Entries tagged with downloadable content - Channel 10

Microsoft Web Platform Launched

sarahintampa — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:42:00 GMT

The Microsoft Web Platform has just been launched and is available for download now from www.microsoft.com/web – the same site we recently featured here not too long ago. In addition to articles about web development and design, the website now also features a “Downloads” section, which is where you can find the Microsoft Web Platform download.

So what is the Microsoft Web Platform? Basically, it’s a bundled download of all the Microsoft developer technologies from the .NET Framework 3.5 to ASP.NET to Silverlight and more. It provides a single package for installing and configuring Microsoft's entire Web Platform, which includes IIS7, Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition, SQL Server 2008 Express Edition and, of course, the .NET Framework.

The bundle has two main parts to it: 1) the Microsoft Web Platform Installer (WebPI), and 2) the Microsoft Web Application Installer (WebAI). The “Web Platform Installer” is a download manager that simplifies the download and installation process for the Microsoft technologies. However, it’s the “Web Application Installer” which is especially interesting. This piece of the WPI is a gallery that manages the setup, configuration, and acquisition of a number of technologies that run on top of Windows. This includes applications like popular ASP.NET and PHP web apps and even includes some that are open source. Some of the apps you're able to install with this platform are DotNetNuke, Drupal, Gallery, Graffiti, osCommerce, PHPBB, and Wordpress.

The Web Platform Installer Tool will also help developers by providing hands-on guidance to developers who are building cloud applications with these tools. The download is free and runs on Vista and Server 2008.

Essential Downloads for Vista

sarahintampa — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:41:00 GMT

The MakeUseOf blog has recently put up a nice article listing the essential downloads for Windows Vista. These are the things which they think everyone should go and download after purchasing a new Vista computer or upgrading to Vista for the first time. It’s a great list and it includes many of the items we’ve mentioned here on Channel 10. I highly recommend checking out their article for more detailed explanations and more links to resources; but to sum up, they recommend the following:

Windows Live – the Windows Live Suite upgrades Vista’s built-in programs like Photo Gallery and Mail to give you the newer versions – Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Mail. It also included Windows Live Writer, Live Messenger, and Family Safety. You can pick and choose which of these you want after downloading the installer.
Vista Codec Pack – lets you play nearly any video or audio file you come across.
Windows Search 4.0 – upgrades Vista’s built-in search with the latest version for faster and more accurate results.
Windows Steady State – Lets you easily restore your computer back to its same condition before someone (like your kids) mucked around with it.
5 recommended add-ons for IE7 – this page has five of the best add-ons to enhance Internet Explorer.
Windows Gallery – the Windows Gallery itself isn’t a download, but is where you can find tons of downloads for your desktop and sidebar.

Flashback: Windows Media Center & Vista : Online Media : CES

Laura — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 01:45:00 GMT

There was so much to see and do at the Microsoft booth in the central hall of CES 2007 that I had to swing by and say hi to our old friend Jason Seuss again. We was really excited to show off some of the new online media capabilities for Media Center. Then I chatted with some of the integral launch partners who will be providing content for them- like TurboNick, Vongo and Showtime! If you’re not already a media center owner- this will sway you. I don’t think I’ll ever leave my house again ;)