SQL Server 2008 R2 is here! Get to know the new features and capabilities like Application and Multi-server Management, PowerPivot, Master Data Services, Report Builder 3.0, StreamInsight! Microsoft, Dell, MaximumASP and PASS provide a free hosted demo environment on http://www.previewsqlserver.com/ for you to test SQL Server 2008 R2 with several interesting labs.
The new opportunities with SQL Server 2008 R2 are also shown at our TechNet Techtalk at Wallisellen on the 27th of Mai at now cost (in German). Registration under: TechTalk- SQL Server 2008 R2 – Was ist neu.

I can also recommend our Reviewers Guide, which gives you insights about all the new features of SQL Server 2008 R2 on a technical level.

More on SQL Server 2008 R2 including Case Studies: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/tour/en/default.aspx
Download SQL Server 2008 R2 Trial and Express (up to 10GB DBs in Express now!): http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/R2Downloads.aspx

Downloads of the other editions in the TechNet or MSDN Portal will be available in early May…

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Today Microsoft announced that Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 and Visual Studio 2010 will be last releases of our products with support for Intel Itanium Processors.

http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2010/04/02/windows-server-2008-r2-to-phase-out-itanium.aspx

Support  for shipped products continue as per the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy

The security of our products is an important matter for us at Microsoft. In order to support you to optimum effect in the secure operation of your IT infrastructure, Microsoft has released an unscheduled security update. We only ever issue unscheduled security updates for important reasons.

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6, 7 or 8 we recommend that you install this security update as quickly as possible. You can use the link below or Microsoft Update

Further information and the link to download the security updates can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms10-018.mspx.

Swisscom has launched a new Television offering: “Swisscom TV air” for computers and Mobile Phones.

Live TV, Video on Demand and also Sport Events, that are currently only available on Swisscom-TV und Teleclub is now available to everyone in Switzerland.

The platform supports HD (H.264) and is based on Microsoft Silverlight, PlayReady and IIS Smooth Streaming

A webcast series, level 300, “Migration from IE6 to IE8” is being offered until the end of March 2010. The webcasts will show what tools are available to you, plus the effort needed to migrate your environment to Internet Explorer 8.

Find a suitable date and time for you to view the webcast from the Webcast Calendar