Dennis Chung - Windows MVP

Are you into screen casts?? Or perhaps i should say, making a video out of your screen activities? I used to be using Camtasia, and i still am. However if you want a free alternative, check out Community Clips. A tool released by the Office Lab team.

It used to be a Microsoft Internal Tool. After so much feedback and improvements to the product, we felt this good thing should be shared with everyone... And yes, it was released.

Grab it here.

You can use to create videos effortlessly. Try it.

Here's a sample of the output.

/Dennis

Believe in giving back to the society? Well, Microsoft does. I made an earlier posting about Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. They are in line with giving back to the society.

Having been in Microsoft Singapore in the past 10 months, I realize that the organization isn't just about making money, its about realizing potential. I do recall a video during the Windows 2003 Server Launch event, where it focuses on realizing potential.

Many of us do not realize that, no matter how "not so well off" we are, there are often, in fact, always people who are not as privileged as us. Its been spurring me to do my every bit for charity. Have you?

I know of this MVP, Chong Ai Chung. For Charity, he has shaven his head bald once at Suntec City in a bid to raise funds for a Charity. Can't remember which charity though, but he was on national TV.

Come 10th May2008, Microsoft Singapore is doing its big for Charity. Supporting the President's Challenge, Microsoft in the past years, has donated over $6 million in cash and kind to more than 200 Singapore charitable organizations. This year is no different. In a mini event, Microsoft Singapore has raised $400,000. We want to bring the bar higher.

You can do your bit for charity, download the full brochure here. I have donated, have you?

If you like to find out more and put forward your support, visit http://www.microsoft.com/singapore/citizenship/charity.mspx

/Dennis

Phew, this set was tough to negotiate. Anyone whom has been serious about administering Windows Server in the enterprise will know that Resource Kits are like a must-have.

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/10345.aspx

However, many people find that the resource kit is super-expensive. I used to share that sentiments. Now, this is what i manage to negotiate. For my communities, i have arranged for a mass order. ;-) If i collect minimum 10 orders, the set will be available to me for SGD$288 Nett each.

Normal retail price: SGD$428. Trust me, you will never get this price anywhere else.

If we amass the order quick enough, we can pick up the book on the coming community event http://heroes.sgwindowsgroup.org

To place your order, http://sgwindowsgroup.org/forums/thread/5818.aspx
This offer is only valid through ordering via the above URL. You need to be a member of Singapore Windows IT Pro User Group. Membership in the group is free.

/Dennis

At the beginning of this week, part of my team was affected by and internal office move.
Only through this move, did i realize i have so many things.. it took me an entire day. Wasted my entire day settling my stuff.

One of my team mates, Yizhe, is on holidays and the office managers says we must move.

Russell helped and guess what... Look at this mess at Yizhe's new table... He's going to have a hard time cleaning up when he's back from vacation.. :-)

/Dennis

Bill Gates and wife, Melinda, in Year 2000, started the foundation to give back to the society. You may have heard of the various hype about the foundation. But now, if you are on Facebook, you can be a fan of the foundation and put your voice to it.

Others have joined the fan group and suggested ways of improving the world. Personally, i support the foundation in its directions to reduce extreme poverty. Show your support.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Melinda-Gates-Foundation/11309713071?ref=nf

/Dennis

Call all Singapore Community Members

The local Microsoft Technical Communities are banding together to bring you a full day of community contents.

Please lock your Calendars for the following dates;

Date: 17th May 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 8.30am to 5.00pm
Venue: Microsoft Singapore, Level 21

If you are a member of the following communities; we want you to come.

- Singapore Windows IT Pro User Group
- Singapore SG DotNET
- Singapore SQL Server User Group
- Singapore SBS User Group

Hit this URL to find out more: http://heroes.sgwindowsgroup.org

However be warned. I am leaking this information to you now, so the site is actually quite raw.. ;-) Pardon me, but we're working on it.
Spread the word.

Oh, expect to get freebies like before.
If you are an {Insiders} Member, come with your {Insiders} Polo on, and receive this.

Alright, watch my space for more updates and how to register soon.

/Dennis

Hi Guys,

I have a new Blogging Site now.

