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  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Interesting Downloads for Week Ending - 11-21-2008

    • 2 Comments

    Infrastructure Development, Operations & Maintenance

    · Active Directory Migration Tool v3.0

    · Response Point White Paper: Maintaining Response Point

    · Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB953467)

    · Response Point Data Sheet

    · Response Point White Paper: Network Requirements for Microsoft Response Point

    · Response Point White Paper: Troubleshooting Guide

    · Response Point White Paper: Deploying and Supporting Response Point with Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

    · Response Point Features and Benefits

    · Response Point White Paper: Network Connection Considerations

    Solutions & Solution Development

    · Distributed Agile Development at Microsoft patterns and practices

    · Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1

    · Visual Round Trip Analyzer

    · DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

    · Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.0

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    · Microsoft® Forefront™ codename "Stirling" Beta

    Other

    · Zune Client software, version 3.1

    · Shape Documents

    Infrastructure Development, Operations & Maintenance

    Active Directory Migration Tool v3.0

    Brief Description

    The Active Directory Migration Tool version 3 (ADMT v3) provides an integrated toolset to facilitate migration and restructuring tasks in an Active Directory infrastructure.

    Overview

    The Active Directory Migration Tool version 3 (ADMT v3) simplifies the process of restructuring your operating environment to meet the needs of your organization. You can use ADMT v3 to migrate users, groups, and computers from Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0 domains to Active Directory® directory service domains; between Active Directory domains in different forests (interforest migration); and between Active Directory domains in the same forest (intraforest migration). ADMT v3 also performs security translation from Windows NT 4.0 domains to Active Directory domains and between Active Directory domains in different forests.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6f86937b-533a-466d-a8e8-aff85ad3d212&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point White Paper: Maintaining Response Point

    Brief Description

    This document provides Response Point VARs and technicians with information to help them provide maintenance services to Response Point customers.

    Overview

    This information is provided as a recommendation that can be used as a basis for building maintenance agreements with Response Point clients to help ensure the proper functioning of a Response Point solution.
    The first section of this paper describes various maintenance concepts, including information about performing some of the more complex maintenance tasks. The second section provides information and recommendations for Response Point maintenance scheduling. The third section gives further recommendations for tasks that should be performed whenever certain types of changes are made to a Response Point environment.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b5e40ac1-5896-4f98-8ce5-f82a066a5b2e&DisplayLang=en

    Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB953467)

    Brief Description

    Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB953467)

    Overview

    Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) resolves issues that were found in Exchange Server 2007 SP1 since the software was released. This update rollup is highly recommended for all Exchange Server 2007 SP1 customers.
    For a list of changes that are included in this update rollup, see KB953467.
    This update rollup does not apply to Exchange Server 2007 Release To Manufacturing (RTM). For a list of update rollups applicable to Exchange Server 2007 RTM, refer to the section Update rollups for Exchange Server 2007 RTM in the Knowledge Base article KB937052.
    This is a cumulative update rollup and replaces the following:

    • KB945684 Update Rollup 1 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB945684)
    • KB948016 Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB948016)
    • KB949870 Update Rollup 3 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB949870)
    • KB952580 Update Rollup 4 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB952580)

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=652ed33a-11a1-459c-8ffe-90b9cbfe7903&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point Data Sheet

    Brief Description

    There’s an easier way to communicate.

    Overview

    Introducing Microsoft Response Point, innovative phone system software designed to meet the needs of small businesses. Response Point can save you time and money with a breakthrough voice-activated user interface, simplified setup and user management, and effortless mobility.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7efe7ba9-3a84-401a-b2e6-2b5227ed808a&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point White Paper: Network Requirements for Microsoft Response Point

    Brief Description

    This paper is designed to assist VARs who want to offer Response Point readiness assessments, pre-deployment planning, and solution implementation services to smallbusiness customers.

    Overview

    This paper will describe the recommended Response Point network assessment, planning, and deployment tasks that will help ensure a successful Response Point implementation.
    At the time of publication, Response Point does not natively support Internet Telephony Solution Provider (ITSP) connections. The release of Response Point Service Pack 1 (SP1) is planned for March 2008 and will introduce native ITSP support. However, it is possible to utilize an ITSP solution today by connecting Response Point to the ITSP by using gateways or Integrated Access Devices (IADs). Information about connecting Response Point to an ITSP has been included in this document.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=61501e0d-c07a-4433-8de0-e38baeb537a6&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point White Paper: Troubleshooting Guide

    Brief Description

    Answers to the most common problems you may encounter.

    Overview

    The Microsoft® Response PointTM phone system is a software-based voice communication solution designed specifically for small businesses with one to 50 employees. Completely packaged with all of the required hardware and software, Response Point is easy to install, configure, and manage; however, it is possible you may experience some technical issues.
    This guide offers troubleshooting advice for the ten most common problems that might develop during the setup and maintenance of your Response Point system. Before unnecessarily disabling the entire system or contacting a support service, first use the simple steps outlined in this guide to try to diagnose a problem. Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as an improperly connected cable.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=95bbdc5d-795d-4de3-bc4b-47ce5918e379&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point White Paper: Deploying and Supporting Response Point with Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

    Brief Description

    Before combining these products, you will need to have a thorough understanding of how to deploy and support Microsoft Response Point phone system software in an office that is already using Windows® Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 R2.

    Overview

    Individuals who manage these communication solutions—such as a systems engineer working for a value-added reseller (VAR) or an IT professional employed by a small business—will find this information useful.
    This valuable reference is useful for planning a Response Point deployment with SBS, but it is not designed to stand alone. This document supplements the out-of-box manuals and quickstart guides that come with the Response Point software, manufacturer’s hardware, and SBS equipment.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1e063f38-57ea-484f-9dfd-990b904f1c25&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point Features and Benefits

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Response Point is advanced phone-system software designed specifically for small businesses that have one to 50 employees.

    Overview

    Microsoft Response Point is advanced phone-system software designed specifically for small businesses that have one to 50 employees. The user-friendly Administrator software empowers an average computer user to set up a phone or make system changes in minutes. The unique voice-activated user interface helps instantly connect employees and customers with the people or information they need. With the entire system in one affordable package and support for both traditional phone service and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), the Response Point phone system is easy to manage and easy to use, and is a great choice for any small business.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=410aed47-298a-4b69-b734-ec57bf2bab77&DisplayLang=en

    Response Point White Paper: Network Connection Considerations

    Brief Description

    This paper will help to simplify the decision-making process by explaining the considerations involved in choosing the type of service and the actual provider for public telephony services that will work in conjunction with a Response Point solution.

    Overview

    This paper will help Microsoft Response Point Value Added Resellers who have little telephony experience understand how Response Point can be connected to service provider networks and the considerations involved in choosing a provider for a Response Point deployment.
    This paper also discusses some common troubleshooting scenarios that will help VAR technologists identify and resolve issues related to provider connectivity and services.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=433835d0-d35c-4757-83cd-dc668369bb01&DisplayLang=en

    Solutions & Solution Development

    Distributed Agile Development at Microsoft patterns and practices

    Brief Description

    This paper describes some of the proven practices about distributed agile development learned by teams within Microsoft’s patterns & practices group.

    Overview

    This paper describes some of the proven practices about distributed agile development and the specific lessons learned by teams within Microsoft’s patterns & practices group over numerous agile projects using distributed teams.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2143646d-bcc1-4d97-b9a1-968201917baa&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1

    Brief Description

    Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 is a full cumulative update that contains many new features building incrementally upon .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and includes cumulative servicing updates to the .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.0 subcomponents.

    Overview

    .NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1 provides the following new features and improvements:

    • ASP.NET Dynamic Data, which provides a rich scaffolding framework that enables rapid data driven development without writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for managing browser history (back button support). For more information, see What’s New in ASP.NET and Web Development.
    • Core improvements to the CLR (common language runtime) that include better layout of .NET Framework native images, opting out of strong-name verification for fully trusted assemblies, improved application startup performance, better generated code that improves end-to-end application execution time, and opting managed code to run in ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) mode if supported by the operating system. Additionally, managed applications that are opened from network shares have the same behavior as native applications by running with full trust.
    • Performance improvements to WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), including a faster startup time and improved performance for Bitmap effects. Additional functionality for WPF includes better support for line of business applications, native splash screen support, DirectX pixel shader support, and the new WebBrowser control.
    • ClickOnce application publishers can decide to opt out of signing and hashing as appropriate for their scenarios, developers can programmatically install ClickOnce applications that display a customized branding, and ClickOnce error dialog boxes support links to application-specific support sites on the Web.
    • The Entity Framework is an evolution of the existing suite of ADO.NET data access technologies. The Entity Framework enables developers to program against relational databases in according to application-specific domain models instead of the underlying database models. For more information, see Getting Started with the Entity Framework. The Entity Framework introduces some additional features, including support for new SQL Server 2008 types, default graph serialization of Entities, and the Entity Data Source. This release of the Entity Framework supports the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008. The graph serialization work helps developers who want to build Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services that model full graphs as data contracts. The Entity Data Source provides a traditional data source experience for ASP.NET Web application builders who want to work with the Entity Framework.
    • LINQ to SQL includes new support for the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008.
    • The ADO.NET Data Services Framework consists of a combination of patterns and libraries, which enable data to be exposed as a flexible REST (Representational State Transfer)-based data service that can be consumed by Web clients in a corporate network or across the Internet. The ADO.NET Data Services Framework makes data service creation over any data source. A conceptual view model of the underlying storage schema can easily be exposed through rich integration with the ADO.NET Entity Framework. Services created by using the ADO.NET Data Services Framework, and also compatible Windows Live (dev.live.com) services, can be easily accessed from any platform. For client applications that are running on Microsoft platforms, a set of client libraries are provided to make interaction with data services simple. For example, .NET Framework-based clients can use LINQ to query data services and a simple .NET Framework object layer to update data in the service.
    • Windows Communication Foundation now makes the DataContract Serializer easier to use by providing improved interoperability support, enhancing the debugging experience in partial trust scenarios, and extending syndication protocol support for wider usage in Web 2.0 applications.
    • The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab99342f-5d1a-413d-8319-81da479ab0d7&DisplayLang=en

    Visual Round Trip Analyzer

    Brief Description

    Tool to view web page performance
    Web page performance visualizer and analyzer

    Overview

    The Visual Round Trip Analyzer tool helps web developers and testers visualize the download of their page, identify best practices and changes that improve web performance. The network Round-Trip between the client and server(s) is the single biggest impact to web page performance – much greater than server response time. VRTA examines the communications protocol, identifying the causes of excessive round-trips, and recommending solutions. Performance engineers, testers, developers, operations personnel should use VRTA to conduct their web performance analysis.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=119f3477-dced-41e3-a0e7-d8b5cae893a3&DisplayLang=en

    DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

    Brief Description

    November 2008
    The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime provides updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC.

    Overview

    Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX APIs.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&DisplayLang=en

    Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.0

    Brief Description

    Redistributable package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. Upgrades the version of Games for Windows - LIVE on a user's machine to version 2.0.

    Overview

    Redistributable package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. Upgrades the version of Games for Windows - LIVE on a user's machine to version 2.0.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=05013300-5d14-4dc9-9145-991ea1b8e4b0&DisplayLang=en

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    Microsoft® Forefront™ codename "Stirling" Beta

    Brief Description

    An integrated security system that is easier to manage and control
    Microsoft® Forefront™ codename "Stirling" is an integrated security system that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection across endpoints, messaging and collaboration servers and the network edge that is easier to manage and control.

    Overview

    Microsoft® Forefront™ codename “Stirling” is an integrated security system that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection across endpoints, messaging and collaboration servers and the network edge that is easier to manage and control.
    By delivering simplified management and providing critical visibility into threats, vulnerabilities, and configuration risks, Forefront codename "Stirling" helps reduce costs and achieve greater insight into the enterprise security state.
    At release, “Stirling” will include:

    A central management console and dashboard for security configuration and enterprisewide visibility.

    The next-generation versions of Forefront products: the next generation of Forefront Client Security, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint and the Internet Security & Acceleration Server (to be renamed the Forefront Threat Management Gateway).

    Dynamic Response, an innovative Microsoft technology built into each component of "Stirling" that allows the entire system to share and use security information to dynamically respond to threats across multiple layers of the organization.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=65bd5f8a-d94c-457a-9f88-2046597130e1&DisplayLang=en

    Other

    Zune Client software, version 3.1

    Brief Description

    PC software for Zune

    Overview

    You will need this software to sync contents from a PC to a Zune device.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6136349f-2b32-4946-83b5-a09775531ef4&DisplayLang=en

    Shape Documents

    Brief Description

    Shape Documents

    Overview

    Please download documents from Shape - The Web Conference

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ecd59e44-df62-42be-8e2d-3a857b22bc0a&DisplayLang=en

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Cleaning up my network.....

    • 0 Comments

    I am trying to consolidate my hardware and virtualize as many of my physical machines as I can right now. I am doing this because I want to be green, I want to keep my basement cool in the summer, and I want to simplify things. That last item is top priority actually. I have terabytes of drives scattered across a dozen computers and I would like to gets rid of the old drives that are grinding away and move as many of the remaining drives to storage servers.

    I am finding this to be a more difficult task that I first realized.

    Ever since Windows Desktop search came around in Windows XP, I have pretty much tossed directories and files around willy nilly without much regard to where and how they are organized. I have relied on search to find what I need when I need it. The downside to this is that I have lots of duplicate files and I am not exactly sure what is backup up and where.

    This morning I started tracking down old stuff I don't need any longer and duplicated data. I just deleted a directory that freed up 85 gigs on one of my storage servers because I had a copy of it as well as a recent backup of it elsewhere.

    ....and that was after only 10 minutes of poking around.

    I am going to keep a running count of how much data I delete today and will post the results later....

     

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Windows Firestarter event coming up at the Microsoft Campus....

    • 1 Comments

    On December the 12th (Friday) we are going to have a Windows FireStarter event at the Microsoft Conference Center. If you are a Developer or an IT Pro you’d definitely not want to miss this event.

    Just like all other FireStarter Events, we will be recording and making the entire content available for download post event. All the sessions in this event are presented to you by some Excellent Microsoft Speakers who are Subject Matter Experts.

    Take a look at the agenda below:

    Session Name

    Speaker

    8:15 – 8:30         Kick off

    Mithun Dhar

    8:30 – 9:30         Keynote/Why Vista!

    Chris Henley

    9:30 – 10:45       The Case of the Unexplained

    Mark Russinovich

    10:45 – 11:00   Break

    11:00 – 12:15     Building Differentiated UI Applications Using Composite WPF

    Glenn Block, Bob Brumfield & David Hill

    12:15 – 1:00     Lunch

    1:00 – 2:00         Best Practices for Developing for Windows for Windows Standard User

    Crispin Cowan

    2:00 – 3:00         Windows Security and Bitlocker

    Byron Hynes

    3:00 – 3:15        Break

    3:15 – 4:00          (Windows 7 + Windows Server 2008 R2) Teaser Session

    Byron Hynes

    4:00 – 5:00          Windows for everyone!

    TBA

    If you cannot attend in person, fret not, we have you covered! The entire event will be simulcasted on the web. Just register below for the Live Meeting version and you’ll find all the details. This should be a fantastic, fun filled day! We look forward to seeing you at the event…

    What: Windows FireStarter

    Where: Microsoft Conference Center

    When: December 12th 2008 (Friday)

    Register for the In Person Event: https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032396693&Culture=en-US

    Register for the Live Meeting version: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032396930&Culture=en-US

    If you have any questions, Contact: Mithun Dhar

     

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Interesting Download for Week Ending - 11-14-2008....

    • 1 Comments

    Infrastructure Development & Operations

    · Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile (2007 Release)

    · Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Virtual Server 2005)

    · Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Hyper-V)

    · Microsoft Office Live Meeting Service Administrator's Guide - English

    · Systems Management Server 2003 Inventory Tool for Dell Update

    · Monitoring Windows Essential Business Server

    · Migrating DHCP Server Service to Windows Essential Business Server

    · Migrating Active Directory Domain Services Scripts, Roaming Profiles, Redirected Folders, and Home Directories to Windows Essential Business Server

    · Migrating the DNS Role to Windows Essential Business Server

    · Microsoft Windows XP Embedded SP2 Resource Kit

    · Update for Office 2003 Multilingual User Interface Pack (KB924423)

    · Windows Essential Business Server Product Overview

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Project 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Word 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Help

    · Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Trial Software Download

    · SharePoint Monitoring ToolKit for System Center Operations Manager 2007

    · Windows Mobile 6.1 Hot Fix for Sending POP and IMAP E-mail

    · Windows Essential Business Server Getting Started Guide

    · Migrating from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Windows Essential Business Server

    · Migrating Microsoft Exchange Server to Windows Essential Business Server

    · Migrating Windows Server Update Services to Windows Essential Business Server

    · Windows Essential Business Server Installation Guide

    · Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007 Sync Engine Configuration Powershell Commandlets Quick Reference Guide

    · Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Trial Software Download

    · Infrastructure Planning and Design

    Solutions & Solution Development

    · .NET Rocks! - Interknowlogy Scratches the Surface!

    · Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0 (x86)

    · Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0 (x64)

    · Microsoft Surface Data Sheet

    · An Overview of Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 Features

    · BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Documentation

    · Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update (October 2008)

    · Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder Monthly Update (October 2008)

    · Office Accounting 2008 Connector

    · Office Accounting 2008 Transaction Migration Update

    · SQL Server 2008 Predictive Analysis Datasheet

    · Windows Vista User Experience Guidelines

    · External Collaboration Toolkit for SharePoint

    · .NET Rocks! - Rocky Lhotka on CSLA.NET for Silverlight!

    · .NET Rocks! - Bob Martin (Uncle Bob) on Being a Professional!

    · .NET Rocks! - YSlow! Steve Souders finds Website Bottlenecks

    · .NET Rocks! - Surface!

    · Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Tools Documentation: Integration Manager

    · Updates for Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Script Editor Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Access 2007 Help

    · Updates for Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Help

    · Windows CE101 Training Course Materials

    · SQL Server Data Services

    · Windows Essential Business Server Preparation and Planning Guide

    · Office Accounting 2008 Software Development Kit

    · RML Utilities for SQL Server (x86)

    · RML Utilities for SQL Server (x64)

    · Captions Language Interface Pack for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

    · Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 Training Kit - November Preview

    · Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.0

    · Azure Services Training Kit - PDC Preview

    · Live Search SDK

    · Windows Live Admin Center SDK V4.0

    · Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Emulator Images

    · SharePoint Designer 2007: Non Technical Resources (Trials, Pricing, Purchasing, Activation, Licensing and Support)

    · Microsoft® Expression® Encoder 2 SDK

    · Windows Live Agents 5.1

    · Microsoft Application Request Routing for IIS 7 (x86)

    · Microsoft Application Request Routing for IIS 7 (x64)

    · Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    · Podcasts: How Microsoft IT Manages Physical Security through Strategic IT Convergence

    · SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services Datasheet

    · Security Update for MSXML 4.0 Service Pack 2 (KB954430)

    · November 2008 Security Release ISO Image

    · Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter for x64-based Systems [November 2008] (KB905866)

    · Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [November 2008] (KB905866)

    · Extended Security Update Inventory Tool

    · Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) x64

    · Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)

    · Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Services 6.0 and Service Pack 1 (KB954459)

    · Windows Essential Business Server Security and Protection

    · Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" Datasheet

    · SQL Server White Paper: SQL Server 2008 Compliance Guide

    · Microsoft Online Services Sign In Tool V1

    · Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 5 (January – June 2008)

    Other

    · Microsoft Pre-Split and Post-Split Closing Stock Prices

    · Health Plan Customer Experience

    · EMEA Case Study Resources

    · Microsoft Campus Agreement and School Agreement Program Guides

    · Online Services Enables IT Consultant to Refocus on Higher Value Strategic Services

    · RED Saves Green Using Online Document Management Service

    · Online Services Open Doors to Delivery of Mission-Critical Customer Applications

    · Offering Online Services Points to a Clear Win for ClearPointe

    · Gaining a Comprehensive Messaging and Collaboration Solution to Meet Client Needs

    · Reducing IT Management Burden Creates Opportunities for New Strategic IT Initiatives

    · Online Services Help Software Firm Affordably Access Enterprise-class E-mail

    · Online Services Delivers Enterprise-Class Communications to Growing Retail Business

    · Realizing a Recurring Revenue Stream by Reselling Online Services

    · Online Services Provide Strong Entry into New Markets for Conferencing Company

    · Online Collaboration Services Support Consulting Company’s Quantum Growth

    · Online Services Create Ongoing Revenue Stream while Delivering Customer Value

    · Zune Client software, version 3.1

    Infrastructure Development & Operations

    Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile (2007 Release)

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile is a unified communications client for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. Communicator Mobile runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0 software for Pocket PC and smartphone devices.

    Overview

    Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile (2007 Release) extends the reach of Office Communications Server 2007 to information workers who use Windows Mobile powered devices. Communicator Mobile provides presence and communication features that are similar to the desktop version of Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 when users are away from their desks.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2eea3e24-f216-4887-92b0-f37d942e26e0&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Virtual Server 2005)

    Brief Description

    Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Enterprise Edition and Server Core Virtual Hard Drive Images (for VS 2005)

    Overview

    The Microsoft VHD format is the common virtualization file format for Virtual PC, Virtual Server 2005 and Hyper-V that provides a uniform product support system, and provides more seamless manageability, security, reliability and cost-efficiency for customers.
    This VHD release is available in English only and is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating Windows Server2008 software does not require product activation or entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.
    If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of Windows Server 2008.
    If you wish to extend the initial evaluation and testing period, please go here and follow the instructions.
    This installation requires Virtual Server 2005. For more information on obtaining and installing the latest version of Virtual Server, please visit the Virtual Server 2005 Downloads Page.
    Both virtual machines available here are running Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition Evaluation. One is the default full installation, and the other has been configured as a default Core installation. For more information on the difference between full and core installation please see the Windows Server 2008 Editions Overview pages. For download options please see the IMAGE SELECTION section in the instructions below.
    As both virtual machines do not have anti-virus installed, they should not be connected to any network until it has anti-virus installed. In addition, the operating system and programs installed were patched with all updates as of May 8, 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=961db8ce-8473-47c2-92eb-b822ec5af0c9&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Hyper-V)

    Brief Description

    Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Enterprise Edition and Server Core Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Hyper-V)

    Overview

    The Microsoft VHD format is the common virtualization file format for Virtual PC, Virtual Server 2005 and Hyper-V that provides a uniform product support system, and provides more seamless manageability, security, reliability and cost-efficiency for customers.
    This VHD release is available in English only and is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating Windows Server2008 software does not require product activation or entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.
    If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of Windows Server 2008.
    If you wish to extend the initial evaluation and testing period, please go here and follow the instructions.
    As this installation requires Hyper-V, you will need to have a base install of Windows Server 2008 (64bit edition), running Hyper-V. For more information on obtaining and installing the latest version of Hyper-V, please visit the Hyper-V Homepage.
    Both virtual machines available here are running Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition Evaluation. One is the default full installation, and the other has been configured as a default Core installation. For more information on the difference between full and core installation please see the Windows Server 2008 Editions Overview pages. For download options please see the IMAGE SELECTION section in the instructions below.
    As both virtual machines do not have anti-virus installed, they should not be connected to any network until it has anti-virus installed. In addition, the operating system and programs installed were patched with all updates as of May 8, 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=060f0c51-339a-4c4e-bb6e-716bb7401fd4&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Office Live Meeting Service Administrator's Guide - English

    Brief Description
    Overview

    This guide provides the information administrators need to deploy Microsoft Office Live Meeting clients, configure their conference center, and manage the Microsoft Office Live Meeting service within their organizations. It includes information about deploying Live Meeting clients and the Conferencing Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook, using Live Meeting Web Access, and configuring settings for your conference center.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=824a55c8-809a-4224-a8cd-f37b348b7481&DisplayLang=en

    Systems Management Server 2003 Inventory Tool for Dell Update

    Brief Description

    SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Dell Updates is an add-on to SMS 2003 that enables customers to use the SMS 2003 Software Update Management feature to update their Dell servers.

    Overview

    SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Dell Updates is an add-on to SMS 2003 that enables customers to use the SMS 2003 Software Update Management feature to update their Dell servers. Customers will be able to deploy BIOS, firmware, and driver updates to their Dell servers using the same process that they use for deploying security and other updates with SMS.
    SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Dell Update includes the following components:

    • Setup – Windows Installer based setup that allows SMS administrator to install all required components on the SMS site server.
    • Inventory Tool for Dell update (scan tool) – this tool is being built using SDK components provided by Dell Inc. It scans a Dell server for installed and missing updates, just like MBSA scans the computer for Microsoft security updates.
    • Sync tool for Dell update – this tool downloads a catalog from Dell’s website on a recurring schedule. This catalog describes all published Dell updates.
    • Update to Distribute Software Update Wizard (DSUW) – Setup will install an update to DSUW to show new UI that allows to manually import multiple component updates contained within a single system update.
    • Version 3.0 must be installed to coincide with work with the latest Dell catalog.

    Notes:
    The Inventory Tool for Dell Updates (ITDU) was revised in August 2008 to accommodate new certificates issued by Dell used for signing Dell content associated with the ITDU.
    In addition, the SMS 2003 post SP1 hotfixes referenced in the release notes (SMSITDURelNotes.htm) are no longer required as SMS 2003 SP1 is out of support. The hotfixes were not required as of SP2 for SMS 2003. SP3 is the current supported version.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=92a9bb94-1806-487b-a697-92492bf8cc8e&DisplayLang=en

    Monitoring Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    This document provides guidance to help you monitor your Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) network.

    Overview

    This document provides guidance to help you monitor your Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) network by using the Windows EBS Administration Console and by using the monitoring capabilities of Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=15f67b03-082e-4ce2-8545-424de2feb356&DisplayLang=en

    Migrating DHCP Server Service to Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    This document explains the steps for preparing your environment to work with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server service for Windows Essential Business Server

    Overview

    This document explains the steps for preparing your environment to work with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server service for Windows Essential Business Server. If you did not have the DHCP Server service in your environment prior to installing Windows Essential Business Server, this document explains how to start using it to manage IP addresses. If you previously used the DHCP Server service, instructions are provided for migrating scopes and settings.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e7087924-2d5f-4379-b083-14c7c0aea831&DisplayLang=en

    Migrating Active Directory Domain Services Scripts, Roaming Profiles, Redirected Folders, and Home Directories to Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    This document explains how to migrate scripts, roaming profiles, redirected folders, and home directories from your existing servers to the Windows Essential Business Server Management Server.

    Overview

    This document explains how to migrate scripts, roaming profiles, redirected folders, and home directories from your existing servers to the Management Server in Windows Essential Business Server. When you install Windows Essential Business Server, Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) does not automatically replicate and update all of this data. You are not required to move this data. If AD DS was not present in your environment, or if you do not use these features in AD DS, you do not need to perform these migrations.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d79d7afd-df62-4353-9abf-7cbc8e49cd3d&DisplayLang=en

    Migrating the DNS Role to Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    This document explains how to move the DNS role from your existing servers or devices to the Management Server and Messaging Server.

    Overview

    This document explains how to move the Domain Name System (DNS) role from your existing DNS servers to the Windows Essential Business Server Management Server. If your domain's DNS zone was already integrated with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) prior to installing Windows Essential Business Server, this migration was performed for you during installation and no further action is required. If you are unsure whether your zone was integrated with AD DS, this document explains how to check.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=09ba5591-5dc8-46c9-a22b-26f5ca090294&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Windows XP Embedded SP2 Resource Kit

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft Windows XP Embedded SP2 Resource Kit contains a set of integrated documents that make it easier to develop Windows XP Embedded devices.

    Overview

    This document set will help you understand Windows XP Embedded to determine its suitability to your product design. In order to reduce content redundancy, this document set makes frequent use of hyperlinks that you can click, to reference pre-existing on-line content. To use these hyperlinks, the computer that you use to view this document must also be connected to the internet.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f4a453e2-fcef-49c2-87ac-cebe233a5f8d&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Office 2003 Multilingual User Interface Pack (KB924423)

    Brief Description

    This update provides holidays for the Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 calendar when Outlook 2003 is used with a Multilingual User Interface Pack installed. This update provides holidays for the years 2007 through 2012.

    Overview

    You can get specific information about this update in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Description of the Update for Office 2003 Multilingual User Interface Pack (KB924423).

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c23ae5be-a99f-4e0a-b3b6-3325a58bc679&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server Product Overview

    Brief Description

    This document describes Windows Essential Business Server, its key applications and components, its component architecture, and the network topologies that it supports

    Overview

    Windows Essential Business Server is an integrated server solution for medium sized networks. This document describes Windows Essential Business Server, its key applications and components, its component architecture, and the network topologies that it supports. Features and benefits of Windows Essential Business Server are explained.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=01a0a2ec-18dc-4217-9591-ade0a1d7ae08&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Help file and the Office Excel 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Excel 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, excelhelp.msp automatically replaces the current EXCEL.DEV.HXS and EXCEL.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f4ca721c-37ae-4d26-9380-0404edd76d42&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Help files and the Office Visio 2007 Developer Help files.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Visio 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, visiohelp.msp automatically replaces the current VISIO.hxs, VISIO.DEV.hxs, VISIO.SHAPESHEET.hxs and VISIO_STD.hxs files in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b5a93eea-622c-4bce-899a-921416a3b70f&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) file on your computer for Office OneNote 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in that Help file.
    By default, onenotehelp.msp automatically replaces the current ONENOTE.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c93136d2-fb3e-4cb4-81ec-212a34b29afc&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office Project 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Project 2007 Help files and the Office Project 2007 Developer Help files.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Project 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, projecthelp.msp automatically replaces the current WINPROJ.hxs, WINPROJ.DEV.hxs and WINPROJ_STD.hxs files in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=08232883-5e2d-4e11-83a2-17b6231e21cb&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Help file and the Office PowerPoint 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office PowerPoint 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, powerpointhelp.msp automatically replaces the current POWERPNT.DEV.HXS and POWERPNT.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    Updates for Microsoft Office Word 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Word 2007 Help file and the Office Word 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Word 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, wordhelp.msp automatically replaces the current WINWORD.DEV.HXS and WINWORD.HXS files in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0cfee193-59ab-4574-b259-0262ab95e17d&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Help file and the Office Outlook 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Outlook 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, outlookhelp.msp automatically replaces the current OUTLOOK.DEV.HXS and OUTLOOK.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=17e3cdc4-36d7-4e7a-a2d9-983c55fce0ad&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Trial Software Download

    Brief Description

    This software is for evaluation and testing purposes.

