Free eBook: Windows 8 for IT Professionals
October 23, 2012 at 11:25 pm | Posted in Books, Free Stuff | 1 CommentTags: Books, E-Books, Free Stuff, Windows 8
I haven’t got much time for publishing new articles in my blog, but I found this brand new publication and I thought it could be useful for a lot of people around there: “Introducing Windows 8, an overview for IT Professionals” (preview version).
This book has some quite important topics that every IT guy which is considering implement Windows 8 in their company should read it carefully. Here’s a short summary for the topics included (I’m just naming a few; the entire list is available in the download):
- 1. Overview
- 2. Experiencing Windows 8
- 3. Windows 8 for IT Pros
- Customizing and configuring Windows 8
- Client Hyper-V
- Redesign NTFS
- PowerShell 3.0
- 4. Preparing for Deployment
- Windows 8 SKUs
- Application compatibility
- User state migration
- Windows To Go
- 5. Deploying Windows 8
- Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit
- Deployment and Imaging
- User state migration tool
- MDT 2012 Update 1
- e. SCCM 2012 with SP1
- f. Desktop Virtualization
- 6. Delivering Windows Apps
- 7. Windows 8 Recovery
- DaRT
- 8. Windows 8 Management
- Group Policy Improvements
- Windows Intune
- Mobile device support
- 9. Windows 8 Security
- 10. Internet Explorer 10
- 11. Windows 8 virtualization
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
- Application Virtualization
- User State virtualization
I did not read it completely, but for what I’ve seen so far the content is not fully detailed with step-by-steps but contains valuable information and guidance that must be read it if you are implementing / managing Windows 8.
Enjoy!
App-V Advanced Guide Book Giveaway!
June 11, 2012 at 12:48 pm | Posted in App-V, Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff | 1 CommentTags: App-V, application virtualization, Books, contests, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff, giveaway
As I did for my first book, celebrating the publication of my second App-V book: Microsoft Application Virtualization Advanced Guide, I’m giving away a free paperback copy among my readers.
Here’s a short summary for those who want to participate:
- Email me at augusto@augustoalvarez.com.ar with the subject: “App-V Advanced Book”.
- Include in the email body your full name plus the address where you would like for us to send the copy.
- I’ll close up the contest on June 30 (2012, just in case). All the emails sent until that date will be included in the election, which will be completely random.
- I’ll notify the winner in the following days and we’ll ship a free copy of “Microsoft Application Virtualization Advanced Guide”.
To avoid any problems, here are some disclaimers:
- Only one email by person will be included. Do not use different mail accounts to participate several times.
- Emails that don’t include person’s full name and address will not be considered valid.
- We’ll cover the expenses regarding shipment but we are not responsible for extra fees or taxes other countries may include in the package.
- Please don’t send any email requesting exceptions to this contest (like asking for a digital copy of the book), I’m not allow to do any of those.
Remember that the book is available in the following stores: Packt Publishing; Amazon.com; Amazon.co.uk; Barnes & Noble and Safari Books Online.
StarWind Contest and the iPad Arrival
January 31, 2012 at 1:02 am | Posted in Contests, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff | 4 CommentsTags: contests, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff, iPad, StarWind
I want to share with the blogosphere some of the great consequences about writing a geeky blog. A few months ago, StarWind started a contest for the best article of the year regarding their iSCSI software. The prize was nothing else than an iPad 2, and I won with this article :)
There were some issues in receiving the article because some laws here in Argentina prohibit the importation of these products, but we’ve managed to get the iPad locally instead of shipping it and finally I have it in my hands.
Pretty cool stuff, indeed :)
Even though most of us writing technological blogs we never look to these contests or prizes as an objective, it is indeed motivating when you find in your path some acknowledgments.
Thank you StarWind!
App-V Book Giveaway!
February 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm | Posted in App-V, Cool Stuff, Documentation, Free Stuff | 2 CommentsTags: App-V, application virtualization, Books, Cool Stuff, Documentation, Free Stuff, giveaway, publication
As a celebration since my App-V Book: Getting Started with Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 has just been published, I want to give away a free paperback version among my blog readers.
Here’s the deal:
- All you need to do is email me at augusto@augustoalvarez.com.ar with the subject: “App-V Book”.
- Include in the email body your full name plus the address where you would like for us to send the copy.
- I’ll close up the contest on February 25. All the emails sent until that date will be included in the election, which will be completely random.
- I’ll notify the winner in the following days and we’ll ship a free copy of “Getting Started with Application Virtualization 4.6”.
For more information about the book and the free chapter available for download, check this last post of mine.
To avoid any problems, here are some disclaimers:
- Only one email by person will be included. Do not use different mail accounts to participate several times.
