Following Windows XP Service Pack 2 released in August 2004, Microsoft finallz releases the long waited Windows XP SP3 which includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases.

Microsoft is not adding significant Windows Vista functionality to Windows XP through SP3. However, SP3 does include Network Access Protection (NAP) to help organizations that use Windows XP to take advantage of new features in the Windows Server® 2008 operating system. Further, Windows XP SP3 does not include Windows Internet Explorer 7

Previously Released Functionality

• MMC 3.0
• MSXML6
• Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.5
• IPsec Simple Policy Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP
• Digital Identity Management Service (DIMS) DIMS makes it possible for users who log on to any domain-joined computer to silently access all of their certificates and private keys for applications and services. Peer Name
• Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) 2.1
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)

New and Enhanced Functionality

• “Black Hole” Router Detection
• Network Access Protection (NAP)
• Descriptive Security Options User Interface
• Enhanced security for Administrator and Service policy entries
• Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module
• Windows Product Activation

All details on Windows SP3 page

The 320 MB Windows XP SP3 is available for download here

National Bureau of Statistics of China, has release some figures about telephone usage in China. Figures are self explanatory and may give some Vertigo to European operators.

In end of March 2008 they were 574 millions cellphone users in China (+94 mio in 2007), a 20% increase compared to last year. It also mean that 40% of the Chinese population own a cellphone.

The NBS reveals that in March 08, 58 billions SMS were sent (nearly 700 billions/year !)

28% of Chinese population (361 millions) uses a fixed telephone, but landline operators are losing customers (minus 4 millions for the 1sr quarter 08) as calls from mobile phones are cheaper than through landlines.

China Mobile, the first Chinese mobile phone operator has 377 millions customers at end of January (+22.6%) while Unicom China only has 181 millions customers.

After 133 years of service, the Bang Rak Post office in Bangkok sent its last telegram on Wednesday.

Introduced by Samuel Morse in 1835, the telegraph came into Thailand in 1875. However, the service only came within the reach of the ordinary person in 1883.

Its heyday was between the 1980s and early 1990s - before the widespread use of telefaxes and mobile phones.

Telegraphy reached its peak in 1985, with 8.32 million telegrams sent each year. There were 987,984 telegrams sent in March 1995.

The complete article is in Bangkok "The Nation" newspapers.

Only one thing comes to my mind : 

- …. .- -. -.- … / .- -. -.. / –. — — -.. -… -.– .

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