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.

The Office 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) provides the latest product updates to Office 2000 and offers you the highest levels of performance and security available for Office 2000. It can be installed by enterprise, small business, or individual users. Office XP SP3 addresses issues described in several previous Microsoft Security Bulletins as well as in several previous downloads.

Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) 6 SP1 enables the most cost-effective and efficient way to deploy and manage Web-based solutions. Evaluate IEAK and learn how easy it is to tailor a custom browser to meet your customers' needs.

This document is a cumulative list of the articles that have been written to discuss hotfixes that have been released since the release of Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 and Windows XP Service Pack 1. Click the Q# of the Knowledge Base article below to view the article.

Release Candidate 0 is now available for download @ betaplace.com for all MS testers.

Release Note: We have only released the SDK, SDK Extras and DirectMusic Producer downloads. The End-User Runtime and the SDK Sample Binaries will be posted soon.

Just spotted this @ Geeknewz.com: MSN Messenger Service is an easy way to take advantage of the full power of instant messaging. It even makes popular e-mail programs like Microsoft Outlook Express and MSN Hotmail easier and more convenient to use. With MSN Messenger Service, it's never been easier for you and your friends to talk online.