|
Volume 12, Number 6: March 10, 2008
|
|
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
|
Your Featured Content
|
|
Ensure that the content most relevant to you is presented in this section.
|
Evaluation Center
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
Web Resources
|
|
Understand the architectural impact of building, running, consuming and monetizing S+S solutions.
|
Security for Developers
|
|
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.
|
Training
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
Case Studies
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
http://heroeshappenhere.com  |
|
Webcasts & Online Events
Visual Studio 2008: Making Your Life Easier
Topics 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
|
|
National and Global Events
Microsoft ASP.NET Connections, Visual Studio Connections, SQL Server Magazine Connections
April 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.
|
|
|
Back to newsletter list
