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August 29th, 2007

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Microsoft: Vista service pack coming in ‘08


Now is the time and the time is now: let’s talk about Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). Much has been made of what will or will not be included in SP1 and when it will be released (some accurate, some otherwise). I’m here to set the story straight: we’re in the process of developing and deploying a Beta version of SP1. This post will describe for you what to expect from that effort and how you can be involved in the process.

First, a note on service packs. As you are aware, service packs are part of our traditional software lifecycle; they’re something we do for most major products as a commitment to continuous improvement. But, the servicing situation has changed with the advent of Windows Vista, as we no longer rely solely on service packs as the main vehicle used to deploy system fixes and improvements. The Windows Update online service is one new way to deliver many OS improvements. For example, yesterday in advance of SP1 we released via Windows Update two separate improvements to Windows Vista’s reliability and performance. We did this prior to SP1 in lieu of requiring customers to wait for these fixes to be rolled into a single service pack. Beyond this, we improve the Windows Vista experience by continuing to work closely with software partners to ensure application compatibility. We likewise align efforts with partners on the hardware side of the business to broaden the range of devices that work with Windows Vista and to constantly improve device driver quality.

What is SP1? What is it not?
In addition to updates we’ve previously released, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues we’ve identified via customer feedback, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also makes additional improvements to the IT administration experience. We didn’t design SP1 as a vehicle for releasing new features; however, some existing components do gain enhanced functionality in SP1.
More information on what’s included in SP1 can be found in the detailed white paper.

When can I get my hands on the Beta of SP1?
A Beta release of Windows Vista SP1 is slated for availability in the next few weeks. A small group of testers has been putting a preview of the SP1 Beta through its paces to help prepare for broader release. We made the choice to start with a very small group of testers because we think it’s better for both our customers and for Microsoft to keep the beta program small at the start.

A later pre-release of SP1 will be available to a larger group of testers via MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

And what about SP1 itself — when will that be available?
We’re targeting releasing SP1 to manufacturing in the first quarter of 2008, but as always, we’re first and foremost focused on delivering a high-quality release, so we’ll determine the exact release date of SP1 after we have reached that quality bar. (FYI, in case you didn’t already know: the Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 engineering efforts are aligned, so the Server team also said on their blog today that they are targeting the first quarter of 2008 for their release to manufacturing.)

Written by Madhukara H on August 29th, 2007 with no comments.
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Windows Vista SP1 beta to be released soon

Microsoft has just announced that they will be releasing a beta SP1 for vista soon (To a very limited group). A few top items that will be resolved in this service pack:

* Support for Direct 3D 10.1

* support for Secure Digital (SD) Advanced Direct Memory Access (DMA) to improve transfer performance and decrease CPU utilization

* Performance tweaks lessening the amount of time it takes to copy files, shut down and resume Vista machines

* Support for ExFat, the Windows file format for flash memory storage and other consumer devices

* Improvements to BitLocker Drive Encryption to allow not just encryption of the whole Vista volume, but also locally created data volumes

* The ability to boot Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) on an x64 machine

* Improvements to battery life by reducing CPU utilization be “not redrawing the screen as frequently, on certain computers”

* Improvements to Interneet Explorer 7 performance by reducing CPU utilization and speeding JavaScript parsing

I don’t see much of anything that makes me happy on that list. Not one of them was something I had in mind when thinking about what needs to be fixed in Vista. Hopefully they will resolve some of these issues

(Update) I have found some links with more info about SP1:

Vista SP1 Whitepaper

Announcement from Vista Team

Check out our Windows Admin Tools

Written by Steve Wiseman on August 29th, 2007 with no comments.
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WatchGuard Releases Firebox X Edge e-Series 8.6

WatchGuard is pleased to announce the availability of Firebox X Edge e-Series system software 8.6, the latest version of software available for Edge e-Series appliances. Edge 8.6 provides broadened security, greater interoperability and flexibility and wider network visibility. Several enhancements and bug fixes were also implemented (see the release notes for details). We strongly recommend that all customers download and install this release to upgrade their Edge e-Series appliance.

