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Volume 12, Number 6: March 10, 2008
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From the Editor
Last month, Microsoft kicked off the 2008 Launch Wave with more than 200 events worldwide celebrating the launch of Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, and Microsoft SQL Server 2008. If you missed the Heroes Happen Here launch in Los Angeles on February 27, you can still experience the L.A. launch for yourself through the Microsoft Virtual Launch Experience. Watch Steve Ballmer's keynote and more than 20 technical sessions, or browse more than 45 sponsored Microsoft and community "booths" - all on demand. Created with Microsoft Expression and Visual Studio 2008, and running on Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008, the VLE is an immersive Microsoft Silverlight application that allows you to experience the launch on your own time, at the speed and in the way that works best for you.
Speaking of Silverlight, at MIX08 last week, Microsoft announced the first public beta of Silverlight 2, which will be a major update of Silverlight that focuses on enabling rich Internet application (RIA) development. Silverlight 2 includes a cross-platform, cross-browser version of the .NET Framework, and enables a rich .NET development platform that runs in the browser. For a first look at Silverlight 2, check out Scott Guthrie's blog, which includes links to the eight tutorials that Scott put together to explain the different programming concepts. Or get right to it and download Silverlight 2 Beta 1.
To help you start creating Silverlight 2-based applications, Microsoft announced the Microsoft Expression Blend 2.5 March 2008 Preview, which can be used to create and modify managed Silverlight 2-based applications. Download Microsoft Expression Blend 2 and report any technical issues to the team.
Microsoft also unveiled the Expression Studio 2 Beta at MIX08 with support for PHP and Silverlight. The Beta release includes Expression Web 2, Expression Blend 2, Expression Design 2, Expression Media 2 and Expression Encoder 2. Download the Microsoft Expression Studio Beta.
Also at MIX08, Microsoft unveiled the first public beta of Internet Explorer 8, the next version of the popular browser that delivers significantly improved standards support and developer platform investments with enhanced user experiences. Two new features in particular, Activities and WebSlices, will enable developers to reach beyond the page and introduce new ways for users to stay connected to the content and services of their choice. See for yourself. Download Internet Explorer 8 beta 1.
Microsoft's Expanded Interoperability StrategyMicrosoft has announced a set of broad-reaching changes to its technology and business practices to increase the openness of its products and drive greater interoperability, opportunity, and choice for developers, partners, customers, and competitors. Get full access to the Open Protocol Specifications in the MSDN Library. Thanks for reading.
Editor, MSDN Flash
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A Note from Your Student Developer Team
The Microsoft Students to Business (S2B) program is a Microsoft Community Initiative designed to connect Microsoft students with partners and customers for entry-level and internship positions. Microsoft S2B will provide unique training opportunities and resources for students to establish the skill requirements to fuel innovation and enable employability of the next generation.
Microsoft (S2B) not only connects you to job offerings (I received 500 listings when searching "developer"), but also provides career advice, like the dos and don'ts for online resumes (Guidance->Career Resources->Resumes). For additional questions, or to connect S2B with your career office, contact s2bus@microsoft.com.
If you're not quite ready to hit the job market, we'll help you prepare by linking you to great content.
Last month's poll results:
 What's your favorite source for blogging?
Free Software - DreamSpark
Yes, it's still free. All U.S. students (and those from many other countries) can access this software through one of three methods:
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When you select a product from DreamSpark your school is listed. |
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You can auto-verify through JourneyEd by going through the checkout process. |
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You can paper-verify through JourneyEd by sending a copy of your School ID, class schedule, and tuition receipt. |
Free E-books for Visual Studio
C4F Developer KitJust getting started in Visual Studio 2008? The C4F Developer kit contains easy-to-use drag-and-drop controls, including 10+ Windows Vista APIs and 8+ Web service wrappers. This Codeplex Project was created to demonstrate the power and ease of creating fun, cool applications with the new Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions. The kit includes Visual Basic and Visual C# source code for all tools and samples, as well as complete QuickStarts and API documentation. For more information on this project, visit the C4F Developer Kit home page on the Visual Studio 2008 Express Web site. Additionally, we've created the C4F Vista P2P Toolkit for adding peer-to-peer functionality to Windows Forms and WPF applications.