    Overview

    This software is for evaluation and testing purposes.
    Evaluating Windows Essential Business Server 2008 software does not require product activation or entering a product key.
    If you need more time to evaluate Windows Essential Business Server 2008, the 60 day evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of Windows Essential Business Server 2008.
    If you wish to extend the initial evaluation and testing period, please go here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=100902 and follow the instructions.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f0b4d51e-b850-4764-8ce2-62bf95b2b81f&DisplayLang=en

    SharePoint Monitoring ToolKit for System Center Operations Manager 2007

    Brief Description

    The SharePoint Monitoring Toolkit helps you manage Microsoft SharePoint environments of all sizes.

    Overview

    SharePoint Monitoring ToolKit contains two Management Packs: SharePoint Server 2007 MP and SharePoint Services 3.0 MP. These Management Packs monitor the health state of the components in your SharePoint environment that affect performance and availability. When there is an issue that may cause service or performance degradation, Operations Manager 2007 uses the Management Packs to detect the issue, alert you to its existence, and facilitate diagnosis and corrective actions.
    Feature Bullet Summary:
    The monitored components include:

    • Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 related services (Timer, Tracing, and Search)
    • Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 related Events
    • Web server applications such as Internet Information Services (IIS)
    • IIS-related Events
    • Microsoft SQL Server database-related events
    • Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Server performance

    Release History:

    • 12/17/2007 - Original release, version 1.0.0.46

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e4600fd9-f53d-4ded-88bf-6bb1932794f9&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Mobile 6.1 Hot Fix for Sending POP and IMAP E-mail

    Brief Description

    This behavior is associated with a feature that was introduced in Windows Mobile 6.1. It provides a way for users to send e-mail through an alternate outbound e-mail server provided by their mobile operator in the event that the default outbound e-mail server becomes inaccessible.

    Overview

    This behavior is associated with a feature that was introduced in Windows Mobile 6.1. It provides a way for users to send e-mail through an alternate outbound e-mail server provided by their mobile operator in the event that the default outbound e-mail server becomes inaccessible.
    The problem occurs if a mobile operator doesn't use this feature, and therefore doesn't supply a value for the alternate SMTP address. When the mobile device fails on any attempt to connect to the e-mail provider's default SMTP server, Windows Mobile 6.1 automatically loads the value for the alternate SMTP server—which in this case is blank. The e-mail account configuration details are then corrupted, which results in loss of the ability to send e-mail with that particular e-mail account.
    With this fix, the feature is patched to ensure that Windows Mobile 6.1 takes appropriate action when it detects a blank value for the Alternate SMTP server.
    Note: After you apply this hot fix to your mobile device, the messages that have been sitting in the Outbox folder of your affected POP and IMAP e-mail account(s) will be sent. Since these messages could be out of date, you might not want to send them now. You can keep these messages from being sent by navigating to the Outbox folder of these accounts, and then either delete them, or move them to another folder. On Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional devices, you can access account folders by tapping the folder drop-down located in the upper left portion of the message list. On Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard devices, you can access account folders by pressing the Menu soft key, and then selecting Folders.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d9d71b2e-d2dd-44f2-86e5-1e53aad7fb7a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server Getting Started Guide

    Brief Description

    This document summarizes the installation and configuration of Windows Essential Business Server in a production environment.

    Overview

    Windows Essential Business Server provides an integrated server and management system for midsize organizations. This document summarizes the installation and configuration of Windows Essential Business Server in a production environment.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=50b567b1-d653-4b25-9d30-6e1c1b822840&DisplayLang=en

    Migrating from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    Use this document to successfully migrate your environment from Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Windows SBS 2003) to Windows Essential Business Server (EBS).

    Overview

    Use this document to successfully migrate your environment from Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Windows SBS 2003) to Windows Essential Business Server (EBS).
    If you do not plan to join Windows EBS to the Active Directory domain for Windows SBS 2003, you do not need to follow the steps in this document.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=191b141e-3a1f-4c1b-bd2d-15623751e518&DisplayLang=en

    Migrating Microsoft Exchange Server to Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    This document explains how to migrate existing mailboxes, offline address book generation processes, and public folder replicas to the Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) Messaging Server.

    Overview

    This document explains how to migrate existing mailboxes, offline address book generation processes, and public folder replicas to the Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) Messaging Server. If your environment already includes Exchange Server, you must still migrate it to take full advantage of the integrated security and monitoring features in Windows EBS. Your existing servers will continue to function in the Exchange Server organization, but certain roles and features must be handled by Windows EBS.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fb0f9f7e-8769-4585-a85c-509165a3f93e&DisplayLang=en

    Migrating Windows Server Update Services to Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    This document explains the optional migration of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) from an existing server in your environment to Windows Essential Business Server.

    Overview

    This article explains the optional migration of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) from an existing server in your environment to Windows Essential Business Server (EBS). The components of WSUS that migrate are the updates, metadata about the updates, target groups, approvals, and selections for products and classifications.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4a9229be-e9dc-40f8-b90e-035bf7879716&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server Installation Guide

    Brief Description

    This document explains how to install Windows Essential Business Server in a production environment.

    Overview

    Windows® Essential Business Server provides an integrated server and management system for midsize networks. This document explains how to install Windows Essential Business Server in a production environment. This guide describes the procedures that you follow in the Windows Essential Business Server Installation Wizard.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=11c34b73-a9aa-4beb-940d-2ab93b167fdc&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007 Sync Engine Configuration Powershell Commandlets Quick Reference Guide

    Brief Description

    Provides information about the ILM 2007 Powershell Commandlets

    Overview

    This quick reference guide describes the most frequently used synchorinization engine configuration commandlets available in ILM 2007.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=38b31e06-0342-481e-b744-9899d5b601db&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Trial Software Download

    Brief Description

    This software is for evaluation and testing purposes.

    Overview

    This software is for evaluation and testing purposes.
    Evaluating Windows Small Business Server 2008 does not require that you activate the product or enter a product key.
    If you need more time to evaluate the software, you can reset (or rearm) the 60-day evaluation period up to three times, extending the original 60-day evaluation period by up to 180 days, for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days. After the evaluation period ends, you need to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully licensed version of Windows Small Business Server 2008.
    If you want to extend the initial evaluation and testing period, please go here and follow the instructions.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=537ac5b3-9ac2-4667-916b-99928bca9f70&DisplayLang=en

    Infrastructure Planning and Design

    Brief Description

    The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) guides are the next version of Windows Server System Reference Architecture. The guides in this series help clarify and streamline design processes for Microsoft infrastructure technologies, with each guide addressing a unique infrastructure technology or scenario.

    Overview

    Infrastructure Planning and Design guides share a common structure, including:

    • Definition of the technical decision flow through the planning process.
    • Listing of decisions to be made and the commonly available options and considerations.
    • Relating the decisions and options to the business in terms of cost, complexity, and other characteristics.
    • Framing decisions in terms of additional questions to the business to ensure a comprehensive alignment with the appropriate business landscape.

    These guides complement product documentation by focusing on infrastructure design options.
    Each guide leads the reader through critical infrastructure design decisions, in the appropriate order, evaluating the available options for each decision against its impact on critical characteristics of the infrastructure. The IPD Series highlights when service and infrastructure goals should be validated with the organization and provides additional questions that should be asked of service stakeholders and decision makers.
    IPD consists of the following downloadable packages:

    • New! Exchange Online—Evaluating Software-plus-Services
    • New! Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 with R2
    • New! Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5
    • Windows Server 2008 File Services
    • Windows Server 2008 Print Services
    • Infrastructure Planning and Design Series Introduction
    • Internet Information Services 7.0
    • Selecting the Right NAP Architecture
    • Selecting the Right Virtualization Technology
    • System Center Operations Manager 2007
    • System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008
    • Windows Deployment Services
    • Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Domain Services
    • Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services
    • Windows Server Virtualization (for Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1)

    The guides are available as individual downloads or as a single all-in-one package.
    Send questions or feedback to us directly at SATfdbk@microsoft.com

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad3921fb-8224-4681-9064-075fdf042b0c&DisplayLang=en

    Solutions & Solution Development

    .NET Rocks! - Interknowlogy Scratches the Surface!

    Brief Description

    Dan Hanan and Kevin Kennedy from Interknowlogy talk about their experiences working with WPF, Surface, and Silverlight. Interknowlogy is run by Tim Huckaby, a long-time guest and friend of .NET Rocks!

    Overview

    Dan Hanan is a Lead Software Engineer at InterKnowlogy in Carlsbad, CA. He is currently working with a client to come up with a next generation enterprise application centered around data visualization. Before diving head first into WPF the past couple years, Dan worked on both sides of the wire: writing occasionally connected Click-Once WinForms smart clients for the front-end as well as back-end technologies such as WCF, ASMX web services, and SQL. He likes to try to forget his early years, which were spent hassling with C++, MFC, COM, etc.
    Since graduating from MIT in 1999 with a degree in computer science, Kevin Kennedy has written software for a number of industries including healthcare, biotech, finance, and defense. The technologies have leveraged various platforms with a mix of web and rich-client applications, but his efforts have consistently focused on the presentation layer. This has involved layout, usability, rich controls, animation, and 3D interactive content. Additionally, Kevin has had the opportunity to lead development teams including one that incorporated team members from four continents. His research interests include user interaction, procedural graphics, artificial intelligence, and computational aesthetics. He lives in Cardiff by the Sea, a beach town in northern San Diego County and spends the majority of his free time with his family or on his mountain bike.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f4e196c0-e034-4e0e-9f01-5480d4a1c067&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0 (x86)

    Brief Description

    URL rewrite module provides a rule-based rewriting mechanism for changing requested URL’s before they get processed by web server.

    Overview

    The Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0 provides flexible rules-based rewrite engine that can be used to perform broad spectrum of URL manipulation tasks, including, but not limited to:

    • Enabling user friendly and search engine friendly URL with dynamic web applications;
    • Rewriting URL’s based on HTTP headers and server variables;
    • Web site content handling;
    • Controlling access to web site content based on URL segments or request metadata.

    The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by URL rewriter. Refer to the KB articles for the hotfixes to get more details. In order to apply the hotfixes correctly without restarting the server, it is recommended that the WAS service is stopped before installing URL Rewrite Module. The following hotfixes will be installed with URL Rewrite Module:

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=836778ea-b2f2-4907-b2dc-a152ec0a4bc4&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0 (x64)

    Brief Description

    URL rewrite module provides a rule-based rewriting mechanism for changing requested URL’s before they get processed by web server.

    Overview

    The Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0 provides flexible rules-based rewrite engine that can be used to perform broad spectrum of URL manipulation tasks, including, but not limited to:

    • Enabling user friendly and search engine friendly URL with dynamic web applications;
    • Rewriting URL’s based on HTTP headers and server variables;
    • Web site content handling;
    • Controlling access to web site content based on URL segments or request metadata.

    The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by URL rewriter. Refer to the KB articles for the hotfixes to get more details. In order to apply the hotfixes correctly without restarting the server, it is recommended that the WAS service is stopped before installing URL Rewrite Module. The following hotfixes will be installed with URL Rewrite Module:

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6c15b777-8d9e-4d99-b359-a98e2c0880f7&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Surface Data Sheet

    Brief Description

    Read this Microsoft Surface datasheet to learn more about this revolutionary surface computing platform.

    Overview

    Microsoft Surface is a revolutionary surface computing platform that responds to natural hand gestures and realworld objects, helping customers interact with technology in a way that is simple, intuitive—and unprecedented. Using this innovative technology, multiple users can manipulate and maneuver digital content, drive specific interactions with objects, and allow for devices to connect and engage with Microsoft Surface. The 360-degree user interface invites individuals and groups to discover and interact with technology in a way that helps inspire cutting-edge, engaging experiences and transactions that differentiate your business.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=af4bb0c9-4759-4751-bd6b-f176b0bcc258&DisplayLang=en

    An Overview of Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 Features

    Brief Description

    NavReady 2009 whitepapers
    NavReady 2009 whitepapers

    Overview

    Features and services available; Location-Aware Services, Data Connectivity (Bluetooth Enhancements, Connection Manager, ActiveSync Desktop Pass-through (DTPT)), Microsoft SideShow, and Integrating NavReady 2009.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=49b01a1f-271e-49ba-89c9-49f005b66dad&DisplayLang=en

    BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Documentation

    Brief Description

    Newly released documentation for BizTalk Server 2006 R2 in two formats: CHM and HxS.

    Overview

    This download includes updated and new content for BizTalk Server 2006 R2.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4e6a9d40-dbfc-4474-826a-ddeca287e57d&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update (October 2008)

    Brief Description

    Download this set of updates for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 released during the period of October 1 - October 31, 2008. These updates are fixes for Windows Embedded CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

    Overview

    This is a set of updates for Windows Embedded CE released during the period of October 1 - October 31, 2008. These Microsoft Windows Embedded CE updates are fixes for Windows Embedded CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform. To qualify for consideration for an update, a problem needs to cause an excessive amount of work and not have a reasonable workaround.
    For complete details regarding the updates in this release, please download the Windows Embedded CE 6.0_Update_080731_2008M07.htm file below.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=62fd4f00-7c1d-4883-868a-3a95e720c134&DisplayLang=en

    Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder Monthly Update (October 2008)

    Brief Description

    Download this set of updates for Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder released during the period of October 1 - October 31, 2008. These updates are fixes for Windows CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

    Overview

    This is a set of updates for Windows CE Platform Builder released during the period of October 1 - October 31, 2008. These Microsoft Windows CE updates are fixes for Windows CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform. To qualify for consideration for an update, a problem needs to cause an excessive amount of work and not have a reasonable workaround.
    For complete details regarding the updates in this release, please download the Windows CE 5.0_Update_080731_2008M07.htm file below.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=48126b23-4bcb-42ad-92b5-3402f371e7ad&DisplayLang=en

    Office Accounting 2008 Connector

    Brief Description

    This download allows programs that are built to integrate with Office Accounting 2008 to connect to an instance of Office Accounting 2008 that is installed on a remote computer.

    Overview

    This download allows programs that are built to integrate with Office Accounting 2008 to connect to an instance of Office Accounting 2008 that is installed on a remote computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=33fbd624-0870-460b-9b85-37fc24cf6bd7&DisplayLang=en

    Office Accounting 2008 Transaction Migration Update

    Brief Description

    This download updates Microsoft Office Accounting 2008 to enable import of transactions from Intuit QuickBooks.

    Overview

    This download updates Microsoft Office Accounting 2008 to enable import of transactions from Intuit QuickBooks.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=519cc00f-229b-4d56-9dc7-6d62013859fb&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server 2008 Predictive Analysis Datasheet

    Brief Description

    Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 empowers informed decisions with predictive analysis through intuitive data mining; seamlessly integrated within the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform and extensible into business applications.

    Overview

    Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 empowers informed decisions with predictive analysis through intuitive data mining; seamlessly integrated within the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform and extensible into business applications.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bfcc3ded-9a3d-4a32-85e2-e71fd90ee645&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Vista User Experience Guidelines

    Brief Description

    Download a preliminary draft of the Windows Vista™ User Experience Guidelines (UX Guide).

    Overview

    Use this page to download a preliminary draft of the Windows Vista User Experience Guidelines (or UX Guide). These guidelines contain information on what’s new in Windows Vista, design principles, and guidelines for controls, commands, text, interaction, windows, aesthetics, and the Windows environment. They help designers and developers create high-quality Windows Vista applications with a consistent “look and feel.“

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e49820cb-954d-45ae-9cb3-1b9e8ea7fe8c&DisplayLang=en

    External Collaboration Toolkit for SharePoint

    Brief Description

    This solution accelerator is a collection of software and guidance that you can use to easily deploy a SharePoint-based environment for collaboration with people outside your firewall. The accelerator allows users to create collaboration environments that use the familiar SharePoint interface. Because the solution is easy to use, end users are more likely to use it rather than revert to e mail.

    Overview

    Organizations need tools to simplify the process of collaborating with people outside their firewall. Currently, many such organizations collaborate using methods that are not efficient or secure, such as unencrypted e-mail and instant messaging. The External Collaboration Toolkit for SharePoint includes software and guidance to quickly and easily deploy a collaboration environment based on SharePoint Products and Technologies that you can use to collaborate with partners across the Internet.
    This solution accelerator, which is primarily targeted at mid-sized and smaller organizations, lets project teams manage their own collaboration sites and invite external users to share documents that are centrally located on a SharePoint site inside the firewall. Internal users access the collaboration site through an internal URL and are authenticated against the organization’s Active Directory® domain, whereas external user access the site through the Internet, log on using a form, and are authenticated against a separate Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) directory that contains only external users.
    Solution features include a setup wizard to automate the setup process, Web Parts to automate the process of provisioning new site collections and new users, form-based logon for external users, and automated password reset functionality.
    You can download the following components:

    Choosing an External Collaboration Solution. This document examines various external collaboration scenarios and provides recommendations for addressing them using Microsoft technologies.
    External Collaboration Toolkit for SharePoint. This software and documentation helps administrators quickly deploy a SharePoint-based solution for collaborating across the Internet. The documentation includes Planning for External Collaboration with SharePoint, which describes the planning process for deploying the solution in a small or mid-sized environment, and the Deployment and Operations Guide, which explains how to install and configure the solution, provides guidance for users, and describes how to deploy the solution in larger environments.
    Informational Materials. These include supplementary materials that explain how the guidance and tools in this Solution Accelerator can benefit your organization.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d9af2c25-989c-45c4-8008-1f15722190ed&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Rocky Lhotka on CSLA.NET for Silverlight!

    Brief Description

    Rocky is back to talk about his acclaimed CSLA.NET framework which was just released for Silverlight, allowing you to write CSLA clients in the browser... even running on a Mac!

    Overview

    Rockford Lhotka is the author of numerous books, including the Expert Visual Basic .NET & C# Business Objects books. He is a Microsoft Software Legend, Regional Director, MVP and INETA speaker. Rockford speaks at many conferences and user groups around the world and is a columnist for MSDN Online. Rockford is the Principal Technology Evangelist for Magenic Technologies, one of the nation's premiere Microsoft Gold Certified Partners dedicated to solving today's most challenging business problems using 100% Microsoft tools and technology.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f54122f8-1531-4b92-9b37-8c83fac81a54&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Bob Martin (Uncle Bob) on Being a Professional!

    Brief Description

    Bob Martin talks about how to achieve Clean Code, which also happens to be the name of his famous book on software development.

    Overview

    Robert C. Martin (Uncle Bob) has been a software professional since 1970 and is founder and president of Object Mentor Inc., in Gurnee, Illinois. Object Mentor, Inc., is an international firm of highly experienced software developers and managers who specialize in helping companies get their projects done. Object Mentor offers process improvement consulting, object-oriented software design consulting, training, and skill development services to major corporations worldwide.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2786610d-9e86-4e32-af76-73181c8814a2&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - YSlow! Steve Souders finds Website Bottlenecks

    Brief Description

    Carl and Richard talk to Steven Souders, creator of YSlow, an analysis tool for finding website bottlenecks on the client side of the equation.

    Overview

    Steve Souders works at Google on web performance and open source initiatives. His book High Performance Web Sites explains his best practices for performance along with the research and real-world results behind them. Steve is the creator of YSlow, the performance analysis extension to Firebug. Steve is co-chair of Velocity, the web performance and operations conference from O'Reilly, and co-founder of the Firebug Working Group. He teaches CS193H High Performance Web Sites at Stanford, and frequently speaks at conferences including OSCON, The Ajax Experience, SXSW, Rich Web Experience, Future of Web Apps, and Web 2.0 Expo.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4931c8a4-da8c-4959-b96a-f5492fffeb8b&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Surface!

    Brief Description

    Carl and Richard talk to Robert Levy and Doug Kramer at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles right after they unveiled the Microsoft Surface to the Microsoft developer community.

    Overview

    Robert Levy has led the design and development of APIs and controls in the Surface SDK for two years. Previous projects at Microsoft include the Windows Mobile 2003 SE SDK and the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK.
    Doug Kramer has been at Microsoft for a decade, working on Microsoft Surface since 2003 as one of the original developers on the project. Doug has considerable experience in .NET/C# and WPF, as well as managed DirectX and XNA. Doug is currently a lead on the Surface SDK team.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e5ec0c00-7999-4beb-838c-453663f95412&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Tools Documentation: Integration Manager

    Brief Description

    Integration Manager Manuals and Help
    This documentation describes how to use Integration Manager, which is an integration tool used to convert and transfer data from most database formats or desktop applications into Microsoft Dynamics GP.

    Overview

    You can use this page to download the following documentation components:

    • Integration Manager Quick Start (IMQuickStart.pdf or IMQuickStart.xps): Explains Integration Manager terminology and contains lessons for creating a basic data integration for General Ledger. You should have experience working with data in a tabular format before using this manual.
    • Integration Manager User’s Guide (IMUsersGuide.pdf or IMUsersGuide.xps): Describes how to install Integration Manager and explains how to create and run integrations. Also describes how to use VBScript and includes adapter reference information. Before using this manual, you should know how to set up an ODBC data source and execute queries using SQL statements, and also be familiar with VBScript syntax.
    • Integration Manager Help (IMHelp.exe): Includes information about using Integration Manager, with additional help for Integration Manager windows.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab4526f2-f188-4f51-8605-5542f8709db1&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 Help file and the Office SharePoint Designer 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office SharePoint Designer 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, spdhelp.msp automatically replaces the current SPD.HXS and SPD.DEV.HXS files in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1c356d9a-be11-4beb-88e7-4eb7141d7f89&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Script Editor Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Script Editor Help file that is included with the 2007 Office System.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) file on your computer for Microsoft Script Editor. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in that Help file.
    By default, officehelp.msp automatically replaces the current MSE.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the file in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e2509b78-efaa-4859-904c-f20b58a1b3eb&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office Access 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Access 2007 Help file and the Office Access 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Access 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, accesshelp.msp automatically replaces the current MSACCESS.DEV.HXS and MSACCESS.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=20b9cf48-d030-4aa9-b657-614dcc72af6b&DisplayLang=en

    Updates for Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Help

    Brief Description

    This update installs the latest assistance content for the Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Help file and the Office Publisher 2007 Developer Help file.

    Overview

    This download replaces the Help (.HxS) files on your computer for Office Publisher 2007. The download contains the latest revisions and additions to content in those Help files.
    By default, publisherhelp.msp automatically replaces the current MSPUB.DEV.HXS and MSPUB.HXS file in the \Program Files\Office12\1033 directory on the drive where you installed the 2007 Office System. If you installed the 2007 Office System in a different directory, you can locate the files in the \1033 directory, a subdirectory of the \Program Files\Office12 folder.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=77490874-02e0-4754-bc43-7293570cbcd7&DisplayLang=en

    Windows CE101 Training Course Materials

    Brief Description

    This online training is intended for two different developer communities (Embedded and Windows) who would like to start developing Embedded Windows CE devices.

    Overview

    This online training is intended for two different developer communities who would like to start developing Embedded Windows CE devices. These developers are:
    1. Embedded Developers starting out in Embedded Windows CE
    2. Windows Developers wanting to start in the embedded world of Embedded Windows CE.
    There are nine module for the training. This includes the first module which provides a flowchart of how to navigate the training and what each module covers. There are 2 module 1s, 1e and 1w. Depending on what type of Developer you are, determines which Module 1 you start with. Module 2 -9 is intended for all developers. There are also Lab and Demo materials for download.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b91fa334-96f5-4298-adf8-5c0c80a927c8&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server Data Services

    Brief Description

    SQL Server Data Services

    Overview

    SQL Server Data Services

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2539d851-1e68-42fd-bee0-d36806a732fb&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server Preparation and Planning Guide

    Brief Description

    This document explains how to prepare and plan for a deployment of Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) into your existing networking environment.

    Overview

    Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) provides an integrated server and management system for businesses that have up to 300 users or computers. This document explains how to prepare and plan for a deployment of Windows EBS into your existing networking environment. This document includes information on how to install and run the Windows Essential Business Server Preparation Wizard and the Windows Essential Business Server Planning Wizard, and it provides planning guidance.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=13e06404-46a9-421d-8147-0e0a4ace9601&DisplayLang=en

    Office Accounting 2008 Software Development Kit

    Brief Description

    This download includes the Software Development Kit (SDK) for Microsoft Office Accounting 2008.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Office Accounting 2008 Software Development Kit shows developers how to use the Office Accounting platform to create custom solutions and to integrate their products with Office Accounting.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0d9fa476-c445-4d07-b8aa-f37e3c5ead9b&DisplayLang=en

    RML Utilities for SQL Server (x86)

    Brief Description

    Cumulative Update 1 (Full Package)
    Tools to help database administrators manage the performance of Microsoft SQL Server.

    Overview

    Do you know which databases or applications are using the most resources on your server? How will a service pack upgrade, configuration change or application change affect your production SQL Server? The RML Utilities for SQL Server provide you a set of tools and processes to answer these questions and much more.
    The RML utilities allow you to process SQL Server trace files and view reports showing how SQL Server is performing. For example, you can quickly see:

      Which application, database or login is using the most resources, and which queries are responsible for that

      Whether there were any plan changes for a batch during the time when the trace was captured and how each of those plans performed

      What queries are running slower in today's data compared to a previous set of data
    You can also test how the system will behave with some change (different service pack or hotfix build, changing a stored procedure or function, modifying or adding indexes, and so forth) by using the provided tools to replay the trace files against another instance of SQL Server. If you capture trace during this replay you can use the tools to directly compare to the original baseline capture.
    Supports SQL Server versions 2000, 2005 and 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7edfa95a-a32f-440f-a3a8-5160c8dbe926&DisplayLang=en

    RML Utilities for SQL Server (x64)

    Brief Description

    Cumulative Update 1 (Full Package)
    Tools to help database administrators manage the performance of Microsoft SQL Server.

    Overview

    Do you know which databases or applications are using the most resources on your server? How will a service pack upgrade, configuration change or application change affect your production SQL Server? The RML Utilities for SQL Server provide you a set of tools and processes to answer these questions and much more.
    The RML utilities allow you to process SQL Server trace files and view reports showing how SQL Server is performing. For example, you can quickly see:

      Which application, database or login is using the most resources, and which queries are responsible for that

      Whether there were any plan changes for a batch during the time when the trace was captured and how each of those plans performed

      What queries are running slower in today's data compared to a previous set of data
    You can also test how the system will behave with some change (different service pack or hotfix build, changing a stored procedure or function, modifying or adding indexes, and so forth) by using the provided tools to replay the trace files against another instance of SQL Server. If you capture trace during this replay you can use the tools to directly compare to the original baseline capture.
    Supports SQL Server versions 2000, 2005 and 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b60cdfa3-732e-4347-9c06-2d1f1f84c342&DisplayLang=en

    Captions Language Interface Pack for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft Captions Language Interface Pack (CLIP) is a simple language translation solution that uses tooltip captions to display translations for English user interface terms.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Captions Language Interface Pack (CLIP) is a simple language translation solution that uses tooltip captions to display translations for English user interface terms.
    CLIP is designed for those Visual Studio users who are not very fluent in English. CLIP can help those users learn and use Visual Studio 2008 by providing translation for the most common user interface elements of the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE). CLIP is the result of the close collaboration between Microsoft and local academic communities.
    To use, simply move your mouse around the screen and halt briefly over any text you want translated. Users can also add their own translations and copy and paste any translation results.
    CLIP for Visual Studio 2008 is available in Arabic, Czech, Hebrew, Hindi, Malayalam, Oriya, Polish, Tamil and Turkish, i.e. it will display translations from English into these languages. To download it, please select your language from the drop-down box and click the Change button. You will be directed to the specific page.
    حزمة واجهة لغة التسميات التوضيحية (CLIP) لبرنامج Visual Studio 2008 متوفرة بالعربية والتشيكية والعبرية والهندية ومالايالام وأوريا والبولندية والتاميلية والتركية، أي أنها ستعرض الترجمات من الإنجليزية إلى هذه اللغات. لتنزيل الحزمة، يُرجى تحديد اللغة من المربع المنسدل والنقر فوق الزر تغيير.وسيتم توجيهك إلى الصفحة الخاصة بذلك.
    Sada CLIP pro sadu Visual Studio 2008 je k dispozici v arabštině, češtině, hebrejštině, hindštině, malajálámštině, urijštině, polštině, tamilštině a turečtině, umožňuje tedy zobrazit překlady z angličtiny do těchto jazyků. Chcete-li tuto sadu stáhnout, vyberte z rozevíracího senamu jazyk a klepněte na tlačítko Změnit. Budete přesměrování na konkrétní stránku.
    CLIP עבור Visual Studio 2008 זמין בערבית, צ'כית, עברית, הינדי, מליאלאם, אוריה, פולנית, טמילית וטורקית, כלומר, יישום זה מציג תרגום מאנגלית לשפות אלה. כדי להוריד אותו, בחר את השפה מהתיבה הנפתחת ולחץ על לחצן שנה. פעולה זו תנתב אותך לדף הספציפי.
    Visual Studio 2008 के लिए CLIP अरबी, ज़ेक, हिब्रु, हिंदी, मलयालम, उड़ि‍या, पोलिश, तमिल, और तुर्किश में उपलब्ध है, अर्थात उसमें अंग्रेज़ी से इन भाषाओं में अनुवाद प्रदर्शित किए जाएँगे. इसे डाउनलोड करने के लिए, कृपया ड्रॉप डाउनलोड बॉक्स से अपनी भाषा चुनें और बदलें बटन क्लिक करें. आपको संबंधित पृष्ठ पर निर्देशित किया जाएगा.
    Visual Studio 2008 -നുള്ള CLIP അറബിക്, ചെക്ക്, ഹീബ്രു, ഹിന്ദി, മലയാളം, ഒറിയ, പോളിഷ്, തമിഴ്, ടര്ക്കി8ഷ് ഭാഷകളില്‍ ലഭ്യമാണ്, അതായത് ഇതില്‍ ഇംഗ്ലീഷില്നിരന്ന് ഈ ഭാഷകളിലേക്കുള്ള വിവര്ത്ത നം പ്രദര്ശിIപ്പിക്കപ്പെടും.. ഇത് ഡൌണ്ലോ്ഡ് ചെയ്യുന്നതിന് ഡ്രോപ്പ് ഡൌണ്‍ ബോക്സില്നിശന്നും ദയവായി നിങ്ങളുടെ ഭാഷ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കുകയും ചെയ്ഞ്ച് ബട്ടണ്‍ ക്ലിക്ക് ചെയ്യുകയും ചെയ്യുക. നിങ്ങളെ നിര്ദ്ദി ഷ്ട പേജിലേക്ക് നയിക്കുന്നതാണ്.
    Visual Studio 2008 ପାଇଁ CLIP ଆରବୀୟ, ଚେକ, ହେବ୍ର୍ୟୁ, ହିନ୍ଦୀ, ମାଲାୟଲମ, ଓଡ଼ିଆ, ପଲିସ, ତାମିଲ ଏବଂ ତୁର୍କୀରେ ଉପଲବ୍ଧ ଅଟେ, ଯାହା ଦ୍ଵାରା ଏହି ଭାଷାଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଇଂରାଜୀରୁ ଅନୁବାଦ ଏହା ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରିଥାଏ । ଏହାକୁ ଡାଉନଲୋଡ କରିବାକୁ, ଦୟାକରି ଡ୍ରପ ଡାଉନ ବାକ୍ସରୁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଭାଷା ଚୟନ କରନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ବଟନ କ୍ଲିକ କରନ୍ତୁ । ଆପଣ ଏହି ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ପୃଷ୍ଟାଟିକୁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶିତ ହୋଇଯିବେ ।
    Visual Studio 2008 க்கான CLIP அரபி, செக், ஹீப்ரு, இந்தி, மலையாளம், ஒரியா, போலிஷ், தமிழ், துருக்கி ஆகிய மொழிகளில் கிடைக்கிறது. அதாவது, ஆங்கிலத்திலிருந்து இந்த மொழிகளுக்கு மொழிபெயர்த்துக்காட்டும் வசதி அதில் இருக்கிறது. இதை பதிவிறக்கம் செய்துகொள்ள, உங்கள் மொழியை கீழ்விரிப் பட்டியிலிருந்து தேர்ந்தெடுத்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள். பிறகு மாற்று பட்டனைக் கிளிக் செய்யுங்கள். குறிப்பிட்ட பக்கத்துக்கு நீங்கள் கொண்டுசெல்லப்படுவீர்கள்.
    Visual Studio 2008 için CLIP uygulaması Arapça, Çekçe, İbranice, Hintçe, Malayalam dilinde, Oriya dilinde, Lehçe, Tamil dilinde ve Türkçe sunulmaktadır, bunun anlamı İngilizce’den bu dillere çevirilerin görüntülenebilir olmasıdır. Karşıdan yüklemek için lütfen aşağı açılan kutudan kendi dilinizi seçin ve Değiştir düğmesini tıklatın. İlgili dildeki belirli sayfaya yönlendirilirsiniz.
    Program CLIP dla Visual Studio 2008 jest dostêpny w jêzyku arabskim, czeskim, hebrajskim, hindi, malajalam, orija, polskim, tamilskim i tureckim, co oznacza, ¿e wyœwietla on t³umaczenia z jêzyka angielskiego na wymienione powy¿ej. Aby go pobraæ, wybierz jêzyk z listy rozwijanej i kliknij przycisk Zmieñ. Nast¹pi przekierowanie na odpowiedni¹ stronê.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4e5258d2-52f4-46b8-8b74-da2dbec7c2f7&DisplayLang=en

    Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 Training Kit - November Preview

    Brief Description

    November Preview of the Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 Training Kit

    Overview

    The Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 Training Kit includes presentations, hands-on labs, and demos. This content is designed to help you learn how to utilize the Visual Studio 2010 features and a variety of framework technologies including: C# 4.0, Visual Basic 10, F#, Parallel Computing Platform, WCF, WF, WPF, ASP.NET AJAX 4.0, ASP.NET MVC Dynamic Data.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=752cb725-969b-4732-a383-ed5740f02e93&DisplayLang=en

    Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.0

    Brief Description

    Redistributable package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. Upgrades the version of Games for Windows - LIVE on a user's machine to version 2.0.

