Getting Started with IIS7 & Longhorn Server Beta 3

Back when I lived in the real world, I remember tearing into Windows 2000 at beta milestones.  This included running 2000 professional on my desktop as well as building, stealing, or whatever I had to do to test hardware for my beta 2000 servers.  It was so much fun but so much darn time to just try and figure out how Microsoft was innovating from NT4.  There is cutting-edge and then there is "day job" security.  Fast forward 9 years and I find myself so antique, old as many would put it...

First: No Hardware Problems? 

There is this technology called Virtual PC or Virtual Server.  There is no painful process of trying to scour up these old pieces of hardware to make a system only to find out the EISA driver isn't supported anymore.  Now, at the comfort of your own workstation you can run as many of these beta OS's as your heart can phathom (oh, well - you might need some additional memory though so be warned.)

Second:  Microsoft Walks me through Learning Longhorn? 

What?  Did I hear you correctly?  Did you say that Microsoft has published to the Web over 380 walkthrough scenarios for the various technologies updated in Windows Server Codenamed Longhorn Beta 3? 

Dude, this is a blueprint for learning that I didn't have 'back in da day' and it simply is amazing.  With 43 categories crossing both x86 & x64 platforms and over 380 walkthroughs, one should be able to get up to speed in no-time flat.

For Review...

  1. You don't need hardware - get Virtual PC
  2. Use your Windows Live Id (or Get One) to Sign-in to Windows Beta
  3. Choose your Platform...
  4. Have Fun!

So - What's your excuse?  Get started learning Windows Server "Longhorn" right now with Virtual PC for free, and 380 walkthroughs.  Of course, start with the IIS7 scenarios first - k?  By the way, you can also get the IIS7 Walkthroughs on IIS.NET.

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