Microsoft News Tracker

The problem with the protracted beta availability of so many of Microsoft’s Windows Live applications is that it is fairly anticlimactic when they do come out of beta as they did today:

Today Microsoft Corp. launched the next generation of Windows Live, providing consumers worldwide with a compelling new set of tools and services that help make it easier than ever to communicate and share with the important people in their lives, from anywhere they have Web access across multiple devices. And, with built- in security features, consumers can use Windows Live services with confidence.

A free and fun upgrade for the online and Windows experiences, the new Windows Live was launched today at http://www.windowslive.com and at events in New York and Los Angeles.

If you are still awake, here’s the rundown:

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Microsoft today announced that CIO Stuart Scott “was terminated after an investigation for violation of company policies.” The company isn’t saying any more about it, but there are a variety of rumors. The most salient feature however, is that Scott’s replacement will be the fourth Microsoft CIO in as many years. The cons of being a CIO at the world’s largest software company must be more substantial than I would have guessed.

Today Microsoft unveiled their enterprise search lineup for 2008:

Microsoft today announced Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express — a downloadable Enterprise Search product available at no charge that combines simplicity and ease of use with a powerful set of search features. Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express joins Microsoft’s Enterprise Search lineup, which is built on the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 platform.
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A release candidate is available today for customers to download and evaluate the product at http://www.microsoft.com/enterprisesearch.

Additionally, we announced Microsoft Search Server 2008, a sister offering available through our volume licensing program that contains advanced deployment and scalability options.

Apparently both products are based on technology pulled out of SharePoint Server for Search 2007 which will be superceded when the two flavors of Search Server 2008 ship in the first half of 2008.