    Overview

    Redistributable package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. Upgrades the version of Games for Windows - LIVE on a user's machine to version 2.0.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4a7f4478-7a4e-4f89-a88c-319972839793&DisplayLang=en

    Azure Services Training Kit - PDC Preview

    Brief Description

    Azure Services Training Kit

    Overview

    The Azure Services Training Kit will include a comprehensive set of technical content including samples, demos, hands-on labs, and presentations that are designed to help you learn how to use the Azure Services Platform. This initial PDC Preview release includes the hands-on labs that were provided at the PDC 2008 conference. These labs cover the broad set of Azure Services including Windows Azure, .NET Services, SQL Services, and Live Services. Additional content will be included in future updates of this kit.
    Update: The training kit was updated on November 13th. This update contains a few bug fixes within the labs.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=413e88f8-5966-4a83-b309-53b7b77edf78&DisplayLang=en

    Live Search SDK

    Brief Description

    API version 2.0 Beta
    Documentation and samples for using the updated Live Search Web Service.

    Overview

    The Live Search SDK provides documentation that describes the core concepts, requirements, development guidelines, and class library for the Live Search Web Service. The SDK also contains sample code that demonstrates application development techniques using the Live Search Web Service.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0f513086-078b-47a8-a889-842dc93a69ab&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Live Admin Center SDK V4.0

    Brief Description

    The Windows Live Admin Center SDK provides methods for customers to programmatically manage their Admin Center domain by means of a web service.

    Overview

    The Windows Live Admin Center SDK is intended for customers and partners who want to programmatically accomplish many of the administration tasks that are available on the Windows Live Admin Center web site in addition to tasks that are not available on the Web site, such as importing and exporting user lists.
    The SDK uses the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) remote procedure call (RPC) 1.1 standard for communication between client applications and the web servers for Windows Live Admin Center.
    The SDK consists of the following:
    1. A command-line sample application and code samples (in Microsoft Visual Studio C#).
    2. An advanced command-line sample application and code samples (in Microsoft Visual Studio C#).
    3. A Win32 user management sample application with source code (in Visual Studio C#).
    4. A CsvSync directory synchronization sample application and code samples (in Microsoft Visual Studio C#).
    5. A CsvImport sample application and code samples (in Microsoft Visual Studio C#).
    6. Documented SOAP calls for each function.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b924a56-645d-4418-bf1c-6073f7118494&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Emulator Images

    Brief Description

    This package includes localized Windows Mobile 6.1.4 emulator images that can be used with Visual Studio to test applications or as standalone emulators without Visual Studio.

    Overview

    The Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Emulator Images package adds emulator images to Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008 that let you test applications for Windows Mobile 6.1.4, including Internet Explorer Mobile 6. For general information about writing software for Windows Mobile, please see the Windows Mobile Developer Center.
    The emulator images can also be used as standalone without Visual Studio. They can be accessed through the Start Menu shortcuts.
    Available locale:
    0409 USA English
    Internet Explorer Mobile 6
    Windows Mobile 6.1.4 includes the new Internet Explorer Mobile 6,  a full-featured browser for Windows Mobile devices that brings the same high-quality browsing experience to the user as desktop browsers. Internet Explorer Mobile 6 supports desktop-quality rendering and has the best compliance support of all versions of Internet Explorer on a Windows Mobile device to date. Several new features and improved support allows users to complete tasks quickly and easily.
    New emulator image resolutions:

    • Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Standard
      DPI: 131 - Resolution: 320 x 320 pixels
      DPI: 131 - Resolution: 400 x 240 pixels
      DPI: 131 - Resolution: 440 x 240 pixels
    • Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Professional
      DPI: 96 - Resolution: 240 x 400 pixels
      DPI: 192 - Resolution 480 x 800 pixels

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1a7a6b52-f89e-4354-84ce-5d19c204498a&DisplayLang=en

    SharePoint Designer 2007: Non Technical Resources (Trials, Pricing, Purchasing, Activation, Licensing and Support)

    Brief Description

    SharePoint Designer 2007 Frequently Asked Questions on Trials, Pricing, Purchasing, Activation, Licensing and Support.

    Overview

    We often get questions from you about pricing, licensing, purchasing, etc., so we decided to compile a list of issues we hear most frequently from you in these areas and provide you all with a high level guide for these questions. Most of this information is available across other Microsoft and Office sites such as the SharePoint site, Microsoft Support, and TechNet, but this summary can serve as a good reference. The content below is organized in the following areas: Trials, Pricing, Purchasing, Activation, Licensing and Support.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0a8e1a32-6524-4567-af65-633f0dbe033c&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Expression® Encoder 2 SDK

    Brief Description

    Software development kit for Expression Encoder 2

    Overview

    The Expression Encoder 2 SDK includes documentation, samples, and code to help you work with the Expression Encoder object model and extend the functionality of Expression Encoder 2.
    The Expression Encoder 2 Object Model (OM) parallels the features exposed by the Expression Encoder 2 user interface and command-line application. It is built on top of multiple media technologies, including DShow, Silverlight and Windows Media.
    This download includes:

    • IntelliSense for Expression Encoder 2
    • SDK documentation, including API reference
    • Code samples
    • Updated for Expression Encoder 2 Service Pack 1

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9a077a3d-58ce-454c-b486-153f0578be4a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Live Agents 5.1

    Brief Description

    Windows Live Agents 5.1

    Overview

    Windows Live Agents SDK version 5.1

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0ed0b08d-58ce-450a-94d5-b704901c3ed0&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Application Request Routing for IIS 7 (x86)

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Application Request Routing for IIS7 is a proxy based routing module that forwards HTTP requests to content servers based on HTTP headers and server variables, and load balance algorithms.

    Overview

    Application Request Routing can be used to:

    • Increase application availability and scalability.
    • Better utilize content server resources.
    • Facilitate application deployment including pilot management and A/B testing.
    • Lower management costs and create opportunities for shared hosters.

    The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by Application Request Routing:

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ecd52702-d850-4a18-b18e-d46128967462&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Application Request Routing for IIS 7 (x64)

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Application Request Routing for IIS7 is a proxy based routing module that forwards HTTP requests to content servers based on HTTP headers and server variables, and load balance algorithms.

    Overview

    Application Request Routing can be used to:

    • Increase application availability and scalability.
    • Better utilize content server resources.
    • Facilitate application deployment including pilot management and A/B testing.
    • Lower management costs and create opportunities for shared hosters.

    The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by Application Request Routing:

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=497e9910-ca94-4771-af08-751420fab5f0&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition

    Brief Description

    Microsoft® Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition is a freely available .NET-based programming environment for building robotics applications. The Express Edition is fully functional version but has a feature set that better targets the non-professional developer and hobbyist.

    Overview

    Microsoft® Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition enables hobbyists and non-professional developers to create robotics applications targeting a wide range of scenarios.
    Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio supports a broad set of robotics platforms by either running directly on the platform or controlling it from a Windows device through a communication channel such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®.
    In addition to providing support for Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition provides a visual programming environment which allows developers to create applications simply by dragging and dropping components onto a canvas and wiring them together.
    The powerful Visual Simulation Environment provides a high-fidelity simulation environment powered by AGEIA Technologies™ PhysX™ engine for running game-quality 3D simulations with real-world physics interactions.
    To help developers getting started, the studio contains extensive documentation and a large set of samples and tutorials that illustrate how to write applications ranging from simple "Hello Robot" to complex applications that simultaneously run on multiple robots.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=84c5b49f-0f9c-4182-a267-a951328d3fbd&DisplayLang=en

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    Podcasts: How Microsoft IT Manages Physical Security through Strategic IT Convergence

    Brief Description

    The purpose of World Wide Security Operations is to protect Microsoft’s assets in a manner consistent with corporate culture.

    Overview

    The purpose of World Wide Security Operations is to protect Microsoft’s assets in a manner consistent with corporate culture. Through the strategic deployment of security systems, Corporate Security is improving the way that they protect Microsoft assets, information, and employees. The goal of this story is to describe the MS and partner “secure by design” technologies that support access control, monitoring solutions, and incident response and real-time communication solutions.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b72ea3fb-6905-48b6-a987-cc4c032de7e1&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services Datasheet

    Brief Description

    Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 helps enable organizations to build comprehensive, enterprise-scale analytic solutions that deliver actionable insights through familiar tools.

    Overview

    Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 helps enable organizations to build comprehensive, enterprise-scale analytic solutions that deliver actionable insights through familiar tools.
    - Build Enterprise-Scale Solutions
    - Extend Solutions with Comprehensive Analytics
    - Deliver Intelligence Insights Through Familiar Tools

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1ad953e6-2ca9-4d8b-95ff-d5242c4c627a&DisplayLang=en

    Security Update for MSXML 4.0 Service Pack 2 (KB954430)

    Brief Description

    A Security issue has been identified in Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) that could allow an atacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it.

    Overview

    A security issue has been identified in Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. Once you have installed this item, it cannot be removed.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=96a4413c-5261-4f69-83d0-932c430abd14&DisplayLang=en

    November 2008 Security Release ISO Image

    Brief Description

    This DVD5 ISO image file contains the security updates for Windows released on Windows Update on November 11th, 2008.

    Overview

    This DVD5 ISO image file contains the security updates for Windows released on Windows Update on November 11th, 2008. The image does not contain security updates for other Microsoft products. This DVD5 ISO image is intended for administrators that need to download multiple individual language versions of each security update and that do not use an automated solution such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). You can use this ISO image to download multiple updates in all languages at the same time.
    Important:   Be sure to check the individual security bulletins at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security prior to deployment of these updates to ensure that the files have not been updated at a later date.
    This DVD5 image contains the following updates:
    KB958644 / (MS08-067)

    • Windows 2000 - 24 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 - 18 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - 11 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages
    • Windows XP - 24 languages
    • Windows XP x64 Edition - 2 languages
    • Windows Vista - 36 languages
    • Windows Vista for x64-based Systems - 36 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

    KB957097 / (MS08-068)

    • Windows 2000 - 24 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 - 18 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - 11 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages
    • Windows XP - 24 languages
    • Windows XP x64 Edition - 2 languages
    • Windows Vista - 36 languages
    • Windows Vista for x64-based Systems - 36 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

    KB954459 / (MS08-069)

    • Windows XP - 24 languages
    • Windows Vista - 36 languages
    • Windows Vista for x64-based Systems - 36 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

    KB955069 / (MS08-069)

    • Windows 2000 - 24 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 - 18 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - 11 languages
    • Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages
    • Windows XP - 24 languages
    • Windows XP x64 Edition - 2 languages
    • Windows Vista - 36 languages
    • Windows Vista for x64-based Systems - 36 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
    • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4269c703-a4cf-4071-ab4d-90070348e9b5&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter for x64-based Systems [November 2008] (KB905866)

    Brief Description

    Install this update for Windows Mail to revise the definition files that are used to detect e-mail messages that should be considered junk e-mail or that may contain phishing content.

    Overview

    Install this update for Windows Mail to revise the definition files that are used to detect e-mail messages that should be considered junk e-mail or that may contain phishing content. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=749e10cd-f40c-4f94-8e38-d4221ded7652&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [November 2008] (KB905866)

    Brief Description

    Install this update for Windows Mail to revise the definition files that are used to detect e-mail messages that should be considered junk e-mail or that may contain phishing content.

    Overview

    Install this update for Windows Mail to revise the definition files that are used to detect e-mail messages that should be considered junk e-mail or that may contain phishing content. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=aa029fde-f341-44fc-8b85-0c6f3d3c2d69&DisplayLang=en

    Extended Security Update Inventory Tool

    Brief Description

    The Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is used to detect security bulletins not covered by MBSA including MS04-028, February 2005 bulletins, and future security bulletins that are exceptions to MBSA.

    Overview

    The SMS Extended Security Update Inventory tool is a scan tool built for the sole purpose of helping customers determine SMS client computers that may need security updates that are not detectable using the existing SMS Security Update Inventory Tool built on MBSA. Like the SMS Software Update Inventory tool, this tool also has the instructions for locating each applicable update, downloading it from Microsoft, and deploying it using SMS . The SMS Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is built on Enterprise Scan Tool (EST) detection technology. For more information about the exact detection capabilities of EST and how it differs from MBSA, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 894193. For more information on the SMS Extended Security Update Inventory Tool, please see the included user guide and release notes.
    The security bulletins that are currently covered by this tool are as follows:

    • MS04-028
    • MS05-004
    • MS05-006
    • MS05-009
    • MS05-022
    • MS05-023
    • MS05-029
    • MS05-030
    • MS05-031
    • MS05-033
    • MS05-034
    • MS05-044
    • MS05-050
    • MS06-005
    • MS06-014
    • MS06-016
    • MS06-017
    • MS06-020
    • MS06-023
    • MS06-024
    • MS06-033
    • MS06-043
    • MS06-055
    • MS06-056
    • MS06-069
    • MS06-073
    • MS06-076
    • MS06-077
    • MS06-078
    • MS07-004
    • MS07-005
    • MS07-009
    • MS07-012
    • MS07-028
    • MS07-034
    • MS07-040
    • MS07-043
    • MS07-047
    • MS07-049
    • MS07-050
    • MS07-052
    • MS07-053
    • MS07-056
    • MS07-064
    • MS07-068
    • MS08-003
    • MS08-008
    • MS08-017
    • MS08-022
    • MS08-030
    • MS08-033
    • MS08-035
    • MS08-048
    • MS08-050
    • MS08-052
    • MS08-053

    Note for users of previous versions of the tool: This download can be used to upgrade previous versions of the Extended Update Inventory Tool so that additional security update detection can be added for a given month's security updates.
    NOTE: Starting with the July 2006 release, the version field will now reflect the actual version of the binary.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2c93da1d-48a0-4e5c-991f-87e08954f61b&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) x64

    Brief Description

    This tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found. Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder.
    Note that x64 version of this tool will only run on Vista x64, Windows XP x64 and Windows 2003 x64 computers.
    This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.
    Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month. New versions will be made available through this web page, Windows Update, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool Web site on Microsoft.com.
    To have the newest versions automatically delivered and installed as soon as they are released, set the Automatic Updates feature to Automatic. The version of this tool delivered by Windows Update runs on your computer once a month, in the background. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. If you would like to run this tool more than once a month, run the version that is available from this Web page or use the version on the Malicious Software Removal Tool Web site.
    Please review KB890830 for the list of malicious software that the current version of the tool is capable of removing as well as usage instructions. Also, please be aware that this tool reports anonymous information back to Microsoft in the event that an infection is found or an error is encountered. The above KB article contains information on how to disable this functionality and what specific information is sent to Microsoft.
    It is strongly recommended that you review KB891716 before you consider deploying this tool in an enterprise environment.
    The user must be an administrator to run this tool. This tool will not run on any version of Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows NT 4.0.
    Note that this download is now a multi-lingual tool. For all supported languages, the same tool will show the correct language depending on the language of the operating system.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=585d2bde-367f-495e-94e7-6349f4effc74&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)

    Brief Description

    This tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found. Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder.
    To download the x64 version of Malicious Software Removal Tool, click here.
    This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.
    Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month. New versions will be made available through this web page, Windows Update, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool Web site on Microsoft.com.
    To have the newest versions automatically delivered and installed as soon as they are released, set the Automatic Updates feature to Automatic. The version of this tool delivered by Windows Update runs on your computer once a month, in the background. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. If you would like to run this tool more than once a month, run the version that is available from this Web page or use the version on the Malicious Software Removal Tool Web site.
    Please review KB890830 for the list of malicious software that the current version of the tool is capable of removing as well as usage instructions. Also, please be aware that this tool reports anonymous information back to Microsoft in the event that an infection is found or an error is encountered. The above KB article contains information on how to disable this functionality and what specific information is sent to Microsoft.
    It is strongly recommended that you review KB891716 before you consider deploying this tool in an enterprise environment.
    The user must be an administrator to run this tool. This tool will not run on any version of Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows NT 4.0.
    Note that this download is now a multi-lingual tool. For all supported languages, the same tool will show the correct language depending on the language of the operating system.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&DisplayLang=en

    Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Services 6.0 and Service Pack 1 (KB954459)

    Brief Description

    A security issue has been identified in Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it.

    Overview

    A security issue has been identified in Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=59914795-60c7-4ebe-828d-f28cb457e6e3&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server Security and Protection

    Brief Description

    This document provides information about the configuration of the security components in Windows® Essential Business Server.

    Overview

    This document provides information about the configuration of the security components in Windows® Essential Business Server (EBS), and it provides guidance to help make your Windows EBS network more secure.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cf9a2c7b-3e30-4f38-9b58-d3b4fde780e0&DisplayLang=en

    Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" Datasheet

    Brief Description

    ILM 2 Datasheet
    Datasheet for ILM 2

    Overview

    ILM “2” changes the current state of identity management by providing powerful end user self-service capabilities. IT professionals are also given more tools to solve day-to-day tasks such as delegating administration and creating workflows for common identity management tasks. In addition, ILM “2” is built on a .NET and WS-* based foundation for developers to build more customized and extensible solutions.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b931926a-8fd6-4983-beeb-45976198b9ba&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server White Paper: SQL Server 2008 Compliance Guide

    Brief Description

    This paper provides an overview of how to approach compliance for the management of the SQL Server database. It describes the compliance-related features of SQL Server 2008 and how to apply them to IT controls. This paper includes tips and scripts to help jump-start compliance solution development.

    Overview

    Organizations across the globe are being inundated with regulatory requirements. They also have a strong need to better manage their IT systems to ensure they are operating efficiently and staying secure. Microsoft is often asked to provide guidance and technology to assist organizations struggling with compliance. The SQL Server 2008 Compliance Guidance white paper was written to help organizations and individuals understand how to use the features of the Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 database software to address their compliance needs. This paper serves as an accompaniment to the SQL Server 2008 compliance software development kit (SDK), which provides sample code and guidance for understanding SQL Server 2008 compliance features and using them for developing solutions.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6e1021dd-65b9-41c2-8385-438028f5acc2&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Online Services Sign In Tool V1

    Brief Description

    Client application that enables single sign-on to Microsoft Online Services

    Overview

    Service Client application that enables single sign-on to Microsoft Online Services. With this tool, users can configure Outlook, Internet Explorer and LiveMeeting, then use it logon to the licensed, hosted applications subscribed on Microsoft Online Services.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=01f6c0e4-f897-442a-8462-425f8edddad9&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 5 (January – June 2008)

    Brief Description

    This is the fifth volume of the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR).

    Overview

    Volume 5 of the SIR focuses on the first half of 2008 (from January through June) and builds upon the data published in the previously released volumes of the SIR. Using data derived from hundreds of millions of computers worldwide, and some of the busiest online services on the Internet, this report provides an in-depth perspective on trends in software vulnerability disclosures as well as trends in the malicious and potentially unwanted software landscape, and an update on trends in software vulnerability exploits.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b2984562-47a2-48ff-890c-edbeb8a0764c&DisplayLang=en

    Other

    Microsoft Pre-Split and Post-Split Closing Stock Prices

    Brief Description

    List of weekly closing stock prices.

    Overview

    List of weekly closing stock prices, including unadjusted prices and prices adjusted for all stock splits.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4c0b1e02-adf3-4e79-9534-f8b664d3f84c&DisplayLang=en

    Health Plan Customer Experience

    Brief Description

    Learn how to chart a path to experience-based differentiation, a blueprint for customer experience excellence.

    Overview

    Watch this free, on-demand webcast hosted by Microsoft, and hear Bruce Temkin, V.P. and principal analyst for Customer Experience at Forrester Research, lay out the key elements of experience-based differentiation. You'll learn what immediate actions health plans can take to dramatically boost their grades—starting with experience-based differentiation, Forrester's blueprint for customer experience excellence.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4bdc3a5e-76e1-4696-8651-bc74f0354be9&DisplayLang=en

    EMEA Case Study Resources

    Brief Description

    Case Study Resources

    Overview

    Word documents and PowerPoint presentations for GCRP

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7cbc1d01-bdfb-46af-acc1-8ce17ff50bcb&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Campus Agreement and School Agreement Program Guides

    Brief Description

    Get details about Microsoft's subscription licensing programs for education.

    Overview

    Microsoft has two subscription licensing programs for education customers. Campus Agreement is for higher education institutions and offers the simplicity of counting people instead of computers. School Agreement is for K-12 schools and preschools and makes it easy to license all of a school’s computers by counting them just once per year. With subscription licensing programs, you have the right to run a selection of products, and any upgrades or downgrades of those products, for a designated term.
    Download and read the Campus Agreement Program Guide or School Agreement Program Guide for detailed information about the programs.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=73cae99f-82af-472b-b45c-88df17e6baa0&DisplayLang=en

    Online Services Enables IT Consultant to Refocus on Higher Value Strategic Services

    Brief Description

    SBS Pros had to find a cost-effective enterprise-class messaging and collaboration solution to help its clients overcome their infrastructure and maintenance challenges.

    Overview

    SBS Pros is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner based in Torrance, California that provides IT services to organizations across the United States—from the federal government to small and mid-sized businesses. Although SBP Pros offers a comprehensive portfolio of IT services, particularly in the area of security, it often found that it was spending more time helping clients administer and maintain core infrastructure than helping them overcome business challenges. With the introduction of Microsoft® Online Services, SBS Pros can help its clients migrate their cumbersome in-house infrastructures to a cost-effective enterprise-class online service. This saves its clients money, strengthens its role as trusted advisor, and positions SBS Pros to more effectively help clients refocus on more strategic projects—which contribute more fully to SBS Pros’ bottom line.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1a9ae00b-314b-4aac-8148-4d7ddbfad1c9&DisplayLang=en

    RED Saves Green Using Online Document Management Service

    Brief Description

    RED works with industrial manufacturing companies to profitably reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by developing and operating energy recycling facilities.

    Overview

    Each Recycled Energy Development (RED) project involves complex, multimillion-dollar contracts that need to be negotiated, controlled, maintained, and audited carefully. Over time, RED recognized that it needed a better way to manage these documents, but it could not afford to divert its financial or human resources to support a full-service in-house document management infrastructure. Microsoft® Gold Certified partner PointBridge came up with a better approach using Microsoft SharePoint® Online, part of the Business Productivity Online Suite from Microsoft Online Services. Microsoft Online Services delivers the functionality RED needs without the upfront capital expense it wanted to avoid.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2edc511e-1147-46a0-a188-f0064a0fc945&DisplayLang=en

    Online Services Open Doors to Delivery of Mission-Critical Customer Applications

    Brief Description

    To protect the customized, mission-critical applications that In4Arch builds, In4Arch clients need an enterprise-class infrastructure—but many lack the IT resources to support such an infrastructure.

    Overview

    Pittsburgh-based service provider In4Arch could see many opportunities to foster productivity and create business efficiencies for its clients using tools such as Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server 2007 and Microsoft Office InfoPath® 2007. Many large companies are already using these tools and consider their custom built applications to be mission critical. Yet many of In4Arch’s smaller clients were reluctant to pursue these more sophisticated applications. They did not have, and often could not justify acquiring, the IT resources to create or maintain an in-house infrastructure that would be reliable enough to support applications that could become so critical. When In4Arch began to propose using an infrastructure provided by Microsoft Online Services to support its InfoPath-based applications, however, it encountered a very different response and doors began to open.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4d5b6c82-d34d-4ef0-a480-50d8984df0c8&DisplayLang=en

    Offering Online Services Points to a Clear Win for ClearPointe

    Brief Description

    ClearPointe’s customers are primarily small and mid-sized businesses that lack the financial or technical resources to implement an enterprise-class communications and collaboration solution.

    Overview

    ClearPointe built its business on the remote management of client infrastructure. But some of the small to mid-sized business ClearPointe serves were not taking advantage of newer messaging and collaboration technologies because of the high cost of building the infrastructure and licensing the software. When ClearPointe began to offer the Business Productivity Online Suite from Microsoft Online Services, it found an excited receptivity among its clients. Arkansas Physicians Management, Inc., seized the opportunity to move forward with an e-mail migration project that had been languishing for years. This expanded service provider role enables ClearPointe not only to deliver results much faster and with virtually no up-front costs, but also to achieve increased revenues and an expanded set of business relationships with existing and new clients alike.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=71f23b6e-b41c-4cf6-a467-ad80b7c61cad&DisplayLang=en

    Gaining a Comprehensive Messaging and Collaboration Solution to Meet Client Needs

    Brief Description

    Many of Evolve Partners’ clients wanted to wrap collaboration services around their online messaging services—but no hosted messaging service providers offered a comprehensive messaging and collaboration solution.

    Overview

    Many of the small and mid-sized organizations that Evolve Partners supports wanted more than just e-mail—they wanted more complete collaboration solutions to accompany their e-mail infra-structure. However, Evolve could not find a service provider partner that could offer a more comprehensive enterprise-class messaging and collaboration solution to meet its client’s needs. Not until, that is, Microsoft Online Services began offering the Business Productivity Online Suite. This offering provides precisely the kinds of enterprise grade messaging and collaboration tools that Evolve Partners’ clients had been seeking—and all for a low monthly subscription fee. Microsoft Online Services is helping Evolve meet its client’s needs, opening doors to new business opportunities, and increasing its revenues.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d8e26058-d1a4-4153-b640-d696eabe7d8b&DisplayLang=en

    Reducing IT Management Burden Creates Opportunities for New Strategic IT Initiatives

    Brief Description

    Virteva always seeks ways to enable clients to do more with technology, but for many smaller clients, the challenge of managing existing technology precludes them from exploring new opportunities.

    Overview

    Many of the organizations with which Virteva IT consultants work have limited resources. For the IT personnel in these organizations it may take all the time and energy they have to maintain their existing IT environments at the levels demanded. They have no time to talk about whether their operations could run more efficiently or how their organizations might use other technologies to accomplish even more. Virteva has found a way to help these organizations lessen the burden of running their IT environments: By offloading day-to-day IT management and infrastructure responsibilities to Microsoft® Online Services, Virteva can help its clients save money, gain unsurpassed support, and free up time to step back and focus on other IT opportunities that may provide more strategic benefits to their businesses.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1685b44f-8b5e-45c1-bb51-ea7425e9c5d3&DisplayLang=en

    Online Services Help Software Firm Affordably Access Enterprise-class E-mail

    Brief Description

    To cut costs, Datatune moved from an onsite Exchange Server environment to Google Apps. What the firm saved in costs, it lost in efficiency due to the unfamiliar interface and slower performance.