If you somehow cannot see this site, please visit http://pingdennis.com

/Dennis

You have heard much about the hype on Microsoft Surface.

It has hit 5 stores in the US with 7 more coming.

Check out the story.. I can't wait to land my hands on it once it comes to Singapore.

http://gizmodo.com/380860/multi+grope-interacting-with-microsoft-surface-at-the-att-store

/Dennis

Today is the 5th day i am out of action.

If you have emailed me, you would have received my OOO (Out of Office) reply. A couple of work colleagues and friends asked me what happened that i warrant a 5 day MC?

Majority of them quizzed for Wisdom tooth extraction? No, it is not. Mine's been removed, all 4 of them. Plus i won't want to do it this week either. I could have met Simon Brown yesterday and Steve Cellini today. Who are they? They are very senior executives in the Microsoft ranking. I shan't going into that. I was supposed to have a chance at making some scorings that could potentially be very positive for my career in Microsoft.

Never mind that. What took me down was HFMD (Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease). I just want to share that this is NOT JUST A KIDDY Disease. It strikes adults. My elder girl got it. Ironically, not from child care.

Let my story be a warning to you;

(Sunday) Day 1: My girl was having fever. It wasn't HFMD then. It was a bacteria infection and doc gave the usual dose of paracetamol and anti-biotics. Doctor certified that it is not HFMD. Since Friday, my girl has not gotten to the childcare. In case you wondering why. In Singapore, on the news, HFMD is spreading like wild fire. Check the home page of Ministry of Health.

(Tuesday) Day 3: Everything seems to have settled down over the past 2 or 3 days. However, on Tuesday night, my girl started having fever again. Her hands and feet had minor red/pinky spots. Plus my girl kept saying "Mouth Pain". Worrying its HFMD, we rushed her down to the same PD Clinic the very next morning.

(Wednesday) Day 4: The very morning, i skipped work and rush down to the PD Clinic. I told the PD Clinic that it is a HFMD suspect case. I was given priority and saw the doctor right away. Doctor certified, "Yes, its HFMD. We'll have to keep her away from ChildCare". But the ironic thing is, she hasn't been to childcare for the past 5 days. Doctor said it takes 3 days to incubate and develop the symptoms. We have not brought her anywhere since Sat (Day 0) except for the clinic. SHE CAUGHT HFMD FROM THE CLINIC. Damn it, that would be the last place anyone would expect to catch HFMD. MOH has been telling all child care and pre-schools to be very careful about HFMD.

Day 4 to Day 7: Over the past few days was horror. My girl cannot sleep properly, refuse to eat and drink. We had to force her on occasions. Through occasions, she begs for water, but drinks minimally. Its simply heartbreaking. Oh, she always ask for mouth cream. And yes, she lost quite a lot of weight. She had ulcers in her mouth and throat.

(Sunday) Day 8: In the evening, My wife and i started showing symptoms of HFMD infection. No fever, but we started having little ulcers and a few spots on the hands and feet. We reckon that we have caught it from my elder girl. On the same night, my younger girl started showing symptoms too.

(Monday) Day 9: We rushed down to the clinic (Me, wife and 2nd girl). It was confirmed HFMD. We had to stay away from everyone for 5 days at least.

(Friday) Day 13: Here i am sitting at the coffee table writing this blog. The past 2 weeks has been killing for me. Sleepless nights, can't eat properly, can't drink. We now understand how my elder girl and my younger girl have felt. BTW, my elder is turning 3 years old and my younger girl is 8 months. Things are getting better, but i really want to share my experiences with everyone. Its a very painful experience.

