Herleson Pontes - IT Professional : Springboard

Windows 7 Release Candidate available for download!

herleson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:50:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It´s with great happiness that I share with you, as break news, that Microsoft announced the release of the RC build of Windows 7 for download! This is a moment expected by many professionals and enthusiasts, who already test and use this new OS of Microsoft. The mainly change of this release is the solved of many bugs, including driver incompatibility.

So, let´s talk a little more about this new build of Windows 7, and some tips for those that already use it.

General Information and Download

From today (April 30th), Windows 7 RC is available for download in 32-bits (2.47GB Aprox.) and 64-bits (3.2GB Aprox.) versions. Professionals who has the Technet/MSDN Subscriptions or are registered as beta testers in Microsoft Connect site can already download the images and start to use it! For professionals who don´t have a subscription and aren´t registered in the beta program, Microsoft will provide the download of images in May 5th, in Microsoft Download Center site (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/).

An important note about this new build is about the Product Key: the PID used in Beta 1 of Windows 7 WON´T WORK in this new build. So, you must request new PIDs to install Windows 7.

In this build, we will still work only with the Ultimate edition. Only in July Microsoft should define the features of each edition and starts the regionalization of this version.

Windows 7 RC will expire in two phases. At March 1st 2010, the machine will start to reboot every two hours of use. At June 1st 2010, the system will stop completely. Since RCs always expire after the release of the final version (RTM), we can see that Microsoft maintain its schedule, which projects the release of Windows 7 to market in the ending of 2009/beginning of 2010.

OS Upgrade

Windows 7 RC allows the upgrade from Windows Vista to this new build. Users of Windows 7 Beta 1 must execute a clean installation to install the Release Candidate performing a boot from the DVD of from the OS.

ATTENTION WINDOWS XP USERS: Because many changes in the architecture made through the Beta 1 period, Windows 7 RC DON´T SUPPORT UPGRADE OF WINDOWS XP CLIENTS! Users who wish to upgrade from XP to 7 must perform a clean installation. Another way available is to upgrade Windows XP to Vista, then upgrade Vista to 7.

If you have files and setting in previous versions of Windows and want to transfer these to Windows 7, Microsoft provides a complete set of tools and guidances in Windows site (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/). Also, inside the DVD is available the Windows Easy Transfer software, tool which allow you to migrate files and settings.

Reporting Bugs

Windows 7 has improved, but there is still a long way to go. Bugs and Feedbacks should be reported to Microsoft, so they can improve this new OS. To send feedbacks, professionals must perform the Feedback Wizard by executing this command at Search box (or Run box):

Rundll32.exe FeedbackTool.dll ShowWizard

The Send Feedback links that appear in all windows of Beta 1 release (Figure below) are gone.

Since we´re now at Release Candidate phase, all features that Windows 7 will ship are defined. It means that the next step is to tune this features, removing the small bugs. Microsoft are looking for feedbacks that report:

Problems that blocks the install/upgrade of Windows
Problems that results in data loss
Security Issues
Features that works in Beta 1 and aren´t working now
Application and Drivers incompatibility
System crashes that may be reproduced

I submitted some feedbacks to Microsoft related to drivers and applications, and they returned after some days. That´s why you should continue to collaborate in the development of a better Windows for you and your daily tasks as a professional.

Conclusion (Well, ti´s only the beginning indeed…)

For more information about Windows 7, visit the site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows. For technical resources and guides, visit the Springboard site: http://www.microsoft.com/springboard/.

Well, that´s it! Now it´s time to you download the images and starts the diversion! This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Windows 7.

Regards,

MICROSOFT EVENT (Brazil) - Windows 7 Springboard Series

herleson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:43:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It's with great happiness that I invite all IT Professionals from Ceará and beneath states to attend a presentation about the new Microsoft client OS: Windows 7 Springboard Series. This presentation will be in Portuguese, and will happen on May 8th, at Faculdade Evolução in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil).

Windows 7 proposes a new way to use the computer, and will be a mark in the OS world. In this presentation, the professionals will see many new features of Windows 7 and its impacts in usability, security and compatibility. We´ll see what changed from XP and Vista, and how this new version of Windows brings great benefits in many areas, since users to IT Pros.

This great event will happen on May 8th, at 06:00PM (GMT-3), at Faculdade Evolução (Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil). This is a Live presentation, and the language is Portuguese. But don´t worry: we will be holding English events soon.

Ah, it´s good to remember that all Microsoft events hosted by us are TOTALLY FREE! And, at the end of each presentation, we´ll draw some gifts among the participants. In other words, you keep your knowledge up to date, don´t pay anything, and you can still win prizes!

So, what are you waiting for? Don't lose time: register now and assure your seat! The registrations are made by using the following URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032414781&Culture=pt-BR

And don´t forget: today (Thursday) we will share great news! You wanna know what is it? Visit my blog later and see by yourself!

I wait you there! It will be a fantastic event!

Regards,

BETA EXAM 70-680 - TS: Windows 7, Configuring

herleson — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:05:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Finally, the first beta exams of 2009 will be available soon!

Microsoft has just announced to public the first beta exam of Windows 7 for IT Professionals: 70-680 (TS: Windows 7, Configuring). This exam belongs to the MCTS (Technology Specialist) credential, and it can be taken by professionals for free.

The coolest thing about beta exams is, if you approved in a beta, you win the credential when the final version of this exam becomes available. The only problem is that the result of beta exams, differently of final exams, is sent to you three or four months later.

