timbarrett – Page 23 – NoGeekLeftBehind.com

January 26, 2011June 12, 2024

Weather Woes and Siding Woes: Why Cutting Corners on Repairs Can Cost You Big

Living in a house is like living in a fort – it should be a place of comfort and security. But just like any fort, your home needs strong walls to keep out the invaders – in this case, the rain, sun, and wind that come with the weather. Your siding is your first line of defense, but harsh weather can leave it battered and bruised. Here’s why understanding how the weather affects your siding, and why hiring the best siding contractors is crucial, can save you money in the long run.

Weather’s Tantrum: A Multi-Hitter for Your Siding

The elements can throw a whole lot at your siding, each with its own destructive power:

Sun’s Scorching Temper: The relentless sun can be like a bully, fading and cracking your siding, especially if it’s made of lower-quality materials. This not only makes your house look worse, but it also weakens the siding’s ability to protect you from other weather woes.
Rain’s Persistent Drip, Drip, Drip: Heavy rain can be like a sneaky thief, exploiting any cracks or gaps in your siding to sneak in. This moisture intrusion can lead to mold growth, rot, and even structural damage – all problems that can cost a small fortune to fix.
Wind’s Furious Fists: Strong winds can be like a destructive prankster, ripping off siding panels, especially during storms. Loose siding creates openings for water to get in, exposing your home’s vulnerable interior to the elements.

DIY Danger Zone: Why Shortcuts Can Lead to a Bigger Bill

While patching up a small crack yourself might seem like a quick fix, it can be a gamble that ends up costing you more. Here’s why hiring top-notch siding contractors is the smarter financial move:

Expert Detectives: Experienced contractors are like CSI for your siding. They can identify weather-related damage with a keen eye and recommend the most effective solutions. They can also spot potential problems before they become major issues, saving you from a hefty repair bill down the road.
Flawless Installation is Key: Proper siding installation is like building a fort with perfect brickwork. Skilled contractors ensure the siding is installed flawlessly, creating a watertight seal that keeps leaks and drafts at bay. This level of expertise minimizes the risk of future weather damage, saving you money on repairs.
The Right Armor for the Right Battle: Different climates require different siding materials. Top contractors are like warriors who know the best weapons – they can recommend siding specifically designed to withstand the weather challenges of your region. This ensures your siding is built to last and protects your home for years to come.
Warranty as Your Shield: Reputable contractors offer warranties on their work and materials. This peace of mind translates to financial security, as you’re protected from unexpected repair costs within the warranty period.

Invest in Your Home’s Fortress

Hiring the best Calgary Siding installation service isn’t just about curb appeal; it’s about proactively protecting your investment. By prioritizing quality materials, expert installation, and preventative maintenance, you’re ensuring your home can weather any storm and remain a secure and comfortable haven for years to come. Think of it as a long-term investment in your home’s fort. The upfront cost of a professional is a small price to pay compared to the potential financial and structural damage caused by neglecting your siding.

So, don’t let the weather win the battle against your home. Schedule regular inspections, address weather-related issues promptly, and consider working with the best siding contractors in your area. Your home and your wallet will thank you for it.

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

January 23, 2011

Have U Rebooted Yet – 038 – Waiting For The Bits

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

January 17, 2011January 17, 2011

Videos – Free SBS 2011 Standard Training

The folks on the Windows Small Business Server team at Microsoft have recently released a batch of training videos called “Learning Bites”. These short videos (typically under 5 minutes each) focus in on specific tasks and demos on SBS 2011 Standard.

SBS 2011 Standard “Learning Bites” Videos

Title of Video	Length	Released
SBS 2011 – Overview	26:05	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Technical Decision Maker Overview	50:49	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Administrative Console	5:00	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Backup Wizard	4:57	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Computer Properties	3:45	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Connect Computer	2:43	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Connect to Internet Wizard (CTIW)	2:05	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Groups and User Roles	4:37	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Health Reporting	3:33	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Internet Address Management	4:06	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Managing Remote Web Access (RWA)	3:15	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Using Remote Web Access (RWA)	3:16	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Managing Storage	3:16	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Managing Updates	3:59	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Managing Users	4:22	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Security	2:30	01/14/2011
SBS 2011 – Shared Folders	4:12	01/14/2011

As additional videos are released, you can find them here:
http://www.microsoft.com/showcase/en/us/search?phrase=SBS%202011

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

January 14, 2011

Crazy Screenshots – Vista x64 CHKDSK

Props: Sent in by Bo Bracey

Rating: 5.0/10 (1 vote cast)

January 14, 2011

Whitepaper – SBS 2003 to 2011 Migration Doc

Whitepaper title: Migrate to Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard from Windows Small Business Server 2003
File name: SBS7_Migrate2003.doc
Date Published: 01/12/2011
Language: English
File size: 724 KB
Pages: 83
Version: 1.0
Download URL: Click here

Description:

This guide explains how to install Windows SBS 2011 Standard in Migration Mode on a new server, and then migrate the settings and data from the old server that is running Windows Small Business Server 2003 to the new server that is running Windows SBS 2011 Standard. This guide also helps you demote and remove your old server from the network after you finish the migration process.

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

January 1, 2011August 29, 2024

Corporate Events: 5 Reasons Why They Are Essential for Business Success

As businesses strive to create a strong brand image and foster meaningful relationships with clients and employees, corporate events have become an integral part of their strategy. These gatherings offer a unique platform to engage with stakeholders, showcase company culture, and drive business objectives. These are just some of the most popular San Francisco event venues.

