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WINDOWS VISTA LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE
SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT EXPECTED
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In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
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LEAD STORY: WINDOWS VISTA LAUNCHES, SPURS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
On January 30, 2007, Windows Vista arrived in the consumer marketplace around the world. Market research firm Current Analysis measured an immediate leap in PC sales, which rose 173 percent in the week of January 29 to February 3, compared to the previous week. The long-term financial impact is expected to be substantial as well. According to research conducted by IDC, U.S. partners in the Microsoft ecosystem will generate about $70 billion in new revenues in 2007 from the release of Windows Vista. In addition, approximately 18% of all U.S. technology employment in 2007, some 1.8 million jobs, will be directly linked to Windows Vista.
Read more
http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2007/2/8/6970
Read the IDC Study
www.microsoft.com/presspass/itanalyst/docs/IDCVistaEcoImpactDec2006.pdf
INTEROP NEWS: FILE FORMAT TRANSLATOR TOOL RELEASED
On February 1, 2007, the 1.0 version of an Ecma Open XML-ODF file format translator was released. Sponsored by Microsoft, this free, open source software tool is available as a plug-in for Microsoft Word 2007, XP, and 2003. The translator enables document conversion between Ecma Open XML, used by the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and ODF file formats. The next phase of the translator project will convert spreadsheets and presentations between the two formats.
Read more...
www.betanews.com/article/MS_Open_XML_ODF_Converter_Finished/1170448250
Download the File Format Translator
http://sourceforge.net/projects/odf-converter
WINDOWS VISTA HIGHLIGHT: NEW PARENTAL CONTROL TOOLS
Editor’s Note: Windows Vista, the next generation of Microsoft’s flagship operating system, reached consumers worldwide in January. We’ve been highlighting features of Windows Vista in recent issues of the FINFlash Update and will continue to do so for a few more issues.
For many families, computers have become an essential part of education, communication, and entertainment in the home. Parents of course want their children to benefit from computers, but not go down dark alleys of the Internet -- or spend too much time playing games or sending instant messages to friends. Windows Vista offers a rich set of controls that enable parents to determine what programs kids can use, which websites they can visit, and when they can use the computer. Many other software companies also offer products that enable parents to monitor computer use, filter websites, and more.
Read more...
www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/parentalcontrols.mspx
TECH TIP: MANAGE YOUR COMPUTER AND WEBSITE PASSWORDS
In early February, computer security experts gathered in San Francisco for the RSA Conference, the most important technology security meeting of the year. While the technology industry and government have a role to play in fighting cyber crime and protecting online privacy, consumers too can help secure their own computers. One important step is setting strong passwords and changing them often. Visit the following Web page to learn what makes a good password -- one that you can remember, but is hard to crack:
www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/security/5_tips_for_top_notch_password_security.mspx
TAKE THE NEW TECH TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Guess before your search! Here’s another Tech Trivia question that tests your knowledge -- or online searching ability. (Check out new Windows Live Search at http://www.live.com/.)
British computing pioneer Alan Turing devised a machine that cracked the ciphers created by the Nazi cryptography machine, Enigma. What was the code-breaking machine called?
- The Icebox
- AT100
- Manchester Mark I
- The Bombe
- The Enigma Buster
To submit your answer and view the answer to the previous question, visit
https://www.freetoinnovate.com/ssl/techTrivia.asp
THE FIN PULSE
The FIN Pulse is an informal online poll that lets FIN members see how others use technology and think about policy issues.
In this month’s Pulse, we ask, “When was the last time you changed a computer or Internet password?”
Go to www.freetoinnovate.com to participate in the FIN Pulse.
Write us with your tips, trivia and FIN Pulse suggestions at msfin@microsoft.com.
For Top Stories and Tech Headlines, updated weekly, visit the FIN Web site:
www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
Need help writing your legislator? You can find tips for communicating with legislators, along with news, tech policy information and more, at the Freedom to Innovate Network Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
Back to top
Write us with your tips, trivia and FIN Pulse suggestions at: msfin@microsoft.com
And remember, it’s never too late to write your legislators to let them know what issues are important to you. To identify and email your legislators, visit: http://www.freetoinnovate.com
To view Microsoft's privacy policy, please go to: http://www.microsoft.com/info/privacy.mspx
Legal Information. http://www.microsoft.com/info/legalinfo/default.mspx
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