The Microsoft TechNet Australia Blog

Info straight from the Microsoft Tech Audience team in Australia, Yes we are real Microsoft people and we love geeks!

April, 2007

  • APAC SharePoint Conference

    The Sharepoint team is organising the APAC SharePoint Conference here in Sydney.  Following is more information and details how to register:

    APAC SharePoint Conference

    After two highly successful conferences in Seattle and Berlin, seats for the Microsoft® APAC SharePoint® Conference in Sydney are sure to sell out. This world-class, two-day conference, to be held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney from May 15-16, will showcase the latest innovations, features and functionality for the 2007 SharePoint products and technologies.

    BRAND NEW DEEP DIVE CONTENT from US and APAC SharePoint experts

    SharePoint experts from the Redmond SharePoint product group such as Derek Burney (General Manager), Mike Fitzmaurice and Joel Oleson (both Senior Technical Product Managers), will provide attendees with deep technical training and demos for the latest release of SharePoint products and technologies: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Windows®  SharePoint Services 3.0, and Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007. And for the first time in Australia, information on Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 will be presented.


    Who will benefit the most:
    Over 2 days, IT Professionals, Developers and Architects can access hands-on training and deep-dive technical "how to" breakout sessions covering subjects such as architecture, security, integration, deployment, migration, management and scalability. Sessions are aimed to help attendees best develop, customise, integrate and build powerful enterprise-ready solutions with SharePoint products and technologies.

    How much: Only $AUD549 +GST per attendee, which includes access to all sessions, including keynotes, attendee materials, breakfast and lunch, a welcome reception, conference dinner attendee party, and chances to win prizes.


    Visit the APAC SharePoint Conference 2007 Web site to find out more about the conference, including the full agenda, registration details and to read more about SharePoint 2007 products and technologies.

  • Windows Server "Longhorn" upgrade exam voucher

    Info from our MS Press team regarding Longhorn Certification:
    Windows Server 2003 credential holders will have the most efficient path to Windows Server "Longhorn" certifications. As a benefit to our customers who are certified on current Microsoft technology, we are offering a 40 percent saving voucher (available worldwide) to help Windows Server 2003 customers get a head start on our next release. As a Windows Server 2003 customer with an early certification on Longhorn, you will be well placed to support early adopting organizations that will require skills on both platforms. To receive your voucher, you must satisfy the following two requirements.

    • Complete registration for your voucher by June 30, 2007.
    • Hold a completed MCSA or MCSE on Windows Server 2003 by June 30, 2007.

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/upgrade/ws2003/offer/default.mspx

  • Get Longhorn Beta 3 today

    Windows Server "Longhorn" Beta 3 is ready.  Get it today or learn more about it.







  • How to become an exceptional security manager

    Good article in Computerworld taking tips from a surgeon's textbook and applying it to IT Security Management.

    "The number one indicator for above-average medical care was often simply consistency. In the story related on NPR, the author discussed how one doctor was able to have significantly longer survival rates for his cystic fibrosis patients (47 years) as compared to the national average (33 years). The secret? Consistency. The doctor determined that many patients simply were not taking the recommended medicines consistently and timely. Once he realized this, he focused on making his patients more consistent, especially stressing that they should continue to take the medicine during the majority of the time when they felt well. The outcome was significantly longer living patients.

    How many of us work in computer security environments where basic security recommendations are not applied consistently? I think it is nearly impossible to find a company that consistently and universally applies basic security tenets. So, we have inconsistencies, cracks in the system, and bad things are allowed to occur. The very human nature of purposefully allowing inconsistency as a norm leads to below-average outcomes. Taking a personal and institutionalized interest in applying basic security principles consistently will mitigate more risk and lead to a more secure environment."

    Read the full article here

  • Register today for your Earlybird Discount for TechEd 2007 Australia

    TechEd 2007 is on the Gold Coast this year during August 7th-10th.  Save $400 on your Tech Ed 2007 registration!  Pay only $1599.

    All the tools you need to make your mark
    Who should attend?
    Anyone wanting to build on their skills to advance their career will benefit. From System Administrators to Web Developers, there's something for everyone at Tech.Ed 2007.

    What's on offer?
    In-depth technical sessions
    With in-depth analysis of a particular product or area, the 14 key Technical Tracks of advanced training will give you practical skills you can take back to your workplace to help you make your mark.

