- Try before you buy: Download sample chapters from books on Windows 7
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Debating whether or when to upgrade to Windows 7? Already installed Win 7 and wondering which book(s) have the information you need to learn your way around? Let us help make up your mind: Discover the portfolio of Microsoft Press books on Windows 7 (and pick up a few pointers) with this new, free e-mail program!
After you sign up on the Windows 7 training portal, we'll e-mail you once a week (for 6 weeks) with links to download sample chapters from a variety of new and upcoming Microsoft Press books about Windows 7.
The featured chapters cover topics ranging from using Windows 7 to run your home theater (Windows 7 Plain & Simple, e-mail 6) to testing application compatibility during deployment (Windows 7 Resource Kit, e-mail 3). There's something for everyone, so try these chapters on for size and see what fits!
- Two learning opportunities: Certification and Windows 7
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Two things we like to talk about a LOT in Microsoft Learning--Windows 7 and Microsoft Certification. Check it out!
- Microsoft Certification: Until June 30, 2010, students in much of the world can take Microsoft Certification exams for a special student price. The list of exams associated with this offer is pretty long, so if you've been waiting for an opportunity to add impressive qualifications to your resume/CV, now's the time. Learn more about the deal here.
- Windows 7: If you haven't noticed, Microsoft launched a new product last week. We're pretty excited about it. :-) Check out this new Windows 7 game on Facebook! Your high score boosts your country's ranking. Make your country proud!
- "How can I prepare for Imagine Cup 2010?"
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We're hearing that question from a lot of you, and it's high time we posted a response. We have good news and bad news. What, you want to hear the bad news first? Okay!
The bad news: At the moment, Microsoft Learning is not planning to provide an "official" worldwide curriculum for the competitions like we did last year. I could make excuses (the team's priorities have changed, budgets were cut in response to the economy falling apart last year, all of the key people who created last year's curriculum were assigned to different jobs/responsibilities in June, etc. etc.), but it wouldn't change the fact that we're unable to provide the same level of support as we did last year and we're sorry.
But wait! Before you get disappointed and walk away, hang on for the good news...
The good news: We're keeping this blog alive, so leave your comments and watch for new posts throughout the year. You'll also want to watch the Imagine Cup web site, because when we do find learning resources that can help you prepare for IC 2010, you'd better believe we'll be posting them for you.
In the meantime, here are some links to learning resources that are always available. Check them out and good luck!
- Develop for Windows Mobile, potentially win great prizes
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First, welcome to Imagine Cup 2010! We hope you're excited for this year's competition.
Second, I just learned about an exciting competition for anyone interested in developing for the mobile platform. Microsoft is launching the Race to Market Challenge, a new contest daring you to create the coolest, most interesting paid application for the Windows Mobile platform. Your new app could make you money, bring you fame and even--if you're lucky--win you fabulous prizes including a Microsoft Surface, a trophy and great marketing of YOUR app.
Watch the video series, check out the rules and learn how to get started selling your app. Good luck!
- Imagine Cup finals are about to begin!
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Even if you're not traveling to Cairo for the worldwide finals of Imagine Cup 2009, there are plenty of ways you can follow and participate in the competition. A brief list is below, and if you know of other links please leave them in the comments!
In addition, the countdown to Imagine Cup 2010 has begun! The worldwide finals will take place in Poland, and more information will be available when the 2010 site launches at 00:00 GMT on July 8, 2009.
Thanks for following us this year! We'll post a longer recap of the year soon, but in the meantime feel free to let us know how learning resources from the Microsoft IT Academy Program have helped you in the competition or in school. Leave your feedback in the comments, or use the "Email" link in the right sidebar to contact us.
- What's your next step?
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If you're planning to graduate and enter the job market anytime soon, you've probably started thinking about how to launch your career. If that career involves technology (and more careers involve technology each year), Microsoft Certification is a great way to show potential employers that your knowledge of Microsoft technology is up to date.
Our colleages here in Microsoft Learning have produced a short video featuring successful professionals and their stories about how Microsoft certification has helped them accomplish their goals. Enjoy!
Click to Go Further
- What IS this Ramp Up thing, anyway?