Here are some symptoms (after getting infection of HFMD);

1. Fever within 3 days of infection
2. Mouth starts getting small blisters and develops into ulcers within 4 days of infection
3. Hands, Feet, Elbows, Knees and Thighs will develop red spots within 4 days of infection and develops into small blisters. DO NOT BURST THE BLISTERS.
4. From day 1, you are infectious for about 8 days

These are ways to contain its spread;

1. Wash your hands well before any food
2. In fact wash your hands regularly
3. Do not share food
4. Do not share fork and spoon.
5. When coughing or sneezing, turn away from anyone and cover your nose and mouth.
6. No kissing ;-)
7. Stay away from pregnant ladies. If they catch it, there will be complications

How it transmit;

1. Through contact. Transmission mechanism is very similar to flu transmission.
2. Cough and sneezing, the droplets that flew around in the air. (Please remember to cover)
3. Apparently, a space that has been infected, remains infected for 24 hours unless disinfected by a disinfectant. Use Dethol handwash... ;-)

Now my serious take;

HFMD is not a KIDDY ONLY DISEASE. Adults can get it too, and trust me, its worse then than kid gets it. I see more ulcers and more blisters and spots. But because we know we must eat and drink still, it is less dangerous for us. But kids don't understand, they simply stop eating and drinking. Now that is DEADLY.

Why is MOH emphasizing so much on the Child Care Center. Please take a look at the clinics which a lot of children visit. My girl got it from a PD Clinic. Its a specialist clinic in a private hospital. That would be the least expected place of infection. Can MOH do something about it? Giving advisories to clinics isn't enough.

Parents: If you bring your child to the clinic, make sure you carry them and don't let them run around and play the toys there. The PD Clinic that i went to, my girl was playing with the toys there. The clinics do not disinfect their toys, doesn't make sense anyway. You can't have a person disinfect every time a kid plays the toy.

I think for the time being, all clinics should hide all their toys. Its more serious on adults, but spreads more easily amongst kids. Hey, wake up. Adult don't play toys and share toys. Adults don't jump onto the toys the moment you see them. Kids do, and they don't care and don't understand the consequences.

MOH, please do something to the clinics. My suggestions;

1. Get all clinics to keep all toys, else disinfect them regularly (hourly basis? Hmm, maybe not enough)
2. Have clinic set up priority for HFMD suspects carrying the symptoms. This will lessen the exposure timings that kids can spread.
3. Perhaps Parents can call in first to highlight that it is bringing in a HFMD suspect to prepare the clinic.
4. When entering a clinic, kids disinfect their hands like child care does. Take temperature if needed.

Those are my suggestions, take it as it deems fit.
Just yesterday, in the news. I heard over 1000 cases in the past week. I guess my whole family of 4 makes up part of that 1000. Just taking my times into considerations;

1 week of no work for me and my wife; we estimate to lose $3000 worth of income, less the amount of money making opportunities. Assuming everyone in that 1000 cases, has 1 parent who take cares of the children, and each one loses $1000 a week. Damn, we're talking about losing 1000 x $1000 = $1,000,000 !!!

Now can someone takes things serious and look into where the spreads can take place. If you're from MOH and you want to know which clinic, email me - i-dchung@microsoft.com

/Dennis

I chanced upon this in my opposite cubicle. Cute.

Introducing i-Buddy. It will spice up your conversations in a visible way. Hasn't got much chance to dig deep into it, but was able to play with it on the surface. The only sad thing i encountered is that it doesn't work with 64bit Vista. :-(

It detects the mode of the conversation in MSN and shows it up.

Check out these images;

Check out the official website for more info. http://www.i-buddy.com/

Wish i could have one. Its time to return it to the person opposite me.

/Dennis

If you have been administering your Windows 2003 environment from XP or Vista, you have probably installed Adminpak.msi. Well, with the launch of Windows 2008, adminpak has disappeared.

That is now known as RSAT. (Remote Server Administration Tools).

There is a 64bit version and a 32bit version of this tool.
This is just another discussion taken from SWUG.

/Dennis

This post is for an old friend, Steven Hill, from eGroup.com.sg

Steven, to obtain the Windows Storage Server 2003 R2, visit this link.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/solutions/specializedservers/OEM/Evaluation.mspx

Here are some other links which i thought you might be interested;

Product Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/wss2003/default.mspx

White Paper- Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 for IT Pros

Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 - Planning and Deployment

Hope this helps pal..

