Configure a server farm for minimal downtime during software updates (Office SharePoint Server 2007)

This article describes how to update Office SharePoint Server farms with minimal downtime. By following the procedures in this article, you can update servers to add the latest service pack or cumulative update without incurring significant downtime for users. This article describes a step-by-step process for Office SharePoint Server farms that incorporate SQL Server mirroring.

You can achieve similar results on Office SharePoint Server farms that are set up in a clustered server environment.

Web Application Measurements Tool

Check out this tool from Keynote which allows you to monitor your online business performance.
Web Application Measurements Tool: "Application Perspective"

AvePoint News: AvePoint Introduces Free Tool for Item-Level SharePoint Restores from SQL Server and DPM Backups

AvePoint News: AvePoint Introduces Free Tool for Item-Level SharePoint Restores from SQL Server and DPM Backups: "AvePoint Introduces Free Tool for Item-Level SharePoint Restores from SQL Server and DPM Backups"

This is wonderful to hear. I run DPM and SharePoint in my client's environment and i would love to see how this works out.
Will update in the blog if it really works as mentioned or there is a catch.

An early look at SharePoint 2010 | Windows - InfoWorld

An early look at SharePoint 2010 Windows - InfoWorld: "An early look at SharePoint 2010"

"U.S. Government's Official Website Powered by SharePoint"

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090928_4383.php?oref=topstory

Microsoft Launches New Open Source CodePlex Foundation : BillS IIS Blog : The Official Microsoft IIS Site

Microsoft Launches New Open Source CodePlex Foundation : BillS IIS Blog : The Official Microsoft IIS Site: "Microsoft Launches New Open Source CodePlex Foundation"

XMPP Gateway update for OCS 2007 R2

Download details: Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway: "Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway"

Unified Communications: Uniting Communication Across Different Networks: Eric Swift, general manager of the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft, talks about today’s Microsoft Office Communications Server news and Microsoft’s commitment to increase interoperability of its unified communications and collaboration solutions with products from other vendors.

Unified Communications: Uniting Communication Across Different Networks: Eric Swift, general manager of the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft, talks about today’s Microsoft Office Communications Server news and Microsoft’s commitment to increase interoperability of its unified communications and collaboration solutions with products from other vendors.: "Unified Communications: Uniting Communication Across Different Networks"

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Fossil finds extend human story

BBC NEWS Science & Environment Fossil finds extend human story: "Fossil finds extend human story"

GIAC Certifications in High Demand

GIAC Certifications in High Demand: "GIAC Certifications in High Demand"

You can have your own personal Windows Supercomputer

SGI - Products: Servers: SGI Octane III: "Supercomputing Gets Personal"

Download details: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 supports deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.


Download details: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010: "Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010"

Download details: Office Communications Server 2007 R2, PreCallDiagnostic Resource Kit Tool

Overview
The PreCallDiagTool is an application that reports expected audio quality as it relates to the network effect. The tool should be installed on any desktop or laptop PC that suffers from inconsistent network connection quality. The PreCallDiagTool can provide a quick check of the current network conditions and also preserve a history of quality data to let users profile their network performance over time or other conditions. The tool is particularly useful for home/mobile users and users using WIFI access points

Download details: Office Communications Server 2007 R2, PreCallDiagnostic Resource Kit Tool: "Office Communications Server 2007 R2, PreCallDiagnostic Resource Kit Tool"

You Deleted Your Cookies? Think Again | Epicenter | Wired.com

You Deleted Your Cookies? Think Again Epicenter Wired.com: "You Deleted Your Cookies? Think Again"

Cisco Repairs Massive TCP flaw — ServerWatch.com

Cisco Repairs Massive TCP flaw — ServerWatch.com: "Cisco Repairs Massive TCP flaw"

Reshaping Cisco: The world according to Chambers | The Economist

Reshaping Cisco: The world according to Chambers The Economist: "The world according to Chambers"

I am Microsoft Learning's MVP Certification Hero for 2009

Thank You Microsoft Learning

Nortel to Avaya: You can buy our love … for $900M

Nortel to Avaya: You can buy our love … for $900M

Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications

Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications: "Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications"

a useful SQL Server Integration Services site

SQLIS SQL Server Integration Services - SSIS: "SQL Server Integration Services - SSIS"

Pre-Conference session today

Today is the second day of pre-con sessions. It is Greg Low's session. It is going to be very valuable i am sure.

at TechED Australia 2009, GoldCoast

Arrived in GoldCoast yesterday. It was raining in he afternoon but today it is just beautiful with sun out in full force and blue skies.

