DavidOverton.com
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.  

Blogs

  • tell me and others what is a good post in the blogs

    Hi folks, have you noticed that some blog entries have a star rating - did you know that you can let me know what is good/useful and bad/undesireable by simply clicking on the stars - lets see some ratings going on!! ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Thu, Jul 13 2006
  • Shortcut keys to opens programs on the Quick Launch Bar in Vista

    I was over the Windows Vista Magazine and saw this - great little bit of help!! New shortcut opens any program Here's a neat tip I learned while I was talking to Microsoft last week: keyboard shortcuts for the Quick Launch icons in Vista. You can open any icon in the Quick Launch bar (just to the right of the Start button) by holding down the Windows key and pressing what I'll call the "rank number" of the icon - the number that corresponds to its position in the list. So, in my desktop here, Windows + 1 opens Outlook, Windows + 2 opens Internet Explorer, Windows + 5 opens the Snipping Tool and so on. Source: Windows Vista™ Magazine ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Wed, Sep 20 2006
  • Web site layout changes – temporary while site is upgraded

    I have just updated the site to a beta of the next version of Community Server which means the nice theme I normally use has stopped working. I will look at why next week, so again we are back to the "old" style of interface. Ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Tue, Jul 18 2006
  • Do you wish you could see what you were looking for in documents, mails etc - now you can as search and find are improved

    You may have noticed that enabling people to find the right piece of information has become a bit of a religious event within Microsoft. Search tools to date include LookOut Windows Desktop Search aka WDS MSN Search Live Search Vista However things have continued to improve with these engined and Office 2007. For example, you can be inside Outlook, type a word in the search bar and within a fraction of a second have returned to you all the mails, calendar items or contacts that have that word in. You can even type something like "from:David received:last week" and get the mails from me that I sent last week. One nice featrue is that a nice yellow highlighter pen will show you where in the mail etc the magical words are, so finding them becomes easier. Obviously the new search engine in Vista / WDS will find documents searching the content itself. I then saw this post, saying that the same process can be delivered from inside a document , so highlighting all the nice words you were looking for - makes...
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Tue, Jul 11 2006
  • Site usage statistics now published, plus the tool I wrote can be yours

    Once upon a time I was known as a hacker - not because of my ability to break into NASA computers (no, I have never done this), but because I am quite skilled at taking something someone else has started and hacking it around to do more. My site stats for May were produced by taking the vb.bet web analyzer starter kit and enhancing it. To see what I have produced, go to http://uksbsguy.com/usage_report/may06 . If you want the code, ping me and let me know. It is good to see the site usage going up too :-) ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Wed, Jun 7 2006
    Filed under:
  • Are you only interested in Vista or Office information - here is how to get it on this site

    For Vista, I have registered the following sites: http://ukvistaguy.com and http://ukvistsguy.co.uk - these auto-redirect if you have nothing else on the address bar to http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/category/1003.aspx For Office, I have not registered any sites, but clicking the following link will take you to Office specific informaiton: http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/category/1004.aspx If there are particular areas of Office 2007 or Vista you want to see more info on, just let me know. ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Thu, Jun 8 2006
  • London Small Business IT Pro Group meeting 10th April - SPECIAL GUESTS

    One of the things I do for my sins (many and varied the must be) is lead the London Small Business IT Pro Group. We have a great treat for you all this month! We have two guest speakers this month hot on the heels of their presentations at SMB Nation, Amsterdam. - Karl Palachuk (Sacramento SBS Partner Group leader & author of the “Network Documentation Workbook”) - Matthew Dickerson (one of Australia’s leading SBS partners & rated as #1 in Harry Brelsford's bright blue “Making it Big in Small Business” book covering 15 of the top SBS partners worldwide) Basically, these guys are some of the best SBS partners in the world (up there with Harry Brelsford) & will be giving their time freely as special guests at the London, Thames Valley & Midlands SBS Partner Groups. Perfect opportunity for us to learn from the best (about their business models, not just technical stuff). Both Karl and Matthew are experts in providing Managed Services to their clients as well as having a wealth of experience in running...
  • Link to my commonly viewed blogs

