The Microsoft Security Essentials Beta is now available for download. You’ll get protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of. This beta is available only to customers in the United States, Israel (English only), People's Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).

Also check out the Security Essentials Beta Community site where experts are available to help with issues and answer general questions.

More to come,

Mitch

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Just a reminder that the Windows 7 Beta trial is winding down fast. The trail period ends July 1, 2009, at which time your beta will start to reboot every 2 hours and expire completely on August 1, 2009. There is still time to get the Windows 7 RC download. The program closes on August 15, 2009, but if you download the bits before then, you still have plenty of time to get a product key and install the RC after August 15. To stay up to date on the RC program, check the Springboard Blog.

More to come,

Mitch

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Now available via the Downloads Center, the Windows Server Hyper-V Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007 supports monitoring of Windows Server Hyper-V systems. This includes monitoring coverage of Hyper-V host servers, including critical services and disks, and Hyper-V virtual machines, including virtual components and virtual hardware. This management pack provides:

• Management of critical Hyper-V services that affect virtual machines and host server functionality
• Management of host server logical disks that affect virtual machine health
• Full representation of virtualization in a single Hyper-V host server, including virtual networks, virtual machines, and guest computers
• Monitoring of virtual machine hardware components that affect availability

 More to come,

Mitch

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This Solution Accelerator includes the following components:

• Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios Assessment v1.1 (a guide)
• Windows Optimized Desktop Scenario Selection Tool v1.1

The new version of this Solution Accelerator updates both the guide and tool to reflect the additional functionalities provided by Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Download the Infrastructure Planning and Design assessment guide and scenario selection tool for Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios.v1.1.

More to come,

Mitch

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Take advantage of this offer while it lasts. Microsoft Press is offering

Programming for Unified Communications with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 for free until June 24, 2009. The step-by-step programming scenarios show you how to deliver high-quality VoIP, presence, click-to-communicate, and contextual collaboration across the enterprise and across time zones.

More to come,

Mitch

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