Hello! Karl Wiegers here. I’m doing something right know that I’ve never done before: co-authoring a book. It’s a new experience for me, but it’s going remarkably well. I’ve written several articles with co-authors over the years, which went fine, but nothing like the scale of the book. If you’ve ever thought about writing something with someone else, you might find the story of how we approached this to be interesting. In August 2012 Joy Beatty, vice-president of research and development at Seilevel, asked me if I had thought about writing a third edition of my popular book Software Requirements . The first edition was published in 1999 and the second in 2003, both by Microsoft Press. I had indeed thought about writing a third edition from time to time. While virtually everything I described...

We’re happy to announce that Supplement to Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build, 2nd Edition (ISBN 9780735678163), by Sayed Ibrahim Hashimi and William Bartholomew, is now available for purchase. Get the supplement that helps you drill even further into MSBuild—and maximize your control over the software build and deployment process. Designed as a companion to the popular book Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build, Second Edition, this supplement extends your knowledge by covering what’s new in Visual Studio 2012 for MSBuild and Team Foundation Build. You’ll also gain a fresh cookbook of examples to help you get productive with UI changes, batching, Team Foundation Server, offline apps, database publishing, and other...

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Access 2013 Plain & Simple . Get the full-color, visual guide that makes learning Microsoft Access 2013 plain and simple! Follow the book’s easy steps and screenshots and clear, concise language to learn the simplest ways to build a database and sort information. Here’s WHAT you’ll learn: Build and manage your own database Apply professional designs across your databases Create presentations and publish reports online Secure your database with passwords and encryption Exchange data with other databases and documents Interact with your data easier using macros PURCHASE FROM O’REILLY   [NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment...

Greetings! We’re happy to announce an upcoming event with programming legend and renowned author Charles Petzold (whose Programming Windows, Sixth Edition , was recently published): a live questions and answers session on April 30 ( register here ). The subject of the Q&A session will be the same as that in Programming Windows, Sixth Edition : writing Windows Store apps with C# and XAML . If you’ve been working through Charles’s book and you’ve got a question about any aspect of the book’s guidance or if you have other questions about using C# and XAML to create Windows Store apps, take this opportunity to hear Charles answer your question directly. This Q&A session will be moderated by Jaime Rodriguez , a Principal Evangelist at Microsoft. So...

I last updated our free ebook site in November, 2012, but I often get emails from readers wanting me to remind them where to find our complete list. Here it is: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/05/04/free-ebooks-great-content-from-microsoft-press-that-won-t-cost-you-a-penny.aspx You’ll find current ebooks on building Windows 8 apps, exploring Windows 8 administration and Windows Server 2012, and SQL Server 2012. We also keep some older titles in the collection, too, in case you’re still using previous versions of software. Enjoy!

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Outlook 2013 Plain & Simple . Learn the simplest ways to get things done with Microsoft Outlook 2013 Get the full-color, visual guide that makes learning Microsoft Outlook 2013 plain and simple! Follow the book’s easy steps and screenshots and clear, concise language to learn how to stay productive and keep in touch with all of your personal, business, and social media networks. Here’s WHAT you’ll learn: Format and send messages, files, and photos Set up mobile alerts for important messages Manage your inbox and limit junk mail Update and share your calendar Add social media network accounts and collaborate Connect with and meet contacts online using Lync®     PURCHASE FROM O’REILLY NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor...

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Plain & Simple Get the guide that makes learning Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2013 plain and simple! This full color, no-nonsense book shows you the quickest ways to solve a problem or learn a skill, using easy-to-follow steps and concise, straightforward language. You'll analyze, manage, and share information in more ways than ever before. Here’s WHAT you’ll learn: Create dynamic presentations for your audience Include charts, tables, clip art, and other graphics Add video clips and CD music Animate slide and add transition effects Edit and polish your presentations with ease Create speaker notes and record narration Here’s HOW you’ll learn it: Jump in whenever you need answers Easy-to-follow STEPS and SCREENSHOTS show exactly...

Announcing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Step by Step by Patrick LeBlanc Your hands-on, step-by-step guide to building applications with Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Teach yourself the programming fundamentals of SQL Server 2012—one step at a time. Ideal for beginning SQL Server database administrators and developers, this tutorial provides clear guidance and practical, learn-by-doing exercises for building database solutions that solve real-world business problems. Discover how to: Install and work with core components and tools Create tables and index structures Manipulate and retrieve data Secure, manage, back up, and recover databases Apply techniques for building high-performing applications Use clustering, database mirroring, and log shipping Click here to purchase from our distributor, O...

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Office Professional 2013 Plain & Simple . Learn the simplest ways to get things done with Microsoft® Office 2013 Get the full-color, visual guide that makes learning Microsoft Office 2013 plain and simple! Follow the book’s easy steps and screenshots and clear, concise language to learn the simplest ways to get things done with Microsoft Word, Excel®, Outlook®, PowerPoint®, Access®, Publisher, and OneNote®. Here’s WHAT you’ll learn: Navigate with mouse, keyboard, or touch Create documents, reports, databases, and presentations Share your desktop, worksheets, and files Manage your email and organize your calendar Stay connected with online meetings and instant messaging Access your programs and your documents via the cloud You can purchase...

