[The articles below were posted between November 24, 2003 and December 15, 2003 and appear in the January 2004 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Server Applications

SQL Server Gets .NET, XML

The successor to SQL Server 2000, code-named Yukon, will integrate the .NET Framework, which introduces a powerful programming model and environment for server-side database development

Exchange Anti-Spam Update Planned

Exchange Intelligent Message Filter will let customers apply the spam-prevention techniques used by Hotmail to their own e-mail systems

Bare-Bones Live Communications Server Ships

Live Communications Server replaces Exchange Instant Messaging as Microsoft's product for corporate real-time communications; the new product shows promise but lacks some comparable features

ISA Server 2004

Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server, Microsoft's firewall and caching product, will get a new release in 2004

Operating Systems

XP Service Pack Highlights Security Dilemma

The desire to increase the security of Windows XP is prompting Microsoft to include more new features and make more changes to existing features than are typical for a service pack

Tablet Updates to Drive Adoption

An update to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition in 2004 will increase the number of supported languages and improves ink recognition

Development Tools & Programs

Server to Aid Voice Response Applications

Windows Speech Server, a server application designed for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) applications, has entered its second and final beta and is expected to ship in 2004

Desktop Applications

Office 2003 XML Schemas

The default schemas used by Word 2003, Excel 2003, and InfoPath to save XML documents will be available royalty-free at Microsoft's Web site

Commercial & Consumer Services

Personalized News Service Tested

The MSN NewsBot aggregates news stories and arranges them based on their likely relevance to the user, suggesting how future MSN sites and services might offer a more personalized experience

Music Download Service Planned

A downloadable music service slated to launch in 2004 will boost Microsoft's digital media strategy, but may also harm Windows Media partners and require additional investment in MSN

Appliances & Emerging Networks

Updates to Boost Public Wi-Fi

Updates to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 called Wireless Provisioning Services (WPS) will address security and fragmentation problems that are hampering adoption of wireless LANs

Sales & Support

Programs Build ISV Businesses, Channels

The Business Builder and Channel Builder programs will give Microsoft-related ISVs new business skills and marketing opportunities

Local Language Initiatives

Efforts in India and Africa to make Windows available in more languages will promote technology adoption and help improve Microsoft's relations with local governments

Corporate News

Client Patching at Microsoft

Microsoft uses a combination of Windows Update, e-mail, Systems Management Server (SMS), and log-on scripts to patch clients on its internal corporate network and has rolled out SMS 2003 to most corporate PCs

Enterprise Sales, Consulting Get New Leaders

Enterprise partners and customers will see new leaders in Microsoft's sales and consulting organizations thanks to recent reorganizations

Patent Licensing Broadened

In an effort to turn patents into a revenue source, Microsoft wants to license its patents on the File Allocation Table (FAT) and ClearType to a wide range of device manufacturers

Microsoft and Industry Conferences

Table shows major Microsoft-sponsored conferences scheduled through July 30, 2004, and a selection of major industry conferences at which Microsoft and its partners are typically present