David Overton's Blog and Discussion Site
This site is my way to share my views and general business and IT information with you about Microsoft, IT solutions for ISVs, technologists and businesses, large and small. I specialise in Windows Intune and SBS 2008.
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This blog is purely the personal opinions of David Overton. If you can't find the information you were looking for e-mail me at admin@davidoverton.com.

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  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 VPC Image

    I saw this and thought I would share for those who had not seen it - Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 VPC Image Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 VPC Image Get familiar with the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 release: Preview Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 in a Virtual PC (VPC) image. Overview This Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 preview leverages Release Candidate (RC0) code in a Virtual PC image. The demo is designed as a one-computer setup with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 server and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 client for Microsoft Outlook. Note: Although the image can be utilised on a single PC or laptop computer, it is strongly suggested that the image be run using an external USB 2.0 hard drive for best performance. If you do not have an external drive, you can run the image locally on the host computer; however, you will experience a decrease in performance. Contents This VPC contains the following: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (RC0) Microsoft Dynamics CRM Laptop and Desktop Client Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK (C:\CRM Tools\SDK) Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (SP2) Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Internet Explorer 7 Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 POP3 E-Mail Services (No Exchange) Microsoft LCA Approved Sample Data System Requirements Supported Operating Systems Windows Vista operating system; Microsoft Windows XP Other Requirements Personal computer with1.5 GHz or higher processor and at least 2.0 gigabytes (GB) of RAM 12 GB of available hard drive space Super VGA (1024x768) video adapter/monitor Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 software (Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 and Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 also compatible) ttfn David Technorati Tags: MS CRM , CRM , Dynamics , Virtual PC , VPC

  • Unified Communications

    This information is from the last 2 Technet newsletters ( http://www.microsoft.com/technet ) Unified Communications Team Blog http://blogs.technet.com/uc/default.aspx Unified Communications - Office Communication Server 2007 Videos Two videos, one on Office Communications Server 2007 and one on Office RoundTable http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=4&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3d67d3e846-ae4a-4b30-9e0c-eac22bd2a58a%26DisplayLang%3den Unified Communications and Collaboration Event Presentation Downloads Unified Communications and Collaborations Event Downloads http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=5&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3da10931b2-dceb-4ddc-8c5a-25c4b2c5804c%26DisplayLang%3den Using Exchange Server 2007 for Unified Messaging and Fax How can you best implement the Unified Messaging (UM) features of Exchange Server 2007? Microsoft IT uses the UM features of Exchange Server 2007 to integrate voice messaging with the internal e-mail messaging environment. This content will detail the technical implementation and deployment strategy for deploying Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging features in the Microsoft enterprise messaging environment. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=9&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3dde6b24ab-0d23-4d82-ac2e-342a86b22580%26DisplayLang%3den ttfn David Technorati Tags: Unified Communications , Office Communications Server , Exchange 2007 , RoundTable

  • Windows Server 2008 (Longhorn) webcasts for this month

    Events/WebCasts Windows Server 2008: Maximize Protection, Control, and Flexibility Watch these on-demand webcasts and learn how you can capitalize on new features to improve your organization's networking infrastructure, security, server performance, and reliability. Also, test drive Windows Server 2008 in a virtual lab and download the latest audio podcasts. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7043006 TechNet Radio: Review of Server Management in Windows Server 2008 Listen in as Andrew Mason (Principle Program Manager for Server Core), Jeffrey Snover (Architect for PowerShell), and Eduardo Melo (Program Manager for Server Manager) discuss the role of Server Management in Windows Server 2008. Each will briefly discuss some of the new features of Server Core, PowerShell, and Server Manager. We also talk with Jeff Woolsey about the latest updates in Virtualization. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7043008 TechNet Webcast: Technical Overview of Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2008 (Level 300) Monday, July 09, 2007 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7009089 Microsoft Webcast: Overview of Windows Server 2008 (Level 200) Thursday, July 12, 2007 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7009090 TechNet Webcast: Next-Generation Networking with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 (Level 300) Monday, July 16, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7009091 TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Operations (Level 200) Wednesday, July 18, 2007 8:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7009092 TechNet Webcast: Server Role Management in Windows Server 2008 (Level 200) Monday, July 23, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7009094 TechNet Webcast: Running a Minimal Windows Server 2008 Environment with Server Core (Level 200) Monday, July 30, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7009095 ttfn David Technorati Tags...

