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Quick Reminder:

Don’t forget to register for the 5th annual Microsoft Project Conference September 14-17, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ.

KeyStone Learning Systems and partner Project Management Practice, Inc. are directly partnered with Microsoft to promote the new Project 2010 software and address Project Management and Project 2010 training needs that are critical to the adoption of the software. In addition, they will be providing free Microsoft Project 2010 software and Microsoft Project 2007 Training to Microsoft Project Conference 2009 attendees.

This year’s conference will exclusively disclose the powerful capabilities included in Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM) Solutions while providing real world guidance on how Microsoft Project 2007 and Microsoft EPM Solutions are helping customers today with Project and Portfolio Management to save money, enhance efficiency and prepare for future growth.

“This gives conference participants access to a powerful training tool to help get the most out of Microsoft Project today and first access to most powerful scheduling tool when Project 2010 is released.” said Sean Creaghan of the Project Management Practice Inc.

Special Registration Offers include:

• Receive a free licensed copy of Project Professional 2010! Registrants will receive their copy of Microsoft Project Professional 2010 after the release of the full commercial version. The offer is extended to all registered attendees by Project Management Practice Inc. and Keystone Learning Systems. Sign Up!
• Receive free Project Professional 2007 e-learning! The offer is extended to all registered attendees by Project Management Practice Inc. and Keystone Learning Systems. Sign Up!

Learn what can be achieved today and what’s coming tomorrow with Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft EPM Solutions. Connect with your peers, industry practitioners and technologists, certified partners and the Microsoft Project team to share experiences. Grow your skills and investments to realize remarkable cost reductions, enhance efficiencies and move your business forward.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Project 2010 and Office 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

Last week Microsoft released the latest service pack for Exchange Server 2007 which added a few new features.

Service Pack 2 for Microsoft’s e-mail server can be downloaded here, and a complete list of the new features here. The new service pack is supported on Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.

Kurt Mackie with Redmond gives more detail.

SP2 for Exchange Server 2007 provides a new backup capability via Windows Server, improved Exchange Server 2007 auditing, a “more efficient” quota management system and new cmdlet parameters. In addition, Microsoft added a feature that makes it easier to update Active Directory (AD) schema, which is called “dynamic Active Directory schema validation.”

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Exchange 2010 Exam 70-662 Training and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

KeyStone OnDemand Sponsors Microsoft Enterprise Focused “Smart IT Sessions 2009“ Conference
The Online IT Conference for a More Productive Microsoft Enterprise

You asked, we’ve answered! September 24th, 2009, KeyStone OnDemand is sponsoring Smart IT Sessions 2009!

Smart IT Sessions 2009 will offer a full day of FREE, online sessions presented by leaders in the Microsoft Enterprise IT community, including:

• Mary Jo Foley (Keynote), Microsoft Author, and Editor of the All About Microsoft blog
• Paul Thurrott, Author of Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows blog
• Ben Armstrong, Microsoft Program Manager (Virtualization), Author, Virtual PC Guy’s Weblog
• Robert Happy, PMP Project Management Practice, Inc.
• Andrew Hopkins, Microsoft veteran and Principal Consultant for Chrysalis BTS

Smart IT Sessions 2009 web-based sessions will be focused on Microsoft Enterprise and Microsoft Office Productivity topics that will give Microsoft Enterprise CIO’s, IT Admins, Help Desk Specialists, Customer Support Engineers and Migration Specialists the understanding and tools needed to plan around upcoming Microsoft 2010 releases, Windows 7 migration efforts, Project Management, and IT Innovation in this downturn economy. Register Now!

Session topics will include:

• Microsoft in 2010: What IT Managers Need to Know
• Microsoft SharePoint ECM, the Vision and Reality
• Is Windows 7 ready for Enterprise Use?
• Office 2010: Separating Fact from Fiction
• Project 2010 and Enterprise Project Management (EPM)
• Microsoft Project 2010 First Look – Tips and Tricks Essentials
• Managing Windows 7 and Office 2010 Roll Out from a Project and End User Training Perspective.
• Support Windows 7 Migration with Virtual PC

“Based upon feedback we’ve received from many of our Microsoft enterprise customers and partners, there are many questions from IT decision makers regarding Microsoft’s new product releases, including Windows 7, Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010,” said KeyStone OnDemand CEO, Lawrence Cates. “We see this conference as a great forum to bring together Microsoft Enterprise thought leaders and experts to help answer many of the questions we hear coming from enterprise decision makers.”

