International .NET Association Asia Pacific

Upcoming Fire Side Chats: Find out how Microsoft Research could change your life in years to come. And how SQL Server 2008 R2 could change your life this year.

Microsoft Research: Looking Ahead

Rick Rashid, Senior VP, Microsoft Research

3/4/2010 9:00 AM (PST)

Microsoft Research is at the cutting edge on a wide variety of technology and related social disciplines. Just a few of the projects currently being worked on are WorldWide Telescope, Bing Translator, Situated Interaction, Dryad and DryadLinq, as well as various projects to bring technology and financial benefits to third world and disadvantaged users, You can see many more at http://research.microsoft.com

As senior vice president, Richard (Rick) F. Rashid oversees worldwide operations for Microsoft Research, an organization encompassing more than 850 researchers across six labs worldwide. Before joining Microsoft, Rashid was professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Rashid's research interests have focused on artificial intelligence, operating systems, networking and multiprocessors. He also co-developed of one of the earliest networked computer games, "Alto Trek," during the mid-1970s.

In this Fireside Chat, Rick will talk about some of the technologies being worked on in research labs today and provide some insights into some of the opportunities that technology will enable in the future. Whether it be through new user interfaces, or by means of computers that can act on behalf of users, technology will deliver even more benefits to individuals and society as a whole in years to come.

SQL Server 2008 R2 Technical Preview: New features and capabilities in SQL Server 2008 R2

Tom Casey, General Manager, SQL Server Business Intelligence

3/23/2010 8:00 AM (PST), 3/23/2010 6:00 PM (PST)

Join Tom Casey, General Manager, SQL Server Business Intelligence as he talks about how Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 expands on the value delivered in SQL Server 2008 by providing a wealth of new features and capabilities. Tom will discuss the powerful end user analytics and reporting enabled through an innovative Microsoft Excel add-in, the highly scalable data warehouse appliance, as well as High scale complex event processing.

SQL Server 2008 R2: Self Service Analytics

Donald Farmer

3/30/2010 8:00 AM (PST), 3/30/2010 6:00 PM (PST)

IT departments and users have traditionally been at odds with each other over self-service analytics. IT departments seek to maintain IT governance and control; end-users want to generate and manage their own content and reporting. With managed self-service business intelligence in SQL Server 2008 R2, these two worlds meet, providing significant business advantage. Join Donald Farmer for a rich discussion on the importance of Self Service Business Intelligence and how SQL Server 2008 R2 provides both end-users and IT with cutting edge tools to create, analyze and model, share and manage business intelligence data in a secure and streamlined way.

MSDN Magazine issues are now available as PDF

MSDN Magazine issues are now available as PDF, Can be downloaded from here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee412244.aspx

2010 Microsoft Business Productivity Community Launch

Dear Valued Community Leader,

The 2010 Microsoft Business Productivity Community Launch is now officially open and I would like to invite you to participate in this exclusive opportunity!

The focus of this product launch is to deliver training and event content for the products listed below. These products provide comprehensive productivity and collaboration capabilities for business while providing IT the flexibility and control of a single platform that is easier to integrate, build upon and maintain.

More Details:

Expectations of Your Participation:

Definition of an Event:

Support:
For support of any kind, please email CLESUP@MICROSOFT.com .

Thank you for your support and participation in the 2010 Microsoft Business Productivity Community Launch . We value your role, your voice and your impact in making this important launch a success.

Developers Developers Developers Developers

17 useful articles by developers for developers and comics? And available as a free download? And released under a Creative Commons license? And it’s from Microsoft?

Yup.

Download Now

You can even order a printed copy of the book. The printed copy is available at cost via Lulu.com.

Full Color Version ($38.90)

Black and White Version ($9.68)

To check what's in the book click here

Fireside chats

We thought you might be interested in the new Fireside chats Microsoft has just announced, including a couple (SharePoint features and Live Meeting) specifically created for User Group leaders and their members. You can go to the http://chats.msugss.com site to find out more, including about the new prize giveaway they are organizing, and of course to register for any chats you are interested in.

