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From the Editor
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Hi, ***All attendees to the MMS Event in Dublin on 5 October will get a FREE DVD with all the content from the Microsoft Management Summit 2007 in San Diego***
I just wanted to give you a last chance to register for the Microsoft Management Summit in Dublin on 5 October. Get further details and register for MMS Dublin
Microsoft's new family of management products, System Center, plays a central role in the Microsoft vision to help IT organisations benefit from self-managing, dynamic systems.
Since last year Microsoft has launched this new range of management products and this is your chance to get a deep dive on the products from key members of the product group from Microsoft's Redmond HQ. See the summary agenda below: Microsoft Management Summit - Agenda
09:15 Welcome and Overview
09:30 Driving to Dynamic IT with Microsoft System Center
10:45 System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Technical Drilldown
13:00 System Center Operations Manager 2007 Technical Drilldown
14:30 Server and Application Virtualisation Roundup
16:00 System Center: Data Protection, Capacity Planning and Service Management
17:15 Q&A Session Open Forum for questions arising from the day Microsoft Security Event (IT Professional Event)
11 October 09:30 - 16:30 Get further details and register for the IT professionals' Microsoft Security Event
It really is the sign of a new events season when you see the TechNet newsletter taken up by events. One event that people have been asking me to host for some time is happening on 11 October. This event will cover security from the top down to the detail. It will explore the changing threat landscape, such as organised criminal involvement, that we now have to consider when protecting our network and how an independent standard such as ISO 27001 can be employed by companies to tackle these threats. We will also deliver our Security Strategy Briefing and cover off the below solutions in detail: Microsoft Forefront Solutions
. Enterprise anti-virus protection with Forefront for client/server
. Enterprise Internet access and edge security with ISA Server 2006
. Enterprise SSL-VPN with IAG Server 2007
. Exchange Hosted Services for hosted anti-spam/anti-virus email protection
The new challenges of Identity and Access (IDA) and the Microsoft solutions:
. Windows Rights Management Services (RMS)
. Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)
. Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS) Microsoft Security Event (Developer Event)
12 October 09:30 - 16:30 Get further details and register for the developers' Microsoft Security Event
On the day after the IT professionals' Security Event we are hosting a dedicated developer security event. It will also cover the changing threat landscape, such as organised criminal involvement. It will then focus on:
. An Introduction to Windows CardSpace
. Security in a multi-tenant software environment
. The Security Development Lifecycle
Last but not least is TechEd IT Forum. This event will be sold out by next Monday/Tuesday. So if you want to go to the event your last chance to register for it is now. Get further details and register for the TechEd IT Forum
This great FIVE-day event allows you to customise your own technical curriculum with a choice of hundreds of learning opportunities, evaluate the latest products in the labs, and meet face-to-face with the Microsoft and industry experts behind the products.
Also by registering now (or on or before 28 September) you can also save 300 euro - quote registration code SEE11775 and get the Early Bird rate of 1,945 euro (+ 16% VAT).
Okay that's it for this week. I look forward to seeing you at some of our events in the autumn.
Thanks for reading,
Colm Torris
TechNet Ireland Manager
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Top Stories and Featured Content
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Companies around the world are beginning to think of ways to save energy and reduce costs, yet there is little guidance on how you can take action. Get started with our introduction to planning, designing and implementing a green data centre in your organisation.
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October 4, 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Participate in a new interactive online event format without leaving your desk. Take part in the virtual launch of Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 for performance management so that you can effectively monitor, analyse and plan your business. You will hear a full day of technical content presented by Business Intelligence (BI) experts from Microsoft and have the opportunity to ask questions. Attend partner presentations and interact live with Microsoft BI partners who will be showcasing their solutions in the virtual expo hall.
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Microsoft has released product updates for Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 and Intelligent Application Gateway (IAG) 2007. IAG 2007 Service Pack 1 will help businesses deploy a more secure and scalable solution for remote access that meets the needs of their growing base of mobile users through Windows Vista client support and select feature enhancements, with improved platform performance, stability and security. ISA Server 2006 Supportability Update provides enhanced troubleshooting tools and improved log viewer functionality to ISA Server 2006 Standard and Enterprise Editions.
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Among the critical challenges faced by administrators of branch office environments are cost control, security and agility. See how enhancements in Windows Server 2008 help businesses overcome these challenges in a cost-effective way.
