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Brian H. Madsen - .Net Powered by Caffeine

Microsoft MVP Visual Developer ASP/ASP.Net

Microsoft Certification Offers – Australia onlyJanuary 7

Microsoft has just launched their Microsoft Certification Hero Campaign which enables MVPs to forward some nice benefits for those wishing to take any MCTS, MCITP or MCPD exams before May 31st, 2009.

Here’s a link to the specific certifications:

www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx
www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/default.mspx
www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/default.mspx

Now, the benefits include:

10% discount + a free exam should you not pass. 

So how do you get these benefits, simple:

1) Go to www.learnandcertify.com and enter the MVP Certification Promotion Code by March, 31st, 2009
2) An exam offer voucher will be sent to you (via email)
3) Decide which exam to take by going to www.learnandcertify.com or visit the above three links for details
4) Schedule an exam at a Prometric (www.prometric.com/microsoft) and use the exam voucher code sent to you

This offer is only available, via me, to residents in Australia (as I’m awarded in Australia) and unfortunately not in the rest of the world (other MVPs may be eligible, but I’m not).

The MVP Certification Promotion Code to

When all else fails keep your hard drives healthy – Diskeeper still runningJanuary 1

I’ve been having a “few” issues with this laptop over the last 6 months or so – hardware has failed either partially or completely.

Luckily i’m still under warranty so those parts can be replaced asap.

But, what isn’t under warranty is my data. and fair enough, hard drives has a tendency to fail unexpectedly – how often haven’t we had to rush and buy a new one because we’ve had a hard drive failure? previously i could count on two hands how many hard drives i’d go through for the PC lifespan. And that’s just the hardware – what about the amount of hours i’ve lost because i had to rebuild my PC/laptop? or the work that’s been lost that i have to redo?

Anyways, one part that’s always surprised me about his laptop is that he hard drive is as healthy as it was when i got it. Well, i maintain it as well as i can. Treat is as the “heart” of my laptop at times.

You’d think that would take hours of downtime – late nights moving files around, backups being done etc?

well, no – i actually have to do very little these days. Vista takes care of my backups neatly (still haven’t had one fail me…touch wood!) and my files are being carefully massaged and rubbed by Diskeeper.

it runs WHILE i’m on the PC, yet i see nada interruptions in files. Hell i can even play music when it’s running.

It’s one of the programs that’s always on my list to install stray away.

Take a look at t

Christmas weather in PerthJanuary 1

The weather is one aspect of West Australia that I simply cannot get used to. For those that doesn’t know Perth it’s very hot here – oh it’s even hotter some other places in Australia (but i don’t live there!).

Back in Denmark, Christmas used to mean snow and well below freezing temperatures, so it’s hard to “feel the Christmas” spirit when you have sweat running down your legs.

 

Since i’m still off on holidays I figured i’d be a bit more productive around the house – you know, catch up on some of the things that tends to be forgotten and that of c

Christmas with the familyDecember 28 2008

I’ve never been a big fan of Christmas – have always found it to be an exceedingly commercial institution.

Each year I’ve been dreading the Christmas rush, the nastiness and the extreme rude behavior that most people seem to manage to magic up for this once-in-a-year celebration.

My wife has known about this all along and have worked hard to get my “Christmas Spirit” up and running.

This year is the first year that I can honestly say i’ve seriously enjoyed – thanks to my wife and kids.

We normally celebrate Christmas eve (the 24th of Dec) with a danish Christmas dinner at our friends’ house, then take Christmas day and head over to our friends again.

I cook up a danish meal, and this year i settled for something a little different. Lighter as opposed to the normal heavy meals we eat around Christmas.

On Christmas day we had the turkey and the ham – brilliant. We then decided not to make a big day out of Boxing day (normally my wife cooks up something fantastic) and settled for a sunday family dinner instead. Giving us a bit of a break of the meat bonanza and time to settle what we’ve eaten the other two days.

Last night my wife made the best turkey ever. She cooked tirelessly from early morning till it was time to feast in the evening. And what a treat it was!

We had turkey, cranberries, stuffing wrapped in bacon (if you haven’t tried this, you’re loosing out!!), wine/beer et al. Best

Visual Studio Developer Promotions!!December 28 2008

Developers, Developers, Developers!!

Joerg Lindner sent me this link and i figured i’d share it with the rest of you!

Microsoft just released their Visual Studio 2008 Developer Promotions website, which has some seriously good deals if you’re considering getting yourself an MSDN Professional or Premium subscription this year (or next year, seeing as we’re close to the end of ‘08)

Savings of around $900 just can’t be beaten.

 

Or what about 30% savings on Visual Studio 2008 Team System?

Again, i’d consider linking up with that site to see what savings you can net yourself.

http://www.microsoft.com/australia/offers/developers/default.aspx