SQL Server Portal

In the earlier days, learning a technology not only required passion but it pinched the pocket as well, due to the new hardware and software requirements. And in most of the cases, one has to setup a complete lab to learn it.
However, SQL server has resolved this problem since SQL Server 2005 and keep improving these labs namely Virtual Labs (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/learning-center/virtual-labs.aspx). Basically these virtual labs are virtual machines and you do not need to do any installation or complex setup for it. You just need to connect it through internet for free & immediate use.  (Internet Explorer recommended).
Once you start the lab, it will give you the hands-on-lab material as well as lab for the particular area of SQL Server. In other words, it will guide you about what is new in the technology and how to learn it. SQL Server provides 16 virtual labs in different areas of SQL Server 2012, which are listed below:

1. Introduction to SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn Availability Groups
2. Data Platform Showcase on SQL Server 2012
3. Exploring new T-SQL features in SQL Server 2012 (SQL 202)
4. Exploring SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) in Visual Studio 2012
5. Installing SQL Server 2012 on Windows 2012 Server Core
6. Installing SQL Server 2012 on Windows Server 2012
7. Upgrading to SQL Server 2012 from SQL 2005/2008 (SQL 208)
8. Implementing Transparent Database Encryption
9. Implementing and Managing AlwaysOn Availability Groups
10. Creating a PerformancePoint Services dashboard based on a SQL Server 2012 BI Semantic Model
11. Optimizing a SQL Server 2012 Tabular BI Semantic Model
12. Exploring Power View in SQL Server 2012
13. Creating a SQL Server Reporting Services Report based on a Tabular BI Semantic Model
14. Developing a SQL Server 2012 Tabular BI Semantic Model using SQL Server Data Tools
15. Creating a PerformancePoint Services dashboard based on a SQL Server 2012 BI Semantic Model
16. Creating a PowerPivot workbook in Excel 2013

I found it very beneficial, specially for new bie (SQL Developers) that they can learn scripting on SQL Server without having knowledge of how to install and configure SQL Server. Let me know your feedback.

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