Microsoft(R) WinNews Electronic Newsletter Vol. 2, #12, August 7, 1995 *********************************************************** Most of you know Windows 95 will be available in many countries on August 24, and there is a lot of news surrounding the launch. Since this is the first issue of WinNews in three weeks, there is a lot of information to update you on. For those of you with World Wide Web access, the Windows 95 Home Page has been updated and modified. You can find it at: http://www.windows.microsoft.com or through Microsoft's Home Page at http://www.microsoft.com. Our ftp site has also been updated. For more details, please see the article below. Please also note that the website and all the Windows 95 online forums and postings (listed below) now contain the Windows 95 Hardware Compatibility File and Software Compatibility File, so you can see the thousands of products that can be used with Windows 95. Included in this issue: 1. "HINTS AND TIPS" - Our regular feature offering some helpful ways to use Windows 95. 2. "MICROSOFT READIES RESELLERS TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH MIGRATION TO WINDOWS 95 AND OFFICE FOR WINDOWS 95" - Information on our Enterprise Migration Program, and support that will be available from third parties. 3. "WINDOWS-TO-MACINTOSH CONNECTIVITY NOW AVAILABLE FOR WINDOWS 95" Here's news on a new product from Miramar that allows Microsoft to offer a true open-systems solution for companies. 4. "MICROSOFT RELEASES BETA II OF WINDOWS 95 GAME SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS KIT" - As we head towards our planned September release of the SDK, here is an announcement on our next SDK beta which includes information on new device drivers from hardware vendors. 5. "MICROSOFT, DIGITAL FORM ALLIANCE MAKING WINDOWS-BASED SOLUTIONS THE NEXT WAVE OF ENTERPRISE COMPUTING" - Many of you may have already heard about this agreement. Here are some details on the deal that combines key strengths from Microsoft and Digital. 6. "MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES WINDOWS 95 SUPPORT FOR NETWARE DIRECTORY SERVICES" - This an article on a Microsoft beta test for an enhanced Windows(R) 95 operating system client software that incorporates support for Novell(R) NetWare Directory Services (NDS). 7. "NEW LOOK FOR WINDOWS WORLD WIDE WEB HOME PAGE" - As mentioned above, here are details on the new Windows World Wide Web home page. 8. "WINDOWS 95 ONLINE POSTINGS AND FORUMS" - our regular listing of articles on our forums, website and ftp site. QUICK NOTES As mentioned above there is a lot of information to report this month, so we will be sending out an extra issue of WinNews. In addition to this week's issue, we will send out issues on August 14 and the week of the August 21. Jay Goldstein WinNews Editor *********************************************************** SUBSCRIPTIONS If you know someone who might be interested in WinNews, please instruct them to: 1. Send Internet e-mail to: ENEWS99@MICROSOFT.NWNET.COM 2. Send the message from the account that you wish to subscribe (some people use more than one e-mail account). 3. Subject line should be blank. 4. Body of message should ONLY have in the text: SUBSCRIBE WINNEWS You may also feel free to forward this document, provided you forward it in it's entirety, as per the copyright notice below. If you wish to stop receiving WinNews, send mail to enews@microsoft.nwnet.com with a blank subject line and the body of the message should only have in the text: UNSUBSCRIBE WINNEWS. WinNews is published twice a month, on the first and third Monday of each month. Special editions of WinNews may also be sent out occasionally. *********************************************************** 1. HINTS AND TIPS The following are a few useful hints and tips that will result in a more productive work environment. These are some of the most powerful features in Windows 95. A. Customize the Start button Click and drag any object from the desktop and drop it on the Start button to add it to the Start Menu. B. Display Properties Right click anywhere on the desktop and choose properties. The Display Properties dialog box appears, and allows you to adjust the color scheme, fonts, font and window sizes, screen saver, monitor resolution, and monitor type for your computer. (For global font changes: Change the icon font on the Appearance page of the Display Properties dialog). C. Sending Objects with "Send To" Right-click a document or folder icon, select "Send To", then select a destination item from the drop down menu. (Note: You can add or delete Send To destinations by entering "send to" in the Run command line. The active "Send To" folder will be opened. Drag the desired shortcut icon(s) - printer, fax, drive, Windows application - to the "Send To" folder and it will appear in the "Send To" menu.) *********************************************************** 2. MICROSOFT READIES RESELLERS TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH MIGRATION TO WINDOWS 95 AND OFFICE FOR WINDOWS 95 Qualifying Resellers Receive Marketing, Sales, Training, Deployment Support REDMOND, Wash. - Aug. 7, 1995 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that major resellers