| Volume 12, Number 26: December 15, 2008 | | Top News | | This is a traditional service pack release containing all cumulative security updates available since the Windows Vista SP1 release in March 2008; however, it is a single service pack for both client and server operating systems. Either Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Server 2008 is a prerequisite for installing this service pack. For a full list of changes in SP2, visit the Windows Server Division Weblog for Windows Server 2008 and The Windows Blog for the Windows Vista client. MSDN Subscribers can download the Windows Vista SP2 Beta or the Windows Server 2008 SP2 Beta from the subscriber downloads site. | | | If you're using Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, it's time to step up. For a limited time, get 30% off when you purchase a Step-up license to Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition (or any other Team System edition).You'll get even more bang for your buck. Team System 2008 Development Edition with MSDN Premium now comes with Database Edition - it's like getting two for the price of one. To save 30%, contact your reseller. | |
| | From the Editor Greetings, The holidays are upon us. I know this because here in the Puget Sound area, it's been more than a month since we said goodbye to the sun. And we won't welcome it back until after the Fourth of July. We long-time mossbacks of the rain forest usually don't fret during these festive months. But this year, things are different. Is it just me, or are there fewer people stringing up lights this season? And what happened to all those holiday parties? Seems like everyone is scaling back, but aside from that sub-$2-per-gallon gas, we're still looking for that proverbial silver lining. As developers, you know that making do with less can sometimes lead to new efficiencies and innovations that can put you in fine stead when the economic clouds lift. So instead of hunkering, spend more time feeding that knowledge habit. While it's always a good investment, now may be the best time to expand your skills. And more to the point, there is now a ton of free new education and training to choose from. For instance, MSDN offers new live and on-demand webcasts nearly every day, geared specifically for developers. For a guided online hands-on experience, use the MSDN Virtual Labs to quickly evaluate or learn how to build great applications for Windows and the Web in 90 minutes or less. Just getting started? The Beginner Developer Learning Center is the place to find the basics that guide you through step-by-step to becoming a fully-fledged developer. If time is an issue, check out the "How do I" Video Series, where you can consume bite-size nuggets in 15 minutes or less. And, naturally, when times get tight, we look for those deals too good to pass up. Here's a couple: | • | Get 30% off Visual Studio Team System. If your team is using any component edition of Visual Studio Team System 2008 (Development Edition, Test Edition, Architecture Edition, or Database Edition), you can step up to the complete Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite, and save 30%. This offer is available until June 30, 2009. | | • | Get two Visual Studio Editions for the price of one. Anyone who has Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition with MSDN Premium can download the Database Edition from their account - or vice-versa. Now you can get our most powerful tools for writing and collaborating on quality code from the UI to the database - all at one price. | Have a safe and joyous holiday. See you back here in 2009. Thanks for reading,
Editor
MSDN Flash |
Your Featured Content | | Ensure that the content most relevant to you is presented in this section. | | | Are you a software or Web developer or test engineer? The Microsoft Research team would like gain insight into the tools that you use on a daily basis. Gain a unique perspective into what Microsoft is developing and walk away with a gift for your input. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in participating, please e-mail itusable@microsoft.com with Software in the subject line. |
Web Resources | | February 3, 2009
Register for the free online launch event for Office Communications Server R2, complete with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, customer evidence and partners' booths. | | | Pluralsight On-Demand is our new Web-based training service, providing premier Microsoft .NET training and content in a convenient online format. With Pluralsight On-Demand, you have a full training experience available at your fingertips. | Security for Developers Training | | Receive a free copy of SQL Server 2008 when you attend select SQL Server 2008 instructor-led training courses with Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions. Limited-time offer, while supplies last. | | | Shop at Bookpool from December 1 to January 31 and receive 45% off your order. | | | Introducing AppDev OnDemand - immediate online access to award-winning learning for the latest Microsoft technologies. Get up to speed quickly in SharePoint 2007, Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008, and more. For December only, get one-year full access to our entire course library for just US$2,995. | Case Studies | | By using Windows Presentation Foundation, Roxio launched a revamped Roxio Creator 2009, which includes a user interface that is visually rich and easy to use. | | | To meet its organizational challenges and improve internal and external communication, LTA deployed Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, Expression Studio and Virtual Earth to launch an on-demand videocasting communications platform for its staff and an exhibit that enables Singapore to see the future of transportation. | Partner News | | Sample a web-based Secure Coding course that teaches developers how to code more securely and identify issues in existing code. | | | The MSDN Flash is full of pointers to in-depth technical information that we encourage subscribers to forward to friends and co-workers. If you've received this issue from someone via e-mail and would like to receive the free MSDN Flash newsletter biweekly, all you have to do is register. | | |  | Download the Windows Vista/Server 2008 SP2 Beta  | | Webcasts & Online Events All times Pacific Time | | National and Global Events Save Over 40% on MIX09 Conference Passes For a limited time, starting December 16, 2008, the MIX09 team is offering MIX09 conference passes for $795 USD (that's more than 40% off the full price) to the first 200 people to register. Enter the RSVP code MIXspecial1 to receive your discounted conference pass. Attend VSLive! in San Francisco February 22 - 26, 2009 San Francisco, CA Check out the independent Visual Studio .NET developer conference. View the complete VSLive! San Francisco agenda and register by December 10 to save US$300 | | |