    Overview

    Based in Seattle, Washington, Datatune is a small business software development firm that serves information-driven companies. After 10 years of running Microsoft® Exchange Server onsite, Datatune moved to Google Apps to cut costs. Productivity diminished as users struggled with navigating the unfamiliar interface and had difficulty managing their schedules without the calendaring features of Microsoft Outlook to which they were accustomed. A year later when LINK Conference Service, a communications solutions provider, presented the Business Productivity Online Suite from Microsoft Online Services, Datatune did not hesitate to sign up. With Microsoft Exchange Online and the familiar Outlook client software, Datatune gains an enterprise-class communications solution for a low monthly fee and without the expense or effort of maintaining an on-premise e-mail infrastructure.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b42e68f7-b5ef-4d5d-9516-dee892864dfb&DisplayLang=en

    Online Services Delivers Enterprise-Class Communications to Growing Retail Business

    Brief Description

    Archiver’s wanted to migrate from its old POP3-based e-mail system to an enterprise class messaging and collaboration system, but the cost and in-house IT resource requirements were too great.

    Overview

    Archiver’s had established 45 retail outlets across the United States in less than eight years. But with that expansion came natural growing pains. The company’s POP3-based e-mail system no longer suited the enterprise into which Archiver’s was evolving. At the same time, Archiver’s was not in a position to migrate to Microsoft® Exchange Server 2007, much as its executives wanted to. Building an on-premise infrastructure would be costly, and Archiver’s three-person IT team did not have the time or the resources to support it. Archiver’s turned to Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Virteva, which introduced them to the Business Productivity Online Suite from Microsoft Online Services. By subscribing to Microsoft Exchange Online, Archiver’s gained the enterprise-class features and services it needed without the cost of building—or the burden of managing—in-house infrastructure.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1801e43b-a9d7-48be-bd85-3aae91323e2b&DisplayLang=en

    Realizing a Recurring Revenue Stream by Reselling Online Services

    Brief Description

    PointBridge needed a collaboration solution it could promote to customers who needed enterprise-class services without the enterprise infrastructure and resource requirements.

    Overview

    PointBridge specializes in connecting people to people and people to information with technologies such as Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Server, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Office Communications Server, as well as collaborative business intelligence technologies such as Microsoft SQL Server® and Microsoft Office PerformancePoint® Server. But PointBridge also understands that for a large number of organizations, the infrastructure and staffing requirements associated with collaborative technologies is beyond reach. By directing these customers to the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite, however, PointBridge has been able to offer the enterprise-class functionality these customers desire in an online form that eliminates the on-premise infrastructure requirements. For PointBridge, the results are happy customers and recurring revenue streams without associated cost of goods sold.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ef3a9bdd-b786-4957-9e28-d2ad957b3862&DisplayLang=en

    Online Services Provide Strong Entry into New Markets for Conferencing Company

    Brief Description

    To be a full-service global communications solution provider, LINK Conference Service needed to add new communication and collaboration services to their traditional conferencing offerings.

    Overview

    LINK Conference Service executives wanted to expand beyond the realm of conferencing services. They wanted to be able to add value to both new and existing clients by offering more complete, unified communications solutions. The question was how to achieve this expansion. The answer proved to be the Business Productivity Online Suite from Microsoft Online Services, which makes Microsoft® Exchange Online, Office Live Meeting, Microsoft Office Communications Online, and Microsoft SharePoint® Online available for a low, monthly, per-user subscription fee. The ability to offer hosted enterprise-class software solutions that a small business does not have—and that larger organizations can use to streamline their communications and simplify their IT management—has helped LINK Conference Service win new clients such as Datatune and support its existing customers more fully.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e6acb646-f7b4-45cd-8fab-019be5852187&DisplayLang=en

    Online Collaboration Services Support Consulting Company’s Quantum Growth

    Brief Description

    Staser Consulting Group needed communication and collaboration software to bring together its highly dispersed workforce, but did not have the financial or physical resources to support onsite infrastructure.

    Overview

    Based in Anchorage, Alaska, the Staser Consulting Group (SCG) brings together an interdisciplinary team of experienced business intelligence professionals to help companies make better fact-based decisions. To handle a recent four-fold growth, SCG needed enterprise-class communication and collaboration software, but deploying an on-premise solution was not economically feasible, nor was it practical considering SCG’s virtual business model. As a knowledge-based company, SCG found the right solution when Arctic Information Technology—a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner—introduced the Business Productivity Online Suite from Microsoft® Online Services, which provides enterprise-class communication and collaboration capabilities in an online, subscription-based service. This solution enables SCG’s highly dispersed team to work to-gether effectively and have access to the latest documents and contact information.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b7ccccac-00f1-42d2-b839-9038c3f4d56e&DisplayLang=en

    Online Services Create Ongoing Revenue Stream while Delivering Customer Value

    Brief Description

    Arctic IT wanted a collaboration solution it could offer to small and mid-sized client companies who needed enterprise-class software, without having to invest in an enterprise infrastructure.

    Overview

    Arctic Information Technology is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner that offers end-to-end Microsoft business solutions to organizations in Alaska and throughout North America. Arctic IT recognized that many local organizations did not have the resources, infrastructure or staffing required to support on-premise collaborative technologies such as Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Server and Microsoft Exchange Server. This barrier dropped with the introduction of the Microsoft Online Services and the Business Productivity Online Suite, which enable Arctic IT to provide enterprise-class functionality in an online, subscription-based form that reduces or eliminates the need for an on-premise infrastructure. As a result, Arctic IT can deliver business value to its small and mid-sized business client companies, while gaining new customers and creating a new recurring revenue stream.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a2da6236-3671-4967-ae26-d6195fb20fe0&DisplayLang=en

    Zune Client software, version 3.1

    Brief Description

    PC software for Zune

    Overview

    You will need this software to sync contents from a PC to a Zune device.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ecc2d7ee-bf20-416d-bb44-f6b7cccae253&DisplayLang=en

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Guitar Hero for Disabled Gamers.....

    • 0 Comments

    Reading SlashDot this morning and ran across this great article. Researchers are developing new interfaces or modifying existing ones to allow the blind and those with missing limbs to be able to take part in the Guitar Hero phenomenon.

    In the IEEE article that SlashDot links to, they are utilizing modified controllers to assist with training arm amputees with learning how to use their new prosthetic limbs. Way Cool!

    Watch the video linked to for the open source Frets on Fire that has been modded to allow for a haptic glove to be used for sensing the coming notes. The smile on the players face as he plays says it all!

     

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Uncompressed HDTV....over USB?

    • 0 Comments

    Wow!   Imagine a day when you can buy a hard drive or other USB type device that is jam packed with ultra high quality HD programming in full surround sound and all you have to do is plug it into a USB port to view it. According to this article, those days are right around the corner.

     

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Are you getting my keys good side?

    • 0 Comments

    I was reading some tech news articles this evening and this little tidbit caught my eye. It seems that some researchers have figured out a way to take a picture of a set of ordinary house door keys, run the picture by some software that compensates for angles, lighting and a few other factors and then sends that data to a key making machine that can make keys that work "80 percent of the time on the first try".

    Lends a whole new meaning to physical security!

     

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Interesting Sownloads for Week Ending - 11-07-2008

    • 0 Comments

    Infrastructure Development & Operations

    · Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Help

    · Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Protocol Documentation

    · Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standards Documentation

    · DEPLOYMENT GUIDE - WINDOWS EBS 2008 with WINDOWS MOBILE 6

    · DEPLOYMENT GUIDE - WINDOWS SBS 2008 with WINDOWS MOBILE 6

    · Infrastructure Planning and Design

    · Update for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition (KB959252)

    · Update for Windows XP x64 Edition (KB959252)

    · Update for Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems (KB959252)

    · Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB959252)

    · Microsoft Online Migration Tool (32 bit)

    · Microsoft Online Migration Tool (64 bit)

    · Office Live Update 1.3

    · Windows Vista Optimized Desktop Program Datasheets

    · Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 Release Notes

    · Windows Server Active Directory Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

    · Migrate to Microsoft Online Services

    · Microsoft Exchange Online Standard

    · Licensing Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005

    · Microsoft Windows Server DHCP 2000/2003/2008 Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

    Solutions & Solution Development

    · Windows Live ID Web Authentication SDK 1.2

    · Microsoft® Silverlight™ 2 Software Development Kit Documentation

    · Windows Live ID Delegated Authentication SDK 1.2

    · .NET Rocks! - Rob Tiffany on Windows Mobile

    · PlayReady PC Runtime v1.2 (x64)

    · Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack

    · SharePoint Guidance - November 2008

    · UI Automation Community Promise Specification

    · .NET Rocks! - Don Box and Doug Purdy on Oslo!

    · Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 Update for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Support

    · Geneva Whitepapers and Datasheet

    · SQL Server 2008 White Paper: Analysis Services Performance Guide

    · Office SharePoint Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    · Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    · 2007 Office Resource Kit Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    · Office Project Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    · Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    · IIS Media Pack 1.0 - 32-bit

    · IIS Media Pack 1.0 - 64-bit

    · DirectX End-User Runtimes (November 2008)

    · DirectX Software Development Kit

    · Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 Administration Tutorials

    · Microsoft Office SharePoint Online

    · Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server Power Tools - October 2008 Release

    · Windows Essential Business Server Software Development Kit (SDK)

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    · Microsoft Urlscan Filter v3.1 (x64)

    · Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (January – June 2008)- Executive Summary

    · Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 5 (January – June 2008)

    · Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" RC Release

    · Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" RC Demo Virtual Hard Disk Image

    · SDL Threat Modeling Tool 3.1 beta

    · Security Features in Microsoft Online

    · Enterprise Data Security Optimization Datasheet

    · Deployment for Microsoft Forefront Server Security Datasheet

    · Security, Identity, and Access Management Datasheet

    · Deployment for Microsoft Forefront Client Security Datasheet

    · Microsoft Office SharePoint Online

    Other

    · Duet Implementation Presentation

    · Woods Bagot Case Study

    · Downer EDI Case Study

    · Premier Support Datasheet

    · Premier Support for Microsoft Dynamics Datasheet

    · Video: Creating Chapter Markers for the MediaPlayer Control - English

    · Video: Creating a Media Definition File

    · Volume Licensing Program Guides, Datasheets, and FAQs

    · Unified Communications for Health Overview

    Infrastructure Development & Operations

    Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Help

    Brief Description

    This download contains a standalone version of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1 Help.

    Overview

    The Exchange Server 2007 SP1 Help can help you in the day-to-day administration of Exchange. Use this information to guide you through Exchange Server 2007 SP1 features, tasks, and administration procedures.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5eb0f9a0-2c49-4f2a-8a09-b981ed667821&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Protocol Documentation

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Protocol technical documentation set provides technical specifications for Microsoft protocols, and Microsoft extensions to industry-standard or other published protocols that are implemented and used in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Protocol technical documentation set provides detailed technical specifications for Microsoft protocols and extensions to industry-standard or other published protocols that are implemented and used in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 to interoperate or communicate natively with Microsoft Office client and other server products.
    The documentation set includes a set of companion overview and reference documents that supplement the technical specifications with conceptual background, overviews of inter-protocol relationships and interactions, and technical reference information.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a9aae935-ad23-4117-a3d9-9ed6093d6d7f&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standards Documentation

    Brief Description

    The Exchange Server Standards Documents describe Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 support for standards and RFCs related to iCalendar, IMAP4, and POP3.

    Overview

    The Exchange Server Standards Documents provide information about Exchange 2007 support for industry messaging standards and Requests for Comments (RFCs) related to iCalendar, IMAP4, and POP3.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6fa94dc9-d4b6-402b-8c22-8a52acea2284&DisplayLang=en

    DEPLOYMENT GUIDE - WINDOWS EBS 2008 with WINDOWS MOBILE 6

    Brief Description

    Step-by-step instructions for deploying Windows Mobile 6 powered devices with Windows EBS 2008.

    Overview

    This document provides step-by-step instructions for deploying devices powered with Windows Mobile® 6 in an IT infrastructure that is based on the Windows® Essential Business Server 2008 (Windows EBS 2008) server solution.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=69d1b397-86fc-46ed-afb3-b2882d324650&DisplayLang=en

    DEPLOYMENT GUIDE - WINDOWS SBS 2008 with WINDOWS MOBILE 6

    Brief Description

    Step-by-step instructions for deploying Windows Mobile 6 powered devices with Windows SBS 2008.

    Overview

    This document provides step-by-step instructions for deploying devices powered with Windows Mobile® 6 in an IT infrastructure that is based on the Windows® Small Business Server 2008 (Windows SBS 2008) server solution.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1a65b759-ce1a-47bd-a34a-1b2964b0d7bc&DisplayLang=en

    Infrastructure Planning and Design

    Brief Description

    The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) guides are the next version of Windows Server System Reference Architecture. The guides in this series help clarify and streamline design processes for Microsoft infrastructure technologies, with each guide addressing a unique infrastructure technology or scenario.

    Overview

    Infrastructure Planning and Design guides share a common structure, including:

    • Definition of the technical decision flow through the planning process.
    • Listing of decisions to be made and the commonly available options and considerations.
    • Relating the decisions and options to the business in terms of cost, complexity, and other characteristics.
    • Framing decisions in terms of additional questions to the business to ensure a comprehensive alignment with the appropriate business landscape.

    These guides complement product documentation by focusing on infrastructure design options.
    Each guide leads the reader through critical infrastructure design decisions, in the appropriate order, evaluating the available options for each decision against its impact on critical characteristics of the infrastructure. The IPD Series highlights when service and infrastructure goals should be validated with the organization and provides additional questions that should be asked of service stakeholders and decision makers.
    IPD consists of the following downloadable packages:

    • New! Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 with R2
    • New! Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5
    • Windows Server 2008 File Services
    • Windows Server 2008 Print Services
    • Infrastructure Planning and Design Series Introduction
    • Internet Information Services 7.0
    • Selecting the Right NAP Architecture
    • Selecting the Right Virtualization Technology
    • System Center Operations Manager 2007
    • System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008
    • Windows Deployment Services
    • Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Domain Services
    • Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services
    • Windows Server Virtualization (for Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1)

    The guides are available as individual downloads or as a single all-in-one package.
    Send questions or feedback to us directly at SATfdbk@microsoft.com

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad3921fb-8224-4681-9064-075fdf042b0c&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition (KB959252)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061).

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061). After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8e237f60-d9cf-4eab-ae77-9991c6b0023c&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows XP x64 Edition (KB959252)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061).

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061). After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=77dc587e-5817-4b12-80fe-dabd2434ab90&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems (KB959252)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061).

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061). After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d74a1ece-8e37-4063-aef2-245e16ffd12d&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB959252)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061).

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061). After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049241ca-4f76-4058-b4e0-ea43ee271e0c&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Online Migration Tool (32 bit)

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Online Migration Tool (32 bit)
    Microsoft Online Migration Tools.

    Overview

    Hosted Exchange Migration tool set supporting Microsoft Online Services. Used to migrate from on premise Exchange deployments to Microsoft Online Hosted Exchange Services.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=31cd0da5-c75e-41ac-b7c6-c47e29c40db4&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Online Migration Tool (64 bit)

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Online Migration Tool (64 bit)
    Microsoft Online Migration Tools.

    Overview

    Hosted Exchange Migration tool set supporting Microsoft Online Services. Used to migrate from on premise Exchange deployments to Microsoft Online Hosted Exchange Services.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=397fc2b3-84f4-4216-91f4-0a7554e7f036&DisplayLang=en

    Office Live Update 1.3

    Brief Description

    The Office Live Update 1.3 for Microsoft Office Live Workspace beta makes working with Microsoft Office programs faster and lets you access workspaces from Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

    Overview

    The Office Live Update 1.3 installs (1) performance updates to make using Office Live Workspace with Microsoft Office programs faster, (2) the latest Office Live Add-in for Microsoft Office that enables you to access your workspaces directly from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, (3) the Firefox add-in to allow users of the Firefox browser to use Office Live Workspace with Microsoft Office.
    The Office Live Update 1.3 auto-detects and installs these necessary updates to ensure optimum performance:

    • MSRC 9x0 Cumulative Security Update
    • Update for Office 2007 (KB951944)
    • Update for Windows Vista (KB 933860)
    • Update for Windows Vista (KB 945145)
    • Update for Windows Vista (KB 945435)
    • Update for Windows Vista (KB 947864)
    • Update for Windows Vista (KB 948531)
    • Windows Live Sign-in Assistant

    The Office Live Add-in adds new menu options in the 2007 Microsoft Office Suite and a toolbar in Microsoft Office XP and Office 2003. You will be able to open documents located in Office Live Workspace directly from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You will also be able to save files directly from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to Office Live Workspace.
    If you use the Mozilla Firefox browser, the Microsoft Office Live Workspace Plug-In for Firefox lets you open, edit, and save Microsoft Office documents in Office Live Workspace directly from the browser using Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Firefox is a registered trademark of the Mozilla Foundation.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=91fe0002-eb00-434b-8726-27911326d2b2&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Vista Optimized Desktop Program Datasheets

    Brief Description

    Windows Vista Optimized Desktop Program Datasheets

    Overview

    Windows Vista Optimized Desktop Program Datasheets

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=dfcc44c4-dc36-4f68-892c-5dce1b2bf247&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 Release Notes

    Brief Description

    Refer to this file for information regarding known issues about Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007.

    Overview

    This file contains information regarding known issues about Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8102b4e6-62f2-4d33-b465-a6c5da1b8973&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Server Active Directory Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

    Brief Description

    The AD Management Pack monitors Windows Server 2000, 2003 and 2008 Domain Controllers, as well as providing a Client Perspective monitoring of an AD deployment.

    Overview

    The Active Directory Management Pack provides both proactive and reactive monitoring of your Active Directory deployment. It monitors events that are placed in the Application, System, and Service event logs by various Active Directory components and subsystems. It also monitors the overall health of the Active Directory system and alerts you to critical performance issues. The monitoring provided by this management pack includes monitoring of the domain controllers and monitoring of health from the perspective of clients utilizing Active Directory resources. To monitor the domain controllers, the Active Directory Management Pack provides a predefined, ready-to-run set of processing rules, monitoring scripts, and reports that are designed specifically to monitor the performance and availability of the Active Directory domain controllers. The client in your environment might experience connectivity and service issues even though the domain controller appears to be operating correctly. The Active Directory Client Management Pack, included in the Active Directory Management Pack files to download, helps to identify these issues. This management pack monitors the services provided by the domain controller. It provides information in addition to that collected directly on the domain controller about whether they are available by running synthetic transactions against the directory service, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) binds and LDAP pings.
    Feature Summary:

    • Replication
    • Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
    • Domain Controller Locator
    • Trusts
    • Net Logon service
    • File Replication Service (FRS)
    • Intersite Messaging service
    • Windows Time service
    • Key Distribution Center (KDC)
    • Monitoring service availability
    • Collecting key performance data
    • Providing comprehensive reports, including reports about service availability and service health and reports that can be used for capacity planning

    Management Pack Release History:

    • 3/23/2007 - Initial Release, version 6.0.5000.0
    • 1/15/2008 - Updated Guide - same version
    • 03/17/2008 - QFE, version 6.0.6278.3
    • 03/26/2008 - QFE, version 6.0.6278.10
    • 11/7/2008 - Initial release for 2000/2003/2008, version 6.0.6452.0

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=008f58a6-dc67-4e59-95c6-d7c7c34a1447&DisplayLang=en

    Migrate to Microsoft Online Services

    Brief Description

    This document describes how to migrate your on-premise Exchange Server mailboxes and POP3 and IMAP4 mailboxes to Exchange Online.

    Overview

    This document describes how to migrate your on-premise Exchange Server mailboxes and POP3 and IMAP4 mailboxes to Exchange Online.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=25350815-5c57-441a-b7fb-329ff5fe14b3&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Exchange Online Standard

    Brief Description

    Service Description for Microsoft Exchange Online Standard
    Microsoft® Exchange Online is a hosted enterprise messaging solution based on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Exchange Online services include advanced e-mail features as well as calendaring, contact, and task management capabilities. This white paper describes the services and features that are included with the Standard offering of Exchange Online.

    Overview

    Microsoft® Exchange Online is a hosted enterprise messaging solution based on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Exchange Online helps give your business the e-mail security it demands, your employees the e-mail access want, and your IT staff the operational efficiency it needs. The service uses the knowledge of Microsoft products, best practices developed with customers and partners, and our global infrastructure to deliver a world-class, mission-critical service.
    Exchange Online services include advanced e-mail features as well as calendaring, contact, and task management capabilities. Exchange Online also provides built-in spam control and virus scanning to reduce common security risks that are associated with e-mail files.
    This white paper is intended for company decision-makers and describes the services and features that are included with the Standard offering of Exchange Online.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6bef06c7-3ae6-40a7-a78e-eea670b4f605&DisplayLang=en

    Licensing Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005

    Brief Description

    Licensing Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005

    Overview

    Licensing Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cd3c97a4-f340-4463-b4f5-3dc9ba53b0a8&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Windows Server DHCP 2000/2003/2008 Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

    Brief Description

    This Management Pack Monitors DHCP infrastructure health, availability, and performance.

    Overview

    The Windows Server DHCP 2000/2003/2008 Management Pack includes monitors, rules, views, and reports for the monitoring of your DHCP infrastructure. Alerts contain context sensitive knowledge base of useful information to help administrators resolve an issue when DHCP fails to process.
    Note: This package includes library MP, 2000 and 2003 MPs, and DHCP 2008 MP. DHCP 2008 MP can only be installed on System Center OpsMgr 2007 SP1. Others can be installed on either OpsMgr 2007 RTM or OpsMgr 2007 SP1. Before you import the Windows Server DHCP Management Pack, uninstall any existing DHCP management packs. You may wish to record custom overrides and rules for possible inclusion in the new DHCP management pack.
    Feature Bullet Summary

    • DHCP 2003/2008
      • Native Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 MP
      • Windows Server 2008 Support
      • Scope & Superscope Address Availability Health
      • Updated Health Logic
      • New Reports
      • Updated Knowledge Base Information
      • Coexists with the included DHCP 2000 MP
    • DHCP 2000
      • Converted Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 MP
      • Coexists with new native DHCP 2003 / 2008 MP

    Release History

    • 10/26/2007 - Release of Windows Server 2000/2003 DHCP MP for OpsMgr 2007, version 6.0.5000.41
    • 8/15/2008 - Added support for Windows Server 2008, version 6.0.6383.0
    • 11/7/2008 - QFE release to fix the high CPU utilization issues, version 6.0.6452.0

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2694e87c-76e0-417b-ad0f-5897e46fff88&DisplayLang=en

    Solutions & Solution Development

    Windows Live ID Web Authentication SDK 1.2

    Brief Description

    The Windows Live™ ID Web Authentication software development kit (SDK) gives you a platform-neutral way to bring the power of the Windows Live ID authentication service to your own Web site. (Only for sites not affiliated with Microsoft.)

    Overview

    Introducing an easy way to integrate the Windows Live ID authentication service into your Web site!

    Important Web Authentication is designed for use only by sites that are not affiliated with Microsoft. If your site is associated with Microsoft, please contact the Windows Live ID team to determine the proper implementation.

    The Windows Live ID Web Authentication SDK describes a platform-independent interface for implementing Windows Live ID sign-in on Web sites of all kinds. This release includes a sample application for each of seven different programming languages: ASP.NET (C# and VB), Java, Perl, PHP, Python, and Ruby. For each language there is a function library that you can use to extend the sample.
    The SDK consists of the samples and libraries available on this page together with the SDK documentation. For a link to the documentation on MSDN®, see Related Resources later on this page.
    Use of the SDK is governed by the Windows Live SDK License Agreement at: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb226715.aspx
    Benefits

    • The ability to use Windows Live gadgets and controls to incorporate authenticated Windows Live services into your site.
    • An HTTP-based, platform-neutral interface for implementing Windows Live ID authentication in your existing site, even if it is hosted by a third-party.
    • Freedom from the technical details of authentication! The Windows Live ID authentication service handles this for you.
    • A huge user base: any of the millions of users who have a Windows Live ID can become a user of your site.

    Providing Feedback
    This SDK is a work in progress, so we appreciate your input!

    • To provide general product feedback or obtain support, visit the Discussion Forum (see Related Resources on this page).
    • To provide feedback on the SDK documentation, use the Click to Rate and Give Feedback feature located in the upper-right corner of each topic.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e565fc92-d5f6-4f5f-8713-4dd1c90de19f&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Silverlight™ 2 Software Development Kit Documentation

    Brief Description

    October 2008
    This package contains the product documentation for Microsoft® Silverlight™ 2.

    Overview

    The Microsoft® Silverlight™ 2 SDK Documentation is the Silverlight product standalone documentation provided for download. It is in CHM format (compiled HTML) and can be viewed on a PC or by installing a CHM reader on MAC.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bce7684a-507b-4fc6-bc99-6933cd690cab&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Live ID Delegated Authentication SDK 1.2

    Brief Description

    The Windows Live™ ID Delegated Authentication software development kit (SDK) gives you a platform-neutral way to access users' information from Windows Live services while they remain in firm control of their own data.

    Overview

    Windows Live ID Delegated Authentication helps you get permission to access users' information on Windows Live services. Then you can deliver great new functionality to users while they remain in firm control of their own data.
    This release includes sample applications for each of seven different programming languages: ASP.NET (C# and VB), Java, Perl, PHP, Python, and Ruby. For each language there is a function library that you can use to extend the sample.
    The SDK consists of the samples and libraries available on this page together with the SDK documentation. For a link to the documentation on MSDN®, see the Related Resources section on this page.
    Use of the SDK is governed by the Windows Live SDK License Agreement at: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb226715.aspx

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a2466abf-9629-42d8-b991-1d3faf2fe872&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Rob Tiffany on Windows Mobile

    Brief Description

    Rob Tiffany stops by to talk about the lastest in Windows Mobile technology. Carl managed to squeeze a hint out of him about what's next for Windows Mobility.

    Overview

    Rob Tiffany is an Architect at Microsoft focused on delivering the best possible Windows Mobile solutions for his customers. His expertise lies in combining wireless data technologies, device hardware, Windows Mobile software, and optimized server infrastructures together to form compelling solutions. Prior to his current role, Rob was a Senior Technical Product Manager for Windows Mobile in Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices division where he focused on growing the mobile developer ecosystem. He was also responsible for planning and running one of Microsoft's largest global developer conferences. Prior to joining Microsoft, Rob founded one of the industry's first mobile device management companies. Rob blogs at http://blogs.msdn.com/robtiffany.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=efbd10cf-946c-4739-bd72-0e18ac277242&DisplayLang=en

    PlayReady PC Runtime v1.2 (x64)

    Brief Description

    Download the latest version of the PlayReady PC Runtime.

    Overview

    Microsoft PlayReady technology is optimized for the mobile industry to support the growth of online content services, and includes features designed to make it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy mobile digital entertainment. This runtime allows PC based applications to access PlayReady content using the PlayReady PC Runtime API.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8198ee4d-4821-498a-9cd8-717fcd48341a&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack

    Brief Description

    Version 1.0
    The Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack, Version 1.0 (XPS Essentials Pack) contains components that enable you to view, generate and index XPS Documents.

    Overview

    With the XPS Essentials Pack you can quickly begin reading and generating XPS Documents. It contains XPS Viewer EP to read XPS Documents and the Microsoft XPS Document Writer to output files to the XPS Document format.
    Additionally, the XPS Essentials Pack download includes providers to enable the iPreview and iFilter capabilities found in many Windows applications. Windows shell handlers are also included to enable thumbnail views and file properties for XPS Documents.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b8dcffdd-e3a5-44cc-8021-7649fd37ffee&DisplayLang=en

    SharePoint Guidance - November 2008

    Brief Description

    This guidance helps architects and developers design, build, test, deploy, and upgrade SharePoint intranet applications. A reference implementation demonstrates solutions to common architectural, development, and application lifecycle management challenges.

    Overview

    This guidance helps architects and developers build SharePoint intranet applications. A reference implementation (RI) demonstrates solutions to common architectural, development and lifecycle management challenges.
    This guidance discusses the following:

    • Architectural decisions about patterns, feature factoring and packaging.
    • Design tradeoffs for common decisions many developers encounter.
    • Implementation examples demonstrated in the RI and in the QuickStarts.
    • How to design for testability, create unit tests, and run continuous integration.
    • Set up of development, build, test, staging, and production environments.
    • Managing the application life cycle including upgrade.
    • Team-based intranet application development.

    The following areas are not discussed in this version of the guidance:

    • Content-oriented sites that use Web content management
    • Internet and enterprise-scale SharePoint applications
    • Multilingual SharePoint applications
    • Scale or security testing of SharePoint applications

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c3722dba-6ee7-4e0e-82b5-fdaf3c5ec927&DisplayLang=en

    UI Automation Community Promise Specification

    Brief Description

    This download contains the Community Promise Specification for UI Automation.

    Overview

    This download contains the Community Promise Specification for UI Automation.
    Microsoft UI Automation is the new accessibility framework for Microsoft Windows®, available on all operating systems that support Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). UI Automation provides programmatic access to most user interface (UI) elements on the desktop, enabling assistive technology products such as screen readers to provide information about the UI to end users and to manipulate the UI by means other than standard input.
    UI Automation also allows automated test scripts to interact with the UI. UI Automation client applications can be written with the assurance that they will work on multiple frameworks. The UI Automation core masks any differences in the frameworks that underlie various pieces of UI. For example, the Content property of a WPF button, the Caption property of a Win32 button, and the ALT property of an HTML image are all mapped to a single property, Name, in the UI Automation view.
    UI Automation provides full functionality in Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. UI Automation providers offer some support for Microsoft Active Accessibility client applications, through a built-in bridging service.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a1fe1066-bf4f-44fc-834b-676b311e83a2&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Don Box and Doug Purdy on Oslo!

    Brief Description

    Richard and Carl talk with Don Box and Doug Purdy about Microsoft code-name Oslo, a nascent set of developer tools and technologies that promise to make development much easier than it is today.