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The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 website has been updated with new pages, datasheets, white paper and webcasts for the following technologies: Manageability, Performance and Scale, Reporting Services, and Spatial Data.
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The cost and complexity of sophisticated IT management tools have forced medium-sized businesses to turn to fragmented point solutions and inefficient manual processes, but Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007 unified management tool is changing that situation dramatically.
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Service Modelling Language (SML) is an XML schema-based modelling language that provides a rich set of constructs for modelling complex IT services and systems. SML forms the core of the long-term, model-based management strategy for Microsoft. Find out more about SML
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Microsoft is searching the globe for inspiring stories of passionate people who are developing innovative software solutions and making a meaningful a difference in the world. We believe people and software are key to unlocking some of the biggest global challenges today. If you are an ISV using Microsoft technology to create a world changing application for the Healthcare, Education or Clean Technology industries, please submit your solution for a chance to get your story told.
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Evaluation Center Updates
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With Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, you can connect to .NET applications and infrastructure with your non-.NET applications and platforms, as well as those of your partners. And when you download the 120-day trial software, you're automatically registered to receive valuable resources delivered at strategic intervals throughout the software evaluation period.
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Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 is a comprehensive solution optimised for the management of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 servers running in the virtualised data centre. When you download the 120-day trial software, you're automatically registered to receive valuable resources delivered at strategic intervals throughout the software evaluation period.
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Add your photo to the gallery and see who else has downloaded Windows Server 2008. And when you download the 180-day evaluation software, you're automatically registered to receive valuable resources delivered at strategic intervals throughout the software evaluation period.
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Scripting for IT Pros
Hey, Scripting Guy!
Support and Troubleshooting
How-to Articles
Hotfixes
Knowledge Base Articles
See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles (KB) on the TechNet website. KB articles feature an Article Translations box in the right-hand column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.
Also available via RSS 
Featured Downloads
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Use these out-of-the-box templates to help you build SharePoint-based solutions for budgeting and tracking projects, contacts management, inventory tracking and more.
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Forefront Security for SharePoint with SP1 integrates multiple scan engines from industry-leading security firms and provides content controls to help businesses protect their Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 collaboration environments from documents containing malicious code, confidential information and unwanted content.
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Get unified virus and spyware protection, simplified administration, critical visibility and control for your business desktops, laptops and server operating systems. Forefront Client Security helps deliver malware protection for businesses using Windows Vista and Windows XP. Download the free 120-day trial software here.
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Upcoming Webcasts
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September 25, 1:00 PM Pacific Time
In this session, we highlight the benefits of virtualisation and describe the x86 virtualisation challenges. We provide an overview of how Intel is addressing these challenges with Intel virtualisation technology present on Intel processors, chipsets and communication components.
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September 26, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Get an overview of the virtualisation role, the scenarios and the features that make server virtualisation an important pillar of Windows Server 2008. We also cover the longer-term strategy and road map for Microsoft virtualisation technologies.
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September 26, 8:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
The release of SQL Server 2008 offers a new framework that ties together the collection, analysis, troubleshooting, reporting and persistence of SQL Server diagnostics information in the central warehouse. This session describes the feature set for the SQL Server 2008 release and how the performance collection architecture fits within the Microsoft System Center Operations Manager.
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September 27, 8:00 AM Pacific Time
In this session, we examine the Microsoft virtualisation ecosystem and how to implement it with Windows Server 2008. Taking an overall view of virtualisation, we cover topics including: presentation, application, and server virtualisation scenarios and technologies.
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September 27, 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Join us to learn about the capabilities in the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems that enable new management scenarios. We explain how system administrators of the Active Directory service can use these capabilities to ease their day-to-day life and ensure smoother deployments and monitoring of their infrastructures.
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September 27, 1:00 PM Pacific Time
In this webcast, we discuss how AMD Virtualisation (AMD-V) and Microsoft Virtual Server work together to enable servers to reach higher levels of efficiency and utilisation. We also discuss how you can increase security and hide the complexity of hardware infrastructures to help simplify management.
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October 1, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
System Center Configuration Manager 2007 is now available. This session will provide an overview of features such as software distribution, OS deployment, software update management and desired configuration management. We also provide a technical overview of the next release of Microsoft Systems Management Server and showcase the improvements and new capabilities.
