मनोज अग्रवाल: Microsoft

Another opportunity to certify for .NET 3.5 technology (Workflow) for FREE

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:00:57 GMT

Register for Beta Exam 71-504: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Workflow Foundation

You are invited to take beta exam 71-504: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Workflow Foundation. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your current Microsoft Certification status or previous participation with Microsoft Learning; this opportunity will not be offered to the general public. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-504: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Workflow Foundation counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

•	Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Workflow Foundation Applications

Availability

Registration begins: December 17, 2007
Beta exam period runs: December 19, 2007- January 11, 2008

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

Registration Information

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.

Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: 504B1.

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

•	Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

•	Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

How to Reset a Lost Windows Password

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:57:07 GMT

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

1. Download the iso
2. Burn to disk (cdburn from toolbox/win resource kit)
3. Boot from disk
4. Follow the prompts
    a. Semi confusing part at end-
        i. Exclaimation mark (“ ! “) is literally the exit command for the user update loop
        ii. Remember to say ‘Y’ es to write updates back
5. Reboot to normal windows
6. Admin password is now empty string

Free WCF Certification

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:22:47 GMT

Not valid in India, Pakistan, China

Following is more information from MCP Flash newsletter.

Register for Beta Exam 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Communication Foundation

You are invited to take beta exam 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Communication Foundation. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your current Microsoft Certification status or previous participation with Microsoft Learning; this opportunity will not be offered to the general public. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

Please remember that participation in the beta process is completely voluntary and Microsoft makes no promises or guarantees regarding the beta exam process. You can expect to receive your score on the beta exam within 12 weeks of taking the exam, although in rare instances, beta exams may take longer to score and your results may be delayed.

70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Communication Foundation counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

•	MCTS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - Windows Communication Foundation

Availability

Registration begins: November 14, 2007
Beta exam period runs: November 19, 2007- January 11, 2008

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

Registration Information

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.

Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: 503B1.

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

•	Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

•	Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

Test Information and Support

You are invited to take this beta exam at no charge.

You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please plan accordingly.

Find exam preparation information: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-503.mspx

Frequently Asked Questions

For Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) help and information, you may log in to the MCP Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/ or contact your Regional Service Center: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.asp.

•	What is a beta exam?
•	Where can I learn more about the registration process?
•	How do I prepare for this exam?
•	When will my beta exam results be available?
•	Where can I learn more about the new structure of Microsoft Certification?
•	Who do I contact for help with this beta exam or other MCP questions?

Update: Beta period extended to January 11, 2008.

Get your @live.com id

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:17:20 GMT

For all of you who’ve been eagerly anticipating the availability of @live.com domain accounts, registration is opened moments ago. Now’s your best chance to get the login name of your choice at http://get.live.com/getlive/overview.

These new Live IDs aren’t a replacement for the one you already have (hotmail.com, etc), but rather a great opportunity to add another Live ID.

Microsoft TechEd 'Back to the future' parody

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:16:31 GMT

This was shown at TechEd

http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0706/29992/teched_.asx

Hear the "Wow"

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:15:40 GMT

Click here to listen to the Vista song, "Wow is now!" sung by Sunidhi Chauhan for the Vista Launch.

More here

Microsoft Junk E-mail Reporting Tool

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:36:41 GMT

If you use Microsoft Outlook, and you are tired of junk emails (who isn't), here is a tool to help Microsoft and its affiliates to improve their junk email filtering technologies.

Microsoft Junk E-mail Reporting Tool version 1.0 for Microsoft Office Outlook

Updated definition files

(I reported 41 junk emails today)

Talking about Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from Microsoft

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 00:46:15 GMT

Quote

Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from Microsoft

Microsoft has over 150 FREE Windows Programs available for download -- but finding them all is extremely difficult. Until now, thanks to the Road to Know Where!

WINDOWS XP GOODIES

Agent components provide animated characters (Genie, Merlin, Peedy, Robby & "Custom") to appear during specific help or instruction. (Support FAQ)

Alt-Tab Replacement in addition to seeing the icon of the application window you are switching to, you also see a preview of the page. Helping when multiple sessions of open applications.

