Exclusive invitation to a new Microsoft BETA, codenamed "Albany"

CONFIDENTIAL – PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS EMAIL OR DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED

Hello –

The Office Pre-Release Programs team recommended you as an ideal candidate for an exciting new Beta program, based on your participation as a 2007 Microsoft Office technical Beta tester. We value the feedback you have provided us in the past as trusted partners, and thank you for helping us make Microsoft Office better for you and other customers. Now, you have the opportunity to provide important feedback about another new product!

We are excited to invite you to a private, very limited and confidential Beta for a new Microsoft product, codenamed “Albany.” “Albany” targets home PC users, and includes Microsoft software and services that meet the most common needs of PC consumers, plus new features that create an easy, clean experience. Because “Albany” is designed for consumers, not enterprise customers, we recommend that you install the Beta on a home PC, though this would not be a requirement.

We are offering you this exclusive, early sneak preview of “Albany” as part of an elite group of trusted Beta testers, because we believe that you will provide us valuable feedback, and will also respect the confidentiality of “Albany” by not disclosing any details about this product.

If you would like to participate, please go to this URL to apply:
on Microsoft Connect if you have not already done so, and we will ask you to agree to a Non Disclosure Agreement before we share more details about “Albany.”

If you are selected as a participant, we will contact you with more details about “Albany” and the Beta. Please note that the Beta is open only to those who receive this official invitation from us – please do not forward or share this invitation with anyone else.

We look forward to working with you to make “Albany” the best product possible for our customers.

If you have questions, please email us at ******@microsoft.com.

Thanks,
The Microsoft “Albany” team

Proposals Sought for Innovative Global Health Research

First round of Grand Challenges Explorations to support bold, unconventional ideas to fight infectious diseases

SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that beginning March 31, 2008, it will accept grant proposals for the first funding round of Grand Challenges Explorations, a new $100 million initiative to help scientists across the globe pursue ideas that have never before been tested for solving major health problems. The four topics for the first funding round were also announced.

Initial grants through the Explorations initiative will be $100,000 each, and projects showing success will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of $1 million or more. The initiative will use an agile, accelerated grant-making process—applications will be two pages, and preliminary data are not required. The foundation will select and award grants within approximately three months from the proposal submission deadline of May 30, 2008.

"Breakthrough ideas can come from anywhere, and we hope this new process will encourage a broad range of scientists from around the world to bring their ideas to the table," said Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation's Global Health Program. "We're especially interested in reaching people who work outside the field of global health, innovators in the developing world, and young investigators."

Grand Challenges Explorations is an expansion of the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative, which was launched in 2003 to spur the discovery of new technologies to improve global health. The Explorations initiative focuses on research areas where creative, unorthodox thinking is most urgently needed.

Topics for First Funding Round

The first funding round of Grand Challenges Explorations will consider proposals in four topic areas:

Creating new ways to protect against infectious diseases: Untried or unproven approaches to protect against infectious diseases, including harnessing natural or synthetic immune responses, or eliminating the need for an effective immune response.


Creating drugs or delivery systems that limit the emergence of resistance: Innovative ideas for discovering or delivering drugs that are less likely to lose effectiveness because of resistance developing in the disease-causing agent.


Creating new ways to prevent or cure HIV infection: Innovative ideas for HIV prevention or treatment methods that fall outside current research on vaccines, antiretroviral drugs, and other biomedical and behavior-change strategies.


Exploring the basis for latency in TB: Unconventional approaches to understanding latent TB infection, with the goal of discovering new ways to identify and eliminate latent infection, and break the cycle of TB transmission.
Grant proposals for the first Explorations funding round will be accepted online at Grand Challenges Explorations from March 31 through May 30, 2008; applicants must register intent to submit a proposal by May 15, 2008.

Once the first Explorations funding round is complete, the foundation will announce subsequent funding rounds. Topics may vary over time, to cover a range of priorities in global health research.

Full descriptions of the initial topic areas and application instructions are available at www.gcgh.org/explorations.

$200 Savings End Today for VSLive SF

Sign up for 170 Hours of Developer-Focused Content
This is our final reminder to register and save on VSLive San Francisco, March 30-April 3 at the Moscone Center West. After today, prices will go up to the standard rate. In 5 days, you’ll get over 170 hours of developer-focused content covering ASP.NET, VSTS, Server System, .NET and more.

Sign up today. Call (800) 280-6218 or (541) 346-3537 or register online. Make sure you mention Priority Code VSE24 to ensure your $200 discount.

