1. Microsoft Small Business Server 2003
1. Introduction
2. Features at a glance
3. Top 10 reasons to Use Windows Small Business Server 2003
2. Windows Server 2003 and Active Directory
   1. Benefits of the Windows Server 2003 Family
   2. What's in the Windows Server 2003 Family?
   3. Windows Client Systems Intuitive Operating Systems for all your devices
   1. Windows XP Professional
   2. Windows Vista Beta
   3. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
   4. Windows Mobile 2003

Microsoft Small Business Server 2003
A powerful and feature-rich server package for small businesses.

Excerpts from the Small Business Server Section of www.microsoft.com  
Introduction
Small business owners are searching for simpler, less expensive ways to run their businesses and to increase their return on information technology (IT) investment. They rarely have dedicated on-site IT professionals or administrators to run their networks; however, they may use technology providers to acquire IT solutions. These technology providers need to find more cost-effective ways to provide support to their customers.

With features like file sharing, printing, e-mail, faxing, Internet access, and the ability to run line-of-business applications, the Microsoft Windows® Small Business Server 2003 provides a complete business server solution. The integrated suite of server products enables companies to share information and resources safely and securely. End-to-end administration features help technology providers set up, run, and maintain their networks productively and efficiently.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 is available in two editions: standard and premium. The standard edition contains technologies from Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. The premium edition contains technologies from Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, and Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA Server).

Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 supports up to 75 client computers.

Features at a Glance

The following summary indicated the features of the two editions of Windows Small Business Server 2003.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (Standard and Premium Edition)

• Secure, reliable operating system 
• File, print, and application sharing
• The power of Active Directory® directory service and its tools Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services (Standard and Premium Edition)
• Team communication and collaboration environment Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 (Standard and Premium Edition)
• Internet e-mail and messaging solution
• Microsoft Outlook® Web Access, to access e-mail through the Web
• Shared calendaring

Microsoft Shared Fax Service (Standard and Premium Edition)

Ø Fax with fewer telephone lines
Ø Fax from users'' desktops
Ø Users can set hours for faxing
Ø Receive faxes through SharePoint, e-mail, or printer

Microsoft ISA Server (Premium Edition only)
Ø Secure, shared Internet access
Ø Routing and network address translation (NAT) services with firewall service

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (Premium Edition only)
Ø Powerful, secure relational database for running business applications.

Microsoft Office FrontPage® 2003 (Premium Edition only)
Ø Develop sophisticated Web sites
Ø Create customized solutions for Windows SharePoint Services

Top 10 Reasons to Use Windows Small Business Server 2003

With Windows Small Business Server 2003, now you can:
1. Create a central and secure place to store critical business data
Ø Access to data and applications is centralized, improving employee productivity by ensuring all your employees can get the information they need from their computers.
Ø Software restriction policies help prevent unapproved installations and help protect against viruses and other attacks.

2. Guard against data loss
Ø Volume shadow copy service enables point-in-time backups and helps your backup procedures run quickly and with minimal errors.
Ø The Backup Configuration Wizard guides you through the creation and implementation of a successful data backup strategy.

3. Ensure network security, thoroughly and easily
Ø Wizards simplify security settings and help ensure all the necessary security steps are taken while setting up your network.
Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003, the operating system that has increased available services by 275 percent while mitigating attacks against the server by 60 percent.
Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes an internal firewall and also supports external firewalls.

4. Keep your business up and running
Ø Improved monitoring tools and usage reports keep you apprised of network status.
Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003, the most reliable network operating system Microsoft has ever delivered.

5. Access information from anywhere, anytime and any device
Ø Remote Web Workplace, the new remote portal, allows authorized users to access remote access features by using the Internet.
Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003, the most reliable network operating system Microsoft has ever delivered.
Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition, includes Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000. Businesses running the premium edition can now establish an interactive Web presence with an unlimited number of visitors and can run as many business applications as they need. Note: Access to Web applications based on Small Business Server 2000/SQL Server 2000 was limited to 50 concurrent sessions. This limitation has been removed with Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition.


6. Improve team performance through enhanced collaboration
Ø A pre-configured internal Web Site based on Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services allows coworkers to share information, including document libraries, announcements, events, and links.


Enhanced Microsoft Outlook® Web Access (OWA) enables users to access an Internet version of Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 from the Internet to share files and schedules. 


7. Increase sales and reduce costs by analyzing and managing your business with line-of-business applications


Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition, includes SQL Server 2000. As the foundation for storing and analyzing business information, SQL Server 2000 is compatible with more small-business applications than any other data management platform. Working with a broad array of Microsoft partners, small-business owners have more flexibility in selecting business applications to improve operations, reduce costs, and connect with customers. With SQL Server 2000, small-business customers can run several business applications in a simple and cost-effective information technology (IT) environment.

8. Reach more customers and serve them better, all day, every day


Ø You can host your own e-mail, create a company Web presence, and access business information remotely. These benefits enable you to conduct business in a professional manner and assure customers that you are the right choice for their business.

9. Get up and running quickly & easily


Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 is preloaded on the most popular OEM platforms, meaning you can just plug it in and begin to play in just 15 minutes!
Ø Online License Activation means you no longer have to deal with floppy disks for client setup.
Ø Windows Small Business Server 2003 is a member of the Windows Server 2003 family, meaning the interface will look familiar and will work like the interface in Microsoft Windows.