In addition, attendees will be entered to win their share of over $50,000 in software, hardware, and training from conference participants, including KeyStone OnDemand, Microsoft, CDW, and Project Management Practice, Inc.

Register now at SmartITSessions.com!

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Windows 7 Training and Office 2010 news and special subscriber offers.

Will Kelly wrote a brief, informative article OneNote 2010 Technical Preview: Hands-on Review yesterday that really highlights the upcoming changes and enhancements to OneNote 2010 and his experience with the OneNote 2010 Technical Preview.

OneNote 2010 enhancements include:

• An improved ribbon
• Tagging
• Sharing tools
• Improved Drawing Tools
• Audio Tools
• Office Integration

Will concludes that the Web Component could be an addition to drive innovation in the note-taking market.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft OneNote 2010 Training and OneNote 2010 news and special subscriber offers.

This week KeyStone Learning Systems announced the release of a new Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Training Course, which will be shipping this Fall and available in the KeyStone OnDemand learning platform.

In addition to providing comprehensive SQL Server 2008 Video Training, this course also covers the core objectives of Microsoft’s “TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance, Exam 70-432” certification and is taught by instructor Paul Marquardt.

ONLY through Monday, August 31st – Participate in one of the following offers:

• OFFER #1: Buy SQL Server 2005 Training today and get the SQL Server 2008 Training Course free upon release.* Get It Now!
• OFFER #2: Sign up for 20% off coupon towards your future purchase of the SQL Server 2008 Training Course upon release.* Sign Up!

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future SQL Server 2008 Exam 70-431 Training and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Training news.

Yesterday, Microsoft made the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 release candidate (RC) available for download on TechNet.

The Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Beta has been available since April. The Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 RC follows the beta versions and represents Microsoft’s last step before the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version of the software.

A major update of Microsoft’s flagship e-mail server, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is touted to have new unified communications, compliance and Software as a Service capabilities, plus improved performance and reliability. Visit TechNet for a detailed list of new Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 features and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 system requirements.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Exchange 2010 Exam 70-662 Training and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 beta exams coming soon – submit your SME profile now!

Microsoft is seeking those who have been working with early bits of Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 to participate in the development of the upcoming Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 exams, and the beta for the first Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 exam (70-662: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuring) will be released in the next few weeks.

Seats are limited, so sign up quickly. Here’s how:

“We’ll be using our new MSL SME database to recruit for the first round of of beta participants before posting to this blog. For your best chance of participating, create a SME profile by filling out the survey on the MSL SME site on Microsoft Connect. (See this post for more information.) If you have already created your SME profile, make sure that you update it to reflect your experience with Exchange 2010.” – jseymour

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Exchange 2010 Exam 70-662 Training and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

KeyStone Learning Systems Announces Release of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Training

FREDERICK, MD – August 17, 2009 – KeyStone Learning Systems announced the release of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Training. The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Training Course is planned for release September 1st, and will be available in the KeyStone OnDemand platform. This will allow SQL Server 2008 R2 users to access not only the instructor-led, video-based training curriculum, but also gain access to the KeyStone OnDemand keyword search, knowledgebase articles in both print and video format, and Help Desk Support Ticket functionality.

“Our goal was to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date course that would remain relevant for SQL Server 2008 users and administrators.” said Rob Kingyens, COO of KeyStone Learning Systems. “This course will prepare the user for the Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance, Exam 70-432 while providing a working knowledge of daily maintenance and administration. With the additional benefits of our KeyStone OnDemand self-service portal, it is truly a 21st Century solution.”

The SQL Server 2008 Video Training Course will cover TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance, Exam 70-432 and is taught by instructor Paul Marquardt.

More information on SQL Server 2008 Training news and release can be found on the KeyStone Learning Systems website. For over 17 years, IT professionals in corporate, government and education organizations like Microsoft, GE and Boeing have trusted KeyStone Learning Systems with their corporate training needs.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future SQL Server 2008 Exam 70-431 Training and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Training news and special subscriber offers.

Earlier this week, Microsoft released the first community technology preview of SQL Server 2008 R2.

First released to MSDN and TechNet subscribers Monday, the CTP provided the first opportunity for developers to explore some of the new features of SQL Server 2008 R2 and see how they come together to enhance performance and scalability. Of course, the CTP is also a great way for Microsoft to gain user feedback.

SQL Server 2008 R2 has been enhanced with business intelligence and application features and multiserver management, and many hope it will improve IT and developer efficiency. Brian Prince wrote a great eWeek article earlier this week with more details on the newest version of the database.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Training news and special subscriber offers.

