A couple of months ago in May I wrote about an interesting Microsoft job posting that hinted at the idea of native Virtual Hard Disks (VHD) support in Windows 7 that would allow users to create, mount, unmount and even boot from these disk images without additional software allowing for interesting use-scenarios for not just enterprise users and home users as well.

Well the good news is that the rumor is now confirmed as a recently updated WinHEC 2008 agenda touts a session dedicated to this particular functionality with one subtle difference – targeted at Windows Server 2008 R2.

Windows Boot from One Image Format – ENT-T606
Presenter(s): Paul Rambo, Peter Brundrett

Virtual hard disk (VHD) is becoming a de facto standard image format for virtual machine operating system images. This session discusses native support of VHD in Windows Server 2008 R2. This support allows users, administrators, and vendors of storage and management tools to operate on VHDs as they would other storage devices. This creates opportunities for lowering operational costs by enabling customers to use a single image creation, deployment, and maintenance process and toolset across virtual and physical environments.

Technically Windows Server 2008 R2 is not Windows 7 – the name gives it away, but like Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, they are in theory based on the same kernel and developed in parallel. However just because it’s there doesn’t mean it’ll work – whether this feature will be “switched on” in Windows 7 remains a mystery. If my opinion is worth anything, I think it’ll be a killer feature for pro-users. Is it too early to speculate about Windows 7 Ultimate Extras?

I’m glad at least one charity is thinking outside the box – beyond depressing stories and pictures – to get people to take action. World Vision Australia has put together a competition with some interesting and albeit geeky prizes for bloggers to write about poverty as part of its Blog Action Day 2008 campaign.

The first prize includes playing with the only Microsoft Surface in Australia, chatting with the gurus at creative agency Amensia who owns the Surface, learning from experts at Yahoo and hanging out with the Googlers in Sydney – travel and accommodation included. On the other hand if you don’t care much about the big table, there’s also two iPhones for runner-up prizes. So either way, you win something multi-touch enabled. Everyone else gets a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Unfortunately for many of you, and fortunately for the few of you, this is an Australian only competition so your chances are pretty good. Competition ends October 29. Check out their site for more details. Get writing.

“Windows Strata” could be either another codename or even dare I say the final name for the “Windows Cloud” operating system Ballmer has been touting much lately as the name has recently condensed on the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference website. (See what I did there? I made a cloud pun.)

Either “strata” refers to “stratosphere” – the second layer in the Earth’s atmosphere above most clouds, or “stratus” – weather jargon for a type of cloud. Somehow I doubt it’s the latter since stratus is the type which casts a low gray blanket over an entire city, turning day into darkness and gloom. Probably not the association they were going for. On the other hand, stratosphere is above the rest. 😉

(via Kit Ong)

Maybe not the best place to put the ad. Outdoors maybe? 😛 Image credit Aleyda Solis.

Update: There’s also a new “Life without walls” themed multi-screen video playing at JFK Airport. Similar to the print campaign, different devices fade in to display a larger object. For those who remember, these are the same screens used to display the original Windows Vista WOW and Windows Mobile ads.

It must suck for Microsoft’s WinHEC conference this year not being the favorite show out of the two major events as PDC 2008 has been getting all of the attention and even the occasional plug from Steve “loves his company” Ballmer. But there’s still hope.

A recently updated sessions list has more in-depth details about each session and even goes into describing some interesting new hardware scenarios to be introduced in Windows 7.

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If you’re a fan of the Backstreet Boys, then this is right up your alley. In fact, so far up you probably can’t see the corner looking back and even feral cats dare not go where you are going. I think you catch my drift.

There’s a new boyband in town and they’re called “4 Softies and a Pizza Guy” and this is their debut music video “PDC 2008“. This is certainly not safe for work or anywhere where someone might see you watching this. You have been warned.

Just to be clear, they are not kidding around with their name. Four of them are Microsoft employees – Tina (who briefly appear as the psychedelic woman figure and not officially part of the band) and Max are from evangelism, Brian is from Windows Mobile, Yochay is a Windows Technical Evangelist and Paul works on SQL. The pizza dude, well, Parker really owns a Pizza parlor. How did he get there? There was suppose to be a 5th Microsoft person who dropped out (and now regrets his shot at stardom), but was replaced last second by the pizza guy.

If someone else, not yourself, asks where you can find out more about this phenomenon, you can direct them to visit their MySpace or Facebook profile. Behind the scenes photos are also available.

Finally a fun fact about the video. The discs they are holding (and teasing) are real DVDs with an actual build of Windows 7 on them. If someone catches you watching this video, just tell them you were researching Windows 7 as an excuse.

After watching the video, if for some reason if you suddenly have the urge to attend PDC 2008, you can register here. The rumor is the band will be playing live at the opening party. Nah I’m just kidding. Or am I. “I can’t wait.”