Microsoft Learning Snacks

Learning Snacks are short, interactive presentations about popular topics created by Microsoft Learning experts. Each Snack is delivered by using innovative Microsoft Silverlight technology and includes various media, such as animations and recorded demos. At the end of each free presentation, you can view more Snacks, learn more about the topic, or visit a related Web site.

If do not have much time, these bite-sized snacks about Microsoft products and technologies are easy to watch and digest. See the list of available snacks below.

Note To view Learning Snacks, you must install Microsoft Silverlight and enable pop-up windows.

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Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO)
	Core IO (14 minutes) Organizations need to optimize their IT infrastructure so that it can keep up with their growing business needs. Microsoft provides three models that define a roadmap for organizations to reach infrastructure maturity. This Snack describes the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model, which can help organizations improve the current state of their IT infrastructure in terms of cost, security, and agility.
	Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (14 minutes) The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of products that can help organizations implement the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model. This Learning Snack explains how the MDOP facilitates Infrastructure Optimization (IO). It also demonstrates procedures for recovering lost files and managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using products in the MDOP suite.

Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO)

Core IO (14 minutes)
Organizations need to optimize their IT infrastructure so that it can keep up with their growing business needs. Microsoft provides three models that define a roadmap for organizations to reach infrastructure maturity. This Snack describes the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model, which can help organizations improve the current state of their IT infrastructure in terms of cost, security, and agility.

Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (14 minutes)
The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of products that can help organizations implement the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model. This Learning Snack explains how the MDOP facilitates Infrastructure Optimization (IO). It also demonstrates procedures for recovering lost files and managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using products in the MDOP suite.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
	High Availability and Storage in Exchange Server 2010 (17 minutes) For most organizations, flexible and cost-effective communication tools are important factors for meeting goals such as high availability and enhanced database recovery. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 helps organizations achieve these goals with a simplified, unified framework that helps them lower their costs and enhance business productivity. This Learning Snack explains how mailbox availability is achieved in Exchange server 2010 and how the new and improved database recovery and storage features help organizations manage their Exchange environment better.
	Unified Messaging in Exchange Server 2010 (18 minutes) Today, one of the topmost priorities for most organizations is to enable users to communicate and connect with others anytime quickly and easily. To meet this need and at the same time reduce costs, many organizations are now adopting Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 to take advantage of the enhanced unified messaging feature. Unified messaging provides users with flexible and powerful new ways of accessing information and increasing productivity. This Learning Snack explains how unified messaging works and also describes its architecture. In addition, it describes the voice mail integration feature of Exchange Server 2010.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

High Availability and Storage in Exchange Server 2010 (17 minutes)
For most organizations, flexible and cost-effective communication tools are important factors for meeting goals such as high availability and enhanced database recovery. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 helps organizations achieve these goals with a simplified, unified framework that helps them lower their costs and enhance business productivity. This Learning Snack explains how mailbox availability is achieved in Exchange server 2010 and how the new and improved database recovery and storage features help organizations manage their Exchange environment better.

Unified Messaging in Exchange Server 2010 (18 minutes)
Today, one of the topmost priorities for most organizations is to enable users to communicate and connect with others anytime quickly and easily. To meet this need and at the same time reduce costs, many organizations are now adopting Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 to take advantage of the enhanced unified messaging feature. Unified messaging provides users with flexible and powerful new ways of accessing information and increasing productivity. This Learning Snack explains how unified messaging works and also describes its architecture. In addition, it describes the voice mail integration feature of Exchange Server 2010.

