Kurt Shintaku's Blog

I love how our partners applications are so rich and have so much personality, while still staying within some fundamental UI conventions like the horizontal sliding canvas, dynamic tiles, vertical scrolling, tap-and-holding menus, etc.

What’s even more amazing is that this is some of what we’re launching!  Can’t wait until devs really get going with the Windows Phone 7…

Yelp, Where, Travelocity, Uno LIVE, The SIMS 3, Flight Control

Star Wars: Battle for Hoth, Monopoly, The Harvest, Rocket Riot, Pictures Lab, Craigslist 7

iFood Assistant Plus, BarBuddy, Newsroom (RSS), xkcd, MSN Money Stocks, Stocks

 FourSquare, Twitt, Seesmic, Facebook, tickWell, Community Megaphone

Adobe Reader, National Geographic World Atlas, eBay, Yellowpages, Tesco Real Food, WootTracker7

Unlock the spatial data stored in Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Date: December 02, 2010
Event Start Time: 11:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
Duration: 1 hour

Understanding Web Mapping and Data Visualization using DataConnector

Attend this webcast and learn how SQL Server 2008 can help you visualize your data on a map using a free download called DataConnector. You’re most likely already familiar with SQL Server support for spatial data and now with DataConnector viewing this data on a map from Microsoft Bing is even easier. In no time at all using DataConnector you’ll be a wizard at displaying your organization’s geospatial data on a map or image of the world!

DataConnector can help you:

• View SQL Server 2008 spatial data on a map or image of the world
• Create lines and polygons (right on the map!) and store them to SQL Server 2008
• Save your organization money leveraging the Microsoft software you most likely already own
• Utilize vector and raster data and query/display this data rapidly

We’ll discuss how to show polygons (e.g. states, counties etc) and point data (e.g. customer locations) and other features such as thematic and heat maps. SQL Server 2008 and SQL Azure have rich spatial data features such as spatial data types for storage, indexing and query capabilities DataConnector allows you to make use of these built in functionalities at no extra cost.

This web cast will introduce DataConnector and relevant components, and we will deep dive on Microsoft Bing Maps and Microsoft SQL Server 2008’s spatial features and APIs. We will demonstrate the sample DataConnector UI features and how to setup and get started with developing a solution leveraging DataConnector.

Presented by:

STEVE MILROY
Technical Specialist , Microsoft
Steve Milroy is an industry leader with Location Based Services and geospatial solutions, and is a Bing Maps Technology Specialist with Microsoft. Steve has presented at developer conferences, user groups, and business associations on many emerging technology solution and development topics.

Registration Link:
https://swrt.worktankseattle.com/webcast/5741/preview.aspx

We’ve made some changes to Microsoft Platform Ready (formerly Front Runner) and added a host of new features to help you develop and promote your solutions.

No-cost Online Test Tool
We’ve made application testing simpler and faster. Sign-in, and head to the test tab on your MPR dashboard to access the latest testing tools. Use our no-cost online tests for:

• Windows® 7
• Windows Server® 2008 R2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2
• Windows Azure™ Platform
• Microsoft Dynamics™ 2011
• Microsoft Exchange 2010 + Microsoft Lync™ 2010

Plus, test results can now automatically be sent to the Microsoft Partner Network if you’re a Microsoft Partner. Applications that pass testing for Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Azure Platform will automatically qualify for the ‘Works with Windows Server 2008 R2’ or the ‘Powered by Windows Azure’ logo respectively. You can use results from Microsoft Platform Ready testing you to qualify for Microsoft Partner Network Competencies. Find out more here.

Spread the word about your app
Post application development updates to Facebook and Twitter and get your apps out in the msdev community, including auto-tweet and auto-post capabilities. Here’s how:

1. Sign-in to MPR as usual
2. Go to ‘Edit profile’
3. Add your twitter address and Facebook username
4. Check the box that says, "I want Microsoft to promote my company in Facebook and Twitter social media pages"
5. Once you’ve added your Facebook information, you can click the Facebook logo next to your application in the dashboard to let the world know about your solution*.

Now you can let the world know about your application through Facebook and Twitter.