What’s new with Edge e-Series 8.6

Broadened Security

  • Security for internal email servers with SMTP proxy support
  • Enhanced wireless security zones and WPA2 support
  • MAC address lockdown
  • Custom proxy configuration
  • IKE support with AES encryption for IPSec tunnels

Greater Interoperability and Flexibility

  • VPN failover
  • WAN failover with serial modem support
  • Enhanced QoS support
  • Secure remote access with PPTP
  • Third party certificate-based authentication

Wider Network Visibility

  • Rich historical reporting for Security Services - Web UI
  • Rich historical reporting for Security Services and network events - WSM
  • SNMP monitoring support

Does this release pertain to me?

The Firebox X Edge e-Series 8.6 software will only work with Firebox X Edge e-Series models. It will not operate (and cannot be installed) on other Firebox X Edge models, SOHO 6, S6, or SOHO models.

Upgrade Path

There is a specific upgrade path that needs to be followed for installing this release. Please use the following chart to determine your upgrade path:

If you are currently running: Install in this order:
Edge e-Series v8.0 Edge e-Series v8.0.1 -> 8.0.3 -> 8.6
Edge e-Series v8.0.3 Edge e-Series v8.6
Edge e-Series v8.5 Edge e-Series v8.6
Edge e-Series v8.5.1 Edge e-Series v8.6

 Please refer to the system status page of your Edge e-Series device to determine which version of software you currently have installed.

How do I get this release?

Firebox X Edge e-Series owners who have a current LiveSecurity Service subscription can obtain this update without additional charge by downloading it from the Software Downloads Web page. Be sure to read the accompanying release notes for the complete list of bug fixes, as well as installation instructions, limitations, and known issues. If you need support, please enter a support incident online or call our support staff directly. (When you contact Technical Support, please have your registered Product Serial Number, LiveSecurity Key, or Partner ID available.)

Written by bardissi on August 29th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Watchguard and Microsoft and Network Infrastructure and Business Computer Support.

Microsoft finally provides important details on Vista SP1

Vista SP1Nick White announced today on the Windows Vista Blog that the beta of Windows Vista SP1 would be available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers within a few weeks. He went on to say that the final version is expected to ship no sooner than the first quarter of 2008, so my prediction of November 30th is out the window!

What can you expect Vista's SP1 to contain? Here's how Nick describes it:

In addition to updates we’ve previously released, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues we’ve identified via customer feedback, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also makes additional improvements to the IT administration experience. We didn’t design SP1 as a vehicle for releasing new features; however, some existing components do gain enhanced functionality in SP1.

In a white paper called Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta White Paper, Brandon LeBlanc goes into more detail. The standalone service pack will weigh in at roughly 1GB for the x86 version, and will require 7 GB of freespace for x86 and 12 GB for x64 just for the install to happen (most of this will be returned after the install finishes). Besides the standalone version, users will also have the option to do an express install, which only downloads the required pieces for that specific computer, or a slipstream version which embeds the updates into the original Vista image.

Though the focus of the service pack is to increase reliability and performance, some enhancements will also be included. Among them, you'll find:

  • Support for the exFAT file system
  • Support for Secure Digital (SD) Advanced Direct Memory Access (DMA)
  • x64 PCs can boot using Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)
  • Support for Direct3D 10.1
  • Support for Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)
  • Ability to use BitLocker Drive Encryption on volumes other than C:
  • Better control over the Disk Defragmenter
  • The Network Diagnostics tool will help troubleshoot network file sharing issues
  • An improved method of working with GPO's through GPEdit.msc instead of GPMC

Written by Joe on August 29th, 2007 with no comments.
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TechSoup Stock New Product Alert - August 2007

This month, I am excited to announce the new Atlas Business Solutions donation program at TechSoup Stock. Their two human resource software products, Staff Manager and ScheduleAnywhere, make managing and scheduling your organization’s employees and volunteers easier. This new program can help managers in your organization reduce costs, save time, and streamline your operations. Please read on to learn more about this program’s product donations and eligibility requirements.

 

Two educational software products are now available through TechSoup Stock: Microsoft Encarta Premium 2008 and Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008. Two more recent additions from Microsoft are the Core User and Device CAL suites, which each provide access to four key Microsoft servers in one convenient suite.

