Install What You Need with Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 is Microsofts most full-featured server operating system yet, so it's ironic that one of its most exciting new features is an install option that cuts out most of the other features. Paul Rubens explores why a Server Core installation makes a great deal of sense in many instances. »   Identify Hardware and Software That Meet Microsoft Standards The "Certified for Windows. Server 2008" logo identifies hardware and software solutions that meet Microsoft standards for compatibility and best practices with the Windows Server 2008 operating system. »   Windows Server Catalog: Certified Hardware Devices Search the Windows Server 2008 catalog to find solutions to deploy with confidence. »   Windows Server Catalog: Certfied Servers Search the Windows Server 2008 catalog to find servers you can deploy with confidence. »   Download the Windows Server 2008 Trial With Windows Server 2008 you can develop, deliver, and manage rich user experiences and applications, provide a secure network infrastructure, and increase technological efficiency and value within your organization. »

Sometimes, when developing a web application, you want to acquire data from another source to put on your site. For example, portal sites like portaloo place the latest news headlines on their pages, and the news headlines are constantly updated without human intervention.

I ran into a similar problem designing the web site and database system of Memphis Scholastic Chess. They were spending 5-6 hours per week manually locating the latest ratings for 900 players (having to navigate through around 75 individual pages) and then skim the list for players in our organization on the United States Chess Federation web site. I used Python to write a server site program that runs automatically once a week and downloads and parses pages from the USCF's web site.

Next: The problem..and the solution »