[The articles below were posted between September 27, 2004 and October 18, 2004 appear in the November hardcopy edition of Update.]

Server Platforms

Host Integration Server 2004 Available

With support for .NET and Web services and other new features, Host Integration Server 2004 enhances Windows integration with legacy systems, but customers requiring the new Enterprise Edition will pay more

Reporting Services for Exchange, MSCRM

Three new report packs enable customers to generate Web and printed reports from data in Exchange, MSCRM (Microsoft's Customer Relationship Management application), and financial databases

Windows and Mobile

Virtual Server 2005 Supports Testing and Flexibility

Virtual Server makes operations more flexible and helps organizations test new applications, but some important tools to manage servers running the product are not yet available

GDI+ Tool in Oct. Security Updates

Updates for seven critical and three important vulnerabilities and a new GDI+ detection and patching tool were included in the Oct. 2004 Security bulletins

Correction: Tablet PC 2005 Languages

User interface and handwriting recognition language support has changed in the Tablet PC 2005 platform from previous versions

Media Center Positioned As Premium Home OS

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 will be available on low-cost hardware, while improved video capabilities could increase its appeal as a replacement for consumer electronics devices

Data Protection Server Under Development

Due in the second half of 2005, the new Data Protection Server provides file servers with an intermediate hard disk-based backup and restore facility before data is backed up onto tape

Genuine Windows Targets Piracy

A pilot program to reduce piracy by determining whether users have a genuine copy of Windows is likely to expand and become mandatory in the future

Business Applications and Services

Office Source for Governments

Governments can view Office 2003 source code under a recent expansion of the Government Security Shared Source (GSSS) program

Virtual PC 7 for the Mac Ships

A new version of Virtual PC for the Mac provides improved performance and compatibility with Apple's latest generation of computers

Job Training for Office

The Office Tools for Your Job Web site, expanded in Sept. 2004, delivers free training materials and Office document templates for many specific occupations

Kit Connects Project, SAP

The Project 2003 SDK delivers components for integrating Microsoft's project management software with enterprise applications such as SAP ERP systems

Office 2004 for the Mac Service Pack Out

The first service pack for Office 2004 for the Mac includes bug fixes and improved security for macros that open documents

Solomon 6.0 Delivers Portal

Solomon 6.0 improves invoicing and tracking of project-related financials, and expands self-service capabilities, but does not target new business sectors or geographies as some other Business Solutions products have done

Development Tools & Programs

Tools for Longhorn and WinFX Face Schedule Crunch

Developers who want an early start will have to target WinFX and Longhorn using Visual Studio 2005, although it lacks some of the tools that would make development easier for corporate developers

Consumer Products and Services

New Boxes, Platform for MSN TV

The first major update to the MSN TV (WebTV) line-up since 1997 attempts to attract sophisticated users with support for peripherals, home networks, and broadband Internet connections

Interface Improvements Central to Money 2005

Money 2005 is a modest upgrade aimed at being cheaper and easier to use than Quicken, but bugs are hampering upgrades from earlier versions

Outlook Access to Hotmail: Subscribers Only

To curb Hotmail use by spammers, only paying subscribers will be able to access Hotmail from Outlook or Outlook Express

Works Suite Updated

Works Suite 2005 updates a low-cost productivity bundle that OEMs often ship with new PCs

Sales & Support

Microsoft's Varied Support Offerings

A guide to Microsoft support packages such as Professional, Essential, and Premier, and support available to partners and to customers who purchase Software Assurance

Corporate News

How Microsoft Organizes IT

Microsoft's IT organization supports business applications and provides core technology services for company employees; examining the organization could prove instructive to IT managers in other companies with large Windows-based infrastructures

IT Organization Focuses on Costs, Products

Microsoft's IT shop resembles its peers in some respects, but it also has unique responsibilities for testing and customer education, and greater latitude to deploy new technologies

Antispam Standard Stumbles on Patent Issues

Unresolved Microsoft patent and licensing issues halt an effort to create a broadly used standard for authenticating e-mail in order to reduce spam

Reed to Retire from Board

William Gary Reed, Jr., will retire after 17 years on Microsoft's board of directors