I noticed Microsoft has put up the beta for Windows Home Server, Vail. I’m downloading now to test it out, but Paul Thurrott has already tried it out. One thing is for sure, if you want an easy to use (extremely easy), cheap server that can be upgraded easily for your home or small business, Windows Home Server is it.

With the next major Windows Home Server revision, codenamed “Vail,” Microsoft’s home server solution is finally getting a major overhaul. The system is now based on the latest Windows Server version, Windows Server 2008 R2, which comes with a host of platform improvements that will directly benefit home server users. Like R2, Vail will be made available only in 64-bit form, where the current version is 32-bit code. And it will build on some of the more interesting home-based technologies that Microsoft has since introduced in Windows 7, providing what appears to be a very compelling solution for a market that, frankly, has pretty much ignored Windows Home Server thus far.

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Microsoft has released their previously OEM only Touch Pack for multi-touch monitors to anyone that wants to download it and use it. You must have a multitouch display to use it, however.

The Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 was first introduced last May as a series of 6 applications that are designed to showcase Windows Touch in Windows 7 and to help people learn touch gestures. It consists of 3 casual games, and 3 Microsoft Surface applications that have been created for Windows 7.

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For you MSDN/Technet subscribers, you’ll be glad to know that Office 2010 RTM is available for download in x64 and x86 (64-bit and 32-bit) versions. Grab them if you have a sub, because it is a very great upgrade from Office 2007. It’s in the normal places!

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The recent lack of updates, and the upcoming week without updates is due to a lower back surgery (L4/L5 Fusion with Instrumentation) I am getting this Friday. I won’t be able to do much for a few days, but during my recovery, I’ll be doing a lot of things with this site. If you’d like to help with news posting, FAQ’s, articles, please let me know at dharper@mstechpages.com. I am pretty anxious to get back to normal, be able to walk right again, and get back to my normal routine!

Thank you for your support!

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In order to avoid a repeat of Februarys fiasco with BSOD’s due to a Windows Update, Microsoft has made their newest XP patch a bit smarter. If a machine is infected with the root kit, the patch does not install. The patch fixes a hole that allows the root kit to install in the first place. However, if it is already infected, the patch will cause instability and blue screens. So, clean up those PC’s and keep updated.

The BBC is reporting that Microsoft

We’ve had a couple false starts, but this time, the word is directly from the horses mouth. The Microsoft Office development team has announced that Office 2010 has finally reached the RTM milestone! I’m looking forward to the release. I’m still running a very stable Technical Preview, and am very impressed with it.

On behalf of the Office team, I want to thank all of the customers and partners who have helped us reach this milestone. We look forward to continue learning from you and all the great things you will do with our products!

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A factory that makes mice and other peripherals for Microsoft has been accused of exploiting child labor, with kids as young as 14 working up to 15 hour days. Not to mention they are getting only several dollars per day. Let’s hope Microsoft can follow through with the investigation and get this cleaned up.

The report says: “KYE recruits hundreds (up to 1,000) ‘work-study’ students 16 and 17 years of age, who work 15-hour shifts, six and seven days a week making webcams, mice and other computer peripherals. Some of the workers appear to be just 14 or 15 years old. A typical shift is from 7:45 a.m. to 10:55 p.m. Most of the students work for three months, but some stay longer.” The investigation was conducted over a three-year period.

Microsoft has released a bulletin, but not a fix, for an issue that affects Aero users that switch from Aero to Basic and back. If you do this multiple times, it may get “stuck” and not switch anymore. So far, there is no fix, by Microsoft acknowledges the problem and are working on correcting it. I’ve seen a few people have this problem in the Microsoft Answers forums, nice to know that it is a known problem, even without a fix.

Consider the scenario where you decide to