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May 2007 - David Overton's Blog
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  • Do you sell Microsoft product and went something to make it easier to understand our licensing and products? Something that will help you up-sell and cross-sell to your customers? If so, then the Gear Up book is for you

    In a recent mail it announced: The Microsoft Sales Toolkit is your source for driving sales. It is the licensing and sales 'product handbook' that will help you generate up-sell and cross-sell opportunities, giving you and your Partners information on the full portfolio of Microsoft products and services. You can find information on what the product is, how to sell it, relevant SKU numbers and FAQs. The toolkit is produced twice a year and is available as a hardcopy, to keep on your desk, or to download as a pdf, to take out with you to meet customers. Visit www.microsoft.com/uk/gearup for more details or to download the pdf version. Go get it, it might just answer one or two of those questions you have!! ttfn David Technorati tags: Gear Up , licensing , sales , Microsoft

  • Installing WSUS 3.0 on SBS White Paper Released, including when you already got WSUS on there, or need to upgrade

    I thought you should be aware of this WSUS 3.0 on SBS White Paper Released [Today's post comes to us courtesy of Chris Puckett] WSUS 3.0 has released. You can download it here . For information on installing WSUS 3.0 on your SBS 2003 SP1 or R2 server, check out the Installing WSUS 3.0 on SBS 2003 whitepaper. The issue blogged in February 2007 regarding Vista updates not synching in SBS 2003 R2 has been fixed in WSUS 3.0. If you experienced performance issues like high cpu usage by svchost, a UI hang and long scan times, the new new WUA client included with WSUS 3.0 addresses these issues in combination with the MSI update in KB 927891 . It’s important to note that the new client is only a partial solution for the svchost/msi issue and clients must have both KB 927891 and the new 3.0 client installed for a full solution. Source: The Official SBS Blog : WSUS 3.0 on SBS White Paper Released Having looked at the whitepaper it seems it covers the following areas: Install WSUS v3 on 2003 SBS SP1 and R2 (when to...

  • Windows Vista AppReadiness- Find out if your application is known and / or supported or expected to run on Vista

    I saw this was released and thought I had to share it - finally a resource will logo'd ready and community opinion on application compatibility for Vista. It states: Welcome to the Windows Vista Application Readiness Beta site! The central place to find and share information about software that runs on the Windows Vista platform. Browse through a comprehensive listing of applications that have a Windows Vista Logo or are Ready for Windows Vista, See comments on compatibility that the community has contributed and The url is easy to remember with www.windowsvista.com/appreadiness . As a quick sample you have the following: Browse by Application A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ( Browse by Company ) Or the "new" sections: NEW! Community Submitted Applications Application App Version Company Comments Status Cosmocall 4.5.0 Build 3201 Cosmocom ( www.cosmocom.com ) Not working on Windows Vista Incompatible with Windows Vista Harvst V. 7 patch 3 Computer Associates (All Fusion) Waiting...

  • Speed issues with large OSTs & PSTs patch for Outlook 2007 Available

    I saw this over at the The Official SBS Blog and thought I had better tell everyone about it given the traffic on the web page. Once you apply this patch you might get an BCM (Business Contact Manager) error if you have installed it - to fix this, go look at My BCM Updates Post and grab the one about "Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager: Prevent error message about version mismatch when certain Office 2007 applications are launched". [Today's post comes to us courtesy of Mark Stanfill] There is a new patch available for Outlook 2007 that fixes performance issues with large PSTs/OSTs. We highly recommend applying this patch on all systems with Outlook 2007 installed. If you are preparing a new installation, this patch should be applied in addition to the steps outlined in http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;926505 . Direct Download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c262bcfd-1e09-49b6-9003-c4c47539df66&DisplayLang=en KB article: http://support...

  • Site up and down more frequently than something that goes up and down - like an lift (elevator for my US friends) at the "how do lifts work" world convention!!