Here are the chats scheduled from now until the end of January: -

01/12/10              Barry Briggs                  Microsoft IT: Chief Architect and CTO
01/13/10              Ankur Kothari                Exchange 2010: Migration and Deployment best practices.
01/19/10              Viral Tarpara                 SharePoint Features for User Group Leaders.
01/21/10              Natasha Palandri            Welcome to Office Live Meeting
01/28/10              Mark Russinovich           SysInternals and Windows Internals

Microsoft Introduces Thrive

Get the Resources You Need to Tackle the Recession Head-on – and Come Out on Top

Thrive for Developers

The times are tough. You’re doing more with less, applying your skills more broadly, and maybe even learning new tools. That’s why Microsoft created Thrive – a one-stop community hub that offers job postings , technical content , and community resources . So whether you’re seeking new ways to differentiate yourself on the job, or you need to re-tool your skills for that next big role, Thrive has the resources to help you get there faster.

Visit Thrive today for career advice, training programs, job postings, event listings, and a wide range of tools that can help you stand out... more
How to Survive the Technical Interview

Ever wondered what it takes to get through those technical interviews you read about? Join Visual Studios Fiona Fung as she helps you improve your chances by giving you the tips and tricks it will take to help you survive the technical interview. Fiona will provide you some insight into what your interview day might look like and some of the questions you should be prepared to answer. (This event was recorded on November 3, 2008.)

11/4/2008 12:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)- 11/4/2010 11:59 PM | Duration:60 Minutes

https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032394500&culture=en-US

SQL Server BI webcast series

SQLServerGeeks.com cordially invites you to SQL Server Business Intelligence webcast series – with 4 webcasts spread over a week. This is an excellent opportunity to get an upstart with BI on SQL Server. The series is very well crafted with 4 webcasts looking into different facets of BI. If you know nothing about BI, do not miss the first webcast: BI for you. The four webcasts are as follows:

Webcast 1 : BI for you - November 6, Friday, 3 pm to 4.30 pm

Webcast 2 : Create your first cube - November 9, Monday, 3 pm to 4.30 pm

Webcast 3 : Extract data from the cube - November 11, Wednesday, 3 pm to 4.30 pm

Webcast 4 : Learn MDX scripting - November 13, Friday, 3 pm to 4.30 pm

To register & browse more details about each webcast, visit www.SQLServerGeeks.com/Events/SQLBIwebcasts.htm

Amit Bansal, SQL Server MVP from India, will be delivering the entire series. He is a professional consultant, trainer, speaker & writer on SQL Server (Database Platform & Business Intelligence). He speaks at major summits and conferences of Microsoft worldwide including TechED, MCT Summits, MSDN & TechNet conferences. He has conducted more than 200 workshops on SQL Server & trained more than 3000 IT professionals.

To register, visit www.SQLServerGeeks.com/Events/SQLBIwebcasts.htm

We look forward to your participation. Do spread the word by blogging about it and posting it in relevant forums. Your efforts in this community activity will be highly appreciated.

One .NET Campaign & Contest

Wanted: Killer apps! Reward: $12,000 prize!

Spread the word—there’s a contest for developers blazing trails with the .NET Framework and Visual Studio, Windows, Windows Server, Windows Azure, SQL Server, or SharePoint.

We’re looking for interesting, powerful and unique solutions based on the latest Microsoft technologies.
And the winners get their choice of a 15 day Galapagos Islands Adventure or a new Smart Car!

Two ways to win!

Judges Choice: Impress the panel of technology industry leaders and Microsoft gurus for the trip, the car, a home entertainment system or an internet tablet PC.

People’s Choice: Get friends, family and colleagues to vote for your solution. Receive the most votes and win one of three ARCHOS 320 GB Media Internet Tablet PCs.

Our current campaign site ‘Expect the Unexpected’ features some unique developers and their amazing solutions. Check them out at www.DotNETstories.com .

But we’re looking for more great solutions!!! Have you used .NET Framework to create an amazing app? Are you doing remarkable work in the market with a solution built with Microsoft dev tools? Give us the details and you could win a prize worth US$12,000. The contest launches Wednesday, November 4 ^th so submit your story at www.myDotNETstory.com and spread the word!

Best Practice Webcast: GreenIT and Client Computing

Thanks for attending the session and making the event successful!

If you’ve missed the session or wish to view the recorded version and slides can also be downloaded from the following link:

Click here to download Recorded Live Meeting Session and Presentation
Mysore PASS Chapter SQL Server Webcasts Series

Mysore /Mandya Technology Group (MY-TG) has organized a SQL Webcast series starting this Saturday for the next few weeks. We are organizing SQL Server Parties as well on the same days in Mysore to facilitate comradeship amongst SQL Server enthusiasts.

