Microsoft(R) WinNews Electronic Newsletter,
Vol. 2, #1, January 17, 1995
*******************************************

Well, here we are again and it's now 1995.  I was looking for
something profound to say about ushering in the new year, but in
the end I simply resorted to changing the volume number on this
newsletter.  This is the sixth issue of WinNews since we started
and there are now over 56,000 of you reading it.  A small, but
very successful, experiment has turned into an important medium
for communicating with our customers.

In this issue I will be covering five topics:

1. Internet announcements - last Friday Microsoft announced two
   business relationships that will help us deliver on our
   goal of providing easy Internet access to everyone through
   Windows 95.  The text of this announcement, and some
   Q&A is included here.
2. A new calculator program for Windows for Workgroups and Windows
   3.x is available.  The new program fixes bugs in the previous
   version which caused simple subtraction errors.
3. A patch to disable the floating point portions of the Pentium
   processor is also available for Windows users.  If you are
   concerned about errors on your Pentium machine, then install
   this patch and worry no more.
4. Preview Program update - the preview program has been delayed,
   but here is some more information about our plans.
5. Win32(R) Internationalization Seminar.  The Microsoft Developer
   Relations Group is holding a repeat of this popular seminar.
   Dates and places are included in a short invitation.
6. Traincast is a series of educational broadcasts on Windows 95
   targeted at the corporate customer. It explains why Windows 95
   makes business sense for organizations, and how anyone who
   supports end users can do so easily and cost-effectively.

Finally, last week a document from Workgroup Technologies crossed
my desk.  Workgroup Technologies is a six year old consulting firm
specializing in operating systems (among other things).  In October
of 1994, at the time that OS/2 Warp launched, Workgroup
Technologies prepared an analysis of OS/2 Warp and its future
prospects.  If you're contemplating OS/2, this paper is interesting
reading, and a bit of an eye opener.  You can get a copy of it
on Compuserve.  GO WUGNET and download FULLREPT.ZIP from section 8.

Alec Saunders
WinNews Editor
************************************************************

Microsoft Announces Its Internet Strategy; One-Button Access
Via The Microsoft Network

Microsoft Forms Strategic Relationship With UUNET to
Offer Full Internet Access

     REDMOND, Wash., -- Jan. 13, 1995 -- Bill Gates,
chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corp., disclosed
Microsoft's Internet strategy last night at the
Washington Software Association's Online Advantage
conference.  Gates outlined plans to offer full
Internet capability to customers of the Microsoft(r)
Windows(r) 95 operating system as part of The Microsoft
Network, Microsoft's planned online service.

     As part of these plans, Microsoft has formed a
strategic relationship with UUNET Technologies Inc.,
one of the leading Internet service providers, to build
a new, dedicated, global TCP/IP network connected
directly to the Internet.  Members of the Microsoft
Network will have full Internet access through this
network.

     Gates also announced that Microsoft has licensed
technology from SpyGlass Inc., including the widely
accepted NCSA Mosaic(tm) browser software.  The
combination of the new TCP/IP network and enhanced
Mosaic technology will dramatically improve the
experience of users of Windows 95 in connecting to and
using the Internet and will allow them to access
seamlessly both World Wide Web sites and Microsoft
Network content and services.

     "We believe that Internet access will be an
important capability in the online world," said Russ
Siegelman, general manager of the online services group
at Microsoft.  "To broaden use of the Internet, we want
to make seamless, one-button access to the Internet an
integral part of The Microsoft Network experience."

     As part of this effort, Microsoft made a minority
investment in UUNET.  As a leader in Internet-access
services and one of the original Internet-access
providers, UUNET has extensive expertise and experience
in building and managing commercial TCP/IP networks.

     "Microsoft's strategic relationship with UUNET
will allow us to work together closely to build one of
the largest Internet-access networks in the world and
will help accelerate the growth of Internet," said John
Sidgmore, president and CEO of UUNET.

     UUNET's role will be to build, deploy and operate
the network.  The new network will be accessible via
modem at speeds up to 28.8 kilobits per second and ISDN
connections; the network is expected to eventually
support dedicated connections.  Microsoft is targeting
the new network capability and the browser software to
be available by the end of 1995.