    My trusty old SBS box that was a re-purposed server from somewhere else with old (very) cpus etc is crying at me lots. I've moved the databased elsewhere, but it won't be enough, so a new machine has been ordered. I hope to be able to put it together in the next day or two, however until it happens, the performance of the site will still stink a bit and might just hang every-so-often :-( Please bear with us, we hope to have normal transmission resumed as soon as possible

  • Microsoft says PCs may need DRAM upgrade (to ECC RAM)

    I have looked at many system crashed and often ended up concluding that RAM is at fault (random causes of BSODs is a very good pointer to this). It now appears that single bit errors is being considered as a major system failing. obviously, when spec'ing a server or computer perhaps you should consider ECC RAM as a standard to improve reliability. For about four years Microsoft has been collecting data through its Online Crash Analysis (OCA) tool that reports system crashes to a Microsoft Web site. About 18 months ago it began sharing OCA data and the white paper with systems and chip makers. According to one source, the report said single-bit error rates in DRAM are now among the top ten causes of systems failures Source: EETimes.com - Microsoft says PCs may need DRAM upgrade Technorati Tags: BSODs , ECC RAM

  • Don't want to download Longhorn, then try the virtual Labs

    I've said it before and I will say it again, the next version of SBS will be based on Longhorn - you need to go and get knowledgeable if you want to be good with SBS Cougar. Test-Drive Windows Server "Longhorn" Join a Virtual Lab to try out new and improved features and functionality in the upcoming Windows Server "Longhorn" release, including management, network protection, and improvements to Terminal Services. The site then has the following options: Step into a New Windows Server “Longhorn” Virtual Lab for Free It's simple-no complex setup or installation is required to try out Windows Server “Longhorn”. You get a downloadable manual and a 90-minute block of time for each module. You can sign up for additional 90-minute blocks anytime. Managing Windows Longhorn Server and Windows Vista using Group Policy Managing Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn Network Bandwidth with Policy-based Quality of Service Windows Server Longhorn Beta 2 Server Core Windows Server Longhorn Beta...

  • Where to go for information on Office Live in the UK, see a demo, see how to develop against it and even use it as a SharePoint data repository and show the information on the public site

    Tim Kimber the UK Office live product manager sent me these links and they are pretty good: bCentral Office Live SB+ webcast (requires sign-in) - http://www.microsoft.com/uk/businesscentral/small-business-plus/sign-up.aspx?xid=sbplus_ol_bcban Flash demo : http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0703/29661/UK/DEV_Deploy/index.html Office Live Mix presentation : http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1556816&SiteID=1 Tips and Tricks for Using JavaScript on Your Office Live Public Site : http://blogs.msdn.com/doncampbell/archive/2007/04/20/tips-and-tricks-for-using-javascript-on-your-office-live-public-site.aspx Using the collect/display data module (connect to the SharePoint back end) in Office Live : http://channel9.msdn.com/Media/Firesign.html ttfn David Technorati Tags: Office Live , demo , develop

  • Windows Hacktivation (or Activation) Trojan Horse / Phishing scam

    I saw this and for a change decided I needed to blog on something about Symantec. The story is simple - a program pretends to be Windows Activation and asks for a credit card to prove ID. IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A MICROSOFT TOOL, but I am sure some people might presume it is. For more information, have a look at the eWeek and Symantec sites: Symantec is reporting on a Trojan horse that mimics the Windows activation interface. Once you reboot your PC after running the program, the program asks you to activate your copy of Windows and, while it assures you that you will not be charged, it asks for credit card information. If you don't enter the credit card information it shuts down the PC. How to clean it - Symantec writeup Source: Top Threat: Windows Hacktivation ttfn David Technorati tags: Security , Activation , Phishing

  • A Nod to Journalistic Integrity Is Seen in an Editor’s Return - PC World - he wanted to run a 10-things we hate about Apple article, but the CEO would not let him as they were a big advertiser

    I saw this and was amazed twice - 1st that PC World magazine allowed their independence to be so badly tarnished and then 2nd the actual article that they wanted to print. Have a look at the story at http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130994/article.html or the what happened story below: A Nod to Journalistic Integrity Is Seen in an Editor’s Return Heidi Schumann for The New York Times Harry McCracken was reinstated as the editor in chief of PC World after a disputed article about Apple was posted on the publication’s Web site. Source: A Nod to Journalistic Integrity Is Seen in an Editor’s Return - New York Times ttfn David Technorati Tags: apple , PC World

  • Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn" – Learning Portal

    Since we will all have to learn Longhorn for the next version of SBS, here is a place to start Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn" – Learning Portal Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn" is the next-generation Windows Server operating system that helps IT professionals maximize control over their infrastructure with increased security, reliability, and flexibility. E-Learning training Collection 5934: Introducing Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn" (Beta 3) — Free for a limited time! This online learning collection of five clinics introduces the new features and functionality in Windows Server "Longhorn." The courses cover server virtualization, security and policy management, branch office management, centralized application access, and server management. You can take the entire collection or just the courses that interest you. • Clinic 5936: Introducing Security and Policy Management in Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn" (Beta 3) • Clinic 5937: Introducing Branch...
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  • Powershell is the new tool for managing Exchange 2007 and Windows Servers too - get a look at it on 22nd May in Reading or the Powershell User Group

    Again, something you will have to get to grips with in Longhorn and Exchange 2007. To find out about powershell go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/management/powershell/default.mspx . It is described as: Microsoft Windows PowerShell command line shell and scripting language helps IT Professionals achieve greater productivity. Using a new admin-focused scripting language, more than 130 standard command line tools, and consistent syntax and utilities, Windows PowerShell allows IT Professionals to more easily control system administration and accelerate automation. Windows PowerShell is easy to adopt, learn, and use, because it works with your existing IT infrastructure and existing script investments, and because it runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server “Longhorn”. Exchange Server 2007, System Center Operations Manager 2007, System Center Data Protection Manager V2, and System Center Virtual Machine Manager leverage Windows PowerShell to improve efficiency...

  • Longhorn Events in London and Reading in late May and early June

    23 May 2007, London: Web Administration Summit: An In-depth Look at Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 in Windows Server "Longhorn" Windows Server "Longhorn" delivers Microsoft's most powerful pipeline of web technology around the latest version of Internet Information Services (IIS). Far from a simple version upgrade, IIS version 7.0 is an extensible platform for more reliably and securely hosting Web applications and services that are easy to manage at scale. IIS 7.0 is a major enhancement to earlier versions, offering for the first time a componentized architecture with full extensibility, a single integrated pipeline for all IIS and ASP.NET processing, and a comprehensive administration tool to support powerful diagnostics and delegated management. This comprehensive one-day seminar will introduce you to many of the key improvements in IIS 7, including administration, security and troubleshooting. 12 June 2007, Reading: Overview of Windows Server codename "Longhorn" The...
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  • Changing the way that Vista User Access Control (UAC) works in Vista by group policy

    James gave me some hassle the other day for not referencing his blog (which is a valid thing to do), so I thought I would point out this post as it will end some of the gripes of people out there. Using Group Policy you can change the following: User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for standard users User Account Control: Elevate on application installs User Account Control: Run all users, including administrators, as standard users User Account Control: Validate signatures of executables that require elevation User Account Control: Virtualize file and registry write failures to per-user locations More information from James Blog at Views on Windows Vista : Can I customise UAC? . ttfn David Technorati Tags: Vista , Group Policy , UAC , Security

  • Popfly test embed

  • From the The Official SBS Blog : Installing a Self-Signed Certificate as a Trusted Root CA in Windows Vista

    I've talked about this before, but thought it was worth pointing people to this Installing a Self-Signed Certificate as a Trusted Root CA in Windows Vista [Today's post comes to us courtesy of Wayne McIntyre] In order for RPC over Http to work you must have a Trusted CA Root Certificate installed and configured. In a situation where you are using a self-signed cert you will need to install the certificate into the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store. 1. Connect to your OWA site by going to https://host.domainname.com/exchange FOR THE REST OF THE INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO THE SOURCE BELOW Source: The Official SBS Blog : Installing a Self-Signed Certificate as a Trusted Root CA in Windows Vista ttfn David Technorati Tags: Vista , Certificate , SBS

  • Which 2007 Office Application Are You?