Microsoft Silverlight
	Getting Started with Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 (14 minutes) Microsoft Silverlight is the next-generation platform for accessing and delivering rich Internet applications. This Learning Snack highlights the features of the Silverlight plug-in, which delivers your media-rich Web applications to your end users. It introduces you to the Silverlight architecture and the tools with which you can easily design and develop your Web applications. It also introduces XAML, the language for collaboration between designers and developers.
	The Silverlight Development System (24 minutes) Microsoft Expression Studio and Microsoft Visual Studio provide tools that designers and developers can use to create cost-effective Silverlight-based applications. This Learning Snack walks you through the tools' features, and explains how the tools help designers create attractive user interfaces and add rich content. It also describes how developers can create compelling interactivity around such user interfaces and content to produce a rich Web experience.
	Creating an Interactive Silverlight Experience (15 minutes) The tools for creating Silverlight-based applications provide a platform for smooth collaboration between designers and developers. This Learning Snack describes how the Microsoft Expression Studio tools and Visual Studio help designers and developers collaborate while they retain creative freedom over their individual domains. It also illustrates how XAML and the collaborative features of the tools make it easy for designers and developers to share their work.
	Enhancing the Experience with High-Definition Video (16 minutes) Used in conjunction, Microsoft Expression Media and Visual Studio provide designers and developers with tools they can use to add high-definition video, live feeds, and webcasts to their applications. This Learning Snack describes how designers can use Expression Encoder to encode video in a highly compressed but lossless format that conforms with the widely accepted VC-1 video format. It also demonstrates how developers can include RSS and other live feeds or webcasts in their applications.
	Flexible Development Environment (18 minutes) Microsoft Silverlight incorporates important features of the Microsoft .NET Framework and uses XAML. This Learning Snack describes how the powerful and flexible Silverlight development environment facilitates the creation of cross-platform, networked applications. It explains how Silverlight uses the .NET Framework so that you can easily program for on-demand downloads, progressive downloads, and live feeds. It also describes how Silverlight supports a variety of file formats and easy file transfers.
	Objects and Events in Silverlight 1.0 (16 minutes) Silverlight objects are the building blocks of a Silverlight-based application. These objects are then manipulated by the use of input and non-input events. This Learning Snack identifies some of the important objects in Silverlight, such as the Canvas, Downloader, and InkPresenter objects. It explains how these objects can be manipulated by using appropriate input or non-input events. It also demonstrates how to script events.

Virtualization
	Microsoft Virtualization (15 minutes) The Microsoft Virtualization solution consists of four virtualization technologies: server, application, presentation, and desktop. Together, these technologies provide you with a complete desktop-to-datacenter virtualization solution that can help you create a dynamic IT infrastructure. This free Learning Snack highlights various features and benefits of the four virtualization technologies. It also takes a closer look at server virtualization and how it is implemented and managed in the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
	Intro to Windows Server 2008 Virtualization (3 minutes) This Snack explains the new virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 and lists the system requirements. It also demonstrates the steps necessary to install Windows Server virtualization.
	Green IT and Virtualization (8 minutes) This Snack explains the new virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 and lists the system requirements. It also demonstrates the steps necessary to install Windows Server virtualization.

Web 2.0 Development
	Web 2.0 Ramp-On: Planning, Architecting, and Implementing Web 2.0 Services Using the Microsoft Web Platform (50 minutes) Kobe is the code name of the project executed to produce this resource kit on planning, architecting, and implementing Web 2.0 applications and services on the Microsoft platform. The kit includes a collection of related resources such as white papers, presentations, and a complete sample project with source code. This Learning Snack provides an overview of the resource kit.

Web 2.0 Development

Web 2.0 Ramp-On: Planning, Architecting, and Implementing Web 2.0 Services Using the Microsoft Web Platform (50 minutes)
Kobe is the code name of the project executed to produce this resource kit on planning, architecting, and implementing Web 2.0 applications and services on the Microsoft platform. The kit includes a collection of related resources such as white papers, presentations, and a complete sample project with source code. This Learning Snack provides an overview of the resource kit.