    Pre-conference Deep Dive workshops
    If you want to get a deeper understanding of a particular area, Deep Dive Workshops are the best way to accelerate your skills and get the instructor-led, hands-on experience you need to make your mark.

    Certification
    Go home certified! Sit for industry-recognised certification exams at Tech.Ed 2007 for just $90 and save 50% on the standard price (normally $180 incl GST).

    Access to industry legends
    Mixing with the best of the best in the industry is an opportunity too good to miss. It's a great chance to get noticed and hear the latest IT news first hand. And remember, it's not just what you know...

    Networking
    Catch up with old friends and meet new people that share your interests. Swap stories, exchange ideas and relax and enjoy yourself at the social events.

    Cabana sessions
    Join small informal groups to discuss your area of expertise with Microsoft experts, and get specific advice and information from industry gurus.

    Massive exhibition area
    Be among the first to see the latest and greatest innovations from Microsoft and Partners, covering every area of technology imaginable.

    Generous group discounts
    Not only can employers take advantage of great group packages, sending multiple employees along for invaluable training can give them the calibre of staff others will envy.

    Save $400 with Early Bird - Early Bird Registration, click here
    More info http://www.microsoft.com/australia/teched07/index.aspx

  • Microsoft IT Insight Workshops

    Microsoft IT Showcase proudly presents Insight Workshops, delivered in collaboration between Microsoft Services and Microsoft IT. Offered world-wide and being offered in Australia, this fee-based offering provides IT professionals an opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer technology sharing in a multiple-day workshop environment, providing a unique inside view into Microsoft’s process of developing, deploying and managing Microsoft enterprise solutions.

    Learn about the challenges Microsoft IT faces in managing its large, globally distributed environment. Through Insight Workshops, we help accelerate deployment and adoption of Microsoft technologies, share best practices around productivity gains.

    Unlike training programs, Insight Workshops are interactive, offering customers the opportunity for one-on-one discussions with Microsoft IT professionals who provide a rare insider perspective into Microsoft IT, and answer customer questions in a conversational, intimate format.
     
    Upcoming Microsot IT Insight Workshops
    Microsoft IT Insight - High Availability Messaging Workshop
    Date: 18th and 19th April
    Price:$1750 per attendee
    Location: Microsoft Perth
    Click here to register

    Microsoft IT Insight - Collaboration and Communication Workshop
    Date: 21st and 22nd May
    Price: $1750 per attendee
    Location: Microsoft Melbourne
    Click here to register

    Microsoft IT Insight - Collaboration and Communication Workshop
    Date: 24th and 25th May
    Price: $1750 per attendee
    Location: Microsoft Sydney
    Click here to register

    Microsoft IT Insight - Collaboration and Communication Workshop
    Date: 28th and 29th May
    Price: $1750 per attendee
    Location: Microsoft Brisbane
    Click here to register



  • Microsoft Transporter Suite for Lotus Domino released

    If your organisation is looking to move from IBM's Lotus Domino colloboration server to Exchange 2007 then the new Transporter Suite is for you.  Transporter Suite configures Directory and Free/Busy interoperability between Lotus Domino 6 or 7 and Exchange Server 2007 and Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and migration of users, mail and applications from Lotus Domino 5, 6 or 7 to Active Directory, Exchange Server 2007, and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0.
    Download here
  • TrainIT for Charity Day

    Dimension Data Learning Solutions, is opening up its classrooms on April 27 to host a ‘TrainIT for Charity’ day. The day will comprise of multiple seminar style training sessions.

    All proceeds from the training day will be donated to the Starlight Children’s Foundation to help brighten the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children and their families.

    DDLS and Microsoft are also giving away prizes, including Xbox 360s, training courses and Microsoft Press books. Find out more here http://www.ddls.com.au/marketing/TrainITforCharity/ 

    Starlight Children's Foundation Australia
  • New Internet Speed Record

    "GROUP of researchers led by the University of Tokyo has broken two internet speed records in as many days.  Operators of the high-speed Internet2 network announced that the researchers sent data at 7.67 gigabits per second, using standard communications protocols."

    "With the 10-fold increase, a high-quality version of the movie The Matrix could be sent in a few seconds rather than half a minute over the current Internet2 and two days over a typical home broadband line."

    http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,21619026%5E15306,00.html