Calculator Plus also performs many different types of conversions.

ConferenceXP enables you to see and hear others in a virtual collaborative space, called a venue. You can collaborate on an electronic whiteboard or PowerPoint presentation, send messages and more.

FolderShare keeps important files at your fingertips - anywhere. All file changes are automatically synchronized between linked computers, so you always access the latest documents, photos, and files.

GroupBar desktop tool offers enhanced window management capabilities in a taskbar-like setting. The basic concept is that through simple drag-and-drop operations on window tiles within the bar, users can create lightweight, transient grouping relationships that allow them to perform certain higher-level window layout functions on multiple windows at once.

Location Finder is a client-side application that turns a regular WiFi enabled laptop, Tablet or PC into a location determining device without the addition of any separate hardware. Location Finder uses WiFi access points - or reverse IP lookup when WiFi is not available - to center and display the person's location on the Windows Live Local, enabling the user to quickly and easily search in their present location.

MapCruncher quickly converts existing maps into an online format that’s as fast and easy to use as Virtual Earth. PDF and raster maps can be converted in minutes just by clicking on corresponding landmarks on the user's map and the global maps in Virtual Earth. MapCruncher re-projects the user's map, rendering correctly registered and zoomed tiles that can be mashed up seamlessly with Virtual Earth’s standard road, aerial, and oblique imagery. (Support: Website)

My Font Tool converts your handwriting into a TrueType font, making typed text appear as though you had written it by hand.

Open Command Window Here adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders, giving you a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe) pointing at the selected folder.

Power Calculator can graph and evaluate functions as well as perform many different types of conversions.

Scalable Fabric is a task management system for the Windows desktop. A central focus area, defined by you, contains windows that behave in the traditional way. When you drag a window into the periphery, it becomes smaller and continues to get smaller the closer you get to the edge of the screen. This makes it possible to keep windows open all the time, and change "minimize" to mean "return to the periphery". Groups of windows can easily be created to represent different user tasks. Switching between groups is done simply by clicking on the task marker flag.

Taskbar Magnifier magnifies part of the screen from the taskbar.

TIME ZONES: There are two handy programs that help deal with multiple Time Zones: Premium Time Zone requires genuine Windows XP, the Standard Time Zone program does not.

Tweak UI gives access to system settings that are not exposed in the default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

USB Flash Drive Manager will backup and restore files to/from a USB Flash Drive device.

Virtual Desktop Manager manages up to four desktops from the Windows taskbar

Virtual Machine is Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine for Internet Explorer, allowing you to view java applets on Web pages.

Webcam Timershot lets you take pictures at specified time intervals from a Webcam connected to your computer and save them to a location that you designate.

EBOOKS READER

eBooks Reader offers digital versions of printed books using ClearType technology. Free eBooks are offered by many book publishers and sold by popular online retailers.

Optional Reference & Dictionaries

Encarta Pocket Reference

Foreign Language Translations
English --> French
French --> English

English --> German
German --> English

English --> Italian
Italian --> English

English --> Spanish
Spanish --> English

Text-to-Speech Packages
English
French
German

UTILITIES

ActiveSync synchronization of Outlook information, Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications from your desktop to Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs & Smartphones. NOTE: ActiveSync Error Codes received after a synchronization attempt.

Clear Cache Feature for Internet Explorer – automatically deletes all temporary Internet files, cookies, and history files. This was developed to programmatically clear these files when a corrupt entry caused errors with Internet Explorer.

ClearType Tuner fine tunes the ClearType technology via the Control Panel, making it easier to read text on your screen. A necessity for LCD screens (portables and flat screens) -- Or try it On-Line. [Bonus = Consolas ClearType Font Pack]

Color Control Panel Applet adds a new "Color" item to the control panel, providing viewing and editing color management settings.

Desktop Language Settings allows you to identify and change language, keyboard, and regional settings for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office programs with a single tool.

