Three more Microsoft Azure Datacenters operating now

Do not forget to get free books on Microsoft Windows Azure.

Azure Datacenter is now generally available in Brazil. A promotional pricing is offered right now. Geo replication to South US datacenter from Brazil dictates default storage option being Geographically Redundant Storage.

Brazil Datacenter debuts after two other data centers in Asia:
http://windowsitpro.com/azure/microsoft-opens-azure-datacenter-brazil-south-region

Japan GEO
 http://azure.microsoft.com/ja-jp/community/japan-datacenter-geo/

China operated by 21Vianet
 http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2014/03/microsoft-launches-mainland-china-azure-cloud-data-center


This is what you should do to get your free book. Note only the first three persons (from Brazil, Japan and China) to respond will get the book.

Send an email to hodentek@live.com with Azure SQL in the subject line. Include your email address and your postal address to get a free copy of my book on Windows Azure SQL Database.
http://hodentekmsss.blogspot.com/2010/12/regarding-my-book-on-sql-azure.html

 

Review of my SQL Azure book from a SQL Azure developer

Anton Staykov (http://www.staykov.net) was a frequent visitor to the SQL Azure Forum when SQL Azure appeared on the web. Anthony is a Microsoft MVP from Bulgaria. I was also a frequent visitor trying to learn from others about SQL Azure. Recently, I saw his review of my book (http://blogs.staykov.net/2011/03/sql-azure-enterprise-application.html) which described some positive aspects of my book. He was kind enough to permit me to reproduce his review to the visitors of my blog.
Here it follows:

SQL Azure: Enterprise Application Development reviewed
"As I blogged earlier this year, there are two books on Windows Azure from Packt publishing. I was personally involved as technical reviewer with one of them, and now I am sharing my feedback on the second.
Microsoft SQL Azure: Enterprise Application Development, is the second one from the "Azure" series. Published right after the "Microsoft Azure: Enterprise Application Development" the book is the perfect complement to it. Reading Microsoft SQL Azure, you will learn the basics of cloud services (i.e. what is a Cloud, what types of clouds are there and who are the big players). You will, of course catch up with Windows Azure, as it is briefly described, in case you missed the "Microsoft Azure" book.
Focusing on the SQL Azure service it self, the book covers all the steps required for you to leverage a cloud based RDMS. All the information you find there is well structured and accompanied with good number of screenshots and sample SQL statements. You will not miss any of the features delivered from SQL Azure. All the answers are there – what is the security model of SQL Azure; how to connect and execute queries against the cloud (how to use Sql Server Management Studio); how can you use Sql Server Integration Services (a.k.a. SSIS) and what are the limitations; how to sync your cloud data with on-premise data; what are the tools supported by SQL Azure; and more and more questions and answers. I could hardly find a question for SQL Azure that this book does not answer!
I would highly recommend this book as a complement to the "Microsoft Azure: Enterprise Application Development". These two books are the complete guide to develop application for the Microsoft's Cloud! "

It is still not too late you may enter the raffle and win a hard copy or a eBook. Just send an email to mysorian@gmail.com with SQL Azure in the subject line.