Project Server 2003: Project Data Service (PDS) Usage and Methods Reference (Jan 16)
Note: when you already have the Project 2003 Software Development Kit (SDK) you don’t have to install this anymore
This reference explains how to use the PDS Application Programming Interface (API) to allow client applications to access Project Server portfolio data. Client applications can programmatically log on to Project Server and use SOAP to call PDS API methods. The PDS implements a SOAP listener, which receives method calls in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format and returns an XML response.
Download: Project Server 2003: Project Data Service (PDS) Usage and Methods Reference
Project 2003 Software Development Kit (SDK) (Jan 16)
The Microsoft Office Project 2003 SDK is designed for solution providers, value-added resellers, and other developers to help customize Project 2003, and to extend and integrate Project Server 2003 with other applications for Enterprise Project Management. It features articles, programming references, tools, and sample code, including extensive articles called Solution Starters.
Download: Project 2003 Software Development Kit (SDK)
MapPoint and Streets & Trips Construction Update (Jan 14)
Download the construction information update to keep your maps current. Save the file in the folder where you installed the program files for MapPoint or Streets & Trips. I.e. C:\Program Files\Microsoft MapPoint\Data\.
Download: MapPoint 2001 and Streets & Trips 2001 Construction Update
Download: MapPoint 2002 and Streets & Trips 2002 Construction Update
Download: MapPoint 2003 and Streets & Trips 2003 Construction Update
Download: MapPoint 2004 and Streets & Trips 2004 Construction Update
Corel Adds Office Support to Latest Graphics Suite (Jan 14)
Corel’s new graphics suite includes a tool for exporting files into Office documents, and features improved text handling.
Corel launched CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12, the latest version of the company’s flagship application, on Wednesday. The new package will be available in February and includes support for Office file formats and new tools aimed at speeding up the design process.
Eighteen months after the last update, this latest version of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite includes an “Export for Office” feature that allows graphic files to be easily inserted into Microsoft Office documents, such as text files, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.
View: Corel adds Office support to latest graphics suite
Microsoft’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for IT Organizations (Jan 13)
perhaps even moved personal goals like daily gym workouts to the “maybe next year” category. On the business side, however, there’s still plenty of opportunity to turn good intentions into effective action.
In keeping with its charter to share best practices with customers, the internal IT organization that in essence “runs” Microsoft has drawn up a Top 10 list of New Year’s resolutions aimed at helping businesses ensure IT success in 2004 (see list at right). To learn more about these guidelines and the reasoning behind them, PressPass sought out Ron Markezich, general manager of Global Technology Services for Microsoft IT, and Pete Boden, the group’s director of information security.
View full article: Microsoft’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for IT Organizations
Security Update for Exchange 2003 (KB832759) (Jan 13)
A security issue has been identified that could allow one user to randomly access another user’s mailbox. To be protected against this problem, it is only necessary to install this update on Microsoft Exchange 2003 front end servers. However, Microsoft recommends that you install this update on all Microsoft Exchange 2003 servers in your organization. If you do so, then all servers will already be protected in case they are ever designated as front end servers.
Download: Security Update for Exchange 2003 KB832759 (English)
Download: Security Update for Exchange 2003 KB832759 (different language)
View: Security Bulletin MS04-002
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac: a first look (Jan 13)
There’s a new version of Microsoft Office for the Macintosh on the way. Slated for a mid-2004 release, the productivity suite includes old favourites Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, plus a handful of features completely new to the Mac, including Project Center for project management and Compatibility Reports for ensuring seamless information exchange with other platforms and older versions of Office.
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac is all about the view. The new Notebook Layout View in Word simulates the look of ruled notebook paper for easy note taking. And as a bonus, you can record audio notes directly into Word. The Page Layout View will come in handy for Excel users wanting to tweak margins, headers, footers and layout before printing.
Office 2004’s new Project Center lets you view all email, files, contacts, meetings and tasks associated with a project. Also, the Scrapbook feature gives you quick access to frequently used text, pictures and more, all within a one-click reach.
View full article: Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac: a first look
Added Content: Tips For Cleaning Up Your Mailbox (Jan 13)
Subscribers to my newsletter already received this guide in their mailboxes last week. Click here if you also want to receive the latest news around Microsoft Office and tips for Outlook in your mailbox.
View: Tips For Cleaning Up Your Mailbox
Users Baffled Over Junk Mail Advice (Jan 13)
The Office of the Information Commissioner has been criticised for telling recipients of spam that they should reply to junk mail sent from within the UK in order to opt out of receiving it.
Although the European Privacy and Communications Directive has adopted an opt-in approach, where users must give the green light to receiving email blasts, the Information Commission said that people should ask to be struck off lists if the mail originated in the UK.
A spokeswoman told vnunet.com: “We never tell people to reply to spam from abroad but they can exercise their right to opt out if the email comes from a UK company.” She added that the Commission would monitor the situation for abuse of this policy.
But critics warned that this is against recommendations which tell people never to reply to spam as it confirms that an address is ‘live’.
Steve Linford, founder of anti-spam organisation Spamhaus, insisted that people should never reply to spam. “How can people tell if it comes from the UK? The address won’t necessarily provide the clue,” he said.
View full article: Users baffled over junk mail advice
COM Add-in Template for Microsoft Office Project 2003 (Jan 12)
The download includes a set of template files you can use to create COM add-ins for Project 2003, using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. The Visual Basic COM add-in designer template for Project is based on the designer template for Microsoft Office System applications, with some customizations that are relevant to Project.
Download: COM Add-in Template for Microsoft Office Project 2003
Microsoft Office System News and Reviews (Jan 10)
Find out what the press is saying about the Microsoft Office System.
View: Microsoft Office System News and Reviews
New Trojan masquerades as Windows XP update (Jan 10)
Security companies are warning Internet users about a new Trojan horse program spreading via spam e-mail and masquerading as a Windows XP software update from Microsoft Corp.
The program, known as Xombe or Dloader-L, arrives as an executable attachment in spam e-mail messages purporting to come from windowsupdate@microsoft.com and installs itself on victim’s computers when users open the attachment.
View: New Trojan masquerades as Windows XP update
View: How to Tell If a Microsoft Security-Related Message Is Genuine
Troubleshooting Exchange Server 2003 Performance (Jan 10)
This technical article provides administrators of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 with information on how to isolate performance degradations and how to use existing tools and products, such as Performance, Load Simulator, Exchange Stress and Performance 2003, Network Monitor, and Filemon, for this purpose. The information in this article can also be used to ensure that a server is not degrading over time because of hardware issues or malfunctions.
Download: Troubleshooting Exchange Server 2003 Performance
Make Outlook Web Access Your Default Mailer (Jan 9)
This guide explains how you can set OWA as the default mailer. I added a mirror of the guide in my Other Programs section.
View: Make Outlook Web Access Your Default Mailer
View: Make Outlook Web Access Your Default Mailer (mirror)
Planning an Exchange 2003 Messaging System (Jan 9)
In addition to evaluation and design recommendations, this book describes improvements in Exchange 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and Microsoft Office Outlook 2003. It also identifies network infrastructure, hardware, Microsoft Active Directory® directory service, and administrative concerns. In addition, this book discusses the considerations that help you design a highly reliable and consistently available messaging system, including storage technologies, clustering, server tuning, and client configuration.
Download: Planning an Exchange 2003 Messaging System (version 1.1)
