| Volume 11, Issue 3: February 11, 2009 | Note from the Editor | | | Greetings, and Welcome to TechNet Flash. Two things became obvious last week as I was putting together the newsletter: First, the demand for information about Windows 7 is downright voracious, and second, I needed a way to get important news out more frequently. I scored on both counts. On the frequency front, I'm happy to announce the TechNet Flash Feed blog, my new blog which is updated as often as important news for IT pros happens. And, as it turns out, it happens often. Whew! Give it a look, subscribe to the feed or bookmark the site and leave a comment. You no longer have to wait to get the big headlines. Driving a lot of that activity last week were new announcements and resources around Windows 7. Even before last week's announcement of the Windows 7 lineup, I know that a lot of you were already testing the new OS. As you delve deeper into this process, check out the Ten Things IT Professionals Should Know About Windows 7, a quick guide to what is in store if you're responsible for desktop administration. If you haven't started the evaluation yet, or even if you have, the new Windows 7 Walkthroughs explore the new and updated features in Windows 7, from AppLocker to the Problem Steps Recorder, with short video screencasts. A Month of Windows 7 Beta Tips in TechNet Magazine Here's a great opportunity to explore some of the new features and enhancements in Windows 7 and learn some tricks and shortcuts along the way. A new tip is posted every business day through February. Here are a few of the tips you'll find on the TechNet Magazine site: And if you want to hear from the experts what's in store for IT pros with Windows 7, tune in tomorrow, February 12, at 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time for the virtual roundtable discussion Windows 7: To the Beta and Beyond, moderated by none other than Mark Russinovich. Bring your questions. Mark and the panel will answer as many as they can during the hour-long event, then publish the rest in a Q&A after the event. Then check out Mark's most recent blog entry, The Case of the Phantom Desktop Files, recollecting an issue on his wife's PC where there were files in her desktop folder that didn't appear on the actual desktop. New Section See below New Videos for IT Pros, featuring short, easily digestible videos on a range of topics. Mitch Irsfeld
Editor, TechNet Flash |
Your Featured Content | | Let us know what interests you and we'll deliver your featured content here in the next edition of TechNet Flash. |
New Videos for IT Pros | | (11 Minutes 39 seconds)
Kyle Rosenthal takes you on a tour of the Application Compatibility Cookbook, which provides an in-depth look at the common compatibility issues applications might face when running on Windows Vista. He also discusses the 30-minute compatibility test that helps identify which issues you can mitigate or fix. | | | (13 minutes, 2 seconds)
In this video, Mark Wilson looks at installing the Hyper-V role, Microsoft's virtualization platform, on Windows Server 2008, and takes viewers through the key points to get virtual machines up and running. |
IT Management | | How are you positioning yourself, your team, and your organization to succeed during this economic downturn? Visit the Thrive site and learn how to enhance your skills, advance your career and elevate IT as the business leader. Don't just survive, thrive. |
Scripting for IT Pros Hey Scripting Guy...
