[The articles below were posted between September 29, 2003 and October 20, 2003 appear in the November 2003 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Server Applications

Stronger Systems Management Server Worth A New Look

Systems Management Server 2003 is a substantial improvement over its predecessor, especially since it has been more thoroughly tested

Microsoft Luring Small Businesses to Servers

The lower cost and increased functionality of Small Business Server 2003 are intended to prompt more small businesses to begin using servers

Business Network Improves Supply Chain Management

The Microsoft Business Network offers on-site software and Microsoft-hosted Web services that help small and mid-size companies carry out transactions with trading partners

SQL Server Reporting Beta

Reporting Services, a new managed reporting component for SQL Server 2000, is available in beta and will ship by the end of the year

Navision Improves Modularity, User Interface

Navision 3.7 includes more licensing options for the Warehouse Management System module and improves the product's user interface

Operating Systems

Windows Sustained Engineering in Spotlight

After the Windows team releases a version to manufacturing, Windows Sustained Engineering takes over the ongoing maintenance

Media Center Update Highlights Partner Roles

With no major client OS release until 2005, Microsoft wants software developers, content providers, and OEMs to see Windows XP Media Center Edition as an important avenue for PC innovation

Lawsuit Drives Browser Changes

A patent lawsuit is driving changes to Internet Explorer which could cause Web designers to alter their sites to avoid unpleasant user experiences

Windows Betas for 64-bit AMD

Microsoft is releasing Windows betas for 64-bit AMD processors

Push for Windows Media as Standard

Microsoft would like to see the Windows Media Format replace MPEG in the professional video, broadcast, and consumer electronics industries; submitting codecs to a standards body is an important step

Development Tools & Programs

Visual Studio Office Tools

Visual Studio developers can create custom Word and Excel solutions with the just-released Visual Studio Tools for Office

Web Services Specifications Inch Forward

Progress is being made on important Web services specifications, but final standardization and delivery in Windows and Visual Studio remain elusive

Java Support Gets Reprieve

Support for Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine gets a last-minute reprieve as Microsoft and Sun agree to a one-year extension of their support agreement

Desktop Applications

MapPoint Still Stands Alone

MapPoint 2004 has expanded geographic and demographic databases, but it still does not link to Microsoft's MapPoint Web service

New Outlook Contact Manager

The Business Contact Manager add-in for Outlook 2003 helps track sales leads and customer conversations, but has limitations that restrict it to individuals and small businesses

Commercial & Consumer Services

Online Video Service Planned

MSN Video will consolidate video from MSN sites into a single advertisement-supported service, but it's unclear how much new or exclusive content the final version will have

LookSmart Deal Ending

Claiming that LookSmart's paid search results are insufficiently relevant, MSN will not renew LookSmart's contracts to provide results in the U.K. and U.S.

DSL Partnerships Changing

As part of its transition away from the broadband ISP business, MSN will not renew its agreements to resell DSL access provided by BellSouth and SBC

MSN Chat Closed

MSN Chat will shut down in most countries and become a subscription service in the United States, a move that will contribute to MSN's ongoing drive for profitability

Appliances & Emerging Networks

Faster Wireless Networking Gear Released

The second generation of Microsoft's home networking products supports the faster 802.11g protocol and includes new security features; an adapter is also available to connect an Xbox to the network

Sales & Support

Rebates Reduce Office 2003 Cost

A deployment rebate will reduce the cost of Office with Software Assurance for organizations making new purchases of Office 2003 through certain volume licensing plans

Corporate News

Security, Patents Occupy Legal Front

A user alleges Microsoft is not doing enough to patch security holes; an antitrust class-action settlement is reached; and fighting continues on the patent front