Microsoft(R) WinNews Electronic Newsletter, Vol. 2, #1, January 17, 1995 ******************************************* Well, here we are again and it's now 1995. I was looking for something profound to say about ushering in the new year, but in the end I simply resorted to changing the volume number on this newsletter. This is the sixth issue of WinNews since we started and there are now over 56,000 of you reading it. A small, but very successful, experiment has turned into an important medium for communicating with our customers. In this issue I will be covering five topics: 1. Internet announcements - last Friday Microsoft announced two business relationships that will help us deliver on our goal of providing easy Internet access to everyone through Windows 95. The text of this announcement, and some Q&A is included here. 2. A new calculator program for Windows for Workgroups and Windows 3.x is available. The new program fixes bugs in the previous version which caused simple subtraction errors. 3. A patch to disable the floating point portions of the Pentium processor is also available for Windows users. If you are concerned about errors on your Pentium machine, then install this patch and worry no more. 4. Preview Program update - the preview program has been delayed, but here is some more information about our plans. 5. Win32(R) Internationalization Seminar. The Microsoft Developer Relations Group is holding a repeat of this popular seminar. Dates and places are included in a short invitation. 6. Traincast is a series of educational broadcasts on Windows 95 targeted at the corporate customer. It explains why Windows 95 makes business sense for organizations, and how anyone who supports end users can do so easily and cost-effectively. Finally, last week a document from Workgroup Technologies crossed my desk. Workgroup Technologies is a six year old consulting firm specializing in operating systems (among other things). In October of 1994, at the time that OS/2 Warp launched, Workgroup Technologies prepared an analysis of OS/2 Warp and its future prospects. If you're contemplating OS/2, this paper is interesting reading, and a bit of an eye opener. You can get a copy of it on Compuserve. GO WUGNET and download FULLREPT.ZIP from section 8. Alec Saunders WinNews Editor ************************************************************ Microsoft Announces Its Internet Strategy; One-Button Access Via The Microsoft Network Microsoft Forms Strategic Relationship With UUNET to Offer Full Internet Access REDMOND, Wash., -- Jan. 13, 1995 -- Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corp., disclosed Microsoft's Internet strategy last night at the Washington Software Association's Online Advantage conference. Gates outlined plans to offer full Internet capability to customers of the Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95 operating system as part of The Microsoft Network, Microsoft's planned online service. As part of these plans, Microsoft has formed a strategic relationship with UUNET Technologies Inc., one of the leading Internet service providers, to build a new, dedicated, global TCP/IP network connected directly to the Internet. Members of the Microsoft Network will have full Internet access through this network. Gates also announced that Microsoft has licensed technology from SpyGlass Inc., including the widely accepted NCSA Mosaic(tm) browser software. The combination of the new TCP/IP network and enhanced Mosaic technology will dramatically improve the experience of users of Windows 95 in connecting to and using the Internet and will allow them to access seamlessly both World Wide Web sites and Microsoft Network content and services. "We believe that Internet access will be an important capability in the online world," said Russ Siegelman, general manager of the online services group at Microsoft. "To broaden use of the Internet, we want to make seamless, one-button access to the Internet an integral part of The Microsoft Network experience." As part of this effort, Microsoft made a minority investment in UUNET. As a leader in Internet-access services and one of the original Internet-access providers, UUNET has extensive expertise and experience in building and managing commercial TCP/IP networks. "Microsoft's strategic relationship with UUNET will allow us to work together closely to build one of the largest Internet-access networks in the world and will help accelerate the growth of Internet," said John Sidgmore, president and CEO of UUNET. UUNET's role will be to build, deploy and operate the network. The new network will be accessible via modem at speeds up to 28.8 kilobits per second and ISDN connections; the network is expected to eventually support dedicated connections. Microsoft is targeting the new network capability and the browser software to be available by the end of 1995. Microsoft first outlined its strategy for the company's new interactive service, The Microsoft Network, in November 1994 and also detailed its business model, which is designed to help content and service providers realize the potential of online services. The Microsoft Network is targeted for release in August 1995. Access to The Microsoft Network will be offered as a feature to users of Microsoft Windows 95. UUNET Technologies Inc., located in Falls Church, Va., is the original commercial Internet service provider, offering a complete suite of Internet services. AlterNet(r), UUNET's publicly available network, comprises points of presence throughout the United States, and maintains direct links to Canada, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe. By creating a series of redundant links to other service providers around the world, AlterNet is the world's most fully connected Internet service. UUNET's suite of products and services includes a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week network-operations center; security products; integration, consulting and training services; World Wide Web services; front-end user-interface software options; and a wide range of network-access options. For more information, contact UUNET at (800) 4UUNET4 (488-6384). Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. ######### Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Alternet is a registered trademark of UUNet Technologies Inc. NCSA Mosiac is a trademark of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Q. Why is Microsoft licensing the Mosaic software and not creating their own from scratch? A. Microsoft feels that NCSA Mosaic is the de facto standard for the Internet. As we have set an example with our Windows products, we believe in standards for the industry. That is why we have decided to adopt Mosaic as our standard for our customers. We plan to extend and enhance the Mosaic software and use it in a variety of capacities for our product lines. Q. Does this mean that customers can only use the browser in Windows 95? A. The Mosaic software will be the basis for WWW browser capability in a variety of ways in our product lines. Q. So this means that Windows 95 will ship with Mosaic built-in? A. At the present time there are no plans to ship Windows 95 with the Mosaic software built-in. Our plan is to deliver this capability shortly after Windows 95 ships. Q. Why did Microsoft pick UUNET, a small company, rather than one of the large telcos? A. UUNET is a leader in the market for Internet access and was one of the original Internet access providers. They have extensive expertise and experience in building and managing commercial TCP/IP networks and in a wide range of Internet issues. We believe that the combination of Microsoft and UUNET is well suited to grow the market for Internet access services. Q. Why build your own TCP/IP network instead of just using what already exists? A. We believe that a dedicated, private TCP/IP network is the best way to provide our customers with the quality and reliablility of service which they expect from Microsoft. We believe that our entry into this market will dramatically increase the usage of the Internet. We believe that the existing Internet infrastructure is insufficient to support our projected demand, and therefore we need to be good Internet citizens and invest in increasing the dial up infrastructure commensurate with the amount of traffic our customers will generate. Q. Where will access be available? A. Initially, access will be available in major US population centers and limited international sites. Over time, access will be expanded dramatically to offer a true global service. Q. How will customers get access to the Internet? A. Access to the Microsoft Network - Internet service will require an account relationship with The Microsoft Network. It is our goal that this local access capability is the standard mechanism by which Microsoft customers can get Internet access accounts. There will be a standard protocol and sign-up for the Microsoft Network which is part of Windows95. Q. When will this network be available? A. We expect that this local access network will be available by the 4th quarter of 1995. ************************************************************ Microsoft Makes Available New Calculator for Windows REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 16, 1994 - The Wall Street Journal and InfoWorld have recently reported that there is a bug in an accessory product, called the calculator, contained in the Microsoft(r) Windows(tm) operating system version 3.1. The bug causes simple subtraction errors. The calculator problem is not related to the floating-point hardware in the Intelr Pentium(tm) chip. Microsoft Corp. has announced that the company will make a new calculator available to its customers free of charge. "The fact that the calculator in Windows is a minor accessory doesn't matter," said Brad Chase, general manager of the personal systems division. "Fixing it is the right thing to do. Microsoft apologizes for any inconvenience that this problem may have caused." The new calculator will be available to customers beginning Jan. 6, 1995, through the following online services, or from Microsoft Support at (800) 936-4200. On CompuServer, type GO MSL, search for WW1138.exe On the Microsoft Download Service at (206) 936-6735 On GEnie(tm) from the Microsoft Software Library On the Microsoft Server, FTP.Microsoft.com If customers have questions prior to the availability of the new calculator, Microsoft representatives are available to answer them from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday at (206) 637-7098. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. ######### Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corp. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Corp. ************************************************************ (editor's note: this fix is not yet available, but will be shortly) Microsoft to Offer Software to Address Division Flaw in Pentium Chip REDMOND, Wash. _ Jan. 9, 1995 _ Microsoft Corp. today announced it will offer a software solution to its customers of the Microsoft(r) Windows(tm) and Windows NT(tm) operating systems that effectively disables faulty floating-point hardware in Intel(r) Pentium(tm) processors. Developed in response to customer concerns about floating-point division errors in the Pentium chip, the software will be free of charge and will provide an alternative for customers who do not wish to replace their flawed Pentium processors or who are waiting for replacement chips. The solution will provide the customer three choices: use floating-point hardware, use software floating-point emulation only if the division flaw is present, or always use software floating-point emulation. The software can test the processor to determine whether the division flaw is present and will use software floating-point emulation in place of the faulty floating-point hardware if the customer has chosen this option. The basic operating-systems functions in Windows and Windows NT and many general productivity applications do not rely on floating-point calculations and therefore are not affected by the division flaw in the Pentium chip. Customers who are concerned about the division flaw in the Pentium processor can use the