From my accomodations i can see the beach.

Data Platform Insider : Microsoft ships the first technology preview for Project code-named "Madison"

Data Platform Insider : Microsoft ships the first technology preview for Project code-named "Madison": "Microsoft ships the first technology preview for Project code-named 'Madison'"

No support for Address List Segregation in Exchange 2003

Dgoldman's WebLog : Exchange 2003 Address List Segregation Document: "Exchange 2003 Address List Segregation Document"

How to restrict OWA address searches to multiple organizational units

Have you had an issues with OWA and multiple GALs due to the structure of your organisation or hosting environment?
you may find this very useful.

How to restrict OWA address searches to multiple organizational units: "How to restrict OWA address searches to multiple organizational units"

You Had Me At EHLO... : Hungry for More Info on Exchange 2010? Try some Learning Snacks!

You Had Me At EHLO... : Hungry for More Info on Exchange 2010? Try some Learning Snacks!: "Hungry for More Info on Exchange 2010? Try some Learning Snacks!"

SharePoint Questionnaire for requirements gathering.

SharePoint Questionnaire: "SharePoint Questionnaire"

From Heather Solomon's blog

thanks

You Had Me At EHLO... : Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 available in Q3 2009

You Had Me At EHLO... : Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 available in Q3 2009: "Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 available in Q3 2009"
and here is the What's new in Exchange 2007 SP2: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee221150.aspx

Rubens Barrichello WINS!!!

YES !!! I have supported Rubens all this time. He has come close to winning this year but either the team, his team mate and even himself have failed him, sometimes at the last stages.
He won in last weekend's Valencia F1 race.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9794.html

Finally he has done!! I am happy for you.
Let's hope the world championship can be your target now. Not many points behind button.

Sarbjit

SharePoint in Plain English

Get The Point blog – http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/blogs/GetThePoint
MS Showcase – www.microsoft.com/video/en/us/details/76e8d3af-c2bd-42a6-bb12-befcbd041bf1
MSN Video – http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&vid=76e8d3af-c2bd-42a6-bb12-befcbd041bf1
YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s12Jb5Z2xaE

Countdown to PDC09: 10 Minutes Gets You the Goods

Countdown to PDC09: 10 Minutes Gets You the Goods

You Had Me At EHLO... : Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate Available Today!

You Had Me At EHLO... : Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate Available Today!:

Love the quote ---> "In fact, Exchange is now is approaching $2B in annual revenues. If Exchange were a standalone business, it would be the 9th largest software company in the world."

STSDEV: Simple Tools for SharePoint 2007 Development - Release: STSDEV 1.4

STSDEV: Simple Tools for SharePoint 2007 Development - Release: STSDEV 1.4: "STSDEV: Simple Tools for SharePoint 2007 Development"

118 blogs for OCS/UC (and counting)

Office Communications Server Team Blog : 118 blogs for OCS/UC (and counting): "118 blogs for OCS/UC (and counting)"

What's Wrong With Windows Mobile and How WM7 and WM8 Are Going to Fix It - Apple - Gizmodo

What's Wrong With Windows Mobile and How WM7 and WM8 Are Going to Fix It - Apple - Gizmodo: "What's Wrong With Windows Mobile and How WM7 and WM8 Are Going to Fix It"

Zune HD video hands-on: chock-full of media edition

Zune HD video hands-on: chock-full of media edition: "Zune HD video hands-on: chock-full of media edition"

SlySoft Download | AnyDVD, CloneDVD, CloneCD, GameJackal, Any DVD, Clone DVD, Clone CD, Game Jackal

SlySoft Download AnyDVD, CloneDVD, CloneCD, GameJackal, Any DVD, Clone DVD, Clone CD, Game Jackal: "Virtual CloneDrive"
From the latest Mark Minasi newsletter, it is mentioned that the ISO mounting tool, Virtual CloneDrive will work on Windows 7 for both 32bit and 64bit.

