New SharePoint 2010 MOS Exam is now Live!

Microsoft is excited to announce the arrival of the new SharePoint 2010 exam, joining Microsoft’s Office Specialist 2010 line up.

Interested in taking the exam? Check out the exam objectives here. Need training first? Check out the Learning Plan, which links to a number of helpful articles. Microsoft Learning also has an e-learning collection that might be useful as well as a number of instructor-led courses. Ready to take the exam? Click here to find a test center via our MOS exam provider, Certiport.

Happy testing!

Source: Born to Learn Blog-Post By Wendy Johnson

New MCPD certification: Windows Phone Developer!

Introducing MCPD: Windows Phone Developer

Industry forecasts indicate that Windows Phone will become the second most popular mobile operating system by 2015. Do not get left behind! The new Microsoft Certified Professional Developer certification on Windows Phone helps validate a candidate’s knowledge and skills on designing and developing applications for the Windows Phone platform. Candidates can earn the Windows Phone Developer MCPD by passing these three required exams:

• 70-506: TS: Silverlight 4, Development
• 70-516: TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft .NET Framework
• 70-599: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Phone Applications

Some Other Stuff You Should Know About This Certification

• Transcript visibility delayed. While customers can begin earning the MCPD: Windows Phone Developer certification at any time by passing the three required exams listed above, the certification will not be visible on a candidate’s transcript until late September 2011.
• Recertification required. Windows Phone technology is updated frequently. As a result, the skills required to be a successful Windows Phone developer will evolve rapidly. To ensure that developers who hold the MCPD: Windows Phone Developer certification keep pace with the evolution of Windows Phone skills, they will be required to recertify every two years in  order to demonstrate continued competence as the skills needed to develop applications on Windows Phone change. Through recertification, we can maintain the value of the certification as the technology changes over time. More information about this recertification requirement will be provided at a later date.
• Your beta exam scores. Though 70-599 is now available in Prometric testing centers, it does take awhile for them to process the beta rescores–up to two weeks after the live exam is published. If you don’t hear anything from Prometric in another week, give their customer service a ring, and have your registration ID handy.

Get Training on Windows Phone 7

Some great resources are available to help developers get started on the Windows Phone platform:

• Programming Windows Phone 7 ebook
• Windows Phone Training Course
• Windows Phone Jump Start videos
• Windows Phone Virtual Labs
• XNA Framework 4.0 for Windows Phones (MSDN)
• The Silverlight and XNA Frameworks for Windows Phone (MSDN)

See the table below for information about training materials and learning plans that map to these exams.

Exam	Classroom training	Microsoft Press books	Learning Plan
Exam 70-516 TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft .NET Framework 4	10265A: Developing Data Access Solutions with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010	MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-516): Accessing Data with Microsoft .NET Framework 4	Learning Plan for Exam 70-516
Exam 70-506 TS: Silverlight 4, Development	10553A: Fundamentals of XAML and Expression Blend1 10554A: Developing Rich Internet Applications using Microsoft Silverlight 42	Not available	Learning Plan for Exam 70-506
Exam 70-599 PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Phone Applications3	Not available	Not available	Learning Plan for Exam 70-599

1. Releases July 2011
2. Releases August 2011
3. Note that candidates who earn the MCPD: Windows Phone Developer certification will be required to show continued competence in this technology area by recertifying every two years.

Source: Microsoft Born to Learn Blog-post by Krista Wall

Forefront Identity Manager 2010 beta exam and prep guide now available!

You are invited to take beta exam 71-158, TS: Forefront Identity Manager 2010, Configuring. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

The preparation guide for this exam is now available: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-158&Locale=en-us#tab3

Note: The preparation guide includes the audience description document attached to the previous post along with general information about the exam and any exam-specific resources.

71-158 TS: Forefront Identity Manager 2010, Configuring counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

· MCTS: Forefront Identity Manager 2010, Configuration

Availability

Beta exam period runs: July 15, 2011 – August 4, 2011

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta. Microsoft recommends that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China, Turkey

Registration Information

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: FIMJ
Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta. We recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

• Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

• Prometric:http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

• Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

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Test Information and Support

You are invited to take this beta exam at no charge.
You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about beta exams here:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/exam-dev-release.aspx#tab2

For Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) help and information, you may log in to the MCP Web site at http://mcp.microsoft.com/ or contact your Regional Service Center: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/help/assisted-support.aspx

Source: Microsoft Born to Learn Blog by Susan Filkins

Second Editions (Windows Server 2008 R2) of Microsoft Self-Paced Training Kits!

Microsoft Press has received many inquiries about the second editions of the Windows Server 2008 Training Kits that cover R2. MS Press has a couple of these titles published already and the rest will be coming out this summer. See their table below to find out the publication date of the title you want.

