Microsoft TechNet South Africa IT Pro Blog

Download the Free ISA Server 2006 Virtual Hard Disk

Use the power of virtual machines to evaluate ISA Server 2006, without the need for dedicated servers or complex installations.

Read the full article (in English)

URL >> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=234c9dda-5452-4946-9e2f-d4b64082814e&DisplayLang=en

Windows Server Code Name “Longhorn” Beta 3

The next generation of the Windows Server operating system gives you more control, greater flexibility, and increased protection for your server infrastructure while reducing time and costs. And when you download or order the beta software, you're automatically registered to access valuable beta resources assembled in one convenient Beta Central location.

Read the full article (in English)

URL >> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/beta/lhs/default.mspx

Scripting for IT Professionals Who Can't Write Code, On IT’s Showtime!

In this session, learn the basics of writing script code, code that can then be used to write functional automation scripts. As a bonus, learn when NOT to write scripts by using your ability to understand sample scripts and customize them into powerful administration tools. Finally, learn the deep secrets of the command prompt in Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and the Microsoft Shell, that can be used to build automation tools that make your job easier.

http://www.microsoft.com/emea/itsshowtime/southafrica/sessionh.aspx?videoid=214

Image Engineering: Creating Your Perfect Windows Vista Desktop, On IT’s Showtime!

Running SQL Server on "Microsoft Windows Server Longhorn" or Microsoft Windows Vista

In an effort to provide customers with more secure products, Microsoft Windows Server "Longhorn" and Microsoft Windows Vista will only support the follow on release to SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later. Earlier versions of SQL Server, including SQL Server 2000 (all editions including Desktop Engine edition, a.k.a MSDE), SQL Server 7.0, and SQL Server 6.5, will not be supported on Windows Server "Longhorn" or Windows Vista. Customers running applications with these earlier versions of SQL Server should consider evaluating and upgrading to SQL Server 2005, which was designed to take advantage of the upcoming security and performance enhancements in the operating environment.

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/sqlonvista.mspx 

Anti-Malware Technologies in Windows Vista, On IT's Showtime!

This session will cover how Windows is better protected against malware attacks, better at removing infections, and better at limiting potential harm from malicious software. The main focus will be on our anti-malware technologies found in Windows Vista including an architecture overview of Windows Defender (formerly Windows AntiSpyware) and the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT). Come see how secure using Windows Vista can be.

http://www.microsoft.com/emea/itsshowtime/southafrica/sessionh.aspx?videoid=205 

Windows Vista System Integrity Technologies, On IT’s Showtime!

For most of the history of computing, operating systems have lived in their own little bubbles of trust. Every part of an operating system pretty much assumed that every other part was exactly what it claimed to be and performed only what it claimed it could do. Recent attacks, though, have shown that such implicit trust is no longer suitable for computers that connect to hostile environments. In this session, Steve Riley explores how these technologies work to thwart malware's attempts to take over your computer.

http://www.microsoft.com/emea/itsshowtime/southafrica/sessionh.aspx?videoid=223 

Microsoft Extends Virtualization Strategy, Outlines Product Road Map