Book Description

The core concepts and technologies you need to administer a Windows Server OS

Administering a Windows operating system (OS) can be a difficult topic to grasp, particularly if you are new to the field of IT. This full-color resource serves as an approachable introduction to understanding how to install a server, the various roles of a server, and how server performance and maintenance impacts a network.

With a special focus placed on the new Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certificate, the straightforward, easy-to-understand tone is ideal for anyone new to computer administration looking to enter the IT field. Each chapter offers a clear and concise look at the core Windows administration concepts you need to know to gain an understanding of these difficult topics.

• Offers a clear, no-nonsense approach to administering a Windows operating system and presents it in such a way that IT beginners will confidently comprehend the subject matter
• Targets the MTA 98-365 exam by covering Windows Server installation, server roles, storage, and active directory infrastructure
• Provides you with a solid foundation of various networking topics so that you can gain a strong understanding of Windows Server administration concepts
• Includes review questions and suggested labs to further enhance your learning process

With this book by your side, you will be armed with the core concepts and technologies needed to administer a Windows Server operating system. Download Now »

Book Description

Thor’s Microsoft® Security Bible provides a “one-stop-shop” for Microsoft-related security techniques and procedures as applied to the typical deployment of a Microsoft-based infrastructure. The book contains detailed security concepts and methodologies described at every level: Server, Client, Organizational Structure, Platform-specific security options, application specific security (IIS, SQL, Active Directory, etc.) and also includes new, never-before-published security tools complete with source code.

• Detailed technical information on security processes for all major Microsoft applications
• Unique project-based “storytelling” delivery, combining multiple security techniques and methods together for real-world solutions to security challenges in actual business use cases
• Reference-style content for access to specific application security techniques and methods
• Actual author opinion and guidance as not only HOW to go about security particular applications, but WHY to do so
• DVD Companion disk with source code, tools, video tutorials, and other materials

“Most recognize Thor as the Norse god of thunder with massive powers of destruction. Few realize that he was also the god of restoration. Likewise, his namesake, Timothy “Thor” Mullen, has spent his entire adult life both destroying and restoring Microsoft-based security systems. Thor’s Microsoft Security Bible conveys the wisdom and expertise of the industry legend that has defined the bleeding edge of Microsoft security for over twenty years. I highly recommend this book.”
-Johnny Long, Hacker at Large Author of the best-selling “Google Hacking” series Download Now »

Book Description

The Windows Azure platform is Microsoft’s Platform-as-a-Service environment for hosting services and data in the cloud. It provides developers with on-demand computing, storage, and service connectivity capabilities that facilitate the hosting of highly scalable services in Windows Azure datacenters across the globe.

This practical cookbook will show you advanced development techniques for building highly scalable cloud-based services using the Windows Azure platform. It contains over 80 practical, task-based, and immediately usable recipes covering a wide range of advanced development techniques for building highly scalable services to solve particular problems/scenarios when developing these services on the Windows Azure platform.

Packed with reusable, real-world recipes, the book starts by explaining the various access control mechanisms used in the Windows Azure platform. Next you will see the advanced features of Windows Azure Blob storage, Windows Azure Table storage, and Windows Azure Queues. The book then dives deep into topics such as developing Windows Azure hosted services, using Windows Azure Diagnostics, managing hosted services with the Service Management API, using SQL Azure and the Windows Azure AppFabric Service Bus. You will see how to use several of the latest features such as VM roles, Windows Azure Connect, startup tasks, and the Windows Azure AppFabric Caching Service.

Build advanced scalable cloud-based services with the Windows Azure platform

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Book Description

Microsoft SQL Server is an enterprise database platform that contains a multitude of technologies, Analysis Services being one of them. SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) provides OLAP and data mining capabilities and allows users to analyze multidimensional data stored in cubes using the MDX query language.

This cookbook contains over 80 practical, task-based recipes that show how Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services solutions can be taken further by enriching them with high-performance MDX calculations and flexible MDX queries.

Packed with immediately usable, real-world recipes, the book starts with elementary techniques that lay the foundation for designing further MDX calculations and queries. Here you will find topics such as iterations on a set, Boolean logic, and dissecting and optimizing MDX calculations.

In the first half of the book you will learn how to efficiently work with time, strings, metadata, calculated members and sets in general, and how to implement MDX solutions that are appropriate in a particular context: a time-aware calculation, a concise report, a calculation relative to another. You will also learn how to implement various types of conditional formatting, how to perform typical MDX calculations like ranks, percentages and averages, and year-to-date calculations.

The book then deep dives into topics such as enhancing cube design with utility dimensions, context-aware calculations, and other advanced topics. In this part you will learn how a utility dimension can be of great help Download Now »

Book Description

Your expert guide to building modern applications with Visual Basic 2010

Take control of Visual Basic 2010—for everything from basic Windows® and web development to advanced multithreaded applications. Written by Visual Basic experts, this handbook provides an in-depth reference on language concepts and features, as well as scenario-based guidance for putting Visual Basic to work. It’s ideal whether you’re creating new applications with Visual Basic 2010 or upgrading projects built with an earlier version of the language.

Discover how to:

• Use Visual Basic 2010 for Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation projects
• Build robust code using object-oriented programming techniques, such as classes and types
• Work with events and delegates—and add your own events to custom classes
• Program arrays, collections, and other data structures in the Microsoft .NET Framework
• Solve problems quickly and easily using My namespace in Visual Basic
• Dive into Microsoft LINQ, including LINQ to XML and LINQ to Entities
• Tackle threading, multitasking, and multiprocessor development and debugging

About the Author
Klaus Löffelmann is a Microsoft MVP for Visual Basic .NET, and has been a professional software developer for over 20 years. He has written several books about Visual Basic, and is the owner and founder of ActiveDevelop in Lippstadt, Germany Download Now »

Book Description

Expert advice to help you work smarter and increase your productivity with Visual Studio.

Take a detailed look into Visual Studio—and learn practical techniques to help you work more efficiently. This fully revised and expanded version of Visual Studio Tips: 251 Ways to Improve Your Productivity includes a comprehensive collection of tips and shortcuts for working with the code editor, visual designers, searches, debugger, and other features in Visual Studio 2005, 2008, and 2010. You’ll gain valuable insights for using this IDE—no matter what your experience level.

Discover how to:

• Change development settings and keyboard mappings to optimize your efficiency
• Save time initiating a new project by creating custom templates
• Uncover secrets for working with the toolbox, commands, and window layouts
• Work with files in more practical ways, such as using the File Tab Channel
• Use the Editor more effectively with tips on selecting and manipulating code
• Apply techniques to help reduce the time you spend debugging code
• Create Visual Studio extensions to increase your development productivity

Download Now »