008 also provides deep insight into the operating system and diagnostic capabilities to allow administrators to spend more time adding business value.
Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of the award-winning Windows Server 2003 operating system and on the innovations delivered in Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 R2. However, Windows Server 2008 is far more than a refinement of predecessor operating systems. Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide organizations with the most productive platform for powering applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the datacenter with exciting, valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system.
Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of the award-winning Windows Server 2003 operating system and on the innovations delivered in Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 R2. However, Windows Server 2008 is far more than a refinement of predecessor operating systems. Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide organizations with the most productive platform for powering applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the datacenter with exciting, valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system.
However, as the web address clearly shows, Microsoft are a little slow in renaming it to 2008, as it is still LHS (longhorn Server).
Download: Windows Server 2008 (Still Beta 3)
Watch: Naming of Windows Server 2008
Longhorn Server Public Beta
Microsoft have released Windows Server "Longhorn" beta 3 to the general public. Probably to be renamed "Windows Server 2007", Longhorn Server is an amalgamation of Server 2003, the best bits of Vista and several recent server technologies such as the Windows PowerShell (Monad). It is built on top of Windows Vista, so shares many of its features and functionality, such as the new networking stack improved search and updated Windows Firewall.
You can download the four versions of Server 2003 (Standard, Enterprise, Web, Datacenter) in 32-bit or 64-bit versions. One other option is the new Core installation. This is where no graphical user interface (GUI) is installed, and all maintenance is run through a command-line interface (CLI) or remotely via the Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
Download: Windows Server "Longhorn" (Microsoft)
You can download the four versions of Server 2003 (Standard, Enterprise, Web, Datacenter) in 32-bit or 64-bit versions. One other option is the new Core installation. This is where no graphical user interface (GUI) is installed, and all maintenance is run through a command-line interface (CLI) or remotely via the Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
Download: Windows Server "Longhorn" (Microsoft)
Dell Turn Back to XP
Back in January, Dell decided to stop selling XP on new PCs and migrate entirely to Vista. By March, only two models continued to offer XP. However, after being plagued by considerable public backlash, that policy has been reversed. Now customers can once again opt for XP Home or Professional on four Inspiron laptops and two Dimension desktop models.
Why do people still clamour for XP? Windows Vista has been plagued with problems since its Volume Licencing launch back in November (and in the betas before it), and the system requirements to run Vista are much higher than those of XP. Also, the familiarity of XP will keep many people from migrating to the unfamiliar Vista. Even though PC manufacturers (OEMs) will no longer be able to buy licences for XP come January 2008, it looks like its going to stick around for as long as it can.
Read: BBC
Why do people still clamour for XP? Windows Vista has been plagued with problems since its Volume Licencing launch back in November (and in the betas before it), and the system requirements to run Vista are much higher than those of XP. Also, the familiarity of XP will keep many people from migrating to the unfamiliar Vista. Even though PC manufacturers (OEMs) will no longer be able to buy licences for XP come January 2008, it looks like its going to stick around for as long as it can.
Read: BBC
XP to be Ditched next January
As of the start of next year, new PCs will no longer have Windows XP on them. Next January is Microsoft's contractual deadline with PC builders for selling the OEM version of Windows XP. No doubt XP will still be obtainable through less official means, but Vista will be the only Windows OS you can buy preinstalled on PCs. Let's just hope that Microsoft get a Service Pack (Fiji?) out for Vista before then.
.NET Rocks! - Live from the Canadian Vista Launch Events!
Carl and Richard were the emcees at the Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa launch events in December, 2006. Hear them and their guests Shane Miskin, Scott Howlett, Allan Vander-spek, Mohammad Akif, Robert Achmann, Jean-Luc David, and Tony Davidson.
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Service Pack 2 for Server 2003 & XP x64
Windows Serviceability is pleased to announce the broad availability of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2.
This release includes the following standalone builds of Service Pack 2:
Service Pack 2 will also be available integrated with the operating system.
Today's release includes editions for English and German. Other languages will be released in the coming weeks.
This release includes the following standalone builds of Service Pack 2:
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (32-bit x86)
- Windows Server 2003 R2 Service Pack 2 for x64 Editions
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 for Itanium-based Systems
- Service Pack 2 for Windows XP Professional, x64 Edition
Service Pack 2 will also be available integrated with the operating system.
Today's release includes editions for English and German. Other languages will be released in the coming weeks.
Register for Microsoft ASP.NET, Visual Studio & .NET 3.0 Connections: March 25 – 28 in Orlando
Join us for this premier event filled with 4 days of in-depth training, exciting keynotes and cool networking parties at the Marriot Orlando World Center in Orlando, FL.
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The North Face In-Store Explorer Proof-of-Concept: A White Paper (revised for the February 2006 CTP)
See how Windows Presentation Foundation (formerly code-named "Avalon") was used to create an immersive experience that brings The North Face's brand and catalog to life in a retail environment.
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Windows Home Server
Nominations are now being taken for entry into the Windows Home Server Beta 2 program. Ideal candidates must have the following:
- Two or more PCs
- A broadband connection and router
- A spare PC or server that can be dedicated to Windows Home Server software
More details can be found here
Good luck!
- Two or more PCs
- A broadband connection and router
- A spare PC or server that can be dedicated to Windows Home Server software
More details can be found here
Good luck!
Problems already?
For those of you that use iTunes, Apple have urged its users not to upgrade to Vista just yet, due to a compatibility issue with the player. Some of the found issues included in the statement were: failure to playback downloaded songs, failure to automatically sync media on to an iPod, and corrupting the iPod when ejecting it.
Apple will be bringing out a newer version of iTunes within the next few weeks which will resolve the issue, and for those of you who have already upgraded to Vista, there is now also a tool for you to download from the Apple website which should repair the errors. (See Link Below)
On another note, concern has been raised about the Speech Recognition software included in Vista which can control the entire computer using voice commands.
Microsoft has pointed out that it is technically possible for voice recordings on malicious websites to control the computer and delete documents. However, they concluded that there should be no need to worry, as the software has to be activated by the user first, and both the Microphone and the speakers have to be switched on.
You can find more information about both issues on the BBC website.
Vista has speech recognition hole (BBC)
Itunes and Windows Vista with iTunes Repair Tool (Apple)
Apple will be bringing out a newer version of iTunes within the next few weeks which will resolve the issue, and for those of you who have already upgraded to Vista, there is now also a tool for you to download from the Apple website which should repair the errors. (See Link Below)
On another note, concern has been raised about the Speech Recognition software included in Vista which can control the entire computer using voice commands.
Microsoft has pointed out that it is technically possible for voice recordings on malicious websites to control the computer and delete documents. However, they concluded that there should be no need to worry, as the software has to be activated by the user first, and both the Microphone and the speakers have to be switched on.
You can find more information about both issues on the BBC website.
Vista has speech recognition hole (BBC)
Itunes and Windows Vista with iTunes Repair Tool (Apple)