Microsoft Urlscan Filter v3.0
UrlScan version 3.0 is a security tool that restricts the types of HTTP requests that Internet Information Services (IIS) will process. By blocking specific HTTP requests, UrlScan helps prevent potentially harmful requests from being processed by web applications on the server.
* Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Windows Server 2008; Windows Vista; Windows XP
A supported platform running Internet Information Services 5.1, 6.0 or 7.0
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Microsoft readies new Storage 1.0 feature pack for Windows
Microsoft is putting the finishing touches on a new storage-focused feature pack — part of the company’s Storage 1.0 platform — that will add new Blu-Ray media and smart-card driver functionality to Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.
I hear the forthcoming storage feature pack was being tested by a number of folks in a private, non-disclosure-covered beta until recently. But now the information on the new feature pack is availalble for any/all to see on the Microsoft Connect site. From the site:
“There are 3 technologies available for this Pre-Release. Each will have its own installer:
“Active Storage Platform: This pre-release package enables the Windows platform to restrict access to portable devices (such as a USB Flash Device) via a certificate or password authentication based on the IEEE 1667 standard specification.
“Image Mastering API update for Blu-Ray media: This feature enables the Windows platform to do master style optical burning on Blu-Ray media.
“Smart Card Driver: This release provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID.
Source: ZDNet Blogs
New Community Technology Preview (CTP) for Windows Embedded Standard (XPE)
The Windows Embedded Standard team (previously known as Windows XP Embedded) have been busy working on an updated Community Technology Preview (CTP) of Windows Embedded Standard (WES) - the CTP can be downloaded from the Microsoft Connect Site.
The CTP Refresh includes an improved setup experience and migration support from previous versions of Windows XP Embedded. Additionally, it now includes .NET 3.5, additional device drivers, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) Client Prereq Macro, and various other updates based on direct customer feedback.
Today we also posted a CTP of Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP Embedded. This is a rollup of hot fixes and security updates Microsoft has released since the RTM of Service Pack 2. SP3 also includes select out-of-band features and enhancements. SP3 provides a new baseline for customers deploying Windows XP Embedded.
Source- MSDN Blog
Windows Messenger 5.1 available for download
Windows Messenger allows real-time communication with other contacts who are using instant messaging (IM) services including those provided by the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) as offered by Microsoft Office Live Communications Server. Windows Messenger also provides connectivity to the Microsoft .NET Messenger service and Exchange 2000 Server Instant Messaging Service.
Windows Messenger 5.1 replaces Windows Messenger 5.0 and is the required version of Windows Messenger to take advantage of certain new features in Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005:
- Federation (sharing IM and presence between two or more organizations)
- Advanced architecture (higher availability and failover support)
For a complete list of fixes and changes in this version of Windows Messenger 5.1 please see KB article 899283.
If your organization uses Microsoft Windows XP Multilingual User Interface (MUI), download the Windows Messenger 5.1 Multilingual User Interface Package.
Livestation has been updated
Livestation is a free software application that provides a range of live news television channels and radio stations (over 500) that can be received on a computer anywhere with a basic broadband connection. You can watch television on your desktop, or on your laptop, at home, at work, on the move, or in a hotel room, provided you have a broadband internet connection or wireless access.
Livestation allows you to receive live TV and radio news from the world’s leading broadcasters on your PC, via a multi-channel interactive application on the desktop giving you a unique window on the world’s news. You can watch Livestation full screen or minimised to fit in the corner of your screen, enabling you to carry on with other tasks while also keeping an eye on the news. You can flick between channels just as you would on your TV set.
Livestation is legal, safe, free and comes with no strings attached.
Current features include:
- High quality live audio and video
- Channel selection and programme guide
- Programme information overlay
- Ability to scale player window from 50% to 200%
- Always on top window setting
- Full screen playback option
- Volume control and mute.
Other functions, including support for subtitles and audio description, and many other interactive features, will be added in future releases.
