The newly released Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2 will help you prepare for your Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 deployments. MDT 2010 is the next version of the Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. New features such as flexible driver management, optimized user interface work flow, and Windows PowerShell will help simplify deployment and make your job easier.

As a member of the Beta review program, you will be asked to provide feedback about the tools that the Solution Accelerator includes. If you are not a member, click here to join the Beta program. For members, click here.

More to come,

Mitch

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Windows 7 is coming on October 22, 2009 and you can pre-order Windows 7 today at the Microsoft Store. You'll get it for at least half off and that translates into $49.99 for the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade and $99.99 for the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade. But hurry, the offer runs until July 11, 2009 or until supplies run out, whichever comes first.

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Mitch

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Whether you're just getting started with enterprise search or need the scale to support the most demanding search challenges, the Microsoft Enterprise Search site has put together a great comparison table outlining the three enterprise search products: Fast ESP, Office SharePoint Server 2007, and Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express.

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Mitch

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Heading toward general availability on October 22, Microsoft today revealed some great news in the pricing for Windows 7; the most popular retail product, the Home Premium Upgrade, will be reduced by approximately 10% (depending on the market), compared to its Windows Vista predecessor. For more on the pricing and more details on the Windows 7 Upgrade Option, see the Windows Team Blog post.

Here’s the quick rundown:

The estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

And the estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

In the U.S., you can pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 or Windows 7 Professional for $99.99. You can take advantage of this special offer online via select retail partners such as Best Buy or Amazon, or the online Microsoft Store (in participating markets).

More to come,

Mitch

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It’s not an enterprise app but, hey, it’s summer and that AC at home could be spiking your energy costs more than you think. Microsoft Startup Business Accelerator group has brought out a free online beta application called Hohm, which gives you personalized energy savings recommendations. Hohm uses advanced analytics licensed from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Department of Energy and provides relevant suggestions for energy conservation when you input specific household circumstances.

Join the beta and help contribute to improvements to the site and analytics.

Also check out the 20 minute demo of the service in action over on Channel 9.

More to come,

Mitch

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