Have you taken a flight with Popfly? Popfly has been nominated for C|Net's Webware 100. Make your own mashup and vote for Popfly.
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Your Featured Content
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Ensure that the content most relevant to you is presented in this section.
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Looking for Visual Studio extensions? Check out this new way to find everything from community-built power toys to advanced industry partner solutions.
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Government Resources
Visual Studio Team System 2008 Briefing
Come join your technology peers to learn about current and future .NET technologies. The focus of this 1-day seminar will be Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Team System. You will be provided with an overview of each role, and the session will wrap up with a preview of the next version of Team System (codenamed "Rosario").
Developer WebcastsLearn about the latest Microsoft development tools for public sector developers! And be sure to check out the upcoming webcast schedule.
On-Demand WebcastsMissed a webcast that you wanted to attend? Check out our on-demand webcasts.
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Microsoft Visual Studio Team System 2008 helps accelerate the development of new solutions and supports DHS's application lifecycle management strategy, while Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 provide a full-featured, reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-manage platform for deploying and supporting those solutions - all of which is possible with in-house resources and expertise.
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Gain an insight in to Microsoft Robotics Studio (MSRS) through the demonstration-oriented presentation by Vlad Vinogradsky, Architect Evangelist, DPE - Public Sector, focused on MSRS which is a .NET-based environment for building highly concurrent, loosely coupled, service oriented, and asynchronous applications. This session will provide an overview of MSRS, its application model and Visual Programming Language as well as peek under the hood at the MSRS technology foundation - Concurrency and Coordination Runtime (CCR), and Decentralized Software Services (DSS).
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Microsoft Learning
Stay ahead of the curve with Microsoft Learning for Visual Studio 2008. Whether you are learning new features, improving expertise, increasing your productivity, or just staying ahead of the curve, Microsoft Learning can help you get up to speed quickly. Microsoft Learning materials are the most reliable and up-to-date source of learning about Microsoft products.
.NET Framework KB Articles
Visual Studio .NET and Visual Studio 2005 KB Articles
SQL Server and Data Access KB Articles
C# KB Articles
Visual Basic .NET KB Articles
Team Development, Source Control, and Testing KB Articles
MSDN Subscribers
Update on Windows Driver Kit (WDK) for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1The Server 2008 edition of the Windows Driver Kit is temporarily unavailable from MSDN. A patch from Windows Update (KB 938371) interferes with installation of the Kernel Mode Driver Framework on Windows Vista. We expect to have fully tested the fix to this problem by March 15. Until then, we ask that you not release device drivers using KMDF version 1.7. For further information, contact WDFINFO@microsoft.com.
Evaluation Center
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Windows Server 2008 provides developers with the most secure, flexible and connected Web and applications platform, reducing the time to craft high-performing, standards-compliant applications and make network services available remotely. Register to download the trial software and you'll get access to resources strategically assembled to address the challenges you'll face as you discover, assess, and deploy the software.
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SQL Server 2008, the next release of Microsoft SQL Server, will enable developers to create new applications that can store and consume any type of data on any device, while allowing all your users to make informed decisions with relevant insights. For more information on SQL Server 2008 and for an opportunity to share your feedback to the product team, check out the SQL Server 2008 resources page.
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Web Resources
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Understand the architectural impact of building, running, consuming and monetizing S+S solutions.
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Jamie Laflen extols the benefits of TDD when applied to database development - and supplies some useful techniques along the way.
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The .NET Compact Framework 3.5 provides a subset of Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) functionality that you can harness to communicate between Windows Mobile devices and desktop PCs. This MSDN Magazine article shows you how.
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With the NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Foundation can now truly be integrated with Windows Communication Foundation. This column describes how the integration works and how to make use of it effectively.
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Security for Developers
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What exactly does the SDL have to say about Web 2.0 development? To answer this question, let's take a look at a couple of security issues that affect Web 2.0 applications, and then dive into the corresponding SDL requirements.