Can’t make the San Francisco dates? Meet us at VSLive Orlando, May 12-16 at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando®.

We hope to see you at VSLive in 2008.

The VSLive Conference Team

Ohio STEM Learning Network Receives Investment to Launch Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Initiative

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help support statewide collaboration, providing more than 100,000 Ohio students with a 21st century education



Contact:


Shaun Yoder
Ohio STEM Learning Network
Phone: 614.228.6084

Katy Delaney
Battelle Memorial Institute
Phone: 614.424.7686

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Phone: 206.709.3400
Email: media@gatesfoundation.org




COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An unprecedented public-private partnership designed to train and connect more than 100,000 students to jobs in Ohio's 21st century economy today announced a $12 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The investment—part of a $50 million commitment by state and private partners—will support the launch of the Ohio Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Learning Network, to be managed by Battelle, the world's largest non-profit independent research and development organization. The network will begin with five regional STEM-based schools targeting low income and minority students. Ohio lawmakers also have targeted $100 million for STEM college scholarships.

Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Senate President Bill Harris and Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted gathered at Metro High School in Columbus with Battelle CEO Carl Kohrt, students, educators, public officials as well as business and community leaders to celebrate the unique partnerships that have been formed to nurture and grow Ohio's talent to compete and succeed in college and the workplace. The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), to be led by Rich Rosen, Battelle's Vice President for Education and Philanthropy, will work with Ohio's public schools to ensure that all students meet the STEM literacy challenge and are prepared to fill the high-quality jobs that will transform Ohio's economy from an industrial economy to a "solutions" economy.

"Today's businesses will succeed based on how well we solve problems like climate change, energy independence, high health care costs, and others. STEM literacy, with its emphasis on real-world problem-solving, gives students the intellectual as well as the technical foundation they need to make sense of the world around them and move ahead in this environment," Kohrt said. "Improving education is one of Battelle's founding purposes and operational signatures. As a business based on scientific discovery and application, we have a keen interest in vigorously promoting STEM education. This is what Ohio owes its children and it's what we must do to meet the Governor's commitment to open the doors of our colleges and adult career centers to an additional 230,000 Ohioans over the next decade."

The OSLN, in cooperation with the Ohio Partnership for Continued Learning, seeks to: double the number of college graduates in Ohio by 2015 with degrees in the STEM disciplines, with a special emphasis on increasing the number of low income and minority graduates; dramatically increase the number of individuals who choose a career in STEM fields to support Ohio's economic growth and ensure the state's position as a leader in innovation, research, and emerging technology; and design and implement a statewide infrastructure that ensures all secondary STEM school creation is aligned with Ohio's education reform, economic development, workforce, and two- and four-year higher education endeavors.

Governor Strickland, President Harris and Speaker Husted made the following joint statement: "We can all agree that creating jobs and building our economy are essential and vital to our progress as a state. To do so, we must prepare our students with the skills and tools needed to compete in the ever-changing global marketplace—an environment where talents in the STEM disciplines will drive the economy and dictate success. With Ohio's focus on STEM education we are laying the groundwork for a highly competitive 21st century "solutions" revolution. We look forward to working with Battelle, the Ohio Business Roundtable, the Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy and the Ohio STEM Learning Network partners across the state on this bold initiative that will benefit Ohioans for years to come."

AEP Chief Executive and Ohio Business Roundtable Chairman Michael Morris, one of many Ohio business leaders who have supported the development of OSLN and the state’s STEM learning initiatives, remarked, "Ohio's greatest challenge is to cultivate and nurture the next generation of knowledge workers to fuel our innovation economy. The Roundtable is proud to join hands with Carl Kohrt and Battelle, our business, philanthropic and education partners, and Ohio's elected leaders to ensure that STEM learning 'sticks'—that it thrives and becomes part of Ohio's permanent education landscape."

Metro High School in Columbus, a STEM school and the site of today's announcement, opened its doors in the fall of 2006. According to Ronny Oppong, a sophomore at Metro, every day of school is a 'WOW' moment for him. "My curriculum is challenging with lots of advanced math and science. I'm discovering and inventing, but I’m also given opportunities to apply new ideas to problems in the real world," Oppong said. "Learning is 'hands-on' and personal. And it's not just math and science—there's a lot of history, writing and literature, as well as music and the arts. If it were my decision, STEM would be part of every school."

