News


Windows Sidebar Makes a Comeback

Microsoft's on-again, off-again Windows Sidebar feature, a prominent new interface element that could make it into the Windows Vista desktop, is definitely on again.

Sun to Ship New x86 Servers

Sun Microsystems introduced three new AMD Opteron x64-based servers this week – servers it says begin a new generation of 64-bit x86, multi-core systems. To round out the offering, the company announced four new storage products as well.

Microsoft Cancels Only Security Patch Planned for September

Due to quality concerns, Microsoft cancelled the release of a critical security bulletin for Windows that was supposed to be posted on Tuesday.

Microsoft Handing Out Vista CTP at PDC, More CTPs on the Way

Microsoft is distributing a Community Technology Preview of Windows Vista to attendees at its Professional Developers Conference 2005 in Los Angeles this week. The September Vista CTP, loaded with new features, comes fast on the heels of Windows Vista Beta 1.

Office 12 to Sport a New UI

Microsoft showed off Office 12 publicly for the first time on Tuesday, featuring user interface changes that the company describes as the "biggest, most visible change to the way the core Office applications work since the introduction of the toolbar in 1997."

WinFS Fleshed Out

Microsoft's WinFS, or Windows Future Storage, is the descendent of several abandoned projects dating back to Cairo to overhaul the way Windows handles storage. With the delivery of a beta release of WinFS last month, Microsoft brought chairman Bill Gates' long-standing dream of unified storage one large step closer to reality.

WinFS' Groove Factor

Whenever Microsoft talked about WinFS in the past, the emphasis was on the technology's usefulness for search and file navigation.

Microsoft's Near-Term Storage Strategy

When it comes to storage, Microsoft has several important enhancements in its product lineup. One is the Windows Server 2003 R2 release, which will bring a number of new storage features to the server OS. The other is a brand new product for backup and restore that launches at the end of this month.

Microsoft Still Quiet on Server Piece of WinFS

After acknowledging the need for a server-side piece of WinFS a year ago, Microsoft is quiet about it for now.

System Aims to Block IM Attacks Proactively

At a time when security threats are multiplying for corporate instant messaging users, IMlogic says it has a solution. The Waltham, Mass. company just shipped its Real-Time Threat Protection System – and if that just doesn’t roll right off the tongue, call it RTTPS for short.

Salaries Finally Up for MCPs According to 2005 MCPmag.com Survey

Readers report a significant increase in salary over last year's survey results.

CompTIA Exams Now Eligible for G.I. Reimbursement

Notes and Domino 7 Now Shipping

IBM Lotus officials announced on Wednesday that the company is shipping version 7 of its Notes and Domino collaboration platform.

CipherTrust Ships New, Improved Secure E-mail Appliances

Secure e-mail vendor CipherTrust released one new model and one significantly upgraded model in its line of reputation-based secure e-mail appliances.

IT Weekly Roundup, Sept. 9

From the business wires this week: a business security suite for Windows Server, a VSAM-to-SQL Server conversion tool and a small-business dual-core server.

With Lots of Partner Help, Microsoft Launches Small Business Accounting 2006

Microsoft today added to its small-business arsenal by announcing the general availability and promotional pricing for Microsoft Office Small Business Accounting 2006 and Office Small Business Management Edition 2006.

'Project Green' Renamed Microsoft Dynamics

The realignment of the Microsoft Business Solutions product set previously referred to as "Project Green" got its official name Wednesday -- Microsoft Dynamics.

Microsoft Lays Out Long-term Commitment to Midsize Business Server

Microsoft on Wednesday laid out a roadmap extending the recent Windows Server System Midsize Business promotion to 2007 and beyond with a Windows "Longhorn" Server version of the package code-named "Centro." "This is really the equivalent of Small Business Server for the midmarket," said a Windows Server senior director.

DVD-Only Distribution Planned for Exchange 12

The distribution media for Exchange 12 will be exclusively DVD, Microsoft announced in a blog posting.

Neupert Returns to Microsoft for Health Strategy Role

Peter Neupert, onetime director of operating systems responsible for OS/2, rejoined Microsoft last week to fill the position of corporate vice president for health strategy.