    Hi folks, I am sure I have missed a few people out, but I finally added the list of common blogs and sites I visit. To get to the information, click the "links" button in my blog, or go there directly by clicking here . ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Fri, Jun 23 2006
  • Windows Vista RC2 can be downloaded now

    Thank you for your interest in Windows Vista. This page includes information to help you download Windows Vista RC2, a new test build. This build (5744) has a number of improvements and updates from previous builds, and has been through daily testing processes to refine quality and performance. We are making this release available for a limited time only (and only by download) in order to get broad distribution and testing in a variety of PC configurations. Please note: This build may not have the same level of support or servicing via Windows Update as RC1, and you may not be able to upgrade from this build to the final version of Windows Vista Source: Windows Vista RC2
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Sat, Oct 7 2006
  • What will Vista look like if you don't have an ace graphics card (ala many machines bought over the last 3 years with less than 64MB graphics RAM)

    I saw this over at the Windows Vista blogs and realised that the original graphics for people withotu higher end graphics were really not up to scratch. Looking at the site, you can even see a nice example of "glass" and the new standard theme side by side. hurray! ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Sat, Jul 8 2006
  • Save as PDF download for Office 2007 on the net for download

    This little feature was hotly debated as to whether any legal action would occur when Microsoft shipped it, but the download is now on the web. details on where to download are below, but lets talk about the use of this in a business context. While some people have said this is a nice feature why should anyone really care about it. Well, lets this of the uses of PDFs (I know we could discuss XPS, but most people know PDF, so PDF it is). Anyway, PDFs are often documents sent out in "final" form, such as an invoice, contract, purchase order, etc. Many smaller organisations want to send out these final documents, but the only option for them was to send a word document or excel spreadsheet. While these are as universal as PDF in terms of people being able to read them, they could also change them which is bad for those documents that you don't want people to change. Enter the Save as PDF feature - now you can send them documents which without some out of the ordinary methods, are now read-only. To get the download...
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Sun, Sep 10 2006
    Filed under:
  • Microsoft sets Vista prices, expands testing | CNET News.com

    Just a quick one to say that MS has discussed Vista Pricing in the US at CNet . While I have no idea how this translates to the UK, this is how it came out. More information is formally announced on the Microsoft site : Full retail versions of Vista Upgrades from XP Windows Vista Ultimate, $399 Windows Vista Ultimate, $259 Windows Vista Business, $299 Windows Vista Business, $199 Windows Vista Home Premium, $239 Windows Vista Home Premium, $159 Windows Vista Home Basic, $199 Windows Vista Home Basic, $99 A quick search of a US site showed XP Home @ $199, upgrade @ $99, Pro @ $299, upgrade @ $199 ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Tue, Sep 5 2006
  • Do you want access to beta software and cheaper support calls to Microsoft - use Technet then

    A Technet Plus subscription includes two free support calls to Microsoft - that makes the kit cheaper than the calls themselves - and then you get a bucket full of disks to try our software - including BETA software, which to date you have not seen in the action pack. OK, so Vista and Office betas will ship in the action pack, but if you want to see any others, or download them more frequently - get the Technet Plus pack. Info on the UK Technet Page can be found on http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/default.aspx . P.S. There are many ways to get a discount on the initial purchase too, so ask me to send you a piece of advertising and you can get 20% off (it sells for <£400) or talk to the people at www.sbsbpi.co.uk and they can help you get even more off. ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Mon, Jun 5 2006
  • You know those pesky Blue Screens?

    Dana Epp has written an excellent article on how to interpret them for fun and for profit http://silverstr.ufies.org/blog/archives/000761.html Next time you get a BSOD this should help you work out the root cause ASAP.
  • Remote Assistance - funny how you stumble across things isn't it.......

