At Martha Coakley’s election night headquarters at the Sheraton Boston, an air of disappointment permeated the lightly filled room as the disappointing results came over via giant screens.

“I was told there was a crowd out here,” joked Coakley as she addressed the crowd, flanked by her family and supporters, including Governor Deval Patrick, Senator John Kerry and U.S. Representative Ed Markey.

Coakley thanked the attendees for their efforts, stating that there is still work to be done.

“I will not forget the fierce determination with which we approached this,” said Coakley. “Although our campaign ends tonight, we know that our mission continues and our work goes on.”

Coakley also lauded Senator Kennedy’s widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, for her contributions to the campaign, and wrapped up her speech quoting the late elder statesman: “The work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on.”

CAMBRIDGE — Thursday’s release of Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system saw the company open the doors to its New England Research & Development Center to hundreds of college students for a first look at the successor to the widely-panned Vista.

The event, held at Microsoft’s Cambridge office on Memorial Drive, featured product giveaways, a live DJ and activities such as Halo matches and Rock Band to keep those in the tenth floor lounge entertained between demonstrations of the new operating system. Attendees waiting in line to receive their free copy of the operating system noshed on Windows 7-themed cupcakes as George Matthews, a Microsoft software development engineer, showed off Windows 7′s slick new features via projector at the far end of the lounge. In keeping with the spirit of a student event in Boston, Matthews’ presentation even included an Easter egg of sorts that he claimed proves Microsoft Office’s chief icon designer is a Red Sox fan.