    I did this " Which 2007 Office Application Are You? " and apparently I am Excel You are Excel 2007! People trust you to find the right answer. They call you "the wizard" and are in awe of your PivotTable. When you say you love functions, it's understood that you're referring to spreadsheets, not social events. You import and export with ease, always maintaining balance. Thanks to your mastery of numbers, people are constantly asking you for help with their own budgets. With the new Microsoft Office Excel 2007, you'll see how those people can get their own answers - better and faster. They will be amazed that they, too, can create a new chart with only five clicks. You may not have been known as a trendsetter, but your ability to use conditional formatting to "see" new trends was well worth any wait. You can analyze the impressive productivity and efficiency gains in Excel 2007 and prove that the benefits justify the costs. Your favorite new feature in Office 2007 is likely...

  • May security updates for Server DNS and Office 2003/2007 and IE7. Also Quicktime needs an update

    I did a quick scan and it seems that this month Office is the main target of updates, along with one critical one for Windows Server (for DNS RPC attack) and one for IE7. Worth a quick download and install :-) I also got this in the mail today: Apple QuickTime 7.x must be upgraded to 7.1.5 or higher. On the security updates: Microsoft is releasing the following new security bulletins for newly discovered vulnerabilities: Bulletin Number Maximum Severity Affected Products Impact MS07-023 Critical Microsoft Excel (all currently supported versions) Remote Code Execution MS07-024 Critical Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 (Mac) Remote Code Execution MS07-025 Critical Microsoft Office (all currently supported versions) Remote Code Execution MS07-026 Critical Microsoft Exchange (all current versions) Remote Code Execution MS07-027 Critical Internet Explorer - all current versions on all currently supported versions of Microsoft Windows Remote Code Execution MS07-028 Critical CAPICOM, BizTalk Server Remote Code Execution...

  • Virtual TechEd - all the joys of Tech-Ed without being their (well you can be there too)

    Virtual TechEd is the place to be to get the lowdown on TechEd and also to get access to "stuff" and information all year round that is normally only at TechEd. This is what they had to say for themselves inside Microsoft: Visit www.virtualteched.com today to extend Tech·Ed to an always-on, year-round, online experience! Easily access Tech·Ed content when you want, where you want, in an engaging community environment. Gain the technical education you need to build, deploy, secure, mobilize, & manage solutions across currently shipping and soon-to-be-released products. In addition to new content postings we will be adding new functionality to extend the site at regular intervals, both pre- and post-event; so be sure to check back often. We think you’ll like what you see! ttfn David Technorati tags: TechEd , Virtual

  • Microsoft Watch - Vista - I Shacked Up with Windows Vista - what happens when a journalist tries Vista and likes it - he makes his Mac Tiger move out for a while :-)

    I saw this and the whole article is well worth a read - a good Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday read to smile. I Shacked Up with Windows Vista Joe Wilcox Last week, Vista and I started living together again , and Tiger moved into an apartment across the hall. I like Vista, but she's sometimes a tough companion. Tiger and Vista are both attractive, but my new roomie is just so much more pleasing to look at—and she likes to do fun stuff that's quite different from the cat woman. Over the weekend we did the Vongo together and hung out at the Yahoo Music club. Tiger wouldn't do either. Vista also is much more social. She loves to nudge her friends and hang out at social clubs MySpace and Live Spaces . She's quite particular about her social calendar , too. Source: Microsoft Watch - Vista - I Shacked Up with Windows Vista ttfn David Technorati tags: Vista business value , MAC

  • Vista Squad 2nd Reading meeting on 24th May 2007 - Bitlocker and WPF to be discussed

