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Server Applications

Free! Corporate Portal Strategy in Flux

Microsoft continues to promote its digital dashboard technology for corporate portals, but major changes are due for that technology between now and 2003.

Operating Systems

Internet Explorer 6 Released

IE 6 offers improved support for Internet standards and personal privacy, but many of its most innovative features proved too controversial to ship

Update Required for Exchange IM on XP

To participate in an Exchange-based corporate intranet instant messaging system, Win XP desktops require an update that adds RVP protocol support to Windows Messenger

Disaster Planning Support Center

This new site consolidates information necessary to create data recovery and disaster recovery plans and, in the worst case, to help guide recovery operations

Development Tools & Programs

J# Brings Java to .NET

Visual J# .NET, an add-on to Visual Studio.NET, enables programmers to write applications using Java syntax

Desktop Applications

Office Adapts to New Mac OS

Office v. X for the Macintosh builds on the new “Aqua” interface of the OS X operating system.

Appliances & Emerging Networks

TV Photo Viewer Released

This new US$159 MS hardware product plugs into a TV set's RCA port and allows viewing of digital images on a television

Commercial & Consumer Services

Messenger Update Adds PC-to-Phone Ability

With the launch of Windows XP, five companies are offering Voice-over-IP services to Windows Messenger users at rates competitive to regular long-distance charges

MSN, Telcos Team Up for DSL

New partnerships with Qwest, BellSouth, SBC, and Verizon allow Microsoft to offer MSN-branded DSL service across the entire U.S.

MSN, Cable ISP Sign Agreement

By providing MSN content and services to smaller broadband providers, MS gains a larger audience for future fee-based services that require lots of bandwidth

bCentral Drops Finance, Site Building Offerings

bCentral is eliminating its hosted financial management and Web-site creation offerings and will encourage customers to turn to Microsoft's Great Plains and FrontPage products for these functions.

.NET Alerts Launched

A precursor to .NET MyServices (Hailstorm), the new service sends notifications about events (e.g., traffic accidents) to a user's instant messaging or e-mail address

Sales and Support

Logo, Catalog Lure Vendors

The new Windows Logo Program lowers the bar for entry and puts the Web sites of qualifying hardware and software vendors a few clicks away from the Windows desktop.

Customer Complaints Delay Licensing Changes

Significant differences between Microsoft and its customers regarding the impact of volume licensing changes have forced Microsoft to step back from rapid implementation

Corporate News

Q1 Sees Server Strength, More Investment Losses

A 6% revenue improvement over the same quarter last year was tempered by a US$980 million loss on investments

Legal Update

Microsoft and the DoJ ordered to negotiate "seven days a week and around the clock"; Supreme Court refuses to hear Microsoft's appeal; Korean Portal Seeks Win XP Injunction

Gates Advisor to Woo Developers

Eric Rudder, a former senior technical advisor to Bill Gates, will take over Microsoft's developer tools business and developer evangelism