"Welcome to the Microsoft Branch Office Savings Calculator"

I have a client which is looking at the ROI for deploying servers to their branch office. Right now PCs/Laptop and even VoIP phones from the branch office connects back to servers and Call Manager in the HQ.

After doing a POC for a Branch Office Scenario, the high management did not approve the purchase of servers for the branch office, which happen to be a vessel. :)

I have been told by the technical manager to justify the branch office scenario using some ROI tool.
Searching around and even trying to do my own, i found this tool: The Microsoft Branch Office Savings Calculator. https://roianalyst.alinean.com/branch/launch.html
"The Branch Office Savings Calculator was developed independently by leading IT research firm IDC, and leading ROI tool developer Alinean, Inc. "

Within 30 min i had a cool 87 page reports and the summary one of 9 pages. i think with some more thing customizing my data, i could have some i could hand over to my client and the senior management.

Give it a try if you have a similar scenario.

Microsoft’s SharePoint Thrives in the Recession - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

A very good article on SharePoint.

Microsoft’s SharePoint Thrives in the Recession - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com: "Microsoft’s SharePoint Thrives in the Recession"

DPM 2007 SP1 Implementation – Notes from the field - Dario IT Solutions Blog

DPM 2007 SP1 Implementation – Notes from the field - Dario IT Solutions Blog: "DPM 2007 SP1 Implementation – Notes from the field"

This is useful for me when i was configuring DPM Server 2007 Sp1 for backing up Hyper-V.

Jose Barreto's Blog : Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Failover Clustering Options

Many ways to implement Windows 2008 Clustering and Hyper-V
Read more at Jose Barreto's Blog : Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Failover Clustering Options: "Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Failover Clustering Options"

The 40 Most Popular Tools For Your System Admin Bag

The 40 Most Popular Tools For Your System Admin Bag: "The 40 Most Popular Tools For Your System Admin Bag"

I have been confirmed for TechED Australia 2009

I will be serving my duties as a TLG (Technical Learning Guide). This is a role created for MCTs and MVPs and have been very popular and successful in many TechEds around the world.

The last time i did work as a TLG was in Orlando in 2007 and Boston the year before that.

If you going to be there, do check out the Technical Learning Centres and the many hands on labs and instructor led trainings. Also don't loose the chance of catching up on Microsoft certifications exams as it would be heavily discounted.

I am presenting at Singapore Windows User Group event

I will be presenting STEALTHbits's StealthAUDIT focusing on Exchange and Active Directory auditing.

Here is the full agenda. http://sgwindowsgroup.org/blogs/swug/default.aspx

Applying Remote Technical Consulting to Your Business

This is a good artcile on building a model and following these best practices for your remote consulting business, you can avoid problems and reduce costs.

Download details: Microsoft SDL - Developer Starter Kit

Overview
The Microsoft SDL - Developer Starter Kit provides a compliation of baseline developer security training materials on the following core Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) topics: a) secure design principles; b) secure implementation principles; c) secure verification principles; d) SQL injection; e) cross-site scripting; f) code analysis; g)banned application programming interfaces (APIs); h) buffer overflows; i) source code annotation language; j) security code review; k) compiler defenses; l) fuzz testing; m) Microsoft SDL threat modeling principles; and n) the Microsoft SDL threat modeling tool. Each set of guidance contains Microsoft Office PowerPoint slides, speaker notes, train-the-trainer audio files, and sample comprehension questions. All materials have limited formatting so that you can leverage the content to achieve broader, enhanced adoption of Microsoft SDL principles in your development organization.

Download details: Microsoft SDL - Developer Starter Kit: "Microsoft SDL - Developer Starter Kit"

If you find Carbonite on your systems...