10. Get a platform that is easy to grow with today and tomorrow


Ø The Client Setup Wizard enables you to migrate profile settings (including desktop settings and data) from a peer-to-peer network (based on the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems) without disruptions to users.
Ø Because Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, work well together, you can add Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, to your network as a dedicated line-of-business server or as a server dedicated to running Windows Terminal Server in application-sharing mode.

The Migration Pack enables you to grow from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to the components included within the product (including Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, SQL Server 2000, and Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000).

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Windows Server 2003 and Active Directory
A flexible server operating system and infrastructure platform

Excerpts from the Windows Server Section of www.microsoft.com
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved.

Windows Server 2003 is a multipurpose operating system capable of handling a diverse set of server roles, depending on your needs, in either a centralized or distributed fashion.

Some of these server roles include:

Ø File and print server.
Ø Web server and Web application services.
Ø Mail server.
Ø Terminal server.
Ø Remote access and virtual private network (VPN) server.
Ø Directory services, Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, and Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS).
Ø Streaming media server.

This product overview explains the basics of the Windows Server 2003 family and includes links to more detailed information.

Benefits of the Windows Server 2003 Family
Windows Server 2003 delivers four primary benefits:

Dependable
Windows Server 2003 is the fastest, most reliable, most secure Windows server operating system ever offered by Microsoft. Windows Server 2003 delivers dependability by:
Ø Providing an IT infrastructure that delivers fundamental value: improved reliability, better availability, and increased scalability.
Ø Including an application platform with built-in traditional application server functionality on top of extensive operating system capabilities.
Ø Integrating an information worker infrastructure that helps keep business information secure and accessible.

Productive

Windows Server 2003 provides the tools that simplify deployment, management, and administration and maximize productivity. Windows Server 2003 does this by:
Ø Providing flexible tools that help match your design and deployment to your organizational and network needs.
Ø Helping you manage your network proactively by enforcing policy, automating tasks, and simplifying updates.
Ø Helping you lower support overhead by letting users do more on their own.

Connected

Windows Server 2003 provides an extensible application platform for quickly building solutions that keep employees, partners, systems, and customers connected. Windows Server 2003 does this by:

Ø Providing an integrated Web server and streaming media server that helps you quickly, easily, and securely create dynamic intranet and Internet Web sites.
Ø Providing built-in services that help you easily develop, deploy, and manage XML Web services.
Ø Providing the tools that enable you to connect XML Web services to internal applications, suppliers, and partners.

Best Economics

When combined with products and services from the many Microsoft hardware, software, and channel partners, Windows Server 2003 provides the choices that help you get the greatest return on your infrastructure investments. Windows Server 2003 does this by:

Ø Providing ease-of-use and prescriptive guidance for complete solutions that enable you to quickly put technology to work.
Ø Helping you consolidate servers by taking advantage of the latest hardware, software, and methodologies to optimize your server deployments.
Ø Lowering your total cost of ownership (TCO) to realize a fast return on investment.

Availability

The Windows Server 2003 family provides improved availability through enhanced clustering support. Clustering services have become essential for organizations deploying critical e-commerce and line-of-business applications, because they provide significant improvements in availability, scalability, and manageability. Clustering installation and setup is easier and more robust in Windows Server 2003, while enhanced network features in the product provide greater failover capabilities and high system uptime. The Windows Server 2003 family supports server clusters for up to eight nodes. If one of the nodes in a cluster becomes unavailable because of failure or maintenance, another node immediately begins providing service, a process known as failover. Windows Server 2003 also supports network load balancing (NLB), which balances incoming Internet Protocol (IP) traffic across nodes in a cluster.

Scalability

The Windows Server 2003 family provides scalability through scale-up, enabled by symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), and scale-out, enabled by clustering. Internal tests indicate that compared to Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003 delivers up to 140 percent better performance in the file system and significantly better performance in various other features including the Microsoft Active Directory® service, Web server and Terminal Server components, and networking services. Windows Server 2003 scales from single processor solutions all the way up to 64-way systems. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit processors.

Productive

Windows Server 2003 has capabilities in numerous areas that can make your organization and employees more productive, including:

Ø File and print services. At the heart of any IT organization is the ability to efficiently manage file and print resources while keeping them available and secure for users. As the network expands with more users located on-site, in remote locations, or even at partner companies, IT administrators face an increasingly heavy burden. The Windows Server 2003 family delivers intelligent file and print services with increased performance and functionality, allowing you to reduce TCO.
Ø Active Directory. Active Directory is the directory service for the Windows Server 2003 family. It stores information about objects on the network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find, providing a logical, hierarchical organization of directory information. Windows Server 2003 brings many improvements to Active Directory, making it more versatile, dependable, and economical to use. In Windows Server 2003, Active Directory provides increased performance and scalability. It also allows you greater flexibility to design, deploy, and manage your organization''s directory.
Ø Management services. While computing has proliferated on desktops, laptops, and portable devices, the real cost of maintaining a distributed personal computer network has grown significantly. Reducing day-to-day maintenance through automation is key to reducing operating costs. Windows Server 2003 contains several important new automated management tools, including Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS) and server configuration wizards. Managing Group Policy is made easier with the new Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), enabling more organizations to better utilize the Active Directory service and take advantage of its powerful management features. In addition, command-line tools let administrators perform most tasks from the command console. GPMC is available as a separate component.
Ø Storage management. Windows Server 2003 introduces new and enhanced features for storage management, making it easier and more reliable to manage and maintain disks and volumes, backup and restore data, and connect to storage area networks (SANs).
Ø Terminal Services. The Terminal Services component of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 builds on the solid application server mode in Windows 2000 Terminal Services. Terminal Services let you deliver Windows-based applications, or the Windows desktop itself, to virtually any computing device—including those that cannot run Windows.