    Overview

    Don Box is an architect at Microsoft working on declarative languages and tools to simplify developing applications and services. Don joined Microsoft in 2002 as an architect of Windows Communication Foundation (WCF). Before joining Microsoft, Don was an independent consultant focused on software integration technologies. Don was the leading external voice for Microsoft’s Component Object Model (COM) and Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) and helped shape the way developers across the globe experience those technologies. In 1996, Don worked as a consultant to Software AG and Microsoft on the UNIX-based Distributed COM project; Don also worked with Microsoft and Dave Winer to create the original SOAP specification in 1998. Don is a respected writer on software development topics, serving as a series editor at Addison Wesley and as a contributing editor to C++ Report, Microsoft Systems Journal (MSJ), and MSDN Magazine. Don’s first book, Essential COM, remains a part of the C++ developer’s canon. Don was the first blogger to publish RSS from a Microsoft web property (http://www.gotdotnet.com/) and now (sporadically) maintains a blog at http://www.pluralsight.com/blogs/dbox/.
    Douglas Purdy is a product unit manager at Microsoft working on next-generation languages and tools to broaden the franchise of people building applications. His vision is to "make everyone a programmer" (even if they don't know it). Previously, Douglas was the group program manager for the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF/Indigo) and Windows Workflow Foundation (WF/WinOE) teams. Douglas has been with Microsoft, on and off, since 1998 where he has worked in consulting, evangelism and engineering.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=dcf560fa-c9bc-4c95-8be5-636c5c7d713f&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 Update for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Support

    Brief Description

    This update enables developers to use Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 with Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

    Overview

    This update resolves the following error that when you try to use Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 design tools to open a database connection to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 :
    “This server version is not supported. Only servers up to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 are supported.”
    This update addresses this issue and enables the following Visual Studio functionality for SQL Server 2008:

    • Server Explorer successfully connects to SQL Server 2008, and database objects such as stored procedures and table data can be viewed and edited. Note that table schemas cannot be viewed or edited in this release.
    • SQL CLR projects that target SQL Server 2008 can be created and deployed to the server.
    • T-SQL and SQL CLR debugging are now enabled for SQL Server 2008.
    • Data binding features in Client and Web Projects are enabled.

    This update does not support the following features for SQL Server 2008:

    • Creating and editing table schemas in Table Designer or Database Diagrams. As a workaround you may use the table designer feature in SQL Server Management Studio 2008 to edit table schemas in SQL Server 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e1109aef-1aa2-408d-aa0f-9df094f993bf&DisplayLang=en

    Geneva Whitepapers and Datasheet

    Brief Description

    Geneva Overview Documentation

    Overview

    "Geneva" Claims Based Access Platform
    "Geneva" helps simplify access to applications and other systems with an open and interoperable claims-based model.
    For developers: "Geneva" helps simplify user access for developers by externalizing access logic from applications via claims, and reducing development effort with pre-built security logic and integrated .NET tools.
    For IT professionals: "Geneva" helps IT efficiently deploy and manage new applications by reducing custom implementation work, consolidating access management in the hands of IT, helping establish a consistent security model, and facilitating seamless collaboration between organizations with automated federation tools.
    For information workers and consumers: Users can benefit from help navigating logins, managing different personas, and controlling how personal information is shared.

    • "Geneva" includes built-in interoperability via open industry standards and claims, and implements the industry Identity Metasystem vision for open and interoperable identity.
    • "Geneva" includes three components for enabling claims-based access. Beta 1 of the following components are now available for public evaluation:
    • "Geneva" Framework for building .NET applications that use claims to make user access decisions
    • "Geneva" Server security token service (STS) for issuing and transforming claims, enabling federations, and managing user access
    • Windows CardSpace "Geneva" for helping users navigate access decisions and for developers to build customer authentication experiences for users

    Available Here for Download
    "Geneva" Datasheet
    Whitepaper: "Geneva" Claims Based Access Platform
    Learn about Microsoft's new "Geneva" claims based access platform. Read about the three main components of "Geneva" and how they work together to help solve application access problems with a single simplified access model. Understand how claims can be used across a wide variety of scenarios including enterprise, federation and Web. In this paper new concepts and terminology are introduced to help architects, developers and IT professionals understand the benefits and concepts behind the claims-based model of identity. A background in developing, deploying or managing web applications and services that entail user authentication is expected. By David Chappell
    Whitepaper: "Geneva" Framework
    Get started building claims-aware applications using Microsoft code-named "Geneva" Framework. In this paper concepts and terminology are introduced to help developers understand the benefits and concepts behind the claims-based model of identity. Security expertise is not required but familiarity with ASP.NET or WCF programming is. A background in building web applications or services that care about authentication and authorization is expected. As such, the focus of the paper is on building relying parties using the framework. By Keith Brown

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9ca5c685-3172-4d8f-81cb-1a59bdc9f7e3&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server 2008 White Paper: Analysis Services Performance Guide

    Brief Description

    This white paper describes how application developers can apply query and processing performance-tuning techniques to their SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services OLAP solutions.

    Overview

    Because Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services query and processing performance tuning is a fairly broad subject, this white paper organizes performance tuning techniques into the following three segments.
    Enhancing Query Performance - Query performance directly impacts the quality of the end user experience. As such, it is the primary benchmark used to evaluate the success of an online analytical processing (OLAP) implementation. Analysis Services provides a variety of mechanisms to accelerate query performance, including aggregations, caching, and indexed data retrieval. In addition, you can improve query performance by optimizing the design of your dimension attributes, cubes, and Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) queries.
    Enhancing Processing Performance - Processing is the operation that refreshes data in an Analysis Services database. The faster the processing performance, the sooner users can access refreshed data. Analysis Services provides a variety of mechanisms that you can use to influence processing performance, including efficient dimension design, effective aggregations, partitions, and an economical processing strategy (for example, incremental vs. full refresh vs. proactive caching).
    Tuning Server Resources – There are several engine settings that can be tuned that affect both querying and processing performance.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3be0488d-e7aa-4078-a050-ae39912d2e43&DisplayLang=en

    Office SharePoint Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    Brief Description

    Downloadable CHM version of SharePoint Server content on TechNet.

    Overview

    Important, before you download:

    • If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
    • This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
    • This content is also available on the Web.

    This downloadable CHM is a copy of content in the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 technical library. The CHM is current as of the date above. For the latest information, see the technical library on the Web.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ba006584-711d-4ce7-9e1f-181aedf6434a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    Brief Description

    Downloadable CHM version of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 content on TechNet.

    Overview

    Important, before you download:

    • If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
    • This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
    • This content is also available on the Web.

    This downloadable CHM is a copy of content in the Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 technical library. The CHM is current as of the date above. For the latest information, see the technical library on the Web.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c9d6c8c5-8a62-4961-8c1b-df08b667b1c4&DisplayLang=en

    2007 Office Resource Kit Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    Brief Description

    Downloadable CHM version of 2007 Office Resource Kit content on TechNet.

    Overview

    Important, before you download:

    • If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
    • This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
    • This content is also available on the Web.

    This downloadable CHM is a copy of content in the 2007 Office Resource Kit technical library. The CHM is current as of the date above. For the latest information, see the technical library on the Web.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=57909f68-7f7d-42d8-a868-e518f7edf726&DisplayLang=en

    Office Project Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    Brief Description

    Downloadable CHM version of Project Server content on TechNet.

    Overview

    Important, before you download:

    • If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
    • This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
    • This content is also available on the Web.

    This downloadable CHM is a copy of content in the Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 technical library. The CHM is current as of the date above. For the latest information, see the technical library on the Web.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7d243a2c-90b7-425d-b586-c48a0c3bebbb&DisplayLang=en

    Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

    Brief Description

    Downloadable CHM version of PerformancePointServer content on TechNet.

    Overview

    Important, before you download:

    • If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
    • This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
    • This content is also available on the Web.

    This downloadable CHM is a copy of content in the Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 technical library. The CHM is current as of the date above. For the latest information, see the technical library on the Web.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cd39607f-7bfb-4a07-844e-b00602ddeb38&DisplayLang=en

    IIS Media Pack 1.0 - 32-bit

    Brief Description

    IIS Media Pack 1.0 provides media-specific extensions that make delivering media from IIS simple and cost-effective. Built on IIS 7.0, the IIS Media Pack supports all media file types, protects media assets, and increases scalability by supporting more concurrent users per server

    Overview

    IIS Media Pack 1.0 provides media-specific extensions that make delivering media from IIS simple, and cost-effective.  Building on the security, reliability and manageability of IIS 7.0, IIS Media Pack protects media assets as it increases scalability by supporting more concurrent users per server.  IIS supports all media file types, including WMV, FLV, and MP4, and provides a great way to use your existing Web infrastructure to deliver compelling rich media content to clients such as Microsoft Silverlight.
    With IIS 7.0 and IIS Media Pack 1.0, you can:

    • Save bandwidth costs by throttling the speed at which content is downloaded
    • Decrease network traffic by metering your media deliveries
    • Monetize media assets with Web playlists that personalize content and prevent ad skipping
    • Intelligently deliver multiple media formats from a single server, including .wmv, .flv, and .mp4 files

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2cf81f25-1692-41f7-b916-db5c7e44e6ea&DisplayLang=en

    IIS Media Pack 1.0 - 64-bit

    Brief Description

    IIS Media Pack 1.0 provides media-specific extensions that make delivering media from IIS simple and cost-effective. Built on IIS 7.0, the IIS Media Pack supports all media file types, protects media assets, and increases scalability by supporting more concurrent users per server

    Overview

    IIS Media Pack 1.0 provides media-specific extensions that make delivering media from IIS simple, and cost-effective.  Building on the security, reliability and manageability of IIS 7.0, IIS Media Pack protects media assets as it increases scalability by supporting more concurrent users per server.  IIS supports all media file types, including WMV, FLV, and MP4, and provides a great way to use your existing Web infrastructure to deliver compelling rich media content to clients such as Microsoft Silverlight.
    With IIS 7.0 and IIS Media Pack 1.0, you can:

    • Save bandwidth costs by throttling the speed at which content is downloaded
    • Decrease network traffic by metering your media deliveries
    • Monetize media assets with Web playlists that personalize content and prevent ad skipping
    • Intelligently deliver multiple media formats from a single server, including .wmv, .flv, and .mp4 files

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=93d59f79-9555-473d-a07a-e21020d1fc25&DisplayLang=en

    DirectX End-User Runtimes (November 2008)

    Brief Description

    November 2008
    This download provides the DirectX end-user redistributable that developers can include with their product.

    Overview

    This download provides the DirectX end-user multi-languaged redistributable that developers can include with their product. The redistributable license agreement covers the terms under which developers may use the Redistributable. For full details please review the DirectX SDK EULA.txt and DirectX Redist.txt files located in the license directory.
    This package is localized into Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Swedish, and English.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=886acb56-c91a-4a8e-8bb8-9f20f1244a8e&DisplayLang=en

    DirectX Software Development Kit

    Brief Description

    November 2008
    Download the complete DirectX SDK, which contains the DirectX Runtime and all DirectX software required to create DirectX compliant applications.

    Overview

    This DirectX SDK release contains updates to tools, utilities, samples, documentation, and runtime debug files for x64 and x86 platforms.
    For additional information please see Microsoft DirectX Developer Center along with reviewing the Readme for last-minute updates.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5493f76a-6d37-478d-ba17-28b1cca4865a&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 Administration Tutorials

    Brief Description

    The BizTalk Server 2006 administration tutorials are designed to help you design and configure a multi-server BizTalk Server deployment.

    Overview

    The BizTalk Server 2006 administration tutorials are designed for BizTalk Server administrators. The first tutorial (Tutorial 1: Configuring a Multi-Server Environment) walks you through configuring a typical multi-server, highly available BizTalk Server environment, including a domain controller, a SQL Server failover cluster with two nodes, a BizTalk Server group with two servers, and optionally a Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server (used as a proxy server to connect the tutorial network to WAN).
    The second tutorial (Tutorial 2: Performing BizTalk Server Administration Tasks) covers BizTalk Server application deployment, application upgrade, and scaling out BizTalk Server applications to multiple BizTalk Servers. To go through Tutorial 2, you need to download and install the files in BTS06AT_Tutorial2Files.zip.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d3add54f-4bb7-444d-9300-6230180dbb45&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Office SharePoint Online

    Brief Description

    Service Description for Office SharePoint Online Standard
    Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Online is a collection of Web-based tools and technologies built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 that help you store, share, and manage digital information within your company.This white paper describes the services and features that are included with the Standard offering of SharePoint Online.

    Overview

    Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Online is a collection of Web-based tools and technologies that help you store, share, and manage digital information within your company. Built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, this hosted service is ideal for storing project documents in a central location and sharing them with others. By using SharePoint lists, libraries, and Web Parts, project members can work more efficiently and productively.
    Intended for company decision-makers, this white paper describes the services and features that are included with the Standard offering of SharePoint Online. SharePoint Online Standard is a Microsoft Online Services offering for those who want rapid service adoption and a standardized administrative console.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1bef6a35-9785-4a0b-b227-387c0ee85a36&DisplayLang=en

    Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server Power Tools - October 2008 Release

    Brief Description

    The Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server Power Tools is a set of enhancements, tools and command line utilities that improve the Team Foundation Server 2008 experience.

    Overview

    The Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server Power Tools is a set of enhancements, tools and command line utilities that improve the Team Foundation Server user experience.
    The following tools are installed with the tfpt.msi package:

    • Command line tool (TFPT.EXE)
    • Team Explorer IDE menu additions
    • Build Notification tool
    • TFS Best Practices Analyzer
    • Process Template Editor
    • Work Item Templates
    • Custom check-in policies
    • TFS Server Manager
    • TFS Users tool
    • Alert Editor
    • TFS Power Shell Extensions
    • TFS Windows Shell Extensions
    • Team Members Tool

    Also available is the WssExt64Bit installer which provides the ability to install the Team Foundation Server WSS extensions into a 64-bit WSS instance. The RTM version of the WssExt installer that ships with Team Foundation Server 2008 does not support 64-bit WSS sites.
    For more information, see Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server Power Tools.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fbd14eea-781f-45a1-8c46-9f6ba2f68bf0&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server Software Development Kit (SDK)

    Brief Description

    The Windows Essential Business Server SDK provides a set of APIs for extending the functionality of the Windows Essential Business Server Administration Console.

    Overview

    The Windows Essential Business Server SDK gives you the tools and information to create application add-ins and security adapter add-ins that will enable a system administrator to manage even more applications and security issues. A system administrator can use add-ins to manage application and security data from additional sources in a familiar way.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5acd7537-87d2-43a8-a3e3-2709977de77f&DisplayLang=en

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    Microsoft Urlscan Filter v3.1 (x64)

    Brief Description

    IIS Security Tool
    This MSI package will install Urlscan v3.1 on your system.

    Overview

    UrlScan version 3.1 is a security tool that restricts the types of HTTP requests that Internet Information Services (IIS) will process. By blocking specific HTTP requests, UrlScan helps prevent potentially harmful requests from being processed by web applications on the server.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=361e5598-c1bd-46b8-b3e7-3980e8bdf0de&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (January – June 2008)- Executive Summary

    Brief Description

    This is the fifth volume of the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR).

    Overview

    The Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (January – June 2008) provides an in-depth perspective on software vulnerabilities (both in Microsoft software and in third-party software), software exploits, and malicious and potentially unwanted software observed by Microsoft during the past several years, with a focus on the first half of 2008.
    The report also contains sections on security breach notifications and Internet safety enforcement. This document is an executive summary of the report. The full report,which offers strategies, mitigations, and countermeasures based on the key findings, can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/sir.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1eab2902-46df-4ed6-8149-a7f7a935dbe7&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 5 (January – June 2008)

    Brief Description

    This is the fifth volume of the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR).

    Overview

    Volume 5 of the SIR focuses on the first half of 2008 (from January through June) and builds upon the data published in the previously released volumes of the SIR. Using data derived from hundreds of millions of computers worldwide, and some of the busiest online services on the Internet, this report provides an in-depth perspective on trends in software vulnerability disclosures as well as trends in the malicious and potentially unwanted software landscape, and an update on trends in software vulnerability exploits.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b2984562-47a2-48ff-890c-edbeb8a0764c&DisplayLang=en

    Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" RC Release

    Brief Description

    This download contains the Release Candidate version of Identity Lifecycle Manager "2."

    Overview

    This package contains the Microsoft® Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" (ILM "2") Release Candidate client and server components.
    ILM "2" offers a comprehensive solution for managing identities, credentials, and identity-based access policies across heterogeneous environments. Users can create their own security and email distribution groups and decide who to include in those groups. They can reset their passwords without calling their help desk. IT Pros can use ILM "2" to manage certificates and smart cards. ILM “2” also embeds self-help tools in Office so users can manage routine aspects of identity and access, gives IT professionals rich administrative tools and enhanced automation, and delivers .NET and Web Services–based extensibility for developers.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=17489612-95f4-4dd5-a050-5da4b5d06b86&DisplayLang=en

    Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" RC Demo Virtual Hard Disk Image

    Brief Description

    This package contains a Hyper-V-based demo of Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" RC.

    Overview

    This download consists of a Hyper-V based virtual hard disk image that contains a pre-installed demonstration version of Identity Lifecycle Manager "2" (ILM "2"). The image includes all components needed to experience the full integration of ILM "2" with Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and Microsoft Outlook 2007.
    The image uses evaluation software and will only continue to work as expected until January 30, 2008. A new image will be available before that date.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7117b168-e71d-47cc-9739-35f1a68a5e43&DisplayLang=en

    SDL Threat Modeling Tool 3.1 beta

    Brief Description

    SDL Threat Modeling Tool 3.1

    Overview

    This is the beta release of the SDL Threat Modeling Tool 3.1. The tool helps engineers analyze the security of their systems to find and address design issues early in the software lifecycle.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a48cccb1-814b-47b6-9d17-1e273f65ae19&DisplayLang=en

    Security Features in Microsoft Online

    Brief Description

    This white paper describes how the Microsoft concern for security, as defined in the Trustworthy Computing initiative, has driven key features in the design, deployment, and operation of the Microsoft Online Services environment.
    Security is critical to our customers: Online services from Microsoft were built from the ground-up to be more secure by design, secure by default, and secure in operation; validated by Cybertrust Certification and SAS 70 Type II attestation.

    Overview

    The benefits of software-plus-services (SPS) are often weighed against perceived costs in terms of security risks, and the potential for interrupted access to mission-critical business data.
    Microsoft brings world-class experience in software design, development, deployment, and operations to its Microsoft Online Services offering, enabling businesses to gain considerable cost advantages while helping to avoid many of the security risks associated with Web-based software services.
    Increased security in Microsoft Online services is derived from:
    • Simplified automated access using single sign-on.
    • Reduced user intervention for security-related tasks.
    • Automated software and service updates.
    • Comprehensive implementation of leading-edge, industry-standard network security and encryption protocols.
    • Mature applications designed, built, tested, and deployed according to Microsoft- established software development disciplines.
    • Field-proven service hosting platforms.
    • Best practices for data center design and operations.
    Microsoft Online services are designed to provide a software-plus-services environment featuring enhanced security and continuous access to applications and data. Increased security at each stage of the online transaction – user and administrator access, network connectivity, service hosting platform and physical datacenter -- helps you gain the established benefits of online services while minimizing your risk.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5736aaac-994c-4410-b7ce-bdea505a3413&DisplayLang=en

    Enterprise Data Security Optimization Datasheet

    Brief Description

    This offering integrates multiple data-protection technologies and “always on” persistent protection to provide comprehensive coverage of the data stored on desktops and servers, as well as data in transit.

    Overview

    This offering integrates multiple data-protection technologies and “always on” persistent protection to provide comprehensive coverage of the data stored on desktops and servers, as well as data in transit.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=eb91333a-c26b-4a0d-9251-80a494df9e5c&DisplayLang=en

    Deployment for Microsoft Forefront Server Security Datasheet

    Brief Description

    Deployment for Forefront Server Security integrates the level of security into your environment, and Microsoft Services can turn that vision into reality in as little as six weeks

    Overview

    Deployment for Forefront Server Security integrates the level of security into your environment, and Microsoft Services can turn that vision into reality in as little as six weeks. Deployment for Forefront Server Security takes your organization from requirements to a fully deployed pilot. Along the way we will provide your operations staff with training, best practices and lessons learned from other deployments.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6892eaaa-0450-4b78-98e4-34c7a771006d&DisplayLang=en

    Security, Identity, and Access Management Datasheet

    Brief Description

    This offering provides an end-to-end security solution that allows you to move toward a dynamic IT infrastructure while ensuring better security integration, manageability, and efficiency.

    Overview

    This offering provides an end-to-end security solution that allows you to move toward a dynamic IT infrastructure while ensuring better security integration, manageability, and efficiency.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b53dee69-a3f9-4800-91a8-42c1b8b365db&DisplayLang=en

    Deployment for Microsoft Forefront Client Security Datasheet

    Brief Description

    Deployment for Microsoft Forefront Client Security easily deploys an advanced, centralized solution to help protect your enterprise.

    Overview

    Forefront Client Security takes advantage of Microsoft server and management technologies that may be familiar to your IT staff to help provide sophisticated protection from malicious and unwanted software and provide centralized event processing, advanced alerting, and comprehensive reporting for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, and Windows Vista operating systems.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f3dce10f-b007-4188-a836-5e2cd7d94496&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Office SharePoint Online

    Brief Description

    Service Description for Office SharePoint Online Standard
    Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Online is a collection of Web-based tools and technologies built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 that help you store, share, and manage digital information within your company.This white paper describes the services and features that are included with the Standard offering of SharePoint Online.

    Overview

    Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Online is a collection of Web-based tools and technologies that help you store, share, and manage digital information within your company. Built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, this hosted service is ideal for storing project documents in a central location and sharing them with others. By using SharePoint lists, libraries, and Web Parts, project members can work more efficiently and productively.
    Intended for company decision-makers, this white paper describes the services and features that are included with the Standard offering of SharePoint Online. SharePoint Online Standard is a Microsoft Online Services offering for those who want rapid service adoption and a standardized administrative console.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1bef6a35-9785-4a0b-b227-387c0ee85a36&DisplayLang=en

    Other

    Duet Implementation Presentation

    Brief Description

    Duet Implementation Presentation

    Overview

    Duet Implementation Presentation

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b9a79e91-78bf-4fe2-b0be-6c120c1c150c&DisplayLang=en

    Woods Bagot Case Study

    Brief Description

    This is Microsoft Services case study.

    Overview

    This is Microsoft Services case study.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5952f66b-5a36-445a-be4f-c35ea52a4013&DisplayLang=en

    Downer EDI Case Study

    Brief Description

    This is Microsoft Services case study.

    Overview

    This is Microsoft Services case study.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bcb0e9a2-d62e-4caf-89a4-b621ea9a45d2&DisplayLang=en

    Premier Support Datasheet

    Brief Description

    This is Microsoft Services Premier Support datasheet.

    Overview

    Microsoft Services Premier Support offers a personalized support relationship, 24x7 problem resolution support and training and workshops to keep customers’ IT staff up-to-date. Customizable to customer needs, Premier Support gives the flexibility to choose the support options that best fit the customer’s organization. Plus, with Premier Support, customers receive a direct, priority route to Microsoft technical experts at any time, resulting in lower risk to their IT infrastructure, higher productivity, and maximum benefits from existing IT investments.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=caa98984-6a15-4562-abef-91323b1a5f11&DisplayLang=en

    Premier Support for Microsoft Dynamics Datasheet

    Brief Description

    This is Microsoft Services Premier Support for Microsoft Dynamics datasheet.

    Overview

    Provides specific services for customers with Microsoft Dynamics products in the Premier family of offerings.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=16bf6080-d4cd-4271-b452-27a58e912cd5&DisplayLang=en

    Video: Creating Chapter Markers for the MediaPlayer Control - English

    Brief Description
    Overview

    This video shows how to create chapter markers to use with the ASP.NET MediaPlayer control for Silverlight. See Related Resources for documentation that accompanies this video.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b4a5c077-a7d5-4f1d-9fe2-56e563a2d04a&DisplayLang=en

    Video: Creating a Media Definition File

    Brief Description

    This video shows how to create a Media Definition File to use with the ASP.NET MediaPlayer control for Silverlight.

    Overview

    This video shows how to create a Media Definition File to use with the ASP.NET MediaPlayer control for Silverlight. See Related Resources for documentation that accompanies this video.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f22b6586-ed67-4f2c-950e-ed0cdb035a9c&DisplayLang=en

    Volume Licensing Program Guides, Datasheets, and FAQs

    Brief Description

    Volume Licensing documents, including program guides, datasheets, and FAQs

    Overview

    The Microsoft Volume Licensing program guides provide comprehensive descriptions of Volume Licensing programs, including information about Microsoft Software Assurance. Download these guides to get details about things such as program features, benefits, requirements, pricing, and agreement structure.
    The datasheets provide an overview of Volume Licensing programs. Use these documents to get at-a-glance information about benefits, licensing options, pricing, Software Assurance benefits, and more.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=30a9ba5f-2027-4d38-bf4e-39fe160737d0&DisplayLang=en

    Unified Communications for Health Overview

    Brief Description

    The role of Unified Communications in healthcare service improvement

    Overview

    This whitepaper is presented by Health Industry Insights, an IDC company, and sponsored by Microsoft. The objectives were to gain insights into:
    ● The current overall market for unified communications technology and its anticipated future growth
    ● Factors driving growth in demand for unified communications among healthcare provider organizations
    ● Current applications of unified communications by healthcare provider organizations
    ● The unified communications features and functions of importance to healthcare providers
    ● The future outlook for unified communications technology adoption by healthcare providers

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=270327f0-0a35-4df5-94df-93763b2a7221&DisplayLang=en

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Resources for MDT 2008 from Windows Connections....

    • 0 Comments

    Here are some additional resources for the Deploying Vista with the MDT 2008 sessions I am delivering today at the Windows Connections event in Las Vegas.

    MDT2008 with Update 1 Download

    Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Team Blog

    Desktop Deployment TechCenter

    User/Computer Migration Techcenter

    System Center Configuration Manager landing page

     

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Interesting Downloads for the Week Ending - 10-31-2008

    • 0 Comments

    Infrastructure Development & Operations

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB957200)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB957200)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB957200)

    · Update for Windows Vista (KB957200)

    · Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB957200)

    · Office Communications Server 2007 Document: Technical Overview

    · Windows Springboard Series: Configuring Windows Vista for Performance - Part 2 of 2

    · Windows Springboard Series: Tips and Tricks for optimal Windows Vista Performance

    · Overview of the Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB955805)

    · Update for Windows Vista (KB943790)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB955805)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB955805)

    · Update for Windows Vista (KB955805)

    · Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB955805)

    · Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB943790)

    · Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB957508)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB958178)

    · Update for Windows Vista (KB957508)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB958178)

    · Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB958178)

    · Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit 1.1

    · Microsoft SQL Server Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

    · Demo Showcase 2008 Core IO Demos

    · Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Tools Pack for x86 editions

    · Windows HPC Server 2008 Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

    · Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.4 Update

    · Virtualizing SQL Server 2008 with Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V

    · Deep Dive on Windows HPC Server 2008

    · Managing Virtualization 360 from the Datacenter to the Desktop

    · Managing Virtualization with SCVMM and Powershell

    · Continuous Data Protection for your Microsoft Server Infrastructure

    · Update for Windows XP (KB959252)

    · Windows Home Server Technical Brief for Remote Access

    · Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit

    · Windows HPC Server 2008

    · System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 Hotfix Rollup Package (KB954641) (x86 Systems)

    · SCAP Conversion Tool for Desired Configuration Manager

    · Windows Essential Business Server 2008

    · Windows Small Business Server 2008

    Solutions & Solution Development

    · Geneva Whitepapers and Datasheet

    · Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies

    · SQL Data Services (SDS) SDK (CTP)

    · Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio October 2008 CTP

    · Windows® Azure™ Software Development Kit (October 2008 CTP)

    · PerformancePoint Server 2007 Contoso Demo Data

    · Microsoft Project Code Named “Velocity” Community Technology Preview 2 (CTP2)

    · SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 - CTP

    · Windows Live Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio

    · Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office system (version 3.0 Runtime) (x86)

    · Unity Application Block 1.2 - October 2008

    · Unity Application Block 1.2 Documentation for Visual Studio 2008

    · Enterprise Library 4.1-October 2008

    · Visual Round Trip Analyzer

    · Unity Application Block 1.2 Documentation for Visual Studio 2005

    · SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 - CTP

    · Microsoft Sync Framework v2.0 CTP1

    · Microsoft® Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition GDR Release Candidate 1

    · .NET Rocks! - Catching Up with Michele Leroux Bustamante

    · Azure Services Training Kit - PDC Preview

    · Intergraph® GeoMedia® to Support Microsoft SQL Server 2008

    · Demo Showcase 2008 Application Platform Optimization Demos

    · Creating Custom Reports By Using Configuration Manager 2007 SQL Views

    · Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Templates: All Templates

    · Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Templates: All Server Admin Templates

    · Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Template: Application Template Core

    · Microsoft® Expression® Encoder 2 Service Pack 1

    · .NET Rocks! - Jon Skeet on C# 3.0

    · Distributed Agile Development at Microsoft patterns and practices

    · Windows SharePoint Services Add-in for Windows Essential Business Server

    · Application Virtualization Dynamic Suite Composition Tool

    · Application Virtualization SFT Parser Tool

    · Application Virtualization Client Log Parser Utility

    · Application Virtualization Cache Configuration Tool

    · Application Virtualization Application Listing Tool

    · Light Up the Web with Microsoft Silverlight 2.0

    · Developing WPF Smart Clients

    · IE8 for Developers

    · ntegrating Line-of-Business Data into MOSS 2007 with the Business Data Catalog

    · Team Development with Visual Studio Team System

    · Data Access with LINQ

    · Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 3.0

    · Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0

    · PlayReady PC Runtime v1.2 (x86)

    · Microsoft® Silverlight™ Tools for Visual Studio 2008 SP1

    · Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide

    · Microsoft Pre-release Software Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 Community Technology Preview (CTP)

    · Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Report Builder 2.0

    · Windows CE101 Training Course Materials

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    · IT Compliance Management Guide

    · Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs

    · .NET Rocks! - Andrew Delin on SOX Compliance

    · Microsoft Antigen SP1 Documentation

    · Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 4.0

    · Microsoft Online Services Sign In Tool V1

    Other

    · Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance

    · Microsoft Work Group Server Protocol Program License Agreement (All IP) for Development and Product Distribution

    · 1658_ClosingSalesNight

    · Volume Licensing Program Guides, Datasheets, and FAQs

    · Zune Client software, version 3.0

    · Microsoft Pre-Split and Post-Split Closing Stock Prices

    Infrastructure Development & Operations

    Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB957200)

    Brief Description

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Server 2008.

