Windows Archive

WindowSizer was just released, a tiling window manager for Microsoft Windows: It picks up where the Tile Windows command leaves off. Useful for viewing multiple application windows. Resizing one window resizes others to maintain a no gap, no overlap efficient workspace. Swap window positions in arrangement with drag and drop. Save common work arrangements to bring back when you like.

PocketGamer is carrying a story on the successful emulation of Windows 95 and Windows 98SE on the Pocket PC. This was made possible by a Pocket PC port of Bochs, an x86 emulator. Read more in the report over at Slashdot.

As Microsoft works to get the Windows client and server security packs out the door, it's also pushing the software's existing authentication and access control facilities--namely, public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital rights management services (RMS)--to get customers to batten down the hatches.

Peter Loforte, general manager of the Tablet PC team, shows us what is cool about the upcoming Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 software update (code-named "Lone Star.") This is a free update and will automatically come with the upcoming Windows XP Service Pack 2.

It's looking more like the next-generation Windows Server, code-named Longhorn, will get key orchestration features derived from BizTalk Server. Microsoft is working on workflow and orchestration technology, called the Windows Orchestration Engine (WinOE), for the Longhorn/Orcas time frame, several sources familiar with the company's plans said. The technology manages how processes or software services interact in distributed systems. Elsewhere, Microsoft will 'componentize' both the client and server versions of Windows Longhorn, its next-generation platform.

Bill Gates' dream of an end-to-end search tool for corporate networks remains just that: a dream, at least until the end of the decade, says News.com.

NeoWin has posted the roadmap for Windows Server versions. Notice in the screenshot the "Virtual Server", which probably will include an integrated runtime engine to run multiple Windows on the same machine (for similar purposes to what IBM does with Linux). Update: Neowin removed the story but the roadmap image is still up (for now). To view the image you need to manually copy/paste its URL to your browser's address bar. Direct linking won't work. Update 2: The story is back up.

Take a look at these new screenshots on Paul Thurott's site and also at the new .Net Show video, mainly the section between 00:52:24 and 01:19:50. This is a discussion of how XAML is being used to develop the presentation of the UI, separating it from the development of programming code and making it possible for designers to be more integral to the development of the UI itself.

Patch management could easily be called the bane of every administrator's existence, the pain in the rear of system management, or that never ceasing headache that pounds at CIOs everywhere. Here are three articles on the topic, Part 1, 2 and 3.

Microsoft Corp. is driving toward its goal of shipping the next client and server versions of Windows in tandem. But the effort will come at the expense of a few wish-list server features, according to high-ranking company officials.

According to Computer Times, Microsoft will allow SP2 to be installed on any copy of Windows XP including copies with invalid license keys. Microsoft decided "that even if someone has pirated copy of Windows, it is more important to keep him safe than it is to be concerned about the revenue issue." There is no news of whether or not pirated copies will be allowed access to the Windows Update site afterwards or just allowed to install SP2.

At WinHEC, Microsoft talked up the potential of 64-bit for forthcoming Windows Server products. And developers filled in the blanks regarding what Microsoft wouldn't say. Elsewhere, we are informed about the future of Tablet PC and the modifications Palladium is receiving.

From internetnews.com: "Microsoft's technology evangelist is offering "friendly" suggestions to Mozilla open source browser groups and calling for more discussion about how the two sides can benefit from upcoming enhancements in Longhorn, the next version of Windows." Read more at internetnews.com. Here's a really interesting excerpt from Robert Scoble's blog.

The next version of Windows is still several years away, but PC Magazine offers a sneak peek. Take a guided tour of the 4072 build of Longhorn from the disc handed to WinHEC attendees in Seattle. PCMag has a preview too. Also, Microsoft plans to release versions of Longhorn, for Itanium and 64-bit extended systems as well as a 32-bit edition, a company spokesman said Wednesday.