Archive for the ‘Cloud’ Category
Microsoft SQL Server Driver for PHP Team Blog : SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1 is now available
In case you missed it, the SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1 is now available for download with support for SQL Azure as well. The download is available via the MSDN download site. The source code for the driver is posted on the CodePlex site.
Microsoft SQL Server Driver for PHP Team Blog : SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1 is now available
Download Here: http://bit.ly/f9tSV
Happy Halloween! Carve Your Pumpkin in the Cloud
Check out this cool pumpkin carving app. This was created by Archetype a Microsoft Partner. http://bit.ly/1glQa2
Windows Azure Tools for Eclipse
This was noted at ZendCon last week. Here’s the official link for download.
Azure Platform Resources
Mise en place is a French cooking term that essentially means “everything in place”. Cooking is so much easier when all the prep work is done and all the ingredients are within easy reach.
If you’re new to Azure, I hope my little “resources en place” will make your day a little easier.
Need an Azure account?
- Get a Free Windows Azure CTP account
Join the Community:
Learn:
- “How Do I” videos
- Azure Webcasts
- Training kit
- Sample projects and snippets:
- codeplex.com, search “azure”
- code.msdn.com, search azure
Azure ROI Calculator
One of the things this is convenient about Amazon Web Services is that I can calculate what my costs might be. I recently discovered this Azure ROI calculator which helps with estimating cost/roi. With Azure’s upcoming release, I thought this cost/roi calculator created by Neudesic might be of interest.
It’s in Beta 2, and I’ve also provided a link to David Pallman’s blog in which he describes some of the recent changes to the calculator. If you’re looking for more details about the announced pricing for Azure please go here
WebsiteSpark – Empowering Businesses that Drive the Web
We announced the WebsiteSpark Program for professional Web Developers and Designers at no upfront cost! If you have 10 or fewer employees, learn more and sign up if you qualify! Website Spark is also making news. Here’s a link to a couple of articles in PCWorld and Tech Crunch.
I’ve outlined the program below, but please go to the site for additional details.
What does the program provide?
WebSiteSpark provides software licenses that you can use for three years at no cost. Once enrolled, you can download and immediately use the following software from Microsoft:
- 3 licenses of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
- 1 license of Expression Studio 3 (which includes Expression Blend, Sketchflow, and Web)
- 2 licenses of Expression Web 3
- 4 processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 R2
- 4 processor licenses of SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
- DotNetPanel control panel (enabling easy remote/hosted management of your servers)
The Windows Server and SQL Server licenses can be used for both development and production deployment. You can either self-host the servers on your own, or use the licenses with a hoster. WebsiteSpark makes it easy to find hosters who are also enrolled in the program, and who can use your licenses to provide you with either dedicated or virtual dedicated servers to host your sites on.
In addition to software, WebsiteSpark provides partner opportunities to grow and build your business (including customer referrals through our partner programs). It also includes product support (including 2 professional support incidents) and free online training for the products.
Who can join the program?
WebSiteSpark is available to independent web developers and small web development companies. The only two requirements to join the program are:
- Your company builds web sites and web application on behalf of others.
- Your company currently has less than 10 employees.
If you meet these requirements you can visit the WebsiteSpark website and sign-up today.
As part of the enrollment process you can pick either a network referral partner (for example: a hoster or an existing Microsoft partner), or enter a referral code that you have received at an event or from a Microsoft employee. If you send mail to webspark@microsoft.com you can get a referral code quickly. You can then use that code to enroll in the program on the WebsiteSpark website. Once enrolled you can immediately download and use the software, as well as begin to participate in the network/partner opportunities.
If you have any problems enrolling, you can also send me mail (wesy@microsoft.com) and I can connect you with someone who can help.
What happens after the 3 years?
WebsiteSpark is a 3 year program. There is no obligation to continue to use any of the software after the three years is over, and there are no costs for the three years other than a $100 program fee at the end of the three years.
At the end of the three years, WebsiteSpark participants can optionally choose to purchase all of the software in the WebsiteSpark program via a $999/year package. This includes 3 copies of VS Professional, 1 copy of Expression Studio (including Blend and Sketchflow), 2 copies of Expression Web, and 4 processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 and 4 processor licenses of SQL Server Web edition that can be used for production deployment.
Alternatively, if you want to purchase only the production server licenses, you can take advantage of a $199/year offering that includes both 1 Windows Web Server processor license and 1 SQL Server Web edition processor license. You can buy the quantity you need of this package at $199/year each.
Summary
The WebsiteSpark program joins the other two successful “Spark” programs we’ve previously launched – BizSpark for startups, and DreamSpark for students.
Coming at a time when the current economic climate is still tough, WebsiteSpark will help support developers and companies by providing the business resources, training, and software necessary for companies to get started and grow successful businesses on the Microsoft Web Platform.
Visit www.microsoft.com/web to learn more about the Microsoft Web Platform, as well as download and install the new Microsoft Web Platform Installer V2 we released today – which makes it really easy to quickly provision web servers and web development machines. You can then browse and download and use open source web applications from the Windows Web Application Gallery.
