#Azure Action – Weekly Newsletter – 3rd October 2011

	Local Overview :
	Gold Coast couple takes on Facebook with Microsoft in tow Local Azure writers: Fresh from Asia architects training Tom Hollander writes about Environments for Windows Azure development Bondi Geek writes Json serialization with Windows Phone 7, WCF Data Services & Azure

	Readiness & Resources:
Windows Azure:	Starting with SDK 1.5 you can use xPath Values in Windows Azure A PHP on Windows Azure Learning Plan Skipping Windows Azure Startup Tasks When Running in the Emulator Migrating My Blog to https://wely-lau.net (Wordpress on Windows Azure) Windows Azure Storage Analytics with PowerShell Use the Windows Azure CDN for Assets The Flatterist: a Windows Azure App to Stroke Your Ego Deconstructing the Hybrid Twitter Demo at BUILD TechWave 2011: PowerBuilder and Windows Azure
SQL Azure:	Handling Transient Connection Failures in SQL AzureHandling Transient Connection Failures in SQL Azure Resetting the Passwords on all of Your SQL Azure Servers
AppFabric:	The Windows Azure AppFabric Service Bus- Topics Ruby web sites and Windows Azure AppFabric Access Control Best Practices for Leveraging Windows Azure Service Bus Brokered Messaging API Windows Azure AppFabric Caching transactions and update modes
MarketPlace:	OData Quickstart for Windows Phone Updated—Now with VB!
Watch:	Episode 60 - Introducing the Windows Azure Platform PowerShell Cmdlets 2.0 Windows Azure PowerShell Cmdlets 2.0 Update Web Cast Now Available
Case Study:	Local Software Company Enriches On-Premises Workflow Solution with Cloud-Based Services
Tools:	Other quest cloud tools: Quest® Cloud Subscription Manager for Azure is a billing and usage management application Quest® Cloud Storage Manager for Azure 22 Essential Tools for Testing Your Website’s Usability (not specific to Windows Azure)

	Guidance:
Walkthrough:	Using NuGet to deploy applications on the Windows Azure platform Setting up a NuGet repository in seconds: MyGet public feeds Running Processes in Windows Azure (without custom code)
Pricing:	Asset Tracking Application E-Commerce Web Site Sales Training Application Social Media Application If you think Windows Azure platform is the right choice: A quick live chat or phone call will get you a no-credit-card required Windows Azure platform free pass.
Architecture:	Relaunching AzureDesignPatterns.com with HTML5 and Expanded Content
Book:	Free ebook CTP of The Developer’s Guide to AppFabric

	In the news:
General:	Five essential cloud-based tools for start-ups The Infrastructure Turk: Lessons in Services Green is good -- but it's no reason to go to the cloud The Economic Benefit of Cloud Computing Eight cloud computing risks, and how to quash them
Microsoft:	Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework. Microsoft is working with an Open Source project, i.e. OpenNebula to make Hyper-V and Windows Servers an integral part of cloud-computing infrastructure Microsoft is planning to invest an additional $150 million to expand its new datacentre in southern Virginia, to address growing cloud adoption
Windows Azure:	Windows Azure SDK 1.5 update released Windows Azure Platform Training Kit – September 2011 Update and New Training Kit Web Installer Preview Windows Azure Guest OS 2.7 NEW Data Offerings and International Availability - Windows Azure Marketplace Sharepoint and Windows Azure Developer Training Kit - Summer update Windows Azure Support White Paper (thanks to Graham Elliott)

	Events:
Local:	LIVE Meeting: An IT Pro View of Windows Azure Oct 25th 2-4 pm LIVE Meeting: Managing Windows Azure Applications Nov 22nd 2-4 pm Date for Diary: CIO “Journey to the Cloud” April 2012, Australia
Webinar:	Is My Data Really Secure in the Cloud? Tue, Oct 4, 2011 8:00 AM PST Click to Register Using Windows Azure Storage Securely Tue, Oct 11, 2011 8:00 AM PST Click to Register Mahesh, our Windows Azure Melbourne co-president, is presenting at the YOW Nights on MYOB/Azure: “Transitioning to the Cloud at MYOB” Register for Sydney, October 5th

	Community:
Social:	Become a Facebook fan Add yourself to the Azure Australia Twitter list Keep up to date with our monthly CloudCast Mailing list for OzAzure Readify’s Steve Nagy renewed as Australia's Azure MVP – well done! User groups: Sydney  (Conor Brady) Melbourne (coming soon) Brisbane (in planning – talk to Steve Nagy) Auckland (Ryan Crawcour)

	Questions
Q:	Does Windows Azure Startup task have time limit? What to do with heavy processing startup task in Windows Azure Role?
A:	There is no time limit for your role to start, but if you take more than 15 minutes it is possible your service might hit some outage while your role is getting ready Recommended reading: Windows Azure Fabric Controller Details Upgrade & Fault Domains

Comments

• Anonymous
  October 08, 2011
  Great set of resources!