Carbonite, the consumer/small business online backup company, has struck a deal with Sun to piggyback on Java and offer a free 30-day trial of its widgetry to anybody who upgrades to the latest version of Java or downloads in for the first time.

Carbonite Piggybacks on Java JAVA Developer's Journal:
http://java.sys-con.com/node/1027624

Registration :: Microsoft PDC09

Registration :: Microsoft PDC09: "PDC09 Registration is Open"

"So is Microsoft f*%&ed? Not even close."

Microsoft Gets FAM-iliar With Cloud Computing.

A good read from Paul Thurrott at WindowsITPro.com

SharePoint Management PowerShell scripts - Home

SharePoint Management PowerShell scripts - Home: "SharePoint Management PowerShell scripts"

Check out this Codeplex's project on SharePoint management with Powershell.

iPhone hack with SMS from BlackHat USA 2009

http://www.blackhat.com/presentations/bh-usa-09/MILLER/BHUSA09-Miller-FuzzingPhone-PAPER.pdf

7 Vendor Tech Certifications End Users Love - Surveys

7 Vendor Tech Certifications End Users Love - Surveys: "Surveys: 7 Vendor Tech Certifications End Users Love"
Microsoft is at No. 1

McAfee, Inc. to Acquire MX Logic and Provide Industry's Most Comprehensive Security-as-a-Service Portfolio

McAfee, Inc. to Acquire MX Logic and Provide Industry's Most Comprehensive Security-as-a-Service Portfolio: "McAfee, Inc. to Acquire MX Logic and Provide Industry's Most Comprehensive Security-as-a-Service Portfolio"

Now McAfee is also has cloud based services to offer.

Windows Server 2003 Security Compliance Management Toolkit

I have been asked to provide a Windows Infrastructure security audit. The first i looked (besides the SANS.org security policies etc), was the Windows Server 2003 Security Compliance Management Toolkit.

I would be exploring this toolkit in the next few days and write down how a security audit and compliance work can be planned from this tool kit.

Sarbjit

BBC NEWS | Technology | Wireless power system shown off

BBC NEWS Technology Wireless power system shown off: "Wireless power system shown off"

I am thankful and humbled to be acknowledged

I got a wonderful email from my MVP Lead.

================================

Hello Singapore MVPs,

The Microsoft Learning Team and SEA MVP Team would like to take this opportunity to call out MVP Sarbjit Singh Gill.

MVP Sarbjit has been a great advocate for the technical community. Just to share some of his initiatives which include helping to promote Microsoft certifications to the community and making of the Voice of the Community video, stepping up to speak and share his expertise for various Microsoft partners/customers and delivering webcasts to help jumpstart MS Certifications to the masses. His great advocacy and support for Microsoft technology and Microsoft certifications has led to many positive feedbacks from both internal and external parties, some of whom came from as far as New Jersey.

Kudos Sarbjit and thanks for going the extra miles!

When will you get Windows 7 RTM? - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

When will you get Windows 7 RTM? - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog: "When will you get Windows 7 RTM?"

"SharePoint 2010 Sneak Peek" are out.

Paul Andrew from the SharePoint blogged about it.

Click http://blogs.msdn.com/pandrew/ for details

Microsoft Ties Dynamics CRM to Twitter - Business Center - PC World

Microsoft Ties Dynamics CRM to Twitter - Business Center - PC World: "Microsoft Ties Dynamics CRM to Twitter"

VMware customers outraged by the vSphere upgrade path - UPDATED | virtualization.info

VMware customers outraged by the vSphere upgrade path - UPDATED virtualization.info: "VMware customers outraged by the vSphere upgrade path - UPDATED"

SIP Trunking and Direct SIP

1) SIP Trunking: this is a solution for the interconnection of an IP-PBX system with the PSTN network over an IP trunk carrying SIP signaling and RTP media (with a range of options). Microsoft participates in the establishment of standard solutions in this domain via the SIP Forum. There is a specific program in the OIP for qualification of service providers.

