Microsoft(R) WinNews Electronic Newsletter Vol. 2, #8, June 5, 1995 *********************************************************** It is hard to believe that it is already June. We are still on target to ship in August, so Windows 95 will be available in less than three months. Last night we held the Seattle stop on the Windows 95 World Tour - co-sponsored by the Pacific NorthWest PC Users Group and Compaq Computer. We had over 2200 people attend (only a tiny fraction of whom were Microsoft employees). Windows 95 team members demonstrated the product's key features including: easy set-up, Plug-n-Play capabilities, OLE 2.0 and Internet access. Included in this issue: 1. "CLARIFICATION: MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95 ON-LINE REGISTRATION FEATURE PRESERVES USER PRIVACY" - Many of you may have read some untrue accounts about the Registration Wizard in Windows 95. We take such reports very seriously, and we felt this was important enough that we specifically address our response in WinNews. This article provides a complete and detailed information on the truth about the "Reg Wiz". 2. "MICROSOFT LICENSES SOFTWARE-BASED MPEG ENGINE FROM MEDIAMATICS" - Announced just today, by licensing Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) technology, Microsoft will help usher in new levels of video capabilities on PCs. MPEG offers high quality playback, TV-like video capability and CD-quality sound. 3. "PLUG AND PLAY IN WINDOWS 95" - Though they have been discussed, the plug and play features and benefits of Windows 95 have not been published in WinNews. We wanted to be sure to distribute them to everyone. 4. "MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95 AND THE MICROSOFT NATURAL KEYBOARD" - This is a quick review by folks in our consumer-hardware group to relate the new features of the Microsoft Natural Keyboard. More and more you will see this innovative, ergonomically designed tool. It addition to its physical features, there are many software related benefits as well. Those specific to Windows 95 are discussed here. 5. "MULTIMEDIA JUMPSTART CD-ROM VERSION 2.0a" - Microsoft's Multimedia Developer Relations Group is offering its "JumpStart" CD to provide developers with the latest updates and development of Windows 95. Details for how to obtain the CD are provided. 6. "WIN 95 DEVELOPERS CAN FIND IT AT THE MOVIES ON JUNE 15" - Developers can attend a live, eight-hour satellite telecast at local movie theaters to hear and see discussions on Windows 95 development. 7A & 7B - The Cobb Group and CMP, two independent publishers, are introducing new sources for information on Windows 95. Details on these are provided below. 8. "WINDOWS 95 WORLD TOUR" - The Seattle leg may be finished, but there are still several cities left in North America for the World Tour. 9. "NEW POSTINGS TO WINDOWS 95 WINNEWS SERVERS" - Our regular information of new postings to various on-line servers - and how to access the servers. QUICK-NOTES A. Not much in the QUICK-NOTES department for this issue. Here are a few pointers to recent articles on Windows 95. - The June PC/Computing cover story - "Windows 95, It's Here!," provides some great in-depth coverage. - In June's Byte, mobile and portable features of Windows 95 are featured in "You Can Take it on the Road" - The May 29 issue of Information Week has an article called "Windows 95 PC Parade," which reviews our beta and discusses some ideas on corporate migration. Jay Goldstein WinNews Editor *********************************************************** SUBSCRIPTIONS If you know someone who might be interested in WinNews, please instruct them to: 1. Send a message to ENEWS99@MICROSOFT.NWNET.COM 2. Send the message from the account that you wish to subscribe (some people use more than one e-mail account). 3. Subject line should be blank. 4. Body of message should ONLY have in the text: SUBSCRIBE WINNEWS You may also feel free to forward this document, provided you forward it in it's entirety, as per the copyright notice below. If you wish to stop receiving WinNews, send mail to enews@microsoft.nwnet.com with a blank subject line and the body of the message should only have in the text: UNSUBSCRIBE WINNEWS. WinNews is published twice a month, on the first and third Monday of each month. Special editions of WinNews may also be sent out occasionally. *********************************************************** 1. Clarification: Microsoft Windows 95 On-line Registration Feature Preserves User Privacy REDMOND, Washington - May 30, 1995 Microsoft today responds to customer confusion with the on-line registration option of Windows 95. Microsoft reassures customers the on-line registration feature preserves user privacy. The confusion began last week when an industry publication incorrectly reported that the on-line registration option sent