    Overview

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Server 2008. By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=345e54ea-6f4a-446e-9085-f2f97349affb&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB957200)

    Brief Description

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Server 2008.

    Overview

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Server 2008. By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a0f8616e-85e9-4f8e-9009-ecc4f5915a10&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB957200)

    Brief Description

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Server 2008.

    Overview

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Server 2008. By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b05b0e0a-caa0-463e-9e8e-560b1ecd3501&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista (KB957200)

    Brief Description

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Vista.

    Overview

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ce4f61d7-b659-4db5-95b8-9a86ca475ca4&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB957200)

    Brief Description

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Vista.

    Overview

    This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=86c8349c-e98f-4779-9d23-7d7a944f77ac&DisplayLang=en

    Office Communications Server 2007 Document: Technical Overview

    Brief Description

    This document provides a technical overview of the architecture and new features of Office Communications Server 2007.

    Overview

    This document provides a technical overview of the architecture and new features of Office Communications Server 2007 and is divided into two main sections: "New Features" and "Architecture".
    "New Features" discusses the new features of Office Communications Server 2007, including the following:

    • On-premise Web conferencing
    • Group IM
    • Audio and video
    • Enterprise Voice
    • Microsoft RoundTable™ communications and archival system
    • Enhanced presence
    • Federation enhancements
    • Client applications
    • Simplified deployment and management

    "Architecture" discusses:

    • Enterprise Pool configurations
    • Front End Servers
    • Conferencing components
    • Perimeter network topology
    • Conference protocols
    • Call flows among conference components
    • VoIP components
    • VoIP configuration
    • VoIP call flow
    • Conference data storage
    • Perimeter network configuration
    • Protocols

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=09b218ea-6ff6-4679-a117-9767ab98990a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Springboard Series: Configuring Windows Vista for Performance - Part 2 of 2

    Brief Description

    Windows Springboard Series: Configuring Windows Vista for Performance - Part 2 of 2
    Mark Russinovich leads a roundtable discussion on Windows Vista Performance. Segment 2 is “Configuring Windows Vista for Performance (part 2)”

    Overview

    Mark Russinovich leads a roundtable discussion on Windows Vista Performance. Segment 2 is “Configuring Windows Vista for Performance (part 2)”

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=472223b2-1db3-45e0-b0b2-79255c39c15a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Springboard Series: Tips and Tricks for optimal Windows Vista Performance

    Brief Description

    Windows Springboard Series: Tips and Tricks for optimal Windows Vista Performance
    Mark Russinovich leads a roundtable discussion on Windows Vista Performance. Segment 3 is “Tips and Tricks for optimal Windows Vista Performance”.

    Overview

    Mark Russinovich leads a roundtable discussion on Windows Vista Performance. Segment 3 is “Tips and Tricks for optimal Windows Vista Performance”.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d90f2227-b5e4-48ed-959f-f5b9431713e8&DisplayLang=en

    Overview of the Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit

    Brief Description

    This white paper briefly describes the tools included in the File Server Migration Toolkit, their benefits, and their requirements.

    Overview

    The File Server Migration Toolkit helps you copy files and folders from servers running Microsoft® Windows® 2003 Server, Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Server or Microsoft® Windows NT® Server 4.0 operating systems to a server running Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2008 or Microsoft® Windows® Storage Server 2008. Whether you plan to consolidate multiple file servers or migrate data from one file server to another, the File Server Migration Toolkit is designed to simplify the process of copying data and minimize the impact of the consolidation or migration on end users.
    This white paper briefly describes the tools included in the File Server Migration Toolkit, their benefits, and their requirements.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=604be797-d19e-4bc1-a148-b48fc731135e&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB955805)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008.

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4124630c-e041-4725-9a6e-0b4a6c292dde&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista (KB943790)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to extend the File Management APIs to not only enable the discovery and restoration of deleted files from volumes that are not encrypted but also enable the recovery of files from Bitlocker encrypted volumes.

    Overview

    Install this update to extend the File Management APIs to not only enable the discovery and restoration of deleted files from volumes that are not encrypted but also enable the recovery of files from Bitlocker encrypted volumes. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e5c75586-4e42-4c4b-8e81-ce5483f738c1&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB955805)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008.

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a24efac2-f301-4ea9-907f-fe1e366dbabe&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB955805)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008.

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4689ec96-8b63-4961-abaf-651fbf7df194&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista (KB955805)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Vista.

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Vista. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=365aa4e8-c8cf-485f-a81c-2e361f271a9b&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB955805)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Vista.

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve latency issues with certificates where the Subject Information Access (SIA) extension is installed on a computer that is running Windows Vista. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=585ffadc-4fc3-4fe1-9dc0-cc10218b15a3&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB943790)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to extend the File Management APIs to not only enable the discovery and restoration of deleted files from volumes that are not encrypted but also enable the recovery of files from Bitlocker encrypted volumes.

    Overview

    Install this update to extend the File Management APIs to not only enable the discovery and restoration of deleted files from volumes that are not encrypted but also enable the recovery of files from Bitlocker encrypted volumes. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2df42c65-13db-4c37-b78c-3c6094455ea0&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB957508)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to improve features for the Request Filtering module in IIS 7.0.

    Overview

    Install this update to improve features for the Request Filtering module in IIS 7.0. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=269abbbc-5d80-45d8-9196-9684fc149841&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB958178)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to allow load balancing to be enabled/disabled based on server name and port.

    Overview

    Install this update to allow load balancing to be enabled/disabled based on server name and port. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6ab4c1d5-23bc-4d4a-a5c7-3845894cdd0f&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Vista (KB957508)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to improve features for the Request Filtering module in IIS 7.0.

    Overview

    Install this update to improve features for the Request Filtering module in IIS 7.0. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ac57a12f-0d4f-4889-a96b-e88aea960c6c&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB958178)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to allow load balancing to be enabled/disabled based on server name and port.

    Overview

    Install this update to allow load balancing to be enabled/disabled based on server name and port. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=97c8b71b-29e3-4365-9552-f791898e48d6&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB958178)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to allow load balancing to be enabled/disabled based on server name and port.

    Overview

    Install this update to allow load balancing to be enabled/disabled based on server name and port. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2728b9f0-88b7-4d63-83e5-ecdee4146ac5&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit 1.1

    Brief Description

    The wizards in the File Server Migration Toolkit use Distributed File System (DFS) to maintain Universal Naming Convention (UNC) paths and to simplify the consolidation and migration process

    Overview

    Many organizations today are consolidating older file servers to reduce the cost of managing multiple file servers and to increase the efficiency of storage allocation and backup tasks. When organizations migrate data to file servers running Windows Server® 2003 and Windows Server 2008, they can take advantage of new features, such as Shadow Copies for Shared Folders and the Volume Shadow Copy service, and enhancements to other technologies, such as Distributed File System (DFS).

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d00e3eae-930a-42b0-b595-66f462f5d87b&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft SQL Server Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft SQL Server Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007 provides discovery and monitoring of SQL Server 2000, 2005 and 2008.

    Overview

    The SQL Server Management Pack provides the capabilities for Operations Manager 2007 to discover SQL Server 2000, 2005 and 2008 installations and components and to monitor them, primarily from the perspective of availability and performance. The availability and performance monitoring is done using a combination of scripts and native Operations Manager capabilities.
    Note: Scripts in the SQL Server 2008 management pack rely on SQL Data Management Objects (SQL-DMO) to query information from the SQL Server. SQL-DMO is now deprecated and is not shipped as a part of SQL Server 2008. Every system with SQL Server 2008 that will be monitored must have SQL-DMO installed from the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Components. For instructions on how to download and install the SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Components refer to the management pack guide.
    Feature Bullet Summary:
    The following list gives an overview of the features of the SQL Server management pack. Refer to the SQL Server management pack guide for more detail.

    • Support for Enterprise, Standard and Express editions of SQL Server 2000, 2005 and 2008 and 32bit, 64bit and ia64 architectures.
    • Support for both simple and complex SQL configurations such as clustered installations, multiple instances and 32bit roles running on a 64bit OS. For full details on supported configurations refer to the guide included with the management pack.
    • Discovery and monitoring of SQL Server roles such as DB Engine, Reporting Services, Analysis Services, Integrations Services.
    • Discovery of SQL components such as databases, the SQL Agent and SQL jobs.
    • Over 20 views covering areas such as database free space, SQL related performance, SQL related alerts, and lists of the various SQL roles and components which are discovered and their related state.
    • Reports for longer-term analysis of common problem areas related to SQL Server such as SQL Server lock analysis and top deadlocked databases, SQL Server service pack levels across discovered roles, user connection activity. Likewise the generic reports from the Microsoft Generic Report Library can be used against the roles and components discovered by the SQL MPs to review availability and performance across many systems and over longer periods of time.
    • Role and component specific tasks which provide access to common tools, triage information, or corrective actions without needing to leave the Operations Console in most cases.
    • Monitoring of databases covers database status, database free space, log shipping monitoring for both the source and destination, and transaction log free space.
    • Monitoring of key SQL related services.
    • Monitoring for persistent SPID blocking.
    • Monitoring of numerous SQL events and performance data points. Alerts bring the issue to your attention and provide knowledge on the impact and possible resolutions.

    Release History:

    • 3/23/2007 - Initial Release, version 6.0.5000.0
    • 12/21/2007 - updated version 6.0.6247.5
    • 3/31/2008 - Updated version 6.0.6278.8
    • 10/29/2008 - Released version 6.0.6441.0, which introduced SQL Server 2008 support in addition to other new features and fixes. Refer to the MP guide for a complete list of changes.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8c0f970e-c653-4c15-9e51-6a6cadfca363&DisplayLang=en

    Demo Showcase 2008 Core IO Demos

    Brief Description

    Demonstrate Core IO capabilities with these robust and easy to use click through demos.
    Demo Showcase 2008 Core IO Demos

    Overview

    The Demo Showcase 2008 Core IO Demos are a set of 6 comprehensive click through demonstrations designed for partners to use with customers. These customer scenario demos feature many different Microsoft technologies working together to showcase the power of the Core IO capabilities. Included in the scenarios are the following products: Windows Server 2008 (NAP, TS Web, Terminal Services, ADFS), Communicator, Office Enterprise 2007, Windows Vista, System Center Essentials 2007 and more.
    These six demos help you learn and show customers about the power of Desktop, Device and Server Management, Collaboration and Identity Management.
    With the Demo Showcase 2008 Core IO demos you can show customers how a collection of integrated technology solutions can be used to solve their business needs.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2d8bbf4e-4cf0-4008-9a33-214bae06d6c5&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Tools Pack for x86 editions

    Brief Description

    The Administration Tools Pack allows administrators to install the Windows Server 2003 SP2 management tools onto a computer running Windows XP Professional or a Windows Server 2003 family operating system to perform remote server management functions.

    Overview

    The Administration Tools Pack allows administrators to install the Windows Server 2003 SP2 management tools onto a computer running Windows XP Professional or a Windows Server 2003 family operating system to perform remote server management functions. This is the final version of the Administration Tools Pack; you must uninstall all previous versions before installing this version.
    Please read Knowledge Base article 304718 for more information on the release process for this file and description of all known issues.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=86b71a4f-4122-44af-be79-3f101e533d95&DisplayLang=en

    Windows HPC Server 2008 Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

    Brief Description

    The Windows HPC Server 2008 Management Pack provides both proactive and reactive monitoring of Windows HPC Server 2008 for a cluster environment.

    Overview

    The Windows HPC Server 2008 Management Pack provides both proactive and reactive monitoring of Windows HPC Server 2008 for a cluster environment. It monitors Windows HPC Server components – such as head node, compute node, Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) broker node, network, and Job Scheduler – to report issues that can cause downtime or poor performance for the cluster that is running Windows HPC Server 2008.
    Feature Summary
    The Windows HPC Server 2008 Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007 includes a number of key monitoring scenarios that are enabled with monitors, rules, alerts and tasks to help manage an HPC cluster, which include:

    • Head Node Monitoring
    • Network Monitoring
    • Job Scheduler Monitoring
    • Compute Node Monitoring
    • Broker Node Monitoring

    Release History

    • 10/29/2008 - Original release of the English version, version 2.0.1551.0

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=99303c25-f3b0-4c41-a56b-f5cc57045dc6&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.4 Update

    Brief Description

    This update fixes a calendar issue in versions of Microsoft Entourage that were updated with the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update.

    Overview

    This update fixes a calendar issue in versions of Microsoft Entourage that were updated with the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update. The issue prevents Exchange accounts in Entourage from sending meeting invitations and responses. This issue can occur when an Entourage identity is configured with more than one mail account. We strongly recommend that all Entourage users who installed Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update install this update.
    Applies to: Office 2008, Office 2008 Home and Student Edition, Office 2008 Special Media Edition, Word 2008, Excel 2008, PowerPoint 2008, Entourage 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=910bdfbe-8575-4f3a-af07-8e61fd153650&DisplayLang=en

    Virtualizing SQL Server 2008 with Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V

    Brief Description

    Virtualizing SQL Server 2008 with Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V

    Overview

    Design and configure SQL Server 2008 with High-Availability while leveraging the new features of Windows Server 2008 Clustering and Hyper-V virtualization at this session. Get an in-depth understanding of the new features in SQL Server 2008 high-availability and enhancements such as mirroring and much more!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b72bd51-df66-43a0-aca6-d23bf0d7f44d&DisplayLang=en

    Deep Dive on Windows HPC Server 2008

    Brief Description

    Deep Dive on Windows HPC Server 2008

    Overview

    Windows compute cluster server 2008 aims to enable integrated solutions that leverage on broad Microsoft platform technologies. Learn about new features can enable SOA type solutions on massive computational scale. Watch demonstrations at this session that include scheduler capabilities illustrating intelligent policy management, greater application awareness, dynamic capacity algorithms, and NUMA CPU architecture counter-measures!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a30533cc-0db9-4b72-9c18-dbd50cce2959&DisplayLang=en

    Managing Virtualization 360 from the Datacenter to the Desktop

    Brief Description

    Managing Virtualization 360 from the Datacenter to the Desktop

    Overview

    Learn about the foundation of the Microsoft virtualization strategy and solutions in this session. Understand the meaning and benefits of virtualization and also gain insights into the overall Microsoft virtualization strategy that range from the desktop to the data center. Hear from the experts as they clear up misconceptions about virtualization, describe virtualization solutions, and examine suitable workloads that would benefit from virtualization!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b3d1cbe1-c879-476e-887a-5399b5efdc1b&DisplayLang=en

    Managing Virtualization with SCVMM and Powershell

    Brief Description

    Managing Virtualization with SCVMM and Powershell

    Overview

    Take an inside look at Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager from an architectural and experience a real world view. See how SCVMM and PowerShell can help you manage your virtualized environment seamlessly. The session comes complete with live demos of real life scenarios, and even a look at SCVMM managing a VMWare ESX!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0c3a871d-9e80-46dd-85bc-3f759f007416&DisplayLang=en

    Continuous Data Protection for your Microsoft Server Infrastructure

    Brief Description

    Continuous Data Protection for your Microsoft Server Infrastructure

    Overview

    Data protection has recently experienced a renaissance. After years of tape-based backup solutions and one-size-fits-all approaches to nightly backup, newer technologies are now available! Continuous Data Protection (CDP) and disk based backup now make impossible data protection possible. How can Microsoft Data Protection Manager 2007 help you achieve data protection that fits your needs? How does it protect Microsoft's applications and data? This session looks at how you can protect your Microsoft Server Infrastructure and virtualization needs!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=166cc836-5f00-4018-8170-22098b0a9cdc&DisplayLang=en

    Update for Windows XP (KB959252)

    Brief Description

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061).

    Overview

    Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a 0x0000008e Stop error after you install security update KB954211 (MS08-061). After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec4b7d80-79b6-4035-92a3-3992a9e09718&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Home Server Technical Brief for Remote Access

    Brief Description

    This Technical Brief provides an in-depth look at the features and functionality of Windows Home Server Remote Access.

    Overview

    This Technical Brief provides an in-depth look at the features and functionality of Windows Home Server Remote Access. Learn about enabling, testing, troubleshooting, and customizing Remote Access.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8505e3a8-bbbc-445d-ba65-13782661dcb0&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft Assessment and Planning toolkit is a tool that makes it easy for you to assess your current IT infrastructure for a variety of technology migration projects. It includes the features previously provided with the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Assessment and Planning is an agentless toolkit that will find computers on a network and perform a detailed inventory of the computers using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), the Remote Registry Service, or the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The data and analysis provided by this toolkit can significantly simplify the planning process for migrating to Windows Vista®, Microsoft Office 2007, Windows Server® 2008, Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 (formerly SoftGrid), Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Online Services, Forefront and Network Access Protection, Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, and Virtual Server 2005 R2. Assessments for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista also include device driver availability and recommendations for hardware upgrades that may be required.
    MAP includes features for gathering performance metrics from computers you are considering for consolidation using Hyper-V in addition to Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2. Using the performance metrics and a model virtual server host computer, you can generate reports that recommend placement of the physical servers in a virtual server environment.Other new reports include a Security Center Assessment for client computers, a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 inventory report as well as an enhanced virtual machine inventory report to help you assess your virtualization efforts to date.
    MAP incorporates the assessment features provided by the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator, including localization of the Windows Vista assessment reports in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.
    For home users and users with a few Windows XP computers to migrate, use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to understand the readiness of your computer for Windows Vista.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=67240b76-3148-4e49-943d-4d9ea7f77730&DisplayLang=en

    Windows HPC Server 2008

    Brief Description

    Windows HPC Server 2008 (HPCS) provides enterprise-class tools, performance, & scalability for a highly productive HPC environment. HPCS provides a complete & integrated cluster environment including the OS, Job Scheduler, Message Passing Interface v2 (MPI2) support, cluster management & monitoring.

    Overview

    Windows HPC Server 2008
    Microsoft® Windows® HPC Server 2008 (HPCS), the next generation of high performance computing (HPC), provides enterprise-class tools, performance, and scalability for a highly productive HPC environment. HPCS provides a complete and integrated cluster environment including the operating system, a Job Scheduler, Message Passing Interface v2 (MPI2) support, and cluster management and monitoring components. Built on Windows Server® 2008 64-bit technology, HPCS can efficiently scale to thousands of processing cores and includes a management console that helps proactively monitor and maintain system health and stability. Job scheduling interoperability and flexibility enables integration between Windows and Linux-based HPC platforms, and supports batch and service-oriented architecture (SOA) workloads. Enhanced productivity, scalable performance, and ease of use are some of the features that make Windows HPC Server 2008 best-of-breed for Windows environments.
    Windows HPC Server 2008 can help shorten user time-to-insight for HPC workloads through easier deployment and management. By using the existing Windows-based information technology (IT) infrastructure, HPCS simplifies management, security, and storage for the cluster, and provides seamless access from the desktop.
    HPCS includes improved provisioning based on the Windows Server 2008 Windows Deployment Services technology, a faster Microsoft Message Passing Interface (MS-MPI) that includes new NetworkDirect support, an advanced Job Scheduler, and a new management interface built on the Microsoft® System Center 2007 user interface (UI), which has support for Windows PowerShell™ as a preferred scripting interface.
    Windows HPC Server 2008 integrates with other Microsoft products to help increase HPC productivity and improve the overall end-user experience. This includes collaboration through Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Server 2007 and the Windows Workflow Foundation, as well as improved management and efficiency by integrating with System Center 2007. Through integration with the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows HPC Server 2008 allows developers working with SOA applications to harness the power of parallel computing offered by HPC solutions.
    HPCS uses the failover clustering capabilities of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and of Microsoft® SQL Server® to provide high availability and redundancy of the head node in your HPC cluster.
    Windows HPC Server 2008 is a two-DVD package comprised of Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008.
    Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition
    The first DVD contains the setup for a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2008 that is restricted to an HPC workload
    Microsoft HPC Pack 2008
    The second DVD contains Microsoft HPC Pack 2008, which provides the additional interfaces, tools, and management infrastructure described below:
    Systems Management
    • The new Administration Console based on System Center UI framework integrates every aspect of cluster management.
    • Node grouping allows administrators to categorize and batch operations on compute nodes.
    • Monitoring heat map allows viewing cluster status at-a-glance.
    • Scriptable control of cluster using Windows PowerShell and other command-line tools.
    • High availability for multiple head nodes.
    • Improved compute node provisioning using Windows Deployment Services.
    • Built-in support for cluster-wide updating.
    • Built-in system diagnostics.
    • Built-in cluster reporting.
    • Extensible reporting, allowing for job scheduling analysis using external database tools like SQL Server Analysis Services.
    • Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 Management Pack.
    Job Scheduling
    • Integration with WCF, allowing SOA application developers to harness the power of parallel computing offered by HPC solutions.
    • Job scheduling granularity at processor core, processor socket, and compute node levels.
    • Performance improvements for large clusters.
    • Support for external databases for Job Scheduling.
    • New job scheduling policies.
    • Support for Open Grid Forum’s HPC Basic Profile interface for Job Scheduler interoperability.
    Networking and MPI
    • NetworkDirect, a new Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) network interface providing dramatic performance improvements for MPI applications running over high-speed fabrics.
    • Improved Network Configuration Wizard.
    • New shared memory MS-MPI implementation for multicore servers.
    • MS-MPI integrated with Event Tracing for Windows.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2c6db4f3-b604-461f-9170-43e9cee062c5&DisplayLang=en

    System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 Hotfix Rollup Package (KB954641) (x86 Systems)

    Brief Description

    This package addresses issues with the DPMRA Service, a missing Calculate link option when creating a protection group, and an error message when configuring secondary protection. It also enables protection of data local to the DPM server.

    Overview

    The Hotfix Rollup Package for DPM 2007 (KB954641) addresses four key issues. This package should solve a problem with the DPMRA service on the DPM Server occasionally crashing. When creating a protection group, a missing calculate link option in the Data Size column has been added. This hotfix package also addresses an error message when configuring secondary protection for an item on a secondary DPM server. Protection of data local to the DPM Server is also now enabled.
    This Data Protection Manager Update Package consists of three separate updates. Note: Depending on your configuration, some updates may not apply. Please see “Installation Instructions” for details.
    Feature Bullet Summary:
    Issues Fixed:

    • The DPMRA service on the DPM Server occasionally crashes, marking replicas as inconsistent (in this case the system event log may contain entries stating that the DPMRA service terminated unexpectedly)
    • Missing calculate link option in the Data Size column when creating a protection group and selecting a volume to protect (when directories are deselected under that volume)
    • When configuring secondary protection for an item on a secondary DPM server, some cases an error comes up when stating “This item is not protectable because some prerequisite software is missing. Ensure that all prerequisite software is installed and then protect this item”, even if the item is already successfully protected on the primary DPM Server.
    • Inability to protect data local to the DPM server

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f80129c7-1754-4ea0-9cf3-425f87b9ebd1&DisplayLang=en

    SCAP Conversion Tool for Desired Configuration Manager

    Brief Description

    Convert SCAP Content to DCM Configuration Packs
    The SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM converts Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) files into DCM Configuration Packs and indicates gaps in a log file that can result from the conversion process. Use the Configuration Packs in combination with the desired configuration management (DCM) feature in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to monitor compliance with the SCAP baseline.

    Overview

    The SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM can convert SCAP stream files into DCM Configuration Packs for use with Configuration Manager 2007. This release includes a user guide that provides instructions for using this command-line tool, and detailed information about the mapping between the SCAP protocol and the DCM format.
    The SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM includes the following components:

    • SCAPConversionToolforDCM.msi: This Microsoft Windows Installer (.msi) file includes the SCAP2DCM.exe command-line tool that you can use to convert SCAP stream files to DCM Configuration Packs.
    • SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM User Guide.docx: This user guide provides instructions and commands for the tool, as well as an appendix of mapping information that includes detailed lists of how SCAP content maps to DCM content, and what settings are dropped in the conversion.
    • SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM FAQ.docx: This document contains frequently asked questions and answers about the SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM.

    To view the SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM User Guide online at TechNet click here.
    Note: Version 1.1 of this tool was released October 31, 2008. Version 1.1 supports XCCDF version 1.1.4 and OVAL version 5.4. Please refer to the Release Notes.rtf file for additional information.
    Please direct questions and comments about the SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM to secwish@microsoft.com.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=22e5b9a0-fa7b-4d43-bcea-7084ae6f40f5&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Essential Business Server 2008

    Brief Description

    Public Preview Software – Release Candidate 1
    Windows Essential Business Sever 2008 is an integrated and affordable solution that offers the Microsoft software midsize businesses require - preconfigured, integrated and manageable from a single administrative console, and at a significant discount compared to standalone products.

    Overview

    Designed and priced for midsize businesses, Windows Essential Business Server 2008 simplifies your daily activities with a Centralized Administration Console that gives you a single point of access to your IT environment. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 also provides an integrated and predictable platform, allowing you to view, deploy, manage, and administer third-party applications from one starting point.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=df8666bb-24a4-471b-9d6b-29d21bd0fc1a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Small Business Server 2008

    Brief Description

    Public Preview Software – Release Candidate 1
    Designed for small businesses, Windows Small Business Server 2008 is an affordable, integrated server solution that helps you protect your business data, increase productivity and present a more professional image to customers – giving you the tools you need to help grow your business capacity.

    Overview

    Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Windows SBS 2008) is an integrated server solution that helps you protect your business data, increase productivity and present a more professional image to customers. By providing many of the features used by larger companies --e-mail, an Internet connectivity, internal Web sites, remote access, support for mobile devices, file and printer sharing, backup, and restore--Windows SBS 2008 gives you the tools you need to help grow your business.
    Windows SBS 2008 is available in two editions: Standard and Premium.
    Standard Edition includes the software to install the primary Small Business Server. To install Standard Edition, you will need to download:

    • SBS__RC1_DVD1_Installation.iso - Small Business Server Installation

    Premium Edition includes software to install an additional Windows Server (either x86 or x64) for your domain, with the option of running SQL Server. To install Premium Edition, you will need to download:

    • SBS_RC1_DVD1_Installation.iso - Small Business Server Installation
    • SBS_RC1_DVD2_AddServerInstallationx86.iso - Additional Server Installation x86
    • SBS_RC1_DVD3_AddServerInstallationx64.iso - Additional Server Installation x64
    • SBS_RC1_SQL2008.iso - SQL Server 2008 for Small Business RC1

    More information about Windows SBS 2008 editions is available here.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5c4e9dea-ab34-40f6-8c73-bd94051331b4&DisplayLang=en

    Solutions & Solution Development

    Geneva Whitepapers and Datasheet

    Brief Description

    Geneva Overview Documentation

    Overview

    "Geneva" Claims Based Access Platform
    "Geneva" helps simplify access to applications and other systems with an open and interoperable claims-based model.
    For developers: "Geneva" helps simplify user access for developers by externalizing access logic from applications via claims, and reducing development effort with pre-built security logic and integrated .NET tools.
    For IT professionals: "Geneva" helps IT efficiently deploy and manage new applications by reducing custom implementation work, consolidating access management in the hands of IT, helping establish a consistent security model, and facilitating seamless collaboration between organizations with automated federation tools.
    For information workers and consumers: Users can benefit from help navigating logins, managing different personas, and controlling how personal information is shared.

    • "Geneva" includes built-in interoperability via open industry standards and claims, and implements the industry Identity Metasystem vision for open and interoperable identity.
    • "Geneva" includes three components for enabling claims-based access. Beta 1 of the following components are now available for public evaluation:
    • "Geneva" Framework for building .NET applications that use claims to make user access decisions
    • "Geneva" Server security token service (STS) for issuing and transforming claims, enabling federations, and managing user access
    • Windows CardSpace "Geneva" for helping users navigate access decisions and for developers to build customer authentication experiences for users

    Available Here for Download
    "Geneva" Datasheet
    Whitepaper: "Geneva" Claims Based Access Platform
    Learn about Microsoft's new "Geneva" claims based access platform. Read about the three main components of "Geneva" and how they work together to help solve application access problems with a single simplified access model. Understand how claims can be used across a wide variety of scenarios including enterprise, federation and Web. In this paper new concepts and terminology are introduced to help architects, developers and IT professionals understand the benefits and concepts behind the claims-based model of identity. A background in developing, deploying or managing web applications and services that entail user authentication is expected. By David Chappell
    Whitepaper: "Geneva" Framework
    Get started building claims-aware applications using Microsoft code-named "Geneva" Framework. In this paper concepts and terminology are introduced to help developers understand the benefits and concepts behind the claims-based model of identity. Security expertise is not required but familiarity with ASP.NET or WCF programming is. A background in building web applications or services that care about authentication and authorization is expected. As such, the focus of the paper is on building relying parties using the framework. By Keith Brown

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9ca5c685-3172-4d8f-81cb-1a59bdc9f7e3&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies is a Web download that provides features for running a report server within a larger deployment of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 or Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

    Overview

    Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Add-in for SharePoint Technologies (Reporting Services Add-in) allows you to take advantage of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2) report processing and management capabilities within Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 or Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. The download provides the following functionality:

    • A Report Viewer Web Part that provides report viewing capability, export to other rendering formats, page navigation, search, print, and zoom.
    • Web application pages so that you can create subscriptions and schedules, and manage reports, models, and data sources.
    • Support for using standard Windows SharePoint Services features including document management, collaboration, security, and deployment with report server content types.

    The Reporting Services Add-in works together with SP2, which is required on the report server. SP2 provides the following functionality for a report server that is configured for SharePoint integrated mode:

    • Synchronization from SharePoint content database to the report server database.
    • A custom security extension that uses SharePoint permissions to control access to report server operations.
    • A new delivery extension that you can use in subscriptions to deliver reports to SharePoint libraries.
    • A revised Reporting Services Configuration tool that you can use to configure a report server for SharePoint integrated operations.
    • A new SOAP endpoint for managing report server content in SharePoint integrated mode.

