Singapore Windows IT Pro Group - Sept 2008 Newsletter
Going Virtual!
If you have been with our group for at least the past 4 months, I bet you would have heard about Virtualization. If you have not, you better. Why? Simple, it is going to hit IT Pros in a huge way. Over the duration of the next few months, I will be using my spare time to build a small collection of FAQs that I have frequently been asked to do. There are just too many things to tell you about Virtualization. The impact is so great, I can't recall any days in the past 3 months, spending a work day not coming across or working on Virtualization.
Microsoft has a complete virtualization strategy, from Desktop to the DataCenter. It is definitely time you take a serious look at it. Whether you are working in an Enterprise space, or the small business next door, you can benefit from Virtualization. While VMWare has been established in the market place for quite a while, Hyper-V is posing a serious threat to VMWare. In my personal opinion, this spells good news for us, OPTIONS. We now have a choice to choose either VMWare or Hyper-V.
Later in the email, I have listed a bunch of videos, "Get Virtual Now" Videos. Go through them and give some thoughts to your current environment. If you so decided to adopt Hyper-V, let me know, the {Insiders} TSP is still open.
This month, we have Pom with us again. Pom had been teaching us about Windows 2008. This month is no exception. But because we had fellow members who wanted to learn about VPN, Pom will teach us about VPN. On top of VPN, he will also tell us about Network Access Protection and how you can get it working with a VPN connection. So join us this month on the 18th Sept 2008.
There are 2 very important things I need your help on, 1. TechFest, 2. ComputerWorld Readers' Choice Award. Please read on.
Cheers,
Dennis Chung
SG Windows Group Lead
IT Pro Evangelist | Microsoft Singapore
http://pingdennis.com | i-dchung@microsoft.com | dennis@mvps.org
SWUG Sept 08 group meet up
Date: 18th Sept 2008 (Thursday)
Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm
Venue: 1 Marina Boulevard, Level 21 Auditorium
Session 1: Virtual Private Networks and Network Access Protection (By MVP Pom Figueroa)
Abstract: Find out how you can extend your office's network infrastructure with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). You will learn about the basics of VPN and how to set one such VPN. VPN can be used to secure individual traffic from machine to network, or secure network to network traffic. To secure the VPN further, you can implement Network Access Protection. Since you have build the VPN, we will implement NAP over VPN. Of course, for those of you who missed the NAP session earlier in the year (we covered NAP over DHCP), here's a chance to pick it up again.
Light refreshments will be available.
To register, please reply to this email or send to i-dchung@microsoft.com with the following:
- SWUG ID
- Name
- Email Address
Note: There won't be an event confirmation. Just turn up, we don't turn people away. However, please register if you're coming. It helps me to arrange the right numbers for snacks.
TechFest: 23rd Oct - Will you come? <Your Action Needed>
http://pingdennis.com/will-you-come-techfest-23rd-oct-2008/
Please click on the above link. I have been working hard with a few other MSFTies to make this event happen.
The event will take place on the 23rd Oct 2008. You are the first group of IT Pros in Singapore to know about this.
I need you to let me know if you will like be attending this or not, and if you have comments, please post it there too.
Appreciate your frank opinions and feedback.
ComputerWorld Readers' Choice Voting <Your Action Needed>
26 of your favourite Microsoft's products have been nominated this year. Closing Date: 17th Sept 2008.
You don't have much time left. Make your favourite Microsoft product WIN!!
BTW, did I mention that you can win a Samsung Omnia (1st Prize), Asus EeePC 1000H (2nd Prize) and a Nintendo Wii (3rd Prize).
To vote, click here.
{Insiders} Technology Support Program
For those of you who have indicated interest on this, I still have your request to be part of this. However, I am really sorry for not replying to you as yet. The program behind this has been slightly delayed. The portal is due to reopen sometime in early Oct 08. Hence I did not want to confuse you or make the wrong commitments to you. I have receiving quite some emails from you, so I could like to thank you for your interests. I remain dedicated to working on this for you. You will hear from me once the site is ready.
{Insiders} group has been geared towards giving you insights over the past year to tell you about emerging technologies. I have heard from many of your that you will really want to try these technologies because you have no support. Being without support can be a scary thing for an IT Pro who manages mission critical networks. I have worked out to merge a program in Microsoft together with the {Insiders} group we have been building. Each FY, {Insiders} will focus on emerging technologies which are relevant to the various community groups.
Thereby, I am morphing this initiative and add in a TSP for you.
Participating in this TSP allows you to have the following benefits;
- Access to Microsoft Evangelists Managed Forums to ask questions about emerging technologies
- 1 Year TechNet Plus Subscriptions
- 2x Premier Support Services Incident Tickets to support the technology
- In some cases, Microsoft will assign an architect to help if necessary
Check this link for more details: http://pingdennis.com/insiders-technology-support-program/
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