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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!