 

Title	Link to purchase at Amazon	Estimated Publication Date
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-640): Configuring Windows Server® 2008 Active Directory® (2nd Edition)	http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-640/dp/0735651930/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308854158&sr=1-7	July 2011
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-642): Configuring Windows Server® 2008 Network Infrastructure (2nd Edition)	http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-642/dp/0735651604/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308854158&sr=1-12	Available Now
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-643): Configuring Windows Server® 2008 Applications Infrastructure (2nd Edition)	http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-643/dp/0735648786/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308854158&sr=1-4	August 2011
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-646): Windows Server® 2008 Server Administrator (2nd Edition)	http://www.amazon.com/MCITP-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-646/dp/073564909X/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308854158&sr=1-6	August 2011
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-647): Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise Administrator (2nd Edition)	http://www.amazon.com/MCITP-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-647/dp/0735656657/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308854158&sr=1-9	Available Now

 

Source: Microsoft MS Press Blog!

Free ebook: Programming Windows Phone 7, by Charles Petzold

You can download a PDF here (38.6 MB).

This book is a gift from the Windows Phone 7 team at Microsoft to the programming community. Within the pages that follow, I show you the basics of writing applications for Windows Phone 7 using the C# programming language with the Silverlight and XNA 2D frameworks.

Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2010/10/28/free-ebook-programming-windows-phone-7-by-charles-petzold.aspx

Interested in learning about Office365? Get a "jump start"

If your company is considering Office 365 or if you’re simply curious about this evolving technology, you’ll be interested in these free Jump Start videos, which leverage a “team-teaching” approach.

Each video, presented by Microsoft evangelist Adam (Bomb) Carter and senior Microsoft technologists, features real-world scenarios, best practices, and the benefits and options for adopting Office 365.

Additional training materials are also available on Born to Learn.

Office 365 Platform

• Microsoft Office 365 Overview for IT Pros
• Deploying Clients for Office 365
• Microsoft Office 365 Administration & Automation Using Windows PowerShell™
• Microsoft Office 365 Identity and Access Solutions
• Microsoft Office 365 Directory Synchronization

Exchange Online

• Exchange Online Overview for IT Pros
• Microsoft Exchange Online Administration
• Microsoft Staged Exchange Online Migration
• Hybrid Options with Exchange Server & Exchange Online
• Exchange Online Archiving & Compliance

Lync & SharePoint Options

• Lync Online Overview & Configuration for IT Pros
• SharePoint Online Overview
• SharePoint Online Administration
• SharePoint Online Extensibility & Customization
• Office 365 Deployment Overview

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam is changing!

The Project Management Professional (PMP)^® credential examination will be updated in 2011, based on updates to the professional role of a PMP^® recently found in PMI’s Role Delineation Study (RDS).

What do I need to know about the changes to the PMP credential and examination?

• The process for updating the PMP begins with the RDS, which is now complete. Learn more about the RDS.
• These updates to the role do have an effect on the examination questions for the PMP, and will be reflected in the PMP examination starting 31 August 2011. Regular communications about this change will continue until the PMP examination change on 31 August.
• Read article from PMI Today®, December 2010: PMP Examination to Be Updated in 2011
  

  Where can I find PMP update resources?

  • If you are preparing training or courseware for people who plan to take the PMP examination after 31 August, you can access a complimentary electronic copy of the PMP Examination Content Outline, formerly titled the PMP Examination Specification.
  • If you need to communicate about the PMP update within your organization or community, be prepared by reading frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Q1. As a current credential holder how does this impact me? Are there any changes for renewing my credential?
A: If you currently hold the PMP credential, the release of the new RDS has limited impact for you since the primary result of the RDS is to update the PMP examination. PMI will review the results of this RDS to determine whether it requires updates be made to the PMP Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. PMI expects that any changes to this program will be announced in Q4 2010.

Q2. When will the changes to the PMP examination take place?
A: The new examination is scheduled to be released on 31 August 2011. This means that the last day to take the current PMP examination is 30 August 2011. Candidates who would like to take the current version of the examination are advised to schedule their examinations early to better ensure that they are able to obtain a test date before the examination update.

Q3. Are the eligibility criteria (contact hours / project management experience hours) changing?
A: No – the eligibility criteria will remain the same. Only the multiple-choice examination content of the PMP is changing.

Q4. What version of a Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) should I study for the updated PMP examination?
A: The update of the examination for the new RDS does not affect the PMBOK® Guide, so candidates should continue to study the Fourth Edition, as well as other current project management titles.

Q5. Is there going to be a change to the PMBOK® Guide—Fourth Edition?
A: No. The update of the examination to align with the new RDS does not affect the PMBOK® Guide.

Q6. Will the score report be changing?
A: At this time, PMI does not anticipate any changes will be made to the PMP score report.

Q7. Will PMI provide a full refund if I am unable to take the exam before the new exam is released?
A: No. PMI is announcing the change to the PMP examination approximately 11 months before it is implemented so that all PMP candidates have the time required to take the examination before it is updated.

