Microsoft(r) WinNews Electronic Newsletter, Vol. 1, #5, December 21, 1994 ******************************************* Seasons greetings to you all from the Windows 95 team! It's been another hectic month here. The last issue of WinNews went out just before Comdex, and this one has been delayed. We'll get back on schedule in January -- look for next month's issue on or about January 10. Speaking of Comdex, Bill Gates kicked off Comdex with a keynote address that was an update to his "Information at Your Fingertips" vision. A transcript of his speech is available on the WinNews servers. Comdex was a smashing success for Windows 95, with 75 vendors exhibiting hardware and software for Windows 95 in the Microsoft booth, and countless more on the show floor. In this issue we cover: 1. An announcement from the Microsoft Developer Network about the Windows 95 SDK, DDK and OS coming in an upcoming release of the MSDN Level II CD's. If you are a software developer contemplating developing Windows 95 applications, then you should consider an MSDN subscription! 2. "Supporting Microsoft Windows 95" is a new course available from Microsoft Education Services. Information about this course is given here. 3. The Microsoft Network is Microsoft's new on-line service, announced at Comdex. I have included the entire backgrounder here. It's a little long, but also gives a complete explanation of what you should expect from the Microsoft Network when Windows 95 ships. 4. The Windows NT Server PDC is being held in Seattle January 18-20. If you are developing, or interested in developing, Windows NT based server applications then you should check this out. By now many of you have heard that Windows 95 will be delayed, possibly until August. Feedback from our second round of beta testing has been extremely positive, but it also pointed out that we needed a bit more time to get the product right. The biggest hurdle we face still is to achieve compatibility with the huge combination of software and hardware on the market today. Our challenge is to provide not just innovation, ease of use, and speed, but also compatibility with over 60M machines and tens of thousands of programs -- and this is something that has never been done before. We have learned the significance of this challenge. This has delayed us a bit but we have also come up with some innovative ways to achieve our goals. We have huge beta and internal testing efforts, and we are working with third party testing houses. We are implementing our "10K Upgrade test program" where we go to homes, small, medium and large businesses with our testers and developers to run through real life installs and record the data. In March we will launch Beta 3 and initiate the Preview Program to help hundreds of thousands of people begin their evaluation of Windows 95 and help us further reach our quality goals. We are disappointed in the delay and apologize for any inconvenience it causes customers, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to getting the product right. Alec Saunders Editor ************************************************************ Microsoft Developer Network = Windows 95 OS, SDK, and DDK The Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) will deliver a pre-release version of the Windows 95 (previously known as Chicago) operating system, software development kit (SDK), and device driver kit (DDK) to MSDN Level 2 members in early 1995. Windows 95 is currently under non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and is distributed through a limited beta program. Developer Network members may begin preparing for Windows 95 development by reviewing the growing collection of Win32 and Windows 95 articles in the October edition of the Development Library CD-ROM. The Developer Network is an annual membership program for developers that delivers comprehensive programming information for Microsoft's development-related products, in addition to API-level SDKs, DDKs, and Microsoft Windows and Windows NT Workstation operating systems. Depending on your development needs, you can join one of two levels of annual membership in the Developer Network. Level 1 delivers the latest development-related information via four quarterly updates of the Development Library CD-ROM and six bi-monthly issues of the Developer Network News newspaper. Level 2 includes all Level 1 benefits plus API-level SDKs, DDKs, and operating systems via quarterly updates of the Development Platform CD-ROMs. To join the Microsoft Developer Network in the U.S. and Canada, call (800) 759-5474, 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. In Europe, call +31 10 258 88 64. Outside the U.S., Canada, and Europe, call (303) 684-0914 or download the MSDN faq (ftp microsoft.com /developr/msdn/faq) for local contact information. ************************************************************ "Supporting Microsoft Windows 95 (M7 Beta)" Now Available Microsoft Education Services has released a version of "Supporting Microsoft Windows 95" designed for the Beta 2 version of the operating system. The 5 day course is now available from licensed training partners. "Supporting Microsoft Windows 95" is designed to help the Technical Support Coordinator, MIS Manager and Network Administer plan, support and deploy the Windows 95 Beta 2 product. The course covers topics ranging from the concepts of the new user interface to tips for migration in a large organization. The M7 release