Microsoft have a ramp up program to offer to all developers of various skills who want to learn more, have indepth content to help you build your portfolio of professional development skills and access to a community of peers who can support both your learning and your professional growth. Study at your own pace and acquire new real-world development skills that will help get you to the next level.

Join Ramp Up and help advance your career.

Do you save information on a flash drive or send yourself documents via e-mail to work on later?

Do you need to access work files when away from your office?

Do you share documents via e-mail and then manually merge all the comments later?

Do you use e-mail to coordinate and share information?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes then Office Live Workspace could be of benefit to you. Anyone who uses Microsoft Office can benefit from this service and the beauty of it is that it is FREE !

Office Live Workspace is currently in beta and is your online place to save, access, and share documents and files. You can save 1,000+ Microsoft Office documents and files in one place.^* and preview as well as access them from almost any computer, whether or not it has Office installed. You can also share a  document or entire workspace in a few simple steps. All you need is a person’s e-mail address.

It works with the programs you already know – like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and opens and saves files directly from Microsoft Office XP, 2003, or 2007. You are also able to synchronize Contact, Tasks, and Event lists with Outlook 2003 and 2007 and export any workspace list to Excel.

For further information on this or to Sign Up please visit here

As always if you have nay questions please feel free to contact me.

Speak to you soon

Ciara

^{*Based on average file size and use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents by students, work, and home users.}

Attend the PDC to understand the future of the Microsoft platform and to exchange ideas with fellow professionals. You’ll learn about upcoming products, meet Microsoft’s leaders and top engineers, write some code, and be inspired! Unplug for a few days and think about the future.

• Explore the full breadth of the Microsoft platform in more than 160 technical sessions
• Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and explore the latest technology for yourself in the hands-on labs
• Attend a day-long pre-conference seminar to get deep training, best practices, and insightful advice from industry experts (*additional fee required).
• Take the opportunity to interact with your peers and Microsoft staff in a variety of community-focused events like Ask the Experts and in the PDC Lounges

In past years, the PDC has unveiled Microsoft .NET, Windows^® XP, Windows Vista^®, and other significant milestones in the evolution of the Microsoft platform. This year, you’ll hear more details about our services platform, the future of Windows, mobility, and our next generation of developer tools. And there are always a few surprises.

Who Should Attend (or… The PDC is for YOU)

The PDC is designed for leading-edge developers and software architects. If you’re interested in the future of the Microsoft platform, you’re responsible for the technical strategy in your organization, or you’re a highly skilled developer who likes to delve deep into the heart of the platform, then the PDC is for you!

 Click here to register and check out the agenda

With the launch of SQL Server 2008, a new SQL Server 2008 Web Edition SKU is being launched in SPLA and other Volume Licensing programs (Open/Select/EA)

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is specifically designed for highly available Internet facing web serving environments for the next generation Windows Server 2008. With more robust capabilities than previous versions of SQL Server, SQL Server 2008 Web Edition provides what you need to help support low cost, large scale highly available web applications or hosting solutions to your customers.

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition helps hosting companies provide low cost highly scalable hosting for developers, SMBs, and consumers, all with a low monthly licensing price, four CPU support, and no limits on memory and database size for increased scalability. SQL Server 2008 Web Edition also supports the new improved SQL Server Driver for PHP, enabling reliable, scalable integration with SQL Server for PHP applications deployed on the Windows platform.

Unlike the previous offering of SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 Web Edition has greater technical capabilities such as automating security policy enforcement and supporting new integration features in the .NET Framework.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Web Edition Customer Benefits

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is designed to provide the following benefits to customers:

High Scalability and Availability

• No limits on memory

• No limits on database size

• Support for four CPUs

• Log shipping increases database availability by automatically backing up, copying, and restoring transaction logs on standby servers

Easy and Cost Effective Manageability

• Faster customer deployment with database publishing tool. (New!)

As part of the SQL Server Hosting Toolkit, the Database Publishing Wizard allows customers to easily deploy databases from their development computers into a hosted environment.

