West Region News for Education

We've Moved

2009-09-19T07:09:00Z

Check out our new location at http://blogs.technet.com/education/...(read more)

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Availability & KMS Updates

2009-07-28T02:31:00Z

I wanted to give you an update on the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 release timelines. The following dates are 99% firm, but please remember the Windows product teams always reserve the right to make last minute changes. Finally, the prescriptive guidance has been updated on TechNet and IT Springboard , so mark these dates on your calendar and start making your deployment plans! August 7, 2009 Volume License customers with an existing Software Assurance license will be able to download Windows...(read more)

Bing Content Filtering

2009-06-05T19:35:21Z

Hopefully, by now you have checked out Microsoft’s new web search/decision engine, Bing.com . In short, Bing is a decision engine that goes beyond what people have come to think of as search — it will help people use the Web to accomplish more complicated decision-based tasks, rather than simply navigating the Web. If you’d like more information on what can be done with Bing, you can view the Product Tour Video . Since the release early this week, there has been some news about perceived...(read more)

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Arrive October 22, 2009

2009-06-03T19:18:29Z

Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM (Release to Manufacture) code is on track to be available to Microsoft partners sometime in the 2 nd half of July. Windows Server 2008 R2 will also be broadly available about the same time as the Windows 7 “General Availability” date of October 22, 2009. For more information on these great new products check out these team blogs. Windows Server Blog Windows Team Blog...(read more)

Check Out Bing!

2009-06-03T18:07:57Z

Microsoft has just released a great new search service called Bing. Here’s some cool things you can try : BETTER RESULTS Get hard to find information, like customer service numbers, with authoritative results. Save time with a 5 day weather forecast for your location. Find instant real time traffic for your area. ORGANIZED RESULTS Categorized search results with the Explorer Pane and Quick Tabs help you find relevant information more quickly. ACCOMPLISH KEY TASKS Simplify shopping online, compare...(read more)

Free eBook “Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008”

2009-05-28T18:13:26Z

Right now is the perfect time to begin to enhance your skills on business intelligence with Microsoft Business Intelligence technology by checking out the new training resources, including an offer for a free licensed copy of SQL Server 2008 with training, a free eBook “Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008” , and a 35% discount on books from MS Press on the Microsoft Office system including SharePoint. ...(read more)

Microsoft Partner Resources

2009-05-27T21:36:48Z

There is significant momentum behind IT infrastructure and application platform Optimization that Microsoft partners often evangelize to help institutions be successful in their administration and deployment challenges. To support this effort Microsoft maintains a partner resource site that anyone can access if they know where to look. Check out “Microsoft Optimization Partner Resources” . There you will find an overview of the optimization models, industry specific information,...(read more)

Windows Server 2008 R2 RC Releases!

2009-05-15T20:28:16Z

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 will be the next version of the Windows Server operating system from Microsoft. Building on the features and capabilities of the current Windows Server 2008 release version, Windows Server 2008 R2 allows you to create organization solutions that are easier to plan, deploy, and manage than previous versions of Windows Server. Developing upon the increased security, reliability, and performance provided by Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 extends connectivity...(read more)

2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 Released

2009-04-29T00:20:48Z

The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides customers with the latest updates to the 2007 Office suite. Today’s download includes two types of fixes: Previously unreleased fixes that were made specifically for this service pack. All of the Public Updates, Security Updates, Cumulative Updates, and Hot Fixes released through February 2009. In addition to general product fixes, this includes improvements in stability, performance, and security. You can find out more information in...(read more)

Forefront Security for Office Communications Server RTM Available

2009-03-17T20:12:21Z

I just received this update from the Forefront Security Blog . Forefront Security for Office Communication Server ( FSOCS ) provides fast and effective protection against IM-based malware for OCS 2007 and OCS 2007 R2 environments by including multiple scanning engines from industry-leading security partners. FSOCS also helps reduce corporate liability by blocking instant messages containing inappropriate content. This release includes: 64bit support Support for OCS 2007 R2 Support for OCS 2007 Enterprise...(read more)

Higher Education Technical Conference – Registration Open

2009-02-23T18:59:44Z

Each year we host IT Pros from universities all around the country (and the world) in Redmond for a three day conference. This is organized by a committee from the Windows Higher Education (HIED) listsrv hosted by Stanford University and has a focus on NOT being a sales event, rather a chance for administrators in higher education to interface directly with product teams in Redmond and listen in on technical presentations regarding infrastructure focused solutions. Even if you are not a subscriber...(read more)

Service Pack Blocker Tool Expires

2009-02-19T19:32:16Z

I know of some institutions have implemented the Windows XP SP3 Windows Update “Service Pack Blocker Tool”. This tool was meant to delay the automatic Windows Update distribution of Windows XP Service Pack 3 for a one year period. I just want to give everyone a heads up that the expiration of this “delay mechanism” is near, so you may test and verify Windows XP SP3 in your environments. The Service Pack Blocker Tool temporarily prevented the installation of a service pack through Windows Update,...(read more)

Higher Education Symposium: April 7th, Irvine, California

2009-01-30T20:02:06Z

This is an announcement for Higher Education Administrators and Managers in the West Region of the United States. At Microsoft, we believe that, by taking a proactive approach, you can not only sustain your institution through these trying times, but also make progress toward achieving your institution’s objectives. It doesn’t always require major new investments to improve your IT infrastructure and efficiency – from the server room to your workstations. Join us and find out how you can take steps...(read more)

Cloud Computing: The Best of Both Worlds

2008-11-27T03:53:05Z

Anthony Salcito, Microsoft’s general manager for U.S. public-sector education, said during his appearance at the Educause Conference in Orlando, Florida, “We want people to have the best of both worlds,” he continued, “Flexibility is key. We want scientists to be able to start a Word document in a shared workspace with colleagues in a cloud, and then get on an airplane, where they don’t have access to the Web, and finish it on a laptop.” Several education trade...(read more)

Northwest Training Opportunities

2008-10-31T19:25:40Z

In the coming weeks there are some great training opportunities. Netdesk, one of the Northwest's leading Microsoft technical training companies, is reviving their FIRST LOOK events . Your staff get a first look at new technologies from one of their top instructors at these free 3-hour presentations. These Netdesk events are free, but space is limited. You can RSVP by clicking on the REGISTER link for the event you want. Also in November, join Netdesk for a FAB LAB on Hyper-V . In this free, 3-hour...(read more)