Microlau's Blog

RE: Special Event: Security Speakers from Corp

Here's some links to what Kai has presented last night.

Sql Server 2005 Security - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/events/sql2005/sql-05.mspx (demos + slides)

Exchange 2007 - http://sgdotnet.org/files/folders/events/entry53312.aspx (slides, no demoes)

4 more days to Std Cht Marathon...

My Japan photos

Special Event: Security Speakers from Corp

Following up on a previous post: 

It's been a long while since all the UGs combined together for a joint session. With the visit of distinguished speakers from Microsoft, we're running a joint UG event (bet. SGDN, SGSQLUG, SWUG, SGOG and SBSUG) on 29th November 2006, 6.45pm - 9.30pm for two topics on security.

The topics covered are:

SQL Server 2005 Security - 6:45pm-8pm
In this session we will see how SQL Server 2005 breaks security down into a number of distinct areas. Throughout the session we will be introducing the security concepts that are new to SQL Server 2005, such as user-schema separation. We will also be see how SQL Server 2005 implements current security concepts like encryption in ways that are new to this release. The session will look at security from the perspective of the server, the database, and database objects, and some of the different options you can use at each level to help secure your data. The session will also take a look at how you can monitor the security of your SQL server.

This session will explore:
New security concepts
Database and object security
Monitoring data security

Message Security, Compliance and Message Protection with Exchange Server 2007  - 8.15pm-9:30pm
Your e-mail system is constantly being bombarded with unwanted and undesirable messages, and as a messaging administrator, it's your job to keep the system as clean as possible. As a result of recent accounting scandals and the global terrorism threat, governments and their agencies may also require your organization to store pertinent e-mail messages and produce them on request. It's not exactly an easy task. And finally, keeping e-mail secure while in transit is enough to keep you up at night, especially while potentially sensitive messages are traveling through your organization or moving to other organizations across un-trusted networks including the Internet. In this interactive session, you'll learn how the upcoming Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 addresses all these concerns with policies and powerful new functionalities that are simple to set up and easy to administer.

This session will explore:
How to keep e-mail systems clean with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
New functionalities that make it easier to secure e-mail while in transit
Best ways to store e-mail messages and produce them on request

Both topics are brought to you by Kai Axford, Sr. Security Strategist at Microsoft.

Register now by sending an email to microlau@sgdotnet.org, indicating the following:

SGDN ID:
Full Name:
Email:

Sign up for DevCon 2006 NOW

As some of you probably know, SGDN re-kindled the Student Chapter (called SGDN.Students) sometime in June this year. We've organised 3 user group meeting specially for students and this time, we're trying to organise a full day conference/seminar just for students (lecturers are welcome too!).

We've lined up an exciting range of topics ranging from Vista, Infocards, Office 2007 to Games Development using XNA, all brought to you by MVPs.

DevCon 2006 will be held on 16th December 2006 at Microsoft Singapore, NTUC Building. The details of DevCon 2006 can be found at http://sgdotnet.org/DevCon2006.

Oh yes, did I mention that there'll be a Vista Install Fest (using Trial or RTM) and possibly even a Office 07 Install Fest?!

Why wait? Sign up now by simply dropping an email to devcon@sgdotnet.org, indicating the following:

Subject: Sign me up for DevCon 2006
Name:
Tertiary (School):
Year:

Hurry and sign up now!, as seats are limited! Seats will be allocated on a 1st-come basis.

This event is jointly organised by SGDN, SCS and INETA; and proudly sponsored by Microsoft Singapore.
 

Zune is launched!

Must to the delight of many MP3 lovers, Microsoft's Zune is finally launched, albeit on internationally yet. Some interesting facts about Zune and comparison to it's competitor can be found.

So, watch out Apple (and unfortunately Creative too)..

Security Day on 29th Nov

A day of Security awaits you at Microsoft on Wed, 29 Nov! As part of the inaugural Microsoft Security Week 2006, TechNet TechTalks presents Secured Messaging, Collaboration and A Well-Managed Infrastructure - a day-long seminar featuring renowned industry experts, Steve Riley, Andre Mintz and Kai Axford. Listen as they discuss latest attack trends and what Microsoft is doing about it, Best Practices for Secure Messaging and Collaboration and find out more about deploying Server and Domain Isolation with Windows IPSec. And get the latest scoop on security enhancements in the forthcoming release of Windows Vista!

Date: Wed, 29 Nov
Time: 8:30am-5:30pm
Venue: NTUC Centre Auditorium, Level 7, One Marina Boulevard, Microsoft

Register NOW to reserve limited seats! Stand to win an XBOX 360, MS Press Books, and other Microsoft goodies at the Lucky Dips and games! To register, Email fern@techmexeventsasia.com or call 65508963.  

Following the day TechNet event, we have an evening worth of Security at the SQL UG session! Get up close and personal with Kai Axford, Sr. Security Strategist at Microsoft, as he discusses new SQL Server encryption, user schema separation, restricted access to views, and more! 

More information will be posted on SGDN forums.

