Free Books – Visual Basic 2005

"VB, or not VB? That is the question."

Lame Shakespeare joke, I know. But if you know what 'Whidbey' is, then this book is for you.

If you're a dev guy or gal, or even a Visual Basic newbie, don't pay $19.79 for this book on Amazon. Download it FREE from Microsoft.

Title: "Introducing Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 for Developers"

You can download the entire ebook (all eight chapters) in MSI format (15.4MB).

Or just download the chapters you need in PDF below:

• 1 – Microsoft .NET Framework Primer for the Visual Basic Developer
• 2 – Language Enhancements for Visual Basic 2005
• 3 – Visual Studio 2005 Integrated Development Environment
• 4 – Building Datacentric Applications
• 5 – Constructing User Interfaces
• 6 – Building Web Applications
• 7 – Microsoft .NET Framework Enhancements
• 8 – Deploying Applications

And if you've already got VB 6.0 skills and want to upgrade to VB .NET, check out another FREE eBook:

Title: "Upgrading Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 to Microsoft Visual Basic .NET"

Download the entire book (all 21 chapters) in MSI format (30.6MB).

Or you can download the individual chapters in PDF format here.

Download – Virtual Server 2005 R2 for FREE

Download the Enterprise Edition of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2, for FREE (no kidding).

And if you're new to Virtual Server 2005, be sure and check out the product overview, FAQ, on-demand webcasts, and the differences between Virtual PC & Virtual Server whitepaper.

Program: Virtual Server 2005 R2
Date published: 4/3/2006
Language: English
Download Size:
32-bit version – 28.4MB
64-bit version – 31.1MB
Download URL: Here
Note: Registration is required for this download

System Requirements:

• Intel Celeron, Pentium III, Pentium 4, Xeon; AMD Opteron, Athlon, Athlon 64, Athlon X2, Semprom, or Duron processor
• Minimum CPU speed – 550 MHz
• Minimum of 256 MB of RAM (512 MB or more is recommended. Additional memory will be required for each guest operating system)
• 2GB of available hard disk space

Wait, there's more! Microsoft is releasing the Virtual Machine Additions for Linux for Free too!

ENTERPRISE DISTRIBUTIONS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 (update 6)
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 (update 6)
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0
• SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9.0

STANDARD DISTRIBUTIONS

• Red Hat Linux 7.3
• Red Hat Linux 9.0
• SuSE Linux 9.2
• SuSE Linux 9.3
• SuSE Linux 10.0

Pretty amazing stuff!

Love Me Two Times

Want to take the 70-282 exam, but not quite sure you'll slam dunk it? No worries!

Microsoft and Pearson VUE are giving you the opportunity to take a free second shot on any Microsoft exam (including the fabled 70-282).

First, register for this offer with Microsoft.
http://www.pearsonvue.com/ms/2ndShot/

Then, take the exam at any Pearson VUE between February 15, 2006 and June 30, 2006, and if you fail your exam — take it again for free by July 31, 2006.

(Now all you've got to do is try and get that song out of your head).

Windows SharePoint Services Administrator’s Guide V.2

Title: Windows SharePoint Services Administrator's Guide
Version: 2
File Name: WindowsSharePointServicesAdmin.chm
Date Published: 1/25/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 1.3 MB

Description: Guide for installing, configuring, managing, and maintaining Windows SharePoint Services.

This version of the Administrator's Guide includes updates about using Windows SharePoint Services with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Windows Server R2.

The following topics are new:

• Installing and Configuring ASP.NET
• Migrating from WMSDE to SQL Server 2005

Updated topics include:

• Backing Up and Restoring Databases by Using the SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 Tools
• Backing Up and Restoring Web Sites
• Backup and Restore Options for Windows SharePoint Services
• Changing the Application Pool Identity for a Virtual Server
• Configuring Two Virtual Servers to Host the Same Content
• Hardware and Software Requirements
• Installation Considerations for Windows SharePoint Services
• Installation Points for Windows SharePoint Services
• Installing and Using Service Packs for Windows SharePoint Services
• Introducing Windows SharePoint Services
• Managing and Customizing Search
• Managing Content Databases
• Managing Sites and Subsites
• Managing the Configuration Database
• Migrating and Upgrading Web Sites
• Migrating from WMSDE to SQL Server 2000
• Preparing Front-End Web Servers for Windows SharePoint Services
• Remote SQL Server Deployment
• Security Considerations for Server and Site Configurations
• Separate Active Directory Directory Service Organization Unit Deployment
• Server Farm Scalable Hosting Mode Deployment
• Single Server Deployment
• Troubleshooting Other Issues
• Upgrade Considerations
• What's New in Windows SharePoint Services Service Pack 2

Managing Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services information includes:

• Planning
• Deployment Scenarios
• Installation
• Security
• Configuration
• Administration
• Backup and Migration
• Maintenance
• Customization
• Troubleshooting
• Reference

Download location: URL

Microsoft Small Business +

Microsoft Small Business + is a FREE online business resource that you can use when it best fits your schedule. Members receive:

Free Online Software Training – Get access to a library of software training to help you do more with the software you own, including Microsoft Office Excel 2003, PowerPoint 2003, Outlook 2003, Word 2003, and more.

Free Online Business Training – Take advantage of business skills training from independent experts on topics including marketing, finance, and technology management designed to help you evolve the skills you rely on every day.

Free Online Technical Support – Based on your submitted profile, the Self-Help feature displays the information most relevant to the Microsoft products you own, giving you easy access to knowledge-based articles, security bulletins, service packs, newsgroups, webcasts, and more. Now you can find answers to your technical questions all in one place.

Newsletter – As a member of Small Business +, you will receive a personalized monthly newsletter through which we will recommend relevant member resources. We will also give you updates on new training courses, tips on how to get the most out of your software, and access to special offers.

Links:
– Watch a short demonstration
– Registration Questions
– Sign up today

Also, don't forget about the Microsoft Small Business Summit:
Dates: March 14, 15, 16, 17, 2006
Registration opens: January 26, 2006

During this FREE four-day online event, some of the leading voices in business today will present ways to get more from your IT investments, save time and money in running your business, and better connect with and market to your customers. You're invited to choose from over 25 webcasts that can best help you gain a competitive edge.

If you are one of the first 300 people to register and attend at least one live webcast during the Small Business Summit event, you will receive the highly acclaimed book "Small Business Kit"* FREE — a $50 value! While supplies last. Offer available in the U.S. only.

Attend three or more live webcasts during the Small Business Summit, complete and submit the brief evaluation for each webcast and you will receive Microsoft Office Small Business Management Edition** software FREE — a $499 value! While supplies last. Offer available in the U.S. only.

** http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/small-business-summit/hub.mspx