information on customers' computer systems to Microsoft without consent. This article, and several subsequent posts on the Internet, alleging the unauthorized query and sending of customer information, are not accurate. In fact, the on-line registration option is simply an electronic version of the paper-based registration card that will ship in the Windows 95 product box. Similar to many paper-based registration cards, on-line registration is completely optional and allows customers to provide their system information for product support and marketing purposes. The on-line registration option in Windows 95 provides a more convenient and accurate method for registering than the paper-based card that comes in the product box. This is because the information is gathered directly from the local computer rather than requiring the user to guess their system information, and then type it and send via a separate card. The on-line registration process uses three steps to register customers. Customers are asked to provide information such as Customer Name, Company Name, Address and Phone Number. Customers are then presented the option of providing information about their computer system's configuration. A screen displays a list of the computer system's configuration information - such as the processor type, amount of RAM and hard disk space, and hardware peripherals such as network card, CD-ROM drive, and sound card. This information is gathered by the registration program which queries the system registry of the local computer. Customers must review and explicitly choose to provide the information or it is not sent. Customers are then presented with a list of application programs that reside on the local computer and asked if they would like to provide this information as well. The list of products is gathered by the registration program which looks for a list of programs on the local hard disk. The user must again explicitly choose to provide this information as part of the registration process or it is not sent. Once the user chooses to send the information, the registration process is completed by sending the registration information to Microsoft. On-line registration uses the transport of the Microsoft Network to send the information. The customer does not have to be a Microsoft Network subscriber to register on-line, and once registered, the customer is not a Microsoft Network subscriber. Registering Windows 95 is a separate process from signing up for the Microsoft Network. Contrary to reports, the on-line registration feature does not query serial numbers or product registration information designed to fight software piracy. It also does not query computers on the local or wide-area network. For a list of the exact information gathered by on-line registration, the user can view the REGINFO.TXT file found in the C:\WINDOWS directory of the local computer. The on-line registration feature of Windows 95 is an option for customers that makes registering Windows 95 more accurate and convenient. Providing computer- specific configuration information is strictly up to the customer. The registration information helps Microsoft build better products, as well as offer customers better information on their programs and better product support. *********************************************************** 2. Microsoft Licenses Software-base MPEG Engine from Mediamatics - End Users Gain Dazzline Video Without High-Cost Hardware; Developers Gain Broader Market for New Video-Based Titles Redmond, WA, June 5 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has licensed software-based MPEG playback technology from Mediamatics Inc., based in Santa Clara, CA, for inclusion in future versions of the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) family of operating system products (after the release of Windows(R) 95). For the first time, millions of users will be able to experience the TV-like video capability and CD-quality sound of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) titles without special add-on hardware. "Microsoft's vision in adopting such groundbreaking technologies in Windows clearly reflects our commitment to development in multimedia today," said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of the personal systems division at Microsoft. "Future users of Windows will benefit from an explosion of MPEG titles and hardware. Software developers and hardware manufacturers will very likely see dramatic market growth for their MPEG products." "Windows 95 is a great multimedia platform, and we're impressed with the rich support for multimedia titles and games in Windows 95," said Prem Nath, president of Mediamatics. "This agreement gives Microsoft the opportunity to bring our high-quality MPEG software to users of Windows." MPEG is a popular compression-decompression (codec) system for squeezing full-screen VHS-quality digital video and CD-quality audio into very small files so a significant amount of footage can fit on a single CD and be played back on a wide range of PC hardware. Mediamatics' software-only MPEG codec delivers revolutionary video playback performance and quality that previously was only possible with specialized hardware accelerators. Specifically, Windows 95-based MPEG video playback performance from CD-ROMs on 90 MHz Pentium(TM)-class computers is approximately 24 frames per second with 11 KHz audio. The inclusion of high-performance MPEG playback in the operating system will help proliferate the use of digital video into a broad range of corporate, reference, education and entertainment applications. "As one of the world's largest multimedia semiconductor manufacturers we applaud Microsoft's move to incorporate MPEG support into its operating systems," said Katsu Itagaki, marketing manager of systems applications engineering at NEC Electronics Inc. "Software MPEG support in Windows will immediately give millions of users dramatically improved full-screen video. MPEG's compatibility and scalability will allow end users to upgrade from basic software MPEG to higher-performance MPEG hardware solutions while fully preserving their investment in MPEG-based software applications and titles." Broader Market Integrated support in Windows also means that independent software developers have an expanded audience for enhanced or new titles that take advantage of MPEG's full-motion, full-screen, VHS-quality video. "One of our goals for the Encarta(R) multimedia encyclopedia is to bring information to life through the effective use of multimedia," said Craig Bartholomew, business unit manager at Microsoft. "We believe our users will love the full-screen, high-quality videos that MPEG technology makes possible. Our future plans include a version of Encarta that makes significant use of MPEG video. The support of MPEG playback in Windows and the availability of an MPEG version of Encarta will help encourage even faster adoption of the MPEG standard." "This announcement will go a long way to make MPEG a broadly supported PC standard," said Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Associates, a graphics market-consulting firm in Tiburon, Calif. "Developers and users will now be able to design for, and use, MPEG-based applications with confidence. This is the culmination of several converging factors: faster processors such as the Pentium, new and powerful operating systems like Windows 95, faster MPEG-ready graphics controllers, and OM1's efforts on standardization. MPEG's scalability combined with the new generation of entertainment programs are going to give the user a new level of experience and excitement." Microsoft Windows will continue to provide different video playback solutions for users and developers; adding software MPEG gives developers increased choice. Windows 95 already supports MPEG implementations in hardware and will ship with new 32-bit versions of Intel(R) Indeo(TM) and SuperMac Cinepak codecs. Prior to its inclusion in future releases of Microsoft operating systems (post- Windows 95), the software-based MPEG technology will be available to developers through Microsoft developer relations programs. Today's announcement is the latest in a continuing series of moves by Microsoft to bring outstanding multimedia and games support to users of Windows. In recent months, Microsoft acquired RenderMorphics Ltd., an industry leader in 3-D PC programming tools and technology and the developer of the Reality Lab(TM) 3-D graphics engine. Microsoft also recently announced the beta release of the Windows 95 Game Software Developers Kit (SDK). The SDK delivers tools and technology that will enable game developers to create high-performance games for Windows 95 quickly and easily. NOTE: Microsoft, Windows and Encarta are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium and Indeo are trademarks of Intel Corp. Reality Lab is a trademark of RenderMorphics Ltd. *********************************************************** 3. Plug and Play in Windows 95 Plug and Play is a framework architecture, or specification, developed collaboratively by leading PC hardware and software vendors. The Plug and Play technology is the centerpiece of an industry initiative to dramatically improve the ease of setup and use of personal computers and peripheral devices, such as printers. Introduction Today, changing the hardware configuration of a PC is a task that few consumers attempt and even trained technicians can find difficult, time-consuming and frustrating. The complexity of PC setup has resulted in lower customer satisfaction support costs. Plug and Play alleviates these problems. Products designed to meet the Plug and Play specification