MS Featured Articles
Evaluation Center - Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2
Additional resources to help you get the most out of your evaluation experience:
Workflow Enabled Services and Other New Features in the .NET Framework 3.5
This virtual lab introduces you to new features in the .NET Framework 3.5 for Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and Windows Workflow Foundation (WF).
How Do I: Automate Team Build
Learn how to launch builds outside of Team Explorer and automate them using the Windows scheduler and the Continuous Integration (CI) sample.
Unleash the Power of Query in Visual Studio "Orcas"
Learn about Visual Basic and query integration, supported clauses such as Where, OrderBy, and Select; and how to understand and use query results.
Open Source at Microsoft
Scott Guthrie announces the release of .NET Framework source code with the final release of Visual Studio 2008. This release will enable developers to download, browse, and debug the source code of the .NET Framework libraries. This is a great learning opportunity to see what we create here at Microsoft.
This is just one of the many open source initiatives at Microsoft. The Community, Creativity, and Learning portal discusses ideas such as opening up ASP.NET AJAX, and demonstrates how Microsoft provides a combination of resources that enable developers to learn, be creative, and solve problems collaboratively, using whatever approach they choose.
Codeplex, a source collaboration site, has become a center for SharePoint development, including the SharePoint Learning kit, which enables E-Learning for students and teachers. Other projects available on Codeplex range from Windows Live Writer Plugins that connect your blog to Amazon.com book information, to Iron Python, a Python implementation that runs on .NET.
SQL Server 2008
Download the SQL Server 2008 July
The SQL Server development team uses your feedback from CTPs to help refine and enhance product features
Now Available: SQL Server Compact 3.5 Beta
SQL Server Compact 3.5 Beta 2 introduces a host of new features, including LINQ to SQL support, Microsoft Synchronization Services for ADO.NET, plus enhanced support for T-SQL statements
SQL Server 2005 Driver for PHP Community Technology Preview
FREE E - LEARNING: Developing Rich Experiences with Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.0 and Visual Studio® 2005
This collection of 3 2-hour premium clinics teaches about the new capabilities provided by the .NET Framework 3.0. These clinics are for experienced Developers and Software Architects who are looking to adopt Microsoft's next generation technology within their solutions.
Topics covered within the collection include:
. Windows Presentation Foundation
. Windows Workflow Foundation
. Windows Communication Foundation
Find out more
MORE FREE E - LEARNING: ASP.NET 2.0
Clinic 3402: ASP.NET for PHP Developers: Introduction to ASP.NET
Summary: In this clinic, you learn about ASP.NET as a Web development platform and how it compares to PHP. You will explore features including Server Controls, Master Pages, and Profiles. Additionally you will also learn about Visual Web Developer Express, a powerful free tool for authoring ASP.NET Web sites.
Audience: Developer
Available Offline: Yes
Price: FREE
Subscription: 1 year
Windows Application Compatibility
Find out whether your existing applications will be compatible with the new Windows Vista operating system. The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit and additional application compatibility resources are designed to help minimize the risks associated with deployments of Windows operating systems.
Note: The Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) recommends performing application inventory and compatibility testing using the Application Compatibility Toolkit.
Book Excerpt: Open XML - the Markup Explained
The new Open XML markup languages for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations alleviate difficulties experienced with document development and retention using older binary techniques.
Synchronization Contexts in WCF
Juval Lowy describes synchronization contexts are and how WCF uses them, and demonstrates options for extending WCF to use custom synchronization contexts, both programmatically and declaratively
Popfly Beta Released
Add some fun to your Facebook page, Web site, or Windows Live Spaces page. You can easily spice up your Web site or blog with Popfly by adding customized games like Whack-a-Mole or Asteroids with pictures of your friends and family, or create custom quizzes or polls that you can easily embed on your Web site.
Create a Custom Test Interface Provider for Team System
Dan Griffin demonstrates the extensibility of Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Testers by showing how to modify the existing Test Interface Provider sample in the latest Visual Studio SDK and implements Fuzz Testing.
What's New For Developers in Publisher 2007
Learn about new features for developers in Publisher 2007, new objects and members of the Publisher 2007 object model, and deprecated members
Get the competitive edge with Windows Embedded in retail
Discover the latest end-to-end solutions for retail at the Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS) Seminar. Explore the latest in-depth product specific information, hear from sector specialists, and learn from practical demonstrations. Sessions cater for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Catch the free seminar in Sydney on 4 December, or Melbourne on 5 December.
Back by popular demand 'It's Not Cheating!'
Know a uni or TAFE student? The 'It's Not Cheating' promotion is back by popular demand. It invites students who have a valid email address and are actively enrolled at an educational institution to purchase Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 for AUD$75. The offer is now also open to TAFE students. Offer ends May 15, 2008.Forward onto friends and families before offer ends!