Microsoft released the second public Community Technology Preview of the upcoming Commerce Server version today.

Microsoft Commerce Server code name “Mojave” delivers the ability to increase your business reach by selling through multiple channels through a new default out-of-the-box shopping site based on ASP.NET 2.0 Web Parts deployed in SharePoint and other SharePoint commerce services, and a compelling new multi-channel commerce foundation, with a new unified run-time calling model, new extensibility points, and new built-in features.

Specifically Commerce Server code name “Mojave” adds:

• New multi-channel commerce foundation, superseding the existing Commerce Server programming model, to rapidly build extensible e-commerce applications for the Web and beyond by using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1+.
• SharePoint commerce services, including 29 out-of-the-box e-commerce Web parts plus integration between Commerce Server code name “Mojave” and SharePoint offering a new Default out-of-the-box site with new search functionality, new shopping features, and what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) content management and design experiences to facilitate rapid assembly and maintenance of e-commerce Web sites by business users and creative professionals.

The following lists what’s new for this CTP release:

• Renamed classes in contracts and message builders. Most core classes in Commerce Server 2007 code name “Mojave” have been prefixed with the term Commerce (for example, Query becomes CommerceQuery, Relationship becomes CommerceRelationship, and so on). This also affects message handlers in the ChannelConfiguration.config file (for example, QueryOperation_Category becomes CommerceQueryOperation_Category).
• Renamed Commerce Server 2007 code name “Mojave” pipeline components. The term “pipeline” has been replaced with “operation sequence”. This affects the naming of several components within the provider assembly (for example, PipelineComponent becomes OperationSequenceComponent).
• Method for returning object created/updated in an operation has changed. Related create and update operations no longer contain an Options member. This has been replaced with CommerceCreate.Options.ReturnModelQueries and CommerceUpdate.Options.ReturnModelQueries. This lets you populate the relationships of the item returned by a create or update operation in the same way you would by executing a query operation. The CommerceQueryRelatedItem operations are added to ReturnModelQueries, and then processed as if a query were being executed when building the response for a create or update operation.
• A new option was added to the Basket query operation to allow skipping execution of the Commerce Server 2007 basket pipelines.
• Commerce Server 2007 code name “Mojave” multi-channel commerce foundation has been updated with removal of type.
• Inclusion of the core elements of the Default site.
• Compiled Commerce Server 2007 code name “Mojave” Help File (CHM) Documentation has been updated.

To install this CTP, you need to have Microsoft Commerce Server 2007 with Service Pack 2 installed. Detailed setup instructions can be found in the ReadMe file. You must UNINSTALL all previous Commerce Server CTP versions before you install this November 2008 CTP. Leveraging a clean system that has never had a previous version of Commerce Server CTP installed upon it is strongly recommended.

Microsoft Commerce Server “Mojave” on Connect

A newer version of the Commerce Server 2009 has been released. Read this post for more information and download links.

The System Center Operations Manager team released the Operations Manager 2007 R2 Beta 1 yesterday. Operations Manager 2007 R2 introduces key new and enhanced functionality, including:

Enhanced application performance and availability across heterogeneous platforms

• Delivers monitoring across Windows, Linux and Unix servers-all through a single console.
• Extends end to end monitoring of distributed applications to any workload running on Windows, Unix and Linux platforms.
• Maximize availability of virtual workloads with integration with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008.

Improved management of applications in the data center

• Delivers on the scale requirements of URL monitoring of your business.
• Meet agreed service levels with enhanced reporting showing application performance and availability.
• More efficient problem identification and action to resolve issues.

Increased speed of access to information and functionality to drive management

• Faster load times for views and results.
• Improved and simplified management pack authoring experience

The Operations Manager 2007 R2 Beta integrates the functionality delivered within the Cross Platform Extensions Beta. New betas of the Interoperability Connectors will be available shortly.

The Operations Manager 2007 R2 Beta 1 is available for download through Microsoft Connect.
https://connect.microsoft.com/Downloads/Downloads.aspx?SiteID=446

The .NET Micro Framework is an innovative development and execution environment for resource-constrained devices . The typical .NET Micro Framework device has a 32 bit processor with no external memory management unit (MMU) and could have as little as 64K of random-access memory (RAM).

The .NET Micro Framework works best for devices that are low-cost, resource-constrained, single- or limited-function, and often connected. Examples of potential products and applications in this marketplace, some of which are already available or under development, include:

The .NET Micro Framework enables faster development of more capable embedded systems that are smart, securely connected, and easier to manage. By supporting modern development tools and paradigms, .NET Micro Framework allows embedded project managers to improve productivity by bringing innovative products to market faster and at lower cost.

Through its fully integrated Visual Studio experience, the .NET Micro Framework brings a reliable and productive development system to the world of embedded development. Complex applications can be developed faster by leveraging the powerful emulation and debugging capabilities. The familiar development environment allows .NET desktop programmers to work easily on embedded projects.

Microsoft .NET Micro Framework Homepage

Microsoft code name “Geneva”, an open platform for simplified user access based on claims. This release consists of three components: Geneva Framework for .NET developers, Geneva Server for IT Pros, and Windows CardSpace Geneva for users.

The Introducing Geneva whitepaper by David Chappell provides an in depth look at all of the components of the “Geneva” platform. A biref data sheet providing an overview of the Geneva platform including system requiremnts is also available.

“Geneva” Framework
Previously called “Zermatt”, the Geneva Framework helps developers build claims aware .NET applications that externalize user authentication from the application, plus custom security token services (STS).

“Geneva” Server
Geneva Server, an STS for IT that issues and transforms claims and other tokens, manages user access, and enables easy federation.

Windows CardSpace “Geneva”
Windows CardSpace Geneva for helping users navigate access decisions.

Microsoft is now offering a Community Technology Preview of Microsoft Services Connector – a new Windows Server component that seamlessly connects Active Directory users to a suite of Live services and Microsoft Online Services. After Microsoft Services Connector is installed, users are able to log into their Active Directory account and be given seamless access to Microsoft services as if those services were hosted on your organization’s own network. Microsoft Services Connector leaves full administrative control of users and accounts in the hands of the customer.

About Microsoft Services Connector
Microsoft Services Connector is a server component that enables you to quickly and easily connect groups of users in your organization to Microsoft services and to services built on the Microsoft services infrastructure. With the connector, your users can seamlessly access Microsoft services by using the Active Directory® credentials that you control.

As a Community Technology Preview (CTP), this early release includes software and documentation that is in a preliminary state and is not intended for use in a production context.

Contents of the CTP Release
This release includes the following:

• Microsoft Services Connector CTP software package (MSCInstaller.exe)
• Microsoft Services Connector Administrator’s Guide (MSCAdminGuide.doc)
• Release notes (MSCRelNotes.rtf)

Microsoft Services Connector on Connect

Mojave October CTP API Unit Tests

This package contains a ZIP of the Mojave October CTP unit tests. While the Visual Studio project will not open, please feel free to use this source as guidance on how to invoke the Mojave API.

A newer version of the Commerce Server 2009 has been released. Read this post for more information and download links.

Mojave October CTP Sample Sitelet

ASP.NET-Based Mojave Sample Sitelet Notes
This sample sitelet demonstrates a simple example of how to write code using Commerce Server “Mojave”. The sample will be updated with additional functionality. Please check back for new drops of this sample.

Installing the ASP.NET-Based Sample Sitelet
You unpack the Sample Site Sitelet using Commerce Server Site Packager.
Use the following procedure to install the ASP.NET-based Sample Sitelet on one computer using the Quick mode in Site Packager.
Unpacking the ASP.NET-based Sample Sitelet using the Custom unpack option and creating independent databases for each of the site resources is not recommended.

To unpack the ASP.NET-Based Sample Sitelet

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the directory you download the package.
2. Click the SampleSite.pup icon.
3. In the Unpack screen, select Quick Unpack, and then click Next.
4. In the Quick Unpack screen, ensure that the SQL Server computer name is correct, enter the SQL Server login name and password, and then click Next.
5. In the Commerce Server Site Packager window recommending Windows Authentication, click OK.
6. In the Profiling System screen, accept the defaults, and then click Next.
7. In the second Profiling System screen, accept the defaults, and then click OK.
8. After the unpacking is complete, a dialog box appears with the message “Unpacking is complete!”. Click Finish.
9. In Internet Explorer, in the Address box, type HTTP: //<computer name>/SampleSite to open the sitelet.
10. In Visual Studio 2008, open the web site, HTTP: //<computer name>/SampleSite
11. Press F5 to build the web site.

A newer version of the Commerce Server 2009 has been released. Read this post for more information and download links.

Microsoft released the first public Community Technology Preview of the upcoming Commerce Server version yesterday. Amusingly it its codenamed “Mojave” – when I first heard of it I thought it is a joke.

Since this is the very first public CTP, the release is not yet feature complete. This CTP is intended to provide you with a preview of the new commerce foundation API. Early next week, Microsoft will be posting a new download that contains a “hello world” sample and additional instructions for using this CTP.

The release also contains the latest SharePoint web parts available for preview, however it does not include the default SharePoint site that hosts the web parts. To use the web parts, you will need to manually configure the web parts in a SharePoint site.