    One of the groups I read is the MSSMALLBIZ group on Yahoo! Groups...... Someone posted up today on how to offer Remote Assistance. Well, whadya know? This is one of those things I'd never clicked existed in Small Business Server 2003. <fx off>Tut, tut</fx off>. Vlad Mazek (of SBS Show fame) then posted on how he'd been alerted to a really cool way of offering Remote Assistance without having to go to Server Management. He's blogged about it here: http://www.vladville.com/2006/04/neat-way-to-offer-remote-assistance.html (BTW there are some extraneous spaces in the URL on Vlad's site. Remove those otherwise it doesn't work!) Not knowing about Remote Assistance <fx off>Tut, tut</fx off> I hadn't realised you can use it to help some one in a Terminal Server session as well as on a desktop. Is that good or what As I said, funny how you stumble across things isn't it........
  • Small Business Ignite Tour presentation posted

    I have posted the event presentation to the files section - http://uksbsguy.com/files/12/small_business_ignite_tour/default.aspx . This is a Office 2007 file, but converters are in the notes so you can open in Office XP or 2003. The demos last for 40+ minutes at the events, so if you want to book onto your local one at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/training/ignite/default.aspx ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Mon, Jun 5 2006
  • Where to start with Vista as a Small Business Partner (or in fact a partner of any size)

    In my previous post I mentioned how you can see Vista in action on the web, but how else does a partner start to get skilled in Vista? There are numerious resources. See if Vista will run on your machine - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx Download or order the product and "play" with it - the best way to learn about the product is by using it yourself and then note things you do not like - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx Have a look at the product features page - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/features/default.mspx Do the basic Vists 101 course - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/partners/ Read the Vista for partner information - noting that there is a small business customer scenario - http://microsoft.mrmpslc.com/WindowsVistaPartner/secure/scenarios.aspx Download the long Product Guide for XPS or Word See what XPS (a sort of off-line XML web based document that has great printing capabilities) by looking at the product guide in XPS format - http...
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Fri, Jun 9 2006
  • Vista Beta 2 is now downloadable by everyone

    Just a quick note (due to the time), but if you want to order or download Vista, you can do so from here - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx . Previously this was limited to TechNet & MSDN subscribers. If you do want to download, please note the timings: Connection speed: Connection type: Approximate download time: 32-bit edition (3.5 GB) 3.0 mbps Fast Cable/DSL 4.5 hours 1.5 mbps T1 9 hours 768 kbps Cable/DSL 18 hours 256 kbps Cable/DSL 54 hours 56.6 kbps Dial-up 165 hours 64-bit edition (4.4 GB) 3.0 mbps Fast Cable/DSL 5.5 hours 1.5 mbps T1 10.5 hours 768 kbps Cable/DSL 21 hours 256 kbps Cable/DSL 64 hours ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Thu, Jun 8 2006
  • So you like shortcuts - commands to quickly do things without resorting to the UI - have a look at how to do them here

    Ewan is a tall chap who used to work in the SE team (which was the team I joined in Microsoft) many years ago. He then went off and did some Exchange EMEA type roles and his skills were sorly missed. Well, he is back "in the UK" (he never left, but his heart was elsewhere). And this posting is beginning to cause a bit of a stir. http://blogs.technet.com/ewan/archive/2007/01/02/some-more-useful-windows-shortcuts.aspx My favourites are for quick keyboard things in Outlook: In Outlook, CTRL-2 switches to the Calendar, CTRL-3 to Contacts, and CTRL-1 back to Inbox. Handy if you're often flicking around to arrange a meeting with lots of people... Still in Outlook, when viewing the Calendar ALT-= switches to Month view, ALT- "-" (next to equals sign) switches to the week view, and ALT- number displays the number of days forward from the current date (eg ALT-9 will show 9 day view). Have a look to see what else he can teach you :-) ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Mon, Jan 15 2007
  • Windows Vista Tips and Tricks

