Ritchie's Technical ranting

Then download and test Internet Explorer 7 beta 2. I like it a lot, all of the features that I've been wanting for some time now and then some.

• tabs, of course, but with a twist :
  • tab groups
  • quick tabs (a.k.a. tab preview)
• integrated RSS support (RSS detection and subscription services)
• security awareness :
  • fix my settings
  • address bar protection
  • security status bar (RED = BAD :))
• security technology :
  • anti-phishing
  • cross domain barriers
  • IDN anti-spoofing
  • URL handling security
• standards support
  • improved CSS 2.1 support
  • PNG Alpha channel (finally)

I love it, but try it here : http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7/ie7betaredirect.mspx and feel free to leave a comment.

BTW. did you know the Internet Explorer team has a blog too ? Check it out here and leave them a message : http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/default.aspx

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

As many of you probably already know, the Microsoft Belgium & Luxembourg IT Pro community is gearing up for the Developer & IT Pro Days 2006 that we are hosting on March 7 & 8 at the ICC in Ghent.

We are now rolling with a full agenda for both audiences with a total of 54 technical sessions delivered by some of the very best speakers from around the world. You can always check out our agenda at http://www.dev-itprodays.be. But let's just say that as a technical kick off for Windows Vista and Office "12", this is one event you definitely do not want to miss !!. 

If you want to link to the event, feel free to use the buttons and banners we posted at this link : http://www.microsoft.com/belux/nl/devitprodays/downloads.aspx

cu there !!

Check out the Belgian IT's Showtime page. We have just put up a great spoof of our latest project on improving our products and ultimately customer satisfaction.

An initiative that demonstrates the extremes to which we are prepared to go to connect to our customers. The initiative, code named WSYP (‘we-zi-p’), is discussed in a video recently published in the IT Pro video-on-demand portal IT’s Showtime! by TechNet that hosts on-demand videos by Microsoft technology experts.  Check this out and spread the word [:D]

I'll let the text I just sent out to the Belgian IT Pro's do the introduction work [:)]. Enjoy the blog and feel free to leave me a message.

Welcome aboard flight ms2005-9, this is your captain speaking...

I've always wanted to say this, and just having taken up the responsibility for the IT Pro Audience Marketing in Belgium and Luxembourg gave me the perfect opportunity.

Please allow me introduce myself. My name is Ritchie Houtmeyers, born in 1975 and passionate about computers and IT ever since I opened the box of my first Commodore64 back in 1989.  I'm quite sure I'm not the only one who still thinks back fondly to that little brown box.

In 1997 I started my career as a helpdesk assistant, explaining customers how the "Start" button worked in Windows 95. Next I did five years of consultancy, migrating customers to Windows NT4, suffering through NT4 SP4, Y2K projects and the first Exchange 2000 projects. In January 2002 Microsoft offered me the chance to be a technical specialist supporting the sales team.

Through the years I found there is no better source for technical information than the IT Pro community. Going from articles over newsgroups to weblogs on sites like http://www.myitforum.com, http://www.isaserver.org, and of course Microsoft TechNet.

So when the opportunity to take up the role of IT Pro Audience Manager came up at Microsoft Belgium I did not hesitate. Now I have the chance to help foster and grow the community which helped me all these years. You may always contact me at: tnbewm@microsoft.com or simply leave a post on my weblog at : Ritchie’s Technical ranting

To kick off the TechNet Belgium learning season we have a spade of upcoming events in September. You’ll find all relevant information about content and registration further in this email and of course on TechNet Belgium.

I'll conclude this editorial by drawing your attention to two events in particular : Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 with our Belgian SQL Server 2005 Roadshow tour starting soon in a city near you, and Microsoft IT Forum 2005, by far the #1 event for IT Pro’s across Europe. Remember you get a 400 EUR discount until October 7th.

Kind Regards, see you soon at one of our TechNet events.

Ritchie Houtmeyers
IT Pro Audience Manager
Microsoft Belgium