Redmond's purchase option automatically kicks in if a third-party offers $3.4 billion or more for tablet chipmaker's shares.

From InformationWeek: Microsoft and Nvidia have an agreement in place that spells out terms relating to a possible acquisition of the graphics and mobile processor manufacturer, regulatory documents indicate.
The deal gives Microsoft the exclusive right to match any offer for 30% or more of Nvidia's outstanding shares by a third-party, according to an SEC filing reviewed by InformationWeek.

"Under the agreement, if an individual or corporation makes an offer to purchase shares equal to or greater than 30% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, Microsoft may have first and last rights of refusal to purchase the stock," Nvidia said in the filing, dated May 27. The pact puts Redmond in a position to effectively veto attempts by any of its rivals to snap up Nvidia, which makes key components for the red-hot tablet market, which includes forthcoming Windows 8 slates.

Sound to me like Mr. Allen is calling into question some of the decisions MS has made over the years. 

The details of Paul Allen’s testy personal relationship with Bill Gates have been the most eye-catching part of his forthcoming memoir. But it is the Microsoft co-founder’s damning critique of the company’s current problems that could well prove more telling.

In a draft of the forthcoming book, seen by the FT, Mr Allen writes: “How did a company once at the forefront of technology and change fall so far behind? It’s a thorny question, with roots that go back decades, but I believe it boils down to three broad factors: scale, culture and leadership.” 

In terms of size, Mr Allen says that Microsoft “got huge and failed to deal with the consequences”. 

blogs.ft.com has the article

When I was running IT Departments, I paid a lot of attention to what MS tried to do when it came to client licenses.

Microsoft is changing the way it bundles and prices some of its enterprise product licenses.

Microsoft currently has two types of CALs (client access license)-- a Core CAL and an Enterprise CAL (ECAL) Step Up edition. In the current version, the Core CAL provides licenses for basic server products such as Windows Server, Systems Center Configuration Manager, SharePoint Standard edition, and Exchange Standard edition.

internetnews.com has the article

Caught this on "the Twitter..."

Are you an Exchange Administrator? Do you want to become one? Take this opportunity to prepare for your Exchange Server 2010 TS and IT Pro Exams by attending our free Cram 4 Exam with Microsoft Certified Trainer, Chris Rhodes. An MCT since 1996, Chris is an expert on Exchange Server and Windows Server and has been selected as a Microsoft Learning Ambassador for TechEd Europe 2010 and TechEd North America 2011. During this Live Meeting session, Chris will walk you through the exam objectives and give you some tips on preparing for and taking your exam.

mslearn.net has the article and the steps needed to get the "cram exam"