 

Our featured product this month is UltraKey 5.0, which teaches keyboarding skills to help your organization become more productive or to support your training programs. Finally, I would like to highlight some of the many community forums on TechSoup that can help answer your technology questions.

 

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INTRODUCING THE ATLAS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS DONATION PROGRAM ============================================

Atlas Business Solutions, Inc. (ABS) is pleased to partner with TechSoup Stock to offer two donated software products that can help your nonprofit organization more effectively manage its employees and volunteers. This partnership enables TechSoup Stock to offer software supporting human resources for the first time.

 

Founded in 1991, ABS is a leading developer of easy-to-use business management software and was recognized as one of Software Magazine’s top 500 software companies for three consecutive years. ABS solutions have helped thousands of organizations large and small reduce costs, save time, and streamline business processes.

 

The following ABS software is now available through TechSoup

Stock:

 

STAFF MANAGER

Staff Manager can help your organization save time, reduce paperwork, and eliminate the need for paper filing systems.

Managers and human resource professionals can store and retrieve HR information such as performance evaluations, wages, and important documents easily and securely. You can also create custom employee letters using Microsoft Word and populate them with information from Staff Manager.

 

* Learn more about Staff Manager and place your donation

request:

http://ga0.org/ct/4dLRaAn1WElf/

 

SCHEDULEANYWHERE

ScheduleAnywhere makes it possible for managers to schedule employees and volunteers from any computer with a Web browser.

The software can help you save time by easily scheduling multiple employees in one step and save money by seeing whether too few or too many employees are scheduled at a given time.

Managers, employees, and volunteers can also view and print schedules online, helping to keep your team coordinated.

 

A one-year subscription to ScheduleAnywhere is available through TechSoup Stock for an administrative fee of $35 or $55 (as compared to retail values ranging from $914 - $1589), depending on the number of people being scheduled. Learn more and place your donation request:

 

* ScheduleAnywhere for up to 250 workers:

http://ga0.org/ct/XpLRaAn1WEl4/

 

* ScheduleAnywhere for more than 250 workers:

http://ga0.org/ct/41LRaAn1WElr/

 

ELIGIBILITY

* U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Canadian charitable and nonprofit organizations, and non-501(c)(3) libraries in the U.S. and Canada. For details on eligibility requirements, visit http://ga0.org/ct/f7LRaAn1WElI/

 

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UPDATED MICROSOFT ENCARTA PREMIUM AVAILABLE ============================================

Microsoft Encarta Premium 2008 is a multimedia reference library that provides accurate, up-to-date information on a wide variety of educational subjects. Special features include the Encarta search bar, available even when Encarta is closed, providing quick access to content from both Encarta and the Web. Also, Encarta’s Web Companion automatically pulls up information from Encarta alongside Internet search results.

 

Microsoft Encarta Premium 2008 is available through TechSoup Stock for an administrative fee of $3 (as compared to a retail value of $50). Learn more and place your donation request (DVD

version):

 

* Nonprofits:

http://ga0.org/ct/4pLRaAn1WEl5/

 

* Public libraries:

http://ga0.org/ct/rdLRaAn1WElg/

 

ELIGIBILITY

* U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Canadian charitable and nonprofit organizations; U.S. and Canadian public libraries. For details on eligibility requirements, visit http://ga0.org/ct/fdLRaAn1WElW/

 

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NEW — MICROSOFT STUDENT WITH ENCARTA

============================================

Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008 is a comprehensive, subject-specific resource designed to help middle- and high-school students complete high-quality homework assignments and projects in less time. Student is a suite of learning tools including Microsoft Math, Learning Essentials, Encarta Premium 2008, foreign language tools, and book summaries. When you conduct a Web search, Student 2008 conveniently displays content from the Web and the encyclopedia side-by-side.

