Catching up on some webinars (terrible name but great resource if you couldn't make the sessions like me and the recent security summit in Melbourne - http://www.microsoft.com/australia/eforum/TechNetSecurityWebSessions.aspx :) and and blogs when I saw this very, VERY interesting post by Dave L:
http://blogs.msdn.com/davidlem/archive/2006/04/13/575344.aspx
At WDG we are working on a training program to help our devs become certified. We have $$$ incetives for our guys, but depending on their work load, some find it difficult to secure the time. And training takes time and resources. These Virtual Labs (esp the Express ones) are unreal - they pop open a Remote Desktop window to some server (would love to know more about the technology!), have a guide that people print and follow and you are off and running in no time! An EXCELLENT resource for training / 'practicing' devs (and yes Dave, love the practice analogy too - we'll be implementing it :).