What's in the Windows Server 2003 Family?
The Windows Server 2003 family includes the following products:

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, is designed for departmental and standard workloads and delivers the following benefits:

Ø Support for file and printer sharing.
Ø More secure Internet connectivity.
Ø Centralized desktop application deployment.

Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition

Built for mission-critical server workloads, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, is the platform of choice for applications, Web services, and infrastructure. Delivering high reliability, performance, and superior business value, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition provides these benefits:
Ø A full-function server operating system that supports up to 8 processors.
Ø Enterprise-class features, such as eight-node clustering and support for up to 32 GB of memory.
Ø Support for Intel Itanium-based computers.
Ø Support for 64-bit computing platforms capable of supporting 8 processors and 64 GB of RAM with the 64-bit version.

Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, is built for the highest levels of scalability and reliability. Only this platform offers the Datacenter High Availability Program of support and services. Benefits of Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, include:
Ø The most powerful and functional server operating system Microsoft has ever offered.
Ø Support for up to 32-way SMP and 64 GB of RAM with the 32-bit version.
Ø Support for up to 128-way machines with individual partitions of up to 64 processors and 512 GB of RAM with the 64-bit version.
Ø Both 8-node clustering and load balancing services as standard features.
Ø Windows System Resource Manager to facilitate consolidation and system management.

Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
A new product within the Windows operating systems, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, offers dedicated Web serving and hosting as well as the following benefits:
Ø A platform for building and hosting Web applications, Web pages, and XML Web Services.
Ø A design intended for use primarily as an IIS 6.0 Web server.
Ø A platform for rapidly developing and deploying XML Web services and applications that use ASP.NET technology, a key part of the .NET Framework.
Ø Ease of deployment and management.

Windows Small Business Server 2003
Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides a complete business server solution for small businesses. The integrated suite of server products enables companies to share information and resources safely and securely.
Ø Standard Edition will include Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Shared Fax Service.
Ø Premium Edition will include Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Shared Fax Service, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, and Microsoft Office FrontPage® 2003.

Windows Client Systems
Intuitive Operating Systems for all your devices

Microsoft has developed operating systems for many various client devices, allowing computer users the ease of accessing applications and data from traditional desktops, portable laptop and tablet computers, and handheld PDA-style devices.

Click on the following client operating system to learn more...
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows Vista Beta
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
- Windows Mobile 2003

Windows XP Professional
Excerpts from the Windows XP Section of www.microsoft.com
For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved.

The Standard for Efficient and Dependable Computing

Reliable
  
Ø Built on the new Windows engine: Windows XP Professional is built on the proven code base of Windows NT and Windows 2000, which features a 32-bit computing architecture and a fully protected memory model. Windows XP Professional will provide a dependable computing experience for all business users.
Ø Enhanced device driver verifier: Building on the device driver verifier found in Windows 2000, the Windows XP Professional will provide even greater stress tests for device drivers. Device drivers that pass these tests will be the most robust drivers available, which will ensure maximum system stability.
Ø Dramatically reduced reboot scenarios: Eliminates most scenarios that force end users to reboot in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 95/98/Me. Also, many software installations will not require reboots.Users will experience higher levels of system uptime.
Ø Improved code protection: Critical kernel data structures are read-only, so that drivers and applications cannot corrupt them. All device driver code is read-only and page protected. Rogue applications cannot adversely affect core operating system areas.
Ø Side-by-side DLL support: Provides a mechanism for multiple versions of individual Windows components to be installed and run "side by side." This helps to address the "DLL hell" problem by allowing an application written and tested with one version of a system component to continue to use that version even if an application that uses a newer version of the same component is installed.
Ø Windows File Protection: Protects core system files from being overwritten by application installations. If a file is overwritten, Windows File Protection will restore the correct version. By safeguarding system files, Windows XP Professional mitigates many of the most common system failures encountered in earlier versions of Windows.
Ø Windows Installer: A system service that helps users install, configure, track, upgrade, and remove software programs correctly. Will help minimize user downtime and increase system stability.
Ø Enhanced software restriction policies: Provide administrators a policy-driven mechanism to identify software running in their environment and control its ability to execute. This facility can be used in virus and Trojan horse prevention and software lockdown. Can contribute to improved system integrity, manageability, and, ultimately, lower cost of ownership of the PC.
Ø Preemptive multitasking architecture: Designed to allow multiple applications to run simultaneously, while ensuring great system response and stability. Run your most demanding applications while still experiencing impressive system response time.
Ø Scalable memory and processor support: Supports up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and up to two symmetric multiprocessors. Users who need the highest level of performance will be able to work with the latest hardware.
Ø Encrypting File System (EFS) with multi-user support:Encrypts each file with a randomly generated key. The encryption and decryption processes are transparent to the user. In Windows XP Professional, EFS can provide multiple users access to an encrypted document. The highest level of protection from hackers and data theft.
Ø IP Security (IPSec): Helps protect data transmitted across a network. IPSec is an important part of providing security for virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow organizations to transmit data securely over the Internet.IT administrators will be able to build secure VPNs quickly and easily.
Ø Kerberos support: Provides industry-standard and high-strength authentication with fast, single logon to Windows 2000—based enterprise resources. Kerberos is an Internet standard, which makes it especially effective for networks that include different operating systems such as UNIX. Windows XP Professional will offer single logon for end users for resources and supported applications hosted on both Windows 2000 and our next-generation server platform, Windows Server 2003.
Ø Smart card support: Smart card capabilities are integrated into the operating system, including support for smart card logon to terminal server sessions hosted on Windows Server 2003—based (the next-generation server platform) terminal servers. Smart cards enhance software-only solutions such as client authentication, interactive logon, code signing, and secure e-mail.
Ø Internet Explorer Add-on Manager: Easily manage and enforce a list of Internet Explorer add-ons that are either permitted or disabled to enhance security. Helps reduce the potential for crashes.
Ø Windows Firewall: Turned on by default, the built-in Windows Firewall helps increase computer security from startup to shutdown. Reduces the risk of network and Internet-based attacks.
Ø Windows Security Center: Easily manage security resources with this single, unified view of key settings, tools, and access to resources. Easily change settings and identify security issues.
Ø Attachment Manager: Isolates potentially unsafe attachments during the opening process. Helps provide protection from viruses spread through Outlook Express, Windows Messenger, and Internet Explorer.
Ø Data Execution Prevention: Helps prevent certain types of malicious code from attacking and overwhelming a computer’s memory.Reduces the risk of buffer overruns.
Ø Windows Firewall Exception List: Helps administrators better manage applications and static port exceptions by allowing only ports needed by an application to be open. Increases application compatibility with Windows Firewall.
Ø Windows Firewall Application and Port Restrictions: Easily configure applications and ports to receive network traffic only with a source address from any location, the local subnet only, or from specific IP addresses. Helps reduce the potential for network-based attacks.