 

Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008 is available through TechSoup Stock for an administrative fee of $2 (as compared to a retail value of $50). Learn more and place your donation request (DVD version):

 

* Nonprofits:

http://ga0.org/ct/r1LRaAn1WElt/

 

* Public libraries:

http://ga0.org/ct/r7LRaAn1WElb/

 

ELIGIBILITY

* U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Canadian charitable and nonprofit organizations; U.S. and Canadian public libraries. For details on eligibility requirements, visit http://ga0.org/ct/fdLRaAn1WElW/

 

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NEW MICROSOFT CLIENT ACCESS LICENSE SUITES ============================================

The Microsoft Core User and Device CAL suites are now available through TechSoup Stock, each for an administrative fee of $10 (compared to a retail value of $250 each). Each Core CAL suite is a set of client access licenses providing access for one user or one device to: Windows Server, Exchange Server Standard, SharePoint Server Standard Edition, and Systems Management Server 2003.

 

Your organization can now conveniently provide one user or one device access to these four key Microsoft server technologies by requesting the suite rather than requesting the CALs individually.

 

Learn more and place your donation request:

 

* Microsoft Core User CAL suite:

http://ga0.org/ct/f1LRaAn1WElO/

 

* Microsoft Core Device CAL suite:

http://ga0.org/ct/rpLRaAn1WEl6/

 

ELIGIBILITY

* U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Canadian charitable and nonprofit organizations. For details on eligibility requirements, visit http://ga0.org/ct/fdLRaAn1WElW/

 

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FEATURED PRODUCT: ULTRAKEY TYPING INSTRUCTION ============================================

UltraKey 5.0 teaches touch typing and safe keyboarding using voice, 3-D animation, video, and virtual reality features to enhance learning and enjoyment. UltraKey provides many options that adapt to a broad range of age groups and special needs and includes Spanish language support.

 

Nonprofits may be able to use UltraKey in many ways — to improve office productivity, support training programs, or for other projects involving computer education. This award-winning product is available for an administrative fee of $15 (compared to a retail value of $150), thanks to a donation from Bytes of Learning.

 

Learn more about UltraKey 5.0 and place your donation request:

http://ga0.org/ct/47LRaAn1WElv/

 

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LEARN, SHARE, DISCUSS — TECHSOUP COMMUNITY FORUMS ============================================

Got a software or hardware question? Puzzling over a network problem? Visit our TechSoup community forums to ask your questions and receive help from other community members.

 

* Software:

http://ga0.org/ct/BpLRaAn1WEld/

 

* Hardware:

http://ga0.org/ct/XdLRaAn1WElB/

 

* Networks:

http://ga0.org/ct/X1LRaAn1WElc/

 

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TELL A FRIEND

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As a nonprofit helping other nonprofits get the technology they need, TechSoup Stock depends on your referrals to reach organizations that might not know about our service. I encourage you to take a moment and forward this email to nonprofits and public libraries you know that could benefit from access to these products and savings. Since 2002, TechSoup Stock has helped over 50,000 nonprofits and public libraries take advantage of product donations.

 

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QUESTIONS?

============================================

If you have questions about our donation programs that were not addressed by this email or the program pages on our Web site, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department via email at newproducts@techsoup.org or call us at 1-800-659-3579, extension 700. TechSoup Stock Customer Service is available Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. In addition, you can get answers to your questions at our online Email and Answer Center at http://ga0.org/ct/X7LRaAn1WElX/.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rebecca Masisak

Co-CEO, CompuMentor/TechSoup

http://www.techsoup.org/stock

http://www.techsoup.org/stock/libraries (libraries start here)

Written by bardissi on August 29th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Microsoft and Non-Profits and Network Infrastructure and Non-Profit Technology and Office 2007 and Windows XP and Windows Vista.

My name is Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Hello, my name is Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Surprise! Pop some balloons and whack some Pinatas because today is Windows Vista Service Pack 1’s coming-out party. The party started a little earlier than scheduled but nevertheless it is now in full force, and you’re all invited! Do you want to meet him? Know when he’s coming around to your place? And why is he so cool? Then check out the word who got in the party early.

Service Pack 1 is currently scheduled to tour select users, MSDN/TechNet subscribers and the general public within the next few weeks, “later”, and first-quarter 2008 respectively. I heard he’s quite the handyman.

Written by Long Zheng on August 29th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on SP1 and vista and Windows.

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