    Warning: Requires Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-052
    To use this version of the Reporting Services Add-in, the SQL Server Reporting Services server deployment used in conjunction with the Reporting Services Add-in must be patched with the updates listed under Microsoft SQL Server in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-052
    Warning: No automatic upgrade support
    Pre-release (CTP) versions of the Reporting Services Add-in cannot be upgraded to this released version.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1e53f882-0c16-4847-b331-132274ae8c84&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Data Services (SDS) SDK (CTP)

    Brief Description

    This community technology preview (CTP) release of the Software Development Kit for SDS includes tools and client side components useful to developers building applications with SDS.

    Overview

    The .msi installs tools, browser support and documentation. Both the command line and the GUI tool allow you to create/update/delete/query the service. For complete documentation see MSDN at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc678662.aspx.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0b1fa5c6-ec9d-440b-939e-481dd05f2627&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio October 2008 CTP

    Brief Description

    Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio extend Visual Studio to enable the creation, building, debugging, running and packaging of scalable services on Windows Azure.

    Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio extend Visual Studio to enable the creation, building, debugging, running and packaging of scalable services on Windows Azure.
    Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio includes:

    • C# and VB Project templates for building Cloud Services
    • Integration with the Development Fabric and Development Storage services
    • Debugging Cloud Service Roles running in the Development Fabric
    • Building and packaging of Cloud Service Packages
    • Browsing to the Azure Services Developer Portal
    • Role configuration
    • SSL Certificate selection

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=63d0d248-1b08-4f7d-abde-62eb75cb1e69&DisplayLang=en

    Windows® Azure™ Software Development Kit (October 2008 CTP)

    Brief Description

    The Windows Azure SDK provides developers with the APIs, tools, documentation, and samples needed to develop Internet-scale applications that run on Windows Azure.

    Overview

    The Azure Services Platform is designed to help developers quickly and easily create, deploy, manage, and distribute web services and applications on the Internet. Windows Azure is an operating system for the cloud that serves as the development, run-time, and control environment for the Azure Services Platform. Windows Azure provides developers on-demand compute & storage to host, scale, and manage web applications on the internet through Microsoft data centers.
    Windows Azure is elastic, flexible, and interoperable. With Windows Azure developers can achieve high levels of service availability and application interoperability while maintaining freedom of choice.
    The Windows Azure SDK provides developers with the tools and APIs needed to develop, deploy, and manage scalable services in Windows Azure.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bb893fb0-ad04-4fe8-bb04-0c5e4278d3e9&DisplayLang=en

    PerformancePoint Server 2007 Contoso Demo Data

    Brief Description

    PerformancePoint Server 2007 Contoso demo Data contains data for the Contoso application of PerformancePoint Planning and workspace of Monitoring and Analytics.

    Overview

    PerformancePoint Server 2007 Contoso demo Data contains data for the Contoso application of PerformancePoint Planning and workspace of Monitoring and Analytics. This demo application was designed to illustrate real-world business scenarios on performance management areas like statutory consolidation, Planning/Budgeting/Forecasting, KPI, scorecard, dashboard etc.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=00b97ac5-8b69-4f4d-aa0c-acbfbfb9b48e&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Project Code Named “Velocity” Community Technology Preview 2 (CTP2)

    Brief Description

    "Velocity" is a distributed in-memory application cache platform for developing scalable, high-performance applications. "Velocity" can be used to cache any common language runtime (CLR) object and provides access through simple APIs. The key aspects of "Velocity" are distributed cache performance, scalabily, and availability.

    Overview

    Microsoft project code named "Velocity" provides a highly scalable in-memory application cache for all kinds of data. By using cache, application performance can improve significantly by avoiding unnecessary calls to the data source. Distributed cache enables your application to match increasing demand with increasing throughput using a cache cluster that automatically manages the complexities of load balancing. When you use "Velocity," you can retrieve data by using keys or other identifiers, named "tags." "Velocity" supports optimistic and pessimistic concurrency models, high availability, and a variety of cache configurations. “Velocity” includes an ASP.NET session provider object that enables you to store ASP.NET session objects in the distributed cache without having to write to databases, which increases the performance and scalability of ASP.NET applications.
    For community technology preview 2 (CTP2), Microsoft project code named "Velocity" offers several new enhancements that include a high availability feature, performance improvements, PowerShell integration, and new configuration storage options. There is also a new 64-bit version of "Velocity" specifically customized for x64-based computers.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b24c3708-eeff-4055-a867-19b5851e7cd2&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 - CTP

    Brief Description

    Download the CTP of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition SP3.

    Overview

    The CTP version of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 (SP3) is now available.
    Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SQL Server Express) is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight version of SQL Server 2005. It is fast and easy to learn, allowing you to quickly develop and deploy dynamic data-driven applications. SQL Server Express provides powerful and reliable data management tools along with rich features, data protection, and fast performance. It is ideal for embedded application clients, light Web applications, and local data stores. Designed for easy deployment and rapid prototyping, SQL Server Express is available at no cost, and you are free to redistribute it with applications. If you need more advanced database features, you can upgrade SQL Server Express seamlessly to more sophisticated editions of SQL Server.
    These packages have been made available for general testing purposes only. Do not deploy the CTP software in production. Peer-to-peer support is available in the SQL Server 2005 forums.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=80dff99c-cc82-4639-92bb-bbdaff677792&DisplayLang=en

    Windows Live Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio

    Brief Description

    November 2008 CTP
    Visual Studio Tools for Windows Live Services

    Overview

    This CTP is an update to July 2008 CTP Release. In this CTP, we have made Windows Live Tools compatible with Windows Azure and upgraded to Silverlight 2.0. This package includes following:
    ASP.NET Server Controls
    • Contacts
    • IDLoginStatus
    • IDLoginView
    • Map
    • MessengerChat
    • SilverlightStreamingMediaPlayer
    Visual Studio Project Template
    • ASP.NET Windows Live Web Site
    • Windows Live Web Application
    • Windows Live Web Role (template for Windows Azure Cloud Project)

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f438b207-96af-497c-94db-152d48344af5&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office system (version 3.0 Runtime) (x86)

    Brief Description

    This download (VSTOR30.exe) installs the Visual Studio Tools for the Office system 3.0 Runtime, which is required to run VSTO solutions for the 2007 Microsoft Office system built using Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.

    Overview

    This download (VSTOR30.exe) installs the Visual Studio Tools for the Office system 3.0 Runtime, which is required to run VSTO solutions for the 2007 Microsoft Office system built using Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.
    When installing the VSTO runtime on a non-English version of the operating system, you should also install the appropriate language pack to see the text of the messages from the VSTO runtime in that language, rather than English.
    Note: VSTO solutions built for use in Microsoft Office 2003 require the Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Second Edition Runtime, not this one.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=54eb3a5a-0e52-40f9-a2d1-eecd7a092dcb&DisplayLang=en

    Unity Application Block 1.2 - October 2008

    Brief Description

    The Unity Application Block (Unity) is a lightweight, extensible dependency injection container with optional support for instance and type interception.

    Overview

    The Unity Application Block (Unity) is a lightweight, extensible dependency injection container with optional support for instance and type interception. It facilitates building loosely coupled applications and provides developers with the following advantages:

    • Simplified object creation, especially for hierarchical object structures and dependencies.
    • Abstraction of requirements; this allows developers to specify dependencies at run time or in configuration and simplify management of crosscutting concerns.
    • Increased flexibility by deferring component configuration to the container.
    • Service location capability; this allows clients to store or cache the container.
    • Instance and type interception.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2c8b79e7-ae56-4f90-822e-a1e43c49d12e&DisplayLang=en

    Unity Application Block 1.2 Documentation for Visual Studio 2008

    Brief Description

    The integrated documentation for the Unity Application Block (Unity) to be used with Visual Studio 2008.

    Overview

    The integrated documentation for the Unity Application Block (Unity) to be used with Visual Studio 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9612b06e-14c1-4226-a092-2472dcc81b51&DisplayLang=en

    Enterprise Library 4.1-October 2008

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Enterprise Library is a collection of reusable application blocks designed to assist software developers with common enterprise development challenges. This release includes: Caching, Cryptography, Data Access, Exception Handling, Logging, Policy Injection, Security, Validation, and Unity.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Enterprise Library is a collection of reusable application blocks designed to assist software developers with common enterprise development challenges. This following application blocks are included: Caching Application Block, Cryptography Application Block, Data Access Application Block, Exception Handling Application Block, Logging Application Block, Policy Injection Application Block, Security Application Block, Validation Application Block, and Unity Application Block.
    This release includes:

    • Support for Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 SP1.
    • Interception mechanism in the Unity Application Block.
    • Performance improvements.
    • Usability improvements of the config tool.
    • Fixes.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1643758b-2986-47f7-b529-3e41584b6ce5&DisplayLang=en

    Visual Round Trip Analyzer

    Brief Description

    Tool to view web page performance
    Web page performance visualizer and analyzer

    Overview

    The Visual Round Trip Analyzer tool helps web developers and testers visualize the download of their page, identify best practices and changes that improve web performance. The network Round-Trip between the client and server(s) is the single biggest impact to web page performance – much greater than server response time. VRTA examines the communications protocol, identifying the causes of excessive round-trips, and recommending solutions. Performance engineers, testers, developers, operations personnel should use VRTA to conduct their web performance analysis.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=119f3477-dced-41e3-a0e7-d8b5cae893a3&DisplayLang=en

    Unity Application Block 1.2 Documentation for Visual Studio 2005

    Brief Description

    The integrated documentation for the Unity Application Block (Unity) to be used with Visual Studio 2005.

    Overview

    The integrated documentation for the Unity Application Block (Unity) to be used with Visual Studio 2005.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4fe618c3-6570-4116-b510-ee2885b05996&DisplayLang=en

    SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 - CTP

    Brief Description

    Download the CTP of SQL Server 2005 SP3.

    Overview

    The CTP version of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (SP3) is now available. You can use these packages to upgrade any of the following SQL Server 2005 editions:

    • Enterprise
    • Enterprise Evaluation
    • Developer
    • Standard
    • Workgroup

    For a summary list of What's new in SQL Server 2005 SP3 CTP, review the What's New document.
    These packages have been made available for general testing purposes only. Do not deploy the CTP software in production. Peer-to-peer support is available in the SQL Server 2005 forums.
    Note: To obtain SQL Server 2005 SP3 CTP for Express Edition or Express Edition with Advanced Services, Go Here.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d22317e1-bc64-4936-a14b-7a632b50a4ca&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Sync Framework v2.0 CTP1

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Sync Framework is a comprehensive synchronization platform that enables collaboration and offline scenarios for applications, services, and devices. Using Microsoft Sync Framework, developers can build applications that synchronize data from any source using any protocol over any network.

    Overview

    Sync Framework Overview
    Microsoft Sync Framework provides a synchronization platform that caters to the following scenarios, in which data needs to be synchronized between multiple data sources:

    • A number of users are collaborating and need to be able to access and update a set of data.
    • A user wants to access and update his or her data in multiple locations – on a desktop, on a device, using a Web browser, etc.
    • A user wants to download data from a server or service and take that data offline to a client store. The data can then be accessed and updated by the user even when not connected to the server or service.

    Microsoft Sync Framework makes no assumptions about how data is stored or transmitted. Sync Framework places no restrictions on the type of data sources that can be synchronized, the protocol and network that are used to communicate with each data source , or the type of synchronization topology that is used. A data source can be synchronized with any other data source in any order; full peer-to-peer synchronization topologies are supported.
    In order to cater to any data source, Sync Framework uses a provider model, with each sync provider being responsible for synchronizing a particular type of data source (or replica). Sync Framework is used to author providers and is used to perform the actual synchronization between the providers.
    As well as enabling providers to be authored, Sync Framework includes several built-in providers:

    • Sync Services for ADO.NET, which is used to synchronize databases for offline and collaborative scenarios.
    • Sync Services for File Systems, which is used to synchronize files and folders in an NTFS or FAT file system.
    • Sync Services for FeedSync, which is used to synchronize RSS and Atom feeds with data in a local store.

    Sync Framework 2.0
    Sync Framework 2.0 expands on the capabilities offered by Sync Framework 1.0:

    • Adds features that cater to new scenarios or scenarios that were difficult to support.
    • Reduces the amount of work required to develop providers.
    • Supports more data sources with new built-in providers.

    The major new features included in this initial CTP are:

    • Simple Providers: Reduces the amount of work required to develop providers, especially when the data source has very few synchronization-related capabilities, such as change-tracking. The goal is to enable a developer to write a provider without having to become a synchronization expert. The majority of the code that is required for a simple provider is limited to that responsible for interacting with the data source.
    • Change Unit Filtering: Different data sources can have different representations of the same data types, with some data sources offering a richer and more complete representation than others. This is especially true when you compare data type representations on a PC and on a device; the device will often support only a subset of the data supported by the PC. Sync Framework caters to scenarios in which a mixture of data sources is being synchronized, each with a different representation of the data type. Filtering support has been added to enable a provider to specify that the replica it serves is only able to store a subset of the data. The synchronization metadata and synchronization process have both been enhanced to handle this filtering efficiently.
    • Filter negotiation: When a destination data source is only storing a subset of data, then it is more efficient if the source provider uses a filter to enumerate only the data that can be stored by the destination. Filter negotiation allows a destination provider to specify it would like one or more filters to be used by the source provider; the source provider can accept or reject a filter. If a source provider does not support the requested filters then the destination provider can choose to receive all the data and do the filtering itself. Sync Framework is responsible for calling the providers appropriately to negotiate filter usage.

    Known Issues
    The following issues and limitations are known to exist in CTP1 and will be addressed in future releases.
    Installation:

    • This CTP release cannot be installed on a computer that has an earlier version of Sync Framework installed. This means that it is not possible to upgrade from a previous version of Sync Framework, or to have the new CTP operate side-by-side with a previous version.
    • Interoperability between Sync Framework 1.0 and 2.0 components is not yet supported.
    • The install folder name is still named v1.0.
    • Only an English version of this CTP is available.

    Simple Providers

    • Synchronizing a managed simple provider with a native simple provider using the managed synchronization orchestrator (SyncOrchestrator) is not supported.
    • In managed code only the metadata store provided with Sync Framework Metadata Storage Services can be used (SqlMetadataStore); a custom metadata store is not yet supported. In native code, any store that implements ISyncMetadataStore can be used.
    • When using a simple provider, an item change might take two synchronization sessions to be applied if there is a temporary constraint conflict during change application for that item. A temporary constraint conflict occurs when multiple changes are being applied for an item and an earlier change cannot be applied due to a constraint error, but can be applied after other changes have been made. For example, a new item “A” is being created and the existing item “A” is being renamed – the new item “A” can’t be created until the existing item “A” is renamed.

    Download Contents
    The download ZIP file contains the following components:

    • SyncSetup.exe: Run this executable to install all Sync Framework components
    • Synchronization.msi: Core runtime components of Sync Framework
    • ProviderServices.msi: Simple providers, Metadata Storage Services, and Sync Services for File Systems
    • SyncServicesADO.msi: Sync Services for ADO.NET. Note: even though the version number for Sync Services for ADO.NET has been updated to 3.0, there are no changes for this component in this CTP.
    • SyncSDK.msi: Headers, libraries, symbols, and samples.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=109db36e-cdd0-4514-9fb5-b77d9cea37f6&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition GDR Release Candidate 1

    Brief Description

    Microsoft® Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition GDR Release Candidate 1
    Microsoft® Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition GDR implements support for SQL Server 2008.

    Overview

    In addition to providing support for SQL Server 2008 database projects, this release incorporates many previously released Power Tools as well as several new features. The new features include distinct Build and Deploy phases, Static Code Analysis and improved integration with SQL CLR projects.
    Database Edition no longer requires a Design Database. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to install an instance of SQL Express or SQL Server prior to using Database Edition.
    SQL Server Support

    • SQL Server 2008
      • All new data types:
        • Intrinsic (date, datetime2, datetimeoffset, time)
        • Built-in SQL CLR types (geography, geometry, hierarchyid)
      • New DML
        • Merge, table parameters, …
    • SQL Server Configuration Options
      • Server option settings will be verified prior to deployment or set during deployment
        Additional 1st Class Object Type Support
      • Rules, defaults, Asymmetric keys, symmetric keys, certificates, …

    Projects

    • Server Projects
      • Server objects and option settings may be implemented in a separate Server Project
      • This enables a team to define a standard a configuration for their SQL servers and reference it from their Database Projects
    • Partial projects
      • Allowing code sharing between projects by including files from a different project, where the code is included as-is from the originating project and the source code control ownership remains with the originating project
      • This enables code reuse and single sourcing while having a single deployment unit
    • Composite projects
      • References to other database projects or .dbschema files that contribute to the same deployment unit.
      • This enables the separation of development roles and responsibilities and composition of Databases using multiple projects.

    Single sourcing of external artifacts

    • SQL-CLR references allow the user to create a reference to a SQL-CLR project or SQL-CLR assembly. This automatically becomes an ASSEMBLY type in the Database Project

    Build and Deploy

    • The Build process now produces a separate portable schema output that is fed in to a redistributable deployment engine
    • A redistributable deployment engine. For example, to implement a setup application that deploys the Database Project.

    Refactoring

    • Preservation of Intent
      • Enables the deployment of refactoring changes as intended by the user (renames are deployed as renames not as drop/add statements for example)

    New Refactoring Operations

    • Wildcard Expansion
    • Move Schema
    • Fully Qualify
    • Extensibility point which enables the ability to develop and deploy custom refactoring types and targets

    Schema Compare

    • Now supports comparing Projects, Databases or dbschema files in any combination. For example, Project to Project, which has not been possible until now.
    • Object Type Filtering
    • Additional ignore filtering options

    T-SQL Static Code Analysis

    • Including the ability to develop and deploy custom rules

    Dependency Viewer

    • View the dependency relationship between objects in your schema

    Unit testing

    • Supports execution with other ADO.NET providers

    Data Generation

    • Design-time enhancements
      • Smaller .dgen file
      • Support for undo/redo
      • Foreign key replacement
      • Separation of population status into new display window
    • Runtime enhancements
      • By default uses SqlBulkCopy to populate target tables
      • Capability to register different outputs for generated data – i.e. generate to Excel or to file so you can use BCP to load
      • By registering a custom output we have the capability to execute scripts at different points during data generation (i.e. before start/after completion or before/after a table

    Extensibility

    • Data Generators
    • Statistical Data Distribution
    • Test Conditions
    • Static Code Analysis Rules
    • Refactoring Types
    • Refactoring Target

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bb3ad767-5f69-4db9-b1c9-8f55759846ed&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Catching Up with Michele Leroux Bustamante

    Brief Description

    Michele Leroux Bustamante talks to Carl and Richard for the first time since she had her first kid! The topic is federated identity services.

    Overview

    Michèle Leroux Bustamante is Chief Architect of IDesign Inc., Microsoft Regional Director for San Diego, Microsoft MVP for Connected Systems and a BEA Technical Director. At IDesign Michele provides training, mentoring and high-end architecture consulting services focusing on Web services, scalable and secure architecture design for .NET, interoperability and globalization architecture. She is a member of the International .NET Speakers Association (INETA), a frequent conference presenter, conference chair for SD West, and is frequently published in several major technology journals. Michele is also on the board of directors for IASA (International Association of Software Architects), and a Program Advisor to UCSD Extension. Her latest book is Learning WCF (O’Reilly 2007). See her book blog at www.thatindigogirl.com. Reach her at mlb@idesign.net, or visit www.idesign.net and her main blog at www.dasblonde.net.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=39b3ff5f-6483-47df-bff2-a1fb4f27ab14&DisplayLang=en

    Azure Services Training Kit - PDC Preview

    Brief Description

    Azure Services Training Kit

    Overview

    The Azure Services Training Kit will include a comprehensive set of technical content including samples, demos, hands-on labs, and presentations that are designed to help you learn how to use the Azure Services Platform. This initial PDC Preview release includes the hands-on labs that were provided at the PDC 2008 conference. These labs cover the broad set of Azure Services including Windows Azure, .NET Services, SQL Services, and Live Services. Additional content will be included in future updates of this kit.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=413e88f8-5966-4a83-b309-53b7b77edf78&DisplayLang=en

    Intergraph® GeoMedia® to Support Microsoft SQL Server 2008

    Brief Description

    Intergraph® GeoMedia® to Support Microsoft SQL Server 2008

    Overview

    Press Release regarding Intergraph® GeoMedia® to Support Microsoft SQL Server 2008
    Spatial Enhancements

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ac45a8bf-a152-431b-bb79-04afa66ddfe0&DisplayLang=en

    Demo Showcase 2008 Application Platform Optimization Demos

    Brief Description

    Demonstrate APC capabilities with these robust and easy to use click through demos.
    Demo Showcase 2008 APO Demos

    Overview

    The Demo Showcase 2008 APO Demos are a set of 4 comprehensive click through demonstrations designed for partners to use with customers. These customer scenario demos feature many different Microsoft technologies working together to showcase the power of the App Plat Optimization capabilities. Included in the scenarios are the following products: Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Office Enterprise 2007, Visual Studio 2008, Windows Vista, Silverlight, Performance Point Server 2007 and more.
    These four demos will help you learn and show customers about the power of the APO IO Model with Business Intelligence and User Experience and Development.
    With the Demo Showcase 2008 APO demos you can show customers how a collection of integrated technology solutions can be used to solve their business needs.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e648ac7b-465b-4426-9534-25726ffc055f&DisplayLang=en

    Creating Custom Reports By Using Configuration Manager 2007 SQL Views

    Brief Description

    This documentation provides the information to help you create custom reports, determine which Configuration Manager 2007 SQL views contain the information you need for your reports, and identify the path between the necessary SQL views and determine what columns can be used to join them.

    Overview

    Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 queries SQL Server views in the Configuration Manager site database when retrieving the information displayed in reports. The Configuration Manager site SQL database contains a large collection of information about the network, computers, users, user groups, and many other components of the computing environment. The database also contains objects that represent Configuration Manager 2007 items such as advertisements, software update deployments, configuration baselines, reports, and status messages. Configuration Manager administrators need to understand the different categories of the SQL views, what information is stored in each view, and how the SQL views can be joined to one another to create reports that return the desired information.
    The Windows Installer CreatingCustomReportsByUsingSQLViews.msi package provides information that will help you to create custom reports, determine which Configuration Manager SQL views contain the information you need for your reports, and identify a path between the necessary SQL views and determine what columns can be used to join them. The download package includes the following files:
    • Before You Use – Readme document (BeforeYouUse_Readme.doc):
    Provides information about how to use the other documents in the Windows Installer download package.
    • Using Configuration Manager 2007 SQL Views to Create Custom Reports help file (CM2007CustomReports.chm):
    Provides an overview of the Configuration Manager 2007 SQL view schema and SQL views, an overview of the existing reports and associated reporting procedures, sample SQL statements for each Configuration Manager SQL view category, scenarios for creating custom reports, exercises for creating custom reports, an overview for writing report SQL statements, and an overview of the Configuration Manager Provider WMI schema. This documentation will be your main resource throughout the process of creating your custom report.
    • Configuration Manager 2007 SQL View Schema Microsoft Visio document (CM2007SQLViewsSchema.vsd):
    Provides the Configuration Manager 2007 SQL views schema, organized by category.
    • Configuration Manager 2007 SQL Views Excel spreadsheet (CM2007SQLViews.xls):
    Provides a list of the Configuration Manager 2007 SQL views with descriptions, a list of the SQL views and columns ordered by SQL view name, and a list of the SQL views and columns ordered by column name.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=87bbe64e-5439-4fc8-becc-deb372a40f4a&DisplayLang=en

    Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Templates: All Templates

    Brief Description

    This download package includes all forty of the Application Templates for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 plus the Application Template Core solution, which is required to deploy server administration templates.

    Overview

    This download package includes all forty of the Application Templates for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 plus the Application Template Core solution, which is required to deploy server admin templates.
    Server Admin Templates:
    Server admin templates are created as site definitions, providing tighter integration and enhanced functionality within the Windows SharePoint Services platform. They will require a server administrator to install. If you do not have Central Server Admin rights, you can still install the site admin templates (see second list below) in the sites/workspaces that you own or administrate.

    • Absence Request and Vacation Schedule Management
    • Help Desk
    • Budgeting and Tracking Multiple Projects
    • Inventory Tracking
    • Bug Database
    • IT Team Workspace
    • Call Center
    • Job Requisition and Interview Management
    • Change Request Management
    • Knowledge Base
    • Compliance Process Support Site
    • Lending Library
    • Contacts Management
    • Physical Asset Tracking and Management
    • Document Library and Review
    • Project Tracking Workspace
    • Event Planning
    • Room and Equipment Reservations
    • Expense Reimbursement and Approval Site
    • Sales Lead Pipeline

    Site Admin Templates:
    Site admin templates are easy for site administrators to install in a template gallery without requiring server administration access.

    • Board of Directors
    • Employee Training Scheduling and Materials
    • Business Performance Rating
    • Equity Research
    • Case Management for Government Agencies
    • Integrated Marketing Campaign Tracking
    • Classroom Management
    • Manufacturing Process Management
    • Clinical Trial Initiation and Management
    • New Store Opening
    • Competitive Analysis Site
    • Product and Marketing Requirements Planning
    • Discussion Database
    • Request for Proposal
    • Disputed Invoice Management
    • Sports League
    • Employee Activities Site
    • Team Work Site
    • Employee Self-Service Benefits
    • Timecard Management

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5807b5ef-57a1-47cb-8666-78c1363f127d&DisplayLang=en

    Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Templates: All Server Admin Templates

    Brief Description

    This download package includes all twenty server admin Application Templates for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and the Application Template Core solution.

    Overview

    This download package includes all twenty server admin Application Templates for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and the Application Template Core solution.
    The templates included in this package are:

    • Absence Request and Vacation Schedule Management
    • Budgeting and Tracking Multiple Projects
    • Bug Database
    • Call Center
    • Change Request Management
    • Compliance Process Support Site
    • Contacts Management
    • Document Library and Review
    • Event Planning
    • Expense Reimbursement and Approval Site
    • Help Desk
    • Inventory Tracking
    • IT Team Workspace
    • Job Requisition and Interview Management
    • Knowledge Base
    • Lending Library
    • Physical Asset Tracking and Management
    • Project Tracking Workspace
    • Room and Equipment Reservations
    • Sales Lead Pipeline

    These server admin templates are configurable in eleven languages (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, and Hebrew) and are created as site definitions, providing tighter integration and enhanced functionality within the Windows SharePoint Services platform. They will require a server administrator to install.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=aae4cb5a-91d2-4f1b-9a45-3bb894e218f8&DisplayLang=en

    Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Template: Application Template Core

    Brief Description

    The Application Template Core solution file for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 contains all of the resources for each of the server admin templates. This solution must be installed and deployed prior to any other server admin Application Template installation.

    Overview

    The Application Template Core solution file contains all of the resources for each of the server admin templates. This solution must be installed and deployed prior to any other server admin Application Template installation.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c1039e13-94da-4d7d-8cae-3b96fa5a4045&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Expression® Encoder 2 Service Pack 1

    Brief Description

    With Expression Encoder 2 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you can quickly and easily produce Silverlight 2 experiences, encode H.264/AAC video, and publish to IIS and to other servers that support the WebDAV protocol.

    Overview

    With Expression Encoder 2 SP1, you can quickly and easily create Silverlight 2 experiences using templates that include rich functionality such as DVD-style chapter navigation, subtitles, and metadata; encode H.264/AAC video; and publish to Internet Information Services (IIS) and other servers that support the WebDAV protocol for use with IIS Smooth Streaming.
    Installation instructions

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a29be9f9-29e1-4e70-bf67-02d87d3e556e&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Jon Skeet on C# 3.0

    Brief Description

    Carl and Richard talk to author and developer Jon Skeet about his work with C# and Java at Google and elsewhere.

    Overview

    Jon Skeet is a C# and Java developer currently working at Google in the UK. For many years he has been a frequent poster in technical newsgroups, and has been awarded as a C# MVP by Microsoft since 2003. His C# web site contains some of the most frequently referenced articles on topics such as singleton implementations and parameter passing. He was a member of the writing team for "Groovy in Action" in 2007, and his first solo book, "C# in Depth", came out in May 2008. Jon is interested in tracking how languages and platforms are evolving to blend imperative and functional styles of programming, as well as providing more support for parallelism.
    While his "day job" is programming in Java, Jon is a C# developer at heart. In his 20% time at Google he is currently working on a C# port of the recently open-sourced "Protocol Buffers" serialization framework.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=997a2870-a180-418c-9b57-09f19b0570a7&DisplayLang=en

    Distributed Agile Development at Microsoft patterns and practices

    Brief Description

    This paper describes some of the proven practices about distributed agile development learned by teams within Microsoft’s patterns & practices group.

    Overview

    This paper describes some of the proven practices about distributed agile development and the specific lessons learned by teams within Microsoft’s patterns & practices group over numerous agile projects using distributed teams.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2143646d-bcc1-4d97-b9a1-968201917baa&DisplayLang=en

    Windows SharePoint Services Add-in for Windows Essential Business Server

    Brief Description

    Install and Manage Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 with Service Pack 1 on the Windows Essential Business Server Management Server via Add-In

    Overview

    The Windows SharePoint Services Add-In provides a dashboard view of all Windows SharePoint Services sites hosted by the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Management Server. Sites based on Windows SharePoint Services, take file storage to a new level, providing communities for team collaboration that make it possible for users to work together on documents, tasks, and events, and make it easier for them to share contacts and other information.
    This add-in allows administrators the ability to see a consolidated view of information about each site. This information is normally scattered across multiple Windows SharePoint Services Administration pages (like quota sizes, site collection information, administrator/contributor/visitor groups and members). Additionally, the add-in also allows administrators to manage permissions to the sites using Active Directory and smart wizards to create sites and site collections.
    The installation package performs the following tasks:
    1. Installs Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 with Service Pack 1 on the Management Server.
    Note: The add-in can administer only the Windows SharePoint Services sites that are hosted on the Management Server. It cannot administer sites that are hosted on other servers. However, you can continue to use Windows SharePoint Services on those servers, or you can migrate your existing data so that it is managed from the Management Server.
    2. Gives you the option to store the Windows SharePoint Services data in a SQL Server database.
    Note: It is highly recommended that you use SQL Server to store the data. This helps with data management and back-up. SQL Server is included in the Windows EBS Premium. You should install SQL Server before you install Windows SharePoint Services.
    3. Configures a Windows SharePoint Services Web URL using a name that you choose (for example, http://internalweb or http://companyweb).
    4. Installs the Windows SharePoint Services Add-In on the Business Applications tab of the Windows EBS Administration Console. You can use the add-in to perform administrative tasks such as creating a new site collection and managing permissions for the site.
    5. Configures the Windows SharePoint Services Web URL in Windows EBS Remote Web Workplace allowing you to securely access the site from remote locations with internet access.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=34fd138a-f3e9-4ea0-ae60-dad4b8dab7ec&DisplayLang=en

    Application Virtualization Dynamic Suite Composition Tool

    Brief Description

    You can use the App-V Dynamic Suite Composition tool to edit the Open Software Descriptor (.osd) file associated with a virtual application package to create the inter-package dependencies.

