The Daily Grind 1008 by Mike Gunderloy Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Microsoft decided to release a bit of software yesterday.

• VMware Lab Manager - New solution for managing a library of development and test VM setups among multiple developers on a pool of hardware. I had a chat with the VMware folks about this last week and it's definitely going to be a hot ticket. Of course entry level pricing starts at $15,000, which will limit its adoption somewhat.
• VHD Test Drive - Microsoft has apparently discovered the benefit of delivering trial software on preconfigured virtual hard drives. From the press release, they're inviting their partners into the program as well. Meanwhile, you can start with some Microsoft software:
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 VHD - 32-bit version
  • Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 VHD
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition VHD
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition VHD
• Fractal:Intelligence 2.2 Beta SQL Server 2005 Edition - This fractal map creator is now integrating with the latest SQL Server bits.
• SearchInform 3.1 - New version of this full text search product that works across various document and database formats.
• MuRD (the Multiple Remote Desktops manager) - Somewhat enhanced management tool for people who open lots of remote desktop sessions. Trial download here, $40 to register.
• MySQL Connector/Net 5.0.2 has been released! - Enhanced connectivity from .NET applications to MySQL databases.
• ClearContext IMS Pro v3.0 - New version of this excellent Outlook add-in supports Outlook 2007, offers killer features for organizing, prioritizing, and filing your e-mail and tasks. See the press release here, download the trial here, use the Personal Edition for free, or register for $79.95.
• Visual Studio 2005 extensions for .NET Framework 3.0 (Windows Workflow Foundation) - This version is "compatible with the released versions of the 2007 Microsoft Office system, Microsoft Windows Vista, and the .NET Framework 3.0 Runtime Components."
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Redistributable Package - And here's the WinFX RTM.
• Microsoft� Windows� Software Development Kit for Windows Vista� and .NET Framework 3.0 Runtime Components - And the SDK to go with it.
• Visual Studio 2005 extensions for .NET Framework 3.0 (WCF & WPF), November 2006 CTP - "Cider" design bits for .NET 3.0 apps.
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the 2007 Microsoft Office System - And here's the RTM version of the latest bits for building managed add-ins.
• ASP.NET 2.0 AJAX Futures November CTP - More AJAX stuff for your ASP.NET playtime pleasure.
• Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats - The RTM bits of the package that lets you open the new file formats in Office 2000 through 2003 apps.
• Virtual Earth 3D (Beta)  - Microsoft's latest improvement to the Live Maps user interface (though I'm not really convinced a 2D representation of a 3D image is really a superior search metaphor).
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition RC1 - A fresh build of the baby version of SQL Server (formerly SQL Server Everywhere). Here's the product home page, with the old naming.

• 2007 Microsoft Office System Is Golden - Rah.Watch for much marketing designed to convince you that your Office 2003 applications are obsolete. Paul Thurrott has a screenshot gallery.

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Mike Gunderloy is the editor of Larkware, the daily .NET newspaper of record.