What features are included in this CTP?

• “Mojave” API
• Updated with removal of type
• “Mojave” Catalog System Web Parts
• “Mojave” Orders System Web Parts
• “Mojave” Marketing System Web Parts
• “Mojave” Profiles System Web Parts
• Compiled “Mojave” Help File (CHM) Documentation

To install this CTP, you need to have Microsoft Commerce Server 2007 with Service Pack 2 installed. Detailed setup instructions can be found in the ReadMe file.

Microsoft Commerce Server “Mojave” on Connect

A newer version of the Commerce Server 2009 has been released. Read this post for more information and download links.

Microsoft has just released their first Release Candidate for the .NET Micro Framework SDK 3.0 to the Microsoft Connect Site. It contains many new features, improvements, and bug fixes suggested by the beta community and our own internal testing. These include:

• Support for Visual Studio 2008 SP1
• Support for Visual C# 2008 Express Edition
• File system (including emulator support)
• Significant DPWS improvements
• WiFi support (pending hardware availability)
• Performance optimizations
• New sample code and improved documentation
• Lots of Bugfixes

The .NET Micro Framework is a .NET platform for extremely resource-constrained devices. It includes a small version of the .NET CLR and supports development in C# and debugging (in an emulator or on hardware), both using Microsoft Visual Studio. It also features a subset of the .NET base class libraries (about 70 classes with about 420 methods), a GUI framework loosely based on Windows Presentation Foundation, and additional libraries specific to embedded applications.

The .NET Micro Framework aims to make embedded development easier, faster, and less expensive by giving embedded developers access to the modern technologies and tools used by desktop application developers. Additionally, it allows desktop .NET developers to use their skills in the embedded world, enlarging the pool of qualified embedded developers.

Changes in version 3.0:

• Visual Studio 2008 now supported: .NET Micro Framework V3.0 now runs under Visual Studio 2008. Additionally, .NET Micro Framework V2.5 projects can also be built using VS 2008 and the .NET Micro Framework V3.0.
• DPWS CodeGen tools: The .NET Micro Framework v3.0 now includes a tool, MFSvcUtil.Exe that can be used to generate .NET Micro Framework DPWS client proxies and DPWS Service stubs from WSDL files.
• USB Device support: In addition to allowing debugging over USB, hardware running the .NET Micro Framework 3.0 can now act as USB devices using the Microsoft.SPOT.Hardware.UsbClient namespace.
• Stylus/Touch Panel support: Using touchscreen-enabled hardware, or the new touchscreen emulator, you can create code that reacts when UI elements are pressed, captures “ink” for signatures or jotted notes, or handles gestures for UI navigation. You can access this functionality through Microsoft.SPOT.Touch, Microsoft.SPOT.Ink, and new extensions to the Microsoft.SPOT.Presentation namespaces.
• Secure Sockets support: The .NET Micro Framework v3.0 now supports Secure Sockets Layer (*SSL) networking for secure communications.

A newer version of the .NET Micro Framework SDK has been released. Read this post for more information and download links.

Microsoft Producer 2007 for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 makes it easy to capture and synchronize audio, video, slides and images – creating engaging rich media presentations. Capture, synchronize, and publish audio, video, slides, and images to create rich media presentations viewable in a browser.

This beta release of Producer is intended primarily for customers who have used Producer 2003 and have requested that Microsoft provide an updated version that is compatible with PowerPoint 2007, PowerPoint 2003, Internet Explorer 7, and Windows Vista.

After the beta of Producer 2007 ended, Microsoft will review feedback received from customers who participated in the beta and determine whether any bug fixes need to be made to Producer. A final version of Producer 2007 will be made available for download on the Office Download Center sometime during Fall/Winter 2008.

System requirements

• PC with at least 305 MB hard disk space to install Producer 2007.
• Additional hard disk storage is required for any audio or video content you capture using Producer 2007.
• Windows Vista or Windows XP (SP2) operating system
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 or PowerPoint 2003
• Internet Explorer 7.0

A newer version of Microsoft Producer 2007 has been released. Please read this post for more information and download links.

The WSSG has just released the localized builds of the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Release Candidate 1 (build number is 6.0.5609.2). The following languages are available now: German, Italian, Chinese (PRC) and Japanese.

If you are a participant of the Beta Program on Microsoft Connect you can download them there. Microsoft will ship the media only to those who ask them within the next two weeks.

Additional, Microsoft released a new version of the EBS Preparation and Planning Wizards which can be downloaded here.

RC1 Loc Participation Survey: http://connect.microsoft.com/centro/Survey/Survey.aspx?SurveyID=6941