Microsoft posts

Filed under: Blogging, Microsoft, Freeware, Lists

6 Microsoft freebies I actually love to use

by Lee Mathews Jul 1st 2009

No, Windows won't ever compete with Linux on price. However, even though Microsoft isn't giving away their RTM operating systems for free, they do offer a lot of great software and services at no charge. Here are my six favorites -- feel free to share yours with us in the comments!

1. Windows Live Writer - If you don't blog, Live Writer probably isn't that useful to you. If you do, though, it's hard to find a Windows application that can compete with WLW. It's got loads of great features including plugin support so I can add things like Twitter integration.

2. SysInternals - There are so many useful apps under the SysInternals umbrella - Autoruns, Process Explorer, Desktops, RegMon - the list goes on and on. There's also live.sysinternals.com to provide easy access to them all when I forget my usb flash drive. Awesome.

Tags: free, list, live-sync, microsoft, security-essentials, skydrive, sysinternals, tools, utilities, windows

Filed under: Design, E-mail, Microsoft, Browsers

Much ado about Outlook 2010's lame HTML rendering

by Jay Hathaway Jun 24th 2009

There's a minor uproar happening on Twitter over Microsoft's plans to continue using Word to render HTML email in Outlook 2010. Fixoutlook.org reports that nearly 8,000 people have signed a petition via Twitter to encourage Microsoft to change its mind and support web standards before the new version of Office leaves beta. To back up its claims, the site links to an HTML email message rendered in Outlook 2000, and the same message in Outlook 2010: the new version looks a whole a lot worse.

By sticking with Word's rendering engine, which Microsoft started using to render email in Outlook 2007, Microsoft would also be sticking designers with outdated font tags and tables, instead of the latest CSS hotness. According to The Email Standards Project, Microsoft's reason for doing this is to allow Outlook users to use Word's prepackaged design tools and email templates, and have those render correctly for other Outlook users. Microsoft itself is worried that rendering through a browser could slow performance and lead to inconsistent appearance across different HTML engines.

Tags: email, HTML, microsoft, outlook, outlook2010, protest, standards

Filed under: Business, E-mail, Google, Microsoft

Google Apps now syncs with Microsoft Outlook

by Jay Hathaway Jun 10th 2009

If you're running Google Apps (Premier or Education editions), but you still use Outlook for email, you're in luck. Google Apps now syncs with Microsoft Outlook, so you can keep right on using it, and get your gmail messages, too. It's not just email that syncs: calendars and contacts do, too.

As you'd expect, syncing works both ways: you can bring your Google Apps data into Outlook, and send your Outlook or Exchange data to Google, and it's apparently only a 2-click process. Google Calendar in Google Apps also now supports the free/busy functionality of Outlook's calendar, so you can schedule meetings with all of your contacts, regardless of whether they're on Google or Outlook. Does this mean more business users are going to be switching to Google Apps?

Tags: enterprise, google, google-apps, microsoft, outlook

Filed under: Developer, OS Updates, Microsoft, Commercial

Microsoft gets drunk, gives away Technet subscriptions

by Lee Mathews Jun 3rd 2009

Ok, so I can't actually back that title up with any actual evidence, but when Microsoft pulls a Jack Napier and starts throwing money on the people of Gotham, you assume something is up.

Regardless, they're handing out free subscriptions to TechNet Plus - which normally run $349. Sign up via the appropriate link for the US, Canada, or the UK (readers in other countries may be out of luck), complete the registration forms, and you'll get access to all the glorious goodies in the TechNet vault. Despite my misgivings about the certificate warnings and badly-rendered page layouts, this is the real deal.

There are, of course, a couple catches. First, it appears as though the program will expire on September 30 - not a terrible thing, since you'll still get three full months of downloads and access. Second - and a much bigger issue - is that product key troubles abound.

It's all fine and dandy to have access to download things like Windows Home Server and Office 2007 straight from Microsoft, but access to legitimate keys is equally (or perhaps more) important.

That said, with a little patience and several re-clicks, I've managed to secure keys for Home Server and Office 2007 - so it does work.

Update: with IE8 and compatibility mode enabled, I'm having very good results getting product keys (9:36AM Central)

Update: Even better results when using Opera 10. WTH?

Update: Original links may no longer be working...Try this product link, as suggested in the comments:

Quick, go sign up before they come to their senses!

