Recently in Microsoft Category

In this three-part handbook, take a look at what enterprises need to know about [licensing for Windows 8 and Office 2013] and how it affects Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS). 

Article on Giga and Barb Darrow explores the idea of MS buying someone like Dell.  I think it makes a lot of sense in enterprise.

Microsoft's Azure and RemoteFX technologies in Windows Server 2012 could be the key to deploying Office on tablet computers. From ZDnet Blog. Interesting on how it makes sense for iPad (or Tablet) to run Office as Thin Client

Microsoft's Windows Azure Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) cloud suffered a worldwide meltdown. For almost 36-hours, Windows Azure Service Management was down.

IGEL Universal Desktop thin clients are now certified by Microsoft Corp. as being able to provide the required performance and user experience in centralized IT environments running Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2. IGEL can now display the Microsoft RemoteFX logo on different "LX" and "W7" devices in the model series UD3, UD5 and UD9.

Thin Client PCs now come with Microsoft Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011 preinstalled

The Department of Defence will roll out 500 Thales Trusted Thin Client devices by March for a three-month pilot under its Next Generation Desktops project.

The project will allow personnel to access multiple, classified networks from a single device, replacing the current practice of having separate machines for 'restricted' and 'secret' domains.

Personnel will choose from either accessing each domain on a separate monitor, or calling up domain-specific, virtualised applications from a single desktop interface using Citrix XenApp and Microsoft App V.

Wired discusses cloud impact on MS and Sony with game stations and the evolution to internet thin client endpoints for best content wins.

Gabe Knuth and Brian Madden take on devils bargain (aka Microsoft licensing)

Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) is now offering Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) to volume licensing customers with Software Assurance (SA) subscriptions, but there are still ways for non-SA customers to kick the tires on the software, which allows older PCs to be used as thin clients.

As long as you have 2008 R2 with RemoteFX and a Software Assurance subscriber, you can get the TPC from Microsoft.

Microsoft releases public community technology preview of Windows Thin PC

Delivers First Windows Embedded Thin Clients Managed by Microsoft Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011, Streamlining Management for Virtual Desktops

Microsoft ran an online Q&A on Thursday, answering questions about virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), its new Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) technology based on Windows 7, plus general licensing questions associated with using its virtualization technologies.

The upcoming thin-client VDI technology is called "Windows Thin PC," or "WinTPC," according to Schuster. She described WinTPC as "a smaller footprint, locked down version of Windows 7, designed to allow customers to repurpose their existing PCs as thin clients."

Woody Leonard/Infoworld commentary on upcoming Google Chrome OS and what it means. And what it means to Microsoft.

Ballmer takes aim at thin clients (again). His track record at anticipating next trends though follows him. MS may find itself in catchup mode (again).

Windows SteadyState (formerly Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP) is a set of software tools to help effectively manage shared computers running Windows.

Column by Amy Newman on ServerWatch about the impact of Windows 7 and how it could be a tipping point for virtualization wit VMware.

No surprise here except sooner than expected. Google is after netbooks which can qualify as thin terminals. Already has Android for mobile. Would you rather develop an app for the net, or for Windows is the question that seals the fate of MS. Windows it seems has been ironically transformed into an OS/2 it seems :-)

Microsoft is working on turning USB-based flash drives into a “Windows companion” — a new product known as “StartKey” — that will allow users to carry their Windows and Windows Live settings with them.

StartKey isn’t just for USB sticks; it also will work on other flash-storage devices, like SD memory cards. Microsoft is looking to turn these intelligent storage devices portable “computing companions” for users in both developed and emerging markets, with availability (at least in beta form) likely before the end of this year, according to sources who asked not to be named.