Microsoft Press

Hello. Today we’d like to share the links to the practice files for our various Office 2010 Step by Step books in one handy place: Microsoft Access 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=192153 Microsoft Excel 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=191751 Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=192152 Microsoft Office Professional 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=192155 Click the “Practice Files” link. Microsoft Outlook 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=192151 Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=192149 Microsoft Project 2010 Step by Step : go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=191765 Microsoft Word 2010 Step by ...read more

  Microsoft Press is currently seeking authors and technical editors for some of our Exam Refs that will help prepare candidates for the new developer exams. If you are interested or if you know people whom you think would be good for inclusion in such books and you can provide introductions, please respond to Russell Jones at b-rujone@microsoft.com . Exam Ref Guidelines: Mission Featuring concise, objective-by-objective reviews and strategic case scenarios and Thought Experiments, candidates get professional-level preparation for the exam. The Exam Ref helps candidates maximize their performance on the exam and sharpen their job-role skills. Distinguishing Features · Streamlines study by organizing material according to the exam’s objective domain, with one functional group and its objectives ...read more

Greetings. We’re looking very very good for publishing Charles Petzold’s classic book, Programming Windows, in its sixth edition, in January 2013. You can order a preliminary ebook plus final ebook here , and you can preorder the print book on the same page . Today we’d like to share the book’s Introduction, in which Charles describes the book’s intended audience, organization, coverage, and so on. Enjoy! Introduction This book—the 6 th edition of Programming Windows —is a guide to writing applications that run under Microsoft Windows 8. To use this book, you’ll need a computer running Windows 8, on which you can install the Windows 8 development tools and software development kit (SDK), most conveniently in the form of the free download ...read more

Our official distributor, O’Reilly Media, is offering 50% off a selection of popular Microsoft Press ebooks. One day only so don’t miss it!     Save 50% – Best of Microsoft Press Ebook Deal of the Day Whether you're a .NET programmer, configuring SQL Server 2012, mastering Microsoft Office—or anything in between— get the answers you need in these bestselling ebooks from Microsoft Press. For one day only, you can get our best of "Microsoft Press Ebook Deal of the Day" – the top 25 for 50% off . Ebooks from oreilly.com are DRM-free. You get free lifetime access, multiple file formats, and free updates. Now includes Dropbox syncing. Use discount code MSDEAL - Deal expires December 18, 2012 at 11:59pm PT, and cannot be combined with other offers. To see the list of ebooks ...read more

Greetings, developers. If you’re developing for the Windows Store, we want to point out a stellar resource you might not be aware of: Windows Store App Labs . These labs were introduced in October via the Windows 8 app developer blog: Today we introduce Windows Store App Labs in more than 30 cities around the world for all app builders – developers, designers, and entrepreneurs. Windows Store App Labs are places where you can access the newest Windows 8 devices, get technical help from Windows experts, and receive design guidance from leading edge designers and digital agencies. All for free! Check out and test the newest Windows 8 devices The labs are stocked with the latest Windows 8 devices in multiple form factors including Windows RT tablets like Microsoft Surface , Ultrabooks, All-in ...read more

Here’s the 22nd in our series of guest posts by Microsoft Most Valued Professionals (MVPs). (Click the “MVPs” tag in the right column to see all the articles.) Since the early 1990s, Microsoft has recognized technology champions around the world with the MVP Award . MVPs freely share their knowledge, real-world experience, and impartial and objective feedback to help people enhance the way they use technology. Of the millions of individuals who participate in technology communities, around 4,000 are recognized as Microsoft MVPs. You can read more original MVP-authored content on the Microsoft MVP Award Program Blog . This post is by Peter Ritchie , a Visual C# MVP . Than ks, Peter! If you're used to some other app store or hub/portal-based deployment models, you might think that an externally ...read more

We haven’t posted this in a while and I thought that it might be time for a refresh. This is a list of all of our free ebooks. We’ll have more coming up in 2011, so stay tuned. Free ebook: Programming Windows Phone 7, by Charles Petzold (a 24-chapter gift from the Windows Phone 7 team and Microsoft Press) Free ebook: Moving to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 (10 chapters by by Patrice Pelland, Pascal Paré, and Ken Haines) Free ebook: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (10 chapters by Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner) Free ebook: Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions (Second Edition) (6 chapters by Mitch Tulloch) Free ebook: Own Your Future: Update Your Skills with Resources and Career Ideas from Microsoft (8 chapters by Katherine Murray) Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2008 ...read more

Hey, our good friend and associate publisher, Steve Weiss, has picked some great ebooks for a special sale through December 18, 2012. This past three months have seen Microsoft launch Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Visual Studio 2012 and Windows Phone 8, as well as the RTM build of SharePoint 2013. There's a lot to geek-out about, notes Steve Weiss, associate publisher, O'Reilly Media/Microsoft Press Division , so we're offering a slew of our latest resources for you. Use discount code HDMSN Deal expires December 18, 2012 at 11:59pm PT Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer does not apply to Print, or "Print & Ebook" bundle pricing. Click here for special offer page ...read more