- Emails that don’t include person’s full name and address will not be considered valid.
- We’ll cover the expenses regarding shipment but we are not responsible for extra fees or taxes other countries may include in the package.
Remember that the book is available in the following stores: Packt Publishing; Amazon.com; Amazon.co.uk and Lehmans.
Good luck!
Free E-Book: Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2
October 23, 2009 at 12:21 am | Posted in Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff, Windows Server 2008 R2 | 1 CommentTags: Books, E-Books, Free Stuff; Windows Server 2008 R2; Cool Stuff
Microsoft Press introduced a great technique to get more readers: Giving away free books, as simple as that. And this time with a great proposal: Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2.
Even though it is a short book (200 pages) you’ll see that there are several topics that you might be interested in. Here are the chapters involved:
- Chapter 1 What’s New in Windows Server R2
- Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration: Adding R2 to Your World
- Chapter 3 Hyper-V: Scaling and Migrating Virtual Machines
- Chapter 4 Remote Desktop Services and VDI: Centralizing Desktop and Application Management
- Chapter 5 Active Directory: Improving and Automating Identity and Access
Chapter 6 The File Services Role - Chapter 7 IIS 7.5: Improving the Web Application Platform
- Chapter 8 DirectAccess and Network Policy Server
- Chapter 9 Other Features and Enhancements
You will find several information about important improvements introduced in this version, like: Hyper-V R2 (Live Migration and storage hot add feature); VDI; IIS 7.5; BranchCache and DirectAccess.
Enjoy!
Free E-Book: Deploying Windows 7 Essential Guidance
October 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm | Posted in Cool Stuff, Free Stuff | 2 CommentsTags: Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff, Windows 7
Fresh and free new book available from Microsoft Press and Microsoft TechNet! Deploying Windows 7: Essential Guidance.
This book contains ten chapters from Windows 7 Resource Kit, so if you ever read one of these Resource Kits, you would know that the content it is very complete and interesting. Some of the topics discussed in this free book:
- Planning Deployment
- Testing Application Compatibility
- Developing Disk Images
- Migrating User State Data
- Deploying Applications
- Volume Activation
- Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
- Using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
I know, I know, I was missing the free e-books offers from Microsoft too.
Here’s a little bonus: Microsoft also published as a free download the Chapter 23 of the Windows 7 Resource Kit, “Supporting Users Using Remote Assistance”.
To review some of my posts about deploying Windows 7, check this category:
http://blog.augustoalvarez.com.ar/category/microsoft-deployment-toolkit-mdt/
Cheers!
Free E-Books from this Month: Office Communications Server 2007 R2
June 17, 2009 at 11:42 pm | Posted in Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff | Leave a commentTags: Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff
Continuing with their 25th Anniversary Microsoft Press prepared for us their final release for free E-Books (yes, these two and you won’t be getting this exciting offers anymore):
“Office Communications Server 2007 R2: Resource Kit”
If you are not very familiar with the communications suite, here’s a short topic review that is included in almost 900 pages:
- Overview and server roles
- Key deployment scenarios: VoIP, basic IM, conferencing, voice mail, etc.
- Planning and Deployment
- General administration and monitoring
- Backup and restore
- Troubleshooting.
And as for previous released, the offer also includes the developers e-book:
“Programming for Unified Communications with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2”
Remember that these downloads are available for a short period of time.
Enjoy!
May Free E-Book: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Resource Kit
May 20, 2009 at 2:49 pm | Posted in Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff, Terminal Services | Leave a commentTags: Books, Cool Stuff, Free Stuff, Terminal Services
Disclaimer: Remember that these books are available as a free download for a limited period of time.
Microsoft Press released two new e-books to continue celebrating their 25th anniversary:
Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Resource Kit
On this book you’ll find detailed information about what’s new in Windows Server 2008 regarding Terminal Services and common scenarios to use a Terminal Services ecosystem.
As an always requested topic regarding to Terminal Services, you’ll see how the applications publications works within these environments, using Terminal Services RemoteApps (TS RemoteApps).
Some of the topics:
- Planning and installing Terminal Server environment.
- Creating and maintaining user work environment.
- Installing and Publishing Applications.
- Terminal Services ecosystem management.
Also, on the devs side again, you can find this another “best practices” book:
“The Practical Guide to Defect Prevention”. Techniques to meet the demand for more reliable software.
Enjoy and don’t forget to share the links.
Cheers!
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Computer geek, totally fan of the latest's IT platform solutions. Since 2006 I've been mentioned as Microsoft Student Partner, I continue working with them, collaborating on different academic and technological events. On this blog, you'll find most of the experience I have evaluating, designing, implementing and managing those technologies.

