TechNet Flash - Volume 13, Issue 9: May 4, 2011
Top Stories
Migrate Your Database to SQL Azure
Are you outgrowing your Access database or worried about security? Move data from users' hard drives to a secure, scalable, and fault-tolerant SQL Azure database. Your Access applications can connect to a SQL Azure database. Reduce server purchase and maintenance costs and only pay for the amount of SQL Azure you use.
Moving Apps to the Cloud Made Easier with the Windows Azure VM Role
The Windows Azure VM role lets you run a virtual hard disk image, store that image in the cloud, and load and run it on demand, so your existing applications can start to work for you in the cloud immediately.
Your Featured Content
SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 CTP Now Available for Testing
SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Customer Technology Preview contains cumulative updates 1 - 6 for SQL Server 2008 R2, and fixes to issues that have been reported through our customer feedback platforms. These include supportability enhancements and issues that have been reported through Windows Error Reporting.
Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal Sweepstakes
Increase your Windows 7 deployment skills and be entered to win a dinner with Mark Russinovich, or win a copy of his cyber-security novel Zero Day. Register on the Deployment Learning Portal, and for every module you complete, you'll be entered to win dinner with Mark, or a signed copy of his book.
Virtual Roundtable: Is Windows XP Good Enough? Really?
Typewriters, cassette players, sector-based imaging - how much has technology changed since Windows XP was launched? Watch as the panel discusses these changes and Windows 7 vs. Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6 vs. Internet Explorer 8 and 9 and the client PC management stack.
Free Microsoft Virtualization Jump Start Training Videos
HD-quality videos from the Jump Start virtual training event Microsoft Virtualization for VMware Professionals are now available free on TechNet Edge and soon coming to MS Showcase, the Zune Marketplace, and iTunes. Additionally, every module will be made available (with assessment questions) on the Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) in the next few weeks.
Free Excel 2010 Add-in: The Calendar Analytics Tool
Calendar Analytics allows users to connect to their Microsoft Exchange Calendar and get dashboard views on meeting statistics inside Microsoft Office Excel 2010.
Try the New Office Ribbon Hero 2 Game
Remember Clippy? He lives on in Ribbon Hero 2, the lightweight game from Microsoft that tests your knowledge of new Office features by actually using them. Compete with your friends to see who knows more about Office.
Video: Creating a Dual-Boot System with Windows 7
In this four-minute video, get a step-by-step look at creating a dual-boot system that includes Windows 7. Learn how to configure a partition, perform the installation, and set the default operating system.
Demo: Deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V with MDT
Learn how you can take advantage of the tested guidance and built-in automation tools in the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) to simplify and streamline the deployment of Windows Server 2008 R2 across your organization.