     Microsoft first outlined its strategy for the
company's new interactive service,
The Microsoft Network, in November 1994 and also
detailed its business model, which is designed to help
content and service providers realize the potential of
online services.  The Microsoft Network is targeted for
release in August 1995.  Access to The Microsoft
Network will be offered as a feature to users of
Microsoft Windows 95.

     UUNET Technologies Inc., located in Falls Church,
Va., is the original commercial Internet service
provider, offering a complete suite of Internet
services.  AlterNet(r), UUNET's publicly available
network, comprises points of presence throughout the
United States, and maintains direct links to Canada,
India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand,
the United Kingdom, and Western Europe.  By creating a
series of redundant links to other service providers
around the world, AlterNet is the world's most fully
connected Internet service.

     UUNET's suite of products and services includes a
24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week network-operations
center; security products; integration, consulting and
training services; World Wide Web services; front-end
user-interface software options; and a wide range of
network-access options.  For more information, contact
UUNET at (800) 4UUNET4 (488-6384).

     Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers.
The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed
with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable
for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.

                            #########

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corp.
Alternet is a registered trademark of UUNet
Technologies Inc.
NCSA Mosiac is a trademark of the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.



Q. Why is Microsoft licensing the Mosaic software and not
creating their own from scratch?

A. Microsoft feels that NCSA Mosaic is the de facto standard
for the Internet.  As we have set an example with our Windows
products, we believe in standards for the industry.  That is why
we have decided to adopt Mosaic as our standard for our customers.
We plan to extend and enhance the Mosaic software and use it in
a variety of capacities for our product lines.

Q.  Does this mean that customers can only use the browser
in Windows 95?
A. The Mosaic software will be the basis for WWW browser capability
in a variety of ways in our product lines.

Q. So this means that Windows 95 will ship with Mosaic built-in?
A. At the present time there are no plans to ship Windows 95 with
the Mosaic software built-in.  Our plan is to deliver this
capability shortly after Windows 95 ships.

Q. Why did Microsoft pick UUNET, a small company, rather than one
of the large telcos?

A. UUNET is a leader in the market for Internet access and was
one of the original Internet access providers.  They have extensive
expertise and experience in building and managing commercial
TCP/IP networks and in a wide range of Internet issues.   We
believe that the combination of Microsoft and UUNET is well
suited to grow the market for Internet access services.

Q. Why build your own TCP/IP network instead of just using
what already exists?

A. We believe that a dedicated, private TCP/IP network is
the best way to provide our customers with the quality and
reliablility of service which they expect from Microsoft.
We believe that our entry into this market will dramatically
increase the usage of the Internet.  We believe that the existing
Internet infrastructure is insufficient to support our projected
demand, and therefore we need to be good Internet citizens and
invest in increasing the dial up infrastructure commensurate
with the amount of traffic our customers will generate.

Q. Where will access be available?

A. Initially, access will be available in major US population
centers and limited international sites.  Over time, access will
be expanded dramatically to offer a true global service.

Q. How will customers get access to the Internet?

A. Access to the Microsoft Network - Internet service will
require an account relationship with The Microsoft Network.
It is our goal that this local access capability is the standard
mechanism by which Microsoft customers can get Internet access
accounts.  There will be a  standard protocol and sign-up for
the Microsoft Network which is part of Windows95.

Q. When will this network be available?

A. We expect that this local access network will be available
by the 4th quarter of 1995.

************************************************************


Microsoft Makes Available New Calculator for Windows

REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 16, 1994 - The Wall Street
Journal and InfoWorld have recently reported that there
is a bug in an accessory product, called the
calculator, contained in the Microsoft(r) Windows(tm)
operating system version 3.1.  The bug causes simple
subtraction errors.  The calculator problem is not
related to the floating-point hardware in the Intelr
Pentium(tm) chip. Microsoft Corp. has announced that the
company will make a new calculator available to its
customers free of charge.

