 |
Microsoft’s Ward Ralston at the Windows Server Division Weblog:
There have been a few articles floating around on the Internet since we released the private beta of Windows Server 2003 SP2 a couple of weeks ago. To remove any mystery or speculation about what this Service Pack 2 is about, I thought I would take a couple of minutes to lay it out.
It’s thankfully mostly a roll-up of fixes, but there are some new “limited-scope features” which Ralston details. Note that this SP2 also applies to Windows XP x64 Professional since it was built on the Windows Server 2003 codebase. Availability is some time before the end of the year.
Over at Microsoft’s IEBlog, General Manager Dean Hachamovitch yesterday announced the availability of Internet Explorer Beta 3:
This morning we released IE7 Beta 3 for Windows XP. This version includes improvements in reliability, compatibility, security, and a few end user features. Give it a try at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx.
…
IE7 Beta 3 runs on Windows XP SP2, Windows XP x64, and Windows Server 2003 SP1. This beta does not install on Windows Vista Beta 2; a new version of IE7+ in Windows Vista will be available with the next public Windows Vista release soon.
…
Today?s release is the final beta for IE7. Our next steps are the Release Candidates followed by general availability in the second half of the year.
Hit the link for some installation tips and check Max Stevens’ post in the same place for some of the changes.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Ian Moulster blogs that the availability of beta 2 of Windows Vista ends today:
Update: The program will close on Friday June 30th 2006In case you weren’t aware, we are only providing a limited number of copies of Windows Vista Beta 2 – either download or physical copies – and we’re fast approaching the cut-off point.
What this means is – if you want to get a copy, get it now (and I mean now). Visit www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/engb and either download or order. Because WE WILL BE WITHDRAWING ACCESS VERY SOON. Did I say that loudly enough?
If you’re burning to get a copy, he has some tips for getting in under the wire, but be aware that the consensus among testers is that the newer Community Technical Preview release 5456 is much improved over Beta 2, but unlike Beta 2 it isn’t available to the general public.
Robert Stein at ActiveWin has the email sent to beta testers:
Windows Serviceability is pleased to announce the release of the Beta 1 release of Service Pack 2 for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x64 Professional customers.
…
Service Pack 2 is a conventional service pack consisting of all security updates, all individual hotfixes released to customers and fixes to reduce top customer support issues as well as increase reliability, robustness, and security. Service Pack 2 is the first Service Pack for Windows XP x64 Professional SKU. Service Pack 2 also updates customers running Windows Server 2003 RTM, SP1 and/or R2 releases.
