Thanks to Neowin.net for the news that IEXBeta have found the latest Windows XP Peer-to-Peer Beta Program & SDK Beta!

This download includes a beta version of the Microsoft Windows XP Peer-to-Peer Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK contains all software required to create decentralized applications that harness the collective power of edge of the network PC?s.

Major components include: Peer-to-Peer Application Programming Interface (API) Documentation for each of the Peer-to-Peer core areas (e.g., peer name resolution, efficient multi-point communication, secure groups and the identity manager); Peer-to-Peer headers & libraries; Sample applications and source code.

A story from FlexBeta: I was accepted to participate in Beta-Testing the forthcoming SP4 for Windows 2000 series. The applications were taken in last fall, and they sent me e-mail entitled ?approved?. One pre-beta version was leaked before the official beta, build number RC 4.027. Just nine builds after, 4.036 was leaked in the same way and released to beta testers about one week after the leak.

Just got word from Neowin.net that Office 11 Beta 2 has been released on MSDN! Here's what you get:

Office 2003 Beta 2 MUI Pack Disc 1 (English) 564 MB Office FrontPage 2003 Beta 2 (English) 195 MB Office InfoPath Beta 2 (English) 76 MB Read more...

Thanks to Neobond @ Neowin.net: Thats right folks we got our hands on a few screen shots and the download of what looks to be an interesting P2P application from Microsoft. We're not sure how old this version is or much about it so it could be very different when it gets released in beta form. Read more for extended information collected by Warp2Search.

Its been said that good things come to those that wait. Its also been said that the early bird gets the worm. WinBeta proudly announces the culmination of years of testing, name changes, and speculation. 5.2.3765.0 (dnsrv.030206-2140). While a new build in itself isn't too impressive, what is impressive is 2/13/2003 7:00:00 PM and is named as strong>RTM (release to manufacture). Built back on 02/06/2003, 3765 has been kicking around for quite a while.

Neowin have got their hands on both English and German language versions of Windows 2000 SP4 Beta (Express Setup) and you can choose between two installation options for SP4: Express and Network. Please review the descriptions (in read more) for each to determine the option that suits your needs.

Speaker Distortion and Noise with USB Speakers at a High Volume! The information in this article applies to: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

When you play an audio file through your USB speakers, you may hear distortion such as a popping or crackling noise. This symptom may occur about every minute when your USB speakers are at a high volume. Read more...

This update fixes an issue caused by the February 2003, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (810847) where users could potentially be unable to log into MSN mail accounts or authenticate with a web site in various programs.

This update addresses the "HCT Audio Test Causes Computer to Stop Responding" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article 810272. Download now to allow HCT Audio Tests to complete.

Microsoft finally figured out that there are still alot of bugs in Windows XP and have decided to ask for help to find and fix them. Well Luckily "SOME" people got accepted. Well one of our staffers who recieved this e-mail today and wants to stay anonymous but back to point that Microsoft is finally listening to us People again! Hehe.

Read the Rest of the e-mail here.

Bill gates has sold nearly a million shares at $47 each, bringing in over $48,000,000 for him. If you think that's scary, don't fear. He has over 609 million shares left worth well over $29,000,000,000 (29 Billion dollers). The Inquirer has the full story.

This just in from Winbeta.org: Following the leak of Microsoft's Windows 2000 SP4 Preview Build (4.027), they bring you, fresh off the press, the latest SP4 preview build 4.036. Weighing in about ~110MByte.

Microsoft today released three additional security and software updates next to the latest cumulative Internet Explorer patch February 5th, 2003. Read more...

With the IT industry in a rather sorry state, a few of you may be considering a certification to get ahead of the pack. Question is, does the MCSE certification mean as much as it once did?

Microsoft have released some new Security HotFixes:

811630: Critical Update Enabling applications to access HTML Help: This update enables applications to access HTML Help in a new, restricted mode. Future updates of Internet Explorer require this new capability. Download now to ensure that Internet Explorer can properly display HTML Help in HTML pages windows 98/ME/2000/XP.

An identified security issue could enable an attacker to read files or run programs on a computer that visited his or her Web site. By installing this update, you can help protect your computer against this issue and bring Microsoft® Internet Explorer up-to-date with respect to security!

The Office 2000 Resource Kit contains the following set of core tools:

Custom Installation Wizard (version 1.00.00.3728) Excel File Recovery Macro and Date Tools Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit 5.x (version 5.0.2809.2500) Language Version utility (version 9.00.0028) Terminal Server Tools Profile Wizard Removal Wizard

The Custom Maintenance Wizard enables you to make changes to a Microsoft Office XP installation after the initial deployment. Using the Custom Maintenance Wizard, you can modify almost every feature that you can set in the Custom Installation Wizard ? including default user settings, security levels, Outlook settings, and registry keys.

This just in from Neobond @ Neowin.net.

In an almost amusing way MSN Hotmail have placed a note, a reminder if you will, to members that MSN Hotmail will be discontinuing the Reminders feature. It would appear that MSN Hotmail are stepping up member benefits by continuing to remove the free services. Instead of doing it all in one go Microsoft have chosen a more silent route at removing one or more services at a time.

Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) provides the latest security and reliability updates to the Windows XP family of operating systems, and includes Internet Explorer 6 SP1a. Windows XP SP1a is designed to ensure Windows XP platform compatibility with newly released software and hardware, and includes updates that resolve issues discovered by customers or by Microsoft's internal testing team. To determine whether to install Windows XP SP1a, we recommend reviewing the Windows XP documentation and information below. If you have already installed Windows XP SP1, you do not need to update to Windows XP SP1a.