TechNet Gallery - resources for IT professionals

TechNet Gallery - resources for IT professionals

The TechNet Gallery is the place to go to browse the latest updates, download installations instructions and tools and much more. You can download resources and applications for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, SharePoint, System Center, Office, and other products. Find resources written in VB Script, PowerShell, SQL, JavaScript, or other script languages.

Visit: gallery.technet.microsoft.com

Get Certified on Microsoft Azure or Office 365 with Free Exams

Get Certified on Microsoft Azure or Office 365 with Free Exams

Lead your organization’s adoption of cloud technologies. Be among the first to get certified in Microsoft Azure or Microsoft Office 365. For a limited time, Microsoft is offering four (4) exams at no cost.

To earn Microsoft Certified Specialist in Azure, pass one or both of these exams:

• 71-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions (beta)
• 70-533: Implementing Azure Infrastructure Solutions

To earn Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate in Office 365, pass both of these exams:

• 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements
• 70-347: Enabling Office 365 Services

Achieve these credentials in three easy steps:

1. Visit Born to Learn to request an exam voucher
2. Schedule and take your exam by December, 31, 2014.
3. Pass the exam and earn...

Save 15% on MCP Certification Exams

Save 15% on MCP Certification Exams

Start the new year with a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification! For a limited time, save 15% on MCP exams-a great way to reach your certification goals before the end of 2014.

1. Choose any 70-xxx exam from this list.
2. On the exam detail page, select an exam delivery provider-either Pearson VUE or Prometric.
3. Use the discount code 15OFF when you schedule your exam.

Schedule and take your exam(s) by December 31, 2014. READ MORE...

Are you a student?
Schedule an exam at Pearson VUE using the promotional code STU15OFF to receive 15% off your current student discount rate.

Microsoft Second Shot Deadline

Microsoft Second Shot Deadline

The Second Shot offer provides a free retake exam if you do not pass your exam the first time. If you purchase a Microsoft Certification exam pack using the Second Shot offer, you will have one (and only one) retake for each of the exams in the exam pack.

But time is running out to take advantage of the free retakes for failed Microsoft exams, the Second Shot availability end date is May 31, 2013. This means you have less than one month to book your course and take your exam.

Sign up here

Win £500 Amazon vouchers or a weekend away with Microsoft

Win £500 Amazon vouchers or a weekend away with Microsoft

The Certify UK programme is designed to incentivise and keep you informed about the developments in Microsoft certifications.

By passing an MCP exam during the months of March, April or May 2013 you will be able to enter a prize draw to win one of the fantastic prizes below. What's more, if you pass another exam in a later qualifying month you can enter again (see terms and conditions for full details).

• UK weekend away for two (two nights in a 5* hotel, including dinner and prepaid cards)
• £500 Amazon vouchers
• £100 Amazon vouchers

Read more here

Prometric to Introduce “More Affordable” IT Certification to Market

Prometric to Introduce “More Affordable” IT Certification to Market

Prometric, a market-leading company in test development and delivery, is set to launch a new, "more affordable" IT certification, Cyber Security Essentials.

Cyber Security Essentials was developed by Prometric in collaboration with senior IT engineers and subject matter experts who themselves hold IT credentials — such as CISSP, CISA and CEH — and work in Cyber Security, Network Security, Digital Forensics, Computer Hacking Forensic Investigation and Ethical Hacking.

"Cyber Security Essentials provides business and IT professionals a more affordable certification option, created by experts who are practicing the most current cyber security methods in the field.

Article here.

Looking on Prometric's own page, the exam is normally valued at $199.95, however it can be taken for...

Deadline for 'Certified for Life' Candidates Dec 31st

Deadline for 'Certified for Life' Candidates Dec 31st

IT professionals who were certified in 2010 or earlier in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ have until the end of 2012 to enroll in the CompTIA Continuing Education program.

Those certified in 2010 or earlier are considered "certified for life," but these individuals can enroll in the CompTIA Continuing Education Program to show they are versed in the latest skills and technologies.

Full Story here

Windows Blue: Microsoft’s plan to release a new version of Windows every year

Windows Blue: Microsoft’s plan to release a new version of Windows every year

Way back in August, three months before the release of Windows 8, we learnt about the existence of a project at Microsoft codenamed Blue. At the time it wasn’t clear whether this was Windows 9, or some kind of interim update/service pack for Windows 8. Now, if unnamed sources are to be believed, Windows Blue is both of those things: a major update to Windows 8, and also the beginning of a major shift that will result in a major release of Windows every 12 months — just like Apple’s OS X.

Read the article here.

-Ken

CompTIA Looking for Digital Information Management Pros for Beta Exam

CompTIA Looking for Digital Information Management Pros for Beta Exam

CompTIA is looking for digital information management professionals to participate in a beta exam of the updated CompTIA CDIA+ certification.

IT professionals can take the test for free — and will be certified if they pass — but will not get their scores until the new exam version is released in 2013.

Beta testing is one of the final steps in the CompTIA exam development process. Beta testers take a version of the exam with more questions than will be on the final exam. CompTIA uses beta tester answers and comments to evaluate which questions most accurately predict technical competence and knowledge in each test area.

Full Story...

New CompTIA A+ 800 Series Exams Reflects Change in Entry-Level IT Roles

New CompTIA A+ 800 Series Exams Reflects Change in Entry-Level IT Roles

CompTIA launches the CompTIA A+ 800 exam series, which adds performance-based questions, new objectives for mobile devices and virtualization, and an increased emphasis on troubleshooting. The changes reflect new demands being placed on the entry-level IT technician, who must now help integrate and manage computer networks interfacing with a wide range of devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

The current CompTIA A+ 701 and 702 exams, which focus on assembling, fixing and troubleshooting computers and feature only multiple-choice questions, will be available until August 31, 2013. IT professionals can take either series to become CompTIA A+ certified.

More information...