I hope you guys already watched this, if you didn't here you go. =)

And this being the last day of the fiscal year, a lot of us at Microsoft will be resting our heels. See y'all at WPC.

As many of you may know already -- Windows XP will no longer be available via retail and OEMs for loading on to new machines. No cause for alarm -- we will still continue to support it for a while.

Word is that a version of Singularity, a managed micro-kernel OS, written primarily for research is the bedrock of a derivative code-named Midori. Midori will help reduce dependencies in future Windows operating systems and make them more nimble and stable. Not to mention it will finally herald a new era of OS development that isnt stuck in the 70's.

While rumor has it that Midori wont be a part of Win7, we may see it in future versions. Fingers crossed!

PS: Singularity is available from Codeplex if you're the curious kind.

[Excerpt from email]

"...

I recently installed 2007 Office and am having trouble exchanging documents with people in the office on Office 2003. How can I fix this?"

Your peers in the office can download the Office compatibility pack (FREE) or you can save your documents in the Office 2003 format by clicking File>Save As

(I am surprised that even after 1.5 years in market, folks are having trouble with the new file formats, hence the post.)

At 10:40 am yesterday an e-mail from Bill Gates went out to all Microsoft employees. As I read through the email, I realized one thing. An individual who had initially inspired my interest in technology and pursuing a career at Microsoft was about to go chase his passion for making this world a better place.

Though I have no doubt that Microsoft will continue to deliver cutting edge technologies, a lot of people at the company will miss him. Here's wishing him all the very best. He will be fondly remembered for his leadership, vision and most importantly Microsoft BOB.

For months, people have asked me when will Hyper-V be out. Good news -- it was just released and can be downloaded for use. Cheers!

Most of you are already familiar with this new policy but just in case…

Beginning June 19^th, 2008 a one-hour online assessment is required to initiate a new subscription, or to renew your subscription, to the Action Pack.

You can learn more about the renewal instructions by visiting: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/managemembership/40049687,
or to re-enroll call: 1-800-993-7764.

The Action Pack is a subscription-based program, available exclusively to Registered Members of the Microsoft Partner Program, that gives you access to internal-use licenses of Microsoft Software, as well as up to date marketing materials and localized offers – all for just US$299.00.

You can learn more about the Action Pack program in general by visiting: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/managemembership/actionpack”

Yesterday I had the opportunity to invite customers to Microsoft's Mobile Event buses in San Diego. If a technologist could have an RV, it would be this one. Outfitted with all the technology one would need, these buses help Microsoft and it's Partners close deals by serving as a technology showcase.

It's a fantastic way (really) to demonstrate and talk about technology. So if you want these buses to come to your aid, sign-up at www.microsoftpartnerevents.com right now.

Check it out
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc184870.aspx

I was surprised to find this solution available online today.  If you are looking for a great VOIP entry point solution that is simple to setup, here it is...

Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Partner Training Series  

June 5/6, 2008, Irvine, CA

“Increase Revenue through System Center training ”                          

The new wave of System Center product releases creates exciting new opportunities to increase profitability for partners. This 2 day training will help you get trained on new System Center products and will be held at the Microsoft Technology Center at 3 Park Plaza, Suite 1600, Irvine, CA 92614.

At the completion of this 2 day training, you will leave with knowledge, tools, and hands on experience to deploy and configure System Center products such as Configuration Manager 2007 confidently and predictably, and gain the ability to win more opportunities.

Event Details

The content covered in the training is technical and has been designed to provide you with knowledge required to deliver successful proof of concepts (POCs) to your customers. Delivered by a Microsoft Systems Management Server (MVP), Steve Bobosky, owner and lead consultant of System Center Tools Inc.  

Audience

Certified Microsoft Partners that have a focus on systems management for the enterprise. Attendees should have at least one year experience with Systems Management Server 2003, be familiar with Windows administration and have a high-level understanding of Configuration Manager 2007 features, such as deploying and managing OS’s and application software, as well as performing basic management tasks.

This training initiative will mostly concentrate on the new Configuration Manager 2007 product and in addition, also provide an overview of the other System Center products including Operations Manager, Data Protection Manager, and Virtual Machine Manager.

Register now to save your seat!

As there are a limited amount of seats, please email the address below to register

v-pahuer@microsoft.com,

If you have any questions please direct them to: artp@microsoft.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details:

Who should attend: 

Technical consultants that will deliver Microsoft-based management solutions.

Cost:

Day 1 & 2: no charge

Schedule:

Day 1:

· Introduction to System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

· Deploying a Configuration Manager Server

· Configuring an SCCM Infrastructure

· Managing Resources

Day 2:

· Distributing Applications

· Operating System Deployment 

· Managing and Maintaining an SCCM Infrastructure 

Here's the details from the press release that is going out this morning.

Slated for general availability later this year, Windows Essential Server Solutions are much easier for small and midsize companies to implement and manage than separate products. In response to customer and partner feedback, Windows Essential Server Solutions provide flexible pricing and licensing that offer substantial cost savings over purchasing individual products like those included in the solutions. Examples of licensing improvements over the current Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 product include these:

• Customers will be able to purchase single client access licenses (CALs), so they will pay only for the exact number of employees using the product.
• Customers can cost-effectively purchase a mix of Standard or Premium CALs, as appropriate to the technologies that individual employees are using.
• CALs now apply to other copies of Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server on the network, eliminating the need to purchase additional CALs.

Also, Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes additional Windows Server 2008 Standard technologies with SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Business, making it an ideal platform for critical business applications.

Windows Essential Server Solutions pricing* is as follows:

• Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $1,089 (U.S.); additional CALs $77 each (U.S.)
• Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $1,899 (U.S.); additional CALs $189 each (U.S.)
• Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $5,472 (U.S.); additional CALs $81 each (U.S.)
• Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $7,163 (U.S.); additional CALs $195 each (U.S.)