 

Vista is RTM-able

Finally....After a long time, Vista is ready for RTM. Jim Allchin shared some milestones about Vista where are interesting:

• This is the first time we’ve supported a broad array of product skus to help address different customer segments – and they’re all supported using a single product image. The same DVD can be used to install any of the product images.
• It is truly a worldwide release. For the first time we released Windows simultaneously in 5 languages! 18 languages will be available at the general launch in January. We will ship 32 language editions within 100 days of US English RTM. And when we’re done, Windows Vista will be available in over 100 languages.
• Windows Vista supports more hardware than ever. Hundreds of OEMs and thousands of systems builders will pre-install Windows Vista, which will have more than 50% more device drivers inbox at RTM than Windows XP had, plus thousands more will be on Windows Update before general availability.
• Windows Vista is the most tested release ever. This is the first Microsoft product that has incorporated the Secure Development Lifecycle from the beginning, and has employed stringent quality gates for each release milestone.
• We’ve had millions of downloads of the pre-release versions, and there are already over 60,000 machines at Microsoft running Windows Vista—more than any prior Windows release at RTM.
• This is the first time that customers will be able to deploy worldwide on diverse hardware all with a single IT-managed image. And it’s the first time that this image can be serviced offline.
• And because of the great improvements in deployment tools, it’s the first time that leading OEMs will be able to drive their mission-critical manufacturing process for building and configuring machines using only inbox tools Windows Vista deploys Windows Vista!
• Windows Vista is the fastest installing version of Windows when installing on then current generation hardware. Install times of Windows Vista on normal desktop class hardware regularly clock in at between 15 and 20 minutes.
  

MOSS 07 turned Golden

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 6, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the completion of the 2007 Microsoft^® Office system code and confirmed its release to manufacturing (RTM). This gold code milestone concludes the largest Microsoft Office beta program to date, with more than 3.5 million people downloading Beta 2. The unprecedented quantity of feedback from beta testers and customers helped the Office development team effectively validate product quality and optimize performance. Microsoft Office RTM also marks a critical step toward worldwide business availability of the 2007 Office system, Windows Vista™ operating system and Exchange Server 2007 on Nov. 30, 2006. To underscore the significance of this new day for business, Microsoft executives will participate in events around the globe, including an event with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in New York. General availability of the products will follow in early 2007.

Read more here

Singapore MVP on Channel 9 - About Linq

Offline Folder in Exchange

Nov 2006 #30 UG Meeting

Venue
Level 22, CF-12
NTUC Centre, 1 Marina Boulevard (near Raffles Place MRT and next to Neptune Theatre)

Synopsis
Introduction to Game Development and Microsoft XNA by Darren Sim
In this presentation, Darren would be sharing with the audience, the prospects and business value of Game Development in Singapore, and beyond. Darren would share with the audience, what Microsoft have in-store for the game development industry and how we could leavrage on these framework developed by Microsoft, to help developers and stuidios develop games, quickly, effeciently and economically.

Speaker Profile

Darren's a Microsoft MVP who speaks frequently in the MSDN circuits and other Microsoft events, covering both academia events as well as professional events. His speaking engagements include XNA, Windows Vista Gadgets Development, .Net Security, Atlas, ClickOnce deployment, ASP.Net 2.0, Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005, Microsoft Communities, C# 2005, iMovie and Windows Vista, mostly in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Apart from his speaking engagements, Darren also does trainings on Microsoft.Net technologies and Microsoft Office for technical training schools.

Prior to joining Microsoft Developer Programs, Darren had been part of the Apple Talent Development Team at MSHS where he lead the Multimedia team, focusing on Multimedia Development & Production

.Net Development Best Practices by Alan Dias
Learn the Best Practices in Developing .Net Applications from MIcrosoft first .Net Application (MSCRM). The session will cover .Net best practices with real world applications MSCRM 3.0 and how to extend, integrate and interoperate with .Net Applications as well as how to design an application for Mobile workers

Date/Time:
2nd November 2006, 6:30pm to 8:45pm

How to get there:  
For attendees who drive:
We recommend to park at the Neptune Theatre car park 

For attendees traveling by MRT:
It is a 5 minute's walk from Raffles MRT Interchange, passing by the Asia Building. 

For attendees traveling by bus:
Nearest bus stop is at Clifford Pier and it is a 2 minute's stroll to the OMB. Buses that service this bus stop are:
- SBS 10, 70, 97, 100, 107, 130, 131, 162 and 196
- TIBS 75, 167 and 700
- CSS 605 and 608 

Please register for the event here. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a new registration procedure in order to enter the building. All visitors will need to go through registration with the security and be assigned a pin# to enter. In order to expediate the registration process, we're required to submit the list of visitors to MS Reception at least 3 days in advance. As such, early registration is strongly encouraged.

Thank you! 

Back in action after long break

Haven't blogged for a long time. Since then, many things have happened to my life. I've quitted from my job, went for vacation at Japan with my wife (journey and photos will be updated shortly), and I've officially joined a Microsoft vendor. Thanks to Icelava for his recommendation that I got the job.

Today is Day 1 at my new job. Back to good old .NET development.