/Dennis

SWUG Newsletter for April 2008

In this Edition;

Cover for the Month
April Meet Up for Insiders
April Meet Up for Office User Group
Heroes Happen {Here}
Release of Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Release Candidate
Heroes Community Event On 17th May 2008
Summary of what happened at Server Launch Wave @ Suntec

Cover for the Month

March 2008 marks the largest product launch in the history of Microsoft. In a single day, 3 major products are being launched, namely much awaited Windows Server 2008; SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. I will share some very interesting numbers with you later, both worldwide and local. Don't we just love numbers? I would love it more it those numbers had been cash for my wallet. ;-)

So you would have figured out that Mar 2008 was a killer month for me. Yes it was. I have never been so freaking tired, coordinating both Microsoft and Community efforts. For the first time, the Community has quite a heavy SAY and had a huge share of how the launch was executed and reached. Be sure to check out the story later. This is also going to be the largest news letter in the history of SWUG. <Grin>

This month, we celebrate as well, the achievement of a credible individual, Mr. Pom Figueroa, who is awarded Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional on April Fool's Day!! Let us congratulate him. if you wanna spam a congratulations email, fire it to pomfigueroa@avantustraining.com or visit http://pomski.spaces.live.com and leave messages for him.

April Meet Up for Insiders

Our focus this month, will be about Windows Server 2008, Web and Applications.

Date: 7th Apr 2008
Time: 1900 hrs to 2100 hrs
Venue: Microsoft Singapore, Level 21 (Auditorium)

Topic: IIS7.0 (Introduction, Management, Shared Server Configuration and Diagnostics)

Registration: Send an email to i-dchung@microsoft.com to register for the meet up. In the email, include your name, email address and SWUG ID. You need to be a member of http://sgwindowsgroup.org to attend.

April Meet Up for Office User Group

Our Sister Group, SG Office Group, is inviting us to attend a session.
Its double whammy next week. ;-)

Visit this link for details; http://sgofficegroup.org/cs/forums/181/ShowThread.aspx#181

SGOG is covering topics around Office Live and Interactive Charts with Xcelsius.

Please visit above link to find out more and register.

Heroes Happen {Here}

I am paying tribute to our local heroes. Do you know them? If you don't, please visit this post.
Who are the local IT Heros featured on 26th Mar 2008

Everyone is a Hero in their respective organization. You are a Hero too.

Release of Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Release Candidate

If you are into Windows Server 2008, and you are into Virtualization, you need to know this.
Grab the updated release of Hyper-V.

Why can't you get HyperV working properly on your Intel hardware-

Heroes Community Event

I want to give you guys a heads up. On 17th May 2008 (3rd Saturday of May), the major community groups are banding together to give you a day of technology update and fun.

There will be 3 tracks (IT Pros, Devs and SQL). Brought to you by the 3 major user groups. (SWUG, SGDotNet and SGSQLUG).

So mark your calendar, and watch this space. (you need to be a community member to attend. Membership is free). If you have a suggestion or want to see certain topic related to Windows 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008, visit this link. http://sgwindowsgroup.org/forums/thread/5557.aspx

Server Wave Launch @ Suntec on 26th Mar 2008

26th Mar 2008, was the day, in Microsoft's history, the largest reach campaign reaching out to the IT masses in a huge way. A series of launch waves was planned throughout the entire globe. The target, 10million IT Professionals. As of last week, this figure measured at 9.5million pax.

In Singapore, over 2000 pax turned up for the event. Were you one of them?

At the launch event, many of your popped over at the "Meet the Community Expert" booth and said Hi. Thank you for popping around. It was very nice to see so many of you. At the same time, i would like to thank the Insiders too. Here are a couple of pictures which I would like to share with you.

For the first time, the Community was deeply entrenched into the product launch.

1. On 25th Mar, Digital Life, 4 members of Insiders were featured on the center fold of the papers. They provided testimonials to Windows 2008.
2. 4 members of the Insiders group were recognized as Singapore IT Heroes. One of them is recognized as a World Wide IT Hero and was featured in a coffee table book
3. 3 IT Heroes (2 of which are from Insiders group) were featured on 93.8FM Live National Radio
4. The Community was also responsible for pushing Microsoft's Facebook, Viral Campaigns, Adventures of Captain Server, and Bloggers Happen {Here} to new grounds with Facebook alone reaching more than 2000 individuals in under 12 days.
5. 2 Members of Insiders delivered 2 sessions during the breakout tracks on 26th Mar 2008.

