The Shared Source CLI implementation (beta) is a complete implementation of the ECMA C# and CLI standards that build and run on Windows XP and FreeBSD. It includes a complete build environment, along with test harnesses, documentation, and tools for working with the Shared Source CLI.

This update resolves the "'Certificate Revocation List Is Not Available' Error Message Appears with Encrypted Outlook Mail" issue in Windows 2000 and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article (KB) 308707. Download now to prevent an error message from appearing when you receive an encrypted e-mail message.

Portqry.exe is a command-line utility that you can use to help troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity issues. Portqry.exe runs on Windows 2000-based computers. The utility reports the port status of TCP and UDP ports on a computer you choose.

Microsoft® Windows® XP includes built-in processor performance control to take advantage of microprocessors that utilize performance states to operate the processor more efficiently when it is not fully utilized. This download white paper outlines the new BIOS implementations needed to expose this capability in Windows XP; this paper also details the functionality and policies employed by Windows XP for processor performance control.

This download white paper describes issues and solutions for achieving fast system start up on PC systems running the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system. This paper provides guidelines for system manufacturers to improve boot and resume times for new PCs. This paper also briefly summarizes several of the changes in Windows XP that promote quick system availability.

The "28 March 2002 Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer" update eliminates all previously addressed security vulnerabilities affecting Internet Explorer, as well as two new vulnerabilities, and is discussed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-015. Download now to protect your computer from these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could allow a malicious user to run code on your computer.

ActiveWin posted a review about the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Integrated Developer Environment. Here´s a bit of it: When I first decided to write a review of Visual Studio .NET, I thought it would be simple and straight forward. I mean, it was not a review on the .NET initiative, but of the Visual Studio IDE itself, and all integrated development environments are pretty much the same. You have an editor to write the code in, a way to compile your application with a single command, and most have nice debugging features built into the system. However, the Visual Studio .NET IDE has left me feeling a bit overwhelmed by the vast number of features and options that are available without making it complicated to use. Head over an read the complete review by using the above link.

RaisinCain in the Maxreboot Forums seems to have noticed that Microsoft has updated their BootVis Tool. Dated March 25, 2002. This version resolves a compatibility issue when using third-party IDE drivers.

Customer research shows a frequently requested feature that users want from their PCs is fast system startup, whether from cold boot or when resuming from standby or hibernation. The Windows development team at Microsoft has taken bold steps in making fast startup PCs a reality with the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system.

Boot to a useable state in a total of 30 seconds

Resume from Hibernate (S4) in a total of 20 seconds

Resume from Standby (S3) in a total of 5 seconds

Boot and resume times are measured from the time the power switch is pressed to being able to start a program from a desktop shortcut.

Update: From Tim@majorgeeks.com: I ran it to get a version number: 1.3.36.0

The guys over @ Planet-Xp have some screenshots from the Windows.NET Server Build 3615.
They show you some shots from the installation of the internetserver, screenshot from the admin menu, Internet Explorer and some more.
So head over by using the above link and take a look.

KingNothing has done a nice little guide: Ever felt that the Outlook Today page on Outlook 2002 was a little too boring?

I wrote a short tutorial on how to customize your Outlook Today page to display a wallpaper, or add content such as contacts you frequently email, frequently visited web sites, a Google search bar, etc. You can add pretty much add any HTML code you want to make your page fit your style.

Well it's soothing to know that old practices seemingly never change, eh? According to The Register USA, who claims to have gathered information from recently changed Microsoft roadmaps, Windows XP SE is being prepared for release sometime in early 2003. While this will give Redmond - Washington based Microsoft more time to overhaul the next-gen Windows code named Longhorn Windows XP SE will be a cup of semi-warm coffee. Most expect allmost all additions will be included in Service Pack 1 for the initial release of XP. Read more...

Thanks to Scoutch Industries for the news. Microsoft has released a new critical update on their website. It contains 4 MB for web browser protection.