  • Do you want to IM (messenger) someone in the UK Partner team with a question, but not have their address - now you can try the Partner Bot. It is your Instant Messenger 'data digger' retrieving partner-related information and the answers you need

    This is a long intro, but I got the mail this morning from Alex that this is alive and kicking!!! Go have a conversation - it is even clever enough to know that if you ask for me, this is my blog!! I am very pleased to announce that the PartnerBot is now live. Partner Bot is your Instant Messenger 'data digger', which quickly retrieves partner-related information and shows you where you can find the answers you need. Simply type in your question and Bot will bring back an instant response. Add Bot as a buddy in your Windows Live Messenger contacts and it will always be available whenever you're logged in. Use Partner Bot to Help You Get answers quickly, whether you’re in the office or mobile Find partner resources, like blogs and marketing help, more easily How Do I Add Partner Bot to My Contacts? · Log-in to Windows Live Messenger · Click on 'Add a Contact' icon · Add 'partnerbot@hotmail.com' into Instant Messaging Address > Click here to find out more Please be aware that PartnerBot may guide you to areas of the Partner Portal which can only be accessed by Registered, Certified or Gold Partners, so you may need to sign-in to view this information. ttfn David Technorati Tags: partners , partner bot , Microsoft

  • Interactive Developer Map - want to develop something on top of a Microsoft platform, but don't know where to go for information - now you can do it all interactively

    Microsoft Office Interactive Developer Map The Microsoft Office Interactive Developer Map is a Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) application that helps developers visualize the different programs, servers, services, and tools that will help them build solutions. It allows them to drill down to each product and technology and learn about new features, objects, Web services, namespaces, and schemas required to extend Microsoft Office and build custom Office Business Applications (OBAs) . Source: Interactive Developer Map I have a look at this and was quite impressed with the list of resources available to you. For example - look at the link below - it is the Office Live drill down - look at all the places to get information - I checked - the sites are good! ttfn David

  • Should you be recognised as a Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) partner (or do you want to be), here is how - do it today including the new technical areas that are accepted into the program (Sharepoint skills)

    A couple of years back Microsoft realised that it needed a specialised group of partners that it could recommend to small business customers, invest time and effort into helping succeed and help elevate themselves above the 33,000 other partners in the UK. From these desires the SBSC program was born. What are the benefits of becoming a SBSC Partner Use the Small Business Specialist logo for advertising and marketing (eg http://www.bmsnet.co.uk/blog/?p=58 ) Be listed as a Small Business Specialist in the Microsoft Resource Directory Gain access to premium content on the Microsoft Partner Program Web site Access exclusive Small Business Specialist Private Managed Newsgroups If you don't have it already, using the Microsoft Action Pack which has LOADS of software in it and it costs less than £200 per year (10 copies of Vista, 10 copies of Office, SBS Server, Exchange 2007, MS CRM and much, much more) How to become a SBSC Partner From scouring our records some parnters qualify, but haven't signed up yet, while others when we talk to them have the skills, but have not yet take the exam. To help, here is the very simple process you need to go through to qualify. Be a Certified Partner or a Gold Certified Partner, or a Registered Member that has a current subscription to Microsoft Action Pack Employ at least one individual who has passed the Small Business Sales and Marketing Skills Assessment which is a 15 minute on-line survey Employ at least one individual who has passed one of the following technical exams: Microsoft Exam 74-134 - Pre-installing Microsoft Products Using the OEM Pre-installation Kit Microsoft Exam 70-282 - Designing, Deploying and Managing a Network Solution for Small and Medium-sized Business Microsoft Exam 70-631 — Configuring Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Once you have done all the above all you need to do is agree to becoming part of the SBSC by visiting https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/program/40021525 I look forward to seeing you in the club ;-) ttfn David Technorati tags: SBSC , Microsoft...

  • Trial Software Kit for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

    I was recently asked how to get a trial of SBS. You can't download one, but as a customer you can order one here. Note that if you go to the international pages you might have to scroll around a bit to find the right bit of information. If you are a partner and wish to give them to use them with your customers then you only need one copy as you can re-use the key we provide you and you can get it from the Partner Marketplace For customers: Trial Software Kit for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 North America – Order your CD package here. Other Locations – The SBS 2003 R2 Trial is not generally available outside North America. Please select your country from the SBS Worldwide page to determine whether the trial software is available in your location. For Partners: Partner MarketPlace - eg Market - Partners - Microsoft UK You searched for items of collateral related to the Small Business Server (SBS) group. To add items to your order, select a quantity from the drop down box. Description Type Audience Price Quantity Gear Up Sales Toolkit The Microsoft Gear Up Sales Toolkit is the licensing and sales 'product encyclopaedia' that will help you generate up-sell and cross-sell opportunities. Marketing Kit Sales £0.00 Selling to Small Business Guide This guide explains Microsoft's approach to the Small Business market, and offers advice to Partners on how to maximise their sales and marketing efforts to this audience. Partner Guide Sales £0.00 Windows SBS 2003 R2 Integrated server solution for small businesses Evaluation Software All £0.00 ttfn David Technorati tags: Evaluation , SBS 2003

