#Azure Action - Weekly Newsletter - 28th January 2011

Local Overview

Tim Buntel (@tbuntel) joins Microsoft Australia as new Windows Azure Product Marketing Manager.

Read why he joined here

  Readiness & Resources

• Reading:

SQL Azure

• • Overview of SQL Azure Data Sync

Windows Azure

• • ASP.NET MVC 3 in Windows Azure

• Watch:

• Cloud cover : Learn start-up tasks
• How Microsoft IT Built Application Segmentation and Migration Strategies for the Cloud

• Case Study

• Start-up Successfully Launches with Highly Scalable, Security-Enhanced Cloud Services

• Tools:

• Azure Diagnostics Manager (Cerebrata)

• Azure Throughput Analyzer (Microsoft Research)
• Return of the Windows Azure GAC Viewer

• Fun:

• Cloud Computing Pricing - It's like a Hotel

• Introduction

• Michael Collier - Windows Azure - What, why and how (presentation)

Guidance:

• Walkthrough:

• Cleaning Azure Marketplace Data with PowerPivot and Predixion Insight
• Using Drupal on Windows Azure: Hands-On with 4 new Drupal Modules
• Setting up WordPress on Windows and SQL Azure: A Walkthrough

• Design
  • 5 Tips for Creating Cost Effective Windows Azure Applications

In the news:

• General news:

• IT as a Commodity

"the idea of moving everyday workloads to standardized cloud services -- so you can focus creative IT efforts on initiatives to boost business competitiveness -- has become the conventional wisdom of the day"  

• Why the hybrid cloud model is the best approach

"you can mix and match the resources"

• Microsoft

• Microsoft loses three more cloud-savvy heavy hitters

• Can Microsoft Extend Its Dominance to the Cloud?

• Windows Azure

• Cloud juggler eyes Microsoft's floating VMs

• the southern California start-up whose eponymous online service lets you juggle so-called infrastructure clouds - is preparing tools for managing Microsoft's Azure cloud as well.

Events:

Local:

• Windows Azure platform Acceleration Partner Technical Training Tour - Sydney (February 2-3)
• Azure BizSpark Start-up Camp - Melbourne 4th-6th February

Audio Stream

• January 31st (PST) Roger Jennings: Privacy Piracy

Community:

• Like Azure? Become a fan: www.facebook.com/windowsazure (Azure Facebook Toolkit)
• Want answers. See the forums
• Coming in February: CloudCast - an audio series featuring myself, Johann Kruse, Tom Hollander and Michael Rosic 
• Coming in March: Azure Meetup!

January/February community web cast boot camps

• 01/31: MSDN Webcast: Azure Boot Camp: SQL Azure
• 02/07: MSDN Webcast: Azure Boot Camp: Connecting with AppFabric
• 02/14: MSDN Webcast: Azure Boot Camp: Cloud Computing Scenarios

Questions

A few basic questions answered on the Windows Azure App Fabric Service Bus..

Q: Where do I find out more on the Windows Azure AppFabric Service Bus?

• • An Introduction to Microsoft .NET Services for Developers
  • A Developer's Guide to the Service Bus
  • A Developer's Guide to the .NET Access Control Service
  • Windows Azure platform
  • MSDN Documentation

Q: Where can I get some examples?

Various Examples from PDC 2010 on using Azure Application as a Service Bus

Q: Where can I find more detailed video on the Service Bus?

From TechEd 2010 - A Deep Dive (Video)