We have a super easy competition running at the moment that could see you take home two
fantastic prizes! There's only three days left to enter so you better get in quick though...

All it takes it downloading one of the R2 previews – these are the latest Microsoft
virtualisation and management tools, which provide a wealth of advancements to
help IT professionals build, deliver and manage cloud infrastructure for their
businesses.

Take the latest Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview and System Center 2012 R2 Preview
releases for a spin, and you go in the draw for a bumper prize pack. One lucky
winner will take home an Xbox 360 with Kinect, as well as the Nokia Lumia 920,
with PureView technology that captures bright, blur-free photos and videos in
any lighting conditions.

To enter, simply follow these easy steps:

• Download any of the following products:
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview
• System Center 2012 R2 Preview
• Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 Preview
• System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager and Endpoint Protection Preview
• Email a screenshot of the completed download to downloadandwin@promtel.com.au 
  by 30 September 2013 and you could be our lucky winner.

There are four chances to win – so download all four products and email us the screenshots
increase your chances! For terms and conditions and more info, click here.

Best of luck,

Katherine.

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

Another awesome MVP initiative kicks off on September 22nd. This MVP Community Camp will be run over 5 days and be broadcasted to 8 countries, in 5 different languages.

Time is running out! Your chance to win an Xbox One and Nokia Lumia 1520 is coming to an end.

If you download a qualifying TechNet Evaluation before 11:59pm on April 18th, you can go in the draw to win this awesome prize pack!

Visit the website to view entry details.

Good luck to all!!

P@

Calling all user group leaders and speakers!

Have you registered on the new Microsoft Technical Communities site yet?

If you are a User Group Leader looking for resources, this is the place to go. Register your group and get a range of benefits including skills-based training, special discounts, free advertising for your event and more.

If you are a subject matter expert looking to find places where you can get speaking opportunities, list yourself as a speaker and other leaders can contact you for possible engagements.  This is a one stop shop for connecting people who are interested in technology and getting rewarded for it!

The current Australian Technical Community directory is listed on the site here, but we would love to see even more groups and individuals join up. If you’ve got questions about the program, check out the FAQ or send us an email!

Cheers,                                  

Katherine.