Microsoft software solution as an alternative to replacing their Pentium processors. The software currently is being tested and is scheduled to be released in the second half of January 1995. The solution for Windows will be made available to end users free of charge through the options in the list that follows. The software will also be provided to PC manufacturers to preinstall on Pentium-based systems and to provide to their customers. The version for Windows will work with Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 and Windows(tm) for Workgroups 3.11. The solution is being tested for compatibility with Windows(tm) 95 to ensure a smooth upgrade for users when Windows 95 is released. The version for Windows NT is scheduled to be released in the same time frame and will be available as part of the Microsoft Windows NT Service Pack 1. It will also be available through the options in the list that follows. Accessing the Solution for Windows and Windows NT On CompuServe(r), GEnie(tm), and Microsoft OnLine, the software will be located in the Microsoft Software Library. Search for WW1140 (35SP1 for Windows NT) and download the file WW1140.EXE (35SP1.EXE for Windows NT). After downloading, double click to run this self- extracting file. On the Internet, the software is located on the Microsoft anonymous FTP server which you can reach by typing: ftp ftp.microsoft.com. Download the file WW1140.EXE (35SP1.EXE for Windows NT) from the SOFTLIB/MSLFILES directory. After downloading, double click to run this self-extracting file. You can also get the file from the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) by using your modem to call (206) 936-6735. Download the file WW1140.EXE (35SP1.EXE for Windows NT). After downloading, double click to run this self-extracting file. If you are unable to access the sources above, call Microsoft Product Support at (206) 637-7098, and the file will be mailed to you on diskette. Outside the United States call (206) 936- 8661 to locate the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. In related news, Microsoft announced that it will release an update to the compiler in the Visual C++(tm) development system. The updated compiler will allow developers to create programs that help ensure accurate division results while still using the Pentium processor's floating-point hardware. When running a Pentium processor with the division flaw, division operations are checked and corrected if necessary. The updated compiler will be available through the Visual C++ subscription program or through the online services listed previously (file name VCFDIV.EXE). The compiler can also be obtained through Microsoft Product Support at (206) 635-7007. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. ######### Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows, Windows NT and Visual C++ are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corp. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Corp. ************************************************************ Windows 95 Preview Program Update "Do you need more beta testers?" is a question I frequently get in email. I always have to disappoint the asker -- at the moment we have 48,000 beta testers for Windows 95, which is really all that we can handle. 48,000 testers generate a lot of problem reports. Most of these people are mailing me because they need to be able to get experience with Windows 95 in order to explain the product to clients, or to their management. We will have a solution for you: the Windows 95 Preview Program. In the spring we will create a limited number of pre-release copies of Windows 95. These copies are meant to help corporations get a head start in preparing for the migration to Windows 95. I want to emphasize that this won't be the final code for Windows 95 -- it will be a pre-release for evaluators only. If you need to evaluate Windows 95 before the final release to determine an appropriate roll-out plan for your company, or to be able to make recommendations to your customers then you will want to participate in the Windows Preview Program. There will be a nominal fee of approximately $30. Our goal is not to make a profit on this program, but to provide evaluation copies at the lowest possible cost. The fee will cover the cost of providing the software to you, the progam implementation and support during this progeam. We want your evaluation to be as smooth as possible, which is why we will be staffing special support telephone lines to help you with any product problems. I have received lots of mail from customers who know about the Windows 95 Preview Program asking to be "put on the list". There is no list. We will e-mail WINNEWS subscribers when the program is open with information on how to sign up for a copy. So stay tuned for more information on the Windows 95 Preview Program here on WinNews. As soon as we're ready to take your orders I will let you know what to do. ************************************************************ Win32(R) Internationalization Seminar Presented by the Microsoft Developer Relations Group Globalization Team In September of 1994, the globalization team of Microsoft's Developer Relations group hosted a one day seminar on the Microsoft main campus in Redmond, WA, focusing on how to create great 32-bit applications for Windows 95. In February of 1995 we're taking this show on the road, to several cities in North America. If you missed the seminar in September, join us in the city closest to you! Learn how your applications can benefit from the international features in Windows 95 and Windows NT, such as the National Language Support (NLS) API, Windows 95's Multilingual Content I/O, and Windows 95's unified Input Method Editor (IME) API. For more information call 800-619-7689 (in North America) 415-979-2288 or send a FAX to 415-979-2270 or send mail to the internet address global@microsoft.com The seminar schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Jaunary 31, 1995 Denver, CO USA Wednesday, February 1, 1995 Chicago, IL USA Friday, February 3, 1995 Toronto CANADA Monday, February 6, 1995 