I’m not one of those ready to write Windows an RIP certificate now that Google has finally taken (some of) the wraps off its Chrome OS. In fact, after reading through industry watchers’ questions and Google’s answers about it, I’m thinking that Chrome OS may not look quite so appealing by the time it rolls out in late 2010. Here’s why. First, as others have noted, Google’s Chrome OS is a new windowing system layered on top of Linux that is being customized to run on netbooks. Chrome OS is an “extension to Chrome,” the company’s browser, in Google execs’ own words. Google officials are billing Chrome OS, among other things, as a way to provide Web applications with the functionality of desktop applications.

Microsoft made the code for Office Starter 2010 available to select testers via its Connect Web site late this week. Office Starter 2010, as Microsoft officials have disclosed previously, Office Starter 2010 is the replacement for Microsoft Works. It will be free and ad-supported, includes Word and Excel only and allows only basic document viewing and editing.

WCF RIA Services simplifies the traditional n-tier application pattern by bringing together the ASP.NET and Silverlight platforms. RIA Services provides a pattern to write application logic that runs on the mid-tier and controls access to data for queries, changes and custom operations. It also provides end-to-end support for common tasks such as data validation, authentication and roles by integrating with Silverlight components on the client and ASP.NET on the mid-tier.

Microsoft® PowerPivot for Microsoft® Excel 2010 provides ground-breaking technology, such as fast manipulation on large data sets (often in millions of rows), streamlined integration of data, and the ability to effortlessly share your analysis through Microsoft® SharePoint 2010.

Exciting news everyone! We are released the OneNote 2010 beta yesterday, so you can try out the newest version of OneNote right now! We are super excited to unveil the work we as a team have been doing since releasing Office 2007 and we hope that you all are excited as we are, David talked about what's new in OneNote 2010 so please check out that post if you haven't already. OneNote 2010 is OneNote's 3rd release and we have come a long way from where we started in Office 2003 to where we are today. We are now part of every Office install, we have a web client, a mobile client and a desktop client which is better than ever. Most importantly we have you all, people who use OneNote everyday in school, at work and at home...we are just so amazed to see how you all use OneNote and how it helps you everyday. We have been listening to you all and I hope you all are happy with the release. Hence the beta, now is the perfect time for you to submit your feedback and we will listen : ) That being said you can download the beta here: www.microsoft.com/2010 and try it on your computer right now. Please remember this is a beta and there will be bugs, hopefully not too many but please report anything you see in the beta. You can use the OneNote Connect site to log those bugs and make suggestions. Thank you for your continued support of OneNote, we really appreciate it. More details here: http://blogs.msdn.com/descapa/ -Daniel Escapa OneNote PM

Comments On Our PDA Layout
We hope you get some enjoyment out of our new look PDA web page and are able to view it across a range of different devices. If you are having any problems or just have a few suggestions, e-mail us by clicking the header above.

Pocket PC Site Ideas
We are on the lookout for new ideas for our Pocket PC area. If you have any ideas for content or bits and pieces you would like to see appear here then let us know via e-mail to byron@activewin.com

Contacts
For your convenience, this is a list of the people to contact with the according to the category you choose. If you don't get a reply from one person for some time, try e-mailing one of the others.

Pocket PC Links
Visit various other Pocket PC Enabled websites. These sites have been chosen by us due to them being designed specifically for Microsoft's Pocket PC. If you have a site you would like us to check out e-mail us.