"The fact that the calculator in Windows is a minor
accessory doesn't matter," said Brad Chase, general
manager of the personal systems division.  "Fixing it
is the right thing to do. Microsoft apologizes for any
inconvenience that this problem may have caused."
The new calculator will be available to customers
beginning Jan. 6, 1995, through the following online
services, or from Microsoft Support at (800) 936-4200.

  On CompuServer, type GO MSL, search for WW1138.exe
  On the Microsoft Download Service at (206) 936-6735
  On GEnie(tm) from the Microsoft Software Library
  On the Microsoft Server, FTP.Microsoft.com

If customers have questions prior to the availability
of the new calculator, Microsoft representatives are
available to answer them from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST,
Monday through Friday at (206) 637-7098.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers.
The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed
with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable
for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.

                            #########

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a
trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium is a
trademark of Intel Corp.
CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc.
GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Corp.


************************************************************

(editor's note: this fix is not yet available, but will be
 shortly)

Microsoft to Offer Software to Address Division Flaw in
Pentium Chip

     REDMOND, Wash. _ Jan. 9, 1995 _ Microsoft Corp.
today announced it will offer a software solution to
its customers of the Microsoft(r) Windows(tm) and Windows
NT(tm) operating systems that effectively disables faulty
floating-point hardware in Intel(r) Pentium(tm) processors.
Developed in response to customer concerns about
floating-point division errors in the Pentium chip, the
software will be free of charge and will provide an
alternative for customers who do not wish to replace
their flawed Pentium processors or who are waiting for
replacement chips.

     The solution will provide the customer three
choices:  use floating-point hardware, use software
floating-point emulation only if the division flaw is
present, or always use software floating-point
emulation.  The software can test the processor to
determine whether the division flaw is present and will
use software floating-point emulation in place of the
faulty floating-point hardware if the customer has
chosen this option.

     The basic operating-systems functions in Windows
and Windows NT and many general productivity
applications do not rely on floating-point calculations
and therefore are not affected by the division flaw in
the Pentium chip.  Customers who are concerned about
the division flaw in the Pentium processor can use the
Microsoft software solution as an alternative to
replacing their Pentium processors.

     The software currently is being tested and is
scheduled to be released in the second half of January
1995.  The solution for Windows will be made available
to end users free of charge through the options in the
list that follows.  The software will also be provided
to PC manufacturers to preinstall on Pentium-based
systems and to provide to their customers.  The version
for Windows will work with Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11
and Windows(tm) for Workgroups 3.11.  The solution is
being tested for compatibility with Windows(tm) 95 to
ensure a smooth upgrade for users when Windows 95 is
released.  The version for Windows NT is scheduled to
be released in the same time frame and will be
available as part of the Microsoft Windows NT Service
Pack 1.  It will also be available through the options
in the list that follows.

Accessing the Solution for Windows and Windows NT

     On CompuServe(r), GEnie(tm), and Microsoft OnLine, the
software will be located in the Microsoft Software
Library.  Search for WW1140 (35SP1 for Windows NT) and
download the file WW1140.EXE (35SP1.EXE for Windows
NT).  After downloading, double click to run this self-
extracting file.

     On the Internet, the software is located on the
Microsoft anonymous FTP server which you can reach by
typing: ftp ftp.microsoft.com.  Download the file
WW1140.EXE (35SP1.EXE for Windows NT) from the
SOFTLIB/MSLFILES directory.  After downloading, double
click to run this self-extracting file.  You can also
get the file from the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
by using your modem to call (206) 936-6735.  Download
the file WW1140.EXE (35SP1.EXE for Windows NT).  After
downloading, double click to run this self-extracting
file.

     If you are unable to access the sources above,
call Microsoft Product Support at
(206) 637-7098, and the file will be mailed to you on
diskette.  Outside the United States call (206) 936-
8661 to locate the Microsoft subsidiary for your area.

     In related news, Microsoft announced that it will
release an update to the compiler in the Visual C++(tm)
development system.  The updated compiler will allow
developers to create programs that help ensure accurate
division results while still using the Pentium
processor's floating-point hardware.  When running a
Pentium processor with the division flaw, division
operations are checked and corrected if necessary.  The
updated compiler will be available through the Visual
C++ subscription program or through the online services
listed previously (file name VCFDIV.EXE).  The compiler
can also be obtained through Microsoft Product Support
at (206) 635-7007.

     Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers.
The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed
with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable
for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.

                            #########
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows,
Windows NT and Visual C++ are trademarks of Microsoft
Corp.
Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium is a
trademark of Intel Corp.
CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc.
GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Corp.


************************************************************

Windows 95 Preview Program Update

"Do you need more beta testers?" is a question I frequently
get in email.  I always have to disappoint the asker -- at the
moment we have 48,000 beta testers for Windows 95, which is
really all that we can handle.  48,000 testers generate a lot
of problem reports.

Most of these people are mailing me because they need to be able
to get experience with Windows 95 in order to explain the product
to clients, or to their management.  We will have a solution for
you: the Windows 95 Preview Program.

In the spring we will create a limited number of pre-release
copies of Windows 95.  These copies are meant to help corporations
get a head start in preparing for the migration to Windows 95.
I want to emphasize that this won't be the final
code for Windows 95 -- it will be a pre-release for evaluators
only.  If you need to evaluate Windows 95 before the final release
to determine an appropriate roll-out plan for your company, or to
be able to make recommendations to your customers then you will
want to participate in the Windows Preview Program.

There will be a nominal fee of approximately $30.  Our goal is
not to make a profit on this program, but to provide evaluation
copies at the lowest possible cost.  The fee will cover the cost
of providing the software to you, the progam implementation and
support during this progeam.  We want your evaluation to be as
smooth as possible, which is why we will be staffing special
support telephone lines to help you with any product problems.

I have received lots of mail from customers who know about the
Windows 95 Preview Program asking to be "put on the list".  There
is no list. We will e-mail WINNEWS subscribers when the program is
open with information on how to sign up for a copy.

So stay tuned for more information on the Windows 95 Preview
Program here on WinNews.  As soon as we're ready to take your
orders I will let you know what to do.

************************************************************
Win32(R) Internationalization Seminar
Presented by the Microsoft Developer Relations Group
Globalization Team

In September of 1994, the globalization team of Microsoft's
Developer Relations group hosted a one day seminar on the Microsoft
main campus in Redmond, WA, focusing on how to create great 32-bit
applications for Windows 95. In February of 1995 we're taking this
show on the road, to several cities in North America. If you missed
the seminar in September, join us in the city closest to you!  Learn
how your applications can benefit from the international features in
Windows 95 and Windows NT, such as the National Language Support
(NLS) API, Windows 95's Multilingual Content I/O, and Windows 95's
unified Input Method Editor (IME) API.

For more information call
800-619-7689 (in North America)
415-979-2288
or send a FAX to 415-979-2270
or send mail to
the internet address global@microsoft.com
The seminar schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Jaunary 31, 1995       Denver, CO       USA
Wednesday,  February 1, 1995    Chicago, IL      USA
Friday, February 3, 1995        Toronto          CANADA
Monday, February 6, 1995        Burlington, MA   USA
Wednesday, February 8, 1995     Washington, DC   USA
Thursday, February 9, 1995      Atlanta, GA      USA
Thursday, February 23, 1995     Redwood City, CA USA
Friday, February 24, 1995       Santa Monica, CA USA
Tuesday, March 21, 1995         Redmond, WA      USA


SPACE IN SOME CITIES IS EXTREMELY LIMITED.  Please sign up early!
The cost is US $150, which includes lunch, presentation materials,
a CD-ROM containing basic information for globalizing your
application, a t-shirt, and a preview copy of a book on
internationalizing Win32-based applications that will be published
in the spring of 1995 by Microsoft Press.

