Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition, sponsored by Microsoft. This annual competition inspires students to create innovative solutions that can help solve some of the world’s toughest problems. In addition, it gives universities, colleges, and secondary schools the opportunity to gain international acclaim as technology leaders. To give you some perspective, here are some inspirational words to the finalists of Imagine Cup 2010 from First Lady Michelle Obama .  If...

If you are developing Windows Phone 7 applications please sign up for the Microsoft Platform Ready Program (MPR).  In addition to the standard MPR benefits you’ll also be able to receive a $99 Marketplace rebate after 2 applications are accepted into the Marketplace. The rebate details are still to be determined, but I wanted to provide you this information. Here is a summary of the benefits you receive by joining MPR: Free on-demand technical support Training videos and courses to help development...

Kodu is a new visual programming language made specifically for creating games. It is designed to be accessible for children and enjoyable for anyone. The programming environment runs on the Xbox, allowing rapid design iteration using only a game controller for input.

The Kodu Language and Grammar Specification white paper is now available for download from Microsoft Research.

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New MSDEV videos show you how to use SQL Azure Data Sync to synchronize data between the cloud and on premises and between cloud data centers. In addition, two other videos show how to manage the SQL Azure firewall and configure SQL Azure for security.

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Introducing Microsoft Advertising Exchange for Mobile, the industry’s first real-time, bidded ad exchange in mobile – leverage superior ad targeting, multiple purchase models and leading resellers including Microsoft’s sales force and large-scale adCenter marketplace.  Microsoft’s simple Ad Control, self-serve developer sign-up, reporting and automated payout ensures a seamless ad monetization experience for developers. Actionable reporting helps developers optimize for best user experience...

For ISVs wanting to update legacy applications or for new green field development, ADO.NET Entity Framework 4 has become a time saving, cost effective way to build out your data tier of your application. Entity Data Model (EDM) provides a uniform way for you to work with data by specifying the data structure of a client application through business logic, namely entities and relationships.

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Redmond Developer magazine describes key features for developers with SQL Server 2008 R2 in SQL Server 2008 R2 for the Developer. Don Kiely explains that the R2 release leaves the core engine untouched from the previous version.

He then describes the features that make SQL Server 2008 R2 important for developers.

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Bring your best ideas, work at your own pace, or join a proctored group lab and create that app you’ve been dreaming about for Windows Phone 7 . Windows Phone 7 Developer Launch The first day takes you inside the all-new Metro interface paradigm with basic fundamentals of Windows Phone 7 application development. The next day is a hands-on app building workshop. Register at MSDN Events . Date City State Venue Name September 29-30 Orange County CA Hilton Orange County October 12-13 Mountain View CA...

Microsoft Web Farm Framework is a free product for you to easily provision and mange a farm of web servers.  It enables you to:

• Automate the installation and configuration of platform components across the server farm
• Automatically synchronize and deploy ASP.NET applications across them. 

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This book is the second volume in a planned series about Windows Azure™ technology platform. Volume 1, Moving Applications to the Cloud on the Windows Azure Platform, provides an introduction to Windows Azure, discusses the cost model and application life cycle management for cloud-based applications, and describes how to migrate an existing ASP.NET application to the cloud. This book demonstrates how you can create from scratch a multi-tenant, Software as a Service (SaaS) application to The book...

Windows Azure AppFabric provides common building blocks required by .NET applications when extending their functionality to the cloud, and specifically, the Windows Azure platform. The Windows Azure AppFabric is a key component of the Windows Azure Platform. It includes two services: AppFabric Access Control and AppFabric Service Bus. This SDK includes API libraries for building connected applications with the Windows Azure AppFabric. It spans the entire spectrum of today’s Internet applications...

The Professional Scrum Developer Program (PSD) offers a training course that guides teams on how to turn product requirements into potentially shippable increments of software using Visual Studio 2010, the Scrum framework, and modern software engineering practices. The Professional Scrum Developer Program offers a five-day training course for software developers that teaches attendees how to use modern software engineering practices. Courses are available worldwide for a fee. Learn more about Professional...

