Navigation for dotNetTips.com - August, 2004

REDMOND, Wash. -- Aug. 27, 2004 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced it will target broad availability of the Windows® client operating system code-named "Longhorn" in 2006, and make key elements of the Windows WinFXTM developer platform in "Longhorn" available for Windows XP and Windows ServerTM 2003.

"Longhorn" will deliver major improvements in user productivity, important new capabilities for software developers, and significant advancements in security, deployment and reliability.

"Getting 'Longhorn' to customers in 2006 will provide important advances in performance, security and reliability, and will help accelerate the creation of exciting new applications by developers across the industry," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software

Microsoft will deliver a Windows storage subsystem, code-named "WinFS," after the "Longhorn" release. The new storage system provides advanced data organization and management capabilities and will be in beta testing when the "Longhorn" client becomes available.

"We’ve heard loud and clear from customers that they want improved productivity, easier deployment, increased reliability and enhanced security, as well as the many innovations we’ve been working on. We’ve had to make some trade-offs to deliver the features corporate customers, consumers and OEMs are asking for in a reasonable time frame," said Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Platforms Group at Microsoft. "Our long-term vision for the Windows platform remains the same."

"The announcements Microsoft is making today will accelerate our adoption of 'Longhorn.' We expect to see significant business benefits from improving productivity, higher security and the overall focus on fundamentals," said Jeff Truax, director of IT for Frontier Airlines Inc.

At a meeting today with several hundred of the company’s top developer evangelists from around the world, Microsoft also announced that the Windows WinFX developer technologies, including the new presentation subsystem code-named "Avalon" and the new communication subsystem code-named Indigo, will be made available for Microsoft® Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 in 2006. This availability will expand the scope of opportunity for developers by enabling them to write applications that can run on hundreds of millions of PCs, resulting in enhanced experiences for users of those operating systems.

"'Avalon' and 'Indigo' will allow us to build some exciting applications for our design and life-cycle management customers. Making 'Avalon' and 'Indigo' available on Windows XP as well as 'Longhorn' will allow us to think about exploiting these technologies sooner," said Scott Borduin, chief technology officer of Autodesk Inc.

"Bringing the core of the new WinFX platform down to Windows XP and Windows 2003 will allow WinFX applications to target a much larger installed base, making it a much more attractive platform for our education software," said Leslie House, vice president of Vivendi Universal Games’ Knowledge Adventure Studio.

"Avalon" is the graphics subsystem that will enable developers to build applications that provide breakthrough user experiences.

"Indigo" is a new approach to building and running connected systems built from the ground up around a Web services-oriented architecture. The advanced Web services support in "Indigo" will enable more secure, reliable and transacted messaging and greater interoperability.

Today’s announcements relate only to the "Longhorn" client operating system. Anticipated availability for the Windows "Longhorn" Server operating system continues to be 2007.

Of particular note, SP3 provides better support for consuming WSDL documents, Data Execution prevention and protection from security issues such as buffer overruns.

SP3 also provides support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 to provide a safer, more reliable experience for customers using Windows XP.

SP3 is available in 23 languages.

To download, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6978d761-4a92-4106-a9bc-83e78d4abc5b&DisplayLang=en

Download the complete DirectX 9.0 SDK - (Summer 2004), which contains the FINAL release of the DirectX 9.0c Runtime and all DirectX software required to create DirectX 9.0 compliant applications in C/C++, and C#.

Major components include: DirectX 9.0c system components (runtimes); DirectX 9.0 Application Programming Interface (API) Documentation for each of the DirectX core areas (written for C++, and C#); DirectX 9.0c headers & libraries; Sample applications and source code; miscellaneous tools and utilities.

For additional information please see DirectX Web site along with reviewing the DirectX 9.0 Readme for last-minute updates.

To download go to: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=fd044a42-9912-42a3-9a9e-d857199f888e&displaylang=en

Quiz is located at: http://bbspot.com/News/2003/01/os_quiz.php

Here is what I got:

REDMOND, Wash. - Aug. 6, 2004 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the release to manufacturing of Windows® XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies. This free service pack delivers the latest security updates and innovations from Microsoft, establishes strong default security settings, and adds new proactive protection features that will help better safeguard computers from hackers, viruses and other security risks.