The exam 70-680 is Windows 7, Configuring. This exam, developed for IT Professionals and Support Technicians, tests the professional’s knowledge in installing, configuring and managing computers and networks with Windows 7 computer.

The period of this beta exam will start on April 27th, and will be on until May 18th.

If you want to take this exam, access Prometric website (www.2test.com) and schedule the desired exam. The code of these beta is in the format 71-XXX. On the last step (Payment), inform the promotional code (Promocode): WIN7J. After you inform the code, the system will discount the whole value of the exam. Then, you confirm the appointment and get ready for the exam!

Since the exam still aren´t available, there is no information about the topics that are covered. So, the best you can do is to install Windows 7 and start to study its new features and components.

So, schedule in you agenda and get ready for this exam! The seats are limited.

Regards,

MICROSOFT EVENT (LEVEL 300) - Installing and Configuring a SQL Server 2008 Instance in a Windows Server 2008 Domain

herleson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:58:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It's with great happiness that I invite all IT Professionals from Ceará and beneath states to attend a unique presentation, totally focused for professionals who manage SQL Server instances in Active Directory domains: Installing and Configuring a SQL Server 2008 Instance in a Windows Server 2008 Domain. This event will be presented by me and by my best friend Rafael Biserra, a recognized Windows Server administrator of SecrelNET.

One of the most common scenarios of SQL Server instance installation is in Windows environments with Active Directory Domain Service enabled. In this presentation, professionals will learn how to install and set up a SQL Server instance in a domain environment, some security tips and best practices. Also, we will present some important concepts of Windows Server and SQL Server. Throughout the presentation, we will set up a new SQL Server instance in a IT environment, while we explain the tips. This event is level 300, which means that the professionals who will attend this event must know some Windows Server and SQL Server basics.

This great event will happen on March 12th, at 06:30PM (GMT-3), at FANOR (Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil). This is a Live presentation, and the language is Portuguese. But don´t worry: we will be holding English events soon.

Beside this event, we will host four more presentations until the end of this month, including two events about Windows 7. Ah, it´s good to remember that all Microsoft events hosted by us are TOTALLY FREE! And, at the end of each presentation, we´ll draw some gifts among the participants. In other words, you keep your knowledge up to date, don´t pay anything, and you can still win prizes!

I wait you there! It will be a fantastic event!

Regards,

Microsoft Event - Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

herleson — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:57:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Microsoft will present in February 28th, starting at 08:00 AM (Pacific Time), the first event about its newest OS: Windows 7. In this presentation, Joey Snow and Stephen Rose, Microsoft Windows Client managers, will share their knowledge about the new features and functionalities that this new version will bring to users and professionals. This presentation will be hosted in Irvine, CA and all seats are filled. But you can still attend this key event!

Microsoft is providing 300 seats in a Live Meeting session. In other words, you can watch this event live in your home or office! To attend, you only need to register using the following URL and you will receive information about how to access the Live Meeting room and watch the presentation.

It’s always good to remember that this event is TOTALLY FREE! The presentation will be in English. Below is the agenda of this event.

Better Together: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
Is Vista Still Relevant? Windows Vista - The Path to 7
Welcome to Windows 7
- Task Bar/System Tray Improvements
- Aero Features
- System Improvements
- Control Panels and Features
- Desktop Improvements
- IE 8
- Under The Hood
Windows 7 Deep Dive
- Microsoft’s understanding of the needs of IT Pros when designing Windows 7
- Hardware Readiness
- Improved Applications
- Application Compatibility
- AIK
- VHD Images and Imaging
- DISM
- Dynamic Driver Provisioning
- Multicast Multiple Stream Transfer
- Streamlined Installation and File Migration
- USMT
- DHCP Hint
- Enterprise Application Compatibility
- Windows Troubleshooting Platform

So, what are you waiting for? Register now and confirm you seat! It’s only 300 seats for this online presentation. Registrations are made in the following URL: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=135966.

Regards,

Windows Vista Springboard Series - Recognition

herleson — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:18:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

On the last semester of the last year, many presenters and collaborators promoted a series of events in many states of Brazil about Windows Vista and its first Service Pack. This series was known as Windows Vista Springboard Series, and had the support of Microsoft Brazil, Culminis and INETA.

In our case, we promoted presentations in five cities of Brazil: Fortaleza (State of Ceará), Picos (State of Piauí), Boa Vista (State of Roraima), Salvador (State of Bahia) and Manaus (State of Amazonas). In resume, more than 250 professionals were present in these events, and learned about features and functionalities of Windows Vista and the improvements brought by SP1 to users. In all cases, we had many professionals who changed their minds about Windows Vista, and understood that this version is far superior from its previous version.

To recognize the efforts made to promote these presentations, Microsoft Brazil created a gallery with the 10 mainly collaborators of Springboard events in Brazil. And is with great happiness that I share with you that I was one of these ten collaborators of Windows Vista events in our country! Below is a picture with the list of these professionals in Microsoft’s Technet site. The URL for this page is http://www.microsoft.com/brasil/technet/comunidade/premiacao_springboard/default.mspx.

I wanna say thanks to all professionals that attended these events, because we couldn’t achieve this recognition without you. Also, I want so dedicate this victory to my wife Priscila, who is a fortress in hard moments. Thank you, my Priscila. I LOVE YOU!

To finish, we will begin a new series of efforts to promote the new Microsoft OS: Windows 7.

Regards,