received intensive training and tools for migration to the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95 operating system and are currently assisting customers to migrate to Windows 95 and the Office for Windows 95 product suite. Participants in the program include AmeriData Inc., AT&T Global Information Solutions Technologies Inc., CompuCom Systems Inc., Dataflex Corp., Digital Equipment Corp., EDS, Egghead Corp., Entex Information Services Inc., Inacom Corp., Random Access Inc., Software Spectrum Inc., Stream International Inc., The Future Now Inc. and VanStar Corp. The program provides resellers with in-depth technical training and experience in migrating corporate customers to the Windows 95 environment and also allows the resellers to build their Windows 95 migration services. Additionally, these resellers have assigned a significant number of migration specialists to work with customers to help ensure a smooth migration. These specialists must enroll in the Windows 95 training session and must pass the Windows 95 qualification and Microsoft Certified Professional exams. "A productive and cost-efficient transition is the goal of all of Stream's corporate customers interested in migrating to Windows 95 and Office for Windows 95," said Judith Salerno, senior vice president of worldwide service operations for Stream. "Microsoft's Enterprise Migration Program has given us the in-depth training and tools we need to help key accounts develop and implement a successful migration strategy in advance of the actual product launch." "Organizations look to Windows 95 to help reduce support costs, increase control of the desktop, and improve end-user productivity," said Bob McDowell, vice president of the enterprise customer unit at Microsoft. "The Enterprise Migration Program helps ensure that the channels will have the best tools and opportunities to deliver these benefits to their corporate customers. The overwhelming reseller response to this program is one more indication of the tremendous industry support for Windows 95." The Enterprise Migration Program provides the resellers with the opportunity to create a deployment plan for migrating desktops immediately while enabling them to address key migration issues by rolling out pilot tests for Windows 95 with prerelease versions of the product. Resellers plan to use Microsoft Systems Management Server as their software-distribution tool to roll out Windows 95 and the Office for Windows 95 suite when they become available. "AmeriData is developing a comprehensive suite of Windows 95 migration services to ensure that our customers have a smooth transition to Windows 95," said Lee Stagni, vice president of corporate marketing at AmeriData. "These services, combined with the knowledge of our Windows 95 migration team, will maximize our customers' computing investments." Tools available to resellers include the Windows 95 Migration Planning Kit and an end-user training module that will enable resellers to develop a Just-in-Time/Just Enough training session to get end users up to speed quickly on Windows 95. Resellers will also be able to use the training materials they receive to create more in-depth training sessions for support professionals. In addition to the training material, resellers receive videotapes of their migration training class, a set of videotapes of the Windows 95 TrainCast series, the Office for Windows 95 Resource Kit, and the Office for Windows 95 Migration Video. *********************************************************** 3. WINDOWS-TO-MACINTOSH CONNECTIVITY NOW AVAILABLE FOR WINDOWS 95 Personal MACLAN Available From Miramar REDMOND, Wash. - Aug. 8, 1995 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95-to-Macintosh(R) network connectivity is available for organizations using both Windows 95 operating system-based personal computers and Apple Computer Corp.’s Macintosh computers. Personal MACLAN Connect 5.5, from Miramar Systems Inc., will be the first third-party product to allow Windows 95-based computers to link to Macintosh computers on a network, fulfilling Microsoft’s promise to offer a true open-systems solution for companies running multiple platforms. Personal MACLAN Connect 5.5 is scheduled to operate in the Windows 95 environment by September. Building on the open architecture of Windows 95, Microsoft previously announced third-party software connectivity products that will enable Windows 95 to support Banyan(R) VINES(R) and Banyan Enterprise Networking Services (ENS) servers, PATHWORKS(TM) from Digital Equipment Corp., and client software for UNIX(R)-based Network Files System (NFS) servers from FTP Software Inc. Windows 95 also offers built-in support for the Windows NT(TM) operating system and Novell(R) NetWare(R) servers. "One of our goals with Windows 95 was to offer full networking support for customers who work in a heterogeneous environment," said Brad Chase, general manager in the personal systems division at Microsoft. "With Miramar’s product, Macintosh and Windows 95-based PC users can share networked printers and files with ease." Personal MACLAN Connect is the only cross-platform networking software product that permits users of Windows- based PCs and Macintoshes to