Microsoft also today announced rebates of up to $200 (U.S.) for solution provider partners configuring Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 for their clients who acquire the software and purchase Software Assurance within a certain time period. With Software Assurance, customers will receive the upgrade to Small Business Server 2008 at no additional cost when it is available, as well as access to support, tools and training. Terms and conditions of the rebates are available at http://www.SBSrebate.com.

More information about the products, pricing and beta customer feedback is available at http://www.microsoft.com/ess. More information for journalists is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/serversolutions.

I'm hoping all of you are now familiar with the Big Easy offer, here's some new updates to the offer.  For those that may not be familiar, Big Easy is a "subsidy" that puts money in the partners' pocket.  There's links below (at bottom) if you need more info...

The Big Easy Offer just got bigger and better than ever. What that means for your customers is bigger choice and bigger value. What that means for you is a bigger sales opportunity.

In addition to the products and licenses that were already available, check out what's new:

Higher Subsidies*
For Windows Server® operating System and Small Business Server products

Open License and Software Assurance (L&SA) Coverage*
For the SQL Server®, Windows Server, and Small Business Server product groups

More Microsoft® Office Project*
The Project Open License is also now included.

*Applies to all qualifying purchases between February 1, 2008 through June 27, 2008.

Get the word out to your customers using the latest materials in the Big Easy Offer Ready-to-Go Campaign and other sales resources currently available.
To make your life easier, we have also built a new Excel calculator that will help you work out how much money your customers can save.

Ready to Go Campaigns

Big Easy Calculator

For additional information on The Bigger Big Easy Offer, visit
https://partner.microsoft.com/us/bigeasyoffer

*Offer open to qualifying U.S. commercial and government organizations participating in eligible licensing programs. Partner subsidy dollars will be awarded for qualified purchases between Feb. 1, 2008 and June 27, 2008. Purchases must be registered by July 31, 2008 and subsidy dollars expire 90 days after issue date.  Subsidy dollar amounts depend on many factors. For this information and minimum/maximum purchase requirements and other restrictions, see full terms & conditions at http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy/terms.aspx.

WPC: 2008 SMALL & MIDSIZE BUSINESS PARTNER FORUM AND SMB TRACK

Register for the third annual Microsoft Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum (formerly known as the Small Business Symposium). This year, for the first time ever, the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference will include an end-to-end experience for partners focused on the small- and midsize-business market segment. We’ll feature a one-day interactive event on July 7, as well as a new small- and midsize-business track throughout the entire Worldwide Partner Conference, taking place July 7-10 in Houston.

SBSC partners can take advantage of special discount WPC pricing of USD$1395 (full conference fee is USD$1795) – details, special registration code and link to the registration tool can be found online.  Partners using the special registration code will be automatically registered for the SMB Partner Forum on July 7^th.

The Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum, held on the first day of the conference, is a networking and learning event for Microsoft Small Business Specialists and other SMB-focused technology providers who want to strengthen their small-business practices. During the interactive one-day Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum—and through the first-ever small- and midsize-partner track held throughout the Worldwide Partner Conference--you’ll have the chance to gain insight on how to balance customer needs with your own growth objectives.

When you attend the Worldwide Partner Conference and the Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum, you can:

• Learn strategies from industry experts to help you effectively focus your time, increase your business value, and grow your business.
• Hear from Microsoft executives about the company’s direction in the small- and midsize-business marketplace.
• Interact with your peers and learn successful best practices that you can implement in your business.
• Prepare for the upcoming launch of Windows Small Business Server 2008.
• Build core skills and strategies that align with the small- and midsize-business segment.

Macbook Air take this!!! Did I say I love Lenovo -- to the extent that when my team replaced them with "other" laptops I went and bought my own T61p.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is an update to Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers. In addition to previously released updates, SP1 contains changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. Windows Vista SP1 also addresses some management, deployment, and support challenges.

Windows Vista SP1 is available in English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Other languages will be made available soon.

Microsoft strongly recommends using Windows Update to download and install Windows Vista SP1 on single PCs:

• The download size from Windows Update of Windows Vista SP1 for x86 is 65 MB (compared to 450 MB from the Microsoft Download Center).
• The download size from Windows Update of Windows Vista SP1 for x64 is 125 MB (compared to 745 MB from the Microsoft Download Center).
• Windows Update will recognize PCs with known problematic drivers and postpone downloading Windows Vista SP1 until the PC has updated drivers or other applicable updates. Using Windows Update will help ensure you have the most trouble-free update experience possible.
• Some Windows Vista users may encounter an issue with a small set of hardware devices that may not function properly after updating a Windows Vista PC to Windows Vista SP1.   This is an issue with the way the device drivers were re-installed during the Windows Vista SP1 update process, not with the drivers themselves—these drivers worked on Windows Vista RTM and they work on Windows Vista SP1.  This problem is typically corrected by simply uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. We are working with the manufacturers of these devices to get the known problematic drivers and their install programs updated, and also on other solutions we can use to ensure a smooth customer experience when updating to Windows Vista SP1 using Windows Update. For new PCs provisioned with Windows Vista SP1, this is not an issue.

• If you choose to install Windows Vista SP1 via the standalone installer available on the Microsoft Download Center, Microsoft advises that you first visit Windows Update and install all optional drivers. Read Knowledge Base Articles 948187 and 948343 for more information.
• If you have a prior version of the Windows Vista SP1 beta installed, you must uninstall it prior to installing the final version. Use the Control Panel applet "Programs and Features" and select "View installed updates" from the top left of the task pane. Under Windows, look for "Service Pack for Windows (KB936330).