Operating Systems & Server Applications

What Is .NET?

A coherent explanation the .NET vision, .NET software platform, and .NET application-hosting business model and how .NET might impact customers, partners, and competitors

In Brief: Exchange 5.5 SP4 Ships

The service pack resolves more than 280 problems discovered since the release of Exchange 5.5 SP3

Network & Internet Platforms

Microsoft Releases Commerce Server 2000

Commerce Server 2000 simplifies installation and configuration and offers detailed guidance on managing e-commerce sites

New E-Commerce Security Standard Proposed

A new standard proposed by Microsoft and others promises to make it easier to incorporate security features, such as digital signatures and encryption, into e-commerce applications

In Brief: New E-Business Consortium

The Business Internet Consortium is the latest industry body formed to propose common B2B standards, particularly standards related to XML

Development Tools & Programs

Visual Studio Gets Serious About .NET

Visual Studio.Net Beta 1, just released, commences Microsoft’s battle against Java to retain developer loyalty

In Brief: Beta Protocol Could Simplify OLAP

'XML for Analysis' specification defines a protocol for client apps to locate, query, and update OLAP databases via SOAP

In Brief: SOAP Toolkit Updated

Data exchanged between applications can now be protected using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) security

In Brief: DirectX 8.0 Released

Developers of multimedia applications & games, including Xbox developers, will be most interested in the new SDK

Desktop Applications

FrontPage 10 Announced

The next version of Microsoft's Web site creation and management tool enters its second beta

In Brief: Office 2000 SP2 Ships

Many of the fixes included with SP2 have been previously released as separate upgrades

Appliances & Embedded Systems

Xbox Update

Microsoft continues to make investments and strategic alliances with both game publishers and hardware suppliers

Microsoft Home

A new prototype home in Manhattan shows consumers & partners new and emerging Microsoft technology for the home

Sales & Support

Windows 2000 Drives Training Changes

Although would-be Windows NT MCSEs are getting a brief reprieve, Microsoft is adamant about raising the bar for exam and trainer quality as it moves away from Windows NT

In Brief: Utility Tracks Hosted Application Usage

The free utility allows operators of datacenter server farms to provide customers with regular reports about hosted app use

In Brief: E-commerce Information Site Overhauled

The site redesign makes it easier for businesses to find Microsoft Certified Solution Providers (MCSPs)

Corporate News

Is the Microsoft Board Effective?

Microsoft’s board, although competent, has fewer powerful outsiders than most of its competitors

Legal Update

The DoJ antitrust case enters the next phase with Microsoft’s first brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals

PC Slump Prompts New Priorities, Investment Strategies

Market forces, reflected in a recent earnings warning and a punishing stock slide, have altered Microsoft's priorities and made its investment strategy even more critical

Permatemps Case Settled

Microsoft settles its long-running court battle with temporary workers for US$97 million

Sales Organization Executives Step Down

Joachim Kempin is stepping down as senior VP of the OEM Division, and Thomas Koll, the VP of the Network Solutions Group, is leaving the company