share files bi-directionally with a single product. It also provides full peer-to-peer file and printer sharing on both platforms. "We have a long list of customers who are planning to switch to Windows 95 and who have been asking whether MACLAN will be able to help them," said Neal Rabin, president of Miramar. "Our new version will meet that need and offer an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to maximize their computing resources." By eliminating incompatibility problems for organizations running on multiple platforms, the integrated networking in Windows 95 will help reduce support costs and make it possible to use all the resources on the network more effectively. These benefits are realized through faster network performance, greater system reliability and built-in systems management features. A version of Personal MACLAN, which will feature full integration with Windows 95, including support for long file names and integration with the control panel, is expected to be completed by early next year. *********************************************************** 4. MICROSOFT RELEASES BETA II OF WINDOWS 95 GAME SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS KIT Hot New Windows 95 Game Technology Now Broadly Supported by Hardware Vendors REDMOND, Wash. - July 27, 1995 - Building on the momentum already generated within the game-developer community for the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95 operating system as a game platform, Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate availability of the beta II release of the Windows 95 Game Software Developers Kit (SDK), which includes new device drivers from eight major third-party hardware vendors. With release of beta II, Microsoft plans to deliver a final release of the Windows 95 Game SDK in September, helping to increase the number of hot new games using Windows 95-based game technology scheduled to be available to consumers for the holidays. More than 1,200 game developers received the initial version of the Game SDK in April. "The release of beta II is an important milestone in our broad effort to make Windows 95 a premier game platform," said Paul Osborne, director of multimedia technology at Microsoft. "The inclusion of device drivers from these hardware vendors is yet another indication of the enthusiastic support we've seen across the board from the gaming community for Windows 95-based game technology." The Windows 95 Game SDK contains tools, sample code, documentation and a subsystem with new game application programming interfaces (APIs) that make for exciting, high-performance game play under Windows 95, including the following: - DirectDraw, for hardware-accelerated display graphics - DirectSound, for high-fidelity, low-latency sound effects - DirectPlay, for multiplayer connectivity - DirectInput, for digital joystick control With today's announcement of the beta II SDK, eight hardware vendors announced their support of Windows 95 game technology, including Aztech Labs Inc., Chips and Technologies Inc., Cirrus Logic, ESS Technology, MediaVision, S3 Inc., Tseng Labs, and Western Digital Corp.'s Multimedia Products Unit. They join ATI Technologies Inc. and Creative Labs Inc. as companies with device support in the Windows 95 beta II Game SDK. Device support in the SDK now spans all display and audio devices supported in the retail package for Windows 95. Game software developers using the SDK will see their games accelerated by significant performance increases (such as a doubling of frame rates) on a broad range of display, audio and input devices. Furthermore, these developers will now be able to develop and test on a broad range of PC configurations. The Windows 95 Game SDK makes developing high-performance games for Windows 95 easier and faster than it was for the MS-DOS(R) operating system by providing game developers a standard set of system services that previously they would have needed to implement and maintain themselves. Using the Game SDK, game developers can now write to a standard set of APIs, delivering high-performance game play to their customers across a broad range of accelerated and unaccelerated PC-hardware configurations. In addition, releasing Windows 95-based games will result in lower support costs because Windows 95 will make installing and configuring games and game peripherals dramatically easier. *********************************************************** 5. MICROSOFT, DIGITAL FORM ALLIANCE MAKING WINDOWS-BASED SOLUTIONS THE NEXT WAVE OF ENTERPRISE COMPUTING SAN FRANCISCO Aug. 2, 1995 - Digital Equipment Corp. and Microsoft Corp. today announced a strategic alliance to meet customer demand for Microsoft-based solutions and support in enterprise-wide computing. The alliance combines Microsoft client-server products with Digital's leadership in enterprise systems, service, support and systems integration, enabling customers to deploy business solutions on the Microsoft Windows and Windows NT operating systems with assurance of integration into the most complex business environments. Highlights of the alliance include substantial funding by Microsoft in Digital's support and systems integration business focused on Microsoft-based