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For system administrators who lazy to install and set up Windows Server 2008 for evaluation or trial can now make use of VHD images released by Microsoft for instant running of the server system. Microsoft VHD format is the common virtualization file format for Virtual PC, Virtual Server 2005 and Hyper-V that provides a uniform product support system, and provides more seamless manageability, security, reliability and cost-efficiency for customers.



Windows Server 2008 VHD release is available in English only and is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating Windows Server 2008 software does not require product activation or entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days. For users who require more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times using the same procedure as with Windows Vista and Windows 7, effectively extend the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days.

The pre-made and pre-installed virtual machines are running Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition Evaluation. One is the default full installation, and the other has been configured as a default Core installation.

Two editions of Windows Server 2008 virtual machine VHD image are available. There are VHD for Hyper-V and Virtual Server 2005 (VS2005), which requires corresponding Hyper-V or Virtual Server 2005 installed and running before able to mount and start the virtual machine to use Windows Server 2008.

Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Hyper-V)

Direct Download Link for Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Full installation: WS08_RTM_x64_EnterpriseFULL.exe
Direct Download Link for Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Server Core installation: HyperV_ServerCorex64_Enterprise.exe

More information and usage instruction at Microsoft Download Center.

Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Virtual Server 2005)

Direct Download Link for Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Full installation: WS08_RTM_x86_EnterpriseVHD.exe
Direct Download Link for Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Server Core installation: WS08_ServerCorex86_EnterpriseVHD.exe

More information and usage instruction at Microsoft Download Center.

The worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential, Microsoft has announced the general availability of its latest robotics programming platform - Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 (Microsoft RDS), which includes a simple programming model to support building asynchronous applications, a set of visual authoring and simulation tools to aid in application development, and tutorials and sample code to help developers get started.



“This latest release is a demonstration of Microsoft’s continued commitment and investment in supporting the emerging new robotics community,” said Tandy Trower, general manager of the Microsoft Robotics Group. “We have used the very positive response to enhance what we offer, in hopes that it will continue to provide a common ground and catalyst for the future of personal robotics.”

Impressive Enhancements Of Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008:

* Increased runtime performance - Performance is improved 1.5 to three times faster in message throughput between services, and services now load two times faster. Developers can now also define more specific message communication between services, reducing network utilization and optimizing the processing of data. Together, these improvements will result in faster applications and more efficient use of processor performance.
* Improvements to the Visual Programming Language (VPL) tool - The simple drag-and-drop-based visual programming tool now includes a simple method for defining and configuring distributed applications, making it easier to create applications that can run across networked devices. Developers also will have greater flexibility when compiling their programs.
* Improvements to the Visual Simulation Environment (VSE) tool - VSE now includes the ability to record and play back simulations, which allows for easier review of simulation experiences. VSE also adds a new floor-plan editor to simplify the definition of interior structures, and three new sample simulation environments (apartment, outdoor and urban) that enable developers to better test their robot applications. Another new feature is support for importing content from DS SolidWorks 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) software and Microsoft trueSpace 3-D modeling software
, which make it easier for developers to create their own simulated models and environments.
* Greater development flexibility - This new release provides support for both Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008, which makes it accessible to a broad audience of developers. Improved support for running VPL and VSE on 64-bit Windows platforms provides more flexible installation options. New support for custom message transports increases development choices.

According to Microsoft, the newest Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 includes Standard Edition for professional developers, Academic Edition for students and educational researchers, and Express Edition for hobbyists and casual users
. Check more details of new Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 from its official site.

AVG
had made a major blunder by detecting a critical Windows system file as malware after a signature update. The incorrect virus pattern published few days ago identified user32.dll to contain Trojan horse called PSW.Banker4.APSA or Generic9TBN, and recommended user to delete the file, causing Windows (mostly on XP non-English version) to go into continuous endless reboot cycle or cannot startup.



Although AVG has follow up to rapid distribution of recovery instructions and repair CDs to fix the error, AVG has also announced that it will offer all affected users a free license or license extension.

The offering for a free license or license extension as below:

1. For affected users of commercial AVG 7.5 products, a one-year license for the equivalent AVG 8.0 product.
2. For affected users of commercial AVG 8.0 products, a free license extension for one year.
3. For affected users of AVG Free products, a free one-year license for AVG Anti-Virus 8.0.

According to AVG, they will start contact the affected customers begining Nov 24 and advise them on how to obtain their complimentary license or license extension.