Easy to Use

Ø Fresh visual design: While maintaining the core of Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional has a fresh visual design. Common tasks have been consolidated and simplified, and new visual cues have been added to help users navigate their computers more easily. Administrators or end users can choose this updated user interface or the classic Windows 2000 interface with the click of a button. Allows the most common tasks to be exposed easily, helping users get the most of out of Windows XP Professional.
Ø Adaptive user environment: Adapts to the way an individual user works. With a redesigned Start menu, the most frequently used applications are shown first. When you open multiple files in the same application, (such as multiple e-mail messages in the Microsoft Outlook messaging and collaboration client) the open windows will be consolidated under a single task bar button. To remove some of the clutter from the notification area, items that are not being used will be hidden. All of these features can be set using Group Policy.A cleaner work environment allows the user to be more efficient. Users can find the crucial data and applications they need quickly and easily. All of these settings can be controlled using Group Policy, so IT administrators can decide what features are most appropriate for their environments.
Ø Work with rich media: Windows Media Player for Windows XP is the first player to combine all of your common digital media activities into a single, easy-to-use player. The player makes it easy for you to: View rich media information, for example, virtual company meetings or "just-in-time" learning. Receive the best-possible audio and video quality, because the player adapts to network conditions. Tune in to nearly 3,000 Internet radio stations. Create custom CDs up to 700 percent faster than other solutions. View DVD movies. Enjoy music, video, and broadband more safely and securely
Ø Context-sensitive task menus: When a file is selected in Windows Explorer, a dynamic menu appears. This menu lists tasks that are appropriate for the type of file selected. Common tasks that were hard to find in previous versions of Windows are exposed for easy access.
Ø Integrated CD burning: Support for burning CDs on CD-R and CD-RW drives is integrated into Windows Explorer. Archiving data onto CD is now as easy as saving to a floppy disk, and does not require an expensive third-party solution.
Ø Easily publish information to the Web: Files and folders can be easily published to any Web service that uses the WebDAV protocol. Users will be able to publish important information to Web servers on the company''s intranet.
Ø Dualview: A single computer desktop can be displayed on two monitors driven off of a single display adapter. With a laptop computer, a user could run the internal LCD display as well as an external monitor. A variety of high-end display adapters will support this functionality for desktops. Users will be able to maximize their productivity by working on multiple screens, while removing the need for multiple CPUs.
Ø Troubleshooters: Helps users and administrators configure, optimize, and troubleshoot numerous Windows XP Professional functions. Enables users to be more self-sufficient, resulting in greater productivity, fewer help desk calls, and better customer service.

