What Is ASP.NET  Part of the .NET framework, ASP.NET allows developers to build dynamic web apps and web services using compiled languages like VB.NET and C#. Wei-Meng Lee provides a look under the ASP.NET hood, describing how it works, its improved support in areas like state management and tracing and debugging, and important new features in version 2.0. Wei-Meng is the author of ASP.NET: A Developer's Notebook.   [.NET]

Security Myths: 392 Steps to a Hardened Server  There are plenty of security guides out there to offer advice--but which ones should you trust? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, tells you about the best, and clues you in to other extras you need to know about security.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

What Is .NET  .NET is probably one of the more muddled and mismanaged brands in the history of Microsoft. Elucidator James Avery clarifies things by describing the two chambers at the heart of .NET: the Common Language Runtime (CLR) and its essential components, and the Base Class Library (BCL) and its major features.   [ONDotnet.com]

Using Your Webcam for Surveillance  Webcams can be used for more than videoconferencing--they can be used for surveillance as well. Wei-Meng Lee shows you how to do it in a few easy steps.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Upgrade Your Domains from Windows 2000 Active Directory to Windows Server 2003  Upgrading your domains without proper planning can get you into deep water fast. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, offers half-a-dozen tips for migrating your domains from Windows 2000 Active Directory to Windows Server 2003.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Setting Up Vonage with Your PC  If you're looking to save money on phone calls and get extra VoIP features, Vonage is a good bet. Russell Shaw shows you how to set up Vonage with your PC.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

An In-Depth Look at Vista, Part 2  Wei-Meng Lee has had time to explore some of the cooler aspects of Vista, such as Aero Glass and Broadcast Presentations. He shows you how to troubleshoot them and get Vista up and running.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

What Is a Pivot Table  Pivot tables are a hidden gem in Excel. While many otherwise experienced spreadsheet users avoid them because they seem too complicated at first glance, the real problem is that pivot tables are rarely explained properly. This article illuminates how your life will be better when you learn to use pivot tables, then walks you through how to build a basic pivot table.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

A First Look at IE 7  IE 7 is finally here, and Wei-Meng Lee has the goods for you, from tabbed browsing to RSS support and more.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Hacking Access  In these three excerpts from Access Hacks, learn how to populate a listbox with values from more than one source; how to put a watermark on your reports; and how to use Word's Compare and Merge Documents feature to identify discrepancies between similar tables.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Important Notice for Windows DevCenter Readers About O'Reilly RSS and Atom Feeds  O'Reilly Media, Inc. is rolling out a new syndication mechanism that provides greater control over the content we publish online. Here's information to help you update your existing RSS and Atom feeds to O'Reilly content.  [WindowsDevCenter.com]

An In-Depth Look at Vista, Part 1  The long wait for the first beta of Microsoft's new Windows OS is finally over. Wei-Meng Lee took it for a spin and gives a detailed overview of Vista.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Internet Security Annoyances  Spyware, Trojans, worms, viruses, phishing, and now pharming--all security issues that can lead to a disenchanting internet experience. This excerpt from Internet Annoyances can help you prevent these kinds of security breaches with tips on configuring your home router for maximum security, constructing your own personal firewall, and more.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Defining a Baseline Audit Policy  It's vital that you create a baseline audit policy to audit for security events on critical systems. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, helps you define the best audit policies for Windows Server 2003 server roles.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Refactoring in Visual Basic 2005  Refactoring is the one-size-fits-all name given to a set of coding shortcuts that help you rework code on the fly. C# developers have such a tool, but Visual Basic developers were not so lucky--till now. Matthew MacDonald, author of Visual Basic 2005: A Developer's Notebook, reviews Refactor, the free VB 2005 tool, and offers some how-to techniques for using it.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Making Internet Phone Calls Using Skype  Skype lets you use the internet to make phone calls to other Skype users and also to regular telephones. Wei-Meng Lee shows you how to set it up and start talking.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Watching Ports with Port Reporter  Here's another cool tool from Redmond. It monitors port usage for security reasons and for troubleshooting network connectivity problems. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you where to get it and how to make the most out of it.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Using Log Parser 2.2  Log Parser is one cool tool, and it can help you analyze all kinds of logs with ease. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you where to get it and how to make the most of it.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Cooking with Windows Server, Part 2  In this excerpt from Robbie Allen's Windows Server Cookbook, Robbie shows you how to build web sites and how to mailbox-enable a user.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Getting Your Bluetooth Headset to Work in XP  With Bluetooth support built into SP2, getting a Bluetooth headset to work should be a breeze. But it ain't necessarily so. Wei-Meng Lee shows you how to do it.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Is This Security Alert Really from Microsoft?  An excellent way to get information about Windows updates is via email with Microsoft Technical Security Notification Services. But how do you know what's real and what's a spoof? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Easy Scripting  Windows scripts are far more powerful than mere batch files--and much harder to use as well. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, gives you hard-won advice on how to more easily create scripts, and offers many helpful resources.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Cooking with Windows Server, Part 1  In this excerpt from Robbie Allen's Windows Server Cookbook, Robbie shows you how to activate Windows Server 2003, how to find large folders and files on a volume, and how to hide a file or folder.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Navigating SharePoint  Where to begin if you're getting started with SharePoint? Jeff Webb, author of Essential SharePoint, gives you the basics in a few short steps.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Run Multiple OSes with Virtual PC and VMware Workstation  Need to run multiple operating systems on your PC? Virtual OSes are the way to go. J.W. Olsen gives you the lowdown on Virtual PC and VMware Workstation.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Powering Up Terminal Services with Service Pack 1  Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 includes useful enhancements to Terminal Services. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, has details and offers tips on how to make the best use of them.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Using Tabbed Browsing in Internet Explorer 6  You don't need to wait for Internet Explorer 7 for tabbed browsing--with the latest MSN Toolbar, you can use it in IE 6. Wei-Meng Lee shows you how to use it.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

A Guided Tour of the Newest Longhorn Build  What's the current state of Longhorn? Wei-Meng Lee takes a look at the latest build of Longhorn and gives you a guided tour.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]

Using the Security Configuration Wizard  One of the enhancements in Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 is the new Security Configuration Wizard (SCW), a tool designed to help admins secure their servers against attack. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you what it does, how it works, and how you can use it.   [WindowsDevCenter.com]