We’re pleased to announce the availability of Exploring Microsoft SharePoint 2013: New Features & Functions. Discover what’s new and what’s changed in SharePoint 2013—and get a head start using these cutting-edge capabilities to improve organizational collaboration and effectiveness. Led by Penelope Coventry, a Microsoft MVP for SharePoint, you'll learn how to take advantage of important new features and functionality, including app development, collaborative social enterprise tools, enhanced versioning, themes, improved search, and an extended client object model. Get an early, expert look at how to: Develop SharePoint apps using collaborative social enterprise tools Use the new Minimal Download Strategy (MDS) smart technology to consume less bandwidth Version documents, list items, and...

For one week only, SAVE 50% on these Excel ebooks on oreilly.com and turn your data into meaningful information. Use discount code WKEXCEL - Deal expires April 18, 2013 at 11:59pm PT , and cannot be combined with other offers. Offer does not apply to Print, or "Print & Ebook" bundle pricing. Click Here to see Excel titles from Microsoft Press and other publishers.  NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. By clicking the link, you will be taken to O'Reilly's website. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and the privacy policy applicable to how O'Reilly handles your data.

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Word 2013 Plain & Simple . Get the full-color, visual guide that makes learning Microsoft Word 2013 plain and simple! Follow the book’s easy steps and screenshots and clear, concise language to learn the simplest ways to create and share documents. Here’s WHAT you’ll learn: Create, edit, format, and share text Add graphics, data, table, and charts Improve page layout to best present your ideas Use and make templates for increased productivity Collaborate and present documents online Access your documents from almost any browser PURCHASE FROM O’REILLY   NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and the privacy...

These are the books that have most impressed and earned praise from readers on oreilly.com. For one week only, get these favorite ebooks for 50% off. Use discount code WKMSFAV - Deal expires April 19, 2013 at 11:59pm PT , and cannot be combined with other offers. Offer does not apply to Print, or "Print & Ebook" bundle pricing. NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. By clicking the link, you will be taken to O'Reilly's website. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and the privacy policy applicable to how O'Reilly handles your data. Click here for offer page Programming Windows®   4.1 (9 reviews) Read 9 Reviews Ebook Was: $50.00 Ebook Now: $24.99 (Save 50%) CLR via C#   5.0 (1 review...

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Excel 2013 Step by Step , by Curtis Frye.   The smart way to learn Excel 2013—one step at a time! Experience learning made easy—and quickly teach yourself how to manage, analyze, and present data with Excel 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace—building and practicing the skills you need, just when you them! Includes downloadable practice files and companion eBook. Discover how to: Work with Excel 2013 in touch mode Write formulas, create macros, and organize data Present data visually and add images to worksheets Consolidate multiple sets of data into a single workbook Analyze data using the Quick Analysis Lens Collaborate with colleagues and present workbooks online   PURCHASE FROM O’REILLY     NOTE: O'Reilly Media...

We’re happy to announce the availability of Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step (ISBN 9780735663398) by scripting expert Ed Wilson! This book is a hands-on, step-by-step guide to automating Windows administration with Windows PowerShell 3.0. Teach yourself the fundamentals of Windows PowerShell 3.0 command line interface and scripting language—one step at a time. This practical tutorial delivers learn-by-doing exercises, timesaving tips, and hands-on sample scripts for performing administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems. Discover how to: - Use built-in cmdlets to execute commands - Write scripts to handle recurring tasks - Use providers to access information beyond the shell environment - Configure network components with Windows Management Instrumentation - Manage users...

We’re happy to announce that Supplement to Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build, 2nd Edition (ISBN 9780735678163), by Sayed Ibrahim Hashimi and William Bartholomew, has gone to the printer. Get the supplement that helps you drill even further into MSBuild—and maximize your control over the software build and deployment process. Designed as a companion to the popular book Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build, Second Edition, this supplement extends your knowledge by covering what’s new in Visual Studio 2012 for MSBuild and Team Foundation Build. You’ll also gain a fresh cookbook of examples to help you get productive with UI changes, batching, Team Foundation Server, offline apps, database publishing, and other essential...

  We’re pleased to announce that Microsoft Excel 2013 Inside Out (ISBN 9780735669055), by Mark Dodge and Craig Stinson, has shipped to the printer. You’re beyond the basics—so dive in and really put your spreadsheet skills to work! This supremely organized reference is packed with hundreds of timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds. It’s all muscle and no fluff. Learn how the experts tackle Excel 2013—and challenge yourself to new levels of mastery. Purchase includes a companion ebook and sample files. Preorder the book from here , here , or here .  [NOTE: O’Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. View O’Reilly’s terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and the privacy policy applicable to how O’Reilly handles...