Revolutionizes the Way Remote Users Work

Ø Remote Desktop: Allows users to create a virtual session onto their desktop computers using the Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Allows users to access all of their data and applications housed on their desktop computers from another computer running Windows 95 or later that is connected to their machine via a network.
Ø Credential Manager: A secured store for password information. It allows users to input user names and passwords once, and then have the system automatically supply that information for subsequent visits. Users who are not connected to a domain, or who need to access resources in multiple domains without trust relationships, will be able to easily access network resources.
Ø Offline Files and Folders: A user can specify which network-based files and folders she needs when she disconnects from the network. Offline folders can now be encrypted to provide the highest level of security. Users can work with documents while disconnected from the network in the same manner they do when they''re connected.
Ø ClearType: A new text display technology that triples the horizontal resolution available for rendering text through software. Microsoft ClearType display technology offers a clearer display of text on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen.
Ø Offline viewing: Makes entire Web pages with graphics available for viewing offline. Customers can view critical Web pages while disconnected from the Internet.
Ø Synchronization Manager: Lets users compare and update their offline files and folders with those on the network. After working with files and folders offline, the changes will be automatically replicated back to the network, ensuring the latest version is always available.
Ø Improved power management: By intelligently monitoring CPU state, Windows XP Professional can reduce the amount of power it is using. The operating system will provide more accurate data on the amount of power left; this will prevent the system from shutting down prematurely. Also, by allowing for the system to wake up as the battery nears a drained state, the computer can be put into hibernation, and save work in progress. Power management can now be set for each computer, or each user on a computer. Users will be able to work longer on battery power and more accurately forecast how long their batteries will last.
Ø Hibernate: After a set period of time, or on demand, Windows XP Professional will save memory to disk, and shut the power down. When power is restored, all the applications are reopened exactly as they were left. Users can maximize battery life, and still be able to quickly resume working where they left off, reducing downtime.
Ø Hot docking: Lets you dock or undock your notebook computer without changing hardware configuration or rebooting.Laptop users can move easily between docked and undocked configurations without rebooting the system.
Ø Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI): Provides the latest in power management and Plug and Play support. Provides key features for mobile professionals including Plug and Play, hot docking, and full power management support.
Ø Wireless networking support: Provides secured access, as well as performance improvements, for wireless networks. Makes it much easier for users who need to move between wireless networks, while supporting high levels of encryption to enhance security.
Ø Network Location Awareness: Provides an underlying service that allows the operating system and applications to determine when a machine has changed network locations. Applications and network services can be written to react intelligently when a network location change is detected. For example, an application could connect an end user to a closer server if that user moved from one building to another.
Ø Easier remote access configuration wizards: Guide users through the steps for setting up remote access to a network or virtual private network (VPN). Make it easier to connect to a corporate network or the Internet.
Ø Improved Help and Support Services: The Help and Support Center combines features users are familiar with from previous versions of Windows (such as Search, Index, and Favorites) with content from the World Wide Web to give users more chances to get the help they need when they need it. If the content in the Help and Support Center doesn''t answer their question, it can be used to contact a friend, a support community, or a professional to get assistance. Tools such as My Computer Information and System Restore are also available to diagnose and fix common problems. Users can quickly and easily find the answers they need, reducing help desk calls and increasing user satisfaction.
Ø Remote Assistance: Remote Assistance enables a user to share control of his or her computer with someone on a network or the Internet. An administrator or friend can view the user''s screen, and control the pointer and keyboard to help solve a technical problem. IT departments can build custom solutions, on top of published APIs using HTML, to tailor Remote Assistance to their needs, and the feature can be centrally enabled or disabled. Will reduce the amount of time system administrators spend at users'' desks. Many administrative and troubleshooting tasks can now be done from the administrators'' own desks.
Ø System Restore: The System Restore feature enables users and administrators to restore a computer to a previous state without losing data. System Restore automatically creates easily identifiable restore points, which allow you to restore the system to a previous time. If users experience system failure or another significant problem, they can use System Restore from Safe Mode or Normal Mode to go back to a previous system state, restoring optimal system functionality. System Restore will not revert user data or document files, so restoring will not cause users to lose their work, mail, or even browsing history and favorites.
Ø Recovery Console: Provides a command-line console for administrators to start and stop services, format drives, read and write data on a local drive, and perform many other administrative tasks. In the event of errors that prevent Windows XP Professional from starting, administrators can boot the system to a command console and potentially repair the operating system.
Ø Device Driver Rollback: When certain classes of new device drivers are installed, Windows XP Professional will maintain a copy of the previously installed driver, which can be reinstalled if problems occur. If a new device driver is causing Windows XP Professional to malfunction, an administrator can easily reinstall the previous driver.
Ø Windows Messenger: The easy way to communicate with your customers, partners, friends, and family in real time. Will keep you updated with your contacts'' online status. Choose text, voice, or video and experience the best online voice and video quality. Collaborate with contacts, transfer files, and share applications and whiteboard drawings. Additional features help protect users'' privacy online. Provides users with great platform for online conferencing and collaboration.
Ø Internet Connection Firewall: A firewall client that can protect small businesses from common Internet attacks. Small business owners will be able to securely connect their Windows XP Professional computers to the Internet.
Ø Network Setup Wizard: Makes it easy for a small business owner to set up and manage a network. The wizard walks through key steps, such as sharing files and printers, sharing the Internet connection, and configuring the Internet Connection Firewall. Small businesses can get a productive and secure network up and running without relying on network experts.
Ø Network Bridge: Simplifies the setup and configuration of small networks that use mixed network connections (such as Cat-5 Ethernet and wireless) by linking the different types of networks together. Small businesses have more flexibility when choosing network media and do not need to purchase extra equipment, such as bridges and routers.