Windows Azure in the Real World Webcasts
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Next Tuesday September 29th, we’ll be holding a webcast about Windows Azure. We invite you to explore Windows Azure – Microsoft’s platform for building and deploying cloud based applications – within Microsoft. During this event, we’ll review critical lessons Microsoft IT has learned migrating internal line-of-business applications to Windows Azure.
The webinar will answer:
What is Windows Azure? When should I use it? How does it apply to my job? Whether you’re an IT Professional, Developer or Architect, we’ll address top of mind questions about cloud computing.
TechNet Events Presents – for the IT Professional from 8:30am to noon
In this session, we will discuss:
- Azure architecture from the IT professional’s point of view
- Why an IT operations team would want to pursue Azure as an extension to the data center
- Configuration, deployment and scaling Azure-based applications
- The Azure roles (web, web service and worker)
- Azure storage options
- Azure security and identity options
- How Azure-based applications can be integrated with on-premises applications
- How operations teams can manage and monitor Azure-based applications
TechNet LIVE Webcast | REGISTER >>
MSDN Events Presents – for the Developer & Architect from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
In this session, we will discuss:
- Cloud computing architectures in general and the Azure architecture in particular
- Several aspects of Azure from the developer’s and architect’s perspective
- Azure roles (web, web service and worker)
- Azure storage options
- Azure security and identity options
- How Azure-based applications can be integrated with on-premise applications
- Configuration, deployment and scaling Azure-based applications
- How development teams can optimize their applications for better management and monitoring
MSDN LIVE Webcast | REGISTER >>
SQL Azure CTP and the SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1
Yesterday we announced the availability of the free trial of Microsoft SQL Azure Community Technology Preview (CTP). SQL Azure Database is a cloud based service built on technologies from MS SQL Server. This will allow for pay-as-you-go and provide enterprise class availability and data protection.
One of the primary goals of the Windows Azure Platform is to ensure that PHP developers can take advantage of SQL Server or SQL Azure Database. Yesterday, the CTP for the SQL Server Driver for PHP was released and available for download.
SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1 CTP Download
Architect Council Webcasts – 8/24 and 8/25
ARCHITECT COUNCIL | Innovation is the Name of the Game
Architects: Adverse times are also best times for innovation! Choosing the right battles to fight, and reinventing ourselves with less resources are par for the course today. However, not all innovation needs to be revolutionary or transformative. In fact, in the current economic crisis, opportunities for innovation can be found in aspects of our core competencies, and implemented as incremental and iterative changes.
For this series of Architect Council live webcasts on August 24 and 25, we will discuss two of the many ways architects can innovate by recognizing the impact to architects, and learning how to effectively leverage cloud computing beyond just another place to host existing assets.
DAY 1 – August 24, 2009 at Noon PST
Role of the Architect in Turbulent Times — Event ID: 1032423112
Miha Kralj – Architect, Microsoft
With faltering economies and the resulting shift of priorities – architects must be ready for change in their role. Innovative new technologies such as Cloud Based Computing, Software as a Service and Virtualization open up new and exciting opportunities for architects to show value in their organizations. In this session we will discuss how the role of the architect has changed, introduce new architectural patterns, and show how to “do more with less”.
Registration Link for 8/24: http://bit.ly/Fa3ky
EventID: 1032423112
DAY 2 – August 25, 2009 at Noon PST
A Closer Look at an Internet Service Bus — Event ID: 1032423113
Clemens Vasters – Program Manager .NET Online Services, Microsoft
Look under the hood of the Microsoft .NET Services service bus – the protocols we use- and how to use the services from non-Microsoft platforms and languages. Learn which part of the messages and requests the Building Block service inspects, which parts are not inspected, and how you can verify this. Also, learn how to work through NAT and Firewall limitations. Lastly, hear about architecture on the Data Center side that enables “Internet scale”.
Registration Link for 8/25: http://bit.ly/PNi2I
EventID: 1032423113
SPEAKER BIOS
Miha Kralj
As a senior architect on the Microsoft Platform Architecture Team, Miha Kralj is responsible for leading architectural communities, helping the architectural profession to mature and grow, and coordinating activities within professional architectural organizations and bodies. Miha is a Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He was also a founding member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) chapters in Slovenia and Yugoslavia.
Clemens Vasters
Clemens Vasters is a Principal Technical Lead in the .NET Services team, working in an architect role on the ‘Service Bus’ feature area and acting – more behind the scenes – as the architect for the Billing feature area and as the architect/lead developer for the internal Provisioning infrastructure of .NET Services. Before joining Microsoft some 3 years ago, Clemens spoke at many conferences, taught technology, and helped companies with software architecture in over 35 countries.
ARCast.TV – Windows Azure, A Conversation with David Chappell
If you’re not familiar with ARCast.TV on Channel9, it’s a series of interviews with influential architects providing perspective and architectural insight. This week topic is Windows Azure with David Chappell. David recently updated his white paper, “Introducing the Azure Services Platform”.
