Heavy_K's Polygamy Patch will change your Messenger to allow you to use multiple instances. That means that you can log in with 2 different accounts at the same time.

Version 4.6.0078 of MSN Messenger is required.

The mates at Neowin.net have some info that DX9 Beta 1 will be released soon to testers: Dear DirectX 9.0 Beta Tester:

The DirectX team would like to thank you for your patience as we prepare to release DirectX 9.0 Beta 1. We are currently working on the final stages of Beta 1 for DirectX 9.0 and plan to release it to you for testing very soon. When the beta has released, you will be sent email with further instructions. We appreciate your willingness to test DirectX and look forward to working with you.

Team DirectX

Just saw this @ Gamers.com

Following last month's rather shocking revelation that Microsoft had originally tapped Sega to develop the Xbox, it's now been revealed that at one point Microsoft was dealing with Nintendo too. In fact, Microsoft was all but set to outright buy the company.

According to a new book called Opening the Xbox: Inside Microsoft's Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution, Microsoft was at one point all set to plunk down 25 billion for the Japanese game giant. As the book describes, Nintendo's U.S. president Minoru Arakawa wasn't sure what to think when Microsoft made the offer. "I was surprised," Arakawa admitted. "We didn't need the money. I thought it was a joke.

The Microsoft Windows Installer is an installation and configuration service that ships as part of the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system, and is provided as a redistributable product for Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, and NT version 4.0.

Windows Installer enables software users to efficiently install and configure products and applications. The installer can also provide software products with new capabilities to advertise features without installing them, to install products on demand, and to add user customizations. The Windows Installer supports advertisement of applications and features according to the operating system.

Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.7 RTM ? Refresh (2.70.9001.0) contains core components, including the Microsoft SQL Server? and Oracle OLE database provider and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver. MDAC does not contain the MDAC software development kit (SDK) or the desktop database providers and drivers.File size: 5 megabytes (MB). Available for x86-based computers only.

This download document describes a proposed API that extends Microsoft DirectX VA to support de-interlacing and frame rate conversion of video content by graphics device drivers. The purpose of this document is to provide driver developers with a preview of the APIs and the opportunity to provide feedback.

The information in this document applies for Microsoft Windows XP SP1 and later versions of Windows Video that is interlaced must be de-interlaced using the DirectX Video Acceleration and Microsoft Direct3D® 9 APIs for video. The graphics engine and the hardware overlay, if present, must support a minimum of bob and weave de-interlacing functionality.

The Office XP SP-1 Speller Update: April 25, 2002 refreshes the dictionary of words referenced by Microsoft Office XP SP-1. This update adds improved and new terminology and improved replacement suggestions. US English only The Word 2002 Update: April 25, 2002 prevents ActiveX controls running without a warning when you use Word to edit an e-mail message with Outlook configured to disable script. Multilanguage support

Ok peeps, I know you have been waiting for this! So all I am going to say is GO GET THEM! Update: Just got word from Tim @ Majorgeeks that he has zipped them all up in one file for you. Instead of downloading individual files from Microsoft you can now grab a package.

I saw this @ NeoWin. Microsoft have updated their Windows Messenger to v4.6.0078. Click on Read More... for direct download links.

If the 3D Flowerbox, 3D Flying Objects, 3D Pipes, 3D Text, or another Direct3D-based screen saver is running in Windows XP, the computer may be unable to enter standby or hibernation by using the timer in Power Management properties. Download now to avoid this issue.

This update addresses several graphics rendering issues with GDI+ in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q318966. Download now to resolve some rendering issues. Read more for issues explained and download link!

The guys over @ OfficeXp.nu have some screenshots form the new Office.Net.
Here´s a bit: This does not look like the version of the last week leaked presentation. It does not install well on Win2k even with .NET Framework installed, but runs fine on XP. There is also a new member called scribbler. The screendumps are made on a WinXP machine with default Theme. Take a look @ the screenshots by using the above shown link.

REDMOND, Wash. -- April 16, 2002 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that in response to growing customer demand, Macintosh OS X drivers are available for the popular Microsoft® line of keyboards, mouse products and trackballs. Today?s news extends compatibility of the entire Microsoft hardware line to the latest Macintosh operating system.

IIS Lockdown Wizard version 2.1 works by turning off unnecessary features, thus reducing attack surface available to attackers. To provide multiple layers of protection against attackers, URLscan, with customized templates for each supported server role, is integrated into the IIS Lockdown Wizard. To keep the server completely secure, however, all hotfixes are required before and after applying IIS Lockdown Wizard to stay protected against known security vulnerabilities.

Once again a Windows home-call 'feature' raises concern of Microsoft software users. The search assistant ( wizard like running in background ) is spying on the PC users searching behaviour according to an article at The Register. If one makes use of the function it gathers your IP adress, the search terms that you type and more. This does not only apply to internet (online) searches but also to searching for files and folders on your local computer. Read more...

Microsoft has released an updated version of the URLScan security tool, 2.5, with additional functionality that provides greater security and functionality than previous versions of the tool. URLScan 2.5 is an update to URLScan 1.0 and URLScan 2.0.

Important Urlscan stops many types of attacks but is not a substitute for staying up to date on patches. Microsoft strongly recommends that customers apply security patches to keep the server secure and fix known security vulnerabilities.

Microsoft has released the latest compatibility update for Windows XP on Windows Update V4. This latest update is a rollup package of the previous application compatibility update and includes loads of new software. For the complete list and additional information hit read more.

The good peeps over @ IRC.BetasOnline.com #betas have let me know that they have got hold of some new info regarding Microsoft Windows Longhorn!

It seems to be a real document referring to product planners working for system and component manufacturers, driver developers, firmware engineers, and silicon vendors who will create new PC and server products designed to run the next version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, code-named Longhorn.

Just saw this @ Xp-erience.org. Sony have released a "Spiderman" skin for Windows media player.

A computer science professor says Microsoft Corp. has the ability to create and release a modular version of the Windows operating system so computer makers can swap out Microsoft functions for competitors' programs. Microsoft has maintained that it would be impossible to create a stripped-down Windows because so many portions of it are dependent on others. Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has said that the requirement, a key proposal by the nine states seeking antitrust penalties from the company, would force Microsoft to take Windows off the market. Read more...