Book Download: Data Access for Highly-Scalable Solutions: Using SQL, NoSQL, and Polyglot Persistence

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40327

.NET & smart electronic devices

Interesting articles about .NET and smart electronic devices (.NET Micro Framework):

• .NET can make your home smarter
• Gadgeteer  & blogpost: https://www.ghielectronics.com/technologies/.net-gadgeteer 
• Lab of things (http://www.lab-of-things.com/ with http://labofthings.codeplex.com/)

Layered Architecture for .NET

http://serena-yeoh.blogspot.com/2013/06/layered-architecture-for-net.html

Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release

Download the PDF version of this title here (108 pages, 5 MB). UPDATE: The EPUB format is here and the MOBI format is here.

" 10 steps to career success" and "Era of Global Transition: Crises & opportunities in a new world"

This is not connected with software development, but it might be interesting:

• 10 steps to career success - short movie on Youtube
• "Era of Global Transition: Crises & opportunities in a new world" - a book mentioned in this movie, available on Amazon.

Significant Changes for Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)

According to MPN: "2014 will herald the biggest update to the Partner Network since its launch three years ago. From new Action Pack Subscriptions through to cloud based and specialist competencies. This video provides a brief overview of the changes while the MPN Disclosure of Upcoming Programme Changes Guide and Julie Bennani's WPC Presentation provide greater detail."

What's New in .NET Development - Build 2013

The latest version of .NET delivers a number of new innovations while maintaining a high compatibility bar. In this presentation, we will walk through the latest features in .NET that focus on Developer Productivity, Application Performance and Continuous Delivery. Examples will include diagnostics improvements, library enhancements and new features in Windows Store development.
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2013/2-303