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October 2, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
In this session, we focus on new troubleshooting features, provide a breakdown of architecture and security improvements, and describe the new IIS 7 configuration system. We walk through demonstrations that showcase IIS delegation administration control to non-administrators and new diagnostics tools. We also discuss the entirely new UI and configuration system.
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Chat: Windows Server 2008: Virtualisation
Add to Calendar | Enter Chat RoomOctober 2, 11:00 AM Pacific Time
Join us for a Q&A with your follow-up questions from September's Virtualisation Webcast Series on the new Server Virtualisation features in Windows Server 2008. Ask our experts your questions about how to take advantage of Windows Server 2008 to optimise your organisation's IT Infrastructure.
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October 3, 9:00 AM Pacific Time
In this webcast, we will discuss and demonstrate tips and best practices for installing and properly configuring System Center Essentials 2007 in your environment.
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October 4, 9:30 Pacific Time
See how Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 7.0 is expanding its monitoring and diagnostics capabilities through features like runtime status and control data that enable you to see not just which worker processes are serving which pools, but also what requests are executing in the pools, along with their current state.
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October 5, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Learn how to do large-scale deployments of Windows, including Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, in an enterprise using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Automate the end-to-end process and drive down the cost of deploying clients and servers using task sequencing.
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October 9, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
See how you can take advantage of the new, modular architecture of Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 7.0 and Server Core to build a web server that is highly customised to only the functionality that you need, without having unnecessary components installed on the computer.
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Security
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For as much coverage as it gets, there are still a lot of questions and misconceptions about User Account Control (UAC). Here's a frank discussion about what UAC is, what it is not, and how it should affect the way you manage systems.
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Manage updates and simplify the task of protecting your systems with these free resources.
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This demonstration toolkit includes virtual machine-based demonstrations of IAG 2007 and Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006. This toolkit will help you set up an entire test lab on a single computer and learn how IAG 2007 publishes and protects Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Network Connect, Terminal Services, File Access, and even proprietary web applications.
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On Demand
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Watch the recent Office Communications Server 2007 Ignite Tour on demand in high-resolution video and learn how to deploy Office Communications Server 2007 voice communications, conferencing, instant messaging and enhanced presence across the enterprise.
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Watch as we discuss how Data Protection Manager protects Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1). You'll see how Virtual Server Volume Shadow Copy Service writer enables Data Protection Manager to protect virtualised environments. We explain what to consider when protecting virtual machines with System Center Data Protection Manager 2007.
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TechNet Podcast: An Interview with Bill Staples on Windows Server 2008 Web and Application Platforms
WMA (5 MB) | MP3 (10 MB)
Windows Server 2008 is a powerful web application and services platform. Join Bill Staples as he talks about the release of Microsoft Internet Information Services 7.0 in Windows Server 2008, which delivers a completely modular, extensible web server with expanded application hosting, while retaining excellent compatibility and solving key customer challenges.
TechNet Podcast: An Interview with Bob Visse on the Benefits of Windows Server 2008 Features
WMA (6MB) | MP3 (12MB)
Learn why Windows Server 2008, with its built-in web and virtualisation technologies, is one of the most robust, secure, and reliable foundation on which to develop, deliver and manage rich user experiences and applications. It provides a secure network infrastructure and reduces costs while increasing technological flexibility and value within your organisation.
TechNet Podcast: An Interview with Bryon Surace on Windows Server Virtualisation Scenarios and Architecture
WMA (5MB) | MP3 (9MB)
Tune in for the interview with Bryon Surace as he provides a brief overview of the new virtualisation technologies incorporated in Windows Server 2008. He will provide an overview of the scenarios, architecture and key features.
TechNet Podcast: An Interview with Iain McDonald on Windows Server 2008 Fundamentals
WMA (9MB) | MP3 (17MB)
A candid conversation about the powerful improvements to the core fundamentals in Windows Server 2008 from the Windows Server 2003 family of operating systems. Learn about notable improvements to networking, advanced security features for Windows Firewall, performance and reliability monitoring, failover clustering, and the file system.
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Learn how Microsoft takes advantage of convergence strategies to control costs while increasing operational efficiencies in the physical security space.
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To learn about the new and improved storage features, join this IT Manager webcast about Windows Server 2008.
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Learn about some of the new benefits and features in Internet Information Services 7.0 on Windows Server 2008 as experienced during the deployment of IIS 7.0 as the web and application platform for Microsoft.com.