[via Ars Technica]

Tags: drunk, freebies, giveaway, microsoft, technet

Filed under: Windows, Office, Productivity, Microsoft, Commercial, Windows x64

Office 2007 SP2 ships, adds Open Document and PDF support

by Lee Mathews Apr 28th 2009

At last, Microsoft has released the much-anticipated SP2 update for Office 2007, and it's currently available from the Microsoft Download Center.

The 290Mb download includes more than 600 fixes and improvements. Two key additions include support for the Open Document formats in Word (.odt), Excel (.ods), and Powerpoint (.odp) and the option to save as PDF in all applications. In my limited testing, PDF output was very true to the Word and Excel originals.

Excel's charting mechanism has been been retooled, as has chart integration with other Office applications. Digital Inspiration notes several improvements to Outlook, including better IMAP and RSS support and faster startup, searching, and synchronization. Microsoft also touts general performance gains and better quality print output across the entire suite.

For a detailed look at what Office 2007 SP2 is all about, check the Office Sustained Engineering blog post. There's also a good roundup on Microsoft Support.

[via PC World]

Tags: excel, microsoft, office, office-2007-sp2, open document, OpenDocument, pdf, windows, word

Filed under: Developer, Internet, Microsoft, Freeware

Microsoft releases Sharepoint Designer 2007 as a free download

by Lee Mathews Apr 3rd 2009

Two weeks ago, Microsoft open sourced the ASP.NET MVC code. Today, they announced that they're dropping the price of Sharepoint Designer 2007 as far as it can go - it's now available as a free download from Office Online.

The page states that Microsoft is "implementing a number of changes to promote and facilitate even more customization efforts on top of the SharePoint platform." One good way to do that is to get more developers to download and use Designer, and making it free should certainly help things along.

In general, the developer community is always slightly aloof when Microsoft announces they're releasing something for free. To ease minds, they put together a Q&A page to shed some light on the hows and whys of the Sharepoint change.

You'll need an MSN passport to sign in, but many of you either had one or created one so you could download the Windows 7 beta.

[via MSDN]

Tags: microsoft, sharepoint-designer-2007

Filed under: Developer, Microsoft, Browsers

Someone out there wants to save IE6

by Jay Hathaway Apr 2nd 2009

Jason recently wrote on Download Squad about a Facebook group aimed at eliminating Internet Explorer 6 from the web, and Lee even found a script that reminds IE6 users to upgrade when they visit your site. Not everyone is ready to let IE6 go, though. Just ask the folks behind Save IE6, a site dedicated to the preservation of this "powerful and versatile" browser.

Save IE6 features a petition (signed by around 450 people when I checked), quotes from satisfied users, and links to download the browser. Funnily enough, some of the people in favor of keeping IE6 around are web developers, the very group that has been most vocal about being inconvenienced by Microsoft's older model. I'm not sure I buy the "how can IE6 be violating standards when it has essentially BEEN the standard for years?" argument. After all, standards change, and standards have seemingly passed IE6 by.

Updated: Ha! They totally got me. I knew this idea was crazy, but I didn't catch that it was also a really good April Fools' Joke, apparently by Pingdom.

What do you think, Download Squad readers? Should IE6 be saved, or is it time to let go?

Tags: browsers, IE6, internet-explorer, Microsoft, petition, poll

Filed under: Microsoft

Microsoft extends DreamSpark freebies to high school students

by Lee Mathews Apr 1st 2009

So you're a high school student and you want to get your hands on several thousand dollars worth of developer software for free, but you're not a big fan of piracy? Today's your lucky day!

Microsoft's DreamSpark program, which has been providing a veritable truckload of awesome (and extremely expensive) software to college students for some time, has been expanded so that students in grade 9 through 12 can now take advantage of it as well.

Unlike the university program, student's aren't required to register personally. A school administrator registers and is given product keys which are provided to the students - who can then download the programs by signing in to DreamSpark with their Windows Live IDs.

It's an excellent opportunity for aspiring young developers to get their hands on some quality software at a price that can't be beat.

[ via LiveSide ]

Tags: dreamspark, microsoft

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

Technet publishes Windows 7 RC release doc from the future

by Lee Mathews Mar 26th 2009

I could swear it's still March, but according to a Technet post I'm either very wrong or Microsoft has learned how to manipulate the flow of time. A document showing a publication date of May 2009 has appeared and reveals new information about the upcoming Windows 7 release candidate.

