Bill Gates is slowly leaving Microsoft and passing his “Torch” to Steve Ballmer. This is no surprise because 8 years ago, Gates had gradually stepped down from the major positions at Microsoft and into only specific branch of Microsoft, chair of software architect. Last Friday was Bill Gates’ last day in the office. This event of him leaving Microsoft would be down in history books to mark the end of his reign in Microsoft for over three decades. In this timeframe, Microsoft was erected and shaped the world of software, much more, a way-of-life for over everyone internationally. Six versions of Windows were introduced. Gates Passing the Torch to Ballmer

• Windows 95
• Windows 98
• Windows ME
• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7 - A multi-touch Windows (Upcoming, expecting 2009 or 2010)

According to Bill Gates Zune is better than iPod. Almost he is getting involved to compete with all the other big gaints like Apple, Google, Yahoo and so on so forth.

“The planet will be better off with Gates focused on technologies and strategies for saving lives rather than defeating Steve Jobs. ” From Cnet

According to MacRumors, Microsoft will leave Yahoo! alone because the price that Yahoo insisted, $53 billion ($37/share), was too much for Microsoft’s offer, which was at $47.5 billion ($33/share).

(more…)

According to PCWorld,

Yahoo failed to agree to an acquisition deal with Microsoft by Saturday, the deadline Microsoft had set for wrapping up negotiations. Now Microsoft must decide whether to pursue a hostile takeover via a proxy fight or to drop the bid and seek other acquisition alternatives.

For further coverage, PCWorld.

Imagine this was an Apple Video Ad

It’s a great news for Windows XP and Vista users,

Last year Microsoft said that they are going to stop Windows XP in june, but now this is turning other way around. “Microsoft Monday completed work on Windows XP SP3. The company said the final code of the service pack has been released to manufacturing and now is working its way to OEMs and corporate customers. Access via Microsoft’s Automatic Update feature will begin April 29.” according to Infoworld

Windows XP SP3 includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases. Windows XP SP2 was released in August 2004.

SP3 includes:

• Network Access Protection (NAP) to help organizations that use Windows XP to take advantage of new features in the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

The new XP Service Pack also rolls up the following features:

• MMC 3.0
• MSXML6
• Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 v2
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.5
• IPsec Simple Policy Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP
• Digital Identity Management Service (DIMS)
• Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) 2.1
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)
• “Black Hole” Router Detection.

Windows XP SP3 is cumulative, so you can install SP3 on top of Windows XP SP1 or SP2.

It’s a sad news for me and for Microsoft WIndow’s XP lovers.

Almost a year and half before, Microsoft announced that they are going to stop their Windows XP production in the beginning of 2008. But the reviews about Windows Vista stopped this till June 2008

“Will Windows XP really no longer be on sale after June 30?

Sorry for the double negative, but no. All this means is that Microsoft will stop selling the OS. Finding a computer with XP preinstalled will likely be very difficult, as well. However, you’ll still be able to find copies for the foreseeable future, and likely the unforeseeable one, too. See for yourself: You can find copies of just about any Microsoft product, including ancient versions of Windows and even MS-DOS, by simply searching online. But hang on to your current copy of Windows XP. You may need it down the road if you don’t want to move to Vista.

Will I be forced to upgrade to Vista soon?

No. But it will get harder and harder not to, especially since new software and peripherals are likely to stop working with XP. That could take years.

Will my XP machine stop working in June?

No, but Microsoft will stop releasing non-security software updates to the masses on April 14, 2009. But let’s be clear: XP will continue to “work” even after this point.

Will Microsoft shut off product activation for XP after June?

No, that would be crazy. While no one has said this will happen, it’s conceivable that Windows could shut down product activation for XP at some point. But that would only happen after XP reaches its end-of-support term (when all support plans expire). The good news for you: That happens on April 8, 2014, which should be plenty of time to get the kinks worked out of Vista-or switch to a Mac, Linux, or anything else. Bottom line: Your copy of XP will work, totally legally, for at least six more years.

What about this exception for Windows XP Home Edition I hear about?

Doesn’t apply to you. Microsoft will continue to sell XP to makers of ultra-cheap laptops like the Asus Eee PC until 2010 because they just can’t run Vista. But it is not going to make XP Home Edition available as installable software to end-users.

What about after 2014?

Well, that’s unclear. But it’s possible XP will stop being installable at that point. Microsoft’s official policy is that these dates have “no affect [sic] on how long you can use a product,” which may imply product activation will work forever. However, two things come to mind:

1) Even the most die-hard XP enthusiast will probably be ready to upgrade at that point (as XP will be nearly 15 years old, and your PC will be dead by then, I’m sure).

2) Even if Microsoft shuts off product activation, the hacker community will certainly make dozens of tools to let you continue using XP with abandon. Fret not.

Can I install XP on a PC that has Vista already on it?

Yes. You can delete any partition with any OS on it (and reformat it) during the installation of XP. If you’re feeling brave, you can even run both OSes at the same time by setting up a dual-boot machine.”

It’s a rare photo, do u recognize these people. YUP , they are Microsofties in 1978.

“ Given the youthful, “hippie” appearance of the Microsoft Corporation in 1978, would you have invested? If a corporation started today with a similar informal look, would it secure numerous investors? What does it take today for people to inspire confidence? And should appearance matter? ” Photo

And they are going to reunion again on June 3rd.

Today its about Microsoft, its not Apple for a Change.

This is the chance to meet Bill Gates

Hey Microsoft officially announced that Early Bird registration is been extended to April 18th, friday, 2008.

It’s a huge event for the Microsoft lovers, Don’t miss it.

“This year, for the first time in the United States, Tech·Ed offers a premier technical education conference just for developers. Don’t miss the excitement on June 3 when we kick off the event with a Keynote address from Bill Gates. For four days, you and 5,000 of your peers will experience what Tech Ed Developers is all about: more than 615 learning opportunities covering the latest Microsoft technologies. To begin, take a look at the 16 Technical Tracks. Then check out the Session Catalog and design your own personalized schedule. Don’t miss this first-rate educational Microsoft event for developers! ”

“Register by Friday, April 18, 2008, to receive the discounted rate of just US$1,795—that’s US$200 off the regular rate of US$1,995.”

Source: Microsoft Event

Today’s Hot news is all about Yahoo! and Microsoft ……

Those who are interested to bid for Yahoo !!! There is something for You

“Microsoft has set an April 26 deadline for Yahoo to accept its current offer, which was initially valued at $44.6 billion, or $31 per share. The deal’s value has eroded because Microsoft wants to pay for half of the acquisition with its recently declining stock.”

Yahoo’s ad tests with Google make a friendly deal with Microsoft less likely and raises the odds that Microsoft will follow through on a recent threat to lower its bid, said Standard and Poor’s equity analyst Scott Kessler.

If the Google tests were to begin immediately, they would be completed shortly before Microsoft’s April 26 deadline.

By flirting with Google, Yahoo is trying to prove it has other options besides succumbing to Microsoft, Kessler said. But he doubts most investors will take the Google alternative seriously, given the antitrust obstacles.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense for Yahoo to make an announcement like this when everyone knows a long-term relationship (with Google) can’t happen,” Kessler said. “It strikes me as somewhat desperate.”

Source: CNN