Microsoft, in a mysterious move, have offered anyone with a valid shipping address in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, a free TechNet Professional subscription.

As Neowin points out, it may well not be for absolutely everyone, but it does appear to be so. Confirmation will be needed from Microsoft but as of yet, they are not commenting on this. Still, if it works for you, you will have access to a wealth of Office, Windows and Dynamics software for three months for absolutely nothing.

Once you make your way through the online “ordering” process, you will receive an email confirmation shortly afterwards. This will provide you with download links and your access information to begin downloading.

Hmmph looks like the rest of us miss out.

This post was retrieved from Zack W’s blog @ http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration (check it out)- hopefully he dosen’t mind 😛

[Update]: Ars Technica is reporting that this offer may not be for one year as first thought, but only three months. Never-the-less, it’s best to get in early and make the most of this while you can.

[Update 2]: It appears as though there are errors in requesting keys and we are hearing that this offer may have been limited to a select few rather than public. Microsoft has not officially responded to requests for comment. (Neowin)

Check out Kristan Keeny’s Site for latest update

If you are a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003, you can now transfer your skills to achieve multiple Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications or Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credentials on Windows Server 2008.

For the first time, the transition path is available before the product release. If you have a Windows Server 2008 certification on your resumé, you have an excellent opportunity to catch the eye of early adopter organizations. Microsoft Learning developed this transition path to recognize the investment and expertise you have demonstrated throughout your certification history—don’t miss your chance to take advantage of these new certifications.

Your path consists of one exam, which allows you to earn multiple Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications on Windows Server 2008.
–First step: Take one exam to earn MCTS certification on Windows Server 2008

From there, you can complete the remaining requirements for one or both of the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications for Windows Server 2008.
–Your transition path from MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP 
–Your transition path from MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP

Because there is a significant technology gap between Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2008, only IT professionals with specific Microsoft Certifications on Windows Server 2003 can utilize these transition or upgrade paths. In addition, there is no upgrade path from messaging or security specializations to Windows Server 2008 certifications.

 Check out all the details here:
Thanks Microsoft 🙂

Microsoft has just launched Microsoft Student Experience beta.
This site has a lot of features and useful information which is predominantly targeted at students.  
The site contains information from Microsoft internships, getting discounted software ( e.g. obtaining Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate for just $600) to a set of How-To’s.

So if you are a student or just interested in the site-Check it out… 

… its a silverlight enabled site-although is still able to be browsed without it

… for first time test takers, only students and faculty members and only applies to North America.

 Pearson is offering a free exam promotion, which will end on June 30th, 2007. The exam that qualifies for this free exam promotion is all 072 academic exams.

It’s easy to get your FREE exam right now.*

1. Call Pearson VUE at 800-TEST-REG (800-837-8734) to schedule your free exam over the phone.
   • All 072 academic exams qualify for this free promotion.
   • You may take your exam at any Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Center in the United States or Canada.
2. Reference promotion code EXAM4FREE while scheduling your exam.
3. Schedule and take your exam by June 30, 2007.

Visit here for more information.

Well, I am one of the VB insiders, we are talking about a video. This video is a chatting video between 5 guys from difference team(VB, C#, C++, Channel 9 interviewer). They are going to answer you few question about the language future from their view when developing CLR/LINQ/VB/C#/C++. But the point we VB Insider discussing is, one of them, Brian Beckman has spoken that he likes C# because of the “Operator Overloading” support. That means he does not know that VB.NET(Or shorten called VB9 now) also has operator overloading support.

Another interesting issue I found afterward, I open up .NET Documentation, type the “operator overloading” keyword in Index Tab, I found a C# article(“Help me, I am overloaded”) on Operator Overloading and explain to you how to do so, why to do so(ms-help://MS.VSCC.v80/MS.MSDN.v80/MS.VSADD.v10.en/dncscol/html/csharp06212001.htm). But when I click in VB, it only shows you the “SAMPLE”(ms-help://MS.VSCC.v80/MS.MSDN.v80/MS.VisualStudio.v80.en/dv_vbcode/html/30202e10-8bdc-47dc-8fd1-f0ff9ffa0641.htm). Oh…god…no article in VB? How the VB beginner learn and understand it then? No wonder why he said the above comment.

This is a great conversation with some of the industry’s most influential programming language designers. Tune in. You may be surprised by what you learn…

.

