Few days ago I decided to exploit this opportunity and to install Windows 2008 R2 RC in VHD and use it as boot option on my laptop. There are basically two ways you can do this.

First I created new virtual machine in Microsoft Hyper-V console and tried to implant it on my existing Windows 7 installation. I successfully modified boot sector to include VHD file but when I tried to boot from it I got BSOD.

Then I tried another possibility, I installed Windows 2008 R2 to VHD directly from its installation procedure. And it works great!  Here is procedure on how to do it:

Bare in mind that I already have Windows 7 installed.

• Physical disk that will hold VHD file must be formatted (does not have to be empty, can not be USB)
• Boot from Windows Server 2008 R2 DVD
• When first installation dialog box appears pres SHIFT + F10 to open command prompt
• Launch diskpart
• At diskpart prompt enter following command create vdisk file=c:\win2k8r2.vhd type=fixed maximum=20000 (this will create VHD file of 20 GB and it will be fixed size, you can even use expandable as type. You can also change name and location of vdisk file)
• Next, run select vdisk file=c:\win2k8r2.vhd
• Run attach vdisk
• Exit from diskpart and command prompt
• When selecting partition on which to install Windows Server 2008 R2, select newly created and attached VHD partition. Ignore any warnings like ". cannot boot from this partition".

When installation finishes, you will have an option to boot from Windows 7 or Windows 2008 R2 RC. If you want to remove Windows 2008 R2 RC, all you need to do is edit boot menu with bcdedit command and delete or move VHD file.

Microsoft has yesterday released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Microsoft Office System de 2007, with lots of optimizations on stability, performance and interoperability.

These tweaks include:

� Performance optimizations on Microsoft Office Outlook.

� Additional support to file formats ODF, PDF e XPS.

 

The SP2 optimizations will benefit server and client applications highlighting:

Office Desktop

� Outlook 2007 SP2 is 26% faster than it's ancestor in box of usual tasks and even more faster (35%) with large mail boxes;

� Capacity to ungroup  SmartArt� graphics (and, as result, capacity to animate them on PowerPoint);

� A tool that allows to uninstall Office Service Packs.

 

Servers - performance and availability

� Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 2 improves a series of questions like security level, performance and stability on the ECM areas, Search, Excel Services and Form Services;

� Together with Office 2007 client, with Service Pack 2 it's possible to record and open files in ODF formats directly in Sharepoint.

� Finally,  Service Pack 2 will offer different tools for developers which become easier the developing process for Office.

Knowledge Base article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968170 includes a complete list of updates.

The developing team elements of Office offer a vast of interesting and relevant information on the following blogs:

� Sustained Engineering blog - A detailed view about SP2

� Office Interoperability blog, Doug Mahugh - The additional formats supported by Office.

� Microsoft on the Issues blog - Discussion on format options of files.

� Gray Matter, Gray Knowlton - The perspective for community and development.

 

Where can you get Service Pack 2?

SP2 can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b444bf18-79ea-46c6-8a81-9db49b4ab6e5, which will also be available on Microsoft Update maximum term of 3 months.

It's a simple game that can easily get you hooked. You create a fighter, called a Brute, to fight other Brutes. When you challenge other players, you don't even have to do anything once the fight starts. Matches are automatically resolved based on your Brute's stats and weapons. The game is viral because if you recruit people to become your pupils, you earn experience points per new recruit, and whenever your pupil gains a level. Sounds like MLM or a pyramid scheme, huh?

The game is pretty easy to play, and it seems your stats and weapons/items are randomly generated. Sometimes you also get pets when you level up, and these creatures will fight for you. On that note, let me rant a bit: Why the heck do some of the Brutes I've fought have a freaking BEAR for a pet? It's unfair, man! LOL.

One thing that may puzzle you about My Brute though is that the site has no game guide. If you're wondering how you recruit people or become a Brute's pupil, it's like this. You go to the URL of a Brute and create a new Brute to fight it--your new Brute automatically becomes his or her pupil. That's why it's important to promote your Brute's URL.
You're also limited to a number of fights a day.

On the first day, you can fight up to six times, but after that you can have three matches a day. I'm not sure yet if this will change when you reach a certain level.
You can also enter tournaments--these are automatically resolved as well, even when you're not playing. Same as when other Brutes challenge your fighter in normal matches.

If you'd like to see the game in action, click here for a replay of my Brute's fight.

To fight against me. Just click on Mybrute below.