MY-TG invites you to attend these series of events online or in-person in Mysore.
We all know there are SQL Server Webcasts and events happening all the time, but what makes this series stand out?

Here is the answer:

Totally free of cost.
World class presenters and subject matter experts from around the world.
Each session has something to attract all SQL Server Enthusiasts: Beginner to Advanced level
Being held on Saturdays only.
Being held between 5 pm and 7 pm India time on Saturdays.
Convenient timings so that it there is no excuse to miss this event in any corner of the world.
SQL Server party on all event days in Mysore.
Organized by, presented by SQL Server Enthusiasts for the SQL Server Enthusiasts purely on a voluntary basis.
Cool prizes to be won

Click here to register for this event and for more details please visit http://positivekingdom.info .

Please spread the word so that SQL Server enthusiasts from around the world can benefit from this series.

INETA APAC FY10 Planning

It's the time of the year when INETA APAC volunteers(14 volunteers) plan out strategies for the upcoming financial year, FY10, which starts from the 1st of July 2009. up to the end of June 2010. The INETA APAC Volunteer team has come up with ideas about new services which we feel that INETA APAC should provide to it's member groups. This is probably the most important feedback which you can give us, both about our existing services and about new planned services. Please, provide your feedback here .

Keeping up with INETA

Did you know that beyond the INETA newsletter and website, you can follow the goings-on of INETA on the INETA Live! blog and Facebook ?

INETA Live!

INETA on Facebook

Collaboration with Toastmasters

A collaboration had been formed between Microsoft, PASS, INETA and Culminis, to help members build their presentation skills. Click here for more details

Microsoft User Group Support Services is now LIVE

Microsoft User Group Support Services is now LIVE and ready to serve your technical user group communities!

The following announces the release of User Group Support Services to the Developer and ITPRO technical user group communities. This release officially retires the Codezone branding and launches the UGSS mission: to support Developer and IT Professional User Groups worldwide in their success ! Please ensure your local user groups are aware of this and encourage them to register at http://www.ugss.codezone.com ! To help you, we’ve provided the attached postcard which you can forward to them to help them better understand the benefits of UGSS!

Benefits!

Get Extra $ for Your Events – UGSS Offers event funding of up to $1000 per year, per user group

Get People at Your Events – UGSS offers a robust events calendar to better help user groups publicize their events. This calendar is synchronized with other community calendars (like Community Megaphone) to provide the best value to our user group leaders!

Get Great Stuff to Show! – UGSS offers a selection of content built specifically for user group events for UG Leaders to use

And much more !

REGISTER NOW ON USER GROUP SUPPORT SERVICES!

(UGSS.CODEZONE.COM)

Questions: Contact ugss@microsoft.com

Free TechNet Plus Direct Subscription

In recognition of the tremendous work done by technical user groups around the world, and in particular the Culminis, INETA and PASS associations, Microsoft would like to offer each user group a free one year subscription to TechNet Plus Direct.

Each subscription will be for a specific named individual, but of course that person can then use the subscription to help the user group members as appropriate within the terms of the license.

One member of your user group will be given a one year TechNet Plus Direct Subscription. TechNet Plus Direct is a premium yearly subscription that offers access to a comprehensive set of resources and tools designed to help IT Professionals evaluate, deploy, and support Microsoft products. During the subscription year, the chosen user will have access to the following TechNet Plus Subscription Benefits:

Evaluation software : Download and install over 70 titles of full version Microsoft software, without any time limits, for evaluation and proof of concept purposes.

Pre – Release Betas : Get access to selected Betas before release to general public.

TechNet Technical Library : Download the updated Microsoft Knowledge Base to your device, and have access to security updates, service packs, resource kits, utilities, technical training, and
product documentation.

eLearning Courses : Each subscriber has the opportunity to take three selected (recently released) eLearning courses every quarter. A total of 12 for each subscription year.

Managed Newsgroup Support : Receive a reviewed response to any query posted on a TechNet Newsgroup within 24 hours.

Online Concierge Chat : Access 24/7 instant message chat support with an online search professional that can help you locate specific resources.

Technical Support Incidents : Access two Technical support incidents per subscription year, and a 20% discount on additional support.

TechNet Magazine (availability varies by region).

After the one year subscription term lapses, the subscriber will need to renew. For more information on how to buy additional TechNet Plus subscription or renew existing TechNet Plus subscriptions, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb892754.aspx

Please note that this offer is valid during 2009 and is restricted to one subscription per user group. If your user group is a member of Culminis, INETA and PASS you are still only entitled to a single subscription, not to three.

