Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta 2 is now Available for Download!
Get ready to deploy Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta 2.
The Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 launches are just around the corner. As you prepare to deploy these operating systems, get a jump start with Microsoft® Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2. Leverage this Solution Accelerator to achieve efficient, cost-effective deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
MDT 2010 is the next version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. New features such as flexible driver management, optimized user interface workflow, and Windows PowerShell™ can simplify deployment and make your job easier. MDT 2010 will support deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista®, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP. Join the beta now!
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT provides you with the following benefits:
- Unified tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment in a common deployment console and collection of guidance.
- Reduced deployment time and standardized desktop and server images, along with improved security and ongoing configuration management.
- Fully automated zero touch installation deployments by leveraging System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 beta and Windows deployment tools. For those without a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure, MDT leverages Windows deployment tools for lite touch installation deployments.
New Functionality
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta 2 is a significant upgrade over MDT 2010 Beta 1. MDT 2010 Beta 2 adds the following new features and functionality:
Next Steps
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2 is now available! To invite customers and partners to join the Beta program, forward them the information in this e-mail message.
- Download the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta 2 and give us your feedback (Live ID login and registration required). If already a member, click here.
- Learn more about this toolkit by visiting MDT TechNet site
Source- MDT Blog
windows7upgradeoption.com to be launched on Friday,26th June
The new site Windows 7 Upgrade option has been revealed.Though still their is no information available.The page reads as
Thank you for your interest. Please return to this site on June 26, 2009.
What will be provided on Friday is unknown but we may finally find out pricing options for Windows 7 upgrades or it could possibly show the paths you have to upgrade to Windows 7 but leaving out the pricing options.
Microsoft also plans to release final versions of its Windows 7 keyboard and mice drivers on June 26.
A quick background check on who owns the site reveals that "This site is hosted for Microsoft by arvato digital services.
© 2009 This site is maintained by or for one of the following Microsoft Corporation affiliates: Microsoft Licensing, GP, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, or Microsoft (China) Co. Limited, and the applicable entity is referred to as "Microsoft" throughout this site" and also the domain is owned by Microsoft so this site is legitimate
Thanks to Neowin for the info
Windows 7 latest build,build 7264
The latest build compiled in the RTM branch is Windows 7 build 7264.The build string is 6.1.7264.0.win7_rtm.090622-1900 and the build was compiled on 22nd June.The build previously posted which we doubted to be real was actually fake.
Further acording to wzor Windows 7 RTM would be available by 13t July and the build number would probably be 7300.
We would be posting more info as and when available.
Deep Zoom Composer - June 2009 Preview!
We know you’ve been waiting, and we know you just can’t wait any longer, so here it is:
As always, please uninstall all existing versions of Deep Zoom Composer before installing the new version.
The following sections highlight just a small list of the new features we’ve added and improved based on your ideas, and our subsequent blog posts will delve into these features in greater detail.
Navigation Support
A common request has been around doing more with your Deep Zoom images than just being able to zoom in and out on them. In this release, we have introduced some cool navigation features which allow you to navigate between images or areas of images in a web/hyperlink-like fashion. You can also link images to external URLs as well.
Better Memory Usage
Deep Zoom Composer now uses significantly less memory than it did before, so you should now be able to work with more images in your composition.
First Draft of Updated Collection Exporting
We have now added the ability for you to import images, tag them directly from your image list in the Compose view, pick from a set of pre-defined templates, and export. All of this was done without you having to first place your image on the design surface.
This is an area we are going to significantly improve in our upcoming releases, so stay tuned for some further updates on what we have planned.
Reporting
If you are an advertiser, knowing which images get the most attention is pretty valuable. We have put in place some early functionality that allows you to do this.
…and More!
There are numerous little improvements we have made, and we’ll try to mention them as we go along in future Deep Zoom Composer related posting.
Where Next?
A lot of the features we have introduced are a bit rough on the edges, and we are going to be investing heavily the UI/styling/usability of them for our upcoming releases. Please feel free to comment below on things you like or don’t like, and that will help us prioritize things for future releases.
Source- MSDN Blog
XNA Game Studio 3.1 is GO!
That’s right! The latest, greatest version of our kick-butt free game creation tool XNA Game Studio 3.1 is available to download now! You can read all about awesome new features like Avatars, Xbox LIVE Party Systems, and Video over at Creators Club Online.
If you’re interested in submitting or upgrading your existing Xbox LIVE Community Game using XNA Game Studio 3.1, be sure to read up on the details surrounding converting and submitting 3.1 projects!
Source- XNA Team Blog
TechNet Magazine – July 2009
The July edition of TechNet Magazine is now available online or, if you prefer, you can download as an HTML Help .chm file for offline reading.
The cover highlights the article about managing Active Directory with Identity Lifecycle Manager (ILM) 2007. Although this is a subject that concerns most of the Messaging Administrators, there are 2 other articles that are more “Exchange-specific”: Utility Spotlight Exchange Server Remote Connectivity Analyzer and Exchange Q & A New Features and Improvements in Exchange Server 2010.
Download Windows 7 RC Training Kit for Developers
The Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers includes presentations, hands-on labs, and demos. This content is based on Windows 7 RC and provides an early peak to our final training. This training kit is designed to help you learn how to build applications that shine on Windows 7 by utilizing key features such as:
- Taskbar
- Libraries
- Multi Touch
- Sensors and Location
- Ribbon
- Trigger Start Services,
- Instrumentation and ETW
- Application Compatability
Windows 7 Software Logo Toolkit Now Publically Available
Microsoft is pleased to announce the public availability of the Beta release for the Windows 7 Software Logo Toolkit. The toolkit allows ISVs to submit and receive the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo for their products.
Improvements, including self-test for applications, instant approval of passing applications, and a streamlined waiver process dramatically speed up the logo testing and the submission process. Fees for logo submissions have also been eliminated.
As a valued logo partner, the "Compatible with Windows 7" program also offers a variety of benefits including co-branding, MS partner points, and premier placement on a variety of online consumer facing sites.
Here are a few simple steps towards getting started:
1. Download the Beta logo toolkit here: https://connect.microsoft.com/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?SiteID=831&DownloadID=19072
NOTE: this link also includes the logo requirements document, toolkit release notes, a toolkit user’s guide, and an overview of the submission process.
2. Submit the test report from the toolkit via: https://winqual.microsoft.com.
3. If a waiver is needed for a failing test case from the toolkit report, the streamlined waiver process can be initiated by completing the online form at the following link:
https://connect.microsoft.com/feedback/CreateFeedbackForm.aspx?FeedbackFormConfigurationID=3419&FeedbackType=3&SiteID=831&wa=wsignin1.0
Some additional information you may find helpful:
· Logo artwork and marketing guides can be downloaded from http://winqual.microsoft.com immediately once the following has been completed:
The passing logo report is submitted and the logo policies are accepted
The Software Logo License Agreement is signed online
· Instructions on how to perform the two manual tests can be found in the release notes.
· Windows 7 Logo Waiver/Exception Request: https://connect.microsoft.com/feedback/CreateFeedbackForm.aspx?FeedbackFormConfigurationID=3419&FeedbackType=3&SiteID=831
· Only test results generated by the Beta release of the toolkit can be used to submit for the logo
· Additional frequently asked questions (FAQ) and the corresponding answers are maintained at the following location:
Technical FAQ:
https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=11911&SiteID=831
Business FAQ:
https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=11912&SiteID=831
Source- MSDN Blog