2) Direct SIP: this is a solution for interoperability of OCS with a third party telephony solution, typically Gateway or IP-PBX. It also uses an IP trunk carrying SIP signaling and RTP media. Microsoft has specific programs in the OIP for qualification of third party gear. The Direct SIP requirements may involve call flows that are more complex/different from the SIP Trunking, with private number manipulation, call transfers, holds on both sides, etc.

Thanks Francois

DMTF : Phone Numbers and Dial Plans in Office Communications Server

DMTF : Phone Numbers and Dial Plans in Office Communications Server: "Phone Numbers and Dial Plans in Office Communications Server"

SharePoint Service Pack 2 Update

Service Pack 2 Update.

The public update for the Service Pack 2 expiration date issue http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2009/06/25/service-pack-2-update.aspx is now available for download.

Developer's guide to development in SharePoint

This is what you need .
http://www.microsoft.com/click/SharePointDeveloper/

Check out the New Windows 7 Packaging - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

Check out the New Windows 7 Packaging - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog: "Check out the New Windows 7 Packaging"

Worldwide Intranet Challenge (WIC): 8 good business reasons for having an intranet (tips for writing an intranet business case)

Worldwide Intranet Challenge (WIC): 8 good business reasons for having an intranet (tips for writing an intranet business case): "8 good business reasons for having an intranet (tips for writing an intranet business case)"

Digital Landfill: 8 Things You Need to Know about SharePoint Governance

Digital Landfill: 8 Things You Need to Know about SharePoint Governance: "8 Things You Need to Know about SharePoint Governance"

You Had Me At EHLO (Exchange Team Blog)... : Named Properties, Round 2: What lies Ahead

You Had Me At EHLO... : Named Properties, Round 2: What lies Ahead: "Named Properties, Round 2: What lies Ahead"

"How we did it"

"How We Did It." This informational blog series is designed to provide a glimpse into the minds who architect and deploy innovative and cool SharePoint solutions.

Facts and Fallacies about First Normal Form

Facts and Fallacies about First Normal Form: "Facts and Fallacies about First Normal Form"

Good read of the fundamentals.

Google Apps gets Outlook-sync plug-in - ZDNet.co.uk

Google has released a tool to help enterprises move their email, calendaring and contacts infrastructure across from Microsoft Outlook to the paid-for versions of Google Apps.

Google Apps gets Outlook-sync plug-in - ZDNet.co.uk: "Office applications Toolkit"

How to make OCS 2007 R2 non-RFC 3966-compliant using RemovePlusFromRequestURI

How to make OCS 2007 R2 non-RFC 3966-compliant using RemovePlusFromRequestURI: "How to make OCS 2007 R2 non-RFC 3966-compliant using RemovePlusFromRequestURI"

Performance profiling for .NET code

i have heard many good things about this product. this is a profiling tool when developing dot net code.

Performance profiling for .NET code: "ANTS Performance Profiler™"

THIS IS NOT Best Practices of SharePoint Farm configuring and deployment Part 2 - Installation & Configuration | SharePoint Magazine

This is not a best practise as the poster of the blog has mentioned. There are some statements which are true but a whole other stuff is just plain wrong, or it is now it is done. SO beware before blindly following so called best practises out there on the internet. Here is the article i was talking about ----> Best Practices of SharePoint Farm configuring and deployment Part 2 - Installation & Configuration SharePoint Magazine: "Best Practices of SharePoint Farm configuring and deployment Part 2 - Installation & Configuration"

Updates available for expiration date issue with the evaluation editions of Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 R2 and Office Communicator (OC) 20

Microsoft has just released the following Knowledge Base articles (KB972041, KB972042) to address the incorrect calculations of license expiration dates for Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 R2 and Office Communicator (OC) 2007 R2 Evaluation Edition. The current expiration dates were calculated based on build time, causing the OCS 2007 R2 and OC 2007 R2 Evaluation Edition to expire after June 13, 2009.