are easier to setup and use. Plug and Play enables users to add or change hardware and software components, with the computer automatically adapting to the new configuration. Required action by the user is minimized or eliminated. Three Components of a Plug and Play System The Plug and Play framework architecture, which is operating-system-independent, consists of three components: - A Plug and Play operating system - A Plug and Play BIOS (basic input/output system) - Plug and Play hardware devices Plug and Play BIOS and Hardware Device Specifications A group of PC industry companies, in cooperation with the Plug and Play Association, have developed Plug and Play specifications that are now supported by hundreds of PC hardware and software vendors. These specifications include those for Plug and Play BIOS, APM, ISA, SCSI, COM, and LPT. Plug and Play in Windows 95 Features Microsoft Windows 95 is the first operating system compatible with Plug and Play. There are four key features of the Plug and Play component in Windows 95: - Devices can be attached to most buses and connectors. Buses: ISA, VL, PCI, EISA and motherboard Connectors: PCMCIA, SCSI, IDE, serial port, parallel port and monitor - Device-driver installation, loading and unloading are automated. - Dynamic or hot-configuration changes are possible. For example, hot docking, hot plugging, and PCMCIA insertion. - Drivers and applications are notified of configuration events. Smart software can react to system changes. Three Key Benefits - Ease of use. During installation, the user does not have to worry about switches, jumpers, hardware conflicts, rebooting or dealing with drivers. For example, to turn a standard desktop computer system into a great multimedia system, all the user has to do is "plug" in a Plug and Play sound card, CD-ROM drive and SCSI adapter, turn on the system, and "play" a video clip. - Great mobility. For example, hot-docking stations that support Plug and Play enable the user to remove a portable system while it's running 3/4 so the user can bring the system to a meeting without having to close and reboot the computer. The system automatically senses its removal from the station, reconfigures itself to work with a new display and adjusts for the absence of a network card and large disk drive. - Cost-effectiveness. As much as 50 percent of support calls to operating system and device manufacturers result from installation and configuration problems. By making these operations easier and automatic manufacturers can achieve lower support costs and pass these savings to the user. Easier installation and configuration during setup also benefits OEMs who offer Windows-based systems with pre-installed software; they too can pass cost savings to the user. Similarly, Plug and Play's Universal Driver simplifies device-driver development, which enables a developer to create a single driver that works across multiple bus types and eliminates the need to include bus-specific code in each of several drivers. Market Momentum Acceptance of the Plug and Play architecture is widespread. Plug and Play components are real and have been demonstrated. In addition, the industry is making rapid progress in delivering additional Plug and Play specifications and products, including the following: - Plug and Play specifications have been released for BIOS and APM, and for ISA, SCSI, LPT and COM devices. - Today more than 100 Plug and Play devices are available. - Fully Plug and Play-capable systems, including all Plug and Play devices and a Plug and Play BIOS, are already available. These systems offer complete Plug and Play functionality when combined with Windows 95. *********************************************************** 4. Microsoft Windows 95 and the Microsoft Natural Keyboard The Microsoft Natural Keyboard has three new keys and IntelliType software that enhance the user's productivity in Microsoft Windows 95. The two Windows flag logoed keys will access the Windows 95 Start menu with one key press from within any application. This gives a user one key access to launch applications, change the system settings or shutdown the computer. For power users the Windows flag logoed keys can also be used in combination with other keys like Windows Logo Key+F to perform shortcut functions. Win+F will bring up the Find File dialog box from the Windows 95 Explorer. This saves a half-dozen key presses or mouse movements. Other shortcuts will connect to network resources or automatically clean up the open windows on the desktop. There are 9 Windows logo key shortcut functions in Windows 95. The IntelliType software that comes with the keyboard adds another 9 shortcut functions. IntelliType adds shortcut access to the Print Manager queue with Win+P for instance. The IntelliType software also enhances the standard control panel