If you are interesting in Windows Workflow Foundation(WF), you should found only C# hands-On Lab. A good news to you, I tried to translated them into VB2005, and it was tested by WF Team and now, you may download them from the following link, the full story are here…

I have 2 entries on the translation of WF, one is including Lab01, while another one is including Lab01-Lab03, they are both top 5 download in www.NetFX3.com

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

http://blogs.msdn.com/pandrew/archive/2006/12/02/Windows-Workflow-Foundation-and-Visual-Basic-.NET.aspx
The Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) runtime supports all CLS compliant programming languages. The Visual Studio 2005 extensions for WF are only provided for C# and Visual Basic .NET. It’s easy to find C# samples to get started. Here’s some pointers to samples for getting started with Windows Workflow Foundation in Visual Basic .NET.

Hands on Labs in VB.NET - Ken Lin has kindly translated these introductory WF HOLs to VB.NET

http://wf.netfx3.com/files/folders/documentation/entry7167.aspx (Lab01)

http://wf.netfx3.com/files/folders/documentation/entry7553.aspx (Lab01-Lab03)
.

If you have had a feel for Windows Vista (through beta’s or if you are lucky enough to own a copy even before it has been released this month) you could quite possibly start the year more qualified than anyone else in the field of this Operating System.

How?…By passing Microsoft’s four brand spanking new Vista Certifications (Exam 70-620).
Microsoft Certification Exam 70-620 covers Microsoft Windows Vista Configuration and covers the following elements:

• Installing and Upgrading Windows Vista
• Configuring and Troubleshooting Post-Installation System Settings
• Configuring Windows Security Features
• Configuring Network Connectivity
•  Configuring Applications Included with Windows Vista
• Maintaining and Optimizing Systems That Run Windows Vista
• Configuring and Troubleshooting Mobile Computing

So get down to your local testing agent and pass 70-620 today 🙂
Check out the Preparation guide here:

I have a spare exam code I won lying around I might go give it a shot 🙂

Have you ever hope to have some trainings on Microsft products? Wait! What about Macromedia, Corel or even on managing your data center?

Guess what? This training is not by Microsoft, but it’s by HP Learning Center. HP is providing free learning courses on 46 different courses which includes Software technogies (which includes Linux…), IT Pros, Business Skills, In-house Marking and Real Estate.

I haven’t attended any of the classes yet, but I do suspect that somewhat the instructor will be introducing a lot of HP solutions to their students, it could end up into a marketing thingy from HP.

For a full list of all available courses that HP Learning Courses are providing, please see:

http://h30187.www3.hp.com/all_courses.jsp

To find more information about it, please see:

http://h30187.www3.hp.com/

Anybody with experience attended any of the free HP Learning Courses? What do you think? What’s your feedback towards it? Post back in the comments section! We would like to hear you out! 🙂

I have recorded one webclass few months ago, it is about deploy VB2005 with ClickOnce. Althought this is nothing related to Vista, but I just want to share this with you, if you understand Cantonese, you may go and listen to it. Later on, I will do few more on Windows Workflow Foundation(WF), because I have writen few WF training guide, and it is now waiting approval to be post on MSDN site.

Reading from Nick White’s blog(a Product Manager at Microsoft working on the Windows Vista launch team), found that there is a free download Windows Vista Readiness Hands-on-Lab, I am sure that many developers are love to get it and take the lab. Here are the story,

Thom Robbins, Microsoft Director for Developer Marketing, points out a fantastic hands-on lab focused on helping developers create great experiences for customers running their applications in Windows Vista.  Here’s how the download page describes the lab:

Microsoft has put together a Hands-on Lab designed to educate developers on known Microsoft Windows Vista application compatibility issues.  This process will walk the developer through specifics, focusing on solutions that will enable customers running your application to have a better experience on Microsoft Windows Vista.  After completing this lab, the developer should be able to determine if and how the most commonly known application compatibility issues could affect their specific application.

Download the Lab here

If you’re a developer (or just interested in application compatability on Windows Vista), you can also head over to MSDN’s Windows Vista Developer Center for a wealth of resources on developing applications specifically for the new OS.

The Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance is now live on
TechNet and Microsoft Download Center since 08/11/2006. This includes the
Volume Activation 2.0 Step-by-Step Guide, FAQ and other supporting
materials.  To view these materials online, go to:

TechNet: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=75673

Download Center: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=75674

 

Back by popular demand, Microsoft Certification Exam 70-500 will be made available in Beta form again starting October 16^th and running through November 3^rd! This is a Technology Specialist exam for IT Professionals in the mobility space.  If you were unable to participate in the last beta because registration was full, make sure that you don’t miss this opportunity!

The Preparation Guide is available for the Exam at: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-500.mspx.

To register visit one of our independent testing providers:
* Thomson Prometric: http://www.prometric.com/Candidates/default.htm
* Pearson VUE: http://www.vue.com/ms/

Please use the following promotional code when registering:  BTA500
Source Backstage at MED

 

 

July 17th was the final leg of Imagine Cup 2006 in Malaysia. Many teams competed from round 1 onwards but only 8 means made it to the finals, and the finals was held in Microsoft Malaysia, KLCC Tower 2.

My friends and I represented Tunku Abdul Rahman College with the topic “Aroma .NET“, and we managed to get 2nd Runner Up!

Here’s my breakdown on the problem-“proposed solution”-“the future” that the current society needs:

Problem:
#1
Stress and other emotional/mental related problems have been in this world ever since humans are created and in today’s world, these emotional related problems are getting much more serious than yesterday.

#2
People focus too much on western medicine, and everybody knows that western medicine has their side effects on human body.

#3
Selecting the correct essential oils for aromatherapy session could be hard. People are not aware of what essential oils they are alergic or what essential oils to be used for a particular illness.

Proposed Solution:
Aromatherapy can actually help us in maintaining a healthy life and healing mental/emotional illness. (We did lots of research and this has been proven by Professors and Doctors worldwide). What we will do is to combine traditional therapy with current technology – Aroma.NET.

Using the formula,
Future = Traditional therapy + Current technology,

Future = Aroma.NET (software to analyse and control the aromatherapy device) + aromatherapy device (smell emit device)

With Aroma.NET, we will introduce a new sense that can be controlled through electronic devices (we currently have visual and audio). Through Aroma.NET, we can use it to create a user profile, get the user to input medical answers about themselves, and the software will analyse and provide the user with the recommended essential oils to be used. We will also provide the serial SDK for device manufacturers to use when building their aroma device (smell emit-able device)

Future:
A new sense can be controlled using electronic systems. Society will have less emotional/mental illness.

For making this project a success, I would like to thank the following people:

Ms Kathleen Tan (Head of Computer Science Division, for supporting this project from the college’s end and getting the funding for this project)
Miss Poh Siaw Way (Faculty Mentor, for guiding us throughout the entire project, the one who was always there when we need)
Mr Ang Boon Khai (Lecturer from Microelectronics Division, for assisting us in the building of the aromatherapy device)

Thanks to the following team mates for getting me onboard this project:
Moy Hong Chiang (Project Leader)
Chew ShuWen
Steven Cheah Boon Kiat (UI Designer – Check out the pictures!)

 

Group photo. From left Mr. Ang, Steven C, Dortor M (from Campbell University, USA), Ms Lim, Miss Poh, Jabez, Mr Wong (behind), ShuWen, Moy and Kathleen Tan 

To know more about Imagine Cup, please visit:
http://thespoke.net/ICReg/ImagineCup.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/imaginecup/

To see more pictures from Imagine Cup, please see:
http://www.msblog.org/album/thumbnails.php?album=28

Just wanted you to know that tonight at 8pm British Summertime, I uploaded and activated my new version
of my Windows Vista knowledge base. It’s designed to help users tweak, understand and customise Vista, as
well as for Windows Server “Longhorn”, Windows Internet Explorer 7, and other “Longhorn” technologies
such as .NET Framework 3.0 (previously codenamed WinFX).

I’ve received some great feedback from people – and also some critism which is why I pushed forward the new
release of the site, to make it easier for anyone regardless of browser, race, background, gender or operating
system to view it 🙂

There’s an RSS feed which I’ll be updating every so often – the entire site is now Firefox supported (and a huge
thanks to Dean, a fellow blogger here who helped me iron out some major Firefox issues at the end of it…
little did I know what trouble a single backslash could cause in my code!), and the site is generally much easier
to see… with no framesets or tables – pure HTML, CSS and a little bit of PHP where I felt adventurous!

If you want to support VistaBase – please send in your questions so I can answer them and put them
on there. The more support from users, the bigger and better the knowledge base can become! 🙂