While the date reads May, there's no confirmation of the actual release date. It makes sense that the page's publication would coincide with the release, but since this looks like a slip up there's no cause yet to assume that previous reports had pegging the RC as coming on April 10, 2009 are wrong.

In the release, Microsoft states that the RC will be available at least until the end of June and there will not be a limit placed on the number of product keys. Testers will be able to run the RC for a full year, until its expiration on June 1, 2010. The download will be available in five languages: English, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish.

Don't get too excited by the download selectors at the bottom of the page. They don't work yet - obviously the time slip is only document-related and doesn't affect ISO files.

update: the page as been pulled down, but my screenshot is here if you're interested. [TwitPic]

Tags: microsoft, windows-7-rc

Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, Mozilla, Freeware, Open Source

Bring Down IE6

by Jason Clarke Mar 22nd 2009

I'm not really one for joining causes online (Facebook has rid me of any desire for that), but as far as geeky technical causes go, Bring Down IE6 by the folks at .NET Magazine is a good one. Internet Explorer 6 is the bane of pretty much every web designer or developer's existence. Things that work beautifully in all of the standards-compliant browsers (and even for the most part in modern versions of IE) require time-consuming and painful work-arounds just to get them sort of working.

The frustrating thing is that if Microsoft wanted to do something about the situation to ease the pain of the countless numbers of people building websites, they have it in their power to do so. The problem for web developers is that IE6 is still used by a frighteningly large percentage of people online. How can this be? Well, many unfortunate corporate workers are stuck using Windows 2000, and do not have permission to install or even use a portable version of a standards-compliant alternative browser like Firefox. These people are using IE6 because it is the only option available to them.

As much as Microsoft would like to force everyone to upgrade to XP / Vista / Windows 7, the truth is that for many companies, the Windows 2000 licenses that they already own work just fine for their needs.

What Microsoft should do is acknowledge that Windows 2000 is still being actively used, and make later versions of Internet Explorer available as an update for Windows 2000. Yes, I realize that Windows 2000 is no longer an officially supported platform by Microsoft, but that just points to the disconnect between what Microsoft wishes people would do, and what they are actually doing.

Also, if you're in IT at a company that is still clinging to Windows 2000, for the love of all that is good, please add a modern browser to your standard install image. They're free, and they're a hell of a lot more secure than IE6 is. Pick one; Firefox, Opera, Safari, or even Google's ~~currently-in-beta~~ Chrome browser. Any of these is a better choice than IE6.

And if you're a web developer, consider using a simple script to provide a gentle reminder to IE6 users that they need to upgrade.

Let's all let IE6 die the death it so richly deserves.

Tags: firefox, ie6, internet-explorer, microsoft, modern-browser, opera, safari, windows-2000

Filed under: Microsoft, Browsers

Internet Explorer 8 slips early on Windows Update

by Lee Mathews Mar 19th 2009

Despite what CNET announced ealier this week and what Microsoft has announced as the official release time for Internet Explorer 8's RTM (4pm GMT), I've just finished watching the installation wrap up on a system on my workbench via Windows Update. Due to the heavy server load Microsoft is anticipating, that wasn't supposed to happen right away.

In case you're not excited about the prospect of IE8 sneaking on to the systems you support (including your home computer), you can grab the blocker toolkit from Microsoft's web site.

We've looked at the new browser before (just this morning, as a matter of fact). Warnings aside, IE8 is a step in the right direction from Microsoft.

Tags: browser, ie8, internet-explorer-8, microsoft, update

Filed under: Internet, Video, Windows, Macintosh, Microsoft, Beta, Windows x64

Microsoft takes the wraps off Silverlight 3

by Lee Mathews Mar 18th 2009

The boys in Redmond are excited about the beta release of Silverlight 3, and it was the hot topic at MIX09 in Las Vegas today.

Scores of new features have been packed into Silverlight 3, including native support for h.264 and 720p HD (including full-screen) video, improved streaming performance, new 3D and animation effects, hardware acceleration support, pixel shaders, improved font rendering, and multi-touch support. Silverlight applications can also now be run outside of the browser like normal desktop applications.