    Did you make it to the 1st Vista Squad event? Well, if you did you will know how well it was appreciated, and if you did not, then time to get down here. The details are: The next Vista Squad meeting is confirmed :) All your favourite superheroes will be in attendance. In addition we have two guest heroes sharing their superpowers on WPF and Vista's BitLocker feature. Date: 24th May 2007 Time: 5.30pm onwards Location: Microsoft UK HQ, TVP, Reading, Building 3 Room: Memphis Agenda: 6.15pm - 6.30pm "Introduction" 6.30pm - 7.20pm "BitLocker presented by Stephen Lamb" 7.20pm - 7.30pm "BitLocker Q&A" 7.30pm - 8.30pm "Food and Networking" 8.30pm - 9.20pm "Introduction to WPF presented by Ray Booysen" 9.20pm - 9.30pm "WPF Q&A" Link: http://vistasquad.co.uk/blogs/announcements/archive/2007/05/02/vista-squad-2-0.aspx Come along!! ttfn David

  • Vista documentation for QoS, Internet Explorer 7 deployment guide, Business desktop deployment, Bitlocker and Active Directory and Power Management in Vista

    Windows Vista Policy-based Quality of Service (QoS) This white paper describes how to prioritize network traffic by configuring Policy-based QoS on Windows Vista. Provides a business-based scenario. Also provides reference for QoS error and event messages. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=59030735-8fde-47c7-aa96-d4108f779f20&DisplayLang=en Work smarter using the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Windows Vista These simple, easy-to-use customizable job aids created by Microsoft IT help employees get started with something new, learn more about using a technology or product effectively, select the right product or service, or review best practices. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5637db0a-3436-4607-bf01-3a812dd8fdc0&DisplayLang=en Internet Explorer 7 Deployment Guide This guide helps you to plan and carry out a deployment of Windows Internet Explorer 7 on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The guide describes the system requirements and deployment methods...

  • bCentral (UK) competition - Win 5 laptops – all with the ‘Wow’ factor of Windows Vista Business and Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 – plus a wide screen TV

    I saw that this is closing in a few days - the site has a find a partner link to find SBSC partners by post code and obviously the competition: Microsoft Small Business Centre - Microsoft Office 2007 small business Edition and Microsoft Windows Vista, the software for your Small Business PC We’re offering a special prize of 5 laptops – all with the ‘Wow’ factor of Windows Vista Business and Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 – plus a wide screen TV! To win, tell us how the ‘Wow’ factor can help your business. See Windows Vista Business and Office 2007 in action at your local PC store. PC World, Comet, Staples, John Lewis and Micro Anvika are all running regular demos. For details of demos at your local store, download our schedule . Find a Partner to help you add the ‘Wow; factor to your IT and upgrade to Windows Vista Business and Microsoft Office Small Business 2007. ttfn David Technorati tags: Win Vista and Office , bCentral

  • Find out a bit about small businesses in the UK from the UK Small Business Regional Hotspots web page

    I found this and thought people might find it useful to see what our research showed us about the regions around the UK. The background is given as: Microsoft UK recently carried out online research, in conjunction with You.Gov to find out where in Britain most small businesses were being formed and to see if there was any correlation between geographies and the types of vertical sectors that dominated the small business landscape . It also sought to identify how successful small businesses were developing their business and their employees, and where they were investing money to help it succeed further. This site highlights the key findings for each of the UK regions excluding Northern Ireland (regions defined by Government Office). If you go to http://regionalhotspots.co.uk/default.htm and hover over the icons on the map you can learn more. ttfn David
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  • Vista and Longhorn Events in May

    Events/WebCasts 1 May 2007, Leeds: Windows Vista After Hours You may be familiar with Windows Vista at work - whether you have deployed it, or are evaluating it - but have you ever thought about the possibilities of Vista outside of work? This session, aimed at IT professionals, explores not only the built-in elements of Vista, such as Search, Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker and the Networking & Sharing Center, but also how you can extend your Windows Vista Experience, with Windows Media Center, Xbox 360 and specific applications to open up a new world of gaming and home entertainment. 01 May 2007, Leeds: An Introduction and Overview of Microsoft Licensing Licensing can be confusing - but it needn't be. Attend this course to understand Microsoft Licensing and how to best apply it in your company to fit in with your business needs. This session is aimed at IT professionals who wish to gain a better understanding of Microsoft's Software Licensing. The briefing assumes no previous in-depth or technical...
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(c)David Overton 2006-23