Ø Internet Connection Sharing (ICS): Connects a small office network to the Internet, using a dial-up or broadband connection. Windows XP Professional can provide network address translation, addressing, and name resolution services for all computers on a small business network to share a single connection. Small business owners can connect their computer systems to the Internet with a single Internet connection, resulting in potential savings in ISP and hardware costs.
Ø Peer-to-peer networking support: Enables Windows XP Professional to interoperate with earlier versions of Windows on a peer-to-peer level, allowing the sharing of all resources, such as folders, printers, and peripherals. Small business owners can easily integrate Windows XP Professional into existing peer-to-peer networks.
Ø Unified Wireless LAN Client: Wireless LAN client works with a broad range of wireless hotspots.
Ø Helps users connect seamlessly to wireless hotspots without having to install or update third-party software.
Ø Bluetooth 2.0 Update: Connect more easily with Bluetooth enabled devices. Enables users to benefit easily from the latest Bluetooth enabled hardware devices such as keyboards, mice, cell phones, and PDAs.
Ø User State Migration Tool: Helps administrators to migrate a user''s data and application/operating system settings from an old computer to a new Windows XP Professional desktop computer. IT administrators can reduce the number of help desk calls after a migration, and end users will have less downtime because they will retain their familiar operating environment.
Ø Automatic Updates: Turned on by default, Windows XP Professional automatically downloads critical and security updates as they become available when the user is connected to the Internet. Done in the background, if the computer disconnects before the download completes, the update automatically resumes upon reconnection. Once the update completes downloading, it installs automatically. Users automatically receive and install critical updates without impacting their ability to use network connections.
Ø Windows Update improvements: As application compatibility updates, new device drivers, and other updates are released for Windows XP Professional, they become available on the Windows Update Web site. (Users can also find critical and security updates here, if they choose not to use automatic updating.) Administrators can disable user access to Windows Update. The Windows Update Catalog is provided for administrators to download updates and deploy them as appropriate in their organizations. The operating system updates will always be available to ensure the most reliable and full-featured computing experience.
Ø Support for latest hardware standards: Windows XP Professional supports the latest hardware standards. It supports UDF 2.01, the latest standard for reading DVD discs. It also supports the formatting of DVD-RAM drives with the FAT32 file system. Microsoft DirectX 9.0b API support will be included, and Windows XP Professional fully supports standards for Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Universal Serial Bus (USB), and the high-speed bus known as IEEE 1394. Will support the latest hardware standards, and be optimized for the latest applications. Ensures users have the most stable version of Microsoft's gaming and graphics technology.
Ø Setup with Dynamic Update: The Setup routine ensures that the operating system files are up to date. Before any files are installed, Windows XP Professional checks the Web for critical system updates and downloads them for installation. Will ensure that you install the most recent updates to the operating system for the best installation experience.
Ø Unattended installation: Provides the ability to specify a greater number of options than previous versions of Windows, and allows for a greater degree of security by encrypting passwords in the answer files. Allows administrators a greater degree of flexibility in scripting unattended Setup routines, ensuring the most flexible installation options available today.
Ø Internet Explorer 6 Administration Kit: Internet Explorer 6 is more customizable using the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK 6), so it''s easier to deploy and maintain the browser. Version 6 of the IEAK adds control over new features such as the Media bar, Auto Image Resize, and the Personal bar. Administrators have a greater degree of flexibility in deploying Internet Explorer 6.
Ø System Preparation tool (SysPrep): SysPrep helps administrators clone computer configurations, systems, and applications. A single image, which includes the operating system and business applications, can be restored to multiple different machine configurations. SysPrep will allow administrators to reduce the number of operating system images they maintain, while reducing the time it takes to deploy a typical desktop system.
Ø Setup Manager: A graphical wizard that guides administrators in designing installation scripts. It's now easier to create answer files for unattended installations.
Ø Remote OS Installation: Windows XP Professional can be installed across the network (including SysPrep images).Note: This feature requires the Active Directory service. Saves time and reduces deployment costs by allowing administrators to standardize desktop environments to match organizational requirements.
Ø Multilingual support: Allows users to easily create, read, and edit documents in many languages with the English version of Windows XP Professional. The Multilingual User Interface Pack, an add-on pack to the English version of Windows XP Professional, lets you change the user interface language for each user. IT administrators will no longer need to deploy multiple localized versions of the operating system. This will speed deployments, reduce operating system images, and lower cost of ownership.
Ø Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI): Provides a standard infrastructure for monitoring and managing system resources. Allows system administrators to monitor and control the system using scripting and third-party applications.
Ø Safe Mode startup options: Allows Windows XP Professional to boot the system at the most basic level, using default settings and minimum device drivers. Provides a means to boot the system into the GUI so that IT professionals can repair the operating system.
Ø Group Policy: Group Policy settings simplify the administration of users and objects by letting administrators organize them into logical units, such as departments or locations and then assign the same settings, including security, appearance, and management options, to all employees in that group. There are hundreds of new policies available for Windows XP Professional, in addition to those provided for Windows 2000 Professional. As users move from location to location, they still have access to critical data, and they maintain their own customized work environment.
Ø Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP): Allows administrators to see the effect of Group Policy on a targeted user or computer. With RSoP, administrators have a powerful and flexible base-level tool to plan, monitor, and troubleshoot Group Policy. Administrators can more easily implement and manage Group Policy using the new RSoP tool.
Ø Microsoft Management Console (MMC): Provides a centralized and consistent environment for management tools. IT administrators will be able to create customized application consoles.
Ø Windows Firewall Multiple Profile Support: Enables users and administrators of domain-joined PCs to configure Windows Firewall policies for two different networks. Ensures users maintain a high security profile in each environment.
Ø Windows Firewall Group Policy Support: Enables IT administrators to configure all Windows Firewall settings from a central location. Easily maintain consistent configurations throughout a group or network.
Ø Windows Firewall Global Configuration: Ensures that whenever a Windows Firewall configuration change occurs, it applies to all network connections. Manage configuration changes easily and consistently across the network.

