Microsoft is releasing software development kits for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and the Microsoft Office Project 2007 platform. The kits, which provide a complete platform API reference, also give technical guidance and sample code to help developers create Office business applications, a Microsoft spokesperson told eWEEK. These solutions allow employees to use their productivity applications like Office to access information they need from their organizations’ back-end systems.

Microsoft Tuesday released a developer tool formerly code-named Atlas for building Web applications based on Ajax. ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 is an add-on framework to Microsoft’s ASP.Net tool that enables developers to build applications that can be altered dynamically on a browser page without calling back to the server. Microsoft released a community technology preview of ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 in September 2005 at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles and called it Atlas. Tuesday marks the first time the tool is being release in its final version.

Laplink officially released its Vista-compatible version of PCmover, the only utility that automatically moves programs as well as data files and settings from an old PC to a new PC. Users of PCmover can migrate from a PC running Windows 95 or any later version to any other version of Windows, including Vista. PCmover even allows for migrations to a Macintosh running Parallels or Apple’s Boot Camp. Any version of PCmover already purchased can be upgraded free of charge. Users simply to need to use the "Check for Update" functionality available in PCmover after installation on their old and new PCs to download the Vista compatible version of PCmover.

Microsoft has defended the digital rights management systems integrated into its new Vista operating system. It follows reports that Vista would "downgrade" the quality of all video and audio, if they were not output via approved connections on the PC. Microsoft said only the quality of "premium content" would be lowered, and only if requested by copyright holders. The measures are in place, says the firm, to protect content such as high definition movies from being copied.

FileMaker announced availability of a new downloadable digital book, Creating a Database in FileMaker Pro 8.5: Visual QuickProject Guide. Written by prolific computer author Steve Schwartz, the new eBook is an updated version of his popular 2005 book, published by Peachpit Press, "Creating a Database in FileMaker Pro 8: Visual QuickProject Guide." The special eBook offer is for customers who purchase and register any of the following qualifying products between now and June 21, 2007: FileMaker Pro 8.5, FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced, FileMaker Server 8, FileMaker Server 8 Advanced and FileMaker Mobile 8.

Microsoft plans to ship an update to Windows Live OneCare on January 30, marking the first time the antivirus and PC maintenance tool will be sold outside the U.S. The release of OneCare version 1.5 is slated to coincide with the consumer launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft’s long-awaited operating system update. The new OneCare version, as expected, will also run on Vista, Microsoft said in a statement Tuesday.

The social-networking Web site MySpace.com will now distribute online alerts to members notifying them of missing children in their communities. MySpace is teaming with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to distribute so-called Amber alerts, which are triggered by law-enforcement officials. The online alerts, which will begin Tuesday, will be sent to all users in the ZIP codes where it was issued.

Microsoft plans to roll out a new release of its Windows Live OneCare managed security service to consumers in the United States and 16 other countries on Jan.30–to coincide with the general release of Windows Vista. This updated service, which brings automated PC protection, maintenance, performance tuning and support, will be available for purchase online or through participating retail outlets, at an annual subscription rate of $49.95, which covers up to three PCs. Consumers will also be able to download the Windows Live OneCare subscription service.

SafeScreen from PixAlert has been selected by Microsoft to support the Family Safety Settings’ parental controls in the new Windows Vista operating system. Microsoft is continually striving to provide the technology and tools to fight against online predators and to help protect families from unwanted and inappropriate content. PixAlert’s SafeScreen is an advanced PC protection and real time image monitoring solution that actively identifies and obscures pornographic content on the screen from any source. This includes not only images from the Internet but also from a host of other devices such as DVDs, cell phones, USB keys and media players.

A new technique being employed by malicious spammers is testing the ability of email filtering technologies to tell the difference between legitimate newsletter content and messages bearing unwanted advertisements and hidden links to malware sites. According to researchers at security software market leader Symantec, a new trend is rapidly emerging among bulk spammers where the creators of the annoying and often dangerous messages are disguising their work using real content distributed in genuine electronic newsletters. By carefully recreating email newsletters and marketing materials sent to customers from well-known sources such as eBay, ESPN and Wal-Mart, spammers have found a new way to circumvent many filtering systems and sneak their work into users’ in-boxes, said Doug Bowers, senior director of anti-abuse engineering at Symantec.