Silverlight 3 has also been designed to facilitate rapid development, with dozens of new controls being added (with source code available), SEO enhancements, deep linking support, and better data support. Microsoft's Tim Heuer has broken things down for developers, and the there's a detailed "Get Started" guide from Microsoft that has been added to the official Silverlight site.

Microsoft scored some major streaming video wins with Silverlight this year, so it will be interesting to see what kind of gains on Adobe they can make with version 3. It certainly looks promising and, at the very least, it should help drive innovation on the Flash/Silverlight front.

Beta runtime downloads are available for both Windows and Mac.

Tags: microsoft, silverlight-3

Filed under: Business, Developer, Web services, Microsoft, Education

Microsoft launches Thrive to assist IT workers

by Lee Mathews Feb 17th 2009

Good news, IT professionals! Microsoft has launched Thrive - a new website designed to help you navigate the murky waters of economic downturn.

Whether you're looking to improve your skills, the Silverlight-driven site offers all kinds of resources to assist you - podcasts, videos, charts and reports, and much more. Thrive offers information on everything from infrastructure cost reduction to education and certification. There's a lot of cross-linking to other MS sites like MSDN, but it is a good, centralized resource for IT workers with a Microsoft focus.

I wonder if any of the 5,000 Microsoft employees laid off in January will make use of the site to get their careers back on track.

One additional note: it may just have been my install, but the site looks like hell in Firefox. Perhaps one of the things we all need to learn to "Thrive" is that Microsoft still doesn't give a rat's ass about standards compliance.

Tags: economy, irony, it, microsoft

Filed under: Apple, Microsoft

Researchers: Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates ads stunk

by Brad Linder Feb 4th 2009

While Download Squad readers generally had a favorable view of the brief Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld ad campaign of '08, the New York Times reports today that the ads really didn't help Microsoft's image at all. In fact, according to market research company Brand Keys, people who saw the "Shoe Circus" ad were more likely to have a negative view of Microsoft, whether they were Apple or Mac users.

The "I'm a PC" ad spots were more effective. The ads gave viewers warm and fuzzy feelings about Microsoft in terms of technological and environmentally advancement.

Meanwhile, Brand Keys says that Apple's long-running "I'm a Mac" campaign is helping that company raise its profile and convince consumers that Apple is offering innovative, well designed products.

Tags: advertising, bill-gates, jerry-seinfeld, microsoft

Filed under: Windows, Microsoft

The many faces of Windows 7

by Brad Linder Feb 3rd 2009

Not that this should come as a huge shock to anybody, but Microsoft doesn't plan to make Windows 7 available in a one size fits all package. As we've previously reported, there's been evidence of multiple SKUs for a while. But now Microsoft has come out and confirmed that there will be 6 different versions of Windows 7.

Here's the rundown:

Windows 7 Starter Edition - for netbooks and developing markets, only runs 3 apps at a time
Windows 7 Home Basic - also for emerging markets
Windows 7 Home Premium - this version gets you Windows Media Center and other home use features
Windows 7 Professional - the equivalent of Windows Vista Business, with extra security features
Windows 7 Enterprise - this version will be sold in volume licenses for businesses
Windows 7 Ultimate - has most of the features of the Enterprise version, but will be sold to end users

Microsoft will probably charge a different price for each version. One thing that's interesting to note is that the Starter Edition is intended for netbooks, even though Windows 7 Ultimate beta has been widely reported to run just fine on low cost mini-laptops like the Asus Eee PC. The problem is that Microsoft can't ask computer makers to pay full price for an operating system that will be sold with a $300 laptop. So the company created an intentionally crippled Starter Edition which will sell for a lower price.

Update: As many people have pointed out in the comments, Windows has offered Starter Edition software to customers in developing nations in the past. But Windows 7 Starter Edition is different, in that Microsoft will be offering it in developed nations for the first time, specifically for manufacturers who are looking for a low cost operating system to load on netbooks.

Check out our complete coverage of Windows 7:
Windows 7 hands on - Impressive at every turn
Another Windows 7 secret revealed; desktop to have slideshows
Run Windows 7 on two computers with one install
Windows 7's Superbar in action - is it made for multitouch?
Windows 7 beta download extended

Gallery: Windows 7 Hands On

Tags: microsoft, windows-7, windows7

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

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