Handing out business cards is old school. And have you ever tried cramming your three or four hard-earned certification titles on that little slip of paper to make it all-purpose? Hard to do. Microsoft Learning now offers virtual business cards, a slicker looking, paperless alternative.
You need only go to your MCP or MCT profile page on the Microsoft Learning site to configure your card using the Virtual Business Card Builder. The card that you build is linked to your profile page, so that prospective employers can immediately see your online resume or certification list. Now, isn't that better?
Posted by Michael Domingo on 12/10/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
An incident between a Microsoft manager and a journalist at an event in Germany might be a good indication of the intense rivalry between Microsoft and Apple these days. As The Register
reported, a journalist kept talking up the virtues of the iPhone, and the unidentified Softie told the journo to not mention the Apple product ever, doing so in a most serious tone.
Makes me wonder how many of you out there are using an iPhone to read this site, and how many are using a WinMo-based phone (any version will do)? Take my poll here. And do leave some feedback.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 12/10/2009 at 11:59 AM6 comments
The turkey called, so we took a week off here at MCPmag.com. So, of course, stuff happened while we were gone.
First up, Microsoft Learning went live with Exam 70-686 PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator. We alerted anyone who was paying attention back in March that the exam was on its way. The group mentions on its blog that you should pay attention to the 'Desktop' qualifier here; pairing it with Enterprise means there's more juice behind the title.
On the heel of betas for Exchange 2010 and WinMo 6.5, Microsoft Learning will follow up with some virtualization-related betas. They're in development currently.
Seems any title with a virt angle might be useful in these efficiency-minded times. Or does it really matter? Let me hear it here or via e-mail.
And if you're interested in reviewing any of these exams, just holla at me.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 12/03/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live divisions at Microsoft, previewed IE9 at PDC this week in Los Angeles. I'm probably like most of you out there, stuck on version 7 for no good reason other than because upgrades are a PITA. No worries, as Sinofsky said they're just about three weeks into development on the new version, having just released Windows 7 and concentrating their efforts on the cash-generating suites, like Office and SharePoint for the upcoming decade.
Makes me wonder, then, what version readers of MCPmag.com are using right now. I'm just wondering aloud on IE right now, not any of the other browsers (I'll ask about that some other time).
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/19/2009 at 11:59 AM5 comments
Redmond Developer News Editor Michael Desmond and Microsoft TechNet Editor Keith Ward took a cross-country trip to L.A. and took in the sights at PDC this week. All the news that was fit to post landed
here. If you want to know what to pay attention to in 2010, the news here is a good preview.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/19/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
The wheels on the Microsoft Learning Group's bus continue to roll. But besides that, they've been busy blogging as they're in development and in beta on some exams. With Exchange 2010 about to drop, the group is in the throes of development on the Exchange 2010 Pro exam, with a beta coming soon. Here's what I didn't know: MLG goes to its subject matter expert, or SME, list first to offer them the beta codes for the exams. It's probably nothing new, but worth noting for those who haven't been paying attention (like yours truly).
The Born To Learn blog points to a survey that's open to anyone to take, detailing your expertise. The data can be seen only by the content developers, who use the data to identify SMEs who can help them with exams they're developing. So, be prepared to brag about what you know when you create an SME profile.
It's a fair trade, really. You help them develop and test exams, and you get to take the beta exam. When you pass (you're an expert, remember?), you've got the paper credential to prove that you're an expert.
So, they'll be looking for Exchange experts soon. Meanwhile there are other exams in beta, specifically: 70-579 TS: Windows Mobile 6.5, Configuration and 70-580 TS: WinMo 6.5, Application Development. Both exams are expected to go live some time in February 2010. If you think you'd like to try the beta version, you can find the codes here.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/19/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
I thought you might be interested in this post, found via Slashdot.org. It's a discussion with a Microsoft partner group manager who talks about the development of Windows 7, that the company tried to "create the Mac look and feel." Only this guy isn't a member of the team who was involved, says one who was and has even gone as far as to call out that distant colleague in public.
The funny thing is, isn't that what most of you are thinking? That MS copied Apple? Come on, we know.... Let me hear it by posting here or e-mail me directly.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/12/2009 at 11:59 AM3 comments
The folks who put together TechNet Magazine are looking for IT pros who know Windows 7. Seems like a natural to ask you MCPmag.com readers, many of you who have been working with Windows 7 for quite a while, so that's what I'm doing here.
What TechNet Magazine is looking for are your best Windows 7 deployment/migration tips, workarounds, patches, bridges, tweaks, added functionality, easy fixes, or simple installs. No tip is too small or too obvious.
Go here to submit your tip to TechNet Magazine.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/12/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
Firefox will reach a milestone soon, if trends are any indication. Right now, the browser sits at a bit over 24 percent share of the browser market, according to Net Application, (by way of this ars technica blog). The share is significant, as that exceeds IE6 users. Six wasn't known for its quality, so it should be no surprise that its rank has slipped. It might even be good news to Microsoft that fewer people are using that version.
I haven't used Firefox in quite some time, after having switched to Chrome (market share: 3.58 percent) for its overall performance (Firefox was just as sluggish as IE at times and Chrome seemed like it had been on a bit diet, installing and loading up superfast). But being a Chrome user means I'm a de facto IE 7 user -- there are some Web sites that won't cooperate with Chrome and Flash inexplicably crashes in it. (So, I sound like a broken record.) And when I and 50 other people upgraded to Vista, it made no sense to go back.
If you go back to the ars Technica post, you'll notice the site publishes its own survey. Firefox dominates. Which one seems more realistic, based on your educated guess?
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/05/2009 at 11:59 AM3 comments
Microsoft announced on the Born To Learn blog that it's in the midst of developing a Pro-level certification for the newly released OS. Microsoft already has a few exams released at the Tech Specialist level, Exam 680 and 685, which they've indicated will be likely used as requirements toward the MCITP. Full announcement will come next month.
Want to offer your feedback as the group develops the program? Microsoft Learning is looking for comments on it here.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/04/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
Another sizable chunk of Microsoft's work force has been pink slipped; this time, the cut was 800 employees. Microsoft at the beginning of the year let go 1,400 softies, and then about 3,000 more in May. While the original layoff announcement of 5,000 has been exceeded by this last round of cuts, Microsoft likely made up the difference through new hires (but that's just a guesstimate).
In the even more bad news department, Microsoft's Ballmer said the possibility of trimming more jobs remains.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/04/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments
Cloud-based services is not a cash cow for Microsoft by a long shot. But Microsoft is hedging its bets there, getting a bit more aggressive in its pricing to stay competitive among strong alternative offerings. It has to, because even Microsoft knows OS and server and Office suite sales aren't what they used to be, especially with a myriad of viable choices out there, many of which are free and enterprise-scalable.
As more services head to the cloud, where does that leave MCPs? It's tough out there as it is, so will the cloud mean fewer opportunities or jobs, or will this open new doors? And if you're ever the optimist, what kinds of opportunities are there? I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter at [email protected].
Posted by Michael Domingo on 11/04/2009 at 11:59 AM0 comments