solutions; Digital's commitment to train at least 1,500 new certified professionals for that business; commitment by Microsoft for products on Alpha AXP-based systems; engineering cooperation; cross-licensing of patent portfolios; Microsoft's licensing of Digital clustering technology for inclusion in future Microsoft clustering solutions for Windows NT; and joint marketing and field engagement. "Customers want the volume applications, cost model, and flexibility of PC-style client-server solutions, as well as the service, support, systems integration and extremely high availability and scalability of enterprise solutions," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. "This alliance gives customers the best of both worlds. The complementary corporate technologies, services and business strengths of Microsoft and Digital will provide a safe, practical way to make Windows-based solutions the next wave of enterprise computing." "Digital's goal is to provide customers unsurpassed expertise in open computing solutions," said Robert B. Palmer, chairman and CEO at Digital. "Our strengths in systems, service, networking connectivity and systems integration will extend the reach of Microsoft's client-server software throughout the world's enterprises and deliver a competitive advantage for customers." Microsoft also has selected Digital for the Launch Support Team of Windows 95 in the United States, and for the Enterprise Migration Program, which assists resellers in successfully migrating corporate customers to Windows 95 and Microsoft Office for Windows 95. Digital and Microsoft reconfirmed their commitment to Windows NT on Alpha-based systems. Digital soon will introduce a family of Intel(R)- and Alpha-based systems optimized for Windows NT. Microsoft will release the Microsoft BackOffice family and other server software simultaneously on Alpha- and Intel-based platforms. Microsoft also will release Microsoft Office and other client software simultaneously on Alpha-based and other RISC-based systems. This is in addition to a recent agreement that allows Digital to offer Microsoft BackOffice products on Digital AlphaServer systems and Intel-based Digital Prioris PC servers. Digital and Microsoft will work together to evangelize the alliance to independent software vendors (ISVs). The companies will jointly target ports to Windows NT on Alpha systems. They will encourage OpenVMS ISVs to write to Win32, OLE object technology and other Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA) APIs, which are available on Windows NT Server today from Microsoft and which Digital will provide for OpenVMS. For certain high-end applications, the companies will encourage ISVs to write to Win32, OLE and other WOSA APIs on OpenVMS to obtain 24x365 support, disaster tolerance and the greatest cluster scalability. Digital plans to provide developer kits for three-tier client-server applications. *********************************************************** 6. MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES WINDOWS 95 SUPPORT FOR NETWARE DIRECTORY SERVICES Enhanced Windows 95 Client for NetWare Enters Beta Testing REDMOND, Wash. - July 25, 1995 - Microsoft Corp. today announced it is beta testing an enhanced Windows(R) 95 operating system client software for NetWare(R) that incorporates support for Novell(R) NetWare Directory Services (NDS). The Microsoft(R) Client for NetWare Directory Services, a superset of the rich network support already built into Windows 95, provides users with login and browsing support for NDS. Both the existing Windows 95-based client software for NetWare networks and the enhanced client software provide support for customers to login, browse and connect to resources on NetWare 2.x, 3.x and 4.x servers using bindery services. Final software is scheduled to be available within 60 to 90 days after the August release of Windows 95. Windows 95 offers well-integrated, robust, high- performance networking that provides support for NetWare and the Windows NT(TM) operating system out of the box. Because of the open, extensible architecture, third parties such as Banyan Systems Inc., Digital Equipment Corp., Novell Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc. can implement Windows 95 client software for their server platforms with the same integration and performance capabilities as Microsoft-supplied client software. "We believe that the NDS client software and Windows 95 will provide end users with seamless integration to the LAN environment," said Paul Turino, Windows 95 project director at Chase Manhattan Bank Corporate Technology and Information Systems. "Additionally, NDS support provides smoother connectivity to heterogeneous environments." "Our commitment to customers is to make Windows 95 the best connected network client software available," said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of the personal systems division at Microsoft. "The Microsoft Client for NetWare Directory Services is just another example of this focus." Key Benefits The Microsoft Client for NDS is implemented as a Windows 95 32-bit network client and provides customers with the following key benefits: - Ease of use: Graphical NDS tree browsing support is