Windows Vista Beta

Excerpts from the Windows Vista Section of www.microsoft.com
For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/confident.mspx
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved.

A peek at just some of the new features and benefits coming soon with Windows Vista...

A more powerful and more secure system

Ø Fast On and Off: A Windows Vista computer starts and shuts down as quickly and reliably as a television, typically within 2 to 3 seconds. Windows Vista processes login scripts and startup programs and services in the background so you can start working right away. You'll also shut down and restart your computer less often by using the New Sleep state, a simple one-click on and off experience which not only reduces power consumption, but also delivers and protects user dat.
Ø Diagnostics: Built in diagnostics will help you detect, analyze, and fix problems such as failing hard drives, networking and performance issues more quickly and easily and help keep your computer running smoothly.
Ø User Account Protection: Windows Vista User Account Protection bridges the gap between user and administrative privileges by running programs with limited permissions. When you need to perform an administrative task, such as installing software or drivers, Windows Vista prompts you to confirm your intentions or to provide the proper administrator credentials.
Ø New look and feel: When you start using Windows Vista, you will recognize familiar elements such as the Start menu and task bar. Beyond the familiar, however, the overall Windows experience is redesigned and streamlined so that it is more intuitive, more attractive, and easier for you to use so you can accomplish tasks more efficiently.
Ø Familiarity: Because Windows Vista is built on technology that you are already familiar with, you can get up to speed quickly with minimal training and support.

Easier ways to organize and see your information

Ø Rich Organization: New information management tools make it easy for you to view and organize your files in any way that you want. With just a click, you can instantly see all the files that are stored on your computer in ways that make sense to you.
Ø Virtual Folders: Saved searches that run instantly when you open a Virtual Folder, displaying up-to-date results instantly. For example, in the new Search Explorer, you could design a search for all documents that are authored by "John" and that contain the word "project." This search, titled "Author John/Keyword Project," is saved as a Virtual Folder. Subsequently, any time that you click this Virtual Folder in the Document Explorer, the search runs, and you see the results immediately. As you add more files to your computer that match your search criteria, the files are automatically added to the Virtual Folder, regardless of where the files are physically located on the hard disk.
Ø Desktop Search: Powerful, integrated search capabilities help you find just about anything on your computer quickly without having to search for it by browsing through folders. Instead, you can type a keyword or any part of a file name in a Quick Search box to instantly find the file that you are looking for. You can add or edit file properties or data associated with a file, like the author of a document, the artist of a song, or the event where a picture was taken. After you add or edit file properties, you can find and organize content that is stored on your computer more easily.
Ø With Windows Vista, you no longer have to remember where you store every file. Instead, you need only remember something about a file, such as a keyword, to find it. Windows Vista manages keywords and uses them to help you find files. For example, you could add a "graduation" keyword to photos taken at a graduation ceremony when you save them to your computer. If you then search for "graduation" in a Quick Search box in any Explorer window, all the graduation pictures are displayed.
Ø Visualization: With new live icons, you can see live previews of programs, documents, photos, and videos. You can clearly see the first page of a document or the details of an image to ensure that it is the file that you are looking for before you open it.

New ways to help you manage and use your information
Ø XPS: With Windows Vista, you can share and distribute information more securely, with the ability to create unalterable versions of documents on which you can list specific access rights for your readers. You will even be able to apply digital signatures and rights management to ensure the authenticity of your information as it travels from you to your readers.
Ø Photos: Plug your digital camera into your computer and Windows Vista instantly transfers your photos to a central location on your computer, making it easy and fast for you to view, edit, organize, print, and share your photos with others.
Ø RSS feeds: With the new RSS Reader feature in Internet Explorer, you can stay up to date on the latest information from your favorite Web sites. Subscribe to, view, and manage your RSS feeds from one central location on your Windows Vista computer.
Easily connect to what you need
Ø Device synchronization: Windows Vista provides one place for you to quickly and easily set up and synchronize the devices that you depend on like cell phones and PDAs. You can easily manage the information that you share with your devices and insure that they are up to date and in sync with your computer.
Ø Mobility: Realize the full potential of mobile computing when you take your laptop computer wherever you go. Windows Vista works with your laptop to create longer battery life and includes built-in support for advanced wireless standards. Ink and touch input support makes mobile computers more useful in more places today than ever before.
Ø Digital Media: Your computer can become a hub for sharing entertainment throughout your home, which makes it easy to enjoy your favorite recorded TV, movies, photos, or music on any television or other media device in your house.

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Excerpts from the Windows XP Tablet PC Section of www.microsoft.com
For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved.

