Microsoft has created a one-stop shop for its TechNet resources that are useful to all IT Pros and Developers. This Silverlight-powered portal allows you to create a query from your perspective for Webcasts, Podcasts, White Papers, and Links. You can search for resources related to Microsoft .NET, Exchange Server 2010, Office, Sharepoint, SQL Server 2008, Visual Studio 2010, Windows 7, Windows Azure, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Security. All free and all convenient in a single web location or as a downloadable desktop interface.
You can access the web interface of the Microsoft Desktop Player, currently in Beta, at http://www.microsoft.com/click/desktopplayer/ You’ll need Silverlight installed in order to view videos. These resources can also make excellent aids if you’re studying for a Microsoft certification.
Once at the site, you can perform a query for a particular topic, browse your library, view local resources, or view news.
You can play back the videos from the webcasts and make them go full screen. You can also share the resource easily by hovering over the video and selecting the Share this button.
There’s also a downloadable version of the Microsoft Desktop Player in the form of a 970KB .msi download. You can add videos to your library and download them for offline playback later. It also allows you to jump around in the video easier without the buffering of streaming.
You can even embed the site to show others the resource.
If you’re looking for Microsoft TechNet resources, check out the Microsoft Desktop Player to have a sleek interface through the web version or to be able to take it offline, check out the downloadable Microsoft Desktop Player.