Microsoft announces Beta 2 of Vista, Office 2007 and Server

Seattle (WA) - Speaking at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced the availability of the Beta 2 versions of Windows Vista, Office 2007 (formerly code-named Office 12) and Windows Server, code-named "Longhorn."

According to Gates, each software package is available to MSDN subscribers and participants of the firm's Beta program today. It is the first time that Microsoft has released software pre-releases of a new client OS, its productivity suite and the server component at the same day.

Gates also said that all three Betas 2 will provide security "on a whole new level" and shared digital rights management policies.

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