[The articles below were posted between December 23, 2002 and January 20, 2003 and appear in the February 2003 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Server Applications

Exchange 2003 Beta 2 Ships

Beta 2 of Exchange Server 2003, formerly code-named Titanium, is now available

ISA Server Update Gates Exchange

A free feature pack for ISA Server 2000 provides new ways to securely access Exchange Servers from the Internet

Operations Manager Refresh

Incremental improvements to Microsoft's event- and performance-monitoring product include the release of Service Pack 1, a new Resource Kit, and an updated Software Development Kit

Latest Service Packs for Current Server Products

An list of service packs released for Microsoft server-based applications since summer 2002

Small Business Manager Updated

Small Business Manager 7.0 features better integration with Office and new tools to monitor and control important business events as they happen

New Professional Services Solution

The Professional Services Automation (PSA) Solution integrates modules from Microsoft's Solomon financial software with Project 2002 client and server

Operating Systems

.NET Branding Changed, Logo Program Launched

Microsoft is pulling the .NET brand from the next version of its server platform and has created a new logo program to promote its development platform for Web services

Windows Application Installation Improves

With the .NET Framework and new facilities in Windows XP that reduce the difficulty of installing applications, Microsoft hopes to encourage developers to continue writing 'thick'-client applications

Development Tools & Programs

.NET Compact Framework Emerges

The .NET Compact Framework eases mobile development by allowing developers to build mobile applications using the same .NET tools and APIs used to build desktop applications

Desktop Applications

Center Models Future Workplace

The Center for Information Work (CIW) demonstrates new scenarios and technologies for collaboration and business analysis in the future

Mac Software Promotions, Updates

Microsoft is offering deals on Office with new Macintoshes, selling the Mac Office personal information manager as a standalone product, and developing a new Internet access client for the Macintosh

Outlook 2002 Domino Connector

A newly released Domino Connector enables users to employ Outlook 2002 for e-mail, scheduling, contacts, and task management with Lotus Domino R5 servers

Commercial & Consumer Services

MapPoint .NET Updated

Microsoft's online map service now enables developers to create applications that can determine a street address from a user's geographic location and locate businesses that meet certain criteria

Appliances & Emerging Networks

New Clients for Windows Media

Highlights from the Consumer Electronics Show include a new reference platform for portable media devices and new licensing terms for Windows Media codecs on non-Windows platforms

Smart Displays Launch

Manufacturers have shipped the first Windows-Powered Smart Displays; Microsoft hopes planned technical improvements and lower prices will eventually spur mainstream adoption

SPOT Devices to Use FM-Based Network

Microsoft and partners in the radio industry will provide a low-bandwidth, FM-based network to deliver data to Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) devices

Sales & Support

Windows Server 2003 Gets Per-User Licensing

Windows Server 2003 (formerly called Windows .NET Server) will introduce per-user licensing, replace the Internet Connector with a more flexible External Connector, and require a Terminal Server CAL for all clients

Certified Partner Improvements

Microsoft has updated its Certified Partner program for 2003 to give partners better support, make it easier for customers to find a partner, and offer other benefits

Certification Update

Microsoft has simplified the path to Windows Server 2003 certification, introduced new types of questions for examinations, and helped develop a new security-focused certification

Corporate News

Antitrust Fallout Continues; Sendo Sues

Microsoft tries to settle a class-action suit with California consumers, faces an injunction to ship Sun's version of Java, and is being sued by former wireless phone partner Sendo

Dividend, Split Announced as Revenue Tops USUS$8 Billion

Facing flat profits and a potentially challenging FY'04, Microsoft hopes a dividend and stock split will reassure investors that Microsoft is a valuable, if not high-growth, investment

Human Resources Head Hired

Ken DiPietro has been named vice president of human resources at Microsoft, replacing the retiring Deborah Willingham

Microsoft and Industry Conferences

A table of major Microsoft-sponsored conferences scheduled through July 31, 2003, and a selection of major industry conferences at which Microsoft & its partners are typically present