The Outlook 2002 Update: December 4, 2002 offers the highest levels of stability and security available for Microsoft Outlook® 2002. This update fixes an instability problem introduced in Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) that affects Outlook POP3 / SMTP clients. This update also fixes a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to send a malformed message which would make the user's Outlook session unresponsive. The Outlook 2002 Update: December 4, 2002 is part of Microsoft's continued effort to provide the latest product updates to customers.

Visual Studio .NET can help you with (nearly) every part of your job. But, don't take our word for it. Try Visual Studio .NET for free* online and find out how it can help you solve the most difficult development challenges you face today. With the Visual Studio .NET Hosted Experience, for three hours, you will have unlimited access to Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect edition, as well as a library of other valuable tools, resources, and code samples.

MSDN Subscriptions is pleased to provide MSDN Subscribers with an easy way to manage MSDN Subscription content. MSDN Subscriptions, Pegasus Disk Technologies, and PowerFile have collaborated to bring you a special offer on the PowerFile C200 desktop changer. This combination conveniently allows licensed subscribers to store and share their subscription content.

Update: You can also download the Visual Studio .NET 2003 final beta.

This update addresses the "You Cannot Create a Network Connection After You Restore Windows XP" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q329441. Download now to resolve the application error when closing folders.

Neowin.net reports that apparently, build 3716 of Microsoft's .Net Server 2003, which was available to testers a few days ago has been leaked and running around wildly on the internet.

This is not exactly hot news, just a quick reminder to count the last days: A table in this article mentions MS-DOS (as well as Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and NT 3.5x) reach their "End of Life" (as defined by Microsoft) on December 31, 2002. Come on, even if you loathed them, they were good for jokes at least!

Source: Slashdot.org. I would like to mention, DOS was a good operating system although lacking some features.

Direct X9 RC1 is avaliable on Beta Place (pass req.) It's version DX 9.0.389.1.
Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX 9.0 includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX 9.0 APIs.

Four days before it arrives in stores, Jennifer Lopez fans can for the first time ever preview her entire new album, "This Is Me...Then," through a Jennifer Lopez Listening Party, available on MSN Entertainment.

This update addresses the "Game Stops Responding or Quits Unexpectedly When Introductory Video Clip Is Played" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article 327979. Download now to resolve the hang during video playback.

Neowin.net reports that Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP Media Center Edition.

This update provides contains the CGMS-A enhancement as well as stability and performance enhancements. Release Date - 20 Nov 2002.

Title: Certificate Validation Flaw Could Enable Identity Spoofing (Q329115) Released: 04 September 2002
Revised: 20 November 2002 (Version 4.0)
Software: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office for Mac, Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac or Microsoft Outlook Express for Mac.
Impact: Identity spoofing and, in some cases, ability to gain control over a user's system. Title: Buffer Overrun In Microsoft Data Access Components Could Lead To Code Execution (Q329414) Date: 20 November, 2002
Software: Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.1 /2.5 / 2.6, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 / 5.5 / 6.0
Impact: Run code of attackers choice
Max Risk: Critical

The "November, 2002 Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer" eliminates all previously addressed security vulnerabilities affecting Internet Explorer, as well as additional newly discovered vulnerabilities. This update includes the functionality of all previously released patches. Download now to continue keeping your computer secure.

Windows Media Encoder 9 Series (release candidate) is a powerful tool for content producers who want to take advantage of the many innovations in Windows Media 9 Series - including high-quality multichannel sound, high-definition video quality, new support for mixed-mode voice and music content, and more.

You have mail, and there are some pictures attached. MaltiBRD over at Planet-XP got his hand on the first real Windows Longhorn Screenshots.
This version was yesterday leaked on IRC and Planet-XP received the the first screenshots of this build. Click the pic to have a look.

This update addresses the "PostScript Print Jobs Containing Type-1 Multiple Master Metrics Fonts Are not Printed" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q329604. Download now to be able to print PostScript print jobs containint Type-1 Multiple Master Metrics fonts.

The version number is MSN Messenger 5.0.0540 and for all Windows editions! Available from http://download.microsoft.com/download/msnmessenger/install/5.0/wxp/en-us/MsnMsgs.Msi.

Source: xbetas.com

Iexbeta.com reports that it appears that a new build of the popular MSN 8 software was just recently released. The build number of this new build is 8.00.0022.3100 and features no noticable interface changes. It merely features some 'minor service improvements throughout'.

Just spotted this @Xbetas.com

Though it is not the lastest build, but thanks to BOFH, we now have leaked the autorun for your enjoyment.

The exact release date for Longhorn beta is not known, but should be within next 6 month time frame.

XBox of Microsoft Corp., today announces the release of the all-new 'XBox Live' in the U.S. and also Canada. It is expected to hit retail stores by today.

All the XBox Live is just a multi-playing experience that's serves online to play against any other player online with a broadband connection. XBox has a built-in ethernet card so consumer wouldn't have to buy an ethernet card, just the cable service, CAT5 cable, and the XBox Live service which is about $49.95 USDs.

found this info on Geeknewz.com

The Windows Sustained Engineering team is currently taking nominations for the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4) beta program. Our goal is to have a well targeted group of testers willing to actively participate and provide useful feedback to our development team throughout the beta program.