Windows 7
	Introducing Windows 7 (26 minutes) New The Windows 7 client operating system offers innovative technologies that improve performance, reliability, security, and compatibility. It also offers new capabilities that help organizations improve user productivity, enhance security, and reduce operating costs. Because Windows 7 is built on the same platform as Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, the investments you make in Windows Vista readiness—application testing and hardware assessment—will help speed the adoption of Windows 7 in your environment.
	Implementing User Account Control in Windows 7 (16 minutes) New The User Account Control (UAC) feature was first implemented in the Windows Vista operating system to protect computers from malicious software and unauthorized system changes. Based on feedback from users and administrators, the Windows team significantly enhanced UAC in Windows 7 to give users greater control of their computers and provide administrators with more granular configuration settings. This Learning Snack explains how UAC works and shows you how to configure UAC security settings. It also describes the key UAC enhancements in Windows 7.
	Introducing BitLocker and AppLocker in Windows 7 (20 minutes) New Every organization needs to keep its business-critical data secure and impervious to theft. This Learning Snack describes the BitLocker and AppLocker features in Windows 7, which give you more control over sensitive data. It demonstrates how BitLocker protects hard drives and the data on laptops, and how BitLocker to Go secures removable storage devices. This Learning Snack also shows you how to implement application control policies with AppLocker to protect the computers on your network from unlicensed and malicious software.
	Desktop Experience in Windows 7 (15 minutes) New This Learning Snack describes the new desktop and taskbar features in Windows 7 that help you effortlessly manage your applications, folders, and windows. It also demonstrates how to use features such as Aero Peek and Aero Shake to manage open windows. This Snack also shows you how to create taskbar icons to easily access frequently used applications and Jump Lists to save files on your desktop without the clutter.
	Setting Up a Home Network in Windows 7 (7 minutes) New If you have more than one computer in your home, you can create a home network so that you can easily share and access files and printers across the network. This Learning Snack describes the HomeGroup feature in Windows 7, which will help you create a home network quickly and easily.
	Introducing the Troubleshooting Platform in Windows 7 (14 minutes) New Typically, when users have computer issues, they call the help desk to resolve them. However, if users have Windows 7, they can take advantage of its new tools to solve their computer problems without calling help desk. This Learning Snack explores new ways to manage and troubleshoot common computer problems in Windows 7 by using the troubleshooting platform, which includes Action Center and Problem Steps Recorder.
	Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool for Servicing Windows 7 Images (11 minutes) New Windows 7 includes several tools that simplify desktop deployment, including Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). DISM combines the functionality of several image-management tools that were available in Windows Vista. With the help of DISM, IT professionals and desktop configuration administrators can deploy Windows images to computer systems efficiently and quickly. This Learning Snack describes the DISM tool and demonstrates some of the commands that administrators can use while preparing and servicing Windows images offline.
	Windows 7 for Developers (67 minutes) New Windows 7 offers a new way of interacting with the computer, using our hands. In two parts, the different aspects of implementing Touch, Multi-Touch and Ink are covered. The Taskbar is the new interface through which users can launch application and switch between windows. This snack covers the Taskbar motivations, and includes a drill down to the technical details of implementing JumpLists, Thumbnails Toolbar buttons, Overlay Icons, Custom Window Switch and more. The Sensors and Location snack highlights scenarios and the implications of using sensors and location implantation within applications. In the last snack, we will examine the internal structure of Windows 7 Libraries as well as the APIs and how to make an application Library aware. Note This Snack was created by the Developer & Evangelism Platform (DPE) team at Microsoft.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008
	Introduction to Windows Essential Server Solutions (22 minutes) New The Windows Essential Server family of solutions provides small and medium-sized businesses with integrated business server solutions, which will help enhance productivity and promote cost savings. This Learning Snack describes how the Windows Essential Server Solutions products—Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008—give small and medium-sized businesses the flexibility to grow their business capacity. It also describes the administrative consoles in Windows SBS 2008 and Windows EBS 2008, which gives administrators a single point of access to their IT environment.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008

Introduction to Windows Essential Server Solutions (22 minutes) New
The Windows Essential Server family of solutions provides small and medium-sized businesses with integrated business server solutions, which will help enhance productivity and promote cost savings. This Learning Snack describes how the Windows Essential Server Solutions products—Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008—give small and medium-sized businesses the flexibility to grow their business capacity. It also describes the administrative consoles in Windows SBS 2008 and Windows EBS 2008, which gives administrators a single point of access to their IT environment.