What’s new in Livestation 1.0.77.3:
- Fixed Silverlight installation issue
- Added support for more user streams
Minimum requirements:
* Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Vista
* Internet Explorer 6+
* 1.5 Ghz processor
* A network of at least 800 kbps.
* Microsoft Silverlight
* Free registration: Publisher’s website
Livestation is available for download at this address
Alternate download location: Livestation-1.0.77.3-Installer.zip (3.2 MB)
Link: Livestation Home Page
Source
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008 Update 1
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008 Update 1 unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. The fourth generation deployment accelerator adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and automated installation. MDT’s tools and end-to-end guidance reduce deployment time, standardize desktop and server images, limit service disruptions, reduce post-deployment help desk costs, and improve security and ongoing configuration management.
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit technologies eliminate interaction time required to install desktop and server operating systems. Interaction at the targeted computer may take a few moments using the Lite Touch Installation (LTI) method or it can be completely automated using Zero Touch Installation (ZTI). Zero Touch Installation utilizes Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or Systems Management Server 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack. Lite Touch Installation can be used when software distribution tools are not in place.
Microsoft Deployment Tookit 2008 Update 1 also uses Configuration Manager 2007’s stand-alone media-initiated operating system deployment feature. This release offers project management guidance for all deployment roles and separates technical documentation for the products and technologies to facilitate automation tasks.
What’s New in MDT 2008 Update 1?
MDT 2008 Update 1 includes new capability for OEM preload scenarios, a revised System Center Operations Manager Management Pack, bug fixes, and revised documentation. This updated version provides guidance in the .chm help file format only. If you need the guidance in .doc file format, you can download it here.
MDT 2008 Update 1 enables deployment of the following Microsoft products:
- Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate (32 and 64 bit) RTM and SP1
- Office Professional, Professional Plus, Enterprise, and Ultimate 2007
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2003 R2 (32 and 64 bit)
- Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 and Service Pack 3 (32 and 64 bit) or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Office 2007: 120 Million Licenses Shipped
Vista may claim 180 million licenses shipped, but Office 2007 probably has more deployments.
Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft’s Business division, revealed the sales figures during the company’s annual Financial Analysts Meeting today. There have been “120 million licenses sold since the launch of Office 2007,” he asserted.
Microsoft also uses “sold” to refer to Vista “shipments.” But “sold” might better describe Office 2007. New PCs ship with Vista, whereas Office 2007 must be separately acquired. One is a choice, the other is not. And many enterprises are choosing to strip off Vista for Windows XP.
Stephen said 90 percent of enterprises will have deployed Office 2007 by mid-2009. Whoa, that’s impressive. Analyst projections put Vista enterprise adoption more like 10 to as much as 15 percent in the same time frame.
Source- Microsoft Watch
Microsoft looks to ‘Mojave’ to revive Vista’s image
After months of searching for ways to defend its oft-maligned Windows operating system, Microsoft may just have found its best weapon: Vista’s skeptics.
Spurred by an e-mail from someone deep in the marketing ranks, Microsoft last week traveled to San Francisco, rounding up Windows XP users who had negative impressions of Vista. The subjects were put on video, asked about their Vista impressions, and then shown a “new” operating system, code-named Mojave. More than 90 percent gave positive feedback on what they saw. Then they were told that “Mojave” was actually Windows Vista.
“Oh wow,” said one user, eliciting exactly the exclamation that Microsoft had hoped to garner when it first released the operating system more than 18 months ago. Instead, the operating system got mixed reviews and criticisms for its lack of compatibility and other headaches.
To be sure, the focus groups didn’t have to install Vista or hook it up to their existing home network. Still, the emotional appeal of the “everyman” trying Vista and liking it clearly packs an emotional punch, something the company has desperately needed. Microsoft is still trying to figure out just how it will use the Mojave footage in its marketing, though it will clearly have a place.
Source- Cnet
