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[The articles below were posted between December 22, 2003 and January 20, 2004 and appear in the February 2004 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]
Operating Systems
- Free! Windows OS Roadmap Stretched
- Substantial updates to Windows XP and retirement of important Windows 2000 support services are in store for 2004 and 2005, but variants of Windows 98 will retain some support
- Services for Unix Updated
- Updates to the Services for Unix interoperability tools will help customers who want to run dual environments and migrate their Unix applications to Windows
- ISA and MDAC Vulnerabilities Require Patches
- A critical vulnerability in Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server and an important vulnerability with Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) could create serious problems if exploited
- Windows 2000 Life Cycle Finalized
- The announcement of final dates for purchasing Windows 2000 completes the
support life-cycle documentation for this product
- Smart Display Work Stops
- Changing market conditions, such as falling prices for notebooks, have driven Microsoft to
end development of its Smart Display technology
- Blaster Dewormer Available
- In response to reports of significant lingering network traffic from computers infected by the Blaster worm, Microsoft has released a Blaster removal tool
Appliances & Emerging Networks
- Free! CES Highlights PC as Digital Media Hub
- After several years of promoting the PC as a home entertainment hub, Microsoft is developing products and technologies to connect other entertainment devices to it and enlisting OEMs to help
- SPOT Watches Ship
- Smart Watches for MSN Direct primarily aim to improve on the common watch, but can also receive data such as Outlook appointments and news headlines
Server Applications
- ISVs Help Manage Web Services
- Several partners have announced management packs for Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) designed to help companies manage applications that are based on Web services
- BizTalk Server 2004 Pricing
- BizTalk Server 2004 offers increased connectivity in its Partner and Standard Editions; the product will likely be available in the first quarter of 2004
- MSCRM Goes International
- An update to Microsoft’s Customer Relationship Management product supports additional languages, simplifies setup, and can run on Small Business Server
- Host Integration Server 2004 Beta
- The next release of HIS is now in beta and is aimed at integrating .NET applications
with mainframe host-based applications and databases
Development Tools & Programs
- ASP.NET Gets Major Improvements
- Current users will find ASP.NET 2.0 to be a 'no-brainer' upgrade, substantially reducing the custom code they must write, and holdouts may find it tempting enough to take the plunge
Desktop Applications
- Mac Office, Virtual PC Previewed
- Planned Mac releases, including Office 2004 and Virtual PC support for Apple’s 64-bit platform, signal Microsoft’s continuing support for Mac OS X
- Desktop Support Certification Offered
- A new certification for desktop support technicians will be useful for help-desk personnel and others engaged with end-user desktops
- Outlook Spam Filter Updated
- Outlook 2003's spam filter has received its first update from Microsoft; continuing
updates could keep the filter effective against wily spammers
Commercial & Consumer Services
- MSN Launches Range of Services
- In an effort to increase subscription revenue, MSN is expanding its subscription-based offerings, focusing mainly on e-mail. It is also taking new steps to attract advertisers
Sales and Support
- Microsoft Fights for the Small and Middle Market
- Microsoft has strengthened its partner programs and product lineup for midmarket firms, but the company faces strong competition from enterprise vendors who are entering the market as well
- Java Stops Older Products
- Distribution has stopped for many older products, including Windows 98, Office 2000, and SQL Server 7.0; organizations and developers should hold onto their discs
Corporate News
- RealNetworks Files Antitrust Suit
- RealNetworks alleges that Microsoft is using the same strategy—and illegal tactics—in
the digital media market that it used against Netscape
- Eolas Continues, SPX Settles, Mythic Sues
- A judge refuses to suspend the Eolas-IE patent infringement verdict while the U.S. Patent Office re-evaluates the patent; SPX suit settled with US$60 million payout; Mythic sues over trademarks
- Reorganization Tightens Windows Focus
- Splitting Windows core development from non-core development and marketing will help Microsoft focus on building the next Windows while supporting an ever-growing slate of legacy systems
- Microsoft and Industry Conferences
- List of major Microsoft-sponsored conferences scheduled for February through July, 2004
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