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Check out this blog post (which includes the video below) about the Windows Mobile Application Development track recently added to Ramp Up. This track and others are available at http://www.myrampup.com/, and all of the developer materials in the program are free!
- More virtual labs!
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These awesome opportunities just keep coming! Our colleagues in Microsoft Learning want to give participants in IT Challenge Round 2 access to even MORE virtual labs. Even if your participation in the competition has ended, you'll be able to use these Microsoft Official Academic Curriculum (MOAC) Labs Online to test your skills on Windows Server 2008 and more!
If you're registered for IT Challenge Round 2, you should receive an email today from my co-worker Erwin Chan with information on how to access these labs. If you haven't received an email in a couple of days, check your junk folder. If it's not there, contact us. Good luck!
- Even more Ramp Up learning tracks!
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Looks like I jumped the gun on announcing the Windows Mobile 6 learning track--three additional developer tracks have been launched in the past two days! Check out the FOUR new tracks launched this week:
- Web Development with ASP.NET
- Move from ASP to ASP.NET
- Move from PHP to ASP.NET
- Develop Windows Mobile 6 Applications (this is the one we announced on Monday)
Have fun!
- Learn more about developing Windows Mobile 6 applications!
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The Ramp Up program has launched a new, free learning track: Develop Windows Mobile 6 Applications!
The content in this track is provided by subject-matter gurus and is offered in a variety of forms ranging from articles and virtual labs to codecasts and slidecasts. Check out this and other learning tracks at www.MyRampUp.com, and see how Ramp Up can help you become more employable by learning important, marketable skills.
- Ready for Windows 7?
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Erwin, Joanne and I have been running an internal build of Windows 7 for months, and we LOVE it. So I'm thrilled that the Release Candidate is finally being made public! The final, official product won't be out for a while (I don't actually know when--it's a big secret :-D), but if you want to check out some of the coolest new features in our newest OS, Microsoft Learning has released two brand new, FREE e-learning clinics.
Click away! Try one or both, save them to MyLearning so you can finish them whenever you have time, and get excited about Windows 7!
- New free e-book offer? Sign me up!
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Organize your photos, create exciting presentations and make your spreadsheets into something special! In this brand-new offer, you'll get access to full chapters from 8 Microsoft Press books about Office 2007 and Windows Vista. When you sign up using the link below, we'll send you a weekly email with links to download and save these chapters to your computer, and the next time you find yourself itching to try something new with Excel or PowerPoint they'll be right at your fingertips!
No tricks or gimmicks--just sign up here and watch the chapters roll in!
- We're multilingual!
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...well, not really (I'm not, at least), but there's a brand-new widget on this page that will help us speak to you in your language. Erwin's added a "Translate this page" box on the right side of this screen which will let you translate all of the text into one of 13 languages.
How did we do it? We used the Live Search Translator--you can translate specific paragraphs here, or add the same box to your own web site here. Enjoy!
- Book deals for you!
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Huge discounts, free downloads, and a place to hear about these things as they're announced! This post is chock-full of goodness :-)
Save 40% off Microsoft Press IT Professional books: Visit any Barnes & Noble Booksellers or shop online at bn.com from now through May 5, 2009 to SAVE 40% off select Microsoft Press IT Professional guides for Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Visual Basic 2008, and more.
April Microsoft Press free e-book offer, April 15-22: Until April 22, you'll be able to download Windows Small Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion (Pro—Administrator's Companion) and Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition: Build a Program Now! for free!
How can I hear about these deals as they're announced, not just when you remember to write a blog post about them? Well, that's an easy one. If you have a Twitter account, follow Microsoft Learning (@MSLearning) and watch the deals roll in!
- Whoa! New competition!
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I just returned from vacation (I spent a week in two amazing and beautiful cities--if you live there, I'm jealous!) and while I was gone the Imagine Cup team announced a new competition for YOU to design the 2009 Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals website! This sounds like an amazing opportunity to get really creative and have a ton of fun, and the winner's design will be seen by people around the world!
ANY Imagine Cup registered student is eligible to compete, so form your team and submit your entry by April 30, 2009.
Competition details are here. Good luck!
