Alexander’s Blog

Today I decided to compare Google Maps to Bing Maps to see if there is a major difference. I wasn’t looking to compare the street views, I wanted to compare the bird-eye views. Unfortunately, Google only offers the aerial view, while Bing offers both an aerial view and a bird-eye view. So this is what you see when you use Google and Bing. This is the same aerial view of downtown Seattle location with the best Google and Bing have to offer.

Click on the images to see the finer details.

Google

Bing

If you are an Information Technology (IT) professional, or are just starting your career in the IT field, you might want to look at Microsoft TechNet subscription. My students often ask me about the price of various software and where is the best place to purchase operating systems and applications. When it comes to Microsoft products, TechNet subscription is a great way to evaluate Microsoft products.

TechNet Plus Direct is available for $349 as an online only subscription enabling access to full version, evaluation software from the convenience of a private, centralized download center.

TechNet Plus Single User is available for $599 as a DVD subscription that includes access to the download center for online access to evaluation software in addition to the software available on the DVD.

You can purchase Microsoft TechNet Subscriptions directly from Microsoft or through a local reseller. Click here for more information.

My students often ask about the common port numbers that they need to know for Microsoft certification exams. A lot depends on the exam you are taking. For example, for Active Directory exam it will be helpful to k now the ports that Active Directory uses. For Exchange, the ports that are used by Exchange, etc. , In general, here are some of the common port  numbers that are good to know. For a more detailed list check out the article TCP/IP Port Numbers.

TCP 20 FTP (File Transfer Protocol – Data)

TCP 21 FTP (File Transfer Protocol – Control)

TCP 22 SSH (Secure Shell – Remote login protocol)

TCP 23 Telnet

TCP 25 SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

TCP 53 DNS (Domain Name System)

TCP 67 BOOTPS (Bootstrap Protocol Server)

TCP 68 BOOTPC (Bootstrap Protocol Client)

TCP 80 HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol)

TCP 88 Kerberos

TCO 110 POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

TCP 119 NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol)

TCP 123 NTP (Network Time Protocol)

TCP 137 NetBIOS (NETBIOS Name Service)

TCP 138 NetBIOS (NETBIOS Datagram Service)

TCP 139 NetBIOS (NETBIOS Session Service)

TCP 143 IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol)

TCP 161 SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

TCP 389 LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)

TCP 443 HTTPS (HTTP secure – used for SSL)

A lot of my students are interested in learning about TCP/IP. I try to post resources that help them with their work or in preparation for their certification exams. Here’s a book by Joe Davies of Microsoft that is available at no cost to the readers. Joe is an awesome author and has written numerous books, including several books for Microsoft Press on TCP/IP.

Joe will be the guest speaker at our Windows Networking User Group meeting on September 2, 2009. He will talk about IPv6 transition technologies. Click here to access the FREE TCP/IP book.

Microsoft Students to Business (S2B) connects Microsoft-skilled students with partners and customers for entry-level and internship positions. Developing the right skills will help you get a head start on your career. Microsoft Students to Business, offers you a set of trainings and free software that will boost your potential in the eyes of employers. Find out how to Access Free Software, Begin training on Microsoft products and Experience IT Careers by going to Microsoft Students to Business Web site.

The objective of the S2B program is to inspire local businesses to communicate the competency requirements for new talent, to evaluate the skills of students ready for an entry-level job or internship and collaborate with Microsoft and local education institutions to provide the curriculum and training needed to ensure students are prepared to meet the innovation needs of company’s around the globe.

Students engaged in S2B benefit from unique mentoring, training and certification opportunities. Various offerings are available to students at each stage of S2B – when profiling, in application and after their job connection.

The S2B program was first piloted in Italy in 2006 and has since been rolled out in more than 65 countries, connecting more than 300,000 students with new career skills, leading to 15,000 students with jobs and internships as part of the Microsoft community.

Students engaged in Microsoft S2B benefit from unique training and certification opportunities, as well as free career resources including development and design tools. You can also search for jobs, internships and other opportunities by clicking here.

These resources are FREE for students. Check out this FAQ for more information.