Video – We Share Your Pain (WE-SYP)

March 31, 2006

Happy Friday everybody!

I've gotten several requests for the Microsoft video that Matt Hester showed at TechNet in Louisville yesterday. So here it is:

Title: We Share Your Pain (WE-SYP)
Video size: 640×480
Run time: 3:50
URL: Click here

WE-SYP Features:

  • Micro-Stun
  • Micro-Impact
  • Micro-Jab
  • WE-SYP Ejection

And just in case you're interested, here's the CRM 3.0 Lemonade Stand video that Stephen Cracknell showed at TS2:

Title: Microsoft CRM Casestudy #27
Subtitle: "Unquenchable Thirst for Excellence"
Video: 320×240
Length: 2:55
URL: Click here


Video – See Office 2007 In Action

March 29, 2006

Want to see the new streamlined user interface for Microsoft Office 2007?

Check out the new video from Microsoft:

Video Size: 480×270
Length: 13:12
URL: Click here

Key features shown:

  • The Ribbon
  • Contextual Tabs
  • Galleries
  • Live Preview

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/ui/demo.mspx


Whitepaper – Installing SBA 2006 on SBS

March 24, 2006

Title: "How to Install and Configure Small Business Accounting 2006 on Windows Small Business Server 2003"
File name: SBAandSBS.doc
Version: 1.1
Published: 3/23/2006
Language: English
Download size: 184KB

Description: Microsoft Office Small Business Accounting 2006 can be installed on a standalone computer, or on a peer-to-peer network environment for multiple users.

If you centralize the database to run on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, multiple people can use Small Business Accounting 24×7, they can remotely access Small Business Accounting, and backups are performed automatically. To properly configure Small Business Accounting 2006 to run on a Windows Small Business Server 2003 network, follow the steps in this document.

  1. Set Up a Security Group and Shared Folder for SBA in Windows SBS
  2. Set Up SBA on the Server
  3. Move SBA Company Data File to Shared Folder
  4. Set Up Client Computers to Use SBA
  5. Back Up the SBA Database with Windows SBS
  6. Create a Rule for ADP
  7. Rerun the CEICW

Download the whitepaper here.

Source: http://bink.nu/Article6550.bink


Beating Louisville Rush Hour

March 22, 2006

Everybody hates traffic, myself included.

To combat the traffic I subscribe to XM Radio, which certainly helps with the stress (free 3-day trial) and I use the Louisville traffic webcams on http://www.trimarc.org.

Like the cams in many other cities, the Louisville traffic cams are a really handy way to check traffic conditions before you get out on the highway. I even made a couple of SharePoint webparts using the camera images from the Trimarc website. Now I just load the http://companyweb homepage, hit F5 to refresh the pictures, and I'm out the door.

But invariably I'll be in a hurry, forget to check the traffic cam, and drive right into gridlock. And this usually happens when I'm already running late (or have to go to the bathroom – Murphy's Law).

Since the Trimarc website isn't well-suited for the small screen, I sometimes call back to the office and ask someone to jump on http://companyweb/ to tell me what the traffic looks like up ahead. Unless, of course, everyone has aleady left for the day (Murphy's Law again).

Well, recently one of my geek wishes came true.

Trimarc has added a special sub-site for mobile devices: http://www.trimarc.org/mobile/index.html

So if you live in the Louisville Metro, even if you don’t have a Pocket PC or Smart Phone, you can still surf the site in a normal web browser to check road conditions before rush hour. Or use your mobile device while stuck in traffic to see which lane you should be in. It's very quick, and easy as pie.

Now if you get stuck in traffic, you have no one to blame but yourself.

P.S. If you’d like one of the SharePoint web parts for the traffic cams, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you the .DWP file. Even if you're new to SharePoint, it's pretty easy to roll your own web parts once you've seen how to do it.


Training – Information Worker’s Guide to SBS

March 21, 2006

Title: Information Worker’s Guide to the Windows SBS Computer Network
File Name: iworkrgd.exe
Version: 1.0
Date Published: 3/10/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 8.6MB

Description: Through a series of interlinked PowerPoint shows or "modules," the "Information Worker's Guide to the Windows SBS Computer Network" provides users with a high-level overview of the Windows SBS network. There are four modules:

  • What is Windows SBS?
  • Your Company's Network
  • Working Remotely
  • Connecting with a Mobile Device

As they progress through the modules, users learn how Windows SBS can help them keep company data secure, improve personal and team productivity, and communicate more effectively with customers and co-workers. Along the way, they are introduced to Windows SBS features and functionality and to the basic scenarios of working remotely and staying connected.

Administrators: To make this guide available to users of a Windows SBS computer network, download and run this file on your server computer. After running the file, view the readme file for more information about how to complete the installation.

Download here.


Webcasts – Windows Mobile with TS2

March 20, 2006

So you keep hearing that Mobility is hot, but you don't know where to start, right?