Desktop Search – Enterprise Edition The latest version of Windows Desktop Search (WDS) is optimized with features that help the enterprise IT manager easily customize, deploy and manage the installation of desktop search across all users and computers in their organization. (Support: Administrator Guide & Developer’s Guide)

Font Properties Extension adds several new property tabs to the fonts dialog box. (Support: Website)

MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search, tabbed browsing, pop-up blocker and automatic form fill. (Support: Administration Guide & Toolbar Help - MSN Search SDK Beta)

Developer Toolbar provides a variety of tools for quickly creating, understanding, and troubleshooting Web pages. (Feedback)

Community Bar adds context-dependent content to the web browsing experience. As users browses the web, they can see (and leave) notes from other people who visited the same page, chat with other people viewing the same page, tag the page with a bookmark or category label, view all the inlinks to the page, find related pages, perform context-specific search, and see blog postings related to the page.

Games Add-in gives you 40+ puzzle games, 20+ card & board games, 150+ downloadable games, 20+ word & trivia games, 80+ free online games, with new games posted weekly.

Lotus Notes Add-in developed by MSN – This Protocol Handler allows you to easily find your Lotus Notes e-mail and search the contents within.

MSG iFilter Add-in to Desktop Search – This iFilter allows searching on all elements of your Outlook MSG (.MSG) files including Message Body; Subject; From; From Name; From Address; To Name; To Address; CC Name; CC Address; Doc Title Prefix; Sent Date; Received Date; Primary Date; Conversation ID; Attachment Names and will indicate if an attachment is present within the .MSG. Additionally, content within attachments are indexed and searched. (Support: KB917402)

Phishing Filter Add-in works to prevent high-tech scams using phony web sites with actual brands designed to steal valuable personal information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers. (Support: How to. . ., Anti-phishing White Paper)

PHLAT (Prototype for Helpful Lookup and Tagging) is an interface for Windows Desktop Search, enabling search through a user's own e-mail, files, and viewed Web pages. PHLAT makes it easy for users to specify queries and filters, attempting to integrate search and browsing in one intuitive interface. In addition, PHLAT supports a unified tagging scheme for organizing personal content across storage systems, such as files and e-mail. (Support: Blog Article)

PrivBar - An IE/Explorer toolbar to show current privilege level.

Search Preview Add-in - Make your searching more productive and convenient. Search Preview displays a thumbnail preview next to each result. Enlarge the preview by rolling over it and put an end to "click-look-back"

Weather Add-in Keeps the local three-day weather forecast at your fingertips.

Windows Live Favorites service allows you to store and quickly access all the interesting sites you find on the web from any computer, any time, any where.

Windows Rights Management Add-on provides a way for users to view, but not alter, files with restricted permission. These restrictions enable authors to prevent sensitive documents, Web-based information, and e-mail messages from being forwarded, edited, or copied by unauthorized individuals. These restrictions provide protection, not only while the information is in transit, but also after the recipient of the information has received it.

Mount ISO Files Virtually - this tool allows ISO image files to be mounted virtually as a CD/DVD device.

SequoiaView - Treemap visualization of hard drive’s contents. (Utilityapproved by the PowerToys group)

Shared Computer Toolkit is designed for schools, libraries, Internet and gaming cafés, community centers, and other locations where are "shared" computer is used.

SyncToy helps copy, move, and synchronize files with digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. (Support: How to . . .)

System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) has been updated with a Tools Tab. The System Configuration utility automates the routine troubleshooting steps used when diagnosing system configuration issues. (Support: How to . . .)

Transliteration Utility (TU) tool for transliterating one natural language script to another (like Serbian Latin to Serbian Cyrillic or Latin to Inuktitut). Plus, it can be used to create, edit, debug, and test natural language transliteration modules used to convert one script to another. (Support: How to . . .)

Tweakomatic utility that writes Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) scripts enablimg you to retrieve and/or configure Windows and Internet Explorer settings locally or remotely.