• Reduced administration time with Policy-Based Management and performance data collection tools. (New!)

Policy-Based Management allows administrators to define one set of configuration policies and apply them across SQL Server databases, enabling them to more efficiently manage their databases and SQL Server instances. Performance Studio gathers performance data across servers into one centralized dashboard.

Powerful Programmability

• Powerful application development support with .NET integration and improved driver for PHP applications. The direct support of the new Language Integrated Query (LINQ) extensions in the .NET Framework helps developers be more productive and revolutionizes how developers query data.

Low Total Cost of Ownership

• Low price reduces IT spending and increases profit margin for hosting.

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition optimized specifically for Internet facing web serving environments and built on industry standards allowing organizations to easily build new, or integrate into existing, web application environments. With close integration with .NET Framework, web developers can rapidly build web applications and services. This level of cost effective application development encourages business productivity and increases business solution opportunities.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Web Edition Availability

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition will only be available in two Microsoft licensing channels: Select licensing program and Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA).

Client access licenses (CALs) are not applicable to SQL Server 2008 Web Edition.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Web Edition Usage

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition provides a highly efficient data platform for deploying and hosting Internet-accessible Web pages, Web sites, Web applications, and Web Services.

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is designed and optimized specifically for dedicated or shared hosting Web serving needs. SQL Server 2008 Web Edition may be used only to support public and Internet accessible Web

· pages,

· sites,

· applications, and

· services

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition may not be used to support line of business applications (e.g. Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Management and other similar applications).

Therefore, if additional capabilities are needed, you should consider using one of the following editions of SQL Server 2008:

• SQL Server 2008, Standard

• SQL Server 2008, Enterprise

All the product features in SQL Server 2008 Web Edition are also included in the above members of the SQL Server 2008 family.

For more information, visit: https://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver

Speak to you soon.

Ciara

With the release of Windows Server 2008 and the increase of people providing hosted services I thought it might be useful to give you some information on the associated licensing.

But first, a quick overview of the SPLA.

The Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) enables services providers and independent software vendors (ISVs) to license Microsoft® licensed products on a monthly basis, over a three-year agreement term, and use these products to provide software services and hosted applications to your customers. While other Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, such as Enterprise Agreement, Select License, and Open License do not allow commercial hosting of Microsoft licensed products, the Services Provider License Agreement does give you the right to license Microsoft products for commercial hosting.

Types of SPLA Licenses

There are two types of SPLA licenses. Choose the one that's right for you based on how you offer Microsoft licensed products to your customers.

Per Subscriber: A Subscriber Access License (SAL) is required for each unique individual user or device that is authorized to access or otherwise use the licensed products. With the SAL option, you don't need a separate Server License.

Per Processor: Each Processor License allows an unlimited number of users to access the software that is installed on that processor for products licensed through a per processor model.

Now for the Windows piece.

Offering hosted Services with Windows Server 2008 running virtual instances:

If you offer hosted Services from Windows Server 2008 to multiple customers and run virtual instances you will need to license Windows Server under SPLA. Please note that SPLA is the only licensing model that allows hosting/ renting / leasing Microsoft Software to multiple 3^rd parties / customers.

Running virtual instances of Windows Servers – license count:

Windows is always licensed per physical processors, regardless whether you run Windows in physical or Virtual OSE’s. With Windows Server Enterprise you get 4 virtual instances for the number of licenses equal to the total number of physical processors.

Sample

                1 proc Server                     1 license                               4 virtual instances

                1 proc Server                     2 licenses                             5-8 virtual instances

                1 proc Server                     3 licenses                             9-12 virtual instances

                2 proc Server                     2 license                               4 virtual instances

                2 proc Server                     4 licenses                             5-8 virtual instances

                2 proc Server                     6 licenses                             9-12 virtual instances

Testing, maintenance, and administration access:

For each instance running in an operating system environment, you may also permit up to two (2) other users to use or access the server software to directly or indirectly host a graphical user interface (using the Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services functionality or other technology). This use is for the sole purpose of testing, maintenance, and administration of the licensed products. These users do not need Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services SALs.