* Only available to Microsoft Partners

This is a topic common to most of my customers:  Our Sharepoint site needs to be better maintained.  What sort of processes should we put into play to make sure our site stays under control?

Enter governance.

SharePoint 2010 Governance
Governance is a key component to ensuring the success of your SharePoint 2010 deployment, and one we frequently get asked about it as we travel to conferences and events. Represented by a set of established processes, procedures, and stakeholders, a well designed and implemented governance plan promotes adoption, ensures participation, and maximizes ROI.  By using the governance techniques, best practices, and recommendations available below, you can align your policies for using SharePoint 2010 with your culture and goals while still enabling teams and individuals to effectively collaborate and share information.

• Resource Center  (IT Governance, Information Management, Application Management)
• ALM Resource Center | SharePoint 2010
• Whitepaper: SharePoint 2010 Governance Planning
• Whitepaper: Implementing Governance in SharePoint 2010
• Whitepaper: SharePoint Server 2010 Operations Framework and Checklists
• Publication:  Essential SharePoint 2010: Overview, Governance, and Planning (Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series
• Virtual Lab: Configuring Tenant Administration on SharePoint Server 2010
• Virtual Lab: Monitoring SharePoint 2010
• Solutions: Active Directory Domain Services Markers
• Solutions: Quotas
• Solutions: Locks
• Solutions: Self-Service Site Creation

…

Read more at:

• SharePoint 2010 Governance
  http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sharepoint/archive/2010/10/14/sharepoint-2010-governance.aspx

Another useful Technet Magazine post: “Find Upgrade Issues Before Upgrading to SharePoint 2010”

SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 2 includes a new Stsadm.exe operation preupgradecheck. Pre-upgrade check can scan your existing SharePoint Server 2007 environment for problems that may prevent a successful upgrade to SharePoint Server 2010. It is not a best practices analyzer, but it does provide a wealth of information about your server farm. It processes rules and scans your current environment, outputting results to %CommonProgramFiles%\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\12\Config\Preupgradecheck.

Many potential issues that might otherwise be missed—such as custom field types—will be reported by the tool. But unlike the process of upgrading to SharePoint Server 2007, upgrading to SharePoint Server 2010 does not require the tool to be run. However, you should always run the Pre-Upgrade Check tool before upgrading.

Read more here:

• Find Upgrade Issues Before Upgrading to SharePoint 2010
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg271241.aspx

Here’s a really awesome video of the upcoming Dell Inspiron Duo which provides all the power of a laptop including a keyboard while delivering the ease of use, multitouch convenience, and portability of a tablet.  The design reminds me of the old Vadem Clio, a former Handheld PC that was just an incredible device for it’s time back in the early 2000-2001 timeframe… but I digress.

Yup.  Gonna get me one of these Duos!

Look at this:  Gartner’s weighed in on EPM suites and look who’s in the leader’s quadrant?

Yup.  Microsoft Enterprise Project & Portfolio Management came in very strong beating many big names and is in the company of some equally big names…

…none of which I’m permitted to mention in this post unfortunately due to republishing rights but all you have to do is check it out below… because we’ve licensed the reprint/republishing rights for the Magic Quadrant study and made it available to everyone to view at no charge:

• Magic Quadrant for IT Project and Portfolio Management – June 2010
  http://www.gartner.com/technology/media-products/reprints/microsoft/vol10/article12/article12.html 

We are pleased to announce the availability of a limited Beta for Office 365. Be one of the first customers to explore the cloud-based features and benefits of Office 365, and stay up-to-date on the latest Office 365 information and buzz. The Beta lets you explore the new features of Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Lync Online and Microsoft Office Professional Plus desktop suite – and experience the seamless integration across services and devices.  Space is limited.

There are two versions of Office 365 available:  Small/Medium Business & Enterprise

Microsoft Office 365 for enterprises brings together cloud versions of our trusted communications and collaboration software with our familiar Office Professional Plus desktop suite. It is designed to help meet your IT needs for robust security, reliability, and user productivity.