Tablet PC: The Power and Capabilities of a Primary Notebook PC

Ø The full capabilities of Windows XP Professional: The Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system has the full functionality of Windows XP Professional—expanded with enhancements specifically for the Tablet PC platform. You get all of the features, reliability, and power of the latest Microsoft Windows operating system, plus pen-based functionality and speech-recognition capabilities.
Ø Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2): Tablet PC Edition 2005 comes with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), which offers advanced security tools and technologies in addition to the latest updates from Microsoft. You can defend your system against hackers, viruses, and other security risks. With Windows XP SP2, you enjoy a productive and secure computing experience on a Tablet PC.
Ø A platform for Windows XP–compatible programs: Tablet PCs can run Windows XP–compatible programs. You have access to all of the familiar programs of a Windows-XP based PC with enhanced pen and ink capabilities—with no sacrifices.
Ø A new type of notebook PC: Combining a compelling generation of hardware with the latest Microsoft operating system, Tablet PC is the ideal choice for a complete mobile desktop solution. Take advantage of a full-size monitor and keyboard, a mouse, and printers to use Tablet PC as a primary notebook PC. You get all of the power and standard features of Windows XP Professional in a lightweight, versatile design.
Ø A powerful development platform: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 offers a powerful platform for developers who want to integrate pen, ink, and speech functionality into new or existing programs. Developers can take advantage of the Tablet PC platform to incorporate context tagging and support for ink in Web forms.
Ø Natural computing experience: The Tablet PC offers a more natural and intuitive mobile computing experience. You can use the tablet pen to write directly on the screen or use your voice to dictate text. You can also use the pen or voice commands to control your Tablet PC.
Ø Many hardware options: Tablet PC solutions are available from a variety of hardware manufacturers. You can choose a Tablet PC that meets your needs—whether a convertible model with a built-in keyboard or a slate model for ultimate mobility. Innovative designs include biometric login, array microphones and outdoor viewing displays.
Ø Pen input: Each Tablet PC includes a pen that you can use to control the computer and enter information. You can enter information in your own handwriting using ink, and share it with others who do not have a Tablet PC.
Ø Tablet pen gestures: A gesture is a motion you make with your tablet pen to complete common tasks on your Tablet PC. You can use gestures to edit and format inserted text, to erase handwriting, and to open Input Panel. When you use an editing or formatting gesture, you get the same result that you would get if you pressed the corresponding key on a standard keyboard, such as BACKSPACE, SPACE, ENTER, and TAB.
Ø Tablet PC Input Panel: The redesigned Input Panel enables an ink-to-text experience that is more deeply integrated with the flow and context of your activities. You can open Input Panel conveniently next to the location where you want to enter text. Word and case recognition has been improved, ensuring a better ink-to-text conversion experience. Input Panel converts handwriting to text dynamically, and you can make corrections quickly before inserting text.
Ø Improved ink integration for Microsoft Office System programs: Tablet PC offers deep integration with Microsoft Office System programs. You can edit Word 2003 documents and add ink comments, annotate PowerPoint 2003 presentations, and send ink e-mail messages to coworkers and friends in Outlook 2003. You can share your Tablet PC ink documents with other computer users—even if they are not using a Tablet PC.
Ø Microsoft Office OneNote 2003: As part of the Microsoft Office System, OneNote 2003 is an advanced note-taking utility that combines ink, text, Web content, and more in one program. The new enhancements of OneNote 2003 Service Pack 1 offer improved ink performance, customizable pens, and more. Organize and search your handwritten and typed notes and other information into separate notebooks, and synchronize your notes with audio and video recordings. You can also use the new media features in OneNote 2003 SP1 for video notes and the screen clipping tool.
Ø Microsoft Windows Journal: Windows Journal is a basic note-taking accessory that turns your Tablet PC into a digital writing pad. With Windows Journal, you can take notes electronically just like you would with a pen and paper. Save, search and share your electronic notes, or convert them to text to create e-mail messages, calendar requests, and tasks.
Ø Speech recognition: Tablet PCs have internal speech-recognition capabilities. You can use your voice instead of a mouse, keyboard, or pen to control Microsoft Windows–based programs. You can also use your voice to dictate text.
Ø Ease of reading: Tablet PC uses Microsoft ClearType technology and a high-resolution display. Enjoy a natural and comfortable reading experience.
Ø Built-in wireless connectivity: Most Tablet PCs offers built-in support for wireless networks. Stay connected away from your desk with integrated wireless support.
Ø Grab-and-go docking: Tablet PC supports grab-and-go docking for quick mobility. Quickly grab your computer from its docking station and go. You don''t need to notify the computer that you are changing from a docked state to a mobile state.
Ø Rapid Resume From Standby: Tablet PC will quickly resume from a standby state. You can have immediate access to the full power of your computer whenever you're ready—and save power when you aren''t using it.
Ø Lightweight designs: Tablet PCs weigh three pounds or less, compared to many of today's notebook PCs, which typically weigh five pounds or more. Tablet PCs are ultra-mobile and lightweight, enabling them to go just about anywhere—meeting rooms, on the plane, or on the road.
Ø Long battery life: Tablet PCs have high-power, low-voltage processors, combined with new battery technology and Windows XP power management features. Take advantage of enhanced power-management features to use your Tablet PC away from your desk for longer periods of time.
Ø Instant screen rotation: Tablet PC supports instant screen rotation so that you can switch from portrait to landscape mode without restarting your computer. Use portrait orientation for taking notes, just like you would write on a pad of paper. Use landscape orientation to view presentations, graphs, or charts.

Windows Mobile 2003

Excerpts from the Windows Mobile 2003 Section of www.microsoft.com
For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved.

Windows Mobile software helps you manage personal and professional communications and information from your handheld cellular phone, and includes the following features:

Ø Pocket Outlook
Ø Unified Inbox
Ø Contacts
Ø Calendar
Ø Tasks
Ø Pocket Internet Explorer
Ø MSN Messenger
Ø Windows Media Player
Ø Personalization
Ø One-Hand Operation
Ø Expandable
Ø Smartphone Games
Ø Security
Ø Predictive Text Input
Ø Smartdial
Ø ActiveSync
Ø Infrared Beaming

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