Q8. Will PMI have expanded scheduling options at the test centers to ensure that all candidates can take the exam prior to updates taking place?
A: PMI is working with our testing partner, Prometric, to coordinate availability changes at testing centers, if this is required due to demand.
Page 2 of 2 Version: 6 October 2010

Q9. What are the major differences from the new exam to the old exam? A: Approximately 30% of the content on the PMP examination is new or has substantial changes to reflect the role as defined by the RDS. This will result in existing items being updated as appropriate, new examination items being developed to meet these requirements, and old items which do not meet the criteria being retired. A: Certain areas of the examination need to be tested in a different way because it was seen to be common across all content areas of the examination. Specifically, the Professional and Social Responsibility content area (Domain 6) will now be tested in every domain rather than as a separate domain on the examination. As such, PMI’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is now integrated into the day-to-day role of a project manager, emphasizing its importance in each phase of the project lifecycle.

Q10. Will PMI’s Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) be clear on whether they are teaching courses based on the current exam or the new exam version?
A: PMI REPs have been informed on the change and update schedule, as well as being provided the new PMP Examination Content Outline in order to update their courses.

Q11. I scheduled my exam before the update and now I’m not prepared to take the exam. Can I have an extension?
A: No. Any examinations taken on or after 31 August 2011 will be updated to the new version of the examination.

Q12. Will I need to take another prep course since the exam is being updated?
A: PMP candidates are encouraged to prepare thoroughly for the new version of the examination. PMI has study tips available for PMP candidates at the PMP study tips page.

Q13. If I have earned PDUs for my PMP credential, will they count toward renewal for the new version of the PMP?
A: Yes. The new RDS only.

Source: PMI.org

EC-Council Releases Much Anticipated CEH v7

Revolutionary Product

EC-Council releases the most advanced ethical hacking program in the world. This much anticipated version was designed by hackers and security researchers. CEH v7 is a revolutionary training program that combines class metrics, advance lab environment, cutting edge hacking techniques and excellent presentation materials. EC-Council has spent several years in developing this version.

The Certified Ethical Hacker courseware has undergone tremendous improvement from its predecessor. We have invested 4 times the regular investment in the research and development since the last release, and have given CEHv7 a complete makeover.
The new version is a breakaway from earlier releases with more emphasis on techniques and methodologies, which attackers may use to carry out possible attacks against system/networks.

Picture speaks thousand words and we at EC-Council have enforced the saying by practicing it. The instructor slides and student manuals in CEHv7 has it all. The new version empowers the instructor with flawless flow and outstanding diagrammatic representation of the hacking techniques, which makes it easier to teach and enables students to understand the concepts better.

CEHv7 provides a comprehensive ethical hacking and network security-training program to meet the standards of highly skilled security professionals. Hundreds of SMEs and authors have contributed towards the content presented in the CEHv7 courseware. Latest tools and exploits uncovered from the underground community are featured in the new package. Our researchers have invested thousands of man hours researching the latest trends and uncovering the covert techniques used by the underground community.

In addition to the makeover, CEHv7 includes two additional bundles; a Monster Hacking Tool Repository, Codenamed Frankenstein and a subscription based Virtual Lab Environment codenamed iLabs.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein provides user with an ease for searching, downloading and installing the latest hacking and penetration testing tools. By using Frankenstein Version 1.0, users can check the release date of the tool, category under which it is published, probable size of the tool, name of the publisher/author, the website details and technical requirements for the tool to run. This will help all the Certified Members to keep themselves updated of tools released in the wild.

Key benefits:

• Repository of categorized latest tools
• User can download the tool in less time with comparison to manual search
• Helps the user to synchronize & manage the tools from the server
• Search specific tools from the available list of tools

• The system provides a means to generate a HTML report of all the tools downloaded by the user

iLabs

The iLabs is a subscription based service that allows students to logon to a virtualized remote machine running Windows 2003 Server to perform various exercises featured in the CEHv7Lab Guide. All you need is a web browser to connect and start experimenting. The virtual machine setup reduces the time and effort spent by instructors and partners prior to the classroom engagement. It is a hassle free service available 24×7 x number of days subscribed.

Benefits

• Enables students to practice various hacking techniques in a real time and simulated environment

• The course tools and programs are preloaded on the iLabs machine thereby saving productive time and effort

Key Features of CEH v7
• Well organized DVD-ROM content; a repository of approximately 20GB of latest hacking and security tools and more than 1000 minutes of videos demonstrating hacking techniques.
• Well organized content for a better understanding and learning experience
• Concepts are well-illustrated to create self-explanatory slides.
• Diagrammatic representation of concepts and attacks
• Industry standard key tools are featured in detail and other tools are presented as a list for students to try
• Exclusive section for countermeasures against different attacks with detailed explanation of how to implement these countermeasures in real time environment
• The new version has complete section dedicated for penetration testing. It illustrates how to implement learned concepts to test network system security

• A result oriented, descriptive and analytical lab manual; the labs showcased in the courseware are tested against latest Operating Systems with all the patches and hot fixes applied

We will be sponsoring a limited number of key information security professionals globally to attend the launch class of CEH v7, which would be held simultaneously at different locations around the globe. Watch out for more news on the CEH v7 launch by subscribing to our twitter account http://twitter.com/eccouncil .

Source: https://eccouncil.org/cehv7.aspx