There are two plans:

Plans for Business Users:
We have a variety of plans to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and varying IT needs. Priced from $2 – $27 per month per user, each plan has the same 99.9% uptime guarantee and includes the security and support you expect from Microsoft. Office 365 offers great flexibility by allowing businesses to provide users access to only the services they need and pay-as-you-go pricing options.

Benefits:

• Large 25 GB mailboxes and the ability to send attachments up to 25 MB
• Financially-backed, guaranteed 99.9% uptime Service Level Agreement
• 24/7, IT-level support over the phone, the web or email
• Single sign on capabilities with Active Directory deployment 
• Latest version of Office Professional Plus – connecting users to communication and collaboration services (with certain plans)
• Office Web Apps for viewing, sharing and minor editing of documents directly from your browser (with certain plans) 
• Industry-leading, always-up-to-date antivirus and anti-spam solutions
• Integrated IM and presence, as well as online meetings with audio and video conferencing and multiparty data sharing
• Team sites to share documents, task lists, and schedules to keep workgroups in sync

Plans for Kiosk Users
Many larger businesses have users who do not have a dedicated computer – sometimes called kiosk workers. Getting kiosk workers access to email and documents to stay connected to the broader organization is still important. Office 365 has several subscription plans that offer value and flexibility for companies with kiosk workers, starting at just $2 per month per user. Kiosk plans can be combined with our Office 365 for enterprises plans for greater IT control and efficiency.

Benefits:

• 500 MB email storage per mailbox
• Outlook Web Apps for email access on a PC
• Ability to view organization SharePoint sites to stay informed
• Access to Office Web Apps for viewing, sharing and light editing of documents (with certain plans)
• Single IT management console to easily add users and administer between plans

Download this Fact Sheet to keep it all straight:

• FACT SHEET:  Office 365 for Enterprises
  http://office365.microsoft.com/uploadedFiles/Office365FactSheet.docx

BETA REGISTRATION
Register for the limited Beta of Office 365 and select the right version for your organization. You also get ongoing information from the Office 365 team and early notification of service availability.

• REGISTRATION:  Office 365 Beta for Enterprises
  http://office365.microsoft.com/en-US/office365-beta.aspx

The newly launched SharePoint Online Planning and Administration resource center provides key resources for planning, administration, and operation of SharePoint Online, a cloud-based service that helps businesses provide collaboration, business intelligence, and information management capabilities.

SharePoint Online Planning and Administration

SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service for businesses of all sizes that helps them create sites to share documents and insights with colleagues, partners, and customers.

Rather than install and deploy SharePoint Server 2010 on premises, businesses can subscribe to SharePoint Online to provide employees with the collaboration, business intelligence, and information management capabilities available.

Learn More About SharePoint Online

SharePoint Online provides sites to:

1. Manage and share important documents. (My Sites)
2. Keep teams in sync and manage important projects. (Team Sites)
3. Stay up-to-date with company information and news. (Intranet Sites)
4. Share documents securely with partners and customers. (Extranet Sites)
5. Market your business using a simple public-facing website.

SharePoint Online works with familiar Office applications. You can easily create Office documents and save directly to SharePoint Online, or you can coauthor documents with Microsoft Office Web Apps. Access important documents offline or from mobile devices and set document-level permissions to help protect sensitive content. With one click you can communicate in real-time with colleagues, customers, and partners from within SharePoint sites.

For additional information, see the SharePoint Online page on sharepoint.microsoft.com.

Check it out!

• SharePoint Online Resource Center
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/gg144571.aspx

Created by the group that developed the Windows 7 certification exam, the Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal offers a free online assessment that covers key areas of the deployment process such as preparing for deployment, configuring a Windows 7 image, migration, and compatibility testing.

Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal

The portal is designed to help you identify the strengths and gaps in your knowledge around Windows 7 deployment and provide some targeted learning to help you reach the top of your game.

About This Portal
The Deployment Learning Portal is an online assessment and learning tool administered by The Test Factory on behalf of Microsoft Ltd. It requires a separate registration and login process than the Windows Live login process used by TechNet. By registering for this experience, you accept that your data will be sent to The Test Factory, which is located in the United Kingdom.

Check it out!

• Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ff470986.aspx