MSN Messenger is an instant messaging program that lets you send instant messages with cool emoticons, send pictures and other files to your friends, call a phone anywhere in the world from your computer, see when someone is typing a message to you, page a contact's mobile phone, and much more.

The Windows .NET Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack (adminpak.msi) provides server management tools that allow administrators to remotely manage Windows 2000 Servers & Windows .NET Server 2003 family servers. This is the RC2 version (build 3718) of the adminpak.msi file.

Microsoft Corporation has released three new software updates for their latest operating system Windows XP. Updates include the Java Virtual Machine as well as two other updates. Read more for details.

This just in from Neowin.net.

This year, make inspired gifts using your own creativity and Windows XP. Find out how you can work with and enjoy music, home movies, messaging, and digital photos to create personalized presents, stay in touch with family and friends, and enjoy a homemade holiday. Get enhancements and tools to help you have fun with your computer and Windows XP this holiday season.

This update resolves application compatibility issues with using multiple InterVideo applications created by Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). Download now to make versions of InterVideo applications compatible with Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1).

This update provides support for additional set top boxes in Windows XP Media Center Edition. This update only needs to be installed if you are unable to get your specific set top box to work with Windows XP Media Center Edition. If you set top box control is working or you are not using a set top box there is no reason to install this update.

After I have seen many forums about this problem and in every one of them there wasn't a clear answer I discovered a possible fix that worked for me very well.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer v1.1 (for IT Professionals) The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer provides a streamlined method of identifying common security misconfigurations.

Active Directory Operations Guide This guide assists IT professionals who participate in planning and performing Active Directory operations. It provides high-level operations planning information based on best practices learned from customers who have deployed Active Directory.

The Windows Image Acquisition Automation Library v2.0 provides basic image acquisition and manipulation functionality to Visual Basic and Scripting applications.

This update addresses the "Preview is Unavailable in Fax Console with Windows XP SP1" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q322011. Download now to resolve the application error when closing folders.

Just a quick note to let you know that Microsoft have revamped their Download Center

Microsoft Windows .NET Server 2002 (RC2) is NOW available for download. This is the official RC2 release from Microsoft, obtainable and downloadable as from about an hour ago, via the WindowsBeta site.

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.