Get it at : Windows Update

Just saw this @ Neowin.net:

An ADTW exclusive here. With a handy app entitled NTSwitch you now have the option to turn .NET Server into XP Pro. What's more, this isn't just for .NET to Pro. You can use this to turn any NT Server OS into it's Workstation counterpart. 2K Pro to 2K Server, 2K Server to 2K Pro, and if you convert an OS from server to workstation, you can undo the changes by simply running the executable again and choosing to go back to whichever type of OS you were on before and simply rebooting. Click read more to continue......

Welcome to the Microsoft® .NET Passport Software Development Kit (SDK).

.NET Passport is a core component of the Microsoft .NET initiative and the foundation of the upcoming Microsoft .NET My Services. Microsoft .NET provides the platform for the next-generation Internet. To reach the next level of online business, your company needs a consistent way to refer to individuals, groups, and companies online; a way to notify them of important events; and a schema for storing essential global data to orchestrate applications, Web services, and devices on behalf of users, with their full control and consent.

Microsoft .NET Framework Service Pack 1 provides the latest updates to the .NET Framework. Service Pack 1 is highly recommended for all users of the .NET Framework, including customers of Visual Studio .NET.

On March 4, 2002, Microsoft released the first version of this bulletin. On March 18, 2002, Microsoft re-released this bulletin to make customers aware of an additional vulnerability that is eliminated by the updated VM (Microsoft VM build 3805). Customers who have previously installed the new build do not need to take any additional action.

The Microsoft VM is a virtual machine for the Win32(r) operating environment. The Microsoft VM is available for Windows 95, Windows 98, ME, Windows NT(r) 4.0, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. It is also available as part of Internet Explorer 6 and earlier.

Ibelite.com You actually have a 5th, hidden, security zone in your IE6 Internet Options -> Security -> Zones know as "My Computer". Yep, you can protect yourself from your own system. It's normally kept hidden on purpose because the average user doesn't need to lock down their system THAT tight. But if you're a regular here, you're not that average. One other possible reason (just a guess) is that it might help stop the spread of trojans and bad ActiveX controls.

Ibelite.com In three separate legal briefs filed Friday, a total of 34 states opposed a Microsoft motion that a federal judge should dismiss the remaining portion of its antitrust case.

Nine states and the District of Columbia return to court Monday to determine a remedy for the company's antitrust violations. But Microsoft had asked U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to dismiss the states' litigation, arguing that the states should not be allowed to set antitrust policy over the Justice Department. The Justice Department and nine other states settled the case in November.

Twenty-five additional states rallied Friday behind the nine litigating states--California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah and West Virginia, along with the District of Columbia--in an attempt to protect states' jurisdiction over antitrust matters.

These scripts are part of the Security Operations Guide for Windows 2000 Server, which you should read before using these scripts. The guide provides how-to instructions for system administrators to use after a Windows 2000-based server is up and running, and is part of the Windows Secure Technology Protection Program (STPP). If you are responsible for maintaining a secure Windows 2000-based server, this guide is for you.

MSXML 4.0 SP1 offers a number of new features and improvements over the MSXML 3.0, including support for the XML Schema language and substantially faster parser and XSLT engine. MSXML 4.0 SP1 is a complete replacement for MSXML 4.0 RTM and provides a number of bug fixes. It can not replace MSXML 3.0, because some obsolete and non-conformant features are no longer supported. MSXML 4.0 installs side by side with MSXML 3.0 and earlier, without any interference.

After a massive preordering program where customers could already buy an empty Xbox box as a guarantee to get their console today in store the Microsoft gaming console finally has arrived on the shelves. The launch is accompanied with the availability of 31 games in Europe including Halo, Max Payne, Project Gotham Racing and Nightcaster. Microsoft will also hold a big launch party in Berlin, Germany. The Xbox will approximately cost 479 Euro. Source: Xbox