Here are just 5 reasons why corporate events are crucial for businesses:

Networking Opportunities: Corporate events provide an excellent opportunity for networking with industry peers, potential clients, and partners. By bringing together key stakeholders in a relaxed setting, businesses can build valuable connections that can lead to new partnerships, collaborations, and business opportunities. Networking at corporate events allows professionals to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and establish lasting relationships that can benefit their business in the long run. For comprehensive support in Hong Kong, consider partnering with Acclime HK to enhance your business operations and networking efforts.
Employee Engagement: Hosting corporate events for employees can boost morale, improve team dynamics, and foster a sense of belonging within the company. By organising team-building activities, training workshops, and social gatherings, businesses can create a positive work environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. Employee engagement is essential for increasing productivity, reducing turnover rates, and enhancing overall job satisfaction.
Brand Visibility: Corporate events offer a platform for businesses to showcase their brand identity, values, and products/services to a targeted audience. By hosting events such as product launches, seminars, and conferences, companies can raise brand awareness, generate leads, and enhance their reputation within the industry. Brand visibility at corporate events helps businesses stand out from competitors and position themselves as industry leaders in the minds of stakeholders.
Knowledge Sharing: Corporate events provide a platform for sharing industry insights, trends, and best practices with a wider audience. By organising panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops, businesses can educate their stakeholders on relevant topics and establish themselves as thought leaders in their field. Knowledge sharing at corporate events helps businesses build credibility, gain trust, and engage with their audience in a meaningful way. If you’re starting an LLC, you’ll also want to work with an indiana registered agent service for legal compliance.
Celebrating Success: Corporate events offer a perfect opportunity to celebrate milestones, achievements, and successes with employees, clients, and partners. By recognising and rewarding the contributions of individuals and teams, businesses can boost morale, foster loyalty, and create a positive company culture. Celebrating success at corporate events helps reinforce company values, motivate employees, and build a sense of pride and accomplishment among stakeholders.

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

December 22, 2010January 10, 2011

How To Install SBS 2011 With A Bootable USB Drive

It seems like every release of Windows Small Business Server is bigger than the last, and SBS 2011 is no exception. In fact, it’s downright HUGE! If you’ve downloaded the SBS 2011 Standard ISO from TechNet or MSDN, you’ve probably noticed that it’s actually too large to burn with a conventional DVD drive:

Obviously, if you’re installing SBS 2011 as a Hyper-V child, downloading a 6.35 GB ISO straight onto the Hyper-V parent OS is no big deal. But if you want to install SBS 2011 on bare metal, you’ll probably need a bootable USB drive.

Here are the instructions on how to create your own bootable USB flash drive from scratch for installation of SBS 2011 Standard.

What you’ll need:

ISO of SBS 2011 Standard (6.35 GB)
USB flash drive (I use a Memorex 16 GB Mini TravelDrive)
A way to mount the ISO (I prefer Virtual CloneDrive, Susan likes MagicISO)
A Windows PC (not the SBS box itself) to create the bootable drive

Update 2011/01/10 – As Kendall Morrison reminded me, your Windows PC needs to be running a 64-bit OS when you do this.

The demo environment.

For the purposes of this walkthrough, here are the drive letters on my Win7 PC:

The 6.35 GB SBS 2011 ISO is sitting in a folder on drive D:
The ISO will be mounted using Virtual CloneDrive in drive G:
The bootable USB drive will be drive H:

Go ahead and insert your USB flash drive, if you haven’t done so already.

Below is my drive layout in Disk Management.

Obviously, your drive letters will be different.

Step-by-step:

In Windows Explorer, right-click the SBS 2011 ISO and mount it.

Close the AutoPlay window (if one pops up).
From the Start Menu, open an Administrative Command Prompt.
At the command prompt, type:
DISKPART (hit Enter)

LIST DISK (hit Enter)
Locate your USB flash drive in the list (mine is Disk 3).
Type the following commands (hitting Enter after each one):

SELECT DISK 3 (or whatever your USB disk number is)

CLEAN

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK

ASSIGN
At this point, AutoPlay will probably pop up and tell you that a new disk was found which matches the drive letter of your USB flash drive.

Close the AutoPlay window (if one pops up).
Back in the Command Prompt, type the following:
EXIT (hit Enter)

DiskPart will finish, but leave the Command Prompt window open.
Next we need to make the USB drive bootable. Type the following commands (hitting Enter after each one):
G: (G: is my mounted SBS 2011 ISO drive)

CD BOOT

BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H: (H: is my USB drive)

Close the Command Prompt window.
Now we need to copy the install bits from the ISO to the flash drive:
Open the mounted SBS 2011 ISO drive (which is drive G: for me)

Highlight and copy all of the contents of the SBS 2011 drive.

Paste the contents into the root of the USB drive (which is H: for me)

The file copy will take a while (about 5-10 minutes), depending on the speed of your USB flash drive.
Once the file copy is complete, safely eject the USB flash drive from your Windows PC and physically remove it.
Unmount the ISO of SBS 2011 (which is drive G: for me)

Now you just need to insert the bootable USB flash drive into your physical SBS 2011 box, set the boot option in the BIOS to boot from USB, and start the installation on the bare metal. Happy installing!

Props: IntoWindows.com blog

Rating: 10.0/10 (9 votes cast)

December 13, 2010December 13, 2010

Free Windows Small Business Server 2011 Training

Complete one of these Windows Small Business Server 2011 courses between now and January 26, 2011 and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Windows Phone 7 or an Xbox Kinect sensor.

Windows SBS 2011 Standard Technical Training: