Dreamspark

What is DreamSpark?
Other than totally cool? Glad you asked. Here’s how it works: if you’re a current university or high school student, you can download professional Microsoft developer, designer, and gaming software through DreamSpark at no charge. Yes, students get to download software at no charge. DreamSpark enables students, like you, to download and use Microsoft tools to unlock your creative potential and set you on the path to academic and career success by advancing your learning in the areas of technical design, technology, math, science, and engineering! It doesn’t matter what classes you’re taking right now, just as long as you’re a current student in a verified, accredited School and use the tools in pursuit of advancing your education in one of these areas.
What Microsoft software does this site offer?
Currently, you can get the following Microsoft tools from DreamSpark:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
• Microsoft Expression Studio 1.0
• Microsoft Expression Studio 2 Trial Edition (includes Web, Blend, Media, and Design)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
• IT Academy Student Pass

Oh, and by the way? These are the serious versions for serious people. We’re talking, the big-time stuff.
In addition, in the spirit of cool things to download and “one-stop shopping”, you can also download software (currently available on www.microsoft.com at no charge) like:

• SQL Server 2008 Express Edition
• Visual Studio 2008 Express Edition
• XNA Game Studio 2.0 (with 12-month Creators Club Student trial membership)
• Virtual PC 2007
• Visual Basic 2005 Express
• Visual C++ 2005 Express
• Visual C# 2005 Express
• Visual Web Developer 2008 Express
• Visual Basic 2008 Express
• Visual C++2008 Express
• Visual C# 2008 Express

Where is DreamSpark available?
DreamSpark is available to millions of students around the world. Please visit www.dreamspark.com to get a list of countries where this program is currently being offered.
What do I need in order to access, download, and use the Microsoft software I get on DreamSpark?

• A PC with a Windows OS®
• An Internet connection (broadband suggested)
• An Internet browser
• A Windows Live ID account

VirtualTechDays

Millions of developers: one call. The world's leading developer advertising group.

Microsoft is orgaining the Virtual TechDays 2011 from September 28-30 , 2011 .
What is Microsoft Virtual TechDays ?
Microsoft Virtual Techdays is one of the India’s biggest online conference organised by Microsoft focussed on the contents that help MIcrosoft Developers and IT Professionals .
The event provides a good learning experience on some cutting edge technologies like Visual Studio , SQL Server , .NET , Azure ,
Office 365 , Windows7 etc .
The sessions and the agenda is yet to be updated in the Virtual Techdays site .

Know more about the event and register here

Disable Extra Startup Programs in Windows

This tip alone should speed up your start-up by 250%.

Here are is what you have to do:
1. Go to Start button and choose Run
2. Type "msconfig", without quotations
3. Hit enter key or click the OK button
4. A System Configuration Utility window will show up
5. Click the Startup tab
6. In the Startup tab you will see several boxes and some of them
will selected (checked). All you have to do is to uncheck
extra items that are of no use. If you run an antivirus
program it is not recommended to uncheck it.
7. After making you choices press the OK button, you will be
prompted to restart computer to apply changes.
8. After restarting your computer a dialogue will be displayed.
You can check the option for not showing this dialogue every
time your PC reboots.

Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7 Platform

On October 11th Microsoft announced the release of Windows Phone 7 on 10 devices from a variety of manufacturers all over the world. Almost 2000 applications are already available on the Windows Phone 7 marketplace.
Windows Phone Application development
For Windows Phone 7, Microsoft went back to the drawing board to figure out what phone users really want, and built a phone from the ground up. The OS, the user experience and the application development platform have all been engineered with users in mind. The revenue opportunities in the Windows Phone marketplace, accompanied by a great set of development tools, make WP7 a very attractive destination for developers to build applications and games.

Developer Tools
In early September, Microsoft released a set of tools for Windows Phone 7. This toolset is free and can be downloaded from here. The toolset includes:

• An IDE (for developers) : Visual Studio Express for Windows Phone,
• A User Interface design tool (for designers): Express Blend for Windows Phone,
• Frameworks: Silverlight for Windows Phone and XNA Game Studio for Windows Phone
• And a Windows Phone 7 emulator to test and debug applications.

The tools are designed to let you develop consumer applications, business applications or games.
Windows Phone 7 Architecture
                         Windows Phone 7 utilizes a layered architecture as shown below. In contrast to the iPhone OS, WP7 will run on multiple phones. To provide a consistent user experience and features that developers can rely on, it defines a minimum set of hardware specifications that all phones must meet.
They include an ARM7 CPU, a DirectX capable GPU, a camera, and a multi-touch capacitive display. Standard sensors include: an A-GPS, an accelerometer, a compass, proximity and light sensors. There are three standard physical buttons on the phone – back, start and search. As we will see in a subsequent chapter, these buttons provide an easy and natural navigation model for the user.
In WP7, Microsoft provides most of the device driver code. The device manufacturer has to write very little code specific to their device. This is expected to improve the consistency and quality across various devices. WP7 takes advantage of hardware acceleration through encapsulation layers such as DirectX or XNA.
Create your app using the free development tool and emulator available at
http://create.msdn.com/en-us/resources/downloads

All the best. Stay Updated !!!

Microsoft Student Partner

Microsoft Student Partner       
                     The Microsoft Student Partner Program recognizes top young minds from around the world that are passionate about technology. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop real-world skills to help you succeed in your future career, to help others learn about the technology of today and tomorrow, and to connect with other like-minded students, all whilst having a ton of fun along the way. The tenure is for 1 academic year and can be renewed by the MSP India Team if the MSP has acceptable performance and continues to meet the eligibility criteria.
What is a Microsoft Student Partner?
                      The ‘ideal candidate’ would be a passionate and enthusiast individual who wants to learn about new tools and technologies. You would need to have a whole range of skills including excellent time management, organization and communication skills to ensure that you could host successful campus events. An MSP should be comfortable and confident presenting in front of large audiences of both students and faculty members. General marketing skills come in very handy in order to allow you to articulate your ideas effectively when presenting. MSPs are social, friendly and approachable individuals who like to meet new people. You will require the ability work as a team as well as use your own initiative. In summary, MSPs are innovative and creative students who are extremely passionate about technology and who like to help others. 
             The Microsoft Student Partner 2011 selection process is under progress and tho phases got over(Registration and video submission).Stay updated for MSP 2012 via Facebook