Microsoft has issued the fixes below to correct the issues. By applying this fix, the expiration date will be updated to one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial installation of OCS R2 or OC R2 Evaluation Edition, as stated in the license terms for these applications.

Microsoft encourages its customers to apply necessary updates in their evaluation environment to take full advantages of the evaluation period.

To get the updates packages, please go to:
Office Communications Server 2007 R2Office Communications2007 R2
Or to get your new evaluator edition, please go to:Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Eval
Office Communicator 2007 R2 Eval

Download details: Exchange Server 2010 Beta

Download details: Exchange Server 2010 Beta: "Exchange Server 2010 Beta VHD"

Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008

Lessons learned in the field and experiences gain, as created the Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008: "Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008".

a MUST read for any Microsoft SQL Server 2008 BI pro.

Xbox.com | Project Natal

this is going to change how we work, play, live and interact.

One up on Wii.

Xbox.com Project Natal: "No Strings (or Controllers) Attached."

The Exchange 2007 Wiki - IT Policies

this is pretty good write up.

Purpose
This document was created to evaluate the various experiences that an Information Worker (IW) can have based on Exchange ActiveSync Policies being applied onto their devices in different states.

Possible States:
First Time Policy Applied onto device
Modify specific settings on device within the same policy
Reassign user to a new Exchange ActiveSync policy
Removing an Exchange ActiveSync policy from the user

The Exchange 2007 Wiki - IT Policies: "Exchange ActiveSync Policy User Experience"

Google Wave Preview

Google Wave is a new tool for communication and collaboration on the web, coming later this year. Watch the demo video below, sign up for updates and learn more about how to develop with Google Wave.

Google Wave Preview: "Check out the developer preview at Google I/O"

APPCMD.EXE missing on W2003x64

Here is a search link, thanks for fellow MVPs on their discussion on this topic.

http://www.google.com/search?q=EXEC+%3A+Input+error+%3A+Can+not+find+script+file+%22C%3A%5CWindows%5CSystem32%5Ciisapp.vbs%22.&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SNYK

Whitepaper : Configuring Windows 7 for a Limited User Account

Running as a limited user is a security best practice, and it's way easier to do on Win7 than it is on XP.

This is a good read to understand Configuring Windows 7 for a Limited User Account: "Configuring Windows 7 for a Limited User Account"

White Paper written by:
Stephen J Friedl

RtcQmsAgent fails to start on OCS 2007 R2 server - and causes KB 967831 (April 2009 update for Front End Server components) install to fail - Aaron Tiensivu's Blog

VERY IMPORTANT: MSMQ Required on OCS Servers prior to patching

RtcQmsAgent fails to start on OCS 2007 R2 server - and causes KB 967831 (April 2009 update for Front End Server components) install to fail - Aaron Tiensivu's Blog: "RtcQmsAgent fails to start on OCS 2007 R2 server - and causes KB 967831 (April 2009 update for Front End Server components) install to fail"

SharePad Reference Application for SharePoint Products and Technologies - Home

SharePad Reference Application for SharePoint Products and Technologies - Home: "SharePad Reference Application for SharePoint Products and Technologies"

Project DescriptionSharePad is a reference application demonstrating
Microsoft Office-style SharePoint integration techniques. This application
illustrates the use of the Front Page RPC calls exposed by SharePoint among
other SharePoint integration APIs.

CJG : Windows Workflow 4.0 Notes from TechEd

CJG : Windows Workflow 4.0 Notes from TechEd: "Windows Workflow 4.0 Notes from TechEd"

Download details: SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit

Download details: SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit: "SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit"

Brief Description
The SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit will help you understand how to build web applications which deeply exploit the rich data types, programming models and new development paradigms in SQL Server 2008.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2: "SQL Server 2008 R2"

Chris Capossela's interview and annoucement.

· Microsoft SharePoint “14” is now Microsoft SharePoint 2010

· Exchange 2010 will lead the way for the 2010 (previously referred by its codename “14”) wave of technologies and it will be available in the second half of 2009. You can download a beta <http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2010> today.

· Using Office Web applications, customers will be able to create, edit and collaborate on Office documents through a browser.