User State Migration Tool (USMT) migrates user files and settings during large deployments of Windows 2000 or XP. USMT captures desktop, network and application settings as well as a user files, and then migrates them to a new Windows installation. (Support: Homepage)

Virtual PC is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows running multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation, providing a safety net to maintain compatibility with legacy applications while you migrate to a new operating system. (Support: Technical Overview)

VirtualWiFi is an architecture for wireless LAN (WLAN) cards, that abstracts a single WLAN card to appear as multiple virtual WLAN cards to the user. The user can then configure each virtual card to connect to a different wireless network. Therefore, VirtualWiFi allows a user to simultaneously connect his machine to multiple wireless networks using just one WLAN card.

SUPPORT & TROUBLESHOOTING

Bootvis – Microsoft states this tool is no longer available, but they still “support it”.  Bootvie “was” a performance tracing and visualization tool designed to help identify performance issues for boot/resume timing while developing new PC products or supporting software. (Alternate Download: MajorGeeks)

Desktop Heap Monitor examines usage of a WIN32 subsystem that has an internal heap area known as "desktop heap". When running large number of Windows-based programs, "Out Of Memory" error messages appear when you attempt to start new programs or try to use programs that are already running, even though you still have plenty of physical and pagefile memory available. (Support: KB126952)

DLL Online Help Database – helps identify DLL version conflicts.

Fiddler is an HTTP Debugging Proxy which logs all HTTP traffic between your computer and the Internet. Fiddler allows you to inspect all HTTP Traffic, set breakpoints, and "fiddle" with incoming or outgoing data. (Support: HTTP Debugging)

Guided Help (depending on the problem) can automatically guide you through various steps to perform some diagnostic tasks yourself. (Support: How to . . .)

MDAC Component Checker tool is designed to help you determine installed version information and diagnose installation issues with the Microsoft Data Access Components (Support: MDAC Website)

Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors.

Network Diagnostics for Windows XP tool (xpnetdiag) analyzes information about your network connectivity to help troubleshoot some of the most common connection problems encountered in a home networking environment. (Support: KB914440)

PortQry Command Line Port Scanner is a command-line utility that helps troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity issues. The utility reports the port status of TCP and UDP ports on a computer you choose. For details, see KB310099 and description. (Description of Microsoft Port Numbers & All Port Numbers)

Port Reporter logs TCP and UDP port activity on a local Windows system. Port Reporter is a small application that runs as a service logging which ports are used, which process is using the port, if the process is a service, which modules the process has loaded and which user account is running the process. (Description of Microsoft Port Numbers & All Port Numbers)

Port Reporter Parser Tool is a log parser for Port Reporter log files. Port Reporter Parser has many features that can help you analyze Port Reporter log files.

Product Support's Reporting Tools and Premier Services Reporting Utility (Alliance version) facilitates the gathering of critical system and logging information used in troubleshooting support issues. There are 8 specialty versions, one for each of the following support scenario categories: Alliance, Directory Services (not for NT 4.0), Networking, Clustering, SQL, Software Update Services, MDAC and Base / Setup / Storage / Print / Performance. (Support: Blog Article & Overview)

User Mode Process Dumper (userdump) dumps any running Win32 processes memory image (including system processes such as csrss.exe, winlogon.exe, services.exe, etc) on the fly, without attaching a debugger, or terminating target processes. Generated dump file can be analyzed or debugged by using the standard debugging tools.

User Profile Deletion Utility (Delprof.exe) deletes all data that is stored in a user profile. This includes desktop settings, favorites, program-specific data that is contained in the Application Data folder, and the contents of the My Documents folder.

User Profile Hive Cleanup is a service to help with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems ensuring that user sessions are completely terminated when a user logs off when using Roaming Profiles or locked profiles as implemented through the Shared Computer Toolkit.

Video Decoder Checkup Utility helps determine if an MPEG-2 DVD video decoder is installed, and whether it's compatible with Windows Media Player 10 or Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Windows Installer CleanUp Utility can remove a program's Windows Installer configuration information if experiencing installation (Setup) problems.

Windows Support Tools are intended for use by Microsoft support personnel and experienced users to assist in diagnosing and resolving computer problems.