OSLN's goal is to support schools' efforts to inspire, train and connect more than 100,000 Ohio students over the next 10 years to the high-quality jobs that will define the state's success in the global economy. "Our shared mission is to graduate all students ready for college, career and life," said Steve Seleznow, Program Director of Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We are excited about the network of STEM schools that Ohio is creating and applaud the statewide commitment to link a challenging curriculum to the future vitality and prosperity of the state's regional economies."

###
The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) is a privately-supported, non-profit initiative designed to advance high-quality STEM education for all students in Ohio. Managed by Battelle, and a team of affiliated entities, the OSLN will provide critical funding and technical assistance for the regional development of STEM-education initiatives that have a broad base of committed local partners and are aligned to the State of Ohio's broader STEM goals and programs. Focused on innovative teaching and learning, its overarching goal is to create a growing network of connected and thriving STEM schools and programs. The result: student success in the 21st century "solutions" economy. Battelle's Rich Rosen, Vice President for Education and Philanthropy, will lead the OSLN.

###
Battelle is the world's largest non-profit independent research and development organization, providing innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management, National Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $4 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 20,400 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science and math education.

###
The Ohio Business Roundtable is a partnership of the chief executives of the state's major businesses who represent all sectors of the economy and are committed to working with public leaders to build a better Ohio. Its 501(c)(3) affiliate, the Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy, is coordinating the public policy, communications and engagement activities of the OSLN.

###
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Statement on U.S. Effort to Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases

SEATTLE -- Today, President George W. Bush proposed expanding U.S. efforts to fight neglected tropical diseases in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In response, Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Health Program, released the following statement:

"We welcome and applaud President Bush's proposal to dramatically increase efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases in the developing world. While these serious diseases are virtually unheard of in rich countries, they are a fact of life for millions of the world's poorest people.

"Many of these diseases—including lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and river blindness—are preventable or treatable with existing solutions. We can defeat these scourges through increased attention and funding.

"We look forward to working together to improve the lives of those living in developing countries by reducing suffering caused by these diseases."

###
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Special Invitation for Microsoft Panel Members

Thank you for being a member of our Microsoft Office Panel. We appreciate your feedback and the time you have spent responding to our surveys. We are changing our survey panel system and this panel will no longer be used for market research studies.
If you enjoy taking surveys and providing your opinion about products and services, we would like to invite you to join ZoomPanel. You will earn points towards rewards like gift cards, electronics, and more by sharing your opinion on the products you buy every day. Get your first 50 points today by completing this short survey:

https://deploy.ztelligence.com/start/index.jsp?PIN=139VS3E3H3WZ8

Sincerely,
The Product Planning Team

Windows Server RTM WDK now available on Connect!

Hello WDK Beta Users-

We are pleased to announce the release of the Windows Server 2008 RTM WDK. The WDK build is now available for download on Connect. This WDK beta release to Connect coincides with the recent OS release of Windows Server 2008 RTM. Please take a few moments to install the newest WDK build and test as applicable for your needs. As always, please file bugs found as quickly and as detailed as possible.

In this WDK release, the WDK is delivering the latest updates to build drivers for Server 2008 and earlier platforms since the release of Vista a year ago. This is the supported platform for the development and release of all production drivers for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

A few highlights in this release are:

KMDF 1.7:
o A new wait/wake policy for parent drivers
o New samples
o New Tools

UMDF 1.7:
o Now supports Windows Server 2003 along with Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, and Windows XP
o New debugger extensions
o New and updated samples

WDF 1.7:
o WDF 1.7 is native on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1
o WDF 1.7 is completely backward compatible with WDF versions 1.0, 1.1, and 1.5

WDTF:
o SDEL has been added to WDTF to make querying simpler and easier

SDV:
o SDV supports KMDF drivers in addition to WDM drivers and parallelization over rules. Now, rules will be verified in parallel.

PFD:
o PFD is enhanced with driver-specific annotations that make it an even more powerful tool.

DSF:
o USB Power Management and now more robust and stable

Docs:
o New look of the WDK documentation for Server 2008/SP1
o new docs for Viridian and Kernel Transaction Manager
o Subset Filtering (allows you to search by technology subset such as Audio)
o Requirements Block information for all new topics
o Kernel Reference technical scrub and TOC restructuring

***Updated Redist.txt:***
Please also see the document download accompaning the WDK build on Connect entitled "WDK-**READ FIRST**-Updated Redist.txt for WDK - Windows Server 2008 RTM ".
An updated Redist.txt has been posted for this release. Please refer to this updated text file instead of the file in the build as directed from the End User License Agreement.


This release is available as a download only. The image posted is a DVD image and the recommended approach is to download and burn a DVD.

Thank you for your continued support!
The WDK Team