Microsoft offers Hyper V-Server 2008 for download…free

Believe it or not, Microsoft is now offering its server virtualization software as a free download for anyone. Better yet, the new version of Microsoft Hyper V-Server is a stand-alone edition that doesn’t require MIcrosoft Server installed on the machine.

Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is a great choice for customers who want a basic and simplified virtualization solution for consolidating servers as well as for development and test environments. Read more

Windows 7 Pre-Beta launches next month

Developers will be thrilled, Microsoft announced recently the pre-beta launch of the anticipated WIndows 7 operating system. Windows 7 attempts to “wash” the fiasco generated by Windows Vista at its release, but some are still very skeptical regarding this new WIndows version.

Developers will have the chance to see the new Windows 7 Alpha in action at the Professional Developers Conference in October. With his pre-beta launch, Microsoft clearly wants to stay on track with the final release, scheduled in 2010. Read more

Microsoft launches the new ‘I’m a PC’ ad campaign

Hello, I’m a PC, is the start of the new Microsoft ad campaign. After dumping the not-so-funny Jerry Seinfeld-Bill Gates duo, Microsoft launched their next level Microsoft ad. In this new commercial, Microsoft underlines (bolded) the PC and its worldwide use.

I must say that the new campaign, while going more corporate, is far more better than the previous Gates-Seinfeld ads. Read more

The new Seinfeld-Gates Windows commercial: again, what?

The new commercial starring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld was launched, but again, left me without no taste. When they first annouced the Jerry Seinfeld campaign, I was somehow happy, imagining that we will see some comedy action. Well, I was wrong and while the first commercial left me with a “what?!” taste, I was hoping again that the next one will be better (again). Read more

Internet Explorer 8 looks for beta testers

Allison Burnett, the Program Manager for IE8, stated in a blog post that is looking for people to beta test their upcoming version of Internet Explorer 8. The development team promises a new revamped version of Internet Explorer, with less memory problems, better functionality and extended compatibility with the current standards.

Also, Microsoft states that IE8 is focused on delivering a better user experience and an overall improved functionality.  Read more

Microsoft becomes sponsor of the Apache Software Foundation

Lately, Microsoft has embraced the open-source community in a rather unusual manner. Now, Microsoft begins supporting the Apache Software Foundation with an annual donation of $100,000. It’s clear that Microsoft will slowly go away from its own IIS Web Server platform but raised alot of speculation within the industry. Read more

The new DirectX 11 version announced

Microsoft announced the new version of DirectX within the GameFest festival. While some of you will worry about this new version and its compatibility with your video card, Microsoft assures us that the 11 version will recognize DirectX 10 and 10.1 graphic cards. DirectX 11 will work only within Windows Vista but the new features caught our eye.

- multi-threaded resource handling - the new processing will take advantage of our multi core machines

- new shader technology - with better CPU and GPU management

- Tessellation/Displacement - models will now be more smooth when viewed up-close

Microsoft stated that we should expect DirectX 11 in mid-late 2009 and i’m guessing some features will be tested within upcoming versions of DirectX 10.

Windows 7 wrapped in candy?

The Microsoft family will gain a new member soon, the Windows 7 OS. While some of us are skeptical, we should at least give Windows 7 a chance and forget about Vista. Bill Veghte, chief in charge of Windows seems very confident regarding the new Windows and the states that Windows 7 will be released within the scheduled time frame (2010). Read more

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