Data Storage Technology:

The server software may include data storage technology called Windows Internal Database. Components of the server software use this technology to store data. You may not otherwise use or access this technology under this agreement.

Windows Server Updates Services for Windows Server:

You may download the software from a designated Microsoft web site for use with a Windows Server product. You may install and use the numbers of copies of the software equal to the numbers of software licenses you have obtained for the Windows Server product. You may only use the software to update the Windows Server product

There are numerous products that are available under the SPLA such as:

Microsoft Dynamics™ business software
Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
Microsoft Forefront™ client security
Microsoft Office System
Microsoft SharePoint® Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft System Center
Windows Server® 2008 operating system

If you have any specific queries around this program please feel fre eto drop me a line at  vs-irl@microsoft.com

Speak to you soon.

Ciara

The PDC is the definitive Microsoft event targeting influential software developers and strategic architects focused on the future of the Microsoft platform and represents a unique opportunity to educate and inform the community.

So this is a fantastic site that will make that search so much easier to do: 

Let me know what you think of this.

Tech·Ed EMEA 2008 Developers will run back to back with Tech·Ed EMEA 2008 IT Professionals in November 2008. From 10 – 14 November get five days of deep technical training dedicated to the specific needs of the developer audience. Connect with 4,000 of your EMEA colleagues, top speakers, product experts and influential community members; gain hands-on experience and explore the newest and coolest development tools and platforms.

Enterprise Developers, Infrastructure Architects, Software Architects, Solution Architects, Software Engineers, Web Designers, Web Developers and Development Managers:

Learn the skills you need to build more streamlined, scalable applications. Look out for our new bonus track dedicated to PDC highlights. See what's new in Silverlight 2.0 beta that enables the developer and designer to collaborate to build exciting new applications. Explore considerations and real-world guidance for programming mobile devices, distributing applications as a service, building Windows Embedded solutions, developing Windows Vista compatible applications, and integrating Web solutions. Acquire techniques to develop better connected, interoperable solutions. Speed up your application development time by putting into use Microsoft application lifecycle management tools.

Don’t miss out and register before the 31 July 2008 Super Early Bird deadline (SEB) – Save €300 plus receive value add benefits. SEB price €1,945 + 16% VAT - Quote code DLCTMX9U to qualify. See the Web site for detailed registration information. We look forward to seeing you in Barcelona. www.microsoft.com/emea/teched2008/developer/

It has been brought to our attention that some Partners have recently experienced difficulties in accessing their MSDN Downloads.  This was due to a system change.   Affected users will need to re-associate their Live ID to their subscription to re-access MSDN Download.

ACTION: Partners if you have been experiencing difficulties in accessing your MSDN Download please click here and fill in the required fields.  Once your information has been processed access will be re-instated.

If you have any queries in relation to this please feel free to contact me or the MSDN support team on 1800 88 21 95 choosing option 3.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Speak to you soon.

Ciara

The Expression products together contain more than 100 new features and introduce new Microsoft Silverlight functionality for creating stunning cross-browser, cross-platform Web experiences. Key features include the following:

·         Expression Web 2 adds support for PHP and Adobe Photoshop import based on customer feedback.

·         Expression Blend 2, in addition to Silverlight support, adds vertex animation and an improved user interface with a new split design/XAML view.

·         Expression Design 2 adds improved exporting functionality including the ability to export slices.

·         Expression Media 2 is a robust digital asset management solution for photographers and other creative professionals. It adds support for the latest file formats including RAW, provides geotagging functionality, and is supported by Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2008.

·         Expression Encoder 2 is now a core offering of the suite. It allows creative and Web professionals to optimize almost any type of video content quickly for publishing on the Web, either in streaming video, rich-media advertising or other Web 2.0 projects.

This groundbreaking release brings creative professionals fully into the application development process, accelerating time to market, minimizing resource use and improving return on investment for new projects. A full overview of features is available at https://www.microsoft.com/expression/features.