With the many involvements of the Community, thank you. The Launch will not be as successful with your involvement.

/Dennis

Just recently, in Server Wave Launch in Suntec, there were a few showcases. One of the showcase was about virtualization. Specifically at the showcase, HyperV was featured. Since HyperV hasn't been widely understood and in many cases, very new to many, some are facing difficulties getting it to work. So i am just going to tell you what you have to be aware of, to get it working.

There are some requirements that is needed;

1. Operating System: You need the 64bit version of Windows 2008. HyperV does not work on the 32bit version. Hey, 64bit is the way to go.
2. You need to have hardware virtualization support. That means you need an Intel-VT or AMD-V processors to support this.

Once you have those, you are ready to rock and roll with HyperV.

However, there are some things you may encounter even if you have satisfied the above. Perform the following in sequence, saves you lots of problem;

1. Enter the BIOS of your machine, and make sure Virtualization is turned on (Found so far in Intel CPU based machines)
2. Load up the HyperV bits. With WS2008 RTM, its shipped with Beta version of HyperV.
3. After you have loaded up HyperV, you will be prompted to reboot. (Instead of a Reboot, so a Shutdown). Cut the power for about 10 seconds (PULL THE PLUG) and power up. You should be ready to fire up HyperV without error. You need to do a complete Power Cycle. Warm Bootup / Reboot is not enough.

You should then be able to load it up nicely and get it work.

Here are some instructions on how to load up Windows Server 2008 with HyperV Release Candidate.
To load up HyperV RC, you need the update here (KB 949219).

/Dennis

I am slapping myself... I actually forgot to tell you who the local IT Heros are. Pardon me while I make it up. These are the Heros behind everyday IT Scenes and Operations. They ensure applications and systems goes well and operate at optimum ensuring operations are smooth and business are conducted without a hitch.

Today, I am dedicating this post to the local IT Heros. 16 of them, in addition to the World Wide Heros of 4 from Singapore.

1. Dennis Chung, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft
2. Ken Hay, Architect, Mediacorp Technologies Pte Ltd
3. Wen Xiao Bei, Systems Specialist, ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems)
4. Jonathan Chua, Chief Executive Office, Duration Inc
5. Roy Chew, Consultant, Crimson Logic
6. Yanto Fu, Manager, EAI Solutions, National Heathcare Group
7. Choirul Amri, Senior Consultant Trainer, Avantus
8. Ian Tan, Consultant, NCS
9. Carlo Solomon, IT Engineer, OH Hydraulics Engineering Pte Ltd
10. Jeffrey Tay, Systems Engineer, National University of Singapore
11. Bernard Lai, Assistance IT Manager, O2Micro Pte Ltd
12. Loke Kit Kai, Senior Solution Consultant, NCS, Chief Architect Office
13. Edwin Sarmiento, Senior Systems Engineer, Fujitsu Asia
14. Tok Wee Hyong, Instructor, NUS
15. Sivanandam Baskaran, Managing Director, Gurusoft Pte Ltd
16. Thomas Kok, Systems Analyst, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

I salute all of you. In fact, I salute every IT Professionals in Singapore. You are the IT Hero of your organizations. Because without you, your organization will never realize the potential of IT and make businesses grow. IT Professionals are the driving force behind every successful businesses. You guys are awesome.

And if you own a business, and ain't quite that successful, perhaps you should look towards IT as a business growth multiplier.

/Dennis

Phew, Server Launch Wave was completed 3 days ago. I am now recovering from the aftermath of the event with many post launch activities to handle. If you have been following the event buzz and excitement of the launch, you will also realize we had the theme "Heros Happen Here".

It is time to recognize the efforts of the unsung Heros behind the scene of IT. Who give it their all, ensure things run smoothly. Rarely are these IT Professionals recognized and even praised in any avenue of work. You will hear about people saying, "Good Job, you have met your revenue targets", but you DO NOT HEAR, "Good job, your smooth IT Operations has ensured our sales team met and exceed their Targets".

I think you get what I mean. In any case, I salute all IT Pros out there. You are the IT Hero of your organization and I think you all deserve at least a pat on your back. Lets celebrate your work, its time IT Heros SHINE!