for keyboard control to add a simple interface to change language layouts on the fly, set the key lock states or even disable the Caps Lock key. The third new key has a pointer icon on a pull down menu as the logo and is called the Application key. In Windows 95 system applications and the Windows 95 desktop the Application key functions as a context menu key, bringing the functionality of the right mouse button to the keyboard. This key is reserved for application developers to use. Some will use it as a context menu key, others will make it directly access help agents, or to pop up a list of frequently used commands or as a user assignable key for a variety of functions. IntelliType Software (comes with the Microsoft Natural Keyboard) Windows 95 directly supports the Microsoft Natural Keyboard without the need for IntelliType software or any other drivers. The keyboard ships with value added software that enhances the keyboard functionality in Windows operating systems. If you do try to install IntelliType 1.0 on Windows 95, the setup will detect this and notify you that you need to contact Microsoft to get the latest version of the IntelliType software. IntelliType 1.1 will be available in early July and will ship with the keyboard then. Current owners of IntelliType 1.0 can get a free update by calling Microsoft Product Support at (206) 635-7040 or leave an e-mail message in the keyboard support forum on CompuServe or the Microsoft Network. New Keys Specification for Developers of Software or Hardware If you want to support the new keys on a new keyboard or in your software, the technical specification and the Windows Flag Logo Compatibility Testing Software are available on-line. The latest version of the New Keys Specification, the testing software and the logo license are always available electronically as NEWKEYS.ZIP - posted on all the WinNews forums (listed below). *********************************************************** 5. Multimedia JumpStart CD-ROM Version 2.0a The Multimedia JumpStart CD-ROM was developed by the Microsoft Multimedia Developer Relations Group to provide developers with the latest tools and development resources for the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating system. This revised version includes all of the same great tools and resources included on previous versions of JumpStart (along with the first release of the MediaView toolkit; WinG, the Windows Games Development Environment; WinToon, Microsoft's cartoon engine; information on the Windows(R) 95 platform and logo requirements; the revised Video for Windows Developer Kit version 1.1e; a JumpStart 'lite' version of the TouchSend Tools for Multimedia Viewer 2.0, as well as demonstrations, utilities and sample media for multimedia development on the Windows platform. The quickest way to order the JumpStart CD-ROM, (international and domestic) way is to send Internet e-mail to: mmdinfo@microsoft.com. If you don't have Internet access, simply fax a request to (206) 936-7329 (use appropriate U.S. country code outside the U.S. and Canada) to: JumpStart CD-ROM, Bldg. 6. Or send a letter requesting the JumpStart CD-ROM version 2.0 to: Microsoft Corporation attn: JumpStart CD-ROM, Bldg. 6 One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399. TO AVOID DELAYS: You must include the following: Full Name Shipping Address (No PO boxes) City, State, Country, Postal (Zip) Code Phone Number Fax Number E-mail address Due to the popularity of this item, average delivery time for domestic or international destinations is three to four weeks. For questions regarding the JumpStart CD, send mail to the mmdinfo alias. *********************************************************** 6. Win 95 Developers Can Find It at the Movies on June 15 Day-long satellite 'techno-thon' beamed LIVE to more than 70 US locations On June 15, Microsoft, in cooperation with United Artists, General Cinemas, and Interactive Distance Training Network (IDTN), plans a live, eight-hour satellite telecast on developing applications for Windows 95 at more than 70 sites in the United States. Popcorn will be optional. "World Wide Live! Developing for Windows 95" will feature Microsoft developers, independent software vendors, and technical authors including Doug Hamilton and Jeffrey Richter discussing Windows 95 development issues, logo requirements, UI design, and questions submitted in advance by developers. Attendees will receive an interim build of Windows 95 on CD, and pointers to sample code and reference literature created specifically for the broadcast. DATE/TIME: June 15, 1995 8 am to 4 pm (Pacific time) COST: US $25 (cash only, payable at the door) For the location of a theater in your area and to reserve a seat please call (800) 206-3000 Monday-Friday 6:30 am-5:30 pm (Pacific time). If special assistance is