I was excited to read this in TechCrunchIT today. (by Cameron Christoffers)

Probably the single biggest obstacle in enterprise use of Macs has been the absence of Outlook. Microsoft has finally announced the availability of Outlook in the next version of Mac Office, which should be available for the 2010 holidays.

In addition, Microsoft has taken steps toward making the current Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition experience more Outlook-like.

The new business edition of Mac Office will be, “designed to provide Mac users with better connection to Microsoft Exchange Server and improved compatibility across platforms.” Cameron reports. Microsoft’s Mac unit is building the new Outlook software from the ground up to ensure compatibility with Mac features like backup and hard-drive search.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Mac Office 2010 and Outlook 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

Just a quick save-the-date:

On Thursday, September 24th, KeyStone Learning Systems will be hosting a free, 1-day web conference on 9/24 that will focus on Microsoft Office 2007/2010, Windows 7, Project and SharePoint topics of interest to Microsoft-centric enterprises. Speakers are going to include managers from Microsoft, Microsoft Partners and industry experts.

I will add more information as it becomes available.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7 Training news and special subscriber offers.

Just like Exporting, the ability to pull in information such as e-mail addresses from other formats into Outlook can be a real timesaver.

Note: If you’re importing from Microsoft Excel, be sure to name the range in the worksheet that you want Outlook to import.

1. Choose File: Import and Export from the Menu Bar

2. Choose Import from another program or file

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Office 2010 and SharePoint Training news and special Subscriber offers.

Microsoft has announced the 5th annual Microsoft Project Conference will be held September 14-17, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ.

This year’s conference will exclusively disclose the powerful capabilities included in Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM) Solutions while providing real world guidance on how Microsoft Project 2007 and Microsoft EPM Solutions are helping customers today with Project and Portfolio Management to save money, enhance efficiency and prepare for future growth. With in-depth content and hands-on opportunities to learn about Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft EPM Solutions, obtain unique insights into how the next release will continue to support your business tomorrow.

Keystone Learning Systems and Project Management Practice Inc. are excited to announce the following special offers for conference attendees:

• Receive a free licensed copy of Project Professional 2010! The offer is extended to all registered attendees by Keystone Learning Systems and Project Management Practice Inc. Click here for more information!
• Receive free Project Professional 2007 e-learning! The offer is extended to all registered attendees by Keystone Learning Systems and Project Management Practice Inc. Click here for more information!

To claim your software, simply register for Project Conference 2009, then fill out this form including your conference registration ID.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Project 2010 and Office 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

That was the rumor, at least. But, it seems it’s now been confirmed through a simple “Whois.com” search that the owner of Office.com is, indeed, Microsoft. There have been rumblings of late that Microsoft is positioning itself to compete with the growing popularity of online document availability, such as Google Apps. It seems Office.com may be their way in and just in time to coincide with their pending release of Office 2010. TechCrunch offers more information here: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/13/the-complete-guide-to-microsofts-office-2010/.

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Office 2010 Training news and special subscriber offers.

Earlier in this course, we talked about deleting slides in Outline View, but here, in addition to talking about deleting slides in both Normal View and Slide Sorter View, we’re also going to look duplicating slides.

Duplicating Slides
I know you know how to copy & paste text and you probably even know how to copy and paste entire slides. But, what we’re talking about is a QUICK way to duplicate an entire slide.

Duplicating Slides Using the Shortcut Menu
1. Right-click the slide (or object) you want to duplicate in Normal View
2. Choose Duplicate Slide from the Shortcut Menu

Duplicating Slides Using the Keyboard
1. Select the slide (or object) you want to duplicate
(You can be in Normal View or Slide Sorter View)
2. Press [CTRL]+D

REMEMBER – this technique works for more than just slides AND it works on all kinds of graphics in every Office program.

Deleting Slides
Just as with the previous topic – duplicating slides – there are several ways to delete slides. And, you can pick whichever is easiest for you. There is not “best” way to accomplish this task.

Deleting Slides Using the Ribbon
1. Select the slide (or object) you want to delete in Normal View
2. Choose the Delete Slide command in the Slides group on the Home tab

Deleting Slides Using the Shortcut Menu
1. Right-click the slide (or object) you want to duplicate
(You can be in Normal View or Slide Sorter View)
2. Choose Delete Slide from the Shortcut Menu

Deleting Slides Using the Keyboard
1. Select the slide (or object) you want to delete
(You can be in Normal View or Slide Sorter View)
2. Press [Delete]

Subscribe to the KeyStone OnDemand blog to be the first to learn about future Microsoft Office 2010 and SharePoint Training news and special subscriber offers.