Oh, let me get back to matter proper. I had the privilege of accompanying Microsoft IT Heros to MediaCorp Radios at Caldecott Hill. Yes, on National Radio!!! 3 IT Heros were invited, Loke Kit Kai, Lee Lup Yuen and Pom Figueroa. All well known IT professionals in their verticals. They were interviewed under a program known as the Living Room.

Oh, we were hosted by friendly producer and deejay, Stanley Leong of 93.8FM LIVE.

IT HEROS !! You make the systems smooth running and never complain about your job. Kudos. I am truly inspired by your Passion in IT and in the community. SALUTE !!

Stanley, IT Professionals can be chatty, cool and fun to be with... ;-)
If you are interested to listen what was presented on Air, download the clip

/Dennis

Singapore Windows IT Pro User Group has reached the 1000 mark today.

I am so proud of it, despite us being a closed group and we never do any membership drives.
You all will know, that the group grew by word of mouth, never by adverts or any membership drives. ;-)

Took this shot right in the middle of the night.. 

Thanks for making this group worthwhile to maintain. And thanks to the volunteer group behind this. Thank you.

/Dennis

I have managed to work out a good deal with a local MS Press distributor to give our community a good price for MS Press books in relation to the activities that we are working on.

For the month of Mar 08; there are 3 books up for orders;

	Windows Server 2008 Networking and Network Access Protection $65 per book (UP: ~ $97) Last Order: End of Mar 2008 To Order: http://sgwindowsgroup.org/forums/5592/ShowThread.aspx#5592
	Windows Server 2008 Administrator's Companion $70 per book (UP: ~$104) Last Order: End of Mar 2008 To Order: http://sgwindowsgroup.org/forums/thread/5603.aspx
	Windows Server 2008 Inside Out $70 per book (UP: ~$104) Last Order: End of Mar 2008 To Order: http://sgwindowsgroup.org/forums/thread/5603.aspx

In order to qualify for the book price, you must be a member of Singapore Windows IT Pro Users Group;

That's it for now... Hey, if you want to organize any group purchase, you are most welcomed. :-)

Yesterday, I had a pleasant surprise. I knew there were a lot of people who are very interested in Windows Server 2008. The original invite is located here. I have been running the Windows Insiders Group for a while and I thought for the good of everyone in the community, I combined Windows Insiders program with the community at large.

The community met up yesterday evening. The turn out was fantastic. I was expecting less than 60 turning up. To my surprise, 76 turned up. More than 10 of you came without registration (that's fine, I welcome everyone). I had only 62 on my registration list. Less than 6 pax from the pre-registered list didn't turn up. :-)

Thought I take a picture and show you. Sorry, my camera phone isn't fantastic. Oh, I gotta say sorry to those who may not get a chance to eat the refreshments. I didn't cater enough for 76 of you. I only catered 60. Sorry, i'll cater more next month. Promise.

I want to thank Pom Figueroa, for helping me out by presenting. This helped me focus on the logistics of the event and ironing out operation issues. 9 of you took advantage of the community bulk purchase and took back this book for only $65 dollars. It is selling for about $96 or $97 out there on the shelves. To top it up, Cheau Fang from Biz-Era got us 40% discount on your next Microsoft exam. Vouchers were given to you direct. Neither me nor SWUG is making money from this, so please don't think I make money from this. To qualify for this group buy, you need to be a member of SWUG. To order this book (till end of Mar 08, place your order here).

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in Windows 2008 Technical Overview

Pom gave the Insiders and community group a view of the above topic. We discussed Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2008 and how it ties in with areas such as Security and manageability.

The following were covered;

- Security, Manageability, and Reliability
- Read-Only Domain Controllers
- Role-Specific Servers
- Windows Server 2008 group policy

If you missed this session, do not worry. Here are the resources to help you learn about the session. Only catch is, Pom is not around to answer your question. ;-)

Here are some of the related resources;

Step-by-Step Guide for Read-Only Domain Controllers
Demo Recording of Demos shown by Pom

Hope to see you guys in April. ;-) Watch out for my email or monitor this space.

