Keithblog

Microsoft have announced that it will be providing a discounted version of its software applications to “qualifying governments” beginning later this year for around US$3.00. The package is called the “Student Innovation Suite“. It will include a range of Microsoft software including;

• Windows XP Started Edition,
• Office Home and Student 2007 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Including learning essentials) ,
• Math[s] 3.0,
• and an email application.

The move is undoubtedly an aim to maintain Microsoft’s position as the number one software provider which has been coming up against competition, not least from open-source alternatives which are available for (next-to) nothing.

The software will only be available selected countries with the qualifying governments, these will most likely only be less developed countries in Africa and Asia.

• Microsoft Press Release

Keithout

Just downloaded one of the replacements for Microsoft Frontpage - Microsoft Expression Web. Basically there are two types of FrontPage replacements, SharePoint (which is part of the new office suite) and Expression (a new group of graphic programs aimed at developers and designers) . I’m using Expression simply because my host doesn’t support SharePoint extensions.

I should point out that on the whole Dreamweaver v FrontPage thing, I’m firmly on the side of FrontPage, with all it’s faults Microsoft knows how to make things easy to use. Why make web design more complicated than you have to?

There are three versions of Expression;

• Graphic Designer - vector and bitmap graphics editor
• Interactive Designer - user interface design tool for applications .
• Web Designer - general web design program

I choose the latter, it seemed the most like FrontPage. So far it seems to be a cloan of FrontPage accessing my website (which was built using FrontPage) was as easy as ever, type in the URL, username and password. All of my files loaded and I could start editing.

The main difference is when editing the HTML code, the display is much clearer and objects like images, forms and URLs are highlighted to make them easier to spot. Other than that there is very little difference between it and MS Frontpage 2003, although the interface is a very odd shade or blue. CSS containers are quite nicely highlighted when editing within them, a small tag appears with their name.

• For more information log on to www.microsoft.com

Keithout