Nokia, the world leader in mobility has announced the latest E-series handset, Nokia E63. The new handset is designed for people who need to manage their business and personal lives equally well. According to Nokia, the Nokia E63 is still very much a member of the E-series family that offering Wi-Fi connectivity, easy to access corporate mail, calendar, and business contacts as well as the QWERTY keyboard that offered in Nokia E71.




The Nokia E63 also has the ability to switch the modes with a single key press. There have two modes which are personal mode and corporate mode. In personal mode, the E63 offer with a different home screen picture, personal mail and shortcuts to blogs or websites. While, in corporate mode it offers with corporate mail, appointments and intranet data. The handset will also include Files on Ovi which is a service that allow users to access their PC remotely even the computer is offline. Beside that, it also include a range of multimedia features such record, view images, video, listen to music downloaded from Nokia Music Store and etc.

Nokia E63 will be available in ruby red or ultramarine blue at the price of approximate $244.

BlackBerry Curve 8900 appeared on Research In Motion’s German BlackBerry website. It is then followed with a press release by the company.



BlackBerry Curve 8900 packs a 65K color landscape TFT display with the nicely sounding resolution of 480 x 360 pixels. It has quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support as well as Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in GPS receiver. Some more details of the Curve 8900 has been revealed, including support for DivX, Xvid, and H.263 video playback. The Curve also comes in Bold’s 3.2-megapixel camera. Bluetooth and USB are also on board the BlackBerry Curve 8900. The Curve 8900 will be powered by a huge 1400 mAh battery which should give impressive power autonomy.


The targeted availability of the handset is November 2008 but its pricing is yet disclosed.

Phone Specification
Phone Network : EDGE, GPRS, GSM, HSCSD
Service : 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Color : Black
Connectivity : Bluetooth: v2.0 with A2DP, Wi-Fi (WLAN), miniUSB
Display : 2.4 in Color TFT 65000 colors with 480 x 360 pixels resolution
Memory : Internal memory with expandable 16GB MicroSD
Battery : Standard Li-Ion battery with 400 hours Standby time and 4 hours talk time
Ringtones : MP3, Polytone
Camera : 3.15 megapixels with 2048×1536 pixels resolution, with Autofocus and Flash
Recording video : Yes
Messenging : SMS, MMS, Email with T9 dictionary
Internet browsing : Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D) 4.3×2.4×0.5 in.
Weight 3.9 oz.
Useful Application
: Organizer, Calculator, Voice dial
Other features : aGPS function, BlackBerry maps, Built-in GPS, Games + downloadable, Java, Audio Player

Though it’s easy to assume that CloudBerry Explorer is some application for BlackBerry, this is actually a new Windows based client for Amazon S3 service that just entered public beta and sports an impressive array of features.

After a gap of nearly two years, Google finally released a new version of their popular 3D modeling software - Google SketchUp 7 – available for download on both Mac and Windows.

This graph, using data from Compete, gives a good idea about the growing popularity of Google Docs office suite at least among Internet users in the US.

Multi-touch is another excellent feature developed by Microsoft to improve and simplify the way users communicate or interact with their computers.



This more direct and natural way of interaction was demoed in May this year and received quite positive response from the public. This multi-touch function has been further developed by Microsoft with the introduction of Windows 7 during the PDC 8. With this multitouch technology, the input process has been improved tremendously through the multiple simultaneous inputs. Multitouch is likely to be ubiquitous and develop into a new trend in just a matter of time. If you are a developer who is keen on exploring the new Windows 7 multi-touch capabilities, there is great news for you now.

The leading designer and developer of touch screen technology, NextWindow, has released a new touch screen driver that enables touch functionality within Microsoft’s new Windows 7 Operating System. Developers or users who want to take full advantage of this multi-touch functionality can download it from NextWindow site after submitting some basic information.

Mobile phones are slowly replacing fixed line conventional telephones in consumers’ home with greater advantages of mobility and convenience. If you have decided to terminate your landline but still want to have the same experience of making or answering calls through home telephone, then these new products developed by Xtreme Technology will be able to help you. Named as XLink, it can serve as a cellular Bluetooth gateway that allows the mobile calls to be routed to conventional telephone system for faster access to users.