/Dennis

Hi SWUGsters,

i am trying out a new format of the newsletter. Yes, using my blog spaces so i could share information with more people. :-) Please feel free to send me feedback about this.

March 2008 is a month, Singapore IT Pros will remember. It is the month in which IT Heros are recognized and honored. It is the month Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 gets launched. Please join us at the Customer Launch Event on 26th March 2008 @ Suntec Convention Centre.

To register your presence, please click here.

I truly look forward to all of you there. There will be games and activities leading up to the actual event itself, so please watch out for it. There are lots of opportunities to win prizes.

Details of Mar 08 Meet Up

I have merged a Windows Insiders Program with our SWUG community. We will launch a series of scenarios and technologies of the upcoming products being launched in March 2008. If you are keen on seeing what Windows 2008 has to offer, please do not miss this series as we may not repeat them again.

Topic of the Month: Active Directory in Windows 2008
Synopsis: You will learn about the new innovations happening around Active Directory in Windows Server 2008. You will also learn about Read Only Domain Controllers and how they can be used. Pop over and take part actively. We can discuss and learn more. Come share your experiences if any.

Date: 10th Mar 2008
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Venue: Microsoft Singapore (1 Marina Boulevard, #22-00, NTUC Building)
Room: 22CF-12

To register, email dennis@mvps.org with your name, SWUG ID and email address.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Microsoft Learning extending its "You Certify, Microsoft Pay" campaign

Due to popular demand and feedback, Microsoft Learning has extended the above mentioned campaign and expanded the scope after everyone's feedback.

The campaign has been changed just yesterday morning to cover the following;

1. ANY Microsoft exams can be redeemed
2. Exams taken during 1st Dec 2007 to 30th April 2008 can be used for redemption

The official campaign site is still being updated. You can check here for details.
Reason why extended; Because community ask to cover more exams, and community asked for more time to study for exam. Please take this chance to get certified. You may not have to pay for your exam. ;-)

Invitation to attend SBS User Group Meet Up

The Small Business Server user group has extended an invitation to members of SWUG and SGOG to attend a meet up which may be of interest to you. On the 18th March 2008, SBS UG is organizing a session to talk about "Security Fundamentals in Microsoft Sharepoint Products and Technologies".Date: 18th Mar 2008
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Venue: Microsoft Singapore (1 Marina Boulevard, #22-00, NTUC Building)
Room: 22CF-15

To register or find out more information, you can visit http://sbsug.sg

Last chance to order book @ ~40% off

As per previous month email announcement, SWUG is organizing a group purchase for MS Press - "Windows 2008 Networking and Network Access Protection" for $65. Normal price on the shelves is about $96.

To order, place your name and contact here. http://sgwindowsgroup.org/forums/5592/ShowThread.aspx#5592

The first order of 6 has gone out and they will collect it on 10th March 2008 @ the Meet Up. You have till end of March 2008 for this price.

{Bloggers} Happens Here

I am still looking for blogger. I am sure there are bloggers amongst us. Don't let this chance away to be featured on Microsoft.com/Singapore and a chance to win Windows Home Server with Server Hardware, Xbox 360 and Windows Vista.

Email me for details ASAP: i-dchung@microsoft.com

That's it for now.
If you have feedback or queries, i will be more than happy to help.

Cheers,
Dennis Chung
SG Windows Group Lead (http://sgwindowsgroup.org)

Hi Everyone in the Singapore Community...

you may have heard in Jan 08, via local community channels, that Microsoft has offered individuals to be certified for free. The campaign was supposed to end on 31 March 2008.

There had been a lot of requests, queries and feedback to the program. Thank you very much for your participation and Microsoft Learning truly appreciates the feedback and participation. To qualify for the redemption, your exam dates needs to be between 1st Dec 2007 and 30th Apr 2008.

To benefit more professionals (IT Pro and Devs), 2 changes happened;

1. You can redeem for ANY Microsoft exams taken within the specified period.

2. The campaign has been extended to cover exams taken from 1st Dec 2007 to 30th Apr 2008.

You are getting this news so new, that the campaign site hasn't updated. ;-)
http://sgug.earth9.com/default.mspx

/Dennis