| Microsoft baits OS testers with mice |
Aug. 21, 2008
 Microsoft announced an online chat and mouse giveaway for those testing Community Techology Preview (CTP) betas of its premier, x86-based embedded operating systems. The Aug. 28 chat covers Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP Embedded (XPe), and its successor, Windows Embedded Standard (WES), says Microsoft.
Microsoft announced the online event on its WES and MSDN Online Chat websites, describing it as "a chance to chat with the developers, testers, and program managers." According to the post, "They will be available to answer any questions you have about the Windows Embedded Standard Refresh CTP or the SP3 for XP Embedded CTP, as well as to hear your feedback."
While no further agenda was provided, online chats devoted to Microsoft's embedded operating systems typically feature a variety of topics, from general licensing issues to very specific technical queries. For examples, see our coverage of a Jun. 17 online chat devoted to the first WES CTP, here.
 Also touted by Microsoft is a contest giving away 10 different Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 devices (right), said to be worth $68 apiece. The mice, whose USB-based Bluetooth dongle doubles as a 1GB flash drive, will randomly be awarded to those who download the WES Refresh CTP before 12 AM PDT on Aug. 30, says Microsoft.
Background
Microsoft's new embedded operating system beta editions, aka Community Technology Previews (CTPs), were first released last week. They include both the refresh of the WES CTP, plus a CTP of XPe, SP3.
The WES CTP is the latest version of an operating system intended to replace XPe later this year. Compared to the initial beta released in June, the new release features "improved setup experience and migration support from XPe," a System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) "Client Prereq Macro," additional device drivers, and various other updates, according to Microsoft.
The Windows Embedded Standard installer
(Click to enlarge)
Still based on the XPe codebase, WES also offers the following additional features, says Microsoft:- The .NET Framework 3.5 programming foundation (previously touted, but not included in the earlier beta)
- Internet Explorer 7, for tabbed web browsing
- Windows Media Player 11, with a new interface for media playback
- Silverlight, the cross-browser, cross-platform multimedia plugin
- Remote Desktop Protocol version 6.1, for connecting remotely to Windows Vista-based PCs
- Componentized drivers for Intel's latest x86 processor architectures, such as the Atom
For more details on WES, see our earlier coverage, here.
Meanwhile, SP3 was released for Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional at the end of April, and its availability for XPe has been eagerly anticipated. For the most part, it is a rollup of previously released patches. However, it adds Network Access Protection (NAP), a network policy enforcement platform previously included in Windows Vista. For more details, plus specifics of the previously available patches that have been incorporated into Service Pack 3, see our earlier coverage, here.
Further information
A final release of WES will take place in the fourth quarter, Microsoft says. Until then, XPe remains on sale. Customers who purchase XPe between now and September 2008 will be eligible for a free upgrade, according to the company.
To download either the new WES CTP, or the CTP of SP3 for XPe, go to Microsoft's website, here. Downloading the WES CTP apparently constitutes an automatic entry into the Microsoft Memory Mouse 8000 contest, but a list of rules is available on the Microsoft website, here.
To register for the Aug. 28 chat, which will be held from 10 to 11 AM PDT, visit the MSDN Online Chats page, here.
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