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!

September, 2009

  • Get yourself a Windows 7 Hoodie or T-Shirt at TechEd this year

    The TechEd 2009 freebies don’t stop at a free netbook with Windows 7 RTM, we are also giving away some funky Windows 7 Hoodies and T-Shirts this year at TechEd 2009.  Our resident model Elaine was kind enough to show off the items for us!

    What do you need to do?
    Easy. You need to be attending TechEd and then promote the newly announced Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial for IT Professionals on Twitter during the conference (8th – 11th September) with the hashtag #auteched.  We will be monitoring the Twitter feed and will pick the most creative tweets on the day. We’ll let you know on Twitter if you were picked, then remember to pick up your Hoodie or T-Shirt from the TechNet Pod in the Technology showcase area.

    Catch you next week on the Gold Coast!

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  • Daylight Savings changes in Western Australia – prepare now!

    Daylight Savings time changes can have a significant impact on business performance if not dealt with proactively. Effects can range from the incorrect time display on the clock, to calendaring problems, to changes in business critical services that are time dependent. This year, Western Australians rejected by referendum a proposal to extend their trial of daylight savings. As a result there will be no daylight savings in WA this year or for the foreseeable future. The time change was scheduled for 25 October, but will no longer occur.

    We encourage customers to review their preparedness for these changes. See the Australia 2009 Daylight Saving Planning Guide.

  • Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial

    Many IT pros we talk to have been looking for a way to continue their work with the Release Candidate to test their applications, hardware and deployment strategies with final Windows 7 bits. In response, we have created the Windows 7 Enterprise 90 Day trial edition, available beginning today.

    This evaluation version is for IT Professionals who do not yet have access to Windows 7 RTM through one of the following means:

    • Through a Software Assurance Volume License agreement
    • Through MSDN and TechNet subscriptions
    • Through Software Assurance agreements allowing the download of Windows 7 RTM via the Volume Licensing Download Center.

    If you do not have access to licenses through one of the above means, this release will provide a means to have the final released code for evaluation and testing. This evaluation release is specifically intended for IT professionals responsible for desktop administration; consumers will be able to purchase Windows 7 on October 22, 2009

    A few things to be aware of before you download the Evaluation code from the Springboard Series site on TechNet:

    A limited number of licenses are available, so the download will only be available while supplies last.

    • Following the 90 day evaluation period, IT Pros who wish to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications.
    • Windows 7 Enterprise Edition 90-Day Trial is the final Released-to-Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 Enterprise Edition. This is the same software that is available to Volume Licensing (VL) through Software Assurance (SA) and is feature-complete.
    • Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese in both 32 and 64 bit versions.
    • Activation of Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is required within 10 days after installation, or the product will shut down every hour. Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is valid for 90 days after installation. After expiration, your computer will shut down every hour.

    If you wish to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise please note that you will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications. Please keep this in mind; Windows 7 Enterprise is not available through retail channels.

    For more technical guidance, tips, and tools you can keep up all the general technical information and news by following the Springboard Series blog, becoming a Springboard Insider or by following our Twitter feed @MSspringboard

  • TechNet Virtual Conference September

    UPDATE: The sessions are available now On-Demand

    We are starting the TechNet Virtual Conference series this month.  These are sessions targeted at various IT Professionals, there should be something for everyone!  Register today.

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    TechNet Virtual Conference Friday 25 September
    10.00am-11.00am IT Manager Session: How Microsoft does IT: Save Time, Save Energy
    11.30am-12.30pm Desktop/End User Specialist Session: Windows 7 Manageability Solutions
    1.00pm-2.00pm Line of Business/Applications Specialist Session: SQL Server Consolidation/Virtualisation
    2.30pm-3.30pm Infrastructure Specialist Session: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Group Policy Changes

  • Win $5,000 for a Windows 7 Application idea!

    There is only four days left in this competition we launched at TechEd. 

    Got a great idea for a Windows 7 application? Well, this is your chance to win $5,000 to bring it to life.

    Come up with an idea for a Windows 7 application that answers the question:
    How Windows 7 can change...:

    • the way I work?
    • the way my organisation will run? or
    • my world (in areas of healthcare or education or sustainability)?

    Your idea will be judged equally on the following criteria:

    1. Is it unique, inspiring and creative?
    2. Is it achievable? Consider how simple it is to implement and the development time required.
    3. What impact will it have upon the way you work, your organisation and/or your community?

    To enter, email your idea, name, address and phone number and original idea to win7idea@microsoft.com. You can also post your idea on the Tech•Ed Australia Facebook page

    Be sure to outline how your idea could improve the way you work, how your organisation operates or how it benefits your community. Or discuss your ideas with the community and Microsoft staff. You may get feedback that could help you turn a good idea into a winning one.

    The winning idea will remain the intellectual property of its creator. The best ideas may be published on this page and/or at Tech•Ed. You can enter as many ideas as you like. Good luck! Terms and conditions apply.

  • Microsoft WebsiteSpark Launched!

    WebsiteSpark_Banner 
    Microsoft® WebsiteSpark™ ignites success in the Web business by helping Web Pros to drive new business opportunities through connections with partners and customers around the world. WebsiteSpark also provides Web Pros with Microsoft software and solutions, as well as support and training opportunities. By participating in WebsiteSpark, Network Partners, including Hosting Partners, gain exposure as a Microsoft partner and join an ecosystem that includes not only Web development and design companies but also their customers.

    WebsiteSpark can help you to drive new business opportunities and expand your customer base. You benefit from co-marketing activities to drive demand toward your portfolio of Web solutions. Then you can extend your reach by exposing your services to the broad set of Microsoft customers and partners.

    You also can benefit from professional support and training from Microsoft engineers, Hosting Partners, Network Partners, and peers from around the world. You receive free online training, trainer mentoring, and webinars.

    As a participant in WebsiteSpark, you get discounts on software and solutions to bring to market your sites and applications based on the Microsoft Windows® Web platform. You receive fast, easy, and immediate access to current Microsoft development tools, Web platform technologies, and production licenses of server products. This can help you to improve your development and design productivity.

    For more details visit the WebsiteSpark home