Support and Troubleshooting How-to Articles Hotfixes Knowledge Base Articles See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles on the TechNet Web site. KB articles feature an Article Translations box in the right column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.  Also availabile via RSS
Featured Downloads | | This new virtual machine evaluation edition allows you to quickly try out the latest version of System Center Configuration Manager on a pre-configured virtual hard disk (VHD). You can download the VHD and evaluate for free in your own environment without the need for dedicated servers or complex installations. | | | This security guide provides guidance, instructions, and recommendations to address your key security concerns around server virtualization. The beta release is available through March 4, 2009. After joining the beta review program, bookmark this link to the program site to get the latest information about upcoming events. |
Upcoming Webcasts | | February 13, 2009, 8:00 A.M. Pacific Time
We explore presentation virtualization solutions for running applications centrally. We look at how Fabrikam implemented a Terminal Services solution to reduce the number of desktops it purchases as it aims to reduce hardware costs, energy consumption, and administration costs. | | | February 17, 2009, 9:30 A.M. Pacific Time
This webcast describes the best practices that Microsoft IT developed to configure host computers, storage, and network infrastructure in order to optimize virtual machine deployments. |
Identity and Security | | From now until June 30, 2009, every time you download a different Microsoft Forefront product trial, you'll increase your chances of winning great prizes, including one of three US$10,000 Grand Prize server systems for your home, a D-Link DNS-232 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure, or a US$50 Best Buy gift card. | | | IAG SP2 improves overall IAG scalability, interoperability, and functionality. It also has the ability to run as a virtual machine on Hyper-V for lower TCO, deployment flexibility, and simplified disaster recovery. Download the fully functional trial version which can be used in the production environment without an evaluation appliance. |
On Demand | | In this webcast, we cover some of the main file and storage features in Windows Server 2008, including Server Message Block 2 (SMB2), Distributed File System (DFS), Network File System (NFS), Offline Files, Storage Explorer, Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), Virtual Disk Service (VDS), Share and Storage Management, and File Server Resource Manager (FSRM). | | | Learn best practices for identifying server workload characteristics and mapping virtualized server workloads to the appropriate Intel processor families. Topics include Hyper-V server virtualization architecture, definition of common server workloads, Intel Xeon processor families, evaluating server workloads, sizing recommendations, and security and network considerations. |
Virtual Labs | | After completing this lab, you will learn how to pre-configure Windows Server 2008 for installing Exchange Server 2007 SP1, install Exchange Server 2007 SP1, verify installation, explore new enhancements in Outlook Web Access, and install Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 in an existing Exchange Server 2003 single-forest environment. | | | After completing this lab you will understand how to deploy policies and software using System Center Mobile Device Manager, use multiple methods of creating device enrollment using either self-service or pre-enrollment, and understand how mobile devices can be managed in a secure manner. |
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| |  | | | | Training & Books Career Assist Package, Save Up to 90% Second Shot provides a free retake if you fail your certification exam. And from now until June 30, 2009, if you register for Second Shot, you get the E-Learning Collection for just US$35 (usually priced up to US$349). That's up to 90% off. But hurry; once you have activated a discounted e-learning collection it will only be available for 90 days. Free Copy of SQL Server 2008 With Select Training Courses Receive a free copy of SQL Server 2008 when you attend select SQL Server 2008 courses with Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions. Limited-time offer. | | National and Global Events Tech·Ed North America 2009 May 11 - 15, 2009 Los Angeles, CA Immerse yourself in more than 750 learning opportunities. Explore current and soon-to-be-released Microsoft technologies, including the Microsoft System Center product suite, Microsoft Forefront, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Register by February 27 and save US$200 on the full conference price. Register for Microsoft Management SummitApril 27 - May 1, 2009 Las Vegas, NV In this 10th-anniversary year, Microsoft Management Summit 2009 will present more than 120 demo-packed technical sessions. The theme of this year's Microsoft Management Summit is "Physical – Virtual – Powerful," reflecting how integrated management of both physical and virtual environments, across the datacenter and on the desktop, can lead to powerful yet cost-effective solutions. Tech Days 2009 Open Call for Speakers and Content For the first time ever, on April 1, 2009 we are joining the entire worldwide developer community online for one continuous 24-hour period of learning and connecting at Tech Days 2009 Defy All Challenges. This free virtual event will begin at 8:00 A.M. in Asia-Pacific and conclude 24 hours later in the Americas. We are looking for passionate speakers to submit topics (in any language) in the areas of developer tools, mobility, Windows, Office, SharePoint, or Web development. | | TechNet Plus Direct | • | Full library of Microsoft software for evaluation without limits | | • | Immediate access through subscriber downloads | | • | Two Professional Support incidents | | • | Access to beta software before public beta releases | | • | Exclusive tools and utilities | | | | | | | | Personalize Your Flash Let us know your technology interests. When you personalize your Flash experience, additional content for your selected topics can be found in every edition in Your Featured Content. | | | © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics, Expression, Forefront, Hyper-V, Internet Explorer, Outlook, Silverlight, SoftGrid, SQL Server, Visual Studio, Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows Server, and Windows Vista are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. To cancel your subscription to this newsletter, reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject line. You can also unsubscribe at the Microsoft.com Web site. You can manage all your Microsoft.com communication preferences at this site. Legal Information. This newsletter was sent by the Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington, USA 98052 | | | | |