Here’s the 21st in our series of guest posts by Microsoft Most Valued Professionals (MVPs). (Click the “MVPs” tag in the right column to see all of the articles.) Since the early 1990s, Microsoft has recognized technology champions around the world with the MVP Award . MVPs freely share their knowledge, real-world experience, and impartial and objective feedback to help people enhance the way they use technology. Of the millions of individuals who participate in technology communities, around 4,000 are recognized as Microsoft MVPs. You can read more original MVP-authored content on the Microsoft MVP Award Program Blog . This post is by David Pallman , a Windows Azure MVP and Microsoft Press author. Than ks, David! Add value to your Windows Store apps with the Microsoft ...read more

Our friends over at the Born to Learn blog created a really cool visual map for people interested in learning about Windows Server and becoming certified. It was too great not to share with you. Check it out here: A Visual View of Microsoft Training and Certification for Windows Server 2012 Make sure to click on the images and notice that many areas on the map are hot linked. ...read more

We’re happy to announce the availability of Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step (ISBN 9780735663398) by scripting expert Ed Wilson! This book is a hands-on, step-by-step guide to automating Windows administration with Windows PowerShell 3.0. Teach yourself the fundamentals of Windows PowerShell 3.0 command line interface and scripting language—one step at a time. This practical tutorial delivers learn-by-doing exercises, timesaving tips, and hands-on sample scripts for performing administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems. Discover how to: - Use built-in cmdlets to execute commands - Write scripts to handle recurring tasks - Use providers to access information beyond the shell environment - Configure network components with Windows Management Instrumentation - Manage users ...read more

We’ve been busy this past quarter! Check out the new books. Click on any cover to go to the catalog page at our distributor’s site , oreilly.com. 7 books for programmers 5 books on Windows 8 4 new titles on Windows Server 2012 3 free ebooks 2 books for beginning programmers 1 book for Office users   ...read more

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Excel 2013 Step by Step , by Curtis Frye.   The smart way to learn Excel 2013—one step at a time! Experience learning made easy—and quickly teach yourself how to manage, analyze, and present data with Excel 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace—building and practicing the skills you need, just when you them! Includes downloadable practice files and companion eBook. Discover how to: Work with Excel 2013 in touch mode Write formulas, create macros, and organize data Present data visually and add images to worksheets Consolidate multiple sets of data into a single workbook Analyze data using the Quick Analysis Lens Collaborate with colleagues and present workbooks online   PURCHASE FROM O’REILLY     NOTE: O'Reilly ...read more

These are the books that have most impressed and earned praise from readers on oreilly.com. For one week only, get these favorite ebooks for 50% off. Use discount code WKMSFAV - Deal expires April 19, 2013 at 11:59pm PT , and cannot be combined with other offers. Offer does not apply to Print, or "Print & Ebook" bundle pricing. NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. By clicking the link, you will be taken to O'Reilly's website. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and the privacy policy applicable to how O'Reilly handles your data. Click here for offer page Programming Windows®   4.1 (9 reviews) Read 9 Reviews Ebook Was: $50.00 Ebook Now: $24.99 (Save 50%) CLR via ...read more

Teach yourself how to build Windows 8 applications using Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 with Microsoft Visual C# 2012 or Visual Basic 2012—one step at a time. Build Windows 8 Apps with Microsoft Visual C# and Visual Basic Step by Step , by Luca Regnicoli, Paolo Pialorsi, and Roberto Brunetti, is available now. Here, at the chapter level, are the book’s contents: Contents at a Glance Introduction xi CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Windows Store apps 1 CHAPTER 2 Windows 8 UI style 31 CHAPTER 3 My first Windows 8 app 65 CHAPTER 4 Application lifecycle management 99 CHAPTER 5 Introduction to the Windows Runtime 133 CHAPTER 6 Windows runtime apIs 155 CHAPTER 7 enhance the user experience 185 CHAPTER 8 Asynchronous patterns 231 CHAPTER 9 rethinking the UI for Windows 8 apps 259 CHAPTER ...read more

We’re happy to announce that Windows Server 2012 Inside Out (ISBN 9780735666313) by William Stanek has shipped to the printer! Dive into Windows Server 2012—and really put your systems expertise to work! This supremely organized reference is packed with hundreds of timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds. Discover how the experts tackle deployment, configuration, and management—and challenge yourself to new levels of mastery. Preorder you copy here , here , or here . You can download the full table of contents and a couple of sample chapters here . In this post, we are sharing a quick view of the contents and an excerpt from the Introduction. Introduction ( excerpt ) Welcome to Windows Server 2012 Inside Out . As the author of many popular ...read more

We’re happy to announce that Exam Ref 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012 , by JC Mackin, is now available for purchase. Please refer to the table of contents from this previous post . You can buy the book from here and here .   A sample from Chapter 7: CHAPTER 7 Configure a network policy server infrastructure Network Access Protection (NAP), as you know, is a Windows Server feature that enforces health requirements on client computers as they attempt to connect to a company network. These health requirements can relate to the status of software updates, of antivirus protection, of host firewall status, or of spyware protection. NAP was first introduced in Windows Server 2008. Although NAP doesn’t include any significant new features in Windows Server 2012, one important ...read more

