Tech today

Microsoft SharePoint Administration Toolkit v2.0 Released

Ankur Mittal — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:00:26 +0000

The Microsoft SharePoint Administration Toolkit contains functionality to help administer and manage Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services version 3.0. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=263cd480-f6eb-4fa3-9f2e-2d47618505f2&DisplayLang=en Tags: Downloads, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Windows

Microsoft Buys European Comparison Shopping Site for $486M

Ankur Mittal — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:59:58 +0000

Microsoft has agreed to buy comparison shopping business Ciao in a deal worth around US$486 million, and plans to integrate the service into its Live Search sites, it announced Friday. The deal is a sign that Microsoft’s commercial search ambitions extend to Europe, where Ciao is present in seven countries. Microsoft launched a [...]

Windows 7 — Approach to System Performance

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:27:43 +0000

The dialog has been wide ranging—folks consistently want performance to improve (of course). As with many topics we will discuss, performance, as absolute and measurable as it might seem, also has a lot of subtlety. There are many elements and many tradeoffs involved in achieving performance that meets everyone’s expectations. We know that even meeting [...]

120 GB Zune Confirmed

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:13:31 +0000

Not much to see here, but I just got word from Zune team member Cesar Menendez (of Zune Insider fame) that the 120 GB Zune we saw in the FCC docs is official: "You’ve probably all seen about 120GB @the FCC- and just wanted to send you a note to confirm that is indeed part of [...]

Windows Vista SP1 is now being deployed by Microsoft’s auto-update service

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:11:45 +0000

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that they have begun to deliver Windows Vista Service Pack 1 via an automatic update. Windows Vista SP1 will be automatically downloaded and installed on machines who have Windows Update. Starting first will be important patches, hotfixes, and other updates which will be sent via automatic updates. From there, Microsoft will [...]

Microsoft and Nikon Enter Into Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:11:02 +0000

Microsoft Corp. and Nikon Corp. have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to further the development of each company’s current and future product lines. The agreement covers digital cameras made by Nikon as well as a broad range of other consumer products each company manufactures and sells. The agreement was signed by representatives from both companies at [...]

NASCAR 09 Play & Win Sweepstakes

Ankur Mittal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:09:20 +0000

Feel the need for speed at as you take the wheel and thunder around authentic NASCAR tracks on your quest to become the next champion in NASCAR 09. During the EA SPORTS Challenge Play & Win Sweepstakes, you could win a great prize package just by registering and playing online. Stay out of the pile-ups and [...]

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is now available for download!

Ankur Mittal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:18:12 +0000

The new Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is now available for download. To download just visit here: www.microsoft.com/ie8 Internet Explorer 8 is the latest version of the familiar web browser you are most comfortable using, helping you get everything you want from the web faster, easier, more privately and secure than ever before. Faster Internet Explorer 8 is [...]

Microsoft’s next Mojave act

Ankur Mittal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:06:29 +0000

The much discussed Mojave Experiment site got an update today with a features demo, additional videos and an FAQ. Despite the accusation that it makes customers appear dumb I think it does address a common situation I find – namely that people are forming views about Vista based on hearsay. This is the key for [...]

Update to WGA Notifications for Windows XP Professional

Ankur Mittal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:04:39 +0000

Starting this week, we will begin deployment of the latest version of WGA Notifications for Windows XP. In addition to the usual updates to validation that improve WGA’s ability to detect the latest stolen or fake product keys and other attempts to circumvent product activation, this release will also include a couple of other significant [...]

Xbox 360 Fall Update Coming Out In November

Ankur Mittal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:58:37 +0000

RPG-TV got a briefing last week on the Xbox Live Experience and was told that the Fall dashboard update would be hitting in November, i.e. this fall. Makes sense to me. Before I start sounding too glib, while the fall update has routinely landed in November, an update of this size could have theoretically [...]

Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3 is Coming!!

Ankur Mittal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:57:26 +0000

Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3 is Coming Soon!! Even Better,even faster !! Faster than ever. It’ll be up to 70 percent faster to sign in and see your e-mail.1 Of course, along with more speed, you’ll get powerful technology that deflects spam and helps protect you against viruses and scams. Simpler, cleaner design. We’re combining the classic and [...]

IE8 and Privacy

Ankur Mittal — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:08:46 +0000

Have you ever wanted to take your web browsing “off the record”? Perhaps you’re using someone else’s computer and you don’t want them to know which sites you visited. Maybe you need to buy a gift for a loved one without ruining the surprise. Maybe you’re at an Internet kiosk and don’t want the next [...]

Dolby Digital 5.1 and the Dolby Game Studio Program

Ankur Mittal — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:07:03 +0000

Game audio is more important and complex than ever before. A top-selling title increasingly relies on cinematic, high-quality sound. In this session, learn tips and techniques to make your Xbox 360 game sound better. The session will deal with bass management and downmix considerations for the Xbox 360, then move on to mixing techniques for [...]

Report Builder 2.0 - RC1 Release

Ankur Mittal — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:14:45 +0000

Report Builder 2.0 RC1 is now available on Microsoft Download Center. Use this link for download. RC1 delivers improvements in the following areas compared to RC0: Easy to use wizards for creating table, matrix and chart data regions. Support for directly opening and editing reports stored on the report server. Support for using server resources such [...]