************************************************************

         Microsoft Offers No-Cost Training on Migrating
                  To and Supporting Windows 95
        In-Depth "TrainCast" Programs Explain Why, How to
                      Migrate to Windows 95

     REDMOND, Wash. -- Jan. 18, 1995 -- In order to help
information specialists and technical-support
representatives prepare for the migration to the
Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95 operating system, Microsoft
Corp. today announced it will provide technical
training content at no cost on its Windows 95 operating
system software.  The series will also help third-party
organizations such as value-added resellers and OEMs
prepare their technical staffs to support Windows 95
effectively.
     Officially titled "TrainCast for Windows 95," the
series will include more than 30 hours of in-depth
educational programming.  "TrainCast" will be broadcast
by Microsoft TV during a seven-month period, from
January through August 1995.  There will be eight
unique training segments.  The first two segments will
discuss the business benefits Windows 95 offers to
customers.  The remaining six segments will focus on in-
depth technical training and will include live,
interactive segments in which participants can phone in
questions to be answered by experts from Microsoft.
     Organizations with satellite dishes can download
the series at no charge.  Participants without
satellite dishes can attend the sessions at Microsoft
Authorized Technical Education Centers as well as
universities and colleges around the country that are
providing public access to the series.  Content from
the series, which will air during prime time, will be
incorporated into a special PCTV series on the Jones
Computer Network via the Mind Extension University
cable-television channel.
     "Windows 95 is a collection of technologies that
will offer significant benefits to our corporate
customers," said Sue King, director of software
development at Dell Computer Corp., a cosponsor of
"TrainCast."  "Dell is committed to delivering systems
that exploit its full potential.  We are cosponsoring
Windows 95 `TrainCast' because we believe this series
offers our corporate customers a head start in their
preparation to migrate to and support Windows 95."
     "`TrainCast' offers an `under the hood' look at
Windows 95," said Brad Chase, general manager in the
personal operating systems division at Microsoft.  "It
explains why Windows 95 makes business sense for
organizations, and how anyone who supports end users
can do so easily and
cost-effectively.  It's `must viewing' for any
organization committed to or contemplating the move to
Windows 95."
     Microsoft designed the course content in response
to a nationwide survey of industry participants.  The
segments will include issues such as networking --
including integrating
Windows 95 in a NetWare(r) environment -- setup, systems
management and printing.  "TrainCast" shows three
through eight will be hosted by Elliott Masie of the
Masie Center, an expert in the field of developing
training strategies for organizations.
     "`TrainCast' is a great way for organizations to
prepare for the migration to Windows 95 because it
allows IS managers, trainers and help-desk staff to
begin their enterprisewide rollout quickly when the
product becomes available," said Mickey McIntire,
director of software integration services at Corporate
Software Inc.  "In addition, companies implementing
Windows 95 can benefit from improved staff productivity
and a likely reduction in the end-user support burden
throughout their organization."
     Microsoft has delivered technical information via
satellite for more than two years.  Its "DevCast"
series for independent software developers reached an
estimated 120,000 ISV, corporate and education
developers in its last worldwide telecast.
     Interested parties who wish to download the series
for internal use, serve as public host sites, or obtain
the locations of available host sites can contact
Microsoft at (800) 597-3200.  Viewers also can
subscribe to the free Microsoft TV program guide or
order videotapes of the sessions by calling the same
800 number, between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PST.
     Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers.
The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed
with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable
for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.
                            #########
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries.
NetWare is a registered trademark of Novell Inc.

************************************************************
WinNews Servers

I don't have any new information on the WinNews servers for
you.  For those of you who haven't explored the servers yet,
they are in a number of locations, on most of the major online
services and networks.

On the Internet use ftp or the World-Wide-Web
(ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/PerOpSys/Win_News,
http://www.microsoft.com).

On The Microsoft Network, open Computers and
Software\Software Companies\Microsoft\Windows 95\
WinNews.

On CompuServe, type GO WINNEWS.

On Prodigy JUMP WINNEWS.

On America Online, use keyword WINNEWS.

On GEnie, download files from the WinNews area under
the Windows RTC.


************************************************************

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************************************************************

This document is provided for informational purposes only.
The information contained in this document represents the
current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues
discussed as of the date of publication.  Because Microsoft
must respond to change in market conditions, it should not
be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft
and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any
information presented after the date of publication.

INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS"
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. The user assumes the entire risk
as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This
document may be copied and distributed subject to the
following conditions: 1) All text must be copied without
modification and all pages must be included; 2) All copies
must contain Microsoft's copyright notice and any other
notices provided therein; and 3) This document may not be
distributed for profit.

Copyright (c) 1995 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

