Microsoft gets bipartisan support
Even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats found one thing to agree on. Both have announced deals to use Microsoft as a key technology supplier for their upcoming national conventions.
The Republicans announced on Thursday that Microsoft will provide a range of technologies from setting up a volunteer management system to showing off its Surface computers, from which convention goers will be able to share photos.
"Microsoft stands as one of America's success stories, always at the leading edge of technology," convention President and CEO Maria Cino said in a statement. "Our goal has always been to make our convention the most exciting, energetic, and tech-savvy in GOP history."
In April, Microsoft announced a deal with the Democratic convention organizers. For the Democrat gathering, Microsoft is also the official HD content providers, serving up convention coverage over the Web using its Silverlight technology.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