of the course will be followed up with a version of the course synchronized with the release of the retail version of Windows 95. Certified Professional testing will commence shortly after the retail product release. Information on this and other Microsoft courses can be obtained in the United States and Canada by calling the Solution Provider information desk at 800 SOL-PROV. In other countries, please contact your Microsoft subsidiary. ************************************************************ The Microsoft(r) Network: The Easy-to-Use Interactive On-line Service For Users of Windows(tm) 95 Backgrounder November 1994 Introduction Microsoft Corporation has long believed in the promise of personal computers to enable new ways of thinking and communicating that are accessible, useful, personal and fun for all computer users. It calls this vision "Information At Your Fingertips." The introduction of The Microsoft(r) Network on-line service represents Microsoft's next step toward the realization of this vision. While interactive on-line services are well- publicized throughout the print and broadcast media, today's services are surprisingly less popular with consumers than all the hype might suggest. For example, although 40 percent of users of the Microsoft Windows(tm) operating system have modems, fewer than 10 percent of users of Windows and 4 percent of U.S. households subscribe to any on-line service. The on-line-services business today remains in its infancy, with providers of existing on-line services working to find the right technical, business-model and usability solutions that will promote acceptance beyond the early-adopter audience that has sustained this category to date. But the potential of these services is tremendous. The on-line consumer market could become a $2 billion market within five years, according to SIMBA Research. For this projection to come true, significant investments must be made to deliver the promise of "Information At Your Fingertips" and to establish mainstream viability for interactive on-line technology. On-line services must offer easier access and a more compelling environment for all computer users to attract and maintain a broader audience. Content and service providers must be offered greater publishing abilities and viable long-term profit opportunities before consumers will see compelling benefits. Introducing The Microsoft Network Access to The Microsoft Network is a feature of Windows 95, the forthcoming version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is an on-line service that makes accessing electronic information and communications easy and inexpensive for any user of Windows 95. It removes the primary barriers to on-line service use -- cost, difficult user interface and inertia. The Microsoft Network extends the Windows-based desktop to a worldwide community of people, ideas and information. It provides a setting for a worldwide electronic marketplace of products and services from Microsoft and third-party companies. With The Microsoft Network, Microsoft hopes to expand the on-line market by delivering the needed technology and business model to provide an on-line experience that meets the needs and expectations of both consumers and content providers. The Microsoft Network Strategy To succeed in the marketplace, interactive on-line services must provide uniquely rich and valuable solutions to customer needs, offered in a more compelling and accessible way than other alternatives. This premise drives the strategy behind The Microsoft Network. The Microsoft Network extends the benefits of on-line services to a larger audience by addressing the limitations that curb the widespread adoption of on-line services today. A Viable, Long-Term Business Environment The Microsoft Network differs from existing on-line services in many ways. Among the chief differences is the fact that it offers a new platform model that is flexible enough to encourage and reward independent content and service providers for their participation. This model facilitates the rapid development of a broad range of content and services, attracting users and expanding the market. The on-line business environment must reflect the diverse nature of business itself in order to realize its full potential. Companies succeed in business by adopting practices, branding, packaging and selling models that are tailored to their products and their customers. They invest in channels of distribution that provide the infrastructure and flexibility to support these strategies and their resulting profitability. Current on-line services inhibit the way providers can present their information and services, and limit the profits that independent providers can realize, often to a small share of a shrinking revenue model based on customer on-line connection- time charges. The success of The Microsoft Network will be based on the success of Microsoft's content providers in reaching and motivating customers. So Microsoft is going to lengths to help ensure that success. The Microsoft Network provides a new and different business environment that puts significant revenue control in the hands of the content or service providers. Providers aren't limited in the ways in which they realize revenues for their services. Variable revenue and pricing models such as subscriptions, on-line transactions, advertising subsidies, and ticketed events are at the provider's discretion. More