Well, you start here – Join the TS2 Team as they present a 7-part series on Windows Mobile Training:

Part 1: Selling the Value of Windows Mobile Solutions
Date: Tuesday 03/21/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003885

Part 2: Windows Mobile 5.0 versus the Competition
Date: Wednesday 03/21/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003886

Part 3: Windows Mobile for LOB Solutions and Vertical Markets
Date: Monday 03/27/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003887

Part 4: Migrating to Windows Mobile 5.0 – Messaging Solutions and MSFP
Date: Wednesday 03/29/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003888

Part 5: Deploying Windows Mobile Solutions – Technical Overview
Date: Friday 03/31/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003889

Part 6: Windows Mobile Devices (SmartPhone and Pocket PC)
Date: Monday 04/10/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003890

Part 7: Microsoft’s Partner Program and Demand Generation Tools for Mobility Solutions Competency
Date: Tuesday 04/11/2006
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Presenter: Indika Boteju
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003891


Mobilize SMB Managed Services Tour

March 20, 2006

Mobilize SMB©: Taking the SMB Community to the Next Level
With Amy Luby & Chad Gross
http://www.mobilizesmb.com

(This *WILL* sell out folks, so register TODAY!)

Coming to a city near you! This FREE half day workshop will provide the information and support you need as an SMB IT solution provider to help you build a solid SMB Managed Services Business Model.

  • What are the pitfalls to avoid?
  • How do I pay my technicians under this model?
  • How do I know how many technicians I need in this new model?
  • What are the stages in moving into a Managed Service Model?
  • How will this affect my vendor relationships?
  • How do I measure, and why does it matter what my technician utilization rates are?
  • How do I sell managed services?
  • How do I construct my service level agreements?
  • Who wants these services?
  • What or who is my competition and how are they doing managed services?
  • Are there any vendors out there that understand my business?
  • What tools are available?
  • What skills do I need?

June 5 Chicago, IL
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=107908

June 7 Detroit, MI
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=107909

June 9 Cincinnati, OH
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=107850

June 12 Louisville, KY
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=107910

June 14 Atlanta, GA
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=107911

June 20 Tampa, FL
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=107912


Operators Are Standing By

March 11, 2006

I got a news flash from Handy Andy tonight, and the news ain't good folks…

Starting on March 13, 2006, Microsoft will be making the following changes to telephone-based Professional Incident support for IT Professionals and also Enterprise Developers.

Before 3/13/06
– All severities
– 24 hours a day
– Monday – Sunday
– $245 per incident

After 3/13/06
– All severities
– 6AM – 6PM Monday – Friday (Pacific Time)
– $245 per incident

– Business critical severity
– 6PM – 6AM Monday – Friday (Pacific Time)
– All day Saturday and Sunday
– $490 per incident

(Yep – that's a 100% price increase for after-hours support)

Hours of operation are not impacted by holidays.

Business-critical after-hours support is available for $490.00 USD and provides support only for business-critical issues. Business-critical issues are defined as situations that involve a system, a network, a server, or a critical program down situation that severely affects customer production or profitability. These are high-impact issues where production, operations, or development are proceeding but could be severely affected within several days.

Microsoft will provide continuous effort to resolve the problem 24 hours a day. Senior managers at Microsoft are notified. The customer must allocate appropriate resources to sustain a continuous effort 24 hours a day. The customer's management must be notified.

International only: After-hours support will only be provided for business-critical incidents on English version products and in the English language. If you require local language product support, please consider contacting a local support provider.

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/afterhours


And Now For Something Completely Different

March 9, 2006

From the 'meaningless tripe' folder…

Today I was looking for a fun rainy-day project. Nothing too terribly challenging – just something clever, inexpensive, and geeky. (Yes Lee, I do have too much time on my hands).

Submitted for your approval: http://www.instructables.com/

The premise behind the website is that website subscribers (free) upload projects with step-by-step instructions with photos and feedback from viewers. "What kind of projects" you ask?

My choice?

I noticed that the CDs tend to slip out if you cut the top off the floppy, so after the first couple of floppies, I started cutting the side opposite the notched cutout instead. Works like a champ. Holds DVDs too, so win-win.

If you've got a cool project that you'd like to share with the world, now you've got a place to upload it. And now I've wasted that two minutes of your life I warned you about. 😉

* The cool theme music from that episode of Rocketboom is by Tuhin Mehta – MP3 download or listen on Odeo.com. You can also check out other 'Gizmodo Hard Drive Dying Dance Tracks' on Odeo.com.


Whitepaper – Deploying Windows Mobile 5.0 with SBS 2003

March 8, 2006

Title: Deploying Windows Mobile 5.0 with Windows Small Business Server 2003
File Name: Deploying_WM5_with_SBS2003.doc
Version: 1.0
Date Published: 3/6/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 987 KB

Description: This white paper provides step-by-step instructions for deploying Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0 powered devices in an IT infrastructure that is based on the Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 (Windows SBS) server software. It is assumed that the readers have a basic understanding of Windows Mobile and experience in deploying and managing Windows SBS. This white paper is ideal for users who already have a Windows SBS-based infrastructure deployed and want to add Windows Mobile devices to that infrastructure.

Step-by-step instructions include:

  • INSTALLING ACTIVESYNC 4.1
  • ENABLING MOBILE SERVICES FOR USERS
  • CONFIGURING THE FIREWALL AND WEB SERVICES
  • DEPLOYING AN SSL CERTIFICATE
  • CONFIGURING WINDOWS SBS FOR MSFP
  • CONFIGURING DEVICE SYNCHRONIZATION
  • TESTING THE DEPLOYMENT

Download here