"Service Pack 2 is a significant step in delivering on our goal to help customers make their PCs better isolated and more resilient in the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft. "It is the result of sustained investments in innovation and extensive industry collaboration. It also reflects a broad recognition that as the security environment changes, the industry needs to work together to respond."

During the worldwide rollout of Service Pack 2, Microsoft will localize the software in 25 languages over the next two months and distribute it to computer manufacturers, enterprise customers and consumers through downloads, retail installation, free CDs and on new PCs. The easiest way for current Windows XP users to ensure they receive Service Pack 2 when it releases in their language is to simply turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP. Customers with Automatic Updates enabled will receive the latest security updates for Windows XP, along with updated installation software that will optimize the download experience of Service Pack 2 and all future updates to Windows XP. The timing for customers to receive the Service Pack 2 download through Automatic Updates depends on a number of factors, including the customer's Internet usage, location, language and the level of Internet demand for Service Pack 2. Automatic Updates uses spare Internet capacity to progressively download updates without interfering with daily PC use. Microsoft expects to distribute Service Pack 2 to approximately 100 million PCs through Automatic Updates over the next two months. Automatic Updates is easy to turn on in Windows XP, and details are available at http://www.microsoft.com/protect/.

Customers without reliable Internet connections who wish to obtain Service Pack 2 on CD can order a free disc from the Microsoft® Web site as Service Pack 2 is rolled out worldwide. Microsoft also is working with computer manufacturers to ensure they can make Windows XP-based PCs preloaded with Service Pack 2 available as soon as possible.

Businesses of all sizes should be evaluating Service Pack 2 now, if they have not begun doing so already. Business customers using Windows XP should deploy the service pack on their most important systems, especially notebooks and computers for home workers, as soon as is practical.

"With the proliferation of viruses and other broad threats on business and consumer desktops, I can think of no higher priority than trying to ensure the security of personal computers," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for the Enderle Group. "Whether the customer is a large enterprise, a small business or an individual, Windows XP Service Pack 2 is critical because it addresses today's exposures in a comprehensive fashion. For anyone currently using Windows XP, my advice is to apply it at your earliest opportunity."

Service Pack 2 Provides Proactive Protection for Windows XP Customers

Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies was designed by Microsoft explicitly to provide proactive protection for Windows XP. The updates and enhancements in Service Pack 2 focus on three main areas:

• Stronger security settings. Service Pack 2 establishes stronger default security settings and includes updates with new features and tools designed to help customers better defend their systems and information from hackers, viruses and other security threats. This means safer browsing and communications for consumers plus an improved security infrastructure for businesses.
• Increased manageability and control. Service Pack 2 makes it easier to configure and manage security resources with new functionality, more accessible and intuitive security tools, and the new Windows Security Center.
• Improved and more-secure experiences. Service Pack 2 includes updates for key drivers, updated support for new technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® - especially around security - and security updates for other key features, all of which provide a safer end-user experience and thus enable more productive and enjoyable computing.

Microsoft Joins With Customers and Industry Partners to Deliver Latest Enhancements

Service Pack 2 incorporates the results of significant customer testing. Microsoft has hosted more than 1 million downloads of test versions of Service Pack 2 through its technical preview, technical beta and MSDN® programs, making it one of the largest test programs in the company's history. In addition, Microsoft has tested thousands of applications and Windows XP-based devices for compatibility with Service Pack 2 and highly recommends the enhancements Service Pack 2 provides for all types of users.

Developing Service Pack 2 required close collaboration between Microsoft and other industry leaders, including software vendors, chip makers and PC manufacturers. Examples of the industry collaboration on Service Pack 2 include the following:

• Windows Security Center. Windows Security Center monitors the status of software Internet firewalls, Automatic Updates services and anti-virus software. It allows customers to see at a glance whether these essential security capabilities are turned on and up to date, or if additional actions need to be taken to better secure their PCs. Microsoft worked closely with ISVs to build the Windows Security Center customer experience.
  "Now, more than ever, users need to be more hands-on in safeguarding their computers. Symantec supports Microsoft's efforts to raise security awareness among Windows users worldwide with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2," said Stephen Cullen, senior vice president, Security Products and Solutions at Symantec. "Symantec's current line of industry-leading consumer and enterprise antivirus, firewall and intrusion prevention security solutions are compatible with Service Pack 2 and allow the mutual customers of Symantec and Microsoft to defend against today's blended security threats as well as the unknown threats of tomorrow."
• Data execution prevention. Service Pack 2 works with processor technologies to reduce the risk of the most common means of virus penetration into computer systems - exploiting "buffer overrun" vulnerabilities. Microsoft worked closely with processor manufacturers, including Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) and Intel Corporation to extend its Data Execution Prevention technology through new processor functionality.
  "Intel and Microsoft have worked closely together to improve the overall security of the PC platform by bringing Execute Disable Bit and Microsoft's Data Execution Prevention to mainstream desktops and workstations. These are the first components of a broad security effort by our two companies," said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of the Desktop Platforms Group at Intel. "These new technologies will be available in PCs this fall and are an excellent choice for businesses that are looking to improve the security of their infrastructure."
  "With today's release of Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2, the millions of users who have purchased AMD Athlon 64 desktop and mobile processors can rest assured they have the industry's most formidable protection against certain computer viruses," said Hector Ruiz, chairman of the board, president and CEO of AMD. "Our longstanding collaboration with Microsoft enables AMD's industry-leading Enhanced Virus Protection technology to put the computer user back in control."
• Preloaded PCs. Microsoft is working with computer manufacturers such as Dell, HP and IBM Corp. to ensure the manufacturers are able to ship machines preloaded with Windows XP Service Pack 2 beginning in September and October.

"The security enhancements in Windows XP Service Pack 2 represent a significant improvement for customers in helping them make their computers more secure and giving them more control," said Will Poole, senior vice president at Microsoft. "We encourage Windows XP users to spend five minutes today and visit http://www.microsoft.com/protect/ to turn on Automatic Updates, thus ensuring they will receive Service Pack 2 as it becomes available on a global basis."

About WSE 2.0 SP1

WSE 2.0 SP1 simplifies the development and deployment of secure Web services by enabling developers and administrators to more easily apply security policies on Web services running on the .NET Framework. Using WSE, Web services communication can be signed and encrypted using Kerberos tickets, X.509 certificates, username/password credentials, and other custom binary and XML-based security tokens. In addition, an enhanced security model provides a policy-driven foundation for securing Web services across trust domains. WSE also supports the ability to establish a trust-issuing service for retrieval and validation of security tokens, as well as the ability to establish more efficient long-running secure communication via secure conversations.

New support for message-oriented programming enables asynchronous communication for Web services that involve long-lived operations, batch processing, peer to peer programs, or event driven application models. Web services that leverage WSE can now be hosted in multiple environments including ASP.NET, standalone executables, NT Services and can communicate over alternative transports including HTTP or TCP.

WSE provides a foundation for building applications based on Web services specifications published by Microsoft and industry partners including WS-Security (OASIS 2004 standard), WS-Policy, WS-SecurityPolicy, WS-Trust, WS-SecureConversation and WS-Addressing.

WSE 2.0 SP1 and WSE 1.0 SP1 can be installed side by side. If you had downloaded the 2.0 technology preview, uninstall it before installing WSE 2.0 SP1. Please review the product readme for more information about WSE 2.0 SP1, including API changes from WSE 1.0.

WSE 2.0 SP1 may be redistributed as part of your solution, provided that redistribution is done using the WSE 2.0 SP1 redistribution MSI, Microsoft WSE 2.0 SP1 Runtime.msi. This MSI is available as a separate download and is also included in the complete WSE 2.0 SP1 download.

WSE 2.0 SP1 is built for developers using Visual Studio .NET 2003 and the .NET Framework 1.1. The WSE support life-cycle policy is in line with the .NET Framework support life-cycle policy. For additional information on this support policy, please check: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx.

To download go to: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fc5f06c5-821f-41d3-a4fe-6c7b56423841&DisplayLang=en

To download the redistributable, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d3c8f18b-7bbf-489d-90e1-e8d4147205b8&DisplayLang=en