We’re pleased to announce the availability of Exploring Microsoft SharePoint 2013: New Features & Functions. Discover what’s new and what’s changed in SharePoint 2013—and get a head start using these cutting-edge capabilities to improve organizational collaboration and effectiveness. Led by Penelope Coventry, a Microsoft MVP for SharePoint, you'll learn how to take advantage of important new features and functionality, including app development, collaborative social enterprise tools, enhanced versioning, themes, improved search, and an extended client object model. Get an early, expert look at how to: Develop SharePoint apps using collaborative social enterprise tools Use the new Minimal Download Strategy (MDS) smart technology to consume less bandwidth Version documents, list items ...read more

For one week only, SAVE 50% on these Excel ebooks on oreilly.com and turn your data into meaningful information. Use discount code WKEXCEL - Deal expires April 18, 2013 at 11:59pm PT , and cannot be combined with other offers. Offer does not apply to Print, or "Print & Ebook" bundle pricing. Click Here to see Excel titles from Microsoft Press and other publishers.  NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. By clicking the link, you will be taken to O'Reilly's website. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and the privacy policy applicable to how O'Reilly handles your data. ...read more

Hello, programmers! We’re happy to announce that Charles Petzold’s newest update to his classic book, Programming Windows , has shipped to the printer! The book contains 1136 pages—we were simply silly to originally estimate the book’s length at 800 pages—and its ISBN is 9780735671768. You can order the book here , here , here , or here . You can also download a PDF with two complete chapters and the full Table of Contents here . Programming Windows, Sixth Edition focuses on creating Windows 8 apps accessing the Windows Runtime with XAML and C#. The book also provides C++ code samples. The Sixth Edition includes 19 chapters organized in two parts: PART I   ELEMENTALS CHAPTER 1  Markup and Code   3 CHAPTER 2  XAML Syntax   31 CHAPTER 3  Basic Event ...read more

Greetings. On January 31, we released a draft version of the Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 ebook containing the six boldfaced chapters below: PART I DATABASE ADMINISTRATION (by Ross Mistry) 1. Denali Editions and Enhancements 2. High Availability and Disaster Recovery Enhancements 3. Scalability and Performance 4. Security Enhancements 5. Beyond Relational PART II BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT (by Stacia Misner) 6. Integration Services 7. Data Quality Services 8. Master Data Services 9. Analysis Services and PowerPivot 10. Reporting Services That release is available in PDF only, and you can download it via our January 31 blog post . In today’s post, we’re happy to say that we’re on schedule to release the final, full, and, yes, free 10-chapter ebook in three formats (PDF, MOBI ...read more

From now through May 1, 2013, you can save extra money on select Microsoft Press books at Amazon.com Click here to find the coupons home page at Amazon and search through books coupons. How to Redeem the Coupon: To apply a coupon offer to a qualifying item, add coupon in one of two ways: Click on the coupon offer on the item detail page via the "Clip this Coupon" button, or Click on the coupon provided on amazon.com/coupons. After applying the coupon to the qualifying item, add the item to your Cart via the "Add to Cart" or "1-Click" option button on the respective item detail page. The coupon discount will be applied to the qualifying item added to your Cart and will be reflected on the final order checkout page. ...read more

We’re happy to announce the availability of Microsoft Word 2013 Plain & Simple . Get the full-color, visual guide that makes learning Microsoft Word 2013 plain and simple! Follow the book’s easy steps and screenshots and clear, concise language to learn the simplest ways to create and share documents. Here’s WHAT you’ll learn: Create, edit, format, and share text Add graphics, data, table, and charts Improve page layout to best present your ideas Use and make templates for increased productivity Collaborate and present documents online Access your documents from almost any browser PURCHASE FROM O’REILLY   NOTE: O'Reilly Media is the official distributor of Microsoft Press books. View O'Reilly's terms of service for use of their services (including payment services) and ...read more

We’re happy to announce that Supplement to Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build, 2nd Edition (ISBN 9780735678163), by Sayed Ibrahim Hashimi and William Bartholomew, has gone to the printer. Get the supplement that helps you drill even further into MSBuild—and maximize your control over the software build and deployment process. Designed as a companion to the popular book Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build, Second Edition, this supplement extends your knowledge by covering what’s new in Visual Studio 2012 for MSBuild and Team Foundation Build. You’ll also gain a fresh cookbook of examples to help you get productive with UI changes, batching, Team Foundation Server, offline apps, database publishing, and other essential ...read more

Announcing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Step by Step by Patrick LeBlanc Your hands-on, step-by-step guide to building applications with Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Teach yourself the programming fundamentals of SQL Server 2012—one step at a time. Ideal for beginning SQL Server database administrators and developers, this tutorial provides clear guidance and practical, learn-by-doing exercises for building database solutions that solve real-world business problems. Discover how to: Install and work with core components and tools Create tables and index structures Manipulate and retrieve data Secure, manage, back up, and recover databases Apply techniques for building high-performing applications Use clustering, database mirroring, and log shipping Click here to purchase from our distributor, O ...read more