SECURITY, ANTI-SPYWARE & ANTI-VIRUS

Baseline Security Analyzer includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems. MBSA will scan for common security misconfigurations in the following products: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Internet Information Server (IIS) 5.0, and 6.0, SQL Server 7.0 and 2000, Internet Explorer (IE) 5.01 and later, and Office 2000, 2002 and 2003. MBSA also scans for missing security updates, update rollups and service packs published to Microsoft Update. (Support Tool: Visio Connector for MBSA 2.0, MBSA Homepage)

Malicious Software Removal Tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found. (Updated on the second Tuesday of each month.)

Promqry and PromqryUI enable you to detect a network sniffer that is running on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 or XP. If a system has network interfaces in promiscuous mode, it may indicate the presence of a network sniffer running on the system.

PromqryUI provides a Windows graphical interface that can be used to detect network interfaces that are running in promiscuous mode.

Promqry is a command line tool that can be used to detect network interfaces that are running in promiscuous mode.

Windows Defender helps you stay productive by protecting computers against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Windows Live Safety Center – A Web service designed to help ensure the health of your computer with free scanning tools helping get rid of unwanted software.

MULTIMEDIA

CD Slide Show Generator can view images burned to a CD as a slide show.

"Decades" Auto Playlist Pack include dozens new auto playlists to organize your music by decades—from the 1940s through the new millennium.

Device Manager Software Development Kit (SDK) helps you work with devices that support the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).

Easy Camera Calibration Tool can be used to determine a camera’s internal parameters (focal length, aspect ratio, radial distortion, etc.). The technique only requires the camera to observe a planar pattern shown at a few (at least two) different orientations. Either the camera or the planar pattern can be freely moved. The motion need not be known. (Support: Website)

GroupShot creates a composite image from a series of photos. The photos must be of the same scene, taken from the same point of view within a short period of time. The application uses regions that you indicate to build a composite image automatically. (Support: Help & Website)

HTML Slide Show Wizard helps you create an HTML slide show of your digital pictures, ready to place on your Web site.

Image Resizer enables you to resize one or many image files with a right-click. (Support: How to . . .)

JetStream Image Editor with cut and paste tool, based on sequential curve growing with interaction. (Support: Website)

Max  makes lists of photos and turns them into beautiful slide shows to share. Max is built on the next-generation WinFX Runtime Components tehcnology that will drive the development of Windows Vista applications. (Support: Setup Guide)

Media Audio 9 Lossless to PCM Converter - This command line tool converts files encoded using Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless back into the original PCM WAV format.

Media Bonus Pack is fully packed with utilities, PowerToys, visualizations, skins, sound effects, and much more. (Net Install Version)

Media Capture enables video content authors to capture uncompressed AVI files with mono, stereo, 5.1, or 7.1 channels of audio, with up to 24 bit resolution and sampling rates up to 192KHz. Media Capture supports a broad range of video and audio capture cards, and includes the complete source code for developers who wish to build their own capture applications.

Media Encoder provides support for high-quality multichannel sound, high-definition video quality, new support for mixed-mode voice and music content, and more. (Support: Introduction to . . .)

Media Encoder Studio Edition is a powerful tool for video professionals, focused on the creation of high-quality, offline encoded content.

Media Mono to Multichannel Wave Combiner 9 Series - This command line tool will combine 2, 6 or 8 mono WAV files into an audio-only AVI file that can be used as a source with the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series.

Media Player Software Development Kit (SDK) introduces a range of new features and functionality for customizing the Player and Player Control.

Media Professional Exhibitor is a powerful tool intended for playback of Windows Media files at full-screen resolution at all times. All transport and playlist controls appear on a (required) second monitor allowing for a theatrical viewing experience.

Media Transfer Protocol Porting Kit introduces the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which enables you to manage content on any portable device.

Movie Maker makes home movies amazingly fun. With Movie Maker, you can create, edit, and share your home movies right on your computer. Build your movie with a few simple drag-and-drops. Delete bad shots and include only the best scenes. Then share your movie via the Web, Email, or CD. [Fun Packs: Winter 2002 & 2003 - Creative Audio, Titles,  Custom Effects and Transitions] (Support: Blog Posting)

Paint.Net originated as a Computer Science senior design project at Washington State University, and is still developed by the two alumni Rick Brewster and Tom Jackson who now work for Microsoft. Don't forget the Free Paint.Net Plug-Ins!