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Virtual Labs
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After completing this lab, you will be better able to create an Intelligent Application Gateway (IAG) portal website, add Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access to the IAG portal website, configure endpoint policies, add a non-web application to the Secure Socket Layer (SSL)-based portal website, and configure an SSL virtual private network (VPN) connection using an IAG network connector.
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Welcome to Microsoft Virtual Lab Express, a 30-minute, hands-on overview of the features of ISA Server 2006 Beta.
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Test drive the new features of Windows Server 2008, which include improvements to management, network protection and Terminal Services. Sign up for a free 90-minute block of time, download a manual and step through a lab today. Labs include:
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In this lab, you will learn about scanning documents for viruses as well as running a manual scan job using Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint.
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After completing this lab, you will be better able to stay productive in the face of threats, maintain visibility and control through integration, and balance tensions between security and access.
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What's New Online in TechNet Plus
Find the Technical Resources You Need Faster with Our Virtual Librarian
Did you know that you can get personal assistance finding the technical information you need? With Online Concierge Chat in TechNet Plus, subscribers can get immediate online help finding the technical resources they need and assistance with non-technical questions. It's like having your own virtual librarian. Online Concierge Chat can help you find what you're looking for - fast! Visit the subscriber-only benefits portal and try Online Concierge Chat today. Are you still receiving media shipments? Consider switching to TechNet Plus Direct. TechNet Plus Direct offers all the benefits of your current subscription without media shipments to manage. To stay up to date on TechNet Plus news, sign up for the TechNet Plus Blog RSS feed. 
Solution Accelerators
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The new Solution Accelerator toolkit provides Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007, both with documentation. Apply to participate in the beta program today
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When released this autumn, the 2007 Microsoft Office Security Guide will provide best practices, preconfigured security settings and automation tools to help you quickly and easily deploy security configurations for the 2007 Microsoft Office system release across your organisation. The beta program for the guide is launching in mid-September. Reserve your place now.
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Windows Vista Service Life Cycle Management provides concise guidance to help minimise total cost of ownership of desktop infrastructure. Process guidance and document templates help make service management concepts from the IT Infrastructure Library and the Microsoft Operations Framework tangible and easily implementable by focusing on a single and common IT service.
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Case Studies and White Papers
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This 'Windows Server 2008: A Pivot Point During a Period of Substantial Technology Change,' an IDC paper that provides an overview of the new features and functionality in Windows Server 2008, along with an assessment of the market conditions it will launch into and what Microsoft will face at launch.
Microsoft Forefront Case Studies
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Received TechNet Flash from a Friend?
The TechNet Flash is full of pointers to in-depth technical information that we encourage subscribers to forward to friends and co-workers. If you've received this issue from someone via e-mail and would like to receive the free TechNet Flash newsletter biweekly, all you have to do is register.
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Volume 9, Issue 20  27 September 2007 |
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Training & Books
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Free Windows Server 2008 eLearning Clinics
Collection 5934: Introducing Windows Server 2008 - Free for a Limited Time
This online learning collection of four clinics introduces the new features and functionality in Windows Server 2008. You can take the entire collection of clinics or just the ones that interest you:
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Clinic 5936:
Introducing Security and Policy Management in Windows Server 2008
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Clinic 5937:
Introducing Branch Office Management in Windows Server 2008
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Clinic 5938:
Introducing Centralised Application Access in Windows Server 2008
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Clinic 5939:
Introducing Server Management in Windows Server 2008
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Events
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Microsoft TechEd IT Forum
November 12-16: Barcelona, Spain
Advance your thinking with new ideas and practical real-world solutions at Microsoft's five-day technical infrastructure conference.
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How Microsoft Does IT
Insight Workshops from Microsoft IT Showcase
Offered worldwide, Insight Workshops provide IT professionals with an opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer technology sharing in a multiple-day workshop environment, offering a unique inside view into Microsoft's process of developing, deploying, and managing Microsoft enterprise solutions. Current topics include Enterprise Security & Directory Services, Manageability, and Messaging Deployment & Operations at Microsoft.
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TechNet Plus Direct
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Full library of Microsoft software for evaluation without limits
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Immediate access through subscriber downloads
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Two Professional Support incidents
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Access to beta software before public beta releases
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Exclusive tools and utilities
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Tell Us Your IT Interests and Get News to Match
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