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Training
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Visit the Visual Studio 2008 Learning Portal to find training resources like the free downloadable e-book offer featuring Visual Studio 2008-related technologies. Then check out new and upcoming titles from Microsoft Press to enhance your training.
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In Introducing SQL Server 2008, you'll learn about major new features in SQL Server 2008, including security, administration, and performance. Get a free offer of excerpts from this insightful new book by Peter DeBetta.
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Deep Training offers intensive, expert-taught, custom, hands-on classes in .NET at your organization - and now self-paced courseware, too. For a limited time, get a 40% discount on our SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services DVD- or CD-based training courseware.
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31 March - 4 April, Copenhagen, Denmark
You won't recognize this as QuickStart - the content is richer and deeper. We've included R2 and accelerated the pace.
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Case Studies
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Cricinfo.com allows avid cricket fans to follow test matches and one-day internationals using its ball-by-ball scoring system. Based on the Microsoft .NET Framework and designed to cope with significant global demand, the Web site lets viewers follow the progress of their favorite teams.
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To deliver a secure collaboration platform, the United Nations Development Program deployed SharePoint Server 2007 together with Windows Server 2003, SQL Server 2005, and Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004.
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By using the .NET Framework, Allianz-Tiriac developed a system that gives employees access to data at any time, from any location. With reliable, real-time information, employees can offer customized quotes faster.
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Partner News
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Build cross-platform and cross-language applications using Meister and Visual Studio. Meister mashes up builds between different versions of Visual Studio and Java.
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Falafel Software releases ActiveFocus 2008, a project productivity management solution built with Web 2.0. The first license is free for all developers to enjoy.
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Develop, debug and deploy PHP Web applications with Visual Studio 2008.
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New version supports Microsoft Team Foundation Server 2005 and 2008, and Microsoft Outlook 2003 and 2007. Download free trial.
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ProDev Partner Briefing for Application Development Partners
Microsoft invites you to an exclusive briefing for our partners with an interest or competency in building custom development solutions on the Microsoft platform.
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This half day will provide an overview of the Microsoft Dynamics products and platform and will provide a clear view of how your ISV business can profit from either building on or connecting to Microsoft Dynamics products. This event is structured to deliver optimal value to business and technology leaders.
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The MSDN Flash is full of pointers to in-depth technical information that we encourage subscribers to forward to friends and co-workers. If you've received this issue from someone via e-mail and would like to receive the free MSDN Flash newsletter biweekly, all you have to do is register.
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http://heroeshappenhere.com  |
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Webcasts & Online Events
Visual Studio 2008: Making Your Life EasierTopics covered in this webcast and virtual lab series include multi-targeting, JavaScript, IntelliSense, Visual Studio Tools for Office (VSTO), Language-Integrated Query (LINQ), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and Windows Communication Foundation (WCF).
Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 to Access Data and Increase ProductivityDuring the webcasts for developers, we explore data platform features, language-integrated query (LINQ), ADO.NET Entity Framework, T_SQL improvements, Microsoft Sync Framework, and mapping data by using Virtual Earth. After you watch the webcasts, work with SQL Server 2008 during virtual labs and see how you can implement the new features within your organization.
Webcasts listed in an easy-to-use calendar format: MSDN Webcast Calendar
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National and Global Events
Microsoft ASP.NET Connections, Visual Studio Connections, SQL Server Magazine ConnectionsApril 20 - 23
Orlando, FL
Microsoft ASP.NET and Visual Studio Connections will impact how you build solutions, gain productivity, and enhance your development skills to give your company the competitive edge. The conferences are co-located with SQL Server Magazine Connections. Register for one show and attend sessions in all shows for no extra charge. Every attendee gets a copy of Visual Studio 2008.
Next Generation .NET Web Applications with Dino Esposito9 - 11 April
Mallorca Spain
ASP.NET, AJAX, Silverlight, patterns & practices, issues, tools, technologies, products for rich Internet applications: 3 days of intensive training at a great location. Registration price includes hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Course will be held in English.
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