  • How to do mail merge letters and labels in Office 2007

    I got a mail on this today, so thought I had better drop a quick note. The Office 2007 web site has a great search system that got me an answer straight away that includes screen shots to make it real simple. (I searched on the site for mail merge and then picked Word 2007 from the product picker). Please note that you can also e-mail merge to result in a number of e-mails being sent (perhaps with a newsletter) and that if you use publisher then you can also do things like put in place web links that have a unique identifier so you can tell who clicked on them. The answers can be found at: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/word/HA100819761033.aspx?pid=CH100626281033 for the letters http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/word/HA101091611033.aspx?pid=CH100626261033 for the labels ttfn David Technorati tags: mail merge , word 2007 , Office 2007

  • How to remove those spaces before, after and inbetween paragraphs in Word 2007 (Part of Office 2007)

    I got this mail on the blog today, so decided I would post a solution: 2007 Vista Student and Office Edition does not allow me to create one line spacing in Address Headings but okay within the body of the letter, is this a glitch. I have never experienced this in my former Word Programs. In the dialog box it does specify single spacing. Any advice would be appreciated I have created a simple document and you might notice that there is a big gap between each sentence. This is caused by both line spacing and space before or after the paragraphs. I will walk you through the process I went through to make things look less spaced out. To do all of this I will be using just one icon on the ribbon bar - the one circled below If I hover over this, you can see it is for line spacing. The 1st thing I did was highlight my text and try setting the line spacing to 1.0 - you can see the result is that the text is slightly closer together. Next I clicked the "Remove Space Before Paragraph" option and you will notice that things now look as they should do. Now if I select the top line as a heading, all the space has gone, but there is a huge chunck of space at the top, doing the same as above to the heading sorted that out too :-) The finished product ttfn David Technorati tags: Office 2007 , Tips

  • How to open Office 2007 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007) files on Office 2000, Office XP and Office 2003 by downloading the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for File Formats

    I get asked this question quite often, so I thought I would point out the download location for the tool to make files work between Office 2000, XP, 2003 and 2007. Just to cover off some details - Office 2007 can save in Office 97-2003 file format as well as the new Open XML and PDF file formats. Using this download, files can be opened and saved in Office 2007 format in Office 2000 and later. Of special note is that if you are using Microsoft Office XP or 2003 you MUST install all High-Priority updates from Microsoft Update before downloading the Compatibility Pack . Also, if you don't have those Office programs, but you have the viewers (Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003, Excel Viewer 2003, and PowerPoint Viewer 2003) then you can use the pack to view files saved in these new formats. For more information about the Compatibility Pack, see Knowledge Base article 924074 . Also Note: If you use Microsoft Word 2000 or Microsoft Word 2002 to read or write documents containing complex scripts, please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925451 for information to enable Word 2007 documents to be displayed correctly in your version of Word. Finally, if you are planning on installing this for lots of users the administrative template for the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint converters contained within the Compatibility Pack is available for download. thanks David Technorati tags: Office 2007 , Office 2003 , Office XP , Office 2000 , Word , Excel , PowerPoint , Open XML , file compatibility

  • Getting started with Word, including Word 2007 training, tools to make moving from Word 2003 (or earlier) to Word 2007 much easier including Word 2003 to 2007 command reference and how to build your own Ribbon tabs

    I saw these links in the latest Microsoft downloads e-mail, but the more I looked into this the more I was amazed: Training materials you can use to deliver training on Word 2007 to your customers Tools that load onto a customers PC to enable them to find Word 2003 commands in Word 2007 Tools that put a useful set of getting started tools into a "Getting Started" tab within word Tools to build your own customised Ribbon tabs I'm going to start with the simplest of tools, the Interactive Command Reference . The Word 2007 Guide- Word 2003 to Word 2007 interactive command reference guide is available online, but the link is to the standalone downloadable version - which gives you an emulation of Word 2003, you click around on it and it then tells you where to find the selected item in Word 2007. great for that "Where has my command gone" conversations. Getting Started Tab for Word 2007 (download here) As you can see this tab has several features - the 1st one takes you off to the online version of the downloadable tool stated above. It then takes your to several pieces of online training - the best of which was the online demos on how to use word ( http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA101672751033.aspx ) and then the 4 online courses ( http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/CR100654561033.aspx ) covering Up to speed with Word 2007 , Length: 40 min, Rating: (2032 votes) Up to speed with the 2007 Office system , Length: 30 min, Rating: (547 votes) Security I: How the 2007 Office system helps you to stay safer , Length: 20 min, Rating: (167 votes) Keyboard shortcuts in the 2007 Office system , Length: 30 min, Rating: (445 votes) For delivering training yourself or going along in a self paced way, there are a number of PowerPoints that you can download and tailor to your needs. All of the current Office training is linked off of this site , but the only item on Word that is downloadable is currently located at Training presentation- Word 2007—Get up to speed Finally, if you like the Getting Started Tab, then the...

(c)David Overton 2006-13