    Overview

    Dynamic suite composition is a Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) feature that enables applications to be sequenced separately from the plug-ins and middleware applications they rely on, while still being able to utilize the virtual resources such as file system and registry settings, in the virtual environment. The packages will run and interact with one another as if they were all installed locally on a computer. The primary package will also assume the secondary packages entire virtual environment, including the virtual file system.
    If there is an installer associated with a virtual application package, the installers will be automatically updated.
    This application is not supported through the official Microsoft Support channels. Please use the Microsoft Application Virtualization TechNet forums to provide feedback or report any problems.
    Feature Bullet Summary:

    • GUI application
    • Specify dependencies between primary and secondary packages
    • Support mandatory and non-mandatory packages

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=daa898df-455f-438a-aa2a-421f05894098&DisplayLang=en

    Application Virtualization SFT Parser Tool

    Brief Description

    Use the Application Virtualization SFTInfo utility to extract information from SFT files.

    Overview

    You can use the Application Virtualization SFT Info utility to extract the following information from SFT files:

    • Validation of SFT files—Process corrupted SFT files, and recover information from corrupted SFT files.
    • XML export of contents of SFT—Export the contents of an existing SFT file. You can evaluate SFT segments or SFT metadata and construct a textual tree view of all file information SFT file.
    • Listing of all of the files in the SFT—Identify and print the files contained in the SFT with their full paths. This is a good method to quickly identify the contents of a package.
    • Statistics about properties of the SFT metadata—Identify statistical information, such the largest file contained in a package. This can be very useful for identifying packages that are too large in size and are causing issues loading on the client.
    • Get relevant information on a file in the package—Display size, timestamps, attributes, and version information associated with the package.
    • Ability to skip processing of file data if using functionality that requires only the metadata—Allows working with very large packages quickly.

    This application is not supported through the official Microsoft Support channels. Please use the Microsoft Application Virtualization TechNet forums to provide feedback or report any problems.
    Feature Bullet Summary:

    • Listing of all files in the SFT
    • Text-based or XML-based output
    • File full-path, version, size, timestamp, and attributes are displayed

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e5a7db27-304b-4cd1-9c80-7ba5fdaea97f&DisplayLang=en

    Application Virtualization Client Log Parser Utility

    Brief Description

    Use the Application Virtualization Log Parser utility to extract log entries from one or more application virtualization client logs.

    Overview

    You can use the fields and values contained in the output file to filter information obtained from the log files. The output file generated by the application log parser utility contains the following fields: System, OS, Build, Date, Time, Module, Log Level, hApp, App, User, Thread, and Message. The information contained in the output file can also be imported into Microsoft Excel for subsequent evaluation. This log parser simplifies the task of looking through log files, being able to filter by log level, build report, launch failures, mini-dumps, minimum disconnected operation mode entries and more. Afterwards, the appropriate party can import the data for analysis and/or utilization.
    This application is not supported through the official Microsoft Support channels. Please use the Microsoft Application Virtualization TechNet forums to provide feedback or report any problems,
    Feature Bullet Summary:

    • Filter client logs on log level, types of failure, upload time, launch times, etc

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=72876c60-3a87-4705-b722-f73eb56219bf&DisplayLang=en

    Application Virtualization Cache Configuration Tool

    Brief Description

    You can use the Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) cache configuration utility to configure settings associated with App-V client cache.

    Overview

    The App-V client cache tool (AppVCacheSize) allows administrators to increase the Microsoft Application Virtualization client cache size through a scriptable command line interface. AppVCacheSize uses the specified parameters to configure the desired cache size, as well as toggle between using a free disk space threshold or set a maximum cache size.
    This application is not supported through the official Microsoft Support channels. Please use the Microsoft Application Virtualization TechNet forums to provide feedback or report any problems,
    Feature Bullet Summary:

    • Increase the size of the client cache without deleting the contents
    • Configure the application recycling policy of the client cache

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5e7089fa-c6ab-4150-8562-3b5bc14cd881&DisplayLang=en

    Application Virtualization Application Listing Tool

    Brief Description

    You can use this tool to display a list of virtualized applications that are currently running.

    Overview

    The App-V Application Listing Tool (ListVApps) is a tool which lists all the virtual processes that are running at a specific time on a specific computer. You can use the tool to get information about the priority and owner of each process, the size of its virtual memory, its session identifier and processing time.
    User with administrator privileges will see all running virtual applications.
    This application is not supported through the official Microsoft Support channels. Please use the Microsoft Application Virtualization TechNet forums to provide feedback or report any problems.
    Feature Bullet Summary:

    • Display list of applications currently running virtualized

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5da48313-cf6d-445d-af97-594f194ac759&DisplayLang=en

    Light Up the Web with Microsoft Silverlight 2.0

    Brief Description

    Light Up the Web with Microsoft Silverlight 2.0

    Overview

    Silverlight 2 enables the .NET Framework Developer to bring his knowledge to other devices and platforms. Learn how to create UI using XAML markup and code, build reusable custom controls, retrieve data from web services, and manipulate data with XML and LINQ using managed code.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=79b4dfe8-e308-4da1-9241-5f709de3557d&DisplayLang=en

    Developing WPF Smart Clients

    Brief Description

    Developing WPF Smart Clients

    Overview

    Understand the capabilities of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) technology and learn how to develop WPF-powered smart client applications using the right tools and technique. You will be able to witness how a simple Windows user interface can be transformed into visually appealing one with the use of WPF styling, control templates, and bitmap effects. This session also covers other WPF capabilities such as data binding, text rendering with simple-to-understand demonstrations.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cb3888e9-ba79-49a9-ae36-b000d184e19a&DisplayLang=en

    IE8 for Developers

    Brief Description

    IE8 for Developers

    Overview

    Put the power of the Web at your service through IE8! Learn how you can leverage the new features of IE8 like Web Slices, Accelerators, and Visual Search. This session also provides handy learning such as preparing your sites for the brand new IE8!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a662f545-ec62-4b7b-92cb-c0d0e2a6e018&DisplayLang=en

    ntegrating Line-of-Business Data into MOSS 2007 with the Business Data Catalog

    Brief Description

    ntegrating Line-of-Business Data into MOSS 2007 with the Business Data Catalog

    Overview

    Take a look at the architecture and development model of the Business Data Catalog, an exciting new feature within Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Learn about the new technologies that are delivered with the 2007 release of the Microsoft Office system for connecting to enterprise data within portal and workspace applications including the new Business Data Catalog. Get a better architectural understanding of the Business Data Catalog and find out how features in SharePoint Server 2007 make use of it to experience seamless streamlining of business data.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9fa34e43-1cc7-4af9-8e24-6252c8f0dde5&DisplayLang=en

    Team Development with Visual Studio Team System

    Brief Description

    Team Development with Visual Studio Team System

    Overview

    Learn how to maximize your team productivity and efficiency with Visual Studio Team System 2008 and experience the integrated Application Life-cycle Management (ALM) with Team Foundation Server. You will be able to understand how these various collaboration tools, processes, in VSTS, can help your team to work more effectively and deliver better quality software on schedule.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6d7d0e90-6f56-4b41-b54b-81159510d7e4&DisplayLang=en

    Data Access with LINQ

    Brief Description

    Data Access with LINQ

    Overview

    LINQ is a groundbreaking innovation in Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework version 3.5 that bridges the gap between the world of objects and the world of data. LINQ enables .NET developers to query and transform data using their .NET language of choice. Get on board in this session to learn and experience powerful data access with LINQ!

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4bda14aa-3c91-4dc5-8ce9-3770525b9f37&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 3.0

    Brief Description

    The XNA Framework Redistributable download provides game developers with the XNA Framework run-time libraries they can include with their product for redistribution on Windows XP and Windows Vista.

    Overview

    The XNA Framework Redistributable provides the necessary runtime components to execute a game on Windows that was developed using Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0. This release contains improved functionality along with new features. Installation of this runtime is not necessary on systems that already have Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 installed.
    The End User License Agreement (EULA) for Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 covers the terms under which developers may use the Redistributable. For full details, please review the Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 EULA.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6521d889-5414-49b8-ab32-e3fff05a4c50&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0

    Brief Description

    Microsoft XNA Game Studio is a toolset that makes creating great video games for Windows-based PCs, the Zune digital media player, and the Xbox 360 console (with an active premium XNA Creators Club subscription) easier than ever.

    Overview

    Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 enables hobbyists, academics, and independent game developers to easily create video games for Windows and the Microsoft Zune digital media player by using optimized cross-platform gaming libraries based on the .NET Framework.
    The new features in this release are too numerous to list here. However key items include: Support for the Visual Studio 2008 family of products, developing games that run on the Microsoft Zune digital media player, enhancements to the XNA Framework API for media support, sound effects, rich presence and much more!
    For additional setup information and known issues, please read the XNA Game Studio 3.0 ReadMe page using the link below.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7d70d6ed-1edd-4852-9883-9a33c0ad8fee&DisplayLang=en

    PlayReady PC Runtime v1.2 (x86)

    Brief Description

    Download the latest version of the PlayReady PC Runtime.

    Overview

    Microsoft PlayReady technology is optimized for the mobile industry to support the growth of online content services, and includes features designed to make it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy mobile digital entertainment. This runtime allows PC based applications to access PlayReady content using the PlayReady PC Runtime API.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1f93c0ac-21ae-4eb2-acd2-86ab616b8ba6&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft® Silverlight™ Tools for Visual Studio 2008 SP1

    Brief Description

    Add-on for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 for developing Silverlight 2 applications

    Overview

    This package is an add-on for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 to provide tooling for Microsoft Silverlight 2. It can be installed on top of either Visual Studio 2008 SP1 or Visual Web Developer 2008 Express with SP1, and it provides a Silverlight project system for developing Silverlight applications using C# or Visual Basic.
    This download will install the following:

    • Silverlight 2 developer runtime
    • Silverlight 2 software development kit
    • KB956453 for Visual Studio 2008 SP1
      and/or
      KB956485 for Visual Web Developer 2008 Express with SP1
    • Silverlight Tools for Visual Studio 2008 SP1
      and/or
      Silverlight Tools for Visual Web Developer 2008 Express with SP1

    Silverlight Tools for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 includes:

    • Visual Basic and C# Project templates
    • Intellisense and code generators for XAML
    • XAML design preview
    • Debugging of Silverlight applications
    • Remote debugging of Silverlight applications for Mac
    • Web reference support
    • WCF Templates
    • Team Build and command line build support
    • Integration with Expression Blend

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c22d6a7b-546f-4407-8ef6-d60c8ee221ed&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide

    Brief Description

    This guide contains comprehensive information about how to plan, install, and maintain Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide consists of the following documents:

    • Planning Guide: This guide gives you the information and tools that help you get your organization ready for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. It includes two main aspects of planning for a customer relationship management (CRM) system:
      • Technical: These topics focus on such areas as the supported topologies, system requirements, and technical considerations to address before you install.
      • Implementation methodology: These topics cover the business management, CRM requirements, and project management aspects that are needed when you deploy a CRM system. Additionally, there are several documents included that you can use as tools to plan the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. These tools are in the planningtools folder where the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide is located.
    • Planning Tools: The planning tools are 43 template, project, and worksheet Microsoft Office documents that can be used to help plan your implementation.
    • Installing Guide: This guide provides the information that you need to install Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, such as step-by-step instructions for running Setup, command-line installation instructions for silent installations, and guidance about how to remove Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.
    • Operating and Maintaining Guide: This guide gives you information about how to back up, restore, and provide data recovery for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. Additionally, this guide provides troubleshooting steps for known issues.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1ceb5e01-de9f-48c0-8ce2-51633ebf4714&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Pre-release Software Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 Community Technology Preview (CTP)

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0 are the next generation development tools and platform for Windows Vista, the 2007 Office System, and the Web.

    Overview

    Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0 mark the next generation of developer tools from Microsoft. Designed to address the latest needs of developers, Visual Studio delivers key innovations in the following pillars:
    Democratizing Application Lifecycle Management
    Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) crosses many roles within an organization and traditionally not every one of the roles has been an equal player in the process. Visual Studio Team System 2010 continues to build the platform for functional equality and shared commitment across an organization’s ALM process.
    Enabling emerging trends
    Every year the industry develops new technologies and new trends. With Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0, Microsoft delivers tooling and framework support for the latest innovations in application architecture, development and deployment.
    Inspiring developer delight
    Ever since the first release of Visual Studio, Microsoft has set the bar for developer productivity and flexibility. Visual Studio 2010 continues to deliver on the core developer experience by significantly improving upon it for roles involved with the software development process. .NET Framework 4.0 contains numerous improvements that make it easier to develop powerful and compelling applications.
    Riding the next generation platform wave
    Microsoft continues to invest in the market leading operating system, productivity application and server platforms to deliver increased customer value in these offerings. With Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 customers will have the tooling support and the platform support needed to create amazing solutions around these technologies.
    For more information on Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0 visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vs2008/products/cc948977.aspx
    This CTP release is available in English only as a Virtual PC image. To download Virtual PC 2007 please visit http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=28C97D22-6EB8-4A09-A7F7-F6C7A1F000B5&displaylang=en
    The CTP is designed to enable users to experience Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0, and to provide feature design feedback on a limited set of features. These features are exposed through a set of walkthroughs that are included in the VPC itself. Many common development scenarios may not work in this CTP as it is designed to support the above walkthroughs.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=922b4655-93d0-4476-bda4-94cf5f8d4814&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Report Builder 2.0

    Brief Description

    Report Builder 2.0
    Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Report Builder 2.0 provides an intuitive report authoring environment for business and power users. It supports the full capabilities of SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services. The download provides a stand-alone installer for Report Builder 2.0

    Overview

    Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Report Builder 2.0 delivers an intuitive, Office-like report authoring environment enabling business and power users to leverage their experience with Microsoft Office 2007 products. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Report Builder 2.0 supports the full capabilities of SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services including:

    • Flexible report layout caabilities of SQL Server 2008 Report Definition Language
    • Data Visualizations including charts and gauges
    • Richly formatted textboxes
    • Export to Microsoft Office Word format

    Features specific to Report Builder 2.0 are focused on simplifying the process of creating and editing reports and queries and include the following:

    • Easy to use wizards for creating table, matrix and chart data regions
    • Support for directly opening and editing reports stored on the report server
    • Support for using server resources such as shared data sources
    • Query designers for multiple data sources including a Microsoft SQL Server-specific query designer

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9f783224-9871-4eea-b1d5-f3140a253db6&DisplayLang=en

    Windows CE101 Training Course Materials

    Brief Description

    This online training is intended for two different developer communities (Embedded and Windows) who would like to start developing Embedded Windows CE devices.

    Overview

    This online training is intended for two different developer communities who would like to start developing Embedded Windows CE devices. These developers are:
    1. Embedded Developers starting out in Embedded Windows CE
    2. Windows Developers wanting to start in the embedded world of Embedded Windows CE.
    There are nine module for the training. This includes the first module which provides a flowchart of how to navigate the training and what each module covers. There are 2 module 1s, 1e and 1w. Depending on what type of Developer you are, determines which Module 1 you start with. Module 2 -9 is intended for all developers. There are also Lab and Demo materials for download.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b91fa334-96f5-4298-adf8-5c0c80a927c8&DisplayLang=en

    Security, Policy & Compliance

    IT Compliance Management Guide

    Brief Description

    The IT Compliance Management Guide is intended for IT managers and IT professionals who must plan for and address the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) requirements of their organizations.

    Overview

    The IT Compliance Management Guide.zip file includes the following files:

    • IT Compliance Management Guide.docx. This guide will prepare you for a conversation with GRC subject matter experts such as attorneys, auditors, specialists, and consultants working for your organization. It introduces an approach based on Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) 4.0 that can help you address compliance requirements as well as organization-wide governance initiatives.
    • IT Compliance Management Resources.xlsx. This Microsoft Excel workbook contains four worksheets. The Instructions worksheet provides reader instructions on the use of the tabs within this workbook. The GRC Control Objectives worksheet contains high-level objectives applicable to an IT department assigned GRC duties. The GRC Configuration Job Aids worksheet contains GRC objectives and associated Microsoft product configuration guidance to meet these objectives. The GRC Management Inventory worksheet contains GRC management guidance and additional product guidance for the management of a GRC solution.

    This Solution Accelerator also includes the following files:

    • Release Notes.rtf. Provides information about updates and changes to the IT Compliance Management Guide.
    • IT Compliance Management Guide data sheet.docx. A two-page overview of the IT Compliance Management Guide that describes its purpose and provides other relevant information for IT managers and IT professionals.

    Note: The IT Compliance Management Guide replaces the Regulatory Compliance Planning Guide version 1.0, published July 7, 2006.
    To ask questions or provide feedback, subscribe to the Compliance Management Forum. This forum also provides the ability to join discussions and collaborate on GRC-related compliance management issues with your peers.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bd930882-0d39-4900-9a79-b91f213ed15d&DisplayLang=en

    Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs

    Brief Description

    This toolkit is intended to help you secure the data on your organization’s mobile PCs--in a cost-effective way--using Encrypting File System (EFS) and Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption (BitLocker) technologies.

    Overview

    The Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs describes how to effectively use both EFS and BitLocker to help address your organization's requirements to protect data on mobile PCs. The Toolkit also provides you with software tools and scripts to help you centrally configure, deploy, and manage encryption settings on all your mobile PCs.
    The Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs includes the following four components:

    • Executive Overview. This document provides a broad survey from a business and regulatory perspective of how mobile data is at risk and how the Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs can help. It also provides information about how you can use the guidance and tools in this Solution Accelerator as well as tools you may already have licensed to mitigate these risks.
    • Security Analysis. This guide provides an in-depth review of how EFS and BitLocker can help you address the unique risks associated with data on mobile PCs.
    • Planning and Implementation Guide. This guide describes how to plan for, configure, deploy, and operate EFS and BitLocker in your organization.
    • Microsoft Encrypting File System Assistant. The EFS Assistant is a software tool you can use to centrally control EFS settings on all your PCs (the EFS Assistant also works with desktop PCs). The EFS Assistant can help you encrypt the sensitive files on your users' laptops, regardless of where those files are located. In addition, the EFS Assistant operates transparently to end users, eliminating training issues or other impacts. Note that you can obtain the EFS Assistant in one of two ways. The Microsoft version of the tool is available on this page. A community version of the tool is available for download from CodePlex, Microsoft's shared source development site at www.codeplex.com/EFSAssistant.

    To view this solution online at TechNet, click here.
    Send questions or feedback to us directly at secwish@microsoft.com.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1a99576a-fe67-418f-88b1-81e2055fe977&DisplayLang=en

    .NET Rocks! - Andrew Delin on SOX Compliance

    Brief Description

    Carl and Richard talk to Andrew Delin about why developers should care about the Sarbanes Oxley Act and why a compliance plan is in your best interest.

    Overview

    Andrew is a 10-year Microsoft veteran, having contributed to Microsoft’s success in the field and at HQ. Andrew is originally from England where he grew up. At 16, he was working in a bank in London and used to commute to work on the train, reading programming books. So Andrew left banking to study computer science at uni – a life changing move.
    In 1998, Andrew moved to Australia and joined Microsoft Consulting Services. He worked in the field for 9 years, training customers in using the Microsoft Solutions Framework on their projects. Then Andrew started work for the MSF team in Visual Studio and relocated to Redmond.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=13fe0c9c-b5a9-48b6-bec2-530df5bbe0ab&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Antigen SP1 Documentation

    Brief Description

    Microsoft Antigen SP1 Documentation

    Overview

    The Messaging Security Suite includes Antigen for Exchange, Antigen for SMTP Gateways, and Antigen Spam Manager, and provides server-level protection against the latest e-mail threats.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7d00160e-4d15-4459-98a3-89f393ac008e&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 4.0

    Brief Description

    The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT) is a risk-assessment application designed to provide information and recommendations about best practices for security within an information technology (IT) infrastructure.

    Overview

    The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 4.0 is the revised version of the original Microsoft Security Risk Self-Assessment Tool (MSRSAT), released in 2004 and the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 2.0 released in 2006. Security issues have evolved since 2004 so additional questions and answers were needed to ensure you had a comprehensive toolset to become more aware of the evolving security threat landscape that could impact your organization.
    The tool employs a holistic approach to measuring your security posture by covering topics across people, process, and technology. Findings are coupled with prescriptive guidance and recommended mitigation efforts, including links to more information for additional industry guidance. These resources may assist you in keeping you aware of specific tools and methods that can help change the security posture of your IT environment.
    There are two assessments that define the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool:

    • Business Risk Profile Assessment
    • Defense in Depth Assessment (UPDATED)

    The questions identified in the survey portion of the tool and the associated answers are derived from commonly accepted best practices around security, both general and specific. The questions and the recommendations that the tool offers are based on standards such as ISO 17799 and NIST-800.x, as well as recommendations and prescriptive guidance from Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group and additional security resources valued in the industry.
    After completing an Assessment, you will gain access to a detailed report of your results. You may also compare your results with those of your peers (by industry and company size), provided that you upload your results anonymously to the secure MSAT Web server. When you upload your data the application will simultaneously retrieve the most recent data available. To be able to provide this comparative data, we need customers such as you to upload their information. All information is kept strictly confidential and no personally identifiable information whatsoever will be sent. For more information on Microsoft's privacy policy, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/info/privacy.mspx.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cd057d9d-86b9-4e35-9733-7acb0b2a3ca1&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Online Services Sign In Tool V1

    Brief Description

    Client application that enables single sign-on to Microsoft Online Services

    Overview

    Service Client application that enables single sign-on to Microsoft Online Services. With this tool, users can configure Outlook, Internet Explorer and LiveMeeting, then use it logon to the licensed, hosted applications subscribed on Microsoft Online Services.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=01f6c0e4-f897-442a-8462-425f8edddad9&DisplayLang=en

    Other

    Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance

    Brief Description

    Technical documentation for planning, deployment, and operations of Volume Activation 2.0 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Includes the Volume Activation 2.0 Overview Guide, Planning Guide, Deployment Guide, Operations Guide, Resources, FAQ and Technical Attributes.

    Overview
    • Volume Activation 2.0 Overview Guide, Planning Guide, Deployment Guide, Operations Guide - Provides planning, deployment and operational guidance for activating volume editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
    • Volume Activation 2.0 Resources - Provides a list of resources for Volume Activation 2.0.
    • Volume Activation 2.0 FAQ - Answers to frequently asked questions about Volume Activation 2.0.
    • Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Attributes - Spreadsheet detailing Volume Activation 2.0 technical attributes.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9893f83e-c8a5-4475-b025-66c6b38b46e3&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Work Group Server Protocol Program License Agreement (All IP) for Development and Product Distribution

    Brief Description

    This is the Work Group Server Protocol Program (WSPP) License Agreement (All IP) for Development and Product Distribution

    Overview

    This is the license agreement for all IP for the Microsoft Work Group Server Protocol Program (WSPP) that allows for development and product distribution under the WSPP.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=32420e6c-a93a-424c-a983-22d67643eefb&DisplayLang=en

    1658_ClosingSalesNight

    Brief Description

    1658_ClosingSalesNight
    1658_ClosingSalesNight

    Overview

    1658_ClosingSalesNight

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=70637352-e1e8-4209-981a-4770a7a493c3&DisplayLang=en

    Volume Licensing Program Guides, Datasheets, and FAQs

    Brief Description

    Volume Licensing documents, including program guides, datasheets, and FAQs

    Overview

    The Microsoft Volume Licensing program guides provide comprehensive descriptions of Volume Licensing programs, including information about Microsoft Software Assurance. Download these guides to get details about things such as program features, benefits, requirements, pricing, and agreement structure.
    The datasheets provide an overview of Volume Licensing programs. Use these documents to get at-a-glance information about benefits, licensing options, pricing, Software Assurance benefits, and more.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e8798816-b0ba-4337-ba38-8fe2cf32b5d8&DisplayLang=en

    Zune Client software, version 3.0

    Brief Description

    PC software for Zune

    Overview

    You will need this software to sync contents from a PC to a Zune device.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6136349f-2b32-4946-83b5-a09775531ef4&DisplayLang=en

    Microsoft Pre-Split and Post-Split Closing Stock Prices

    Brief Description

    List of weekly closing stock prices.

    Overview

    List of weekly closing stock prices, including unadjusted prices and prices adjusted for all stock splits.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4c0b1e02-adf3-4e79-9534-f8b664d3f84c&DisplayLang=en

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Stop stealing my blog posts.....

    • 8 Comments

    There has been some discussion recently on some DL's here at Microsoft about sites that re-post blog posts without permission. I will call it what it is which is the theft of copyrighted materials for the purpose of monetary gain. I don't like saying copyrighted because copyrights get a bad rap these days depending on who you speak to, but from the perspective that *I* sat down and *I* wrote the blog post, the work does belong to me. If someone else wants to repost it, at least credit me with the original posting. Anyway.....most of the talk on the DL is about how to address it and deal with it and block it and stop it and blah blah blah blah....I decided to blog about it and then see if this post would get stolen too.

    Check this out...if you look at the comments for my three most recent posts to my blog --

    More P2V Conversion FUN with SCVMM 2008...

    Four machines down and one to go!

    Slides and additional info from Technet Presentation...

    All three of those posts have a pingback linking to mstechnews.info and then the first parts of my posts duplicated verbatim with a link back to my posts near the end of each entry. If you click on the calendar links to the right you will see that several Technet and MSDN blogs are getting the same treatment all in the quest for advertising dollars from some unscrupulous miscreant.

    In reality I don't care all that much because it isn't taking money away from me. I receive no advertising revenue from my blog. But I don't like what I am doing to be diluted. I also don't like people getting redirected off to 3rd party sites that are sprinkled with ads, click-throughs and who knows what else. I really don't like what I am posting to get listed as "Anonymous" when I am hardly anonymous. If I wanted to post things anonymously I would create an anonymous blog.

    So...to the owner of mstechnews.info... If you want to link to me....fine. If you want to use pieces of my blog posts in your own.....also fine....as long as you credit me. But please.....

     

    Stop stealing my blog posts......

     

    Cheers....

    ps....I will start deleting these kind of pingbacks in the future.

     

    note......WHOIS on mstechnews.info via CodeFlux

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    More P2V Conversion FUN with SCVMM2008...

    • 1 Comments

    I still can't believe how easy and dare I say....fun....converting my physical machines to VM's with SCVMM2008! I did hit my first roadblock today while converting a test machine that has some SSL features enabled though. Specifically the FTP over SSL in the IIS7 on Windows 2008. SCVMM uses TCP ports 80 and 443 for communicating to the source machine during conversion and for installing a temporary agent to the source machine. If the source machine already has a service listening on TCP 443, you will see the following error shortly after selecting Scan System in the Convert Physical to Virtual Wizard -

                                                clip_image002

    I initially tried stopping all of the IIS based services but that did not resolve the issue. I even followed the directions in the error by adding the P2VBITSTcpPort reg key and trying the conversion again. I was on the right track but what the message above doesn't tell you is that you also have to restart the Virtual Machine Manager service before the new port will get read into SCVMM. After restarting the service I was able to get past that error and move onto the rest of the conversion. According to one of our techs this is being added to the SCVMM help content so we know to restart the service.

    Cheers!

  • chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology....

    Four machines down and one to go!

    • 2 Comments

    subtitled.....Using System Center Virtual Machine Manager to help reduce my physical machine count....

    Back in May I posted about some changes I was making to my home network. I did move a few things around but then I pushed the project aside. Two machines, godzilla and phoney, are no more. Godzilla was giving me too many hardware issues to be worth keeping around any longer, and phoney.....well....phoney is 14 yrs old. I couldn't get rid of it, so it just got pushed into a closet. I will no doubt boot the machine up annually just to see how many more years it will hold out.

    Other changes......

    I recently installed Windows and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 to one of my quad-core boxes and started doing P2V conversions so I could just power down some additional old machines. I decided it was time to start being a little more green and also donate some machines to people who could do something with them besides run a bunch of pointless servers out of their house.

    If you go back and read the post I linked to above, I have virtualized my webserver (wallace) as well as my Exchange Edge server (crashnburn). I used the Physical to Virtual conversion tools in SCVMM2008 to do flawless conversions of both machines. I was amazed at how easy it was. It is pretty time consuming though. It took about 2 hours to convert wallace and about 90 minutes to convert crashnburn. Measure that against building out a VM from scratch and migrating the data and I will take the P2V conversion any day.

    As I write this, I am running the P2V conversion against sleestak. This machine was converted about 2 months ago to be an additional DC for my existing internal domain and to load balance DNS queries from the Internet. It is also my WSUS server. It has been converting for about 45 mins or so and I suspect it has another 30-45 before it is completely finished. When this one completes, I will have three physical computers I can power down. I will keep them around for a couple of weeks just in case anything squirrelly happens with their virtualized counterparts, but I feel confident I won't have to bring them back up in their old roles. That means two of the machines get donated while the other becomes a spare box for testing and as a spare in case anything bad happens to any of the remaining boxes.

    The new(current) plan is to build out one more SCVMM platform and move bobobobobobobo into a VM and move one of the VM's from humvee (the name of the new Hyper-V/SCVMM server) over to share the load. That will leave me with wallofvoodoo (ISA Firewall), humvee, and unknown (whatever I name the new Hyper-V server) as physical boxes in my basement. I think that last time I only had 3 production machines running in my home lab was 10 years ago. I suspect my basement will be a little cooler this next summer.....

    Whoa! Just checked on the crashnburn conversion and it seems to have finished up. So I am signing off to power down another machine and test mail flow!

    Cheers!

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