There are two models, namely XLink BT and XLink BTTN available with slight different functionality. The BT model is limited with connectivity targeted for three mobile phones usage while BTTN features an additional connection for landline or VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) box. Both of them utilize Bluetooth wireless technology so there is no hard wired needed at all. Just imagine, now home users can just leave their mobile phones (up to three individual lines) anywhere within the Bluetooth coverage at home and they can answer to them through the conventional or cordless home phone. Good thing is, since it is using standard telephone jack, users can have it connect to home answering machine just like conventional telephone system.

Priced at $80 and $110 respectively, both of them are already available for order now.

Previously we mentioned about Intel Officially Named its Nehalem as Core i7 processor, now seems that this largest semiconductor manufacturer has finally ready to ship its next generation high end processor within next two weeks targeted for desktop platform. Core i7, or better known as Nehalem (codename) is based on a totally new Intel micro architecture with native quad-core on a single die and is claimed to be one of the fastest processor in the world.




There are three different SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) that are expected to be launched this round. Lining up from entry to extreme models, there are Core i7-920 (2.66GHz), Core i7-940 (2.93MHz) and Core i7-965 (3.2GHz) targeted specifically for mainstream quad-core desktop platform. Intel further disclosed the expected selling price with batch quantity of 1000 units at $284, $562 and $999 per unit respectively.

The first shipment will commence on November 17th, which is less than two weeks from now. Nevertheless, mobile users may have to wait till second half of next year before Core i7 is ready in mobile platform due to its extremely high TDP (Thermal Design Power) ranging from 130W to 150W.

After a year, the researcher Erik Tews broke the WEP encryption standard and suggested a switch to WPA which is more secure Wi-Fi Netwok Protection. Recently, he and his partner Martin Back have found the way to partially crack the WPA encryption standard which is Temporary Key Integrity Protocal (TKIP) that used to protect data on many wireless networks. According to them, they able to done it in the duration of 12 to 15 minutes. However, they haven’t figure out how to gain access to the data that transmit between the PC and the router. So the WPA currently is no more secure to use as the standard Wi-Fi protection.




Even through they haven’t found the way to gain access to the data but it is advice to protect your router from WPA hack. One of the way that can protect it from WPA hack is by log in to router, switch off Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) as an encryption mode and then choose to use Advanced Encryption System (AES) only, or much more hardened WPA2. The other alternative is to shorten the timing of the TKIP in the routers, so that keys are refreshed every two minutes or less. The fast refresh makes it harder but not impossible for hackers to gain access.

Sony Ericsson has introduced its new W705 Walkman slider phone and Wireless Home Audio System MBS-900, aiming to offer consumers the most state-of-the art mobile entertainment experience.






Highlights Of Sony Ericsson W705 Walkman Phone:

* Award-winning clear audio experience – listen to music as it was meant to be heard
* Desktop direct search to online music – Go online for the best songs and most popular videos on YouTube
* Wi-Fi and DLNA certified – connect the way you want
* PlayNow arena - a complete range of mobile entertainment
* Shake control – switch tracks and control the volume with the flick of a wrist
* SensMe - create playlists based on mood rather than artists or genres
* Large 2.4-inch TFT screen (240 x 320 pixels) – view websites and emails with high clarity
* 3.2 megapixel camera – snap and share your favourite images via Bluetooth
* Automatic rotation – switch from portrait to landscape with just a tilt of the phone
* Google Maps for Mobile – never get lost again
* FM radio with TrackID - listen to the radio while on the move
* 4GB memory card – store up to 3900 songs
* Size: 95 x 47.5 x 14.3 mm ; Weight: 98 grams

“We’re really proud of what we have achieved in 2008 with our market leading mobile music range,” said Ben Padley, Head of Global Music Marketing at Sony Ericsson. “Combining premium design and best-in-class sound quality with super-fast access to a host of digital content whether it be from PlayNow arena or via the web, we really are offering the most feature-rich mobile music experience available today.”





Highlights Of Wireless Home Audio System MBS-900:

* Unique and innovative design – make a statement in your home
* 2.1 audio for a complete audio experience
* Stream music wirelessly – supports Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP profile
* Transfer music from PC and MP3 using the 3.5 line-in function
* Built-in FM receiver – listen to the radio independently of the phone
* Control music settings with your mobile phone or speaker touch keys
* Monochrome OLED display – view track names in all their glory as well as music settings such as bass and treble
* Call coming in? - Music mutes

The new Sony Ericsson W705 Walkman phone and Wireless Home Audio System MBS-900 are expected to be available by Q1 2009, but the prices have yet to be announced.