Photo Story create slideshows using your digital photos. With a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures. Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions. Small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail.

Producer 2003 for users of PowerPoint 2002 & 2003, includes improved audio and video quality, better synchronization, and presentation-sharing tools.

RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer for serious photographers. Organize and work with digital RAW files in Windows Explorer (much as you can with JPEG images). This tool provides thumbnails, previews, printing, and metadata display for RAW images. (Support: White Paper)

TweakMediaPlayer gives users easy access to advanced settings for the library, CD burning, and full-screen mode. Use this plug-in to adjust music queuing in the library, automatic volume leveling for burning audio CDs, full-screen animations, and much more.

Video Cube allows you to load an AVI movie file as a volume, and play back the movie sampling space and time in different ways. It also provides a single cutting plane for interactively viewing single spacetime slices of the video. (Support: Video Cubisum)

GAMING

3 Degrees connects people into a small group, so you can do fun things together. Throw animations to each others' desktops with winks. Listen together to a shared playlist created from music that you own with musicmix.

Carioca Rummy Card Game is a fun form of Contract Rummy popular in Argentina and Chile.

Game Voice Share Talk strategy to your teammates. Talk trash to your opponents. Game Voice brings the power of voice to games, whether you're online, on a LAN, or offline. (Support: How to . . .)

Match-Up! Similar to the game "Concentration", test your memory and matching skills. Flip the cards and match the images while racing against the clock.

SafeDisc – When running a restricted user account with fast user switching under Windows XP, some games will not start correctly. The game requests that the original disk be placed in the drive, even if it is already present.

XBox 360 Controller for Windows is equipped with smart features for enhanced PC gaming performance and greater navigational control. (Support: Documentation)

All Microsoft Free Game Demos

HARDWARE

Fingerprint Reader - DigitalPersona Password Manager 1.0 (Support: How to . . .)

Keyboard - IntelliType 5.5 Sofware for Windows 2000/XP and Windows XP 64 OEM Version

Mouse & Trackball - IntelliPoint 5.5 Software for Windows 2000/XP, Windows XP 64 Bit  and Windows 2000/XP & XP 64 OEM Version (Support: How to . . . )



SCREENSAVERS & THEMES

4 the Dogs (Patas) - Four themes with "mans best friend" including wallpapers, icons and sounds.

Brazilian Beaches (Praias do Brasil) - The beauty of the Brazilian coast represented thru 4 of Brazil's famous beaches: Florianopolis, Buzios, Jericoacoara e Fernando de Noronha.

Brazilian Carnival is famous around the world with 3 types of parties according to regions: Olinda, Salvador and of course Rio de Janeiro.

Christmas Theme  has wallpaper, animated cursors, icons, sounds, and a 3D screensaver.

Creativity Fun Pack PowerToys automatically select images for your Desktop or Screen Saver.

Desktop Wallpapers from Microsoft Employees: Michael Swanson & Mikhail Arkhipov's 1920 x 1200 (16:10 aspect ratio "widescreen") and 1600 x 1200 (4:3 aspect ratio "standard"), Peggi Goodwin's Gorgeous Nature Images (various resolution) and three from the Exchange Server Team.

Dungeon Siege Wander through the magical Land of Ehb. The screensaver features breathtaking views taken straight from the game.

Egypt Nile Theme - An Egypt Nile desktop theme with wallpaper, animated cursors, icons, sounds, and a screensaver.

European Flags Screensaver celebrates the European Union expansion on May 1, 2004. The screensaver displays each member state's flag in succession or allows customization.

Final Fantasy XI Desktop Theme For decades, gamers have embarked upon journeys through the unforgettable worlds of the Final Fantasy games. Now players can unite from around the world in the exploration of a new fantasy experience online in Final Fantasy XI for Windows.

Historical Monuments customizes the desktop with Historical Monuments.

Holiday Snowflakes transforms your computer into a winter wonderland with 3-D snowflakes falling from the sky.

