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From the Editor
Doron is now blogging on KMDF. You might know Doron Holan from the driver developer community newsgroups. He is now talking online with people "about KMDF and WDM driver issues and design patterns, from the simple and mundane to the hard and esoteric."
In December 2005 when KMDF 1.0 was released, Microsoft indicated that KMDF support for Windows 2000 would not be available because the Windows 2000 product family had transitioned from Mainstream Support to the Extended Support phase. However, based on feedback from the Windows driver development community, Microsoft now plans to release a version of KMDF that will install and run on Windows 2000, subject to the current status of Extended Support provisions. Under this status, Microsoft will not provide fixes for any KMDF defects if the fix applies only to Windows 2000.
And drop by Doron's blog. Find out why people who make their living with Windows drivers are so interested in KMDF, User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF), and all the tools delivered through WDF technologies.
— Annie Pearson
for the WHDC team
WHDC After Dark
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Mini-Mizer: We’ve been lax lately on our commitment to find new ways for you to avoid playing Solitaire.
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System Design for Windows Vista
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The Driver Reliability Signature (DRS) program represents a baseline set of reliability test and tools that must be used in addition to the required Windows Vista logo program tests for a device type. If no Windows Vista logo program is available for your device type, you can use the DRS program to obtain a digital signature for your driver.
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Windows Vista is the next-generation platform for connectivity, providing native infrastructural support for one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many communication topologies. The Windows Vista wave provides improvements to the basic network infrastructure, Web-based applications and services, and the range of available collaborative technologies. Check the details in the MSDN Windows Vista Developer Center story.
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New XPS Papers and Specifications
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This new paper from the XPS team at Microsoft provides implementation details of the XPSDrv print driver configuration module for Windows Vista, which provides a more flexible print path than is possible with a Windows graphics device interface (GDI)-based print driver.
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Printer driver developers are encouraged to review this new paper for information about the PrintCapabilities and PrintTicket objects. These new features in Windows Vista printing provide a more flexible and extensible printer configuration and a more consistent printed document appearance.
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Downloads and Developer Previews for Windows Vista
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The February Community Technology Preview (CTP) includes the latest Windows SDK, WinFX and (for MSDN subscribers) the latest version of Windows Vista. Also included is the latest Windows Presentation Foundation designer "Cider" for "Orcas" (the next version of Visual Studio).
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Robert Scoble recently sat down with the Internet Explorer team to find out exactly what's new in its most recent incarnation. After you review the conversation, you can download the beta release.
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Recent Updates
These articles have been updated recently with new information, emphasizing the issues you need to consider to be prepared for Windows Vista.
WinHEC 2006 – Register Now!
Registration is now open--register by March 27 and take advantage of early-bird pricing of $1195.
WinHEC is a key event for professionals who want the latest information about designing PCs, servers, and devices that run Microsoft Windows and provides significant technical information for:
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All hardware engineers and designers who are interested in PC and server hardware and Windows architecture and features.
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All driver developers and testers who are interested in Windows Driver Foundation, other driver architectures, and tools.
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All business decision-makers and product planners who are interested in technical advances, strategic plans, best practices, and market trends to support their company’s hardware development strategy.
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Exhibitor Opportunities: Space is still available in the WinHEC Expo. Sign up today to showcase your company's products to a broad, targeted audience of hardware developers and business decision-makers. The most influential people in the industry attend WinHEC to learn about engineering and design innovations from companies like yours.
View all conference details at: www.microsoft.com/whdc/winhec
Microsoft and 64-bit Driver Optimization at IDF
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Join Microsoft and Intel at IDF, March 7-9, to learn how to extend your products into 64-bit technology to ensure an outstanding customer experience with Windows Vista and Intel products. Device developers will learn about the value of developing on the 64-bit platform and how to take advantage of the investments in tools, services, and platforms to meet emerging market demands for 64-bit device compatibility and security. Representatives from Intel, Microsoft, and OSR will be on hand to work with attendees to prepare their 64-bit optimized devices for market.
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Here are highlights of just a few of the many sessions in which Microsoft will participate at IDF:
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Microsoft Plans for EFI and 64-bit OS - EFIS004
For platform BIOS and firmware development engineers.
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The Fundamentals of Windows Vista Power Management - EBLS009
For developers and engineers who want to know how to take advantage of ACPI and power management advances in Windows Vista.
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Windows Vista Logo Hardware Certification - BITS001
For IHVs, ISVs, and component manufacturers who want information on how Microsoft Partners can capitalize on the breakthrough technologies in Windows Vista.
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