Looking Back: TechNet's Best of 2004

Window Server 2003 DNS Integration with Active Directory was one of the hottest topics this year, and TechNet offered presentations for administrators of Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000, focusing on Managing Windows Server 2003 Best Practices and Windows 2003 Infrastructure Networking Services.

• Here's a list of the top-rated IT Pro webcasts. These on-demand webcasts are sure to be well worth your time. See why audiences rated these presentations best overall.
• Managing Windows Server 2003 Best Practices (Part 2 of 4): DHCP Operations and Tasks-Level 200
Learn the administrative tasks and the frequency at which they should be performed when managing DHCP servers.
• Introducing the New Microsoft Office 2003 Access Conversion Toolkit-Level 200
Explore the features of the Access Conversion Toolkit for IT professionals, who are tasked with managing conversion of Access databases in the enterprise environment.
• New Features in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory-Level 200
Get a comprehensive view of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory operations along with a focus on some new features for deployment, administration, forest trusts, Group Policies, and application support.
• Top 10 Tools for Administrative Scripting-Level 200
Learn the tricks the pros use to make scripting painless, as Don Jones, founder of ScriptingAnswers.com, introduces the top ten tools for administrative scripting.
• Automating Administration of Windows Server 2003-Level 200
Learn how command-line tools can automate the administration of a broad range of Windows Server 2003 tasks, including administration of Active Directory, management of printers and print queues, and remote information-gathering by help desk personnel.
• View more of the most popular webcasts.

Highest-rated sessions:
• Windows Server 2003 Active Directory: New Features
• Windows Server 2003 Group Policy Essentials
• Windows Server 2003 Troubleshooting & Disaster Recovery
• See more...
Readers say: "THE most well spent time I've spent in front of my machine this year."

These events saw higher attendance then any Security or Win 2003 session during 2004. Find out why they were so popular. View the entire series.

Pertains to: How Microsoft IT defends against spam, viruses, and e-mail attacks
Readers say: "Thank you!" "Most helpful." "A very good plan for dealing with spam, viruses and other 'evil doers.'"

Readers say: "it was the biggest help to me!"

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Index Defragmentation Best Practices
Pertains to: SQL Server 2000
Readers say: "...an excellent article." "Easy to understand for both developers and DBAs."

Title: Automating TCP/IP Networking on Clients
What it is: Scripting solutions for Networking and automation.
Readers say: "Great resource, very useful and informative." "Great stuff - just what I needed." "Good work!"

What it is: Windows XP Service Pack 2 was the most popular download of the year. Our resource center helps you plan and test your deployment to ensure application compatibility.

Pertains to: Microsoft operating systems and products
Readers say: "I like this page-especially the ability to filter by OS or product and severity."

Pertains to: Pocket PC
Readers say: "Wow! I was so impressed with the ease of use [of] this software!"

Pertains to: IIS 6.0
Readers say: "...cured my Network Place problem on my SBS2003 network in just two minutes."

Pertains to: Windows Server 2003
Readers say: "Great document."

Pertains to: Windows Server 2003 family
Readers say: "Wonderful Article." "I really enjoyed this article." "...the best article that I have ever seen [from] Microsoft."

Readers say: "Great article." "Thanks for the great advice - I am putting it to use."

See page 2 for more of our editors' choices.