Technet offers a special mode that can be used to create and export document collections. Please note that you need a Windows Live account that you need to sign in to export the documentation to HTML or PDF. Here is how this works. Visit the Technet Library website and click on the printer icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

Select Print Multiple Topics from the context menu and Start on the next page. The click on starts enables the collectors mode on Technet. You can use it to add documents to a collection.

A small toolbar is added to each page of the Technet Library. It can be used to add the current web page to the collection. Documents can also be added by right-clicking on a link and selecting the “Add this topic” menu option.

You can add as many documents as you want to the collection. Please note that you will only add that particular page and not pages that are linked from that page. You can add multiple documents directly by right-clicking on the menu structure in the left sidebar.

Here it is possible to add sets of topic to the collection. Root documents with to many sub-documents are limited to 100 pages. You may need to add pages manually after all in this case.

You can click on Collection at any time to manage the collection. All documents that you have added to your collection are listed here. Options are available to rename or delete documents, and to add chapters.

The exporting options are displayed below. Here you can select the HTML or PDF export option. You may want to click on Advanced Options prior to exporting the documents to make changes to the destination document. Available are are options to include community contents, translate contents that is not available in your language, and to include example codes for all programming languages and not only Visual Basic.

Once you have made the output format selection you are asked to sign in to Windows Live before the service processes all documents. A new page with a download link is presented in the end. You need to right-click on Download Your Document and select to save it to store it on the local computer. (via)

Many people say that subscription software is the way we’re all going but I’ve been making significant savings for years now by subscribing to Microsoft software, and there’s an ever better way to save money, as Paul Thurrott has written this week.

The Microsoft TechNet subscription costs from £134 (£100 renewal) a year and you get a whole lot for your money.  Copies of every version of Windows and Office, and for the more expensive subscription, Server versions too.

These are for evaluation purposes only, which would preclude installing them across a business, but there’s nothing stopping you using them at home.

As with the Action Pack the software never expires either.  Paul says…

Each product key can be used to install up to 10 versions of the OS or application, for the most part. But that’s actually 100 (yes, 100) installs for each Windows 7 product edition, because you can activate each key 10 times. So you get 100 installs of Windows 7 Ultimate, 100 installs of Windows 7 Professional, 100 installs of Windows 7 Home Premium, and so on. That’s an incredible value, though it should be noted that this program is designed for a single person. You can’t share the product keys with others. What you’re getting, essentially, as an individual is multiple, unlimited installs of the products that are included with the subscription … for yourself.

You also get added perks not in the Action Pack such as access to beta software, e-learning courses and managed forums.

This is simply stunning value for money and works out significantly cheaper than the £30 you’ll pay for new a copy of OS X each year.

The following overview will list the major Microsoft download portals (Keep in mind that these link to the English language portals):

• Codeplex: Download Portal for Open Source third party software
• IE Addons: Provides information and downloads about add-ons for the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser.
• Microsoft Developer Network: The developer portal. Most content is restricted to subscribers but some can be accessed publicly.
• Microsoft Download Center: Microsoft’s main download repository that contains links to updates, trial versions and service packs.
• Microsoft Office Labs: Office concepts and prototypes
• Microsoft Research: Site for tech demos and prototypes that can be downloaded publicly.
• Microsoft Security: Security portal that provides latest security news and downloads for Microsoft products.
• Microsoft TechNet: Contains resources for IT professionals. Lots of technical stuff plus downloads.
• TechNet Evaluation Center: Download of beta and trial software.
• Microsoft Update: Works only in Internet Explorer. Will scan the computer system for Microsoft products and suggest updates that can be downloaded and installed on site.
• Office Update: The main page for Office updates and downloads of all kind including updates, service packs and add-ons.
• Vista Gallery: Gadget downloads for Windows Vista.
• Windows Live: Download the Windows Live software and install all or selected products.
• Windows Live Gallery: Download and review sidebar gadgets, emoticons, toolbars, display pictures, web gadgets, winks and sideshow gadgets.
• WM Plugins: Codecs, skins, effects and additional tools for the Windows Media Player.

Did we miss a website or portal? Let us know in the comments.

Windows Vista Service Pack Beta 2 is available in the five languages English, German, Japanese, Spanish and French. Microsoft did publish the release notes for Windows Server 2009 Service Pack 2 Beta and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta already. The release notes do not contain many information at this point but they contain information about incompatible applications and updates which should be updated or installed prior to installing the beta release of the Service Pack.

Users with previous versions of Service Pack 2 have to uninstall that Service Pack before being able to install the beta 2. This is done in the Control Panel as usual. The website where MSDN or Technet subscribers can find their download links and where regular users will find their download links as well is available here. Interested users can also take a look at the updates and patches that are included in both betas of the Service Packs.

It should be noted that this is still a beta release and therefor intended to be installed on development or test computer systems.