    The Tips and Tricks website is now up - includes demo scripts and will include webcasts etc. Today the content was: Check out these great downloadable guides that give you easy access to helpful tips & tricks for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Tip Sheet Windows Vista Top 10 Tips & Tricks Webcast schedule will be updated regularly. Microsoft Webcast: Be One of the First to See Tips & Tricks for Windows Vista This webcast will give you a first look at the great new features found in Windows Vista. A new user interface, great, new search and organize features, enhanced security, great tips on using Internet Explorer® 7, and easy, practical information and desktop tips that will make you more productive right away. Join us for this informative and fun webcast on the new Windows Vista operating system. Coming in October 2006—check back for registration. ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Wed, Sep 20 2006
  • how up with technology (E-typed) is your neighbourhood (or Britain's digital tribes)

    I love the User Experience Trends Blog that covers all sorts of weird and wacky things, but saw this and just had to comment on it. UCL have mapped the country and put postcodes into technology usage. I didn't agree with mine, so added the feedback. Anyway, here is the item from the blog: Classifying by technology use Britain's digital tribes revealed . "Households in Britain can be classified into 23 "e-types" depending on their access to technology, say researchers. E-types include mobile explorers, the e-committed and rational utilitarians. [...] Every postcode in Britain has been assigned a classification which people can check online to see if they agree with the researcher's analysis. "What really emerges is that almost all of the types have some interaction with technology," said Professor Paul Longley, who led the study at UCL. "In a sense we are all digital now"" ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Fri, Sep 15 2006
    Filed under:
  • You may notice a red address bar in internt explorer (IE7) for bad sites, but now you can see Green for Safe sites

    In an effort to combat phishing scams, Microsoft has rolled out a feature in Internet Explorer 7 that displays Web sites with a new type of security certification in an address bar with a green background. A bit of press on this at Internet Explorer 7 Gives Secure Web Sites the Green Light and some MS info at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/features.mspx (look at dynamic security) where it states: Color-coded notifications appear next to the address bar to make you aware of website security and privacy settings. The Address Bar changes to green for websites bearing new High Assurance certificates, indicating the site owner has completed extensive identity verification checks. Phishing Filter notifications, certificate names, and the gold padlock icon also appear next to the address bar for better visibility. You can easily display certificate and privacy detail information with a single click on the Security Status bar. Ttfn David Technorati tags: Internet Explorer , IE7 , Security , Green...
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Thu, Mar 8 2007
  • Do you want to benefit from Microsoft marketing - using the tools, getting the system to work for you and riding on the campaigns?

    Ok, so I went to an internal presentation the other day on all the marketing tools available to you as a partner and I was amazed at them all. I have already blogged on some, such as solution profiler and campaign builder, but there are loads, and potentially even some cash to co-fund them (this is a sometimes, so don't beat me up if not all the time). The call to action was to spend just 15 minutes watching this video for gold and certified for more information as well as to bookmark www.Microsoft.com/UK/partner/marketing and attend the great marketing training that can be online or in a classroom. Go spend the time and get more from Microsoft, such as marketing materials to your door, routes to get to customers and other partners and skilling to make you more effective in this difficult area. ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Thu, Sep 21 2006
  • Do you want to see a great demo on how Windows SharePoint Services can work

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/sharepoint/wss_overview.html It os a great 5 minute introduction to the lingo and out of the box simple capabilities of SharePoint Services. ttfn David
    Posted to David Overton's Blog by David Overton on Fri, Jun 9 2006
    Filed under:
  • 50% off Microsoft Office And Windows Professional upgrades

    I saw this and thought it was worth suggesting to any customer who is not up to date yet - get the latest MS software and pay for it each year on subscription rather than large lump payments, plus the 1st payment has a 50% reduction if you have Windows 2000 or above and Office 97 or above. Plus, your customers are entitled to Vista Business Edition, Office 2007 and all the extra benefits, such as training vouchers, home usage rights etc. The Offer If your business already runs a current or previous version of Microsoft Office Professional Edition or Windows, you can save 50% on your first year’s subscription when you upgrade to the latest edition before 31 December 2006. Source: 50% off Microsoft Office And Windows Professional upgrades ttfn David

(c)David Overton 2006-23