· IT professionals will be able to choose to either deploy and manage on-premises or hosted as a service.
For developers, we are working on Open APIs, deep support for industry standards and developer tool support with Visual Studio 2010. You can read the entire interview here <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/Apr09/04-15Office2010.mspx>

New SharePoint Server Server product site

Looks nice :)

http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/Pages/Default.aspx

and it runs on SharePoint

Reattaching LookupList Property to a new List - Becky Bertram's Blog

Reattaching LookupList Property to a new List - Becky Bertram's Blog: "Reattaching LookupList Property to a new List"

Microsoft, HP putting $180 million into UC deal - Network World

Microsoft, HP putting $180 million into UC deal - Network World: "Microsoft, HP putting $180 million into UC deal"

The Microsoft Office 2010 IT Blog : Leaked build and Staying Safe

The Microsoft Office 2010 IT Blog : Leaked build and Staying Safe: "Leaked build and Staying Safe"

Important note -->
"So, please be aware that if you download this torrent there is a very good chance you are also getting some unexpected malware with it. "

Desktop Virtualization and UC from Citrix

HDX RealTime info:
http://www.citrix.com/English/ps2/products/subfeature.asp?contentID=1686121

Citrix Blog Post:
http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/derekt/2009/02/09/Delivering+Cisco+softphones+from+XenDesktop
“The HDX RealTime audio subsystem will provide broad compatibility with softphones and the "voice chat" feature of Unified Communications applications.”

Come n join us for a whole day of technical information and fun

Home: "Community Technology Update (aka CTU), in its 5th incarnation, is bigger than before. In Partnership with Microsoft, CTU has grown by leaps and bounds. This event is a follow on, after Microsoft {one} Nation 2009. The Community has arranged for a week's event at Microsoft."

Some potential white papers on OCS with regards to voice quality

Quality of Experience WP:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=05625AF1-3444-4E67-9557-3FD5AF9AE8D1&displaylang=en

Overview of Microsoft RTA Speech Codec:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5d79b584-79c9-42a8-90c4-4ab3f03d19c4&displaylang=en

QoE: A practical approach to Deploying Real-Time Communications
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5ec060fd-ba9a-4c52-8bd8-148f502b791f&DisplayLang=en

Integrating telephony with OCS:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8CDE0C3A-042E-445B-A514-2D12ED5B2AC2&displaylang=en

Designing Your Perimeter Network for Office Communications Server 2007 White Paper:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e4a8d703-e41a-47d9-b9dd-2799f894af92&DisplayLang=en

Sign-up for the UC Developer Sandbox! - GotUC - GotUC.Net

Sign-up for the UC Developer Sandbox! - GotUC - GotUC.Net: "Today GotUC.net is proud to offer an opportunity for developers to start developing UC enabled applications, without having to overcome the hurdles of setting up Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Beta."

Microsoft Unified Communications 2007 R2 Adoption and Training Kit - Office Communications Server - Microsoft Office Online

Microsoft Unified Communications 2007 R2 Adoption and Training Kit - Office Communications Server - Microsoft Office Online: "Microsoft Unified Communications 2007 R2 Adoption and Training Kit"

Steve Riley has left the building.

Steve Riley on Security : Good bye, and good luck: "Steve Riley"

Google Takes Patent License to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync: Google will be able to extend their value proposition to their customers through this license with Microsoft.

Google Takes Patent License to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync: Google will be able to extend their value proposition to their customers through this license with Microsoft.: "Google Takes Patent License to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync"

Email from Lutz Ziob, General Manager for MS Learning

"Dear Sarbjit Singh,

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the MCT Summit in India, Hyderabad, in February. My team returned with fantastic stories and great enthusiasm. The giant photograph featuring 200 proud MCTs welcomes visitors to our building every day.
The quality of our MCT Summits is defined by the quality of our speakers. I have reviewed the evaluation scores and they clearly show you did a great job, delivering the right message and presenting it with impact.
Well done, thank you for all you do,

Lutz Ziob
General Manager
Microsoft Learning"