important, providers retain the majority of the revenues that their content and services generate. Easy and Inexpensive Access Meeting customer demands for easier access to technology is a fundamental charter of Microsoft products. To that end, customers will find it easy to sign up and access The Microsoft Network as a feature of the Windows 95 operating system. The Microsoft Network fully harnesses the power and ease of use of Windows 95. By extending the feature set and graphical interface of Windows 95, The Microsoft Network provides a familiar environment that facilitates easier exploration and interaction in the on-line world. In all respects, The Microsoft Network looks and acts just like Windows 95, offering customers easy, consistent and graphical functionality. For example, The Microsoft Network services can be browsed using the Explorer in Windows 95 or from an icon-based container view. Actions such as downloading files are simple copy operations accomplished by drag and drop. Shortcuts enable personalized and efficient navigation. The Microsoft Network's e-mail and rich-text content documents are managed through the Information Exchange and WordPad services built into Windows 95 with the same familiar user interface carried through all core communications functionality. The Microsoft Network also offers affordable access. By adopting a business model that emphasizes member and content activity rather than connect time, The Microsoft Network delivers services at the lowest possible cost to its members. A More Compelling On-line Experience The Microsoft Network supports and promotes personalized discovery and investment for members and content providers alike. Both are enabled with a new generation of technology and capabilities and are empowered to shape and evolve on-line communities. The Microsoft Network interactive experience revolves around these dynamic content communities, each produced to make the most of the interactive medium and the specific topic, product or experience at hand. For example, content areas cover the following subjects: * Arts and entertainment * News and weather * Business and finance * Sports, health and fitness * Science and technology * Computers and software * Community and public affairs * Home and family These communities will be facilitated by a select group of Forum Managers, who bring specialized knowledge, credibility and respect in their areas of expertise. Members will have tremendous breadth and depth of technical, vertical-market and general-interest communities with which to explore and interact on a local or worldwide basis. Content and service providers will discover the opportunity to extend their brands, products and businesses in a graphically robust, interactive manner. The Microsoft Network will further facilitate a higher quality of content and services by providing tools and technology to support a truly personalized, multimedia presentation. World-Class Communications Access to communication abilities that transcend the traditional boundaries of time, cost, resources and geography is one of the primary benefits of the Microsoft on-line system. The Microsoft Network is designed from the ground up to accommodate full international access. The ability to access the network from anywhere in the world -- and to exchange information with users anywhere in the world -- makes the system even more compelling. By integrating with the Information Exchange in Windows 95 and extending this functionality to bulletin board, file library and "chat" services, The Microsoft Network will offer the most robust, easy-to-use communication capabilities. Consistent user interface, OLE support, drag-and- drop management, Explorer navigation, and rich-text formatting all extend the consistent experience of using Windows 95 within The Microsoft Network communication environment. The Microsoft Network Services When The Microsoft Network becomes available, subscribers will have access to the following basic services: * Rich communications features, including e-mail, bulletin boards and "chat" services * Internet access, including e-mail and news groups * Information services, including news, sports, stock and weather reports, product and product-support information, and special-interest group information * File download libraries _ shareware, graphics and wave files, applets, product support, article archives, and the Microsoft Knowledge Base * Microsoft information and support for customer service, product information and technical support The Microsoft Network's extended services and products will include both Microsoft-branded and independently branded options available to users. Some will be available for an additional charge, and others will be available at no additional charge, with their revenues coming from advertising or shopping-transaction fees. Conclusion By combining unprecedented access and ease of use, a new business model to attract and reward independent content and service providers, a compelling on-line experience, and world-class communications, The Microsoft Network will spur the market for on-line services, closing the gap that exists today between the potential and actual installed base for these services. In bringing highly functional and entertaining on-line service to millions of users, Microsoft is further realizing its mission of enabling "Information At Your Fingertips". ************************************************************ Windows NT Server Professional Developers Conference January 18-20, 1995 Microsoft invites you to attend the Windows NT Server Professional Developers Conference to be held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington, January 18-20, 1995. This conference is designed to help professional developers maximize development resources when writing applications for Windows NT Server. Attendees will receive three days of detailed technical presentations that show how to take advantage of Windows NT Server's unique features for performance and usability, and build network-independent applications. We think the performance increases you could realize in your product by attending this conference will justify your attendance to this exclusive event. At the conference, the actual architects and designers of Windows NT will be on hand to provide you information on how to architect, profile, and debug high performance server applications with a thorough understanding of the underlying operating system. For example, you will learn about choosing the best threading model for your server application, how to write one application that can service multiple networks simultaneously, remotely administering your application, taking advantage of security features in Windows NT, features in the latest release of Windows NT Server and more. Ample time will be provided with the developers for your questions! Prerequisites: To ensure attendees receive the most from this conference, a few prerequisites are required. Attendees should: * be very familiar with the Win32 programming interface * be developing and debugging C/C++ applications on Windows NT * have a MSDN Level 2 subscription (if you are not currently a subscriber, please call 1-800-759-5474 for subscription information) Topics to be discussed: (This is a tentative listing of topics we plan to cover at the conference): Discussion Topic: Great Server Applications/BackOffice Overview Services: Writing / Debugging / Installation Writing High-Performance Servers Performance, Characterization and Measurement Process and Memory Management Techniques Writing Secure Services Writing a Remote Admin Application Using OLE in a Server Application Using SMS to Install Applications Moving from NLMs to Windows NT Moving from Unix (TM) to Windows NT Network Programming: Windows Sockets Microsoft RPC Programming SNMP, MIBS, Agents Usage on Windows NT Transport Specific Programming For more information or to confirm attendance, please call 1-800-206-3000 (in the U.S. and Canada) or 612-550-6340 (International). Fax registrations will also be accepted by dialing 612-550-6391. For $595 U.S., attendees will receive three days worth of presentations, the Windows NT Server Professional Developers Conference CD-ROM, continental breakfast and lunch each day, and receptions on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Confirmation packets, containing directions to the conference site and suggested accommodations will be sent out following registration. We hope to see you January 18-20 in Seattle! Cancellations received before January 4, 1995, will receive a full refund. No refunds will be made after that date. Cancellations or substitutions may be made by calling 1-800-206-3000. Airfare and hotel cancellations are the responsibility of the registrant. If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, or other reasonable accommodations, please contact Microsoft at 1-800-206-3000 at least two weeks prior to the event date. Sincerely, Brian Moran Developer Relations Group Microsoft Corporation brianmo@microsoft.com ************************************************************ New files on WinNews Servers All of the files are compressed into single file ZIP files to minimize download time for you. The naming convention is as follows: D prefix Word 2 doc file A prefix ASCII Text file P prefix Postscript printer file DRK.ZIP Windows 95 Beta 2 Resource Kit D2005.ZIP Bill Gates Comdex Fall 1994 Keynote Speech DSPPR.ZIP Press Release on Key Solution Providers Supporting Windows 95 DUSE.ZIP Usability Findings for Windows 95 User Interface DUSEPR.ZIP Press Release on Windows 95 UI Usability Findings DOVW.ZIP Overview of the Windows 95 Logo Program (updated) PREVIEW.ZIP Current Details on the Windows 95 Preview Program ISTOUROL.ZIP Slides which were used on the "Windows 95 and the IS Professional" tour Some late-breaking news, such as the press release on the Windows 95 delay, isn't yet available. I will be uploading this and other files to the WinNews servers later this week. Check the file index.txt to find out what else is new. NOTE: For the sake of brevity I have omitted new listings of ASCII and Postscript files. For each new Word file shown above there is an equivalent ASCII or PostScript file, named according to the conventions listed above -- ie. DLOGO2.ZIP becomes ALOGO2.ZIP (ASCII) and PLOGO2.ZIP (postscript). ************************************************************ If you know someone who might be interested in WinNews, feel free to forward this document, provided you forward it in it's entirety, as per the copyright notice below. Permission to quote excerpts from this issue of WinNews may be obtained by sending mail to winnews-owner@microsoft.nwnet.com. If you wish to stop receiving WinNews, send mail to enews@microsoft.nwnet.com with the text UNSUBSCRIBE WINNEWS in the body of your message. 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