Ireland Desktop Theme includes desktop wallpaper and screensaver depicting images from around the island of Ireland. The images have been supplied by Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth Skin for Windows Media Player 10 The skin was created in partnership with Electronic Arts and designed by The Skins Factory.

MSN Screensaver can personalize your screensaver with background photos, news and weather information from MSN or any RSS feeds from websites you choose.

Nunavut (Canadian Arctic Region) - Desktop Theme

Nature Theme 1 - "Animals"

Nature Theme 2 brings a little bit of the great outdoors inside.

New Zealand Bliss A special Queen's Birthday 2005 edition; the world-famous directional sign in Bluff; and the theme pack for Royale. ( Preview Samples)

Office Dinosaur Screensaver. Share the Microsoft Office Dino's pain as he dances his way through one embarrassing technological difficulty after another.

Ontario Canada - Desktop Theme

Plus! Dancer LE is a free trial version of Plus! Dancer that enables you to experience the fun of entertaining dancers that groove to beats of the music that's playing on your desktop.

Cobey See Cobey get down to Hip Hop!
Evan & Michele Spice up your desktop with the sexy Argentinean tango.
Scooby-Doo See Scooby-Doo do the Scooby Shuffle!

Ree Ree Khao Sarn, the traditional Thai children's game includes colorful wallpaper,icons and animated screensaver with sound, demonstrating children play a rousing game of ri ri khao san, the "Long Grain Rice Game" in which the tallest "grain" is caught.

San Fermín Desktop Theme is specifically designed for the Spanish speaking community.

Security Screensavers helps remind us of basic security practices containing two different screen savers -- Ten Immutable Laws of Security, & Ten Immutable Laws of Security Administration.

Thème Québec - Desktop theme

Valentine's Day Screensaver celebrates (duh) Valentine's Day.

Video Screensaver includes sample movie footage of countries all over the world.

Windows XP Screensaver - This 3D Windows XP screensaver shows off the power of DirectX.

Winter Fun Pack 2004 for Windows XP Installer.

Winter 2006 TechNet Scripting Games Screensaver.

World of Warcraft Skin for Windows Media Player 10 - The official skin for Blizzard's World of Warcraft online game.

Xbox Screensavers, Desktops & Media Player skins.

3RD PARTY BONUS GOODIES:

Really Slick Screensavers

FREE Microsoft Software for Download

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:44:01 GMT

Here’s Microsoft’s FREE software downloads listed in one location. (Credits: Blake)

eBooks Reader
Exchange Server Tools
Internet Explorer Add-ins
Macintosh
Microsoft Hardware Drivers
Microsoft Office Suite: Access, Excel, FrontPage, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint & Word
Mobile Devices & PocketPCs
PC Games & Demos
Research Department: Prototypes & Toys
Tablet PC
Troubleshooting / Diagnostics: Utilities & Help
Windows XP: MediaPlayer, Multimedia Themes & Goodies

Hotmail Beta

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 04:51:23 GMT

Hotmail beta, (codenamed "Kahuna") is now available. If you'd like to sign up for the beta, just click on the link below and follow the steps listed

http://www1.imagine-msn.com/minisites/hotmail/Default.aspx

DJ Ballmer

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 05:35:46 GMT

DJ Ballmer

PDC: Convince The Boss Letter Wizard

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 19:00:43 GMT

If you are a developer trying to convince your boss of the need to attend the PDC this Sept in LA, Just use this handy-dandy letter writing Wizard to do the work for you! http://www.developerpowered.com/letter/form.html

Get all the details on the PDC at http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/pdc/

Microsoft Calculator Plus

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 17:17:28 GMT

Sick of the regular old Windows calculator? Need some spice in your life? Want some excitement with your equations? You need Microsoft Calculator Plus!

It isn't new, but I just noticed it. Not a bad product. Calculator Plus is just regular calculator with an extra option to do conversions (measurements, currency) and an optional slicker UI. The slicker graphics seem easier to use if you tend to need to do quick calculations with just the mouse, so it might be worth it. Just for conversions, though, its a worthy download. And, of course, its free.