Microsoft has announced some of the new features of 2008 R2, a server update that will coincide with the release of Windows 7. Starting with R2 all server releases from Microsoft will be 64 bit only. From this point on Microsoft will no longer ship a 32 bit server OS.
One of the more interesting things I found in the Windows 2008 R2 reviewer’s guide is some new features in Remote Desktop:
• Multimedia Redirection: Provides high-quality multimedia by redirecting multimedia files and streams so that audio and video content is sent in its original format from the server to the client and rendered using the client’s local media playback capabilities.
• True multiple monitor support: Enables support for up to 10 monitors in almost any size, resolution or layout with RemoteApp and remote desktops; applications will behave just like they do when running locally in multi-monitor configurations.
• Audio Input & Recording: VDI supports any microphone connected to a user’s local machine, enables audio recording support for RemoteApp and Remote Desktop. This is useful for VoIP scenarios and also enables speech recognition.
• Aero Glass support: VDI provides users with the ability to use the AeroGlass UI for client desktops; ensuring that remote desktop sessions look and feel like local desktop sessions.
• Direct X redirection: DirectX 9, 10 and 11 applications will render on the server and will be remoted using bitmaps (requiring Direct3D-compatible hardware). If the application supports the new DirectX 10.1 API with remoting extensions the DirectX (2D& 3D) graphics are redirected to the local client to harness the power of the GPU on the user’s local device, removing the need for a GPU on the server.
• Improved audio/video synchronization: RDP improvements in Windows Server 2008 R2 are designed to provide closer synchronization of audio and video in most scenarios.
• Language Bar Redirection: Users can easily and seamlessly control the language setting (e.g. right to left) for RemoteApp programs using the local language bar.
• Task Scheduler: This adds the ability in Task Scheduler to ensure that scheduled applications never appear to users connecting with RemoteApp. This reduces user confusion.
Those are some nice updates, but the most interesting feature described in this document is the new RemoteApp and Desktop Web access.
It promises to:
“ensure a consistent list of applications is available to the user at all times, no matter the desktop OS used. The default web page provides a fresh and inviting look and feel and includes a new Web-based login with integrated single sign-on.”
Hmm. No matter what OS is used. This little line of text means a lot to me. Currently the web based login is just a glorified link to the RDP client. It has a page with an embedded ActiveX control. If what they say is true, and any operating system is supported, it means they have designed a web-friendly way to connect to a machine - without using ActiveX.
This will be one of the first things I check out when I get my hands on a copy of 2008 R2.
Written by Steve Wiseman on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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Did you know Google Search can be used as a Calculator, World time, Flight Status checker or a Dictionary? These are some of the many things that you can do with a specific type of search in Google.PCWizKid has put together a video with various quick …
Written by PCWizKid on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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The purpose of this guide is to offer insight into some of the cool new features in Windows 7 build 6801 and also to provide workarounds for some of the minor issues we encountered while using this build. Let’s get to it then shall we?
Open a folder…
Written by ShaDow on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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If you really like Windows 7, and I do mean really like, then you might be interested in these “Windows 7″ t-shirts. These look different to the ones Microsoft staff were wearing at PDC08 which was just the Windows logo embossed - these however feature a stylized version of the internal Windows 7 logo screen [...]
Written by Long Zheng on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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The noise about Windows 7 is growing. If you haven’t heard, Windows 7 is the next version of Windows. Microsoft has said that it will be released fourth quarter 2009.
If Windows Vista is the Windows ME of the new millennium, then Windows 7 should be the Windows XP. If you have ever used Windows ME you will know what I mean. I have done some research to find out what the 5 biggest features will be
1. Sensors - Windows 7 will have context-aware support through a new sensors API. For example, a location sensor can tell where your computer is, and applications that know about this can take advantage of this. My tin-foil hat is starting to spin on this one. Still sounds like a cool feature
2. Accelerators - These should really be called specialized shortcuts. Here is aan example of how accelerators work. Anywhere within Windows you can select text, or speak commands through a microphone, and windows will take action. A few that are built into IE 8 already would include: ‘Define with Encarta’, ‘Email with Live Mail’, and ‘Search with Live Search’.
3. HomeGroup Networking - This part of windows will do many of the same things that Network Magic does right now. Essentially it simplifies the process of setting up your home network.
4. Improved Explorer Windows Explorer will be updated with many new features. A resizeable search box, a simpler toolbar, and a new view style called content. The content view style is a preview mode for images and other things like PDF files, and word documents.
5. UAC Improvements - The favorite feature of Vista (Just kidding). Microsoft has totally reworked this to make it more customizable. Four different levels of UAC notification will be available:
1. Never Notify- The user is never notified when a program tries to install software, or make changes to the computer.
2. Only notify me when programs make changes - The user is not notified when software is installed, only when programs try to make changes to the computer and windows settings.
3. Always notify - The user is prompted when a programs try to install software or make changes to the computer.
4. Always notify me and wait for response - The user is notified when a program tries to install software, or make changes to the computer, and Windows will wait for the response.
All of these are a welcome change. I can’t wait to get my hands on the first public beta.
Written by Steve Wiseman on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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In many parts of the system,
you can rename an item by first selecting it,
then clicking on its name.
The selection step is typically done by clicking on the item,
which creates the risk that your second click will be interpreted
as a double-click rather Read More……(read more)
Written by The Old New Thing : Tips/Support on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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Microsoft is also going to give a new version of calculator with Windows 7. It’s not that the current calculator is not great. It does have some good features in scientific mode. But the new calculator is going to be a state of art calculator. The c…
Written by ShaDow on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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At times, you may encounter a blank page on your browser. Now the initial problem is you would think that your network connection may be acting up. In some cases, that may be so but in other instances, you may also want to check out if other factors such as software or actual Internet provider [...]
Written by PC Freak on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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This weekend I decided to run out and pick up one of Microsoft Hardware’s new BlueTrack mice. I grabbed the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse which is perfect for folks who are on the go with their laptops. Both the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse and the Microsoft Explorer Mouse (for desktop PCs) are available this month at Best Buy stores. The difference between the 2 is the Microsoft Explorer Mouse is slightly bigger and rechargeable.
Microsoft BlueTrack Technology is a brand new technology for mice designed to work on more surfaces than both optical and laser mice. So how does BlueTrack Technology work? It uses a Microsoft-designed image sensor to generate a high contract image of the surface in which the mouse is on. This allows for greatly improved tracking accuracy. The BlueTrack “light beam” from the bottom of the mice is 4 times as large as the lasers used in today’s laser mice. Because of this, mice using BlueTrack Technology can be used on difficult surfaces such as granite, carpet, or wood.
The Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse package come with of course the mouse and USB transceiver as well as a neat cloth carrier and a disc with the Microsoft IntelliPoint 6.3 software. The cloth carrier has the BlueTrack logo on it.
The design for the mouse is comfortable with 2 customizable buttons on the left side. The USB transceiver “snaps” into the bottom of the mouse and when it’s snapped in, it turns off the mouse so it doesn't use battery life when not in use. Here are a few shots of the mouse.
I also compared the Explorer Mini Mouse with the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 and Arc Mouse.
The Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse is certainly a mouse you should look at if you’re looking for one especially with the advantages of BlueTrack Technology.
Written by Brandon LeBlanc on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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This weekend I decided to run out and pick up one of Microsoft Hardware’s new BlueTrack mice. I grabbed the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse which is perfect for folks who are on the go with their laptops. Both the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse and the Microsoft Read More……(read more)
Written by The Windows Blog on November 10th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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