integrated into the Network Neighborhood, making it easy for users to browse and connect to network resources in the NDS or on NetWare 3.x and 2.x servers. The client also supports key user interface features of Windows 95 including long file names, drag-and-drop file manipulation, and point and print support. - Ease of management: The Network Control Panel integrates full control of the Microsoft Client for NDS, allowing for simple installation and configuration. Login scripts for NetWare 3.x and 4.x are included for compatibility with existing NetWare environments. The client software also supports Plug and Play, which was designed to streamline hardware and software setup, reducing end-user support costs. Finally, the client software provides network managers with support for NetWare utilities, such as Netadmin and NLIST. - High performance: When measured using standard network client-software performance benchmarks, both the Client for NetWare networks and the Client for NetWare Directory Services are 50 to 300 percent faster than existing downlevel real-mode NetWare client software. - Integrated password management: Integrated graphical single-login support software enables users to employ a single login name and password to access all network resources and password-enabled Windows 95-based applications. Availability The enhanced client software will be available for download online from The Microsoft Network, the Microsoft FTP server and CompuServe(R). *********************************************************** 7. NEW LOOK FOR WINDOWS WORLD WIDE WEB HOME PAGE The Windows Home Page on the World Wide Web has been renovated and updated. The revised page can be found at: http://www.windows.microsoft.com. The new site is much easier to navigate, and it will contain the most recent and important information on Windows 95. Of course, it still has key files that have been posted over the last year, such as the Migration Planning Kit and Resource Kit Help File. Other on-line services will continue to post information, and many of these will use the new format that has been developed for the website. The Windows ftp site has also been updated. It can still be found at: ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/win_news The new format has the content separated into 5 areas. New listings will be provided in each WinNews electronic newsletter by these new groupings. Here are the areas with a listing of some of the current information there: 1. "Information" provides: - A look at the Windows 95 Autodemo - Datasheets - Product comparisons to Windows 3.1, Windows NT and competitive operating systems 2. "Technical Information and Support" includes: - Product overviews with information specifically for IS Professionals or Solution Providers. - Migration Planning Kit - White papers - Traincast Air Dates 3. "Free Software" gives access to: - Power Toys! - The Complete Windows 95 Resource Kit Help File - Resource Kit Utilities - The Windows 95 Demo 4. "Third Party Product Information" - Hardware Compatibility List - Software Compatibility List 5. "News and Events" - Past issues of the WinNews Electronic Newsletter - Press Releases - Clarifications to statements made in the press or otherwise *********************************************************** 8. WINDOWS 95 ONLINE POSTINGS AND FORUMS New files posted since the last issue of WinNews: Technical Information and Support --------------------------------- "Software Compatibility List" - File Name: Support/swcompat.txt A listing of thousands of programs which run with Windows 95. This has also been added on-line to the Third Party Product Information and the Migration Planning Kit. "Hardware Compatibility List" - File Name: Support/hcl.exe A listing of products which run with Windows 95. This has also been added on-line to the Third Party Product Information and the Migration Planning Kit. This has also been added on-line to Third Party Product Information and the Migration Planning Kit. "Support Assistant" - File Name: Support/suppast.exe News and Events --------------------------------- File Name: Cringley.doc - Microsoft speaking points on a recent column by Robert Cringley. File Name: Regwiz.doc - which addresses some of the concerns on the Windows 95 Registration Wizard. YOU CAN FIND WINDOWS 95 INFORMATION AT: On the World Wide Web http://www.windows.microsoft.com On the Internet - ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/PerOpSys/Win_News On The Microsoft Network: From Main Menu: Categories\Computers and Software\Software\ Microsoft\Windows 95\WinNews On CompuServe: GO WINNEWS. On Prodigy: JUMP WINNEWS. On America OnLine: Use keyword WINNEWS On GEnie: MOVE TO PAGE 95 *********************************************************** This document is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to change in market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication. INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1) All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included; 2) All copies must contain Microsoft's copyright notice and any other notices provided therein; and 3) This document may not be distributed for profit. Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.