required, auxiliary aids or other reasonable accommodations, please register at least two weeks prior to the event and advise of needs. *********************************************************** 7A. Inside Microsoft Windows 95 - The Cobb Group Announces New Tips and Techniques Journal For many years, The Cobb Group has supported Microsoft's expanding family of operating environments, including MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, and Microsoft Windows NT. We are happy to add to our family of publications our newest title: Inside Microsoft Windows 95. Like all of The Cobb Group's journals, Inside Microsoft Windows 95 offers ideas and innovative techniques that will save Windows 95 users time and energy. Editor-in-Chief Charity Edelen says, "Our Inside Microsoft Windows 95 journal is devoted solely to providing our readers with detailed, informative, yet easy-to-read articles on getting the most out of Windows 95." In each issue, Inside Microsoft Windows 95 offers concise, practical articles with step-by-step directions and clear illustrations to help readers work smarter and faster and stay on top of this new Windows development. Articles include topics such as: - Speeding access to frequently used applications by using Windows 95's Shortcut feature - Personalizing the desktop interface by adding application programs to the Start menu - Navigating disks or a network quickly using Windows Explorer, the File Manager replacement - Connecting Windows 95 to Windows NT and NetWareBF networks - Saving time and money using the Hardware Installation Wizard when upgrading or adding to a system - Discovering how Windows 95 BFs built-in Microsoft Exchange client will allow you retrieve messages from Microsoft Mail, CompuServe Mail, Internet mail, and even Microsoft At Work Fax Inside Microsoft Windows 95 premiered in May to support the Windows 95 Preview Program members and sells for $49 per year. For a free issue of Inside Microsoft Windows 95, send your name and mailing address via Internet mail to subscriptions@merlin.cobb.ziff.com. You can also request a free issue by calling (502) 493-3376 or (800) 223-8720. The Cobb Group is a leading publisher of software specific journals with over 50 titles for more than 2 million readers. ******************************** 7B. CMP offers Windows 95 Virtual Newsletter CMP's TechWeb is offering a "virtual newsletter" on Windows 95 called "TechFile On Win 95." On this page readers can find current news stories and reviews of the product from all 16 CMP publications (these include Windows Magazine, InformationWeek, and Computer Reseller News), as well as the ability to search back issues for past references. Special content includes a hyperlinked visual tour by Win 95 expert Jim Boyce (author of "Understanding Windows 95", New Riders Publishing) and a hotlist of must-see websites for Win 95 users. CMP's TechWeb can be found at http://techweb.cmp.com/techweb. CMP is a publisher of computer industry magazines and trade journals. *********************************************************** 8. WINDOWS 95 WORLD TOUR Here are the remaining cities for the North American portion of the Windows 95 World Tour. The World Tour features demonstrations of the major new features in Windows 95, including the new user interface, performance and ease-of-use enhancements, Plug and Play, and dial-up networking. The 2 hour event will also include a video presentation, and drawings for prizes including a computer system from the sponsoring hardware manufacturer loaded with a pre-release version of Windows 95. Please call 1-800-685-0951 for more details and to indicate your interest in attending. Space for each event is limited. DATE TIME CITY OEM SPONSOR 13-Jun 7:30pm Sacramento NEC 15-Jun 7:30pm San Diego NEC 19-Jun 7:30pm Orange County Compaq 22-Jun 7:30pm Chicago NEC 26-Jun 7:30pm Vancouver NEC 29-Jun 7:30pm Pasadena Compaq 10-Jul 7:30pm Oklahoma City NEC 11-Jul 7:30pm St. Louis Compaq 12-Jul 7:30pm Atlanta NEC 17-Jul 7:30pm Philadelphia NEC 19-Jul 7:30pm San Francisco NEC 24-Jul 7:30pm San Antonio Compaq ******************************************************* 9. "NEW POSTINGS TO WINDOWS 95 WINNEWS SERVERS" The new files are: SPRINT.ZIP Sprint and Microsoft Integrate SprintFAX(R) Service with Windows 95 RNASER.ZIP Update: RNA Server to be Included in Microsoft Plus! EGUIDE.ZIP Guide to Windows 95 Logo Program (May Update) To access to these servers: On the Internet - (ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/PerOpSys/Win_News, On the World Wide Web 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: keyword WINNEWS On Genie: Download files from the WinNews area under the Windows RTC. *********************************************************** 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) Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.