A new set of developer tools and Software Development Kits (SDKs) make it easier for PHP developers who want to build applications for Windows Azure. The new tool named, Windows Azure Companion, was among other tools that integrate with Eclipse and Windows Azure.

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Expression Blend 4 Service Pack 1 (SP1) includes support for building Windows Phone 7 apps and improved integration with Adobe design tools through support for the FXG file format, as well as bug fixes and stability enhancements. You can get the download from Microsoft Download Center at Microsoft Expression Blend 4 Service Pack 1 (SP1) . Windows Phone support When you install the Windows Phone Development Tools , you can use the design tools in Expression Blend to create Windows Phone applications...

The beta of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online service is being released worldwide rollout from Microsoft’s global datacenters. Dynamics CRM 2011 will also be available on premises.

Customers and partners can download or sign up for the beta today.

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K. G. Sreeju Nair posted the steps for you to set up your development environment for Windows Azure.

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Microsoft announced the availability of Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 today at High Performance Computing Financial Markets Conference.

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite is the third version of Microsoft’s solution for high performance computing (HPC). Built on Windows Server® 2008 R2 64-bit technology, Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite makes it easier than ever for companies to benefit from high-performance computing.

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Windows Phone 7 is HOT! Come check out Windows Phone 7 Unleashed for everything you need to know to develop for WP7. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or you’re just starting with .NET development, there’s something in it for you. The first half of this deep dive event is lecture and hands on lab. At the half point mark of the day, you’ll have a solid foundation for building WP7 applications. The second half of the day is going straight to code. Build the best app and have a chance to win! In order...

The final release of the Windows Phone 7 Developer Tools was released to web (RTW) today. You can download the tools here.

The Windows Phone 7 Developer Tools package includes everything you need to write awesome applications and games for Windows Phone 7.  All of the tools included in it are absolutely free.

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Internet Explorer 9 Beta was shown today at a launch event in Silicon Valley, CA. The beta includes the new user experience, where what you don’t see is key. There’s no branding beyond the logo in the Taskbar. There’s no text or logo in the title bar. The goal is to let the site shine.

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Windows Phone 7 gives you the power to build complex, robust applications using consistent hardware specs, a comprehensive development toolkit, and the all-new, full-service Marketplace for selling your apps. We want you to be ready to capitalize on this new frontier, so we’re launching two days of fast-paced learning to get you up and running with Windows Phone 7 development. Check out the agenda and pick the day that best fits your needs – or join us for both. The choice is yours. Whatever you...

I’ve included a few links from the Microsoft Platform Ready site to get you started developing your Windows Phone 7 applications.  Microsoft Platform Ready is a great program to help you get your application to market faster through technical and marketing support. Microsoft Platform Ready is a great stand alone program and/or complement to the MSDN and BizSpark Programs.  To sign up for Microsoft Platform Ready Please visit this link . MSDN Windows Developer Center Windows 7 in 7 video...

BizTalk Server 2010 has released to manufacturing and it will be available for purchase starting October 1st, 2010. BizTalk Server 2010 is the seventh major release, which includes new support for Windows Server AppFabric to provide pre-integrated support for developing new composite applications.  This allows customers to maximize the value of existing Line of Business (LOB) systems by integrating and automating their business processes, and putting real-time, end-to-end enterprise integration...

A new version of the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) is designed to help prevent hackers from gaining access to your system.

With the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit 2, developers can bring technologies such as dynamic data execution prevention to bear to improve security, particularly for older programs that cannot be recompiled to opt in to the security technologies.

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Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 beta gives ISVs and developers an opportunity to get started rapidly developing line of business cloud applications. Developers can start building their applications right away as the solution packages built on beta will be compatible with the final release of the product. It is a great opportunity for developers to build your application now and get ahead of the competition by listing your application in the Dynamics Marketplace which will be available in the next few...