Burlington, MA USA Wednesday, February 8, 1995 Washington, DC USA Thursday, February 9, 1995 Atlanta, GA USA Thursday, February 23, 1995 Redwood City, CA USA Friday, February 24, 1995 Santa Monica, CA USA Tuesday, March 21, 1995 Redmond, WA USA SPACE IN SOME CITIES IS EXTREMELY LIMITED. Please sign up early! The cost is US $150, which includes lunch, presentation materials, a CD-ROM containing basic information for globalizing your application, a t-shirt, and a preview copy of a book on internationalizing Win32-based applications that will be published in the spring of 1995 by Microsoft Press. ************************************************************ Microsoft Offers No-Cost Training on Migrating To and Supporting Windows 95 In-Depth "TrainCast" Programs Explain Why, How to Migrate to Windows 95 REDMOND, Wash. -- Jan. 18, 1995 -- In order to help information specialists and technical-support representatives prepare for the migration to the Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95 operating system, Microsoft Corp. today announced it will provide technical training content at no cost on its Windows 95 operating system software. The series will also help third-party organizations such as value-added resellers and OEMs prepare their technical staffs to support Windows 95 effectively. Officially titled "TrainCast for Windows 95," the series will include more than 30 hours of in-depth educational programming. "TrainCast" will be broadcast by Microsoft TV during a seven-month period, from January through August 1995. There will be eight unique training segments. The first two segments will discuss the business benefits Windows 95 offers to customers. The remaining six segments will focus on in- depth technical training and will include live, interactive segments in which participants can phone in questions to be answered by experts from Microsoft. Organizations with satellite dishes can download the series at no charge. Participants without satellite dishes can attend the sessions at Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers as well as universities and colleges around the country that are providing public access to the series. Content from the series, which will air during prime time, will be incorporated into a special PCTV series on the Jones Computer Network via the Mind Extension University cable-television channel. "Windows 95 is a collection of technologies that will offer significant benefits to our corporate customers," said Sue King, director of software development at Dell Computer Corp., a cosponsor of "TrainCast." "Dell is committed to delivering systems that exploit its full potential. We are cosponsoring Windows 95 `TrainCast' because we believe this series offers our corporate customers a head start in their preparation to migrate to and support Windows 95." "`TrainCast' offers an `under the hood' look at Windows 95," said Brad Chase, general manager in the personal operating systems division at Microsoft. "It explains why Windows 95 makes business sense for organizations, and how anyone who supports end users can do so easily and cost-effectively. It's `must viewing' for any organization committed to or contemplating the move to Windows 95." Microsoft designed the course content in response to a nationwide survey of industry participants. The segments will include issues such as networking -- including integrating Windows 95 in a NetWare(r) environment -- setup, systems management and printing. "TrainCast" shows three through eight will be hosted by Elliott Masie of the Masie Center, an expert in the field of developing training strategies for organizations. "`TrainCast' is a great way for organizations to prepare for the migration to Windows 95 because it allows IS managers, trainers and help-desk staff to begin their enterprisewide rollout quickly when the product becomes available," said Mickey McIntire, director of software integration services at Corporate Software Inc. "In addition, companies implementing Windows 95 can benefit from improved staff productivity and a likely reduction in the end-user support burden throughout their organization." Microsoft has delivered technical information via satellite for more than two years. Its "DevCast" series for independent software developers reached an estimated 120,000 ISV, corporate and education developers in its last worldwide telecast. Interested parties who wish to download the series for internal use, serve as public host sites, or obtain the locations of available host sites can contact Microsoft at (800) 597-3200. Viewers also can subscribe to the free Microsoft TV program guide or order videotapes of the sessions by calling the same 800 number, between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PST. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. ######### Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. NetWare is a registered trademark of Novell Inc. ************************************************************ WinNews Servers I don't have any new information on the WinNews servers for you. For those of you who haven't explored the servers yet, they are in a number of locations, on most of the major online services and networks. On the Internet use ftp or the World-Wide-Web (ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/PerOpSys/Win_News, http://www.microsoft.com). On The Microsoft Network, open Computers and Software\Software Companies\Microsoft\Windows 95\ WinNews. On CompuServe, type GO WINNEWS. On Prodigy JUMP WINNEWS. On America Online, use keyword WINNEWS. On GEnie, download files from the WinNews area under the Windows RTC. ************************************************************ 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. If you have received WinNews from someone who is a subscriber and WISH to subscribe yourself, send mail to enews@microsoft.nwnet.com with the words SUBSCRIBE WINNEWS as the sole text of your message. ************************************************************ 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) 1995 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.