In order to take advantage of this offer you will need to provide Microsoft with the contact details for your user group and for the member who will hold the subscription. By providing this information you grant Microsoft the right to contact you regarding this offer and other user group related matters. You also grant Microsoft the right to pass your contact information to the Culminis, INETA or PASS associations in order to validate your membership.

To register your user groups free TechNet Plus Direct subscription, please complete the form at https://connect.microsoft.com/UGSS/Survey/Survey.aspx?SurveyID=7794&wa=wsignin1.0 . Once this form is completed, the subscriber will receive an email with details of how to register their account within a few days, at which time they will also be able to select a language option for their account.

Country Leads

INETA is currently accepting volunteer applications, for Country Lead's. A Country lead is a key INETA volunteer who represents the developer community in their countries. They provide inputs to INETA APAC tofo support developer user groups. They would represent INETA APAC in their countries and work towards building the community. For more information download this document . In order to apply for the position of a INETA Country Lead, submit a profile of your community activities and affiliations to apac.admin@ineta.org

Carry all your tech books with you anytime with one-click reference on Microsoft technologies

Microsoft Press has developed a virtual library for IT Professionals, developers and information workers who want to learn about Microsoft products and related technologies. And we want to share it with the Microsoft user group members. To learn more about the E-Reference Library, please click here .

The Developer Library
The Developer library lets you search across over 100 technology books (New books are added every month!) published by Microsoft Press with one click to locate just the information you are looking for – by topic, code fragments, problems, etc. You can also create your personal bookshelf, bookmark, make notes, and download up to five chapters per month.
INETA members are entitled to 25% discount on the subscription of the Developer Library. Follow this link to give it a try. If you are ready to purchase, please use this link to get the discount.

OFFICIAL CALL-TO-ACTION: SQL SERVER 2008 COMMUNITY LAUNCH

The SQL Server 2008 Community Launch is an exclusive opportunity to work directly with Microsoft to host your own launch event around SQL Server 2008. The program provides the technical training and launch support resources to showcase some of the technical features of this product within your local community.

Select up to three individuals from your user group or technical club to be a Community Launch Leader (you may include yourself as one of the three). Those you select will go through this exclusive program and will be responsible for planning and managing SQL Server 2008 Energy Events for your group or club. Once you have selected members in your group or club to be Community Launch Leaders, communicate the opportunity, program, and experience to them. You can nominate up to 3 Launch Leaders, exceptions will be made for large user groups. Contact Community Launch Support for assistance or more details.
The Community Launch Portal opens for enrollment on AUGUST 18, 2008. Please ask your selected leaders to register using this link beginning August 18: . Registration is open for a limited time only.
Automatic enrollment and instant access to content: Once you and your fellow Community Launch Leaders submit enrollment request, you will be granted access to the UGSS Community Launch portal, where you can begin preparing for your launch event. Following registration, Microsoft will coordinate with their regional subsidiaries to confirm your eligibility to receive a launch kit consistent with the program guidelines.

The Value of being a Community Launch Leader:

Work directly with Microsoft product groups and subject matter experts to lead a launch event in your local community.
Be the first to receive new and deeply technical training content for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 .
Gain access to speaker and presentation training from Microsoft resources and accredited community experts.
You will receive a product oriented technical resource launch kit to support your event.
Access to logistics and sponsorship offerings through PASS Community Connection.

Volunteers Required

The International .NET Association (INETA) is looking for volunteers to help out in various committees. If you have experience working with volunteer organizations please feel free to contact us

Great Microsoft Learning Offers!

Microsoft Learning has released a collection of valuable offers for the Ineta user group community. Get the Microsoft Learning products that you want for less. Take advantage today of these special offers for developers by visiting: www.microsoft.com/learning/offers

Get a free “Second Shot” at passing a Microsoft Certification exam; please visit: www.microsoft.com/learning/secondshot

For savings on SQL Server learning resources, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/sql/2008

Get great savings on Virtualization learning resources at: www.microsoft.com/learning/virtualization

Free Microsoft Learning “Snacks”

Learning Snacks are free, short, interactive presentations about popular topics and have been created by Microsoft Learning experts. Each Snack is delivered by using innovative Microsoft Silverlight technology and includes various media, such as animations and recorded demos. Time-strapped? You can learn something new in less than five minutes! Try a “snack” today at: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/snacks

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