Windows Server 2008
	Introducing Branch Office Server in Windows Server 2008 (4 minutes) This Snack describes the benefits that Windows Server 2008 provides for installing and maintaining a branch office network. It demonstrates the installation of a branch office network by using the new server core option. It also lists the benefits of Active Directory read-only domain controllers (RODCs) and BitLocker Drive Encryption.
	Introducing Centralized Application Access in Windows Server 2008 (5 minutes) This Snack explains the operational benefits of centralizing applications by using Windows Server 2008. It examines the benefits of Terminal Services and lists ways to provide remote users with access to centralized applications by using Terminal Services Web Access. It also describes the requirements for providing a single sign-on for remote users.
	Implementing Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2008 (6 minutes) This Snack describes the new options available in Windows Server 2008 for installing and configuring Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and auditing changes to it. It lists the features of read-only domain controllers (RODCs) and describes how to perform a non-authoritative or an authoritative restore of AD DS data.
	Implementing Network Access Protection in Windows Server 2008 (7 minutes) This Snack describes the benefits of implementing Network Access Protection (NAP) in Windows Server 2008. It describes how to configure network and health policies for various types of clients. It identifies the options for configuring Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enforcement for NAP and demonstrates the steps for testing a NAP implementation with DHCP enforcement.
	Implementing Windows Server 2008 Security (4 minutes) This Snack examines and lists the features of Group Policy settings in Windows Server 2008. It demonstrates the steps for implementing Group Policy settings and the process of upgrading them. It also explains the purpose of security templates that can be imported into Group Policy settings.
	Intro to Windows Server 2008 Virtualization (3 minutes) This Snack explains the new virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 and lists the system requirements. It also demonstrates the steps necessary to install Windows Server virtualization.
	Green IT and Virtualization (8 minutes) Organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and business benefits of adopting a Green IT environment. This Learning Snack highlights how virtualization facilitates a Green IT environment. It describes the Hyper-V server role and the System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) tool, which help create and support a virtualized infrastructure in Windows Server 2008.

Windows Vista
	Windows Vista Essentials (11 minutes) This Snack describes some of the innovative new features in Windows Vista, including a sidebar that provides information at a glance. It showcases the Windows Aero technology and demonstrates the improved file organization techniques. In addition, this Snack walks you through the various ways you can search for information on your computer or on the Internet.
	The Business Value of Windows Vista (17 minutes) The Windows Vista operating system offers several benefits over previous Windows operating systems. It provides improved performance, administration, and security. This Snack highlights the enhanced features of Windows Vista, including improved support for mobile users, which can help organizations improve their IT infrastructure and reduce the cost of ownership. This Snack also describes various performance-enhancement features that can help businesses improve productivity and reduce administration and support costs.
	Planning for Windows Vista (15 minutes) Successfully upgrading a desktop operating system across an organization takes careful planning. To simplify the process of migrating desktops to Windows Vista, Microsoft provides a three-step desktop migration process. This Snack takes you through a step-by-step guide for assessing an organization's existing hardware and software and creating a detailed plan for deploying Windows Vista. It also describes download tools offered free by Microsoft; these tools can help you automate the hardware and software assessment of the IT infrastructure and the deployment of Windows Vista.
	Deploying Windows Vista (15 minutes) Microsoft provides a range of tools and utilities that can help organizations successfully deploy Windows Vista. This Learning Snack describes how to deploy Windows Vista across a network and demonstrates how to create Windows Vista installation images and deploy them on desktops on a network. It also provides guidelines and best practices for deploying Windows Vista in an organization.
	Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (14 minutes) The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of products that can help organizations implement the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model